(The Spirit of Christmas Past rises from the hearth as Scrooge finishes his Speech.)
Scro. Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?
Spirit. I am.
Scro. Who, and what are you?
Spir. I am the ghost of Christmas Past.
Scro. Long past?
Spir. No; your past.
Scro. I beg you will be covered.
Spir. What! would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give? Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow?
Scro. I have no intention of offending you. May I make bold to enquire what business has brought you here?