Scrooge lay in this state until the chimes had gone three quarters more, when he remembered, on a sudden, that the Ghost had
Original manuscript of Page 17.
Verso of original manuscript of Page 18.
warned him of a visitation when the bell tolled one. He resolved to lie awake until the hour was past; and considering that he could no more go to sleep than go to Heaven, this was perhaps the wisest resolution in his power.
The quarter was so long, that he was more than once convinced he must have sunk into a doze unconsciously, and missed the clock. At length it broke upon his listening ear.
"Ding, dong!"
"A quarter past," said Scrooge, counting.
"Ding, dong!"