"'Long past?' inquired the trembling Scrooge."
"'No, your past. Rise and come with me.'"
The lights went out, there was the sound of a great wind, then a wild cry which made the timid clutch one another's hands.
"'I am afraid! I am afraid! I shall fall.'"
The clear voice answered, "'Bear but a touch of my hand upon your heart, and you shall be upheld in more than this.'"
The curtain before the back of the stage was lifted, the light came on slowly. There, on the bench in an old-fashioned school-room, sat a small boy, tired, homesick, forlorn. To him entered a little girl, who threw her arms about his neck and told him that he was to come home. The little boy cried happily, and there was a strange echo from the front of the stage.
"'It is I!' cried Scrooge. 'I and my sister Fanny.'"
"'And here?' said the spirit."
The curtain fell and at once was lifted.
"'My old master Fezziwig!' laughed Scrooge."