牛津书虫系列1-6级 双语 3B-01.A Christmas Carol

第1页共51页httpwwwencomcn/原版英语阅读网 AChritmasCarolbyCharlesDickensACHRISTMASCAROLIMarley'sGhost11IITheFirstoftheThreeSpirits32IIITheSecondoftheThreeSpirits51IVTheLastoftheSpiritsVTheEndofit93RATIONSACHRISTMASCAROLseallthewayfromchurchFrontispieceerryChristmasUncleGodsaveyoucriedacheerfulvoiceTositstaringatthosefixedglazedeyesinsilence,foramoment,wouldplay,Scroogefelt,theverydeucewithhim.26"Yourecollecttheway?"inquiredthespirit."Rememberit!"criedScrooge,withfervour;"ItsAliBabaScroogeexclaimedinecstasyItsdearoldhonestAliBabaACHRISTMASCAROLseBEINGAGHOSTSTORYOFCHRISTMAS 第2页共51页httpwwwencomcn/原版英语阅读网RLEYSGHOSTMarleywasdead,tobeginwith.Thereisnodoubtwhateveraboutthat.Theregisterofhisburialwassignedbytheclergyman,theclerk,theundertaker,andthechiefmourner.Scroogesignedit.AndScrooge'snamewasgoodupon'Changeforanythinghechosetoputhishandto.OldMarleywasasdeadasadoor-nail.Mind!Idon'tmeantosaythatIknow,ofmyownknowledge,whatthereisparticularlydeadaboutadoor-nail.Imighthavebeeninclined,myself,toregardacoffin-nailasthedeadestpieceofironmongeryinthetrade.Butthewisdomofourancestorsisinthesimile;andmyunhallowedhandsshallnotdisturbit,ortheCountry'sdonefor.Youwill,therefore,permitmetorepeat,emphatically,thatMarleywasasdeadasadoor-nail.Scroogeknewhewasdead?Ofcoursehedid.Howcoulditbeotherwise?ScroogeandhewerepartnersforIdon'tknowhowmanyyears.Scroogewashissoleexecutor,hissoleadministrator,hissoleassign,hissoleresiduarylegatee,hissolefriend,andsolemourner.AndevenScroogewasnotsodreadfullycutupbythesadevent,butthathewasanexcellentmanofbusinessontheverydayofthefuneral,andsolemniseditwithanundoubtedbargain.ThementionofMarley'sfuneralbringsmebacktothepointIstartedfrom.ThereisnodoubtthatMarleywasdead.Thismustbedistinctlyunderstood,ornothingwonderfulcancomeofthestoryIamgoingtorelate.IfwewerenotperfectlyconvincedthatHamlet'sFatherdiedbeforetheplaybegan,therewouldbenothingmoreremarkableinhistakingastrollatnight,inaneasterlywind,uponhisownramparts,thantherewouldbeinanyothermiddle-agedgentlemanrashlyturningoutafterdarkinabreezyspot--saySt.Paul'sChurch-yard,forinstance--literallytoastonishhisson'sweakmind.ScroogeneverpaintedoutOldMarley'sname.Thereitstood,yearsafterwards,abovethewarehousedoor:ScroogeandMarley.ThefirmwasknownasScroogeandMarley.SometimespeoplenewtothebusinesscalledScroogeScrooge,andsometimesMarley,butheansweredtobothnames.Itwasallthesametohim.Oh!buthewasatight-fistedhandatthegrindstone,Scrooge!asqueezing,wrenching,grasping,scraping,clutching,covetous,oldsinner!Hardandsharpasflint,fromwhichnosteelhadeverstruckoutgenerousfire;secret,andself-contained,andsolitaryasanoyster.Thecoldwithinhimfrozehisoldfeatures,nippedhispointednose,shrivelledhischeek,stiffenedhisgait;madehiseyesred,histhinlipsblue;andspokeoutshrewdlyinhisgratingvoice.Afrostyrimewasonhishead,andonhiseyebrows,andhiswirychin.Hecarriedhisownlowtemperaturealwaysaboutwithhim;heicedhisofficeinthedog-days;anddidn'tthawitonedegreeatChristmas.ExternalheatandcoldhadlittleinfluenceonScrooge.Nowarmthcouldwarm,nowintryweatherchillhim.Nowindthatblewwasbittererthanhe,nofallingsnowwasmoreintentuponitspurpose,nopeltingrainlessopentoentreaty.Foulweatherdidn'tknowwheretohavehim.Theheaviestrain,andsnow,andhail,andsleetcouldboastoftheadvantageoverhiminonlyonerespect.Theyoften"camedown"handsomelyandScroogeneverdid.Nobodyeverstoppedhiminthestreettosay,withgladsomelooks,"MydearScrooge,howareyou?Whenwillyoucometoseeme?"Nobeggarsimploredhimtobestowatrifle,nochildren 第3页共51页httpwwwencomcn/原版英语阅读网askedhimwhatitwaso'clock,nomanorwomaneveronceinallhislifeinquiredthewaytosuchandsuchaplace,ofScrooge.Eventheblindmen'sdogsappearedtoknowhim;and,whentheysawhimcomingon,wouldtugtheirownersintodoorwaysandupcourts;andthenwouldwagtheirtailsasthoughtheysaid,"Noeyeatallisbetterthananevileye,darkmaster!"ButwhatdidScroogecare?Itwastheverythingheliked.Toedgehiswayalongthecrowdedpathsoflife,warningallhumansympathytokeepitsdistance,waswhattheknowingonescall"nuts"toScrooge.Onceuponatime--ofallthegooddaysintheyear,onChristmasEve--oldScroogesatbusyinhiscounting-house.Itwascold,bleak,bitingweather:foggywithal:andhecouldhearthepeopleinthecourtoutsidegowheezingupanddown,beatingtheirhandsupontheirbreasts,andstampingtheirfeetuponthepavementstonestowarmthem.TheCityclockshadonlyjustgonethree,butitwasquitedarkalready--ithadnotbeenlightallday--andcandleswereflaringinthewindowsoftheneighbouringoffices,likeruddysmearsuponthepalpablebrownair.Thefogcamepouringinateverychinkandkeyhole,andwassodensewithout,that,althoughthecourtwasofthenarrowest,thehousesoppositeweremerephantoms.Toseethedingycloudcomedroopingdown,obscuringeverything,onemighthavethoughtthatnaturelivedhardbyandwasbrewingonalargescale.ThedoorofScrooge'scounting-housewasopen,thathemightkeephiseyeuponhisclerk,whoinadismallittlecellbeyond,asortoftank,wascopyingletters.Scroogehadaverysmallfire,buttheclerk'sfirewassoverymuchsmallerthatitlookedlikeonecoal.Buthecouldn'treplenishit,forScroogekeptthecoal-boxinhisownroom;andsosurelyastheclerkcameinwiththeshovel,themasterpredictedthatitwouldbenecessaryforthemtopart.Whereforetheclerkputonhiswhitecomforter,andtriedtowarmhimselfatthecandle;inwhicheffort,notbeingamanofstrongimagination,hefailed."AmerryChristmas,uncle!Godsaveyou!"criedacheerfulvoice.ItwasthevoiceofScrooge'snephew,whocameuponhimsoquicklythatthiswasthefirstintimationhehadofhisapproach.ScroogeHumbugHehadsoheatedhimselfwithrapidwalkinginthefogandfrost,thisnephewofScrooge's,thathewasallinaglow;hisfacewasruddyandhandsome;hiseyessparkled,andhisbreathsmokedagain.ChristmasahumbugunclesaidScroogesnephewYoudontmeanthat,Iamsure?"IdosaidScroogeMerryChristmasWhatrighthaveyoutobemerryWhatreasonhaveyoutobemerry?You'repoorenough.""Come,then,"returnedthenephewgaily."Whatrighthaveyoutobedismal?Whatreasonhaveyoutobemorose?You'rerichenough."Scrooge,havingnobetteranswerreadyonthespurofthemoment,said,"Bah!"again;andoweditupwithHumbug"Don'tbecross,uncle!"saidthenephew.IllustrationAMerryChristmasuncleGodsaveyou!"criedacheerfulvoice.]"WhatelsecanIbe,"returnedtheuncle,"whenIliveinsuchaworldoffoolsasthis?MerryChristmas!OutuponmerryChristmas!What'sChristmas-timetoyoubutatimeforpayingbills 第4页共51页httpwwwencomcn/原版英语阅读网withoutmoney;atimeforfindingyourselfayearolder,andnotanhourricher;atimeforbalancingyourbooks,andhavingeveryitemin'emthrougharounddozenofmonthspresenteddeadagainstyou?IfIcouldworkmywill,"saidScroogeindignantly,"everyidiotwhogoesaboutwith'MerryChristmas'onhislipsshouldbeboiledwithhisownpudding,andburiedwithastakeofhollythroughhisheart.Heshould!""Uncle!"pleadedthenephew."Nephew!"returnedtheunclesternly,"keepChristmasinyourownway,andletmekeepitinmine."Keepit!"repeatedScrooge'snephew."Butyoudon'tkeepit.""Letmeleaveitalone,then,"saidScrooge."Muchgoodmayitdoyou!Muchgoodithasever"TherearemanythingsfromwhichImighthavederivedgood,bywhichIhavenotprofited,Idaresay,"returnedthenephew;"Christmasamongtherest.ButIamsureIhavealwaysthoughtofChristmas-time,whenithascomeround--apartfromthevenerationduetoitssacrednameandorigin,ifanythingbelongingtoitcanbeapartfromthat--asagoodtime;akind,forgiving,charitable,pleasanttime;theonlytimeIknowof,inthelongcalendaroftheyear,whenmenandwomenseembyoneconsenttoopentheirshut-upheartsfreely,andtothinkofpeoplebelowthemasiftheyreallywerefellow-passengerstothegrave,andnotanotherraceofcreaturesboundonotherjourneys.Andtherefore,uncle,thoughithasneverputascrapofgoldorsilverinmypocket,Ibelievethatithasdonemegood,andwilldomegood;andIsay,Godblessit!"Theclerkinthetankinvoluntarilyapplauded.Becomingimmediatelysensibleoftheimpropriety,hepokedthefire,andextinguishedthelastfrailsparkforever."Letmehearanothersoundfromyou,"saidScrooge,"andyou'llkeepyourChristmasbylosingyoursituation!You'requiteapowerfulspeaker,sir,"headded,turningtohisnephew."Iwonderyoudon'tgointoParliament."Dontbeangry,uncle.Come!Dinewithusto-morrow."ScroogesaidthathewouldseehimYes,indeedhedid.Hewentthewholelengthoftheexpression,andsaidthathewouldseehiminthatextremityfirst.criedScroogesnephewWhy"Whydidyougetmarried?"saidScrooge.BecauseIfellinlove."Becauseyoufellinlove!"growledScrooge,asifthatweretheonlyonethingintheworldmoreridiculousthanamerryChristmas."Goodafternoon!""Nay,uncle,butyounevercametoseemebeforethathappened.Whygiveitasareasonfornotgnow"Goodafternoon,"saidScrooge.IwantnothingfromyouIasknothingofyouwhycannotwebefriends?""Goodafternoon!"saidScrooge. 第5页共51页httpwwwencomcn/原版英语阅读网"Iamsorry,withallmyheart,tofindyousoresolute.WehaveneverhadanyquarreltowhichIhavebeenaparty.ButIhavemadethetrialinhomagetoChristmas,andI'llkeepmyChristmashumourtothelast.SoAMerryChristmas,uncle!""Goodafternoon,"saidScrooge.NewYear"Goodafternoon!"saidScrooge.Hisnephewlefttheroomwithoutanangryword,notwithstanding.Hestoppedattheouterdoortobestowthegreetingsoftheseasonontheclerk,who,coldashewas,waswarmerthanScrooge;forhereturnedthemcordially."There'sanotherfellow,"mutteredScrooge,whooverheardhim:"myclerk,withfifteenshillingsaweek,andawifeandfamily,talkingaboutamerryChristmas.I'llretiretoBedlam."Thislunatic,inlettingScrooge'snephewout,hadlettwootherpeoplein.Theywereportlygentlemen,pleasanttobehold,andnowstood,withtheirhatsoff,inScrooge'soffice.Theyhadbooksandpapersintheirhands,andbowedtohim."ScroogeandMarley's,Ibelieve,"saidoneofthegentlemen,referringtohislist."HaveIthepleasureofaddressingMr.Scrooge,orMr.Marley?""Mr.Marleyhasbeendeadthesesevenyears,"Scroogereplied."Hediedsevenyearsago,thisverynight.""Wehavenodoubthisliberalityiswellrepresentedbyhissurvivingpartner,"saidthegentleman,presentinghiscredentials.Itcertainlywas;fortheyhadbeentwokindredspirits.Attheominousword"liberality"Scroogefrowned,andshookhishead,andhandedthecredentialsback."Atthisfestiveseasonoftheyear,Mr.Scrooge,"saidthegentleman,takingupapen,"itismorethanusuallydesirablethatweshouldmakesomeslightprovisionforthepooranddestitute,whosuffergreatlyatthepresenttime.Manythousandsareinwantofcommonnecessaries;hundredsofthousandsareinwantofcommoncomforts,sir.""Aretherenoprisons?"askedScrooge."Plentyofprisons,"saidthegentleman,layingdownthepenagain.AndtheUnionworkhousesdemandedScroogeAretheystillinoperationTheyare.Still,"returnedthegentleman,"IwishIcouldsaytheywerenot.""TheTreadmillandthePoorLawareinfullvigour,then?"saidScrooge."Bothverybusy,sir.""Oh!Iwasafraid,fromwhatyousaidatfirst,thatsomethinghadoccurredtostopthemintheirusefulcourse,"saidScrooge."Iamverygladtohearit.""UndertheimpressionthattheyscarcelyfurnishChristiancheerofmindorbodytothemultitude,"returnedthegentleman,"afewofusareendeavouringtoraiseafundtobuythePoorsomemeatanddrink,andmeansofwarmth.Wechoosethistime,becauseitisatime,ofallotherswhenWantiskeenlyfelt,andAbundancerejoices.WhatshallIputyoudownfor?""Nothing!"Scroogereplied. 第6页共51页httpwwwencomcn/原版英语阅读网eanonymous"Iwishtobeleftalone,"saidScrooge."SinceyouaskmewhatIwish,gentlemen,thatismyanswer.Idon'tmakemerrymyselfatChristmas,andIcan'taffordtomakeidlepeoplemerry.IhelptosupporttheestablishmentsIhavementioned--theycostenough;andthosewhoarebadlyoffmustgothere.""Manycan'tgothere;andmanywouldratherdie.""Iftheywouldratherdie,"saidScrooge,"theyhadbetterdoit,anddecreasethesurpluspopulation.Besides--excuseme--Idon'tknowthat."Butyoumightknowit,"observedthegentleman."It'snotmybusiness,"Scroogereturned."It'senoughforamantounderstandhisownbusiness,andnottointerferewithotherpeople's.Mineoccupiesmeconstantly.Goodafternoon,enSeeingclearlythatitwouldbeuselesstopursuetheirpoint,thegentlemenwithdrew.Scroogeresumedhislabourswithanimprovedopinionofhimself,andinamorefacetioustemperthanwasusualwithhim.Meanwhilethefoganddarknessthickenedso,thatpeopleranaboutwithflaringlinks,profferingtheirservicestogobeforehorsesincarriages,andconductthemontheirway.Theancienttowerofachurch,whosegruffoldbellwasalwayspeepingslilydownatScroogeoutofaGothicwindowinthewall,becameinvisible,andstruckthehoursandquartersintheclouds,withtremulousvibrationsafterwards,asifitsteethwerechatteringinitsfrozenheadupthere.Thecoldbecameintense.Inthemainstreet,atthecornerofthecourt,somelabourerswererepairingthegas-pipes,andhadlightedagreatfireinabrazier,roundwhichapartyofraggedmenandboysweregathered:warmingtheirhandsandwinkingtheireyesbeforetheblazeinrapture.Thewater-plugbeingleftinsolitude,itsoverflowingssuddenlycongealed,andturnedtomisanthropicice.Thebrightnessoftheshops,wherehollysprigsandberriescrackledinthelampheatofthewindows,madepalefacesruddyastheypassed.Poulterers'andgrocers'tradesbecameasplendidjoke:agloriouspageant,withwhichitwasnexttoimpossibletobelievethatsuchdullprinciplesasbargainandsalehadanythingtodo.TheLordMayor,inthestrongholdofthemightyMansionHouse,gaveorderstohisfiftycooksandbutlerstokeepChristmasasaLordMayor'shouseholdshould;andeventhelittletailor,whomhehadfinedfiveshillingsonthepreviousMondayforbeingdrunkandblood-thirstyinthestreets,stirredupto-morrow'spuddinginhisgarret,whilehisleanwifeandthebabysalliedouttobuythebeef.Foggieryet,andcolder!Piercing,searching,bitingcold.IfthegoodSt.DunstanhadbutnippedtheEvilSpirit'snosewithatouchofsuchweatherasthat,insteadofusinghisfamiliarweapons,thenindeedhewouldhaveroaredtolustypurpose.Theownerofonescantyoungnose,gnawedandmumbledbythehungrycoldasbonesaregnawedbydogs,stoopeddownatScrooge'skeyholetoregalehimwithaChristmascarol;but,atthefirstsoundofsyoumerrygentlemanMaynothingyoudismayScroogeseizedtherulerwithsuchenergyofaction,thatthesingerfledinterror,leavingthekeyholetothefog,andevenmorecongenialfrost. 第7页共51页httpwwwencomcn/原版英语阅读网Atlengththehourofshuttingupthecounting-housearrived.Withanill-willScroogedismountedfromhisstool,andtacitlyadmittedthefacttotheexpectantclerkinthetank,whoinstantlysnuffedhiscandleout,andputonhishat."You'llwantalldayto-morrow,Isuppose?"saidScrooge."Ifquiteconvenient,sir.""It'snotconvenient,"saidScrooge,"andit'snotfair.IfIwastostophalf-a-crownforit,you'dthinkyourselfillused,I'llbebound?"Theclerksmiledfaintly."Andyet,"saidScrooge,"youdon'tthinkmeillusedwhenIpayaday'swagesfornowork."Theclerkobservedthatitwasonlyonceayear."Apoorexcuseforpickingaman'spocketeverytwenty-fifthofDecember!"saidScrooge,buttoninghisgreat-coattothechin."ButIsupposeyoumusthavethewholeday.Beherealltheearliernextmorning."Theclerkpromisedthathewould;andScroogewalkedoutwithagrowl.Theofficewasclosedinatwinkling,andtheclerk,withthelongendsofhiswhitecomforterdanglingbelowhiswaist(forheboastednogreat-coat),wentdownaslideonCornhill,attheendofalaneofboys,twentytimes,inhonourofitsbeingChristmas-eve,andthenranhometoCamdenTownashardashecouldpelt,toplayatblindman'sbuff.Scroogetookhismelancholydinnerinhisusualmelancholytavern;andhavingreadallthenewspapers,andbeguiledtherestoftheeveningwithhisbanker'sbook,wenthometobed.Helivedinchamberswhichhadoncebelongedtohisdeceasedpartner.Theywereagloomysuiteofrooms,inaloweringpileofbuildingupayard,whereithadsolittlebusinesstobe,thatonecouldscarcelyhelpfancyingitmusthaveruntherewhenitwasayounghouse,playingathide-and-seekwithotherhouses,andhaveforgottenthewayoutagain.Itwasoldenoughnow,anddrearyenough;fornobodylivedinitbutScrooge,theotherroomsbeingallletoutasoffices.TheyardwassodarkthatevenScrooge,whoknewitseverystone,wasfaintogropewithhishands.Thefogandfrostsohungabouttheblackoldgatewayofthehouse,thatitseemedasiftheGeniusoftheWeathersatinmournfulmeditationonthethreshold.Now,itisafactthattherewasnothingatallparticularabouttheknockeronthedoor,exceptthatitwasverylarge.ItisalsoafactthatScroogehadseenit,nightandmorning,duringhiswholeresidenceinthatplace;alsothatScroogehadaslittleofwhatiscalledfancyabouthimasanymanintheCityofLondon,evenincluding--whichisaboldword--thecorporation,aldermen,andlivery.LetitalsobeborneinmindthatScroogehadnotbestowedonethoughtonMarleysincehislastmentionofhisseven-years'-deadpartnerthatafternoon.Andthenletanymanexplaintome,ifhecan,howithappenedthatScrooge,havinghiskeyinthelockofthedoor,sawintheknocker,withoutitsundergoinganyintermediateprocessofchange--notaknocker,butMarley'sface.Marley'sface.Itwasnotinimpenetrableshadow,astheotherobjectsintheyardwere,buthadadismallightaboutit,likeabadlobsterinadarkcellar.Itwasnotangryorferocious,butlookedatScroogeasMarleyusedtolook:withghostlyspectaclesturneduponitsghostlyforehead.Thehairwascuriouslystirred,asifbybreathofhotair;and,thoughtheeyeswerewideopen,theywere 第8页共51页httpwwwencomcn/原版英语阅读网perfectlymotionless.That,anditslividcolour,madeithorrible;butitshorrorseemedtobeinspiteoftheface,andbeyonditscontrol,ratherthanapartofitsownexpression.AsScroogelookedfixedlyatthisphenomenon,itwasaknockeragain.Tosaythathewasnotstartled,orthathisbloodwasnotconsciousofaterriblesensationtowhichithadbeenastrangerfrominfancy,wouldbeuntrue.Butheputhishanduponthekeyhehadrelinquished,turneditsturdily,walkedin,andlightedhiscandle.Hedidpause,withamoment'sirresolution,beforeheshutthedoor;andhedidlookcautiouslybehinditfirst,asifhehalfexpectedtobeterrifiedwiththesightofMarley'spigtailstickingoutintothehall.Buttherewasnothingonthebackofthedoor,exceptthescrewsandnutsthatheldtheknockeron,sohesaid,"Pooh,pooh!"andcloseditwithabang.Thesoundresoundedthroughthehouselikethunder.Everyroomabove,andeverycaskinthewinemerchant'scellarsbelow,appearedtohaveaseparatepealofechoesofitsown.Scroogewasnotamantobefrightenedbyechoes.Hefastenedthedoor,andwalkedacrossthehall,andupthestairs:slowly,too:trimminghiscandleashewent.Youmaytalkvaguelyaboutdrivingacoachandsixupagoodoldflightofstairs,orthroughabadyoungActofParliament;butImeantosayyoumighthavegotahearseupthatstaircase,andtakenitbroadwise,withthesplinter-bartowardsthewall,andthedoortowardsthebalustrades:anddoneiteasy.Therewasplentyofwidthforthat,androomtospare;whichisperhapsthereasonwhyScroogethoughthesawalocomotivehearsegoingonbeforehiminthegloom.Half-a-dozengas-lampsoutofthestreetwouldn'thavelightedtheentrytoowell,soyoumaysupposethatitwasprettydarkwithScrooge'sdip.UpScroogewent,notcaringabuttonforthat.Darknessischeap,andScroogelikedit.But,beforeheshuthisheavydoor,hewalkedthroughhisroomstoseethatallwasright.Hehadjustenoughrecollectionofthefacetodesiretodothat.Sitting-room,bedroom,lumber-room.Allastheyshouldbe.Nobodyunderthetable,nobodyunderthesofa;asmallfireinthegrate;spoonandbasinready;andthelittlesaucepanofgruel(Scroogehadacoldinhishead)uponthehob.Nobodyunderthebed;nobodyinthecloset;nobodyinhisdressing-gown,whichwashangingupinasuspiciousattitudeagainstthewall.Lumber-roomasusual.Oldfire-guard,oldshoes,twofishbaskets,washing-standonthreelegs,andapoker.Quitesatisfied,heclosedhisdoor,andlockedhimselfin;doublelockedhimselfin,whichwasnothiscustom.Thussecuredagainstsurprise,hetookoffhiscravat;putonhisdressing-gownandslippers,andhisnightcap;andsatdownbeforethefiretotakehisgruel.Itwasaverylowfireindeed;nothingonsuchabitternight.Hewasobligedtositclosetoit,andbroodoverit,beforehecouldextracttheleastsensationofwarmthfromsuchahandfuloffuel.Thefire-placewasanoldone,builtbysomeDutchmerchantlongago,andpavedallroundwithquaintDutchtiles,designedtoillustratetheScriptures.TherewereCainsandAbels,Pharaoh'sdaughters,QueensofSheba,Angelicmessengersdescendingthroughtheaironcloudslikefeatherbeds,Abrahams,Belshazzars,Apostlesputtingofftoseainbutter-boats,hundredsoffigurestoattracthisthoughts;andyetthatfaceofMarley,sevenyearsdead,cameliketheancientProphet'srod,andswallowedupthewhole.Ifeachsmoothtilehadbeenablankatfirst,withpowertoshape第9页共51页httpwwwencomcn/原版英语阅读网somepictureonitssurfacefromthedisjointedfragmentsofhisthoughts,therewouldhavebeenacopyofoldMarley'sheadoneveryone.Humbug!"saidScrooge;andwalkedacrosstheroom.Afterseveralturnshesatdownagain.Ashethrewhisheadbackinthechair,hisglancehappenedtorestuponabell,adisusedbell,thathungintheroom,andcommunicated,forsomepurposenowforgotten,withachamberinthehigheststoryofthebuilding.Itwaswithgreatastonishment,andwithastrange,inexplicabledread,that,ashelooked,hesawthisbellbegintoswing.Itswungsosoftlyintheoutsetthatitscarcelymadeasound;butsoonitrangoutloudly,andsodideverybellinthehouse.Thismighthavelastedhalfaminute,oraminute,butitseemedanhour.Thebellsceased,astheyhadbegun,together.Theyweresucceededbyaclankingnoise,deepdownbelow,asifsomepersonweredraggingaheavychainoverthecasksinthewinemerchant'scellar.Scroogethenrememberedtohaveheardthatghostsinhauntedhousesweredescribedasdraggingchains.Thecellardoorflewopenwithaboomingsound,andthenheheardthenoisemuchlouderonthefloorsbelow;thencomingupthestairs;thencomingstraighttowardshisdoor.It'shumbugstill!"saidScrooge."Iwon'tbelieveit."Hiscolourchanged,though,when,withoutapause,itcameonthroughtheheavydoor,andpassedintotheroombeforehiseyes.Uponitscomingin,thedyingflameleapedup,asthoughitcried,"Iknowhim!Marley'sGhost!"andfellagain.Thesameface:theverysame.Marleyinhispigtail,usualwaistcoat,tights,andboots;thetasselsonthelatterbristling,likehispigtail,andhiscoat-skirts,andthehairuponhishead.Thechainhedrewwasclaspedabouthismiddle.Itwaslong,andwoundabouthimlikeatail;anditwasmade(forScroogeobserveditclosely)ofcash-boxes,keys,padlocks,ledgers,deeds,andheavypurseswroughtinsteel.Hisbodywastransparent;sothatScrooge,observinghim,andlookingthroughhiswaistcoat,couldseethetwobuttonsonhiscoatbehind.ScroogehadoftenhearditsaidthatMarleyhadnobowels,buthehadneverbelievedituntilnow.No,nordidhebelieveitevennow.Thoughhelookedthephantomthroughandthrough,andsawitstandingbeforehim;thoughhefeltthechillinginfluenceofitsdeath-coldeyes;andmarkedtheverytextureofthefoldedkerchiefboundaboutitsheadandchin,whichwrapperhehadnotobservedbefore;hewasstillincredulous,andfoughtagainsthissenses.HownowsaidScroogecausticandcoldaseverWhatdoyouwantwithme?""Much!"--Marley'svoice,nodoubtaboutit.AskmewhoIwas.""Whowereyou,then?"saidScrooge,raisinghisvoice."You'reparticular,forashade."Hewasgoingtosay"toashade,"butsubstitutedthis,asmoreappropriate.InlifeIwasyourpartner,JacobMarley."Canyou--canyousitdown?"askedScrooge,lookingdoubtfullyathim.Ican.""Doit,then."Scroogeaskedthequestion,becausehedidn'tknowwhetheraghostsotransparentmightfindhimselfinaconditiontotakeachair;andfeltthat,intheeventofitsbeingimpossible,itmightinvolvethenecessityofanembarrassingexplanation.ButtheGhostsatdownontheoppositesideofthefire-place,asifhewerequiteusedtoit."Youdon'tbelieveinme,"observedtheGhost."Idon't,"saidScrooge.Whatevidencewouldyouhaveofmyrealitybeyondthatofyourownsenses"Idon'tknow,"saidScrooge.doubtyoursenses"Because,"saidScrooge,"alittlethingaffectsthem.Aslightdisorderofthestomachmakesthemcheats.Youmaybeanundigestedbitofbeef,ablotofmustard,acrumbofcheese,afragmentofanunderdonepotato.There'smoreofgravythanofgraveaboutyou,whateveryoueScroogewasnotmuchinthehabitofcrackingjo