"And sat down in front of the fire to take his gruel."
'He saw this bell begin to swing.'
'In life, I was your partner, Jacob Marley.'
'It was a very low fire indeed; nothing on such a bitter night. He was obliged to sit close to it, and brood over it, before he could extract the least sensation of warmth from such a handful of fuel.'
“I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.”
'It swung so softly in the outset that it scarcely made a sound, but soon it rang out loudly, and so did every bell in the house. This might have lasted half a minute or a minute, but it seemed an hour. '
“Remember it!” cried Scrooge with fervour; “I could walk it blindfold.”
“You will be haunted,” resumed the Ghost, “by Three Spirits.”
'Snug, and warm, and dry, and bright a ball-room'
“I am!”The voice was soft and gentle. Singularly low, as if instead of being so close beside him, it were at a distance.“Who, and what are you?” Scrooge demanded. “I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.”“Long Past?” inquired Scrooge: observant of its dwarfish stature.“No. Your past.”
'Scrooge recognising every gate, and post, and tree; until a little market-town appeared in the distance, with its bridge, its church, and winding river.'
'There were more dances, and there were forfeits, and more dances, and there was cake, and there was negus, and there was a great piece of Cold Roast...'