EngLits: Christmas Carol by InterLingua Publishing

Author:InterLingua Publishing
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: InterLingua Educational Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Stave 4 – The Last of the Spirits

The Phantom slowly and gravely approaches Scrooge, seemingly spreading gloom and mystery. He sees it and bends down on his knees. The Phantom is a tall, stately figure, shrouded in a black garment covering it head to toe. Nothing is visible except an outstretched hand giving it some form. But for this, it is difficult to separate the Phantom’s figure from the darkness. It neither speaks, nor moves and this fills Scrooge with a solemn dread. He musters a little courage and asks if he is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, but the Phantom does not answer. It simply points its hand in a direction. Scrooge understands and asks if he is about to show him the shadows of things that will happen in the future and the Ghost nods its head.

Although he is used to ghostly company at this point, he fears the silent shape so much that his legs tremble beneath him. He voices his fear, adding that he knows its purpose is to do him good and as he hopes to be a better man from what he has been and he is prepared to bear his company. Having said this he addresses it as Ghost of the Future and requests it lead him on.

They enter the heart of the city when Scrooge notices the merchants hurrying up and down the street as usual. The Ghost stops beside a group of businessmen discussing somebody’s death and one asks when and how the person died, and to who has he left the vast amount of money. Another man answers that he does not know, but he has certainly not inherited anything and everybody present has a good laugh. They further comment that it is likely to be a cheap funeral, as hardly anyone will attend. One of the businessmen says he does not mind going if lunch is provided and another says he too is not interested, but if others attend, he will accompany them. The group then strolls away.

The Ghost glides into another street where Scrooge notices another group of influential men he knew well. He had always made it a point to stand well in their esteem. The men meet and mention the death of the old scratch and then discuss the weather before sauntering off to their respective engagements. Scrooge is surprised and wonders why he is listening to such trivial conversation, but eventually decides to take note of it as he feels it may be important.

The two leave the busy scene and arrive at a place of much disrepute, where the shops and houses are ugly and dirty, the narrow alleys stink, and half naked drunken people move about. It is filled with filth and misery. He sees a beetling shop belonging to a grey-haired rascal, seventy years of age who deals in iron, old rags, boxes, and bottles. He sees two women, a charwoman and a laundress, enter the shop followed by a man who is an undertaker.

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