Christmas Carol 20 recto

20

dressing-gown, and nightcap; stuck and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
The grasp though gentle as[????]wife a woman’s hand, was not to be resisted. He
rose; but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, [???????]clasped hisclasped its robe
in supplication.
“I am a mortal,” said Scrooge remonstrated, “and liable to fall.”
“Bear but a touch of my hand me there,” said the Spirit, laying its handit upon his heart, “and you
shall be upheld in more [????? ???????] more than this!”
As the words were spoken, they passedpassed through the wall, and stood
upon an open country road, with fields on either sidehand. The city and
the [???? ???? ?? ? ???????] it was [??? ????????], had a [??? ????]had entirely vanished. Not a vestige of it was to be seen. The darkness and
the fog mist had vanished with it, for it was aclear clear, cold, winter day, with snow upon the ground.
“Good HeavenGod!” said Scrooge, clasping his hands together as he looked about him. “ I was born [at] bred
ofin this place. I was a boy here!”
The Spirit gazed upon him mildly. and Scrooge seemed[???? ]The [???????] of Its hand [???????]gentle touch, though it had
been light and instantaneous, [??????]appeared to Scroogestill present to the
old man’s sense of feeling. He was conscious of a thousand [????????]odours in floating in the air,
each one connected with a thousand [???? ???????]thoughts, and hopes,
and joys, and cares[????]—oh! how long, long, long!— forgotten! His [????]the harsh cold
“Your lip is trembling,” said the Ghost. “And what is that upon your
cheek?”
Scrooge mutteredanswered with a strangean unusual catching in his speechvoice that it
was a pimplepimple; and begged the Ghost to lead him where he would.
“You recollect the way?” ????? inquired the Spirit.
“Remember it!”"[??? ?????]"said cried Scrooge, with fervor. "Why [????]foot of [??????]“I could walk it, blindfold.”
“Strange to have forgotten it for so many years!” [??????]observed the Ghost. “Let
us go on!” These [???? ??? ??????? ]of the [????? ?? ??]have been [????]thrill
[??? ?? ????? ]for f[????]They walked along the road; Scrooge recognising every gate, and post,
and tree; until a marketlittle market-town appeared in the
distance, with its bridge, and its church [??]leand winding river. Some shaggy
ponies [??????]from a [??????]now were seen advancingtrotting towards them with boys upon their backs, who called to other
boys in country gigs and carts, driven by farmers. They held [??? ????????]All these boys were in great
spirits, and whooped and shouted to each other, until the broad fields [?????]
[????? ?????? ]looked[???????]were so full of merry music that the crisp air laughed[???????] to hear it.
“These are but shadows of the things that have been,” said the
Ghost. “They have no consciousness of us.”
TheyThe jocund boystravellersthey came on; gailyand as they came, Scrooge knew and named them
every one.[????]with his [?????? ?????] Why was he [?????]rejoiced [???? ?????]beyond all bounds to see
them! Why did his [????? ??????? ????]cold eye glisten, and his heart