Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.

STAVE (a verse of a song — this book calls its chapters staves) I: MARLEY (Jacob Marley, Scrooge's business partner, seven years dead)'S GHOST (a spirit of the dead)

MARLEY was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial (the putting of a body in the ground) was signed by the clergyman (a minister of the church), the clerk (a writing officer), the undertaker (one who takes a task on), and the chief mourner (one who grieves at a funeral). Scrooge (Ebenezer Scrooge, the cold rich old man of this story) signed it: and Scrooge's name was good upon 'Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail (fully and finally dead — an old saying).

Mind! I don't mean to say that I know, of my own knowledge, what there is particularly dead about a door-nail (dead as a doornail: fully dead — an old saying). I might have been inclined (to lean toward), myself, to regard (to look upon; respect) a coffin-nail (a nail of a coffin) as the deadest piece of ironmongery (goods made of iron) in the trade. But the wisdom (deep good sense) of our ancestors (a forefather) is in the simile (a saying that compares one thing to another); and my unhallowed (not made holy) hands shall not disturb (to break the quiet of) it, or the Country's done for. You will therefore permit (to allow) me to repeat (to say or do again), emphatically (with insistent force), that Marley was as dead as a door-nail (fully and finally dead — an old saying).

Scrooge knew he was dead? Of course he did. How could it be otherwise? Scrooge and he were partners for I don't know how many years. Scrooge was his sole (the only; the foot's bottom) executor (one who carries out a will), his sole (the only; the foot's bottom) administrator (a manager of affairs), his sole (the only; the foot's bottom) assign (the person a right is passed to; to give as a task), his sole (the only; the foot's bottom) residuary (receiving what is left of an estate) legatee (one left something in a will), his sole (the only; the foot's bottom) friend, and sole (the only; the foot's bottom) mourner (one who grieves at a funeral). And even Scrooge was not so dreadfully (terribly) cut up by the sad event, but that he was an excellent man of business on the very day of the funeral (the burial ceremony), and solemnised (to mark with due ceremony) it with an undoubted (beyond doubt) bargain (a deal; a cheap buy).

The mention of Marley's funeral (the burial ceremony) brings me back to the point I started from. There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly (clearly) understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate (to tell; to stand in relation). If we were not perfectly convinced (brought to belief) that Hamlet's Father died before the play began, there would be nothing more remarkable (worthy of note) in his taking a stroll (to walk idly) at night, in an easterly (from the east) wind, upon his own ramparts (a defensive wall), than there would be in any other middle-aged (of middle age) gentleman (a man of good birth and manners) rashly (without thinking of the danger) turning out after dark in a breezy (swept by wind) spot--say Saint Paul's Churchyard (the open square round St Paul's Cathedral in London) for instance-- literally to astonish (greatly surprised) his son's weak mind.

Scrooge never painted out Old Marley's name. There it stood, years afterwards (later), above the warehouse (a storehouse of goods) door: Scrooge and Marley. The firm was known as Scrooge and Marley. Sometimes people new to the business called Scrooge Scrooge, and sometimes Marley, but he answered to both names. It was all the same to him.

Oh! But he was a tight-fisted (mean with money) hand at the grind-stone (the turning stone tools are sharpened on; hard work), Scrooge! a squeezing (to press hard), wrenching (to twist violently), grasping (to seize; to understand), scraping (a small left piece), clutching (to grip hard), covetous (hungry to own what others have), old sinner (one who sins)! Hard and sharp (keen-edged) as flint (the fire-striking stone), from which no steel had ever struck out generous (free in giving) fire; secret, and self-contained (keeping to oneself), and solitary (alone) as an oyster (the shellfish eaten from its shell). The cold within him froze (to turn to ice) his old features, nipped (to pinch sharply) his pointed (sharp-ended; aimed) nose, shrivelled (dried up and wrinkled) his cheek (the side of the face), stiffened (grown stiff) his gait (a way of walking); made his eyes red, his thin (of little thickness) lips (the mouth's edge) blue; and spoke out shrewdly (with sharp cunning) in his grating (harsh and scraping) voice. A frosty (cold with frost) rime (white frost) was on his head, and on his eyebrows (the brow hair above the eye), and his wiry (stiff like wire) chin (the jaw's point). He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days (the hottest days of summer); and didn (did — didn't: did not)'t thaw (melting of snow and ice) it one degree at Christmas.

External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge. No warmth (warm heat) could warm, no wintry (of winter's cold) weather chill (a cold shiver) him. No wind that blew was bitterer (sharp and harsh to taste or heart) than he, no falling snow was more intent (fixed purpose) upon its purpose, no pelting (to strike with blow after blow) rain less open to entreaty (an earnest plea). Foul (filthy; against the rules) weather didn (did — didn't: did not)'t know where to have him. The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail (frozen rain; to call out to), and sleet (half-frozen falling rain), could boast (to praise oneself) of the advantage over him in only one respect. They often "came down" handsomely (generously; finely), and Scrooge never did.

Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome (full of gladness) looks, "My dear Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me?" No beggars (one who lives by begging) implored (to beg with all one's heart) him to bestow (given as a gift) a trifle (a thing of no importance), no children asked him what it was o'clock (the time-keeping machine), no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired (to ask) the way to such and such a place, of Scrooge. Even the blind men's dogs appeared to know him; and when they saw him coming on, would tug (to pull hard) their owners into doorways (the opening of a door) and up courts; and then would wag (to swing from side to side) their tails (the rear end) as though they said, "No eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master!"

But what did Scrooge care! It was the very thing he liked. To edge his way along the crowded (packed with people) paths of life, warning (to tell of danger) all human sympathy (fellow-feeling) to keep its distance, was what the knowing ones call "nuts (the shelled kernel fruit)" to Scrooge.

Once upon a time--of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve--old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house (the office where money accounts are kept). It was cold, bleak (bare and cold), biting (to cut with the teeth) weather: foggy (thick with fog) withal (as well — an old word): and he could hear the people in the court outside, go wheezing (to breathe with a whistling sound) up and down, beating their hands upon their breasts (the chest), and stamping (to strike the foot down; a mark) their feet upon the pavement (a paved walk) stones to warm them. The city clocks (the time-keeping machine) had only just gone three, but it was quite dark already-- it had not been light all day--and candles (a wax light) were flaring (to blaze up) in the windows of the neighbouring (lying next to) offices, like ruddy (red and healthy of face) smears (to spread something wet or greasy) upon the palpable (plain enough to touch) brown air. The fog (thick mist) came pouring (to flow in a stream) in at every chink (a narrow crack; the ring of coins) and keyhole (the hole for a key), and was so dense (thickly packed) without, that although the court was of the narrowest (of little width), the houses opposite were mere (nothing more than) phantoms (a ghost). To see the dingy (dull and dirty-looking) cloud (a sky mass of vapor; to darken with sadness) come drooping (to hang down limply) down, obscuring (dim and little known) everything, one might have thought that Nature lived hard by, and was brewing (to make beer or tea; to gather like a storm) on a large scale.

The door of Scrooge's counting-house (the office where money accounts are kept) was open that he might keep his eye upon his clerk (a writing officer), who in a dismal (gloomy and cheerless) little cell beyond, a sort of tank, was copying letters. Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk (a writing officer)'s fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal (the black burning rock). But he couldn (could — couldn't: could not)'t replenish (filled up again) it, for Scrooge kept the coal-box (the box coal is kept in) in his own room; and so surely as the clerk (a writing officer) came in with the shovel (the digging scoop), the master predicted (to say beforehand) that it would be necessary for them to part. Wherefore (why — old form) the clerk (a writing officer) put on his white comforter (a warm neck scarf), and tried to warm himself at the candle (a wax light); in which effort, not being a man of a strong imagination (the picture-making mind), he failed.

"A merry (full of cheer) Christmas, uncle (a parent's brother)! God save you!" cried a cheerful (full of cheer) voice. It was the voice of Scrooge's nephew (a brother's or sister's son), who came upon him so quickly that this was the first intimation (a first faint sign) he had of his approach.

"Bah!" said Scrooge, "Humbug (nonsense meant to deceive)!"

He had so heated himself with rapid (fast) walking in the fog (thick mist) and frost (frozen dew), this nephew (a brother's or sister's son) of Scrooge's, that he was all in a glow (a soft warm light); his face was ruddy (red and healthy of face) and handsome (fine-looking); his eyes sparkled (to flash with small lights), and his breath smoked again.

"Christmas a humbug (nonsense meant to deceive), uncle (a parent's brother)!" said Scrooge's nephew (a brother's or sister's son). "You don't mean that, I am sure?"

"I do," said Scrooge. "Merry (full of cheer) Christmas! What right have you to be merry (full of cheer)? What reason have you to be merry (full of cheer)? You're poor enough."

"Come, then," returned the nephew (a brother's or sister's son) gaily (merrily). "What right have you to be dismal (gloomy and cheerless)? What reason have you to be morose (gloomy and sour)? You're rich enough."

Scrooge having no better answer ready on the spur (the rider's heel spike; to urge on) of the moment, said, "Bah!" again; and followed it up with "Humbug (nonsense meant to deceive)."

"Don't be cross, uncle (a parent's brother)!" said the nephew (a brother's or sister's son).

"What else can I be," returned the uncle (a parent's brother), "when I live in such a world of fools (one without sense) as this? Merry (full of cheer) Christmas! Out upon merry (full of cheer) Christmas! What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer; a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen (twelve) of months presented dead against you? If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly (with angry protest), "every idiot (a fool) who goes about with 'Merry (full of cheer) Christmas' on his lips (the mouth's edge), should be boiled (to bubble with heat) with his own pudding (a soft sweet dish), and buried (to lay in the earth) with a stake (a pointed post; money risked) of holly (the Christmas plant with red berries and sharp leaves) through his heart. He should!"

"Uncle (a parent's brother)!" pleaded (to beg earnestly) the nephew (a brother's or sister's son).

"Nephew (a brother's or sister's son)!" returned the uncle (a parent's brother) sternly (with stern severity), "keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in mine."

"Keep it!" repeated (to say or do again) Scrooge's nephew (a brother's or sister's son). "But you don't keep it."

"Let me leave it alone, then," said Scrooge. "Much good may it do you! Much good it has ever done you!"

"There are many things from which I might have derived (to draw from a source) good, by which I have not profited, I dare (to have the courage) say," returned the nephew (a brother's or sister's son). "Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round--apart from the veneration (deep reverence) due to its sacred (holy) name and origin, if anything belonging (to be one's own; to be part of) to it can be apart from that--as a good time; a kind, forgiving (ready to forgive), charitable (generous to the poor), pleasant (pleasing) time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar (the list of the year's days) of the year, when men and women seem by one consent (agreement given) to open their shut-up (closed and locked) hearts freely (without restraint), and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers (those travelling with us) to the grave (the burial pit; solemnly serious), and not another race of creatures (a living being) bound (to tie fast) on other journeys. And therefore, uncle (a parent's brother), though it has never put a scrap (a small left piece) of gold or silver in my pocket (the sewn-in pouch), I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless (to call God's favor on) it!"

The clerk (a writing officer) in the Tank involuntarily (without willing it) applauded (to clap approval). Becoming immediately sensible (sensible: aware — the old sense here) of the impropriety (improper conduct), he poked (to jab) the fire, and extinguished (put out) the last frail (weak and easily broken) spark (a fire's flying point) for ever.

"Let me hear another sound from you," said Scrooge, "and you'll keep your Christmas by losing your situation! You're quite a powerful speaker (one who speaks), sir," he added, turning to his nephew (a brother's or sister's son). "I wonder you don't go into Parliament."

"Don't be angry, uncle (a parent's brother). Come! Dine (to eat dinner) with us to-morrow."

Scrooge said that he would see him--yes, indeed he did. He went the whole length of the expression, and said that he would see him in that extremity (the farthest end; the last resort) first.

"But why?" cried Scrooge's nephew (a brother's or sister's son). "Why?"

"Why did you get married?" said Scrooge.

"Because I fell in love."

"Because you fell in love!" growled (a low angry rumble) Scrooge, as if that were the only one thing in the world more ridiculous (deserving laughter) than a merry (full of cheer) Christmas. "Good afternoon!"

"Nay, uncle (a parent's brother), but you never came to see me before that happened. Why give it as a reason for not coming now?"

"Good afternoon," said Scrooge.

"I want nothing from you; I ask nothing of you; why cannot we be friends?"

"Good afternoon," said Scrooge.

"I am sorry, with all my heart, to find you so resolute (firmly determined). We have never had any quarrel (an angry dispute), to which I have been a party. But I have made the trial in homage (honour openly shown) to Christmas, and I'll keep my Christmas humour (a mood; a sense of fun) to the last. So A Merry (full of cheer) Christmas, uncle (a parent's brother)!"

"Good afternoon!" said Scrooge.

"And A Happy New Year!"

"Good afternoon!" said Scrooge.

His nephew (a brother's or sister's son) left the room without an angry word, notwithstanding (in spite of). He stopped at the outer (on the outside) door to bestow (given as a gift) the greetings (words of welcome) of the season on the clerk (a writing officer), who, cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge; for he returned them cordially (with warm friendliness).

"There's another fellow," muttered (to speak low in the throat) Scrooge; who overheard (heard without the speaker knowing) him: "my clerk (a writing officer), with fifteen (fifteen) shillings (an old British coin; twenty made a pound) a week, and a wife and family, talking about a merry (full of cheer) Christmas. I'll retire (to withdraw) to Bedlam (the famous London madhouse)."

This lunatic (a madman), in letting Scrooge's nephew (a brother's or sister's son) out, had let two other people in. They were portly (stout and dignified) gentlemen (a man of good birth and manners), pleasant (pleasing) to behold (to see; look upon), and now stood, with their hats off, in Scrooge's office. They had books and papers in their hands, and bowed (to bend in respect; a ribbon knot) to him.

"Scrooge and Marley's, I believe," said one of the gentlemen (a man of good birth and manners), referring (to direct to; to relate to) to his list. "Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge, or Mr. Marley?"

"Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years," Scrooge replied. "He died seven years ago, this very night."

"We have no doubt his liberality (open-handed giving) is well represented by his surviving (still living) partner," said the gentleman (a man of good birth and manners), presenting his credentials (proof of who one is).

It certainly was; for they had been two kindred (of the same family or kind) spirits. At the ominous (threatening evil to come) word "liberality (open-handed giving)," Scrooge frowned (to draw the brows in displeasure), and shook (to move quickly to and fro) his head, and handed the credentials (proof of who one is) back.

"At this festive (of feast and celebration) season of the year, Mr. Scrooge," said the gentleman (a man of good birth and manners), taking up a pen (the writing tool), "it is more than usually desirable (worth wishing for) that we should make some slight (small; to treat as of no account) provision (supplies; a made arrangement) for the Poor and destitute (left with nothing), who suffer (to bear pain) greatly (to a great degree) at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts (ease; consolation), sir."

"Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge.

"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman (a man of good birth and manners), laying down the pen (the writing tool) again.

"And the Union workhouses (the joint public workhouses where the poor were sent)?" demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?"

"They are. Still," returned the gentleman (a man of good birth and manners), "I wish I could say they were not."

"The Treadmill (the prison wheel the poor were set to walk) and the Poor Law are in full vigour (strength and force), then?" said Scrooge.

"Both very busy, sir."

"Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course," said Scrooge. "I'm very glad to hear it."

"Under the impression (a mark on the mind) that they scarcely (hardly) furnish (fitted out with furniture) Christian cheer (a shout of joy; good spirits) of mind or body to the multitude (a great crowd)," returned the gentleman (a man of good birth and manners), "a few of us are endeavouring (to try hard) to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth (warm heat). We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly (sharply) felt, and Abundance rejoices (to be glad). What shall I put you down for?"

"Nothing!" Scrooge replied.

"You wish to be anonymous (without a name given)?"

"I wish to be left alone," said Scrooge. "Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen (a man of good birth and manners), that is my answer. I don't make merry (full of cheer) myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle (doing nothing) people merry (full of cheer). I help to support the establishments (a set-up institution) I have mentioned--they cost enough; and those who are badly (in a bad way) off must go there."

"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."

"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease (to grow less) the surplus (what is over) population. Besides--excuse me--I don't know that."

"But you might know it," observed (to watch; to remark) the gentleman (a man of good birth and manners).

"It's not my business," Scrooge returned. "It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere (to meddle) with other people's. Mine occupies (to hold; to fill) me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen (a man of good birth and manners)!"

Seeing clearly that it would be useless (of no use) to pursue (to chase after) their point, the gentlemen (a man of good birth and manners) withdrew (to draw back). Scrooge resumed (to take up again) his labours with an improved opinion of himself, and in a more facetious (joking; playful) temper (one's disposition; anger) than was usual with him.

Meanwhile (in the time between) the fog (thick mist) and darkness (absence of light) thickened (grown thick) so, that people ran about with flaring (to blaze up) links, proffering (to hold out an offer) their services to go before horses in carriages (a wheeled passenger vehicle; bearing), and conduct them on their way. The ancient tower of a church, whose gruff (rough and deep of voice) old bell was always peeping (to look through a small opening) slily (in a sly way) down at Scrooge out of a Gothic window in the wall, became invisible (unable to be seen), and struck the hours and quarters in the clouds (a sky mass of vapor; to darken with sadness), with tremulous (trembling) vibrations (a fine trembling) afterwards (later) as if its teeth were chattering (quick idle talk) in its frozen (turned to ice) head up there. The cold became intense (at high pitch). In the main street, at the corner of the court, some labourers (one who does heavy work with the hands) were repairing (to mend) the gas-pipes (pipes carrying gas), and had lighted a great fire in a brazier (an open metal basket for a fire), round which a party of ragged (torn and tattered) men and boys were gathered (to bring together): warming their hands and winking (to close one eye quickly) their eyes before the blaze (a bright strong fire) in rapture (carried-away joy). The water-plug (the street water pipe) being left in solitude (being alone), its overflowings (running over the edge) sullenly (in gloomy ill humor) congealed (to set solid; clot), and turned to misanthropic (hating mankind) ice. The brightness (shining light) of the shops where holly (the Christmas plant with red berries and sharp leaves) sprigs (a small cut twig) and berries (a small round fruit) crackled (to snap in small sharp sounds) in the lamp (a light vessel) heat of the windows, made pale (light in color; whitish) faces ruddy (red and healthy of face) as they passed. Poulterers (a seller of chickens, geese, and turkeys)' and grocers (a seller of household foods)' trades became a splendid (grand and shining) joke: a glorious (full of glory) pageant (a grand show), with which it was next to impossible to believe that such dull (not sharp; not bright) principles (a rule one lives by) as bargain (a deal; a cheap buy) and sale had anything to do. The Lord Mayor (the chief officer of the City of London), in the stronghold (a place of strength) of the mighty (very strong) Mansion House, gave orders to his fifty (fifty) cooks and butlers (the chief manservant) to keep Christmas as a Lord Mayor's household (all who live in a house) should; and even the little tailor (a maker of clothes), whom he had fined (to make pay money as a punishment) five shillings (an old British coin; twenty made a pound) on the previous Monday for being drunk and bloodthirsty (eager for blood) in the streets, stirred (to move; to rouse) up to-morrow's pudding (a soft sweet dish) in his garret (a room at the top of a house, under the roof), while his lean (to tilt against; thin) wife and the baby sallied (a sudden dash out; a witty stroke) out to buy the beef (ox meat).

Foggier (more foggy) yet, and colder (more cold). Piercing (to stab through), searching, biting (to cut with the teeth) cold. If the good Saint Dunstan (Saint Dunstan, who caught the Devil by the nose in the old tale) had but nipped (to pinch sharply) the Evil Spirit's nose with a touch of such weather as that, instead of using (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) his familiar weapons, then indeed he would have roared (a deep loud cry) to lusty (full of strength) purpose. The owner of one scant (barely enough) young nose, gnawed (to chew at steadily) and mumbled (to speak low and unclearly) by the hungry (needing food) cold as bones (the body's hard frame) are gnawed (to chew at steadily) by dogs, stooped (to bend down) down at Scrooge's keyhole (the hole for a key) to regale (to delight with a treat) him with a Christmas carol (a Christmas song of joy): but at the first sound of

"God bless (to call God's favor on) you, merry (full of cheer) gentleman (a man of good birth and manners)! May nothing you dismay (shocked loss of heart)!"

Scrooge seized (to grab; take hold) the ruler (one who rules; a measuring stick) with such energy of action, that the singer fled (to run away) in terror (overwhelming fear), leaving the keyhole (the hole for a key) to the fog (thick mist) and even more congenial (agreeable; of one's own kind) frost (frozen dew).

At length the hour of shutting up the counting-house (the office where money accounts are kept) arrived. With an ill-will (unfriendly feeling) Scrooge dismounted (to get off a horse) from his stool (a backless seat), and tacitly (without saying it aloud) admitted the fact to the expectant (waiting in hope) clerk (a writing officer) in the Tank, who instantly (at once) snuffed (powdered tobacco for the nose) his candle (a wax light) out, and put on his hat.

"You'll want all day to-morrow, I suppose?" said Scrooge.

"If quite convenient (easy and fitting), sir."

"It's not convenient (easy and fitting)," said Scrooge, "and it's not fair. If I was to stop half-a-crown (an old British coin worth two and a half shillings) for it, you'd think yourself ill-used (badly treated), I'll be bound (to tie fast)?"

The clerk (a writing officer) smiled faintly (weakly and dimly).

"And yet," said Scrooge, "you don't think me ill-used (badly treated), when I pay a day's wages (pay for labor; to carry on war) for no work."

The clerk (a writing officer) observed (to watch; to remark) that it was only once a year.

"A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket (the sewn-in pouch) every twenty-fifth (the 25th) of December!" said Scrooge, buttoning his great-coat (a heavy overcoat) to the chin (the jaw's point). "But I suppose you must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier next morning."

The clerk (a writing officer) promised that he would; and Scrooge walked out with a growl (a low angry rumble). The office was closed in a twinkling (in a twinkling: in an instant), and the clerk (a writing officer), with the long ends of his white comforter (a warm neck scarf) dangling (to hang swinging) below his waist (the body's middle) (for he boasted (to praise oneself) no great-coat (a heavy overcoat)), went down a slide (to move smoothly along) on Cornhill (a street in the City of London), at the end of a lane of boys, twenty times, in honour (honor) of its being Christmas Eve, and then ran home to Camden (Camden Town, the poor London district where the Cratchits live) Town as hard as he could pelt (to strike with blow after blow), to play at blindman (from blindman's buff — a blindfold chasing game)'s-buff.

Scrooge took his melancholy (gentle deep sadness) dinner in his usual melancholy (gentle deep sadness) tavern (a drinking house); and having read all the newspapers, and beguiled (to pass time pleasantly; to charm) the rest of the evening with his banker (one who keeps and lends money)'s-book, went home to bed. He lived in chambers (a room) which had once belonged (to be one's own; to be part of) to his deceased (dead) partner. They were a gloomy (dark and heavy of spirit) suite (a great man's attendants) of rooms, in a lowering pile (a heaped mass) of building up a yard, where it had so little business to be, that one could scarcely (hardly) help fancying (the imagination; a liking) it must have run there when it was a young house, playing at hide-and-seek (the hiding-and-finding children's game) with other houses, and forgotten the way out again. It was old enough now, and dreary (gloomy and dull) enough, for nobody lived in it but Scrooge, the other rooms being all let out as offices. The yard was so dark that even Scrooge, who knew its every stone, was fain (fain: gladly — the old sense here) to grope (to feel one's way with the hands) with his hands. The fog (thick mist) and frost (frozen dew) so hung about the black old gateway (an entrance through a wall) of the house, that it seemed as if the Genius (the ruling spirit — here, of the weather) of the Weather sat in mournful (full of mourning) meditation (deep quiet thought) on the threshold (the door's sill).

Now, it is a fact, that there was nothing at all particular about the knocker (the metal ring for knocking on a door) on the door, except that it was very large. It is also a fact, that Scrooge had seen it, night and morning, during his whole residence (a dwelling place) in that place; also that Scrooge had as little of what is called fancy (the imagination; a liking) about him as any man in the city of London, even including--which is a bold (daring) word--the corporation, aldermen (senior officers of a city), and livery (a servant's uniform). Let it also be borne in mind that Scrooge had not bestowed (given as a gift) one thought on Marley, since his last mention of his seven years' dead partner that afternoon. And then let any man explain to me, if he can, how it happened that Scrooge, having his key in the lock of the door, saw in the knocker (the metal ring for knocking on a door), without its undergoing (to go through) any intermediate (lying between) process of change--not a knocker (the metal ring for knocking on a door), but Marley's face.

Marley's face. It was not in impenetrable (impossible to pass through) shadow (the dark cast shape) as the other objects in the yard were, but had a dismal (gloomy and cheerless) light about it, like a bad lobster (the clawed shellfish) in a dark cellar (an underground storeroom). It was not angry or ferocious (fiercely savage), but looked at Scrooge as Marley used (use: habit; custom — the old sense here) to look: with ghostly (like a ghost) spectacles (a grand sight; glasses for the eyes) turned up on its ghostly (like a ghost) forehead (the brow). The hair was curiously (with curiosity; strangely) stirred (to move; to rouse), as if by breath or hot air; and, though the eyes were wide open, they were perfectly motionless (without motion). That, and its livid (gray-blue as a bruise) colour (what the eye sees as red, blue, and the rest), made it horrible (causing horror); but its horror (shaking fear and disgust) seemed to be in spite (ill will) of the face and beyond its control, rather than a part of its own expression.

As Scrooge looked fixedly (with a fixed stare) at this phenomenon (a thing that appears), it was a knocker (the metal ring for knocking on a door) again.

To say that he was not startled (to give a sudden fright), or that his blood was not conscious (aware) of a terrible sensation (a feeling; a public stir) to which it had been a stranger (one unknown) from infancy (earliest childhood), would be untrue (not true). But he put his hand upon the key he had relinquished (to give up), turned it sturdily (strongly; firmly), walked in, and lighted his candle (a wax light).

He did pause (a brief stop), with a moment's irresolution (inability to decide), before he shut the door; and he did look cautiously (with watchful care) behind it first, as if he half expected to be terrified (to fill with terror) with the sight of Marley's pigtail (hair worn twisted into a tail behind the head) sticking out into the hall. But there was nothing on the back of the door, except the screws (the twisting metal pin; a mean grasper) and nuts (the shelled kernel fruit) that held the knocker (the metal ring for knocking on a door) on, so he said "Pooh, pooh!" and closed it with a bang (a sudden loud noise).

The sound resounded (to ring out loudly) through the house like thunder (the storm's deep roar). Every room above, and every cask (a barrel) in the wine-merchant (a dealer in wine)'s cellars (an underground storeroom) below, appeared to have a separate peal (a ringing burst of sound) of echoes (a sound thrown back) of its own. Scrooge was not a man to be frightened (to fill with fear) by echoes (a sound thrown back). He fastened (fixed firmly on) the door, and walked across the hall, and up the stairs (a step of a flight); slowly too: trimming (neat; to make neat) his candle (a wax light) as he went.

You may talk vaguely (dimly; without clear shape) about driving a coach-and-six (a coach drawn by six horses) up a good old flight of stairs (a step of a flight), or through a bad young Act of Parliament; but I mean to say you might have got a hearse (the carriage that carries a coffin) up that staircase (a flight of stairs), and taken it broadwise (sideways on), with the splinter-bar (the crossbar of a coach the horses pull on) towards the wall and the door towards the balustrades (the rail and posts of a staircase): and done it easy. There was plenty of width (how wide a thing is) for that, and room to spare (to hold back from harming; extra); which is perhaps the reason why Scrooge thought he saw a locomotive (a railway engine) hearse (the carriage that carries a coffin) going on before him in the gloom (heavy darkness of spirit). Half-a-dozen (six) gas-lamps (street lamps burning gas) out of the street wouldn (would — wouldn't: would not)'t have lighted the entry too well, so you may suppose that it was pretty dark with Scrooge's dip (to lower briefly into).

Up Scrooge went, not caring a button for that. Darkness (absence of light) is cheap, and Scrooge liked it. But before he shut his heavy door, he walked through his rooms to see that all was right. He had just enough recollection (a memory) of the face to desire to do that.

Sitting-room (the family sitting room), bedroom (a sleeping room), lumber-room (a room for old stored things). All as they should be. Nobody under the table, nobody under the sofa (a long padded seat); a small fire in the grate (with thanks; thankfully); spoon (the bowl-ended table tool) and basin (a wide shallow bowl) ready; and the little saucepan (a cooking pot) of gruel (thin boiled oatmeal) (Scrooge had a cold in his head) upon the hob (the shelf at the side of a fireplace for keeping pots warm). Nobody under the bed; nobody in the closet (a small side room); nobody in his dressing-gown (a loose robe worn at home), which was hanging up in a suspicious (full of distrust) attitude against the wall. Lumber-room (a room for old stored things) as usual. Old fire-guard (the metal screen set before a fire), old shoes, two fish-baskets (baskets for carrying fish), washing-stand (the stand that holds a wash basin) on three legs, and a poker (the metal rod for stirring a fire).

Quite satisfied (content), he closed his door, and locked himself in; double-locked (locked with two turns of the key) himself in, which was not his custom (settled usage). Thus secured against surprise, he took off his cravat (a cloth tied round the neck); put on his dressing-gown (a loose robe worn at home) and slippers (a light indoor shoe), and his nightcap (a cap worn in bed); and sat down before the fire to take his gruel (thin boiled oatmeal).

It was a very low fire indeed; nothing on such a bitter (sharp and harsh to taste or heart) night. He was obliged (to compel; bind by duty) to sit close to it, and brood (to sit thinking darkly; a family of young birds) over it, before he could extract (to draw out) the least sensation (a feeling; a public stir) of warmth (warm heat) from such a handful (as much as a hand holds) of fuel. The fireplace (the open place for a fire in a room) was an old one, built by some Dutch merchant (a trader) long ago, and paved (to cover a floor or road with flat stone) all round with quaint (charmingly odd) Dutch tiles (a baked clay roofing plate), designed to illustrate (to make clear by examples) the Scriptures. There were Cains (a Bible figure painted on the old Dutch fireplace tiles) and Abels (a Bible figure painted on the old Dutch fireplace tiles), Pharaoh (a Bible figure painted on the old Dutch fireplace tiles)'s daughters; Queens of Sheba (a Bible figure painted on the old Dutch fireplace tiles), Angelic messengers (a bearer of messages) descending (to go down) through the air on clouds (a sky mass of vapor; to darken with sadness) like feather-beds (soft beds stuffed with feathers), Abrahams (a Bible figure painted on the old Dutch fireplace tiles), Belshazzars (a Bible figure painted on the old Dutch fireplace tiles), Apostles putting off to sea in butter-boats (little jugs for melted butter), hundreds of figures to attract (to draw toward) his thoughts; and yet that face of Marley, seven years dead, came like the ancient Prophet's rod (a straight slender bar), and swallowed (to take down the throat; the swift bird) up the whole. If each smooth (even; without roughness) tile (a baked clay roofing plate) had been a blank (empty; unmarked) at first, with power to shape some picture on its surface from the disjointed (broken apart; disconnected) fragments (a broken piece) of his thoughts, there would have been a copy of old Marley's head on every one.

"Humbug (nonsense meant to deceive)!" said Scrooge; and walked across the room.

After several turns, he sat down again. As he threw his head back in the chair, his glance (a quick look) happened to rest upon a bell, a disused (the state of being no longer used) bell, that hung in the room, and communicated (to make known to) for some purpose now forgotten with a chamber (a room) in the highest story of the building. It was with great astonishment (great surprise), and with a strange, inexplicable (impossible to explain) dread (deep fear), that as he looked, he saw this bell begin to swing (to sway to and fro). It swung (to sway to and fro) so softly (gently and quietly) in the outset (the start) that it scarcely (hardly) made a sound; but soon it rang out loudly (with loud voice), and so did every bell in the house.

This might have lasted half a minute, or a minute, but it seemed an hour. The bells ceased (to stop) as they had begun, together. They were succeeded (to follow; to prosper) by a clanking (a dull metallic ring) noise, deep down below; as if some person were dragging (to pull heavily along) a heavy chain over the casks (a barrel) in the wine-merchant (a dealer in wine)'s cellar (an underground storeroom). Scrooge then remembered to have heard that ghosts (a spirit of the dead) in haunted (visited by ghosts) houses were described as dragging (to pull heavily along) chains.

The cellar-door (the door down to the cellar) flew open with a booming (sounding deep and loud) sound, and then he heard the noise much louder (more loud), on the floors below; then coming up the stairs (a step of a flight); then coming straight towards his door.

"It's humbug (nonsense meant to deceive) still!" said Scrooge. "I won't believe it."

His colour (what the eye sees as red, blue, and the rest) changed though, when, without a pause (a brief stop), it came on through the heavy door, and passed into the room before his eyes. Upon its coming in, the dying flame (the fire's tongue) leaped (to jump) up, as though it cried, "I know him; Marley's Ghost (a spirit of the dead)!" and fell again.

The same face: the very same. Marley in his pigtail (hair worn twisted into a tail behind the head), usual waistcoat (a vest worn under the coat), tights and boots (a high shoe); the tassels (a hanging bunch of threads) on the latter bristling (with hair standing stiff), like his pigtail (hair worn twisted into a tail behind the head), and his coat-skirts (the hanging lower parts of a coat), and the hair upon his head. The chain he drew was clasped (to hold tight in the arms) about his middle. It was long, and wound (a bodily hurt) about him like a tail (the rear end); and it was made (for Scrooge observed (to watch; to remark) it closely) of cash-boxes (locked boxes for money), keys, padlocks (a hanging lock), ledgers (the big book of money accounts), deeds (an act done), and heavy purses (a money bag) wrought in steel. His body was transparent (letting light through); so that Scrooge, observing (to watch; to remark) him, and looking through his waistcoat (a vest worn under the coat), could see the two buttons on his coat (an outer garment) behind.

Scrooge had often heard it said that Marley had no bowels (the inner parts of the belly), but he had never believed it until now.

No, nor did he believe it even now. Though he looked the phantom (a ghost) through and through, and saw it standing before him; though he felt the chilling (making cold) influence of its death-cold (cold as death) eyes; and marked the very texture (the feel of a weave) of the folded (to bend over on itself) kerchief (a cloth worn over the head) bound (to tie fast) about its head and chin (the jaw's point), which wrapper (a cloth wrapped round something) he had not observed (to watch; to remark) before; he was still incredulous (refusing to believe), and fought against his senses (the body's five ways of knowing; good judgment).

"How now!" said Scrooge, caustic (bitingly sharp) and cold as ever. "What do you want with me?"

"Much!"--Marley's voice, no doubt about it.

"Who are you?"

"Ask me who I was."

"Who were you then?" said Scrooge, raising his voice. "You're particular, for a shade (shadowed cool; a degree of color)." He was going to say "to a shade (shadowed cool; a degree of color)," but substituted (one put in another's place) this, as more appropriate.

"In life I was your partner, Jacob (Marley's first name) Marley."

"Can you--can you sit down?" asked Scrooge, looking doubtfully (with doubt) at him.

"I can."

"Do it, then."

Scrooge asked the question, because he didn (did — didn't: did not)'t know whether a ghost (a spirit of the dead) so transparent (letting light through) might find himself in a condition (condition: social rank — the old sense here) to take a chair; and felt that in the event of its being impossible, it might involve (to draw in) the necessity (unavoidable need) of an embarrassing (causing awkward shame) explanation (a making clear). But the ghost (a spirit of the dead) sat down on the opposite side of the fireplace (the open place for a fire in a room), as if he were quite used to it.

"You don't believe in me," observed (to watch; to remark) the Ghost (a spirit of the dead).

"I don't," said Scrooge.

"What evidence would you have of my reality beyond that of your senses (the body's five ways of knowing; good judgment)?"

"I don't know," said Scrooge.

"Why do you doubt your senses (the body's five ways of knowing; good judgment)?"

"Because," said Scrooge, "a little thing affects them. A slight (small; to treat as of no account) disorder (broken order) of the stomach (the belly) makes them cheats (to deceive for gain). You may be an undigested (undigested: not yet broken down in the stomach) bit of beef (ox meat), a blot (a spot or stain) of mustard (the sharp yellow paste), a crumb (a tiny piece of bread or cheese) of cheese, a fragment (a broken piece) of an underdone (not cooked enough) potato (the earth-grown food root). There's more of gravy (the juice of cooked meat) than of grave (the burial pit; solemnly serious) about you, whatever you are!"

Scrooge was not much in the habit (a settled way of acting) of cracking (a sharp break or noise) jokes, nor did he feel, in his heart, by any means waggish (playfully joking) then. The truth is, that he tried to be smart, as a means of distracting (to pull the mind away) his own attention, and keeping down his terror (overwhelming fear); for the spectre (a ghost)'s voice disturbed (to break the quiet of) the very marrow (the soft core inside bones) in his bones (the body's hard frame).

To sit, staring at those fixed glazed (to turn glassy) eyes, in silence (absence of sound) for a moment, would play, Scrooge felt, the very deuce (the devil — a mild oath) with him. There was something very awful (awful: full of awe — the old sense here), too, in the spectre (a ghost)'s being provided with an infernal (hellish; devilish) atmosphere (the surrounding air or mood) of its own. Scrooge could not feel it himself, but this was clearly the case; for though the Ghost (a spirit of the dead) sat perfectly motionless (without motion), its hair, and skirts (a woman's hanging garment; to pass along the edge), and tassels (a hanging bunch of threads), were still agitated (stirred up; troubled) as by the hot vapour (steam or mist) from an oven (the baking chamber).

"You see this toothpick (the small stick for cleaning teeth)?" said Scrooge, returning quickly to the charge, for the reason just assigned (the person a right is passed to; to give as a task); and wishing, though it were only for a second, to divert (to turn aside; amuse) the vision's stony (like stone; hard) gaze (a long steady look) from himself.

"I do," replied the Ghost (a spirit of the dead).

"You are not looking at it," said Scrooge.

"But I see it," said the Ghost (a spirit of the dead), "notwithstanding (in spite of)."

"Well!" returned Scrooge, "I have but to swallow (to take down the throat; the swift bird) this, and be for the rest of my days persecuted (to hunt and torment) by a legion (a great host; an army) of goblins (an ugly mischief-making spirit), all of my own creation. Humbug (nonsense meant to deceive), I tell you! humbug (nonsense meant to deceive)!"

At this the spirit raised a frightful (causing fright) cry, and shook (to move quickly to and fro) its chain with such a dismal (gloomy and cheerless) and appalling (filling with horror) noise, that Scrooge held on tight to his chair, to save himself from falling in a swoon (a fainting fit). But how much greater was his horror (shaking fear and disgust), when the phantom (a ghost) taking off the bandage (a wound-binding cloth) round its head, as if it were too warm to wear indoors (within doors), its lower jaw (the mouth's bone) dropped down upon its breast (the chest)!

Scrooge fell upon his knees (the leg's middle joint), and clasped (to hold tight in the arms) his hands before his face.

"Mercy (pity shown to the helpless)!" he said. "Dreadful (filling with dread) apparition (a sudden ghostly appearance), why do you trouble me?"

"Man of the worldly (of this world's goods and ways) mind!" replied the Ghost (a spirit of the dead), "do you believe in me or not?"

"I do," said Scrooge. "I must. But why do spirits walk the earth, and why do they come to me?"

"It is required of every man," the Ghost (a spirit of the dead) returned, "that the spirit within him should walk abroad (in foreign lands) among his fellowmen (another human being), and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth (forward; out) in life, it is condemned (to judge guilty) to do so after death. It is doomed (one's fated end) to wander (to roam without aim) through the world--oh, woe (deep sorrow) is me!--and witness (witness: consider as proof — the old sense here) what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness (the state of joy)!"

Again the spectre (a ghost) raised a cry, and shook (to move quickly to and fro) its chain and wrung (forced out by pressure) its shadowy (dim like a shadow) hands.

"You are fettered (chained; bound)," said Scrooge, trembling (shaking finely). "Tell me why?"

"I wear the chain I forged (the smith's fire; to shape metal) in life," replied the Ghost (a spirit of the dead). "I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded (bound around the waist) it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to you?"

Scrooge trembled (to shake finely) more and more.

"Or would you know," pursued (to chase after) the Ghost (a spirit of the dead), "the weight and length of the strong coil (to wind in circles) you bear yourself? It was full as heavy and as long as this, seven Christmas Eves ago. You have laboured on it, since. It is a ponderous (heavy and slow) chain!"

Scrooge glanced (a quick look) about him on the floor, in the expectation (what one looks for) of finding himself surrounded (to close in on every side) by some fifty (fifty) or sixty (sixty) fathoms (to reach the depth of) of iron cable: but he could see nothing.

"Jacob," he said, imploringly (begging with looks). "Old Jacob Marley, tell me more. Speak comfort (ease; consolation) to me, Jacob!"

"I have none to give," the Ghost (a spirit of the dead) replied. "It comes from other regions, Ebenezer (Scrooge's first name) Scrooge, and is conveyed (to carry; make known) by other ministers, to other kinds of men. Nor can I tell you what I would. A very little more is all permitted (to allow) to me. I cannot rest, I cannot stay, I cannot linger (to stay on slowly) anywhere. My spirit never walked beyond our counting-house (the office where money accounts are kept)--mark me!--in life my spirit never roved (to wander; roved: given to wandering) beyond the narrow (of little width) limits of our money-changing (the trading of money) hole; and weary (tired out) journeys lie before me!"

It was a habit (a settled way of acting) with Scrooge, whenever he became thoughtful (full of thought; considerate), to put his hands in his breeches (knee-length trousers) pockets (the sewn-in pouch). Pondering (to weigh in the mind) on what the Ghost (a spirit of the dead) had said, he did so now, but without lifting up his eyes, or getting off his knees (the leg's middle joint).

"You must have been very slow about it, Jacob," Scrooge observed (to watch; to remark), in a business-like (practical and orderly) manner, though with humility (humble modesty of heart) and deference (respectful yielding).

"Slow!" the Ghost (a spirit of the dead) repeated (to say or do again).

"Seven years dead," mused (to think quietly) Scrooge. "And travelling all the time!"

"The whole time," said the Ghost (a spirit of the dead). "No rest, no peace. Incessant (never stopping) torture (torment inflicted) of remorse (gnawing regret for a wrong)."

"You travel fast?" said Scrooge.

"On the wings of the wind," replied the Ghost (a spirit of the dead).

"You might have got over a great quantity (an amount) of ground in seven years," said Scrooge.

The Ghost (a spirit of the dead), on hearing this, set up another cry, and clanked (a dull metallic ring) its chain so hideously (horribly) in the dead silence (absence of sound) of the night, that the Ward would have been justified (to show to be right) in indicting (to charge with a crime) it for a nuisance (a troublesome bother).

"Oh! captive (a prisoner), bound (to tie fast), and double-ironed (chained with double irons)," cried the phantom (a ghost), "not to know, that ages of incessant (never stopping) labour by immortal (never dying) creatures (a living being), for this earth must pass into eternity (endless time) before the good of which it is susceptible (easily affected) is all developed. Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly (kind; gently) in its little sphere (a round ball; one's circle), whatever it may be, will find its mortal (mortal: human — the old sense here) life too short for its vast (very great) means of usefulness (being of use). Not to know that no space of regret (sorrow over what is done) can make amends (to put right) for one life's opportunity misused (to use wrongly)! Yet such was I! Oh! such was I!"

"But you were always a good man of business, Jacob," faltered (to speak with faltering breaks) Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself.

"Business!" cried the Ghost (a spirit of the dead), wringing (to twist and squeeze) its hands again. "Mankind (the human race) was my business. The common welfare (well-being) was my business; charity (love shown in giving), mercy (pity shown to the helpless), forbearance (patient holding back), and benevolence (kindly good will), were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive (taking everything in) ocean of my business!"

It held up its chain at arm's length, as if that were the cause of all its unavailing (unavailing: useless; helping nothing) grief (deep sorrow), and flung (to throw with force) it heavily upon the ground again.

"At this time of the rolling (turning over and over) year," the spectre (a ghost) said, "I suffer (to bear pain) most. Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings (other human beings) with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed (to call God's favor on) Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode (a home; dwelling place)! Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me!"

Scrooge was very much dismayed (shocked loss of heart) to hear the spectre (a ghost) going on at this rate, and began to quake (to shake with fear) exceedingly (extremely).

"Hear me!" cried the Ghost (a spirit of the dead). "My time is nearly gone."

"I will," said Scrooge. "But don't be hard upon me! Don't be flowery (full of fancy words; covered in flowers), Jacob! Pray (to speak to God)!"

"How it is that I appear before you in a shape that you can see, I may not tell. I have sat invisible (unable to be seen) beside (at the side of) you many and many a day."

It was not an agreeable (pleasant) idea. Scrooge shivered (to tremble with cold or fear), and wiped (to rub clean) the perspiration (sweat) from his brow (the forehead).

"That is no light part of my penance (suffering taken on to pay for wrong)," pursued (to chase after) the Ghost (a spirit of the dead). "I am here to-night to warn (to tell of danger) you, that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate (the appointed lot). A chance and hope of my procuring (getting hold of), Ebenezer."

"You were always a good friend to me," said Scrooge. "Thank'ee!"

"You will be haunted (visited by ghosts)," resumed (to take up again) the Ghost (a spirit of the dead), "by Three Spirits."

Scrooge's countenance (the face; composure) fell almost as low as the Ghost (a spirit of the dead)'s had done.

"Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?" he demanded, in a faltering (to speak with faltering breaks) voice.

"It is."

"I--I think I'd rather not," said Scrooge.

"Without their visits," said the Ghost (a spirit of the dead), "you cannot hope to shun (to keep away from) the path I tread (to step; a step's sound). Expect the first to-morrow, when the bell tolls (to ring slowly, as for a death; a fee) One."

"Couldn (could — couldn't: could not)'t I take 'em all at once, and have it over, Jacob?" hinted (a small suggestion) Scrooge.

"Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third upon the next night when the last stroke (a blow; a sudden attack of illness) of Twelve has ceased (to stop) to vibrate (to tremble with sound). Look to see me no more; and look that, for your own sake (for the good of), you remember what has passed between us!"

When it had said these words, the spectre (a ghost) took its wrapper (a cloth wrapped round something) from the table, and bound (to tie fast) it round its head, as before. Scrooge knew this, by the smart sound its teeth made, when the jaws (the mouth's bone) were brought together by the bandage (a wound-binding cloth). He ventured (a risky undertaking) to raise his eyes again, and found his supernatural (beyond nature) visitor (one who visits) confronting (to face) him in an erect (to raise up; upright) attitude, with its chain wound (a bodily hurt) over and about its arm.

The apparition (a sudden ghostly appearance) walked backward (toward the back) from him; and at every step it took, the window raised itself a little, so that when the spectre (a ghost) reached it, it was wide open.

It beckoned (to signal with the hand to come) Scrooge to approach, which he did. When they were within two paces (a step's length; speed) of each other, Marley's Ghost (a spirit of the dead) held up its hand, warning (to tell of danger) him to come no nearer (closer). Scrooge stopped.

Not so much in obedience (doing as ordered), as in surprise and fear: for on the raising of the hand, he became sensible (sensible: aware — the old sense here) of confused (mixed up) noises in the air; incoherent (hanging together without sense) sounds of lamentation (loud crying grief) and regret (sorrow over what is done); wailings (a long crying sound) inexpressibly (beyond words) sorrowful (full of sorrow) and self-accusatory (blaming oneself). The spectre (a ghost), after listening for a moment, joined in the mournful (full of mourning) dirge (a song of mourning); and floated (to rest on water or air) out upon the bleak (bare and cold), dark night.

Scrooge followed to the window: desperate (without hope; reckless) in his curiosity (eagerness to know). He looked out.

The air was filled with phantoms (a ghost), wandering (to roam without aim) hither (to here) and thither (to that place) in restless (unable to rest) haste (hurry), and moaning (a low cry of pain) as they went. Every one of them wore chains like Marley's Ghost (a spirit of the dead); some few (they might be guilty governments) were linked together; none were free. Many had been personally known to Scrooge in their lives. He had been quite familiar with one old ghost (a spirit of the dead), in a white waistcoat (a vest worn under the coat), with a monstrous (hugely dreadful) iron safe attached to its ankle (the foot joint), who cried piteously (in a way that calls for pity) at being unable to assist (to help) a wretched (miserable) woman with an infant (a baby), whom it saw below, upon a door-step (the step at a door). The misery (deep unhappiness) with them all was, clearly, that they sought to interfere (to meddle), for good, in human matters, and had lost the power for ever.

Whether these creatures (a living being) faded (to lose color and strength) into mist (thin fog), or mist (thin fog) enshrouded (to wrap round and hide) them, he could not tell. But they and their spirit voices faded (to lose color and strength) together; and the night became as it had been when he walked home.

Scrooge closed the window, and examined (to inspect closely) the door by which the Ghost (a spirit of the dead) had entered. It was double-locked (locked with two turns of the key), as he had locked it with his own hands, and the bolts (a bar for a door; to dash off) were undisturbed (left in peace). He tried to say "Humbug (nonsense meant to deceive)!" but stopped at the first syllable (a single sound of a word). And being, from the emotion (strong feeling) he had undergone (to go through), or the fatigues (deep tiredness) of the day, or his glimpse (a brief sight) of the Invisible (unable to be seen) World, or the dull (not sharp; not bright) conversation of the Ghost (a spirit of the dead), or the lateness (the being late) of the hour, much in need of repose (rest; calm); went straight to bed, without undressing (taking off clothes), and fell asleep (sleeping) upon the instant (a moment; immediate).