SCENE II--_A street. Exterior of Scrooge's Chambers.

_Enter Scrooge from the house._

_Scro._ (_Addressing the knocker on the door._) I shall love it as long as I live. (_Patting the knocker._) I scarcely ever looked at it before. What an honest expression it has in its face. It's a wonderful knocker.--Here's the turkey.

_Enter boy with large turkey._

_Scro._ Halloo! Whoop! How are you! Merry Christmas! There's a turkey for you! This bird never could have stood upon his legs, he would have snapped 'em short off in a minute, like sticks of sealing-wax. Here's your half-crown, boy. Now take the monster to Bob Cratchit, Camden-town; and tell him it's a present from his grandmother, who wishes him A Merry Christmas, and A Happy New Year. Hold, that, turkey is too large for you to carry; take a cab, here's the money to pay for it.

_Enter Mr. and Mrs. Badger_, R.

_Scro._ Why, here comes James Badger and wife, as sure as I live. Good morning!

_James._ Good morning, sir! A Merry Christmas to you!

_Scro._ The same to you both, and many of them.

_Mrs. B._ He seems in a good humor, speak to him about it.

_Scro._ Going to church, eh?

_James._ We were going, sir, to hear the Christmas Carols, but mindful of the obligation resting upon us, which falls due to-morrow, and of our inability to meet the payment, we have called to beg your indulgence, and ask for a further extension of time.

_Scro._ Why, James, how much do you owe me?

_James._ Twenty pounds, sir.

_Scro._ How long since you contracted the debt?

_James._ Ten years to morrow, sir.

_Scro._ Then you have already paid me over half the amount in interest, which interest has been compounded, and I have, in fact, received more than the principal. My dear fellow, you owe me nothing, just consider the debt cancelled.

_James._ Surely, sir, you cannot mean it.

_Scro._ But I do.

_Mrs. B._ Oh, sir, how can we ever sufficiently manifest our gratitude for such unexpected generosity?

_Scro._ By saying nothing about it. Remember, James and wife, this is Christmas day, and on this day, of all others, we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

_James._ May Heaven reward you, sir. You have lightened our hearts of a heavy burden.

_Scro._ There, there! go to church.

_James._ We shall, sir, and remember our benefactor in our devotions. (_Shaking hands._) I can say heartily a Merry Christmas.

_Mrs. B._ And A Happy New Year. [_Exeunt_ L.]

_Scro._ I guess they are glad, now, that I am alive, and will be really sorry when I die. Halloo! Whoop!

_Enter Mr. Barnes_, L., _passes across stage; Scrooge follows and stops him._

_Scro._ My dear sir (_taking both, his hands_), how do you do? I hope you succeeded yesterday. It was very kind of you. A Merry Christmas to you, sir.

_Mr. B._ Mr. Scrooge?

_Scro._ Yes. That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to you. Allow me to ask your pardon. And will you have the goodness--(_Scrooge whispers in his ear._)

_Mr. B._ Lord bless me--you take my breath away. My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you really serious?

_Scro._ If you please. Not a farthing less. A great many back payments are included in it, I assure you. Will you do me the favor?

_Mr. B._ My dear sir (_shaking hands with him_), I don't know what to say to such munifi--

_Scro._ Don't say any thing, please. Come and see me. Will you come and see me?

_Mr. B._ I will--with great pleasure. [_Exit_, R.]

_Scro._ Thank'er. I am much obliged to you. I thank you fifty times. Bless you!

_Enter Bob Cratchit_, R., _with Tiny Tim on his shoulder_.

_Scro._ Halloo, Bob Cratchit! What do you mean by coming here?

_Bob._ I am very sorry, sir; I was not coming, I was only passing, sir, on my way to hear the Christmas carols.

_Scro._ What right have you to be passing here to remind me that it is Christmas?

_Bob._ It's only once a year, sir; it shall not be repeated.

_Scro._ Now, I'll tell you what, my friend. I am not going to stand this any longer: and therefore I give you permission to pass my house fifty times a day, if you want to. I give you a week's vacation, without any deduction for lost time. I am about to raise your salary. (_Giving him a dig in the waistcoat; Bob staggers back, and Scrooge follows him up._) A Merry Christmas, Bob! (_Slapping him on the back._) A Merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have ever given you for many a year! I'll raise your salary, and endeavor to assist your struggling family, and I'll be Tiny Tim's Godfather. Come along, my good fellow, we'll go to church together, and discuss your affairs on the way. Tiny Tim, what do you say to that?

_Tiny Tim._ I say God bless us, every one.

_Bob._ I would like to say something, sir, but you have deprived me of the power of speech.

_Scro._ Come on, then, we'll talk it over as we go. Come Tiny Tim, and go with your Godfather. (_Takes Tim on his shoulder. Exeunt_, L.)