diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index dbabcb56..cc54fcd0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -155,6 +155,36 @@ rag = LightRAG(
```
+
+
+ Using Neo4J for Storage
+
+* For production level scenarios you will most likely want to leverage an enterprise solution
+for KG storage.
+```python
+export NEO4J_URI="neo4j://localhost:7687"
+export NEO4J_USERNAME="neo4j"
+export NEO4J_PASSWORD="password"
+
+When you launch the project be sure to override the default KG: NetworkS
+by specifying kg="Neo4JStorage".
+
+# Note: Default settings use NetworkX
+#Initialize LightRAG with Neo4J implementation.
+WORKING_DIR = "./local_neo4jWorkDir"
+
+rag = LightRAG(
+ working_dir=WORKING_DIR,
+ llm_model_func=gpt_4o_mini_complete, # Use gpt_4o_mini_complete LLM model
+ kg="Neo4JStorage", #<-----------override KG default
+ log_level="DEBUG" #<-----------override log_level default
+)
+```
+see test_neo4j.py for a working example.
+
+
+
+
Using Ollama Models
diff --git a/lightrag/kg/__init__.py b/lightrag/kg/__init__.py
index f9e28648..de9c1f9a 100644
--- a/lightrag/kg/__init__.py
+++ b/lightrag/kg/__init__.py
@@ -1,27 +1,3 @@
-print ("init package vars here. ......")
-# from .neo4j import GraphStorage as Neo4JStorage
+# print ("init package vars here. ......")
-# import sys
-# import importlib
-# # Specify the path to the directory containing the module
-# # Add the directory to the system path
-# module_dir = '/Users/kenwiltshire/documents/dev/LightRag/lightrag/kg'
-# sys.path.append(module_dir)
-# # Specify the module name
-# module_name = 'neo4j'
-# # Import the module
-# spec = importlib.util.spec_from_file_location(module_name, f'{module_dir}/{module_name}.py')
-
-# Neo4JStorage = importlib.util.module_from_spec(spec)
-# spec.loader.exec_module(Neo4JStorage)
-
-
-
-# Relative imports are still possible by adding a leading period to the module name when using the from ... import form:
-
-# # Import names from pkg.string
-# from .string import name1, name2
-# # Import pkg.string
-# from . import string
-
diff --git a/lightrag/lightrag.py b/lightrag/lightrag.py
index d9b12a99..e3e7cce1 100644
--- a/lightrag/lightrag.py
+++ b/lightrag/lightrag.py
@@ -120,9 +120,6 @@ class LightRAG:
addon_params: dict = field(default_factory=dict)
convert_response_to_json_func: callable = convert_response_to_json
- # def get_configured_KG(self):
- # return self.kg
-
def __post_init__(self):
log_file = os.path.join(self.working_dir, "lightrag.log")
set_logger(log_file)
@@ -133,7 +130,7 @@ class LightRAG:
_print_config = ",\n ".join([f"{k} = {v}" for k, v in asdict(self).items()])
logger.debug(f"LightRAG init with param:\n {_print_config}\n")
- #should move all storage setup here to leverage initial start params attached to self.
+ #@TODO: should move all storage setup here to leverage initial start params attached to self.
self.graph_storage_cls: Type[BaseGraphStorage] = self._get_storage_class()[self.kg]
if not os.path.exists(self.working_dir):
diff --git a/lightrag/llm.py b/lightrag/llm.py
index 9baa6997..4dcf535c 100644
--- a/lightrag/llm.py
+++ b/lightrag/llm.py
@@ -72,9 +72,7 @@ async def openai_complete_if_cache(
@retry(
stop=stop_after_attempt(3),
- #kw_
- wait=wait_exponential(multiplier=1, min=10, max=60),
- # wait=wait_exponential(multiplier=1, min=4, max=10),
+ wait=wait_exponential(multiplier=1, min=4, max=10),
retry=retry_if_exception_type((RateLimitError, APIConnectionError, Timeout)),
)
async def azure_openai_complete_if_cache(model,
diff --git a/lightrag/operate.py b/lightrag/operate.py
index ebec5c3f..14dccaf3 100644
--- a/lightrag/operate.py
+++ b/lightrag/operate.py
@@ -908,7 +908,6 @@ async def hybrid_query(
.strip()
)
result = "{" + result.split("{")[1].split("}")[0] + "}"
-
keywords_data = json.loads(result)
hl_keywords = keywords_data.get("high_level_keywords", [])
ll_keywords = keywords_data.get("low_level_keywords", [])
diff --git a/lightrag/storage.py b/lightrag/storage.py
index caa453f7..0ccec839 100644
--- a/lightrag/storage.py
+++ b/lightrag/storage.py
@@ -95,7 +95,6 @@ class NanoVectorDBStorage(BaseVectorStorage):
embeddings = np.concatenate(embeddings_list)
for i, d in enumerate(list_data):
d["__vector__"] = embeddings[i]
- print (f"Upserting to vector: {list_data}")
results = self._client.upsert(datas=list_data)
return results
@@ -110,7 +109,6 @@ class NanoVectorDBStorage(BaseVectorStorage):
results = [
{**dp, "id": dp["__id__"], "distance": dp["__metrics__"]} for dp in results
]
- print (f"vector db results {results} for query {query}")
return results
async def index_done_callback(self):
@@ -235,9 +233,11 @@ class NetworkXStorage(BaseGraphStorage):
raise ValueError(f"Node embedding algorithm {algorithm} not supported")
return await self._node_embed_algorithms[algorithm]()
+
+ #@TODO: NOT USED
async def _node2vec_embed(self):
from graspologic import embed
- print ("is this ever called?")
+
embeddings, nodes = embed.node2vec_embed(
self._graph,
**self.global_config["node2vec_params"],
diff --git a/neo4jWorkDir/kv_store_full_docs.json b/neo4jWorkDir/kv_store_full_docs.json
deleted file mode 100644
index eff31337..00000000
--- a/neo4jWorkDir/kv_store_full_docs.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-{
- "doc-addb4618e1697da0445ec72a648e1f92": {
- "content": "The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Christmas Carol\n \nThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and\nmost other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions\nwhatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms\nof the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online\nat www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States,\nyou will have to check the laws of the country where you are located\nbefore using this eBook.\n\nTitle: A Christmas Carol\n\nAuthor: Charles Dickens\n\nIllustrator: Arthur Rackham\n\nRelease date: December 24, 2007 [eBook #24022]\n\nLanguage: English\n\nOriginal publication: Philadelphia and New York: J. B. Lippincott Company,, 1915\n\nCredits: Produced by Suzanne Shell, Janet Blenkinship and the Online\n Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net\n\n\n*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CHRISTMAS CAROL ***\n\n\n\n\nProduced by Suzanne Shell, Janet Blenkinship and the Online\nDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n A CHRISTMAS CAROL\n\n [Illustration: _\"How now?\" said Scrooge, caustic and cold as ever.\n \"What do you want with me?\"_]\n\n\n A CHRISTMAS CAROL\n\n [Illustration]\n\n BY\n\n CHARLES DICKENS\n\n [Illustration]\n\n ILLUSTRATED BY ARTHUR RACKHAM\n\n [Illustration]\n\n J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY PHILADELPHIA AND NEW YORK\n\n FIRST PUBLISHED 1915\n\n REPRINTED 1923, 1927, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1947, 1948, 1952, 1958,\n 1962, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973\n\n ISBN: 0-397-00033-2\n\n PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN\n\n\n\n\n PREFACE\n\n I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book to raise the Ghost of an\n Idea which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with\n each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their house\n pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it.\n\n Their faithful Friend and Servant,\n\n C. D.\n\n _December, 1843._\n\n\n\n\n CHARACTERS\n\n Bob Cratchit, clerk to Ebenezer Scrooge.\n Peter Cratchit, a son of the preceding.\n Tim Cratchit (\"Tiny Tim\"), a cripple, youngest son of Bob Cratchit.\n Mr. Fezziwig, a kind-hearted, jovial old merchant.\n Fred, Scrooge's nephew.\n Ghost of Christmas Past, a phantom showing things past.\n Ghost of Christmas Present, a spirit of a kind, generous,\n and hearty nature.\n Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, an apparition showing the shadows\n of things which yet may happen.\n Ghost of Jacob Marley, a spectre of Scrooge's former partner in business.\n Joe, a marine-store dealer and receiver of stolen goods.\n Ebenezer Scrooge, a grasping, covetous old man, the surviving partner\n of the firm of Scrooge and Marley.\n Mr. Topper, a bachelor.\n Dick Wilkins, a fellow apprentice of Scrooge's.\n\n Belle, a comely matron, an old sweetheart of Scrooge's.\n Caroline, wife of one of Scrooge's debtors.\n Mrs. Cratchit, wife of Bob Cratchit.\n Belinda and Martha Cratchit, daughters of the preceding.\n\n Mrs. Dilber, a laundress.\n Fan, the sister of Scrooge.\n Mrs. Fezziwig, the worthy partner of Mr. Fezziwig.\n\n\n\n\n CONTENTS\n\n STAVE ONE--MARLEY'S GHOST 3\n STAVE TWO--THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS 37\n STAVE THREE--THE SECOND OF THE THREE SPIRITS 69\n STAVE FOUR--THE LAST OF THE SPIRITS 111\n STAVE FIVE--THE END OF IT 137\n\n\n LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS\n\n _IN COLOUR_\n\n\n \"How now?\" said Scrooge, caustic\n and cold as ever. \"What do you\n want with me?\" _Frontispiece_\n\n Bob Cratchit went down a slide on\n Cornhill, at the end of a lane of\n boys, twenty times, in honour of\n its being Christmas Eve 16\n\n Nobody under the bed; nobody in\n the closet; nobody in his dressing-gown,\n which was hanging up\n in a suspicious attitude against\n the wall 20\n\n The air was filled with phantoms,\n wandering hither and thither in\n restless haste and moaning as\n they went 32\n\n Then old Fezziwig stood out to\n dance with Mrs. Fezziwig 54\n\n A flushed and boisterous group 62\n\n Laden with Christmas toys and\n presents 64\n\n The way he went after that plump\n sister in the lace tucker! 100\n\n \"How are you?\" said one.\n \"How are you?\" returned the other.\n \"Well!\" said the first. \"Old\n Scratch has got his own at last,\n hey?\" 114\n\n \"What do you call this?\" said Joe.\n \"Bed-curtains!\" \"Ah!\" returned\n the woman, laughing....\n \"Bed-curtains!\"\n\n \"You don't mean to say you took\n 'em down, rings and all, with him\n lying there?\" said Joe.\n\n \"Yes, I do,\" replied the woman.\n \"Why not?\" 120\n\n \"It's I, your uncle Scrooge. I have\n come to dinner. Will you let\n me in, Fred?\" 144\n\n \"Now, I'll tell you what, my friend,\"\n said Scrooge. \"I am not going\n to stand this sort of thing any\n longer.\" 146\n\n[Illustration]\n\n_IN BLACK AND WHITE_\n\n\n Tailpiece vi\n Tailpiece to List of Coloured Illustrations x\n Tailpiece to List of Black and White Illustrations xi\n Heading to Stave One 3\n They were portly gentlemen, pleasant to behold 12\n On the wings of the wind 28-29\n Tailpiece to Stave One 34\n Heading to Stave Two 37\n He produced a decanter of curiously\n light wine and a block of curiously heavy cake 50\n She left him, and they parted 60\n Tailpiece to Stave Two 65\n Heading to Stave Three 69\n There was nothing very cheerful in the climate 75\n He had been Tim's blood-horse all the way from church 84-85\n With the pudding 88\n Heading to Stave Four 111\n Heading to Stave Five 137\n Tailpiece to Stave Five 147\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nSTAVE ONE\n\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\nMARLEY'S GHOST\n\n\nMarley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that.\nThe register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the\nundertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge's name\nwas good upon 'Change for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old\nMarley was as dead as a door-nail.\n\nMind! I don't mean to say that I know of my own knowledge, what there is\nparticularly dead about a door-nail. I might have been inclined, myself,\nto regard a coffin-nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the\ntrade. But the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile; and my\nunhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the country's done for. You\nwill, therefore, permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as\ndead as a door-nail.\n\nScrooge knew he was dead? Of course he did. How could it be otherwise?\nScrooge and he were partners for I don't know how many years. Scrooge\nwas his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole\nresiduary legatee, his sole friend, and sole mourner. And even Scrooge\nwas not so dreadfully cut up by the sad event but that he was an\nexcellent man of business on the very day of the funeral, and solemnised\nit with an undoubted bargain.\n\nThe mention of Marley's funeral brings me back to the point I started\nfrom. There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly\nunderstood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to\nrelate. If we were not perfectly convinced that Hamlet's father died\nbefore the play began, there would be nothing more remarkable in his\ntaking a stroll at night, in an easterly wind, upon his own ramparts,\nthan there would be in any other middle-aged gentleman rashly turning\nout after dark in a breezy spot--say St. Paul's Churchyard, for\ninstance--literally to astonish his son's weak mind.\n\nScrooge never painted out Old Marley's name. There it stood, years\nafterwards, above the warehouse door: Scrooge and Marley. The firm was\nknown as Scrooge and Marley. Sometimes people new to the business called\nScrooge Scrooge, and sometimes Marley, but he answered to both names. It\nwas all the same to him.\n\nOh! but he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a\nsqueezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old\nsinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out\ngenerous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster.\nThe cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose,\nshrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin\nlips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime\nwas on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his\nown low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the\ndog-days, and didn't thaw it one degree at Christmas.\n\nExternal heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge. No warmth could\nwarm, no wintry weather chill him. No wind that blew was bitterer than\nhe, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain\nless open to entreaty. Foul weather didn't know where to have him. The\nheaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet could boast of the\nadvantage over him in only one respect. They often 'came down'\nhandsomely, and Scrooge never did.\n\nNobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome looks, 'My\ndear Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me?' No beggars\nimplored him to bestow a trifle, no children asked him what it was\no'clock, no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired the way to\nsuch and such a place, of Scrooge. Even the blind men's dogs appeared to\nknow him; and, when they saw him coming on, would tug their owners into\ndoorways and up courts; and then would wag their tails as though they\nsaid, 'No eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master!'\n\nBut what did Scrooge care? It was the very thing he liked. To edge his\nway along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep\nits distance, was what the knowing ones call 'nuts' to Scrooge.\n\nOnce upon a time--of all the good days in the year, on Christmas\nEve--old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house. It was cold, bleak,\nbiting weather; foggy withal; and he could hear the people in the court\noutside go wheezing up and down, beating their hands upon their breasts,\nand stamping their feet upon the pavement stones to warm them. The City\nclocks had only just gone three, but it was quite dark already--it had\nnot been light all day--and candles were flaring in the windows of the\nneighbouring offices, like ruddy smears upon the palpable brown air. The\nfog came pouring in at every chink and keyhole, and was so dense\nwithout, that, although the court was of the narrowest, the houses\nopposite were mere phantoms. To see the dingy cloud come drooping down,\nobscuring everything, one might have thought that nature lived hard by,\nand was brewing on a large scale.\n\nThe door of Scrooge's counting-house was open, that he might keep his\neye upon his clerk, who in a dismal little cell beyond, a sort of tank,\nwas copying letters. Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk's fire\nwas so very much smaller that it looked like one coal. But he couldn't\nreplenish it, for Scrooge kept the coal-box in his own room; and so\nsurely as the clerk came in with the shovel, the master predicted that\nit would be necessary for them to part. Wherefore the clerk put on his\nwhite comforter, and tried to warm himself at the candle; in which\neffort, not being a man of strong imagination, he failed.\n\n'A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!' cried a cheerful voice. It was\nthe voice of Scrooge's nephew, who came upon him so quickly that this\nwas the first intimation he had of his approach.\n\n'Bah!' said Scrooge. 'Humbug!'\n\nHe had so heated himself with rapid walking in the fog and frost, this\nnephew of Scrooge's, that he was all in a glow; his face was ruddy and\nhandsome; his eyes sparkled, and his breath smoked again.\n\n'Christmas a humbug, uncle!' said Scrooge's nephew. 'You don't mean\nthat, I am sure?'\n\n'I do,' said Scrooge. 'Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry?\nWhat reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough.'\n\n'Come, then,' returned the nephew gaily. 'What right have you to be\ndismal? What reason have you to be morose? You're rich enough.'\n\nScrooge, having no better answer ready on the spur of the moment, said,\n'Bah!' again; and followed it up with 'Humbug!'\n\n'Don't be cross, uncle!' said the nephew.\n\n'What else can I be,' returned the uncle, 'when I live in such a world\nof fools as this? Merry Christmas! Out upon merry Christmas! What's\nChristmas-time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time\nfor finding yourself a year older, and not an hour richer; a time for\nbalancing your books, and having every item in 'em through a round dozen\nof months presented dead against you? If I could work my will,' said\nScrooge indignantly, 'every idiot who goes about with \"Merry Christmas\"\non his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a\nstake of holly through his heart. He should!'\n\n'Uncle!' pleaded the nephew.\n\n'Nephew!' returned the uncle sternly, 'keep Christmas in your own way,\nand let me keep it in mine.'\n\n'Keep it!' repeated Scrooge's nephew. 'But you don't keep it.'\n\n'Let me leave it alone, then,' said Scrooge. 'Much good may it do you!\nMuch good it has ever done you!'\n\n'There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I\nhave not profited, I dare say,' returned the nephew; 'Christmas among\nthe rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas-time, when\nit has come round--apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and\norigin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that--as a good\ntime; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know\nof, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one\nconsent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people\nbelow them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and\nnot another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore,\nuncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I\nbelieve that it _has_ done me good and _will_ do me good; and I say, God\nbless it!'\n\nThe clerk in the tank involuntarily applauded. Becoming immediately\nsensible of the impropriety, he poked the fire, and extinguished the\nlast frail spark for ever.\n\n'Let me hear another sound from _you_,' said Scrooge, 'and you'll keep\nyour Christmas by losing your situation! You're quite a powerful\nspeaker, sir,' he added, turning to his nephew. 'I wonder you don't go\ninto Parliament.'\n\n'Don't be angry, uncle. Come! Dine with us to-morrow.'\n\nScrooge said that he would see him----Yes, indeed he did. He went the\nwhole length of the expression, and said that he would see him in that\nextremity first.\n\n'But why?' cried Scrooge's nephew. 'Why?'\n\n'Why did you get married?' said Scrooge.\n\n'Because I fell in love.'\n\n'Because you fell in love!' growled Scrooge, as if that were the only\none thing in the world more ridiculous than a merry Christmas. 'Good\nafternoon!'\n\n'Nay, uncle, but you never came to see me before that happened. Why give\nit as a reason for not coming now?'\n\n'Good afternoon,' said Scrooge.\n\n'I want nothing from you; I ask nothing of you; why cannot we be\nfriends?'\n\n'Good afternoon!' said Scrooge.\n\n'I am sorry, with all my heart, to find you so resolute. We have never\nhad any quarrel to which I have been a party. But I have made the trial\nin homage to Christmas, and I'll keep my Christmas humour to the last.\nSo A Merry Christmas, uncle!'\n\n'Good afternoon,' said Scrooge.\n\n'And A Happy New Year!'\n\n'Good afternoon!' said Scrooge.\n\nHis nephew left the room without an angry word, notwithstanding. He\nstopped at the outer door to bestow the greetings of the season on the\nclerk, who, cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge; for he returned\nthem cordially.\n\n'There's another fellow,' muttered Scrooge, who overheard him: 'my\nclerk, with fifteen shillings a week, and a wife and family, talking\nabout a merry Christmas. I'll retire to Bedlam.'\n\nThis lunatic, in letting Scrooge's nephew out, had let two other people\nin. They were portly gentlemen, pleasant to behold, and now stood, with\ntheir hats off, in Scrooge's office. They had books and papers in their\nhands, and bowed to him.\n\n'Scrooge and Marley's, I believe,' said one of the gentlemen, referring\nto his list. 'Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge, or Mr.\nMarley?'\n\n'Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years,' Scrooge replied. 'He died\nseven years ago, this very night.'\n\n'We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving\npartner,' said the gentleman, presenting his credentials.\n\n[Illustration: THEY WERE PORTLY GENTLEMEN, PLEASANT TO BEHOLD]\n\nIt certainly was; for they had been two kindred spirits. At the ominous\nword 'liberality' Scrooge frowned, and shook his head, and handed the\ncredentials back.\n\n'At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,' said the gentleman,\ntaking up a pen, 'it is more than usually desirable that we should make\nsome slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at\nthe present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries;\nhundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.'\n\n'Are there no prisons?' asked Scrooge.\n\n'Plenty of prisons,' said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.\n\n'And the Union workhouses?' demanded Scrooge. 'Are they still in\noperation?'\n\n'They are. Still,' returned the gentleman, 'I wish I could say they were\nnot.'\n\n'The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?' said Scrooge.\n\n'Both very busy, sir.'\n\n'Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had\noccurred to stop them in their useful course,' said Scrooge. 'I am very\nglad to hear it.'\n\n'Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind\nor body to the multitude,' returned the gentleman, 'a few of us are\nendeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and\nmeans of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all\nothers, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I\nput you down for?'\n\n'Nothing!' Scrooge replied.\n\n'You wish to be anonymous?'\n\n'I wish to be left alone,' said Scrooge. 'Since you ask me what I wish,\ngentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas,\nand I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the\nestablishments I have mentioned--they cost enough: and those who are\nbadly off must go there.'\n\n'Many can't go there; and many would rather die.'\n\n'If they would rather die,' said Scrooge, 'they had better do it, and\ndecrease the surplus population. Besides--excuse me--I don't know that.'\n\n'But you might know it,' observed the gentleman.\n\n'It's not my business,' Scrooge returned. 'It's enough for a man to\nunderstand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's.\nMine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!'\n\nSeeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point, the\ngentlemen withdrew. Scrooge resumed his labours with an improved opinion\nof himself, and in a more facetious temper than was usual with him.\n\nMeanwhile the fog and darkness thickened so, that people ran about with\nflaring links, proffering their services to go before horses in\ncarriages, and conduct them on their way. The ancient tower of a church,\nwhose gruff old bell was always peeping slyly down at Scrooge out of a\nGothic window in the wall, became invisible, and struck the hours and\nquarters in the clouds, with tremulous vibrations afterwards, as if its\nteeth were chattering in its frozen head up there. The cold became\nintense. In the main street, at the corner of the court, some labourers\nwere repairing the gas-pipes, and had lighted a great fire in a brazier,\nround which a party of ragged men and boys were gathered: warming their\nhands and winking their eyes before the blaze in rapture. The water-plug\nbeing left in solitude, its overflowings suddenly congealed, and turned\nto misanthropic ice. The brightness of the shops, where holly sprigs and\nberries crackled in the lamp heat of the windows, made pale faces ruddy\nas they passed. Poulterers' and grocers' trades became a splendid joke:\na glorious pageant, with which it was next to impossible to believe that\nsuch dull principles as bargain and sale had anything to do. The Lord\nMayor, in the stronghold of the mighty Mansion House, gave orders to his\nfifty cooks and butlers to keep Christmas as a Lord Mayor's household\nshould; and even the little tailor, whom he had fined five shillings on\nthe previous Monday for being drunk and bloodthirsty in the streets,\nstirred up to-morrow's pudding in his garret, while his lean wife and\nthe baby sallied out to buy the beef.\n\nFoggier yet, and colder! Piercing, searching, biting cold. If the good\nSt. Dunstan had but nipped the Evil Spirit's nose with a touch of such\nweather as that, instead of using his familiar weapons, then indeed he\nwould have roared to lusty purpose. The owner of one scant young nose,\ngnawed and mumbled by the hungry cold as bones are gnawed by dogs,\nstooped down at Scrooge's keyhole to regale him with a Christmas carol;\nbut, at the first sound of\n\n 'God bless you, merry gentleman,\n May nothing you dismay!'\n\nScrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action that the singer fled\nin terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog, and even more congenial\nfrost.\n\nAt length the hour of shutting up the counting-house arrived. With an\nill-will Scrooge dismounted from his stool, and tacitly admitted the\nfact to the expectant clerk in the tank, who instantly snuffed his\ncandle out, and put on his hat.\n\n'You'll want all day to-morrow, I suppose?' said Scrooge.\n\n'If quite convenient, sir.'\n\n'It's not convenient,' said Scrooge, 'and it's not fair. If I was to\nstop half-a-crown for it, you'd think yourself ill used, I'll be bound?'\n\nThe clerk smiled faintly.\n\n'And yet,' said Scrooge, 'you don't think _me_ ill used when I pay a\nday's wages for no work.'\n\n[Illustration: _Bob Cratchit went down a slide on Cornhill, at the end\nof a lane of boys, twenty times, in honour of its being Christmas\nEve_]\n\nThe clerk observed that it was only once a year.\n\n'A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of\nDecember!' said Scrooge, buttoning his greatcoat to the chin. 'But I\nsuppose you must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier next\nmorning.'\n\nThe clerk promised that he would; and Scrooge walked out with a growl.\nThe office was closed in a twinkling, and the clerk, with the long ends\nof his white comforter dangling below his waist (for he boasted no\ngreatcoat), went down a slide on Cornhill, at the end of a lane of boys,\ntwenty times, in honour of its being Christmas Eve, and then ran home to\nCamden Town as hard as he could pelt, to play at blind man's-buff.\n\nScrooge took his melancholy dinner in his usual melancholy tavern; and\nhaving read all the newspapers, and beguiled the rest of the evening\nwith his banker's book, went home to bed. He lived in chambers which had\nonce belonged to his deceased partner. They were a gloomy suite of\nrooms, in a lowering pile of building up a yard, where it had so little\nbusiness to be, that one could scarcely help fancying it must have run\nthere when it was a young house, playing at hide-and-seek with other\nhouses, and have forgotten the way out again. It was old enough now, and\ndreary enough; for nobody lived in it but Scrooge, the other rooms\nbeing all let out as offices. The yard was so dark that even Scrooge,\nwho knew its every stone, was fain to grope with his hands. The fog and\nfrost so hung about the black old gateway of the house, that it seemed\nas if the Genius of the Weather sat in mournful meditation on the\nthreshold.\n\nNow, it is a fact that there was nothing at all particular about the\nknocker on the door, except that it was very large. It is also a fact\nthat Scrooge had seen it, night and morning, during his whole residence\nin that place; also that Scrooge had as little of what is called fancy\nabout him as any man in the City of London, even including--which is a\nbold word--the corporation, aldermen, and livery. Let it also be borne\nin mind that Scrooge had not bestowed one thought on Marley since his\nlast mention of his seven-years'-dead partner that afternoon. And then\nlet any man explain to me, if he can, how it happened that Scrooge,\nhaving his key in the lock of the door, saw in the knocker, without its\nundergoing any intermediate process of change--not a knocker, but\nMarley's face.\n\nMarley's face. It was not in impenetrable shadow, as the other objects\nin the yard were, but had a dismal light about it, like a bad lobster in\na dark cellar. It was not angry or ferocious, but looked at Scrooge as\nMarley used to look; with ghostly spectacles turned up on its ghostly\nforehead. The hair was curiously stirred, as if by breath or hot air;\nand, though the eyes were wide open, they were perfectly motionless.\nThat, and its livid colour, made it horrible; but its horror seemed to\nbe in spite of the face, and beyond its control, rather than a part of\nits own expression.\n\nAs Scrooge looked fixedly at this phenomenon, it was a knocker again.\n\nTo say that he was not startled, or that his blood was not conscious of\na terrible sensation to which it had been a stranger from infancy, would\nbe untrue. But he put his hand upon the key he had relinquished, turned\nit sturdily, walked in, and lighted his candle.\n\nHe _did_ pause, with a moment's irresolution, before he shut the door;\nand he _did_ look cautiously behind it first, as if he half expected to\nbe terrified with the sight of Marley's pigtail sticking out into the\nhall. But there was nothing on the back of the door, except the screws\nand nuts that held the knocker on, so he said, 'Pooh, pooh!' and closed\nit with a bang.\n\nThe sound resounded through the house like thunder. Every room above,\nand every cask in the wine-merchant's cellars below, appeared to have a\nseparate peal of echoes of its own. Scrooge was not a man to be\nfrightened by echoes. He fastened the door, and walked across the hall,\nand up the stairs: slowly, too: trimming his candle as he went.\n\nYou may talk vaguely about driving a coach and six up a good old flight\nof stairs, or through a bad young Act of Parliament; but I mean to say\nyou might have got a hearse up that staircase, and taken it broadwise,\nwith the splinter-bar towards the wall, and the door towards the\nbalustrades: and done it easy. There was plenty of width for that, and\nroom to spare; which is perhaps the reason why Scrooge thought he saw a\nlocomotive hearse going on before him in the gloom. Half-a-dozen\ngas-lamps out of the street wouldn't have lighted the entry too well, so\nyou may suppose that it was pretty dark with Scrooge's dip.\n\nUp Scrooge went, not caring a button for that. Darkness is cheap, and\nScrooge liked it. But, before he shut his heavy door, he walked through\nhis rooms to see that all was right. He had just enough recollection of\nthe face to desire to do that.\n\nSitting-room, bedroom, lumber-room. All as they should be. Nobody under\nthe table, nobody under the sofa; a small fire in the grate; spoon and\nbasin ready; and the little saucepan of gruel (Scrooge had a cold in his\nhead) upon the hob. Nobody under the bed; nobody in the closet; nobody\nin his dressing-gown, which was hanging up in a suspicious attitude\nagainst the wall. Lumber-room as usual. Old fire-guard, old shoes, two\nfish baskets, washing-stand on three legs, and a poker.\n\n[Illustration: _Nobody under the bed; nobody in the closet; nobody in\nhis dressing-gown, which was hanging up in a suspicious attitude against\nthe wall_]\n\nQuite satisfied, he closed his door, and locked himself in; double\nlocked himself in, which was not his custom. Thus secured against\nsurprise, he took off his cravat; put on his dressing-gown and slippers,\nand his nightcap; and sat down before the fire to take his gruel.\n\nIt was a very low fire indeed; nothing on such a bitter night. He was\nobliged to sit close to it, and brood over it, before he could extract\nthe least sensation of warmth from such a handful of fuel. The fireplace\nwas an old one, built by some Dutch merchant long ago, and paved all\nround with quaint Dutch tiles, designed to illustrate the Scriptures.\nThere were Cains and Abels, Pharaoh's daughters, Queens of Sheba,\nAngelic messengers descending through the air on clouds like\nfeather-beds, Abrahams, Belshazzars, Apostles putting off to sea in\nbutter-boats, hundreds of figures to attract his thoughts; and yet that\nface of Marley, seven years dead, came like the ancient Prophet's rod,\nand swallowed up the whole. If each smooth tile had been a blank at\nfirst, with power to shape some picture on its surface from the\ndisjointed fragments of his thoughts, there would have been a copy of\nold Marley's head on every one.\n\n'Humbug!' said Scrooge; and walked across the room.\n\nAfter several turns he sat down again. As he threw his head back in the\nchair, his glance happened to rest upon a bell, a disused bell, that\nhung in the room, and communicated, for some purpose now forgotten, with\na chamber in the highest storey of the building. It was with great\nastonishment, and with a strange, inexplicable dread, that, as he\nlooked, he saw this bell begin to swing. It swung so softly in the\noutset that it scarcely made a sound; but soon it rang out loudly, and\nso did every bell in the house.\n\nThis might have lasted half a minute, or a minute, but it seemed an\nhour. The bells ceased, as they had begun, together. They were succeeded\nby a clanking noise deep down below as if some person were dragging a\nheavy chain over the casks in the wine-merchant's cellar. Scrooge then\nremembered to have heard that ghosts in haunted houses were described as\ndragging chains.\n\nThe cellar door flew open with a booming sound, and then he heard the\nnoise much louder on the floors below; then coming up the stairs; then\ncoming straight towards his door.\n\n'It's humbug still!' said Scrooge. 'I won't believe it.'\n\nHis colour changed, though, when, without a pause, it came on through\nthe heavy door and passed into the room before his eyes. Upon its coming\nin, the dying flame leaped up, as though it cried, 'I know him! Marley's\nGhost!' and fell again.\n\nThe same face: the very same. Marley in his pigtail, usual waistcoat,\ntights, and boots; the tassels on the latter bristling, like his\npigtail, and his coat-skirts, and the hair upon his head. The chain he\ndrew was clasped about his middle. It was long, and wound about him like\na tail; and it was made (for Scrooge observed it closely) of cash-boxes,\nkeys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel. His\nbody was transparent: so that Scrooge, observing him, and looking\nthrough his waistcoat, could see the two buttons on his coat behind.\n\nScrooge had often heard it said that Marley had no bowels, but he had\nnever believed it until now.\n\nNo, nor did he believe it even now. Though he looked the phantom through\nand through, and saw it standing before him; though he felt the chilling\ninfluence of its death-cold eyes, and marked the very texture of the\nfolded kerchief bound about its head and chin, which wrapper he had not\nobserved before, he was still incredulous, and fought against his\nsenses.\n\n'How now!' said Scrooge, caustic and cold as ever. 'What do you want\nwith me?'\n\n'Much!'--Marley's voice; no doubt about it.\n\n'Who are you?'\n\n'Ask me who I _was_.'\n\n'Who _were_ you, then?' said Scrooge, raising his voice. 'You're\nparticular, for a shade.' He was going to say '_to_ a shade,' but\nsubstituted this, as more appropriate.\n\n'In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley.'\n\n'Can you--can you sit down?' asked Scrooge, looking doubtfully at him.\n\n'I can.'\n\n'Do it, then.'\n\nScrooge asked the question, because he didn't know whether a ghost so\ntransparent might find himself in a condition to take a chair; and felt\nthat in the event of its being impossible, it might involve the\nnecessity of an embarrassing explanation. But the Ghost sat down on the\nopposite side of the fireplace, as if he were quite used to it.\n\n'You don't believe in me,' observed the Ghost.\n\n'I don't,' said Scrooge.\n\n'What evidence would you have of my reality beyond that of your own\nsenses?'\n\n'I don't know,' said Scrooge.\n\n'Why do you doubt your senses?'\n\n'Because,' said Scrooge, 'a little thing affects them. A slight disorder\nof the stomach makes them cheats. You may be an undigested bit of beef,\na blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato.\nThere's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!'\n\nScrooge was not much in the habit of cracking jokes, nor did he feel in\nhis heart by any means waggish then. The truth is, that he tried to be\nsmart, as a means of distracting his own attention, and keeping down his\nterror; for the spectre's voice disturbed the very marrow in his bones.\n\nTo sit staring at those fixed, glazed eyes in silence, for a moment,\nwould play, Scrooge felt, the very deuce with him. There was something\nvery awful, too, in the spectre's being provided with an infernal\natmosphere of his own. Scrooge could not feel it himself, but this was\nclearly the case; for though the Ghost sat perfectly motionless, its\nhair, and skirts, and tassels were still agitated as by the hot vapour\nfrom an oven.\n\n'You see this toothpick?' said Scrooge, returning quickly to the charge,\nfor the reason just assigned; and wishing, though it were only for a\nsecond, to divert the vision's stony gaze from himself.\n\n'I do,' replied the Ghost.\n\n'You are not looking at it,' said Scrooge.\n\n'But I see it,' said the Ghost, 'notwithstanding.'\n\n'Well!' returned Scrooge, 'I have but to swallow this, and be for the\nrest of my days persecuted by a legion of goblins, all of my own\ncreation. Humbug, I tell you: humbug!'\n\nAt this the spirit raised a frightful cry, and shook its chain with such\na dismal and appalling noise, that Scrooge held on tight to his chair,\nto save himself from falling in a swoon. But how much greater was his\nhorror when the phantom, taking off the bandage round his head, as if it\nwere too warm to wear indoors, its lower jaw dropped down upon its\nbreast!\n\nScrooge fell upon his knees, and clasped his hands before his face.\n\n'Mercy!' he said. 'Dreadful apparition, why do you trouble me?'\n\n'Man of the worldly mind!' replied the Ghost, 'do you believe in me or\nnot?'\n\n'I do,' said Scrooge; 'I must. But why do spirits walk the earth, and\nwhy do they come to me?'\n\n'It is required of every man,' the Ghost returned, 'that the spirit\nwithin him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and\nwide; and, if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do\nso after death. It is doomed to wander through the world--oh, woe is\nme!--and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth,\nand turned to happiness!'\n\nAgain the spectre raised a cry, and shook its chain and wrung its\nshadowy hands.\n\n'You are fettered,' said Scrooge, trembling. 'Tell me why?'\n\n'I wear the chain I forged in life,' replied the Ghost. 'I made it link\nby link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of\nmy own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to _you_?'\n\nScrooge trembled more and more.\n\n'Or would you know,' pursued the Ghost, 'the weight and length of the\nstrong coil you bear yourself? It was full as heavy and as long as this\nseven Christmas Eves ago. You have laboured on it since. It is a\nponderous chain!'\n\nScrooge glanced about him on the floor, in the expectation of finding\nhimself surrounded by some fifty or sixty fathoms of iron cable; but he\ncould see nothing.\n\n'Jacob!' he said imploringly. 'Old Jacob Marley, tell me more! Speak\ncomfort to me, Jacob!'\n\n'I have none to give,' the Ghost replied. 'It comes from other regions,\nEbenezer Scrooge, and is conveyed by other ministers, to other kinds of\nmen. Nor can I tell you what I would. A very little more is all\npermitted to me. I cannot rest, I cannot stay, I cannot linger anywhere.\nMy spirit never walked beyond our counting-house--mark me;--in life my\nspirit never roved beyond the narrow limits of our money-changing hole;\nand weary journeys lie before me!'\n\nIt was a habit with Scrooge, whenever he became thoughtful, to put his\nhands in his breeches pockets. Pondering on what the Ghost had said, he\ndid so now, but without lifting up his eyes, or getting off his knees.\n\n[Illustration: ON THE WINGS OF THE WIND]\n\n'You must have been very slow about it, Jacob,' Scrooge observed in a\nbusiness-like manner, though with humility and deference.\n\n'Slow!' the Ghost repeated.\n\n'Seven years dead,' mused Scrooge. 'And travelling all the time?'\n\n'The whole time,' said the Ghost. 'No rest, no peace. Incessant torture\nof remorse.'\n\n'You travel fast?' said Scrooge.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n'On the wings of the wind,' replied the Ghost.\n\n'You might have got over a great quantity of ground in seven years,'\nsaid Scrooge.\n\nThe Ghost, on hearing this, set up another cry, and clanked its chain so\nhideously in the dead silence of the night, that the Ward would have\nbeen justified in indicting it for a nuisance.\n\n'Oh! captive, bound, and double-ironed,' cried the phantom, 'not to know\nthat ages of incessant labour, by immortal creatures, for this earth\nmust pass into eternity before the good of which it is susceptible is\nall developed! Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly in\nits little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too\nshort for its vast means of usefulness! Not to know that no space of\nregret can make amends for one life's opportunities misused! Yet such\nwas I! Oh, such was I!'\n\n'But you were always a good man of business, Jacob,' faltered Scrooge,\nwho now began to apply this to himself.\n\n'Business!' cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. 'Mankind was my\nbusiness. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy,\nforbearance, and benevolence were, all, my business. The dealings of my\ntrade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my\nbusiness!'\n\nIt held up its chain at arm's-length, as if that were the cause of all\nits unavailing grief, and flung it heavily upon the ground again.\n\n'At this time of the rolling year,' the spectre said, 'I suffer most.\nWhy did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down,\nand never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a\npoor abode? Were there no poor homes to which its light would have\nconducted _me_?'\n\nScrooge was very much dismayed to hear the spectre going on at this\nrate, and began to quake exceedingly.\n\n'Hear me!' cried the Ghost. 'My time is nearly gone.'\n\n'I will,' said Scrooge. 'But don't be hard upon me! Don't be flowery,\nJacob! Pray!'\n\n'How it is that I appear before you in a shape that you can see, I may\nnot tell. I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day.'\n\nIt was not an agreeable idea. Scrooge shivered, and wiped the\nperspiration from his brow.\n\n'That is no light part of my penance,' pursued the Ghost. 'I am here\nto-night to warn you that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my\nfate. A chance and hope of my procuring, Ebenezer.'\n\n'You were always a good friend to me,' said Scrooge. 'Thankee!'\n\n'You will be haunted,' resumed the Ghost, 'by Three Spirits.'\n\nScrooge's countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost's had done.\n\n'Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?' he demanded in a\nfaltering voice.\n\n'It is.'\n\n'I--I think I'd rather not,' said Scrooge.\n\n'Without their visits,' said the Ghost, 'you cannot hope to shun the\npath I tread. Expect the first to-morrow when the bell tolls One.'\n\n'Couldn't I take 'em all at once, and have it over, Jacob?' hinted\nScrooge.\n\n'Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third, upon\nthe next night when the last stroke of Twelve has ceased to vibrate.\nLook to see me no more; and look that, for your own sake, you remember\nwhat has passed between us!'\n\nWhen it had said these words, the spectre took its wrapper from the\ntable, and bound it round its head as before. Scrooge knew this by the\nsmart sound its teeth made when the jaws were brought together by the\nbandage. He ventured to raise his eyes again, and found his supernatural\nvisitor confronting him in an erect attitude, with its chain wound over\nand about its arm.\n\n[Illustration: _The air was filled with phantoms, wandering hither and\nthither in restless haste and moaning as they went_]\n\nThe apparition walked backward from him; and, at every step it took, the\nwindow raised itself a little, so that, when the spectre reached it, it\nwas wide open. It beckoned Scrooge to approach, which he did. When they\nwere within two paces of each other, Marley's Ghost held up its hand,\nwarning him to come no nearer. Scrooge stopped.\n\nNot so much in obedience as in surprise and fear; for, on the raising of\nthe hand, he became sensible of confused noises in the air; incoherent\nsounds of lamentation and regret; wailings inexpressibly sorrowful and\nself-accusatory. The spectre, after listening for a moment, joined in\nthe mournful dirge; and floated out upon the bleak, dark night.\n\nScrooge followed to the window: desperate in his curiosity. He looked\nout.\n\nThe air was filled with phantoms, wandering hither and thither in\nrestless haste, and moaning as they went. Every one of them wore chains\nlike Marley's Ghost; some few (they might be guilty governments) were\nlinked together; none were free. Many had been personally known to\nScrooge in their lives. He had been quite familiar with one old ghost in\na white waistcoat, with a monstrous iron safe attached to its ankle, who\ncried piteously at being unable to assist a wretched woman with an\ninfant, whom it saw below upon a doorstep. The misery with them all was\nclearly, that they sought to interfere, for good, in human matters, and\nhad lost the power for ever.\n\nWhether these creatures faded into mist, or mist enshrouded them, he\ncould not tell. But they and their spirit voices faded together; and\nthe night became as it had been when he walked home.\n\nScrooge closed the window, and examined the door by which the Ghost had\nentered. It was double locked, as he had locked it with his own hands,\nand the bolts were undisturbed. He tried to say 'Humbug!' but stopped at\nthe first syllable. And being, from the emotions he had undergone, or\nthe fatigues of the day, or his glimpse of the Invisible World, or the\ndull conversation of the Ghost, or the lateness of the hour, much in\nneed of repose, went straight to bed without undressing, and fell asleep\nupon the instant.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nSTAVE TWO\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\nTHE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS\n\n\nWhen Scrooge awoke it was so dark, that, looking out of bed, he could\nscarcely distinguish the transparent window from the opaque walls of his\nchamber. He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret\neyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.\nSo he listened for the hour.\n\nTo his great astonishment, the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and\nfrom seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped. Twelve!\nIt was past two when he went to bed. The clock was wrong. An icicle must\nhave got into the works. Twelve!\n\nHe touched the spring of his repeater, to correct this most preposterous\nclock. Its rapid little pulse beat twelve, and stopped.\n\n'Why, it isn't possible,' said Scrooge, 'that I can have slept through a\nwhole day and far into another night. It isn't possible that anything\nhas happened to the sun, and this is twelve at noon!'\n\nThe idea being an alarming one, he scrambled out of bed, and groped his\nway to the window. He was obliged to rub the frost off with the sleeve\nof his dressing-gown before he could see anything; and could see very\nlittle then. All he could make out was, that it was still very foggy and\nextremely cold, and that there was no noise of people running to and\nfro, and making a great stir, as there unquestionably would have been if\nnight had beaten off bright day, and taken possession of the world. This\nwas a great relief, because 'Three days after sight of this First of\nExchange pay to Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge or his order,' and so forth, would\nhave become a mere United States security if there were no days to count\nby.\n\nScrooge went to bed again, and thought, and thought, and thought it over\nand over, and could make nothing of it. The more he thought, the more\nperplexed he was; and, the more he endeavoured not to think, the more he\nthought.\n\nMarley's Ghost bothered him exceedingly. Every time he resolved within\nhimself, after mature inquiry that it was all a dream, his mind flew\nback again, like a strong spring released, to its first position, and\npresented the same problem to be worked all through, 'Was it a dream or\nnot?'\n\nScrooge lay in this state until the chime had gone three-quarters more,\nwhen he remembered, on a sudden, that the Ghost had warned him of a\nvisitation when the bell tolled one. He resolved to lie awake until the\nhour was passed; and, considering that he could no more go to sleep than\ngo to heaven, this was, perhaps, the wisest resolution in his power.\n\nThe quarter was so long, that he was more than once convinced he must\nhave sunk into a doze unconsciously, and missed the clock. At length it\nbroke upon his listening ear.\n\n'Ding, dong!'\n\n'A quarter past,' said Scrooge, counting.\n\n'Ding, dong!'\n\n'Half past,' said Scrooge.\n\n'Ding, dong!'\n\n'A quarter to it.' said Scrooge.\n\n'Ding, dong!'\n\n'The hour itself,' said Scrooge triumphantly, 'and nothing else!'\n\nHe spoke before the hour bell sounded, which it now did with a deep,\ndull, hollow, melancholy ONE. Light flashed up in the room upon the\ninstant, and the curtains of his bed were drawn.\n\nThe curtains of his bed were drawn aside, I tell you, by a hand. Not\nthe curtains at his feet, nor the curtains at his back, but those to\nwhich his face was addressed. The curtains of his bed were drawn aside;\nand Scrooge, starting up into a half-recumbent attitude, found himself\nface to face with the unearthly visitor who drew them: as close to it as\nI am now to you, and I am standing in the spirit at your elbow.\n\nIt was a strange figure--like a child; yet not so like a child as like\nan old man, viewed through some supernatural medium, which gave him the\nappearance of having receded from the view, and being diminished to a\nchild's proportions. Its hair, which hung about its neck and down its\nback, was white, as if with age; and yet the face had not a wrinkle in\nit, and the tenderest bloom was on the skin. The arms were very long and\nmuscular; the hands the same, as if its hold were of uncommon strength.\nIts legs and feet, most delicately formed, were, like those upper\nmembers, bare. It wore a tunic of the purest white; and round its waist\nwas bound a lustrous belt, the sheen of which was beautiful. It held a\nbranch of fresh green holly in its hand; and, in singular contradiction\nof that wintry emblem, had its dress trimmed with summer flowers. But\nthe strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there\nsprang a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and\nwhich was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a\ngreat extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.\n\nEven this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness,\nwas _not_ its strangest quality. For, as its belt sparkled and\nglittered, now in one part and now in another, and what was light one\ninstant at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its\ndistinctness; being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with\ntwenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a\nbody: of which dissolving parts no outline would be visible in the dense\ngloom wherein they melted away. And, in the very wonder of this, it\nwould be itself again; distinct and clear as ever.\n\n'Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?' asked\nScrooge.\n\n'I am!'\n\nThe voice was soft and gentle. Singularly low, as if, instead of being\nso close behind him, it were at a distance.\n\n'Who and what are you?' Scrooge demanded.\n\n'I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.'\n\n'Long Past?' inquired Scrooge, observant of its dwarfish stature.\n\n'No. Your past.'\n\nPerhaps Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have\nasked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap,\nand begged him to be covered.\n\n'What!' exclaimed the Ghost, 'would you so soon put out, with worldly\nhands, the light I give? Is it not enough that you are one of those\nwhose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years\nto wear it low upon my brow?'\n\nScrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge\nof having wilfully 'bonneted' the Spirit at any period of his life. He\nthen made bold to inquire what business brought him there.\n\n'Your welfare!' said the Ghost.\n\nScrooge expressed himself much obliged, but could not help thinking that\na night of unbroken rest would have been more conducive to that end. The\nSpirit must have heard him thinking, for it said immediately--\n\n'Your reclamation, then. Take heed!'\n\nIt put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the\narm.\n\n'Rise! and walk with me!'\n\nIt would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the\nhour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the\nthermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in\nhis slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon\nhim at that time. The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not\nto be resisted. He rose; but, finding that the Spirit made towards the\nwindow, clasped its robe in supplication.\n\n'I am a mortal,' Scrooge remonstrated, 'and liable to fall.'\n\n'Bear but a touch of my hand _there_,' said the Spirit, laying it upon\nhis heart, 'and you shall be upheld in more than this!'\n\nAs the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon\nan open country road, with fields on either hand. The city had entirely\nvanished. Not a vestige of it was to be seen. The darkness and the mist\nhad vanished with it, for it was a clear, cold, winter day, with snow\nupon the ground.\n\n'Good Heaven!' said Scrooge, clasping his hands together, as he looked\nabout him. 'I was bred in this place. I was a boy here!'\n\nThe Spirit gazed upon him mildly. Its gentle touch, though it had been\nlight and instantaneous, appeared still present to the old man's sense\nof feeling. He was conscious of a thousand odours floating in the air,\neach one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and\ncares long, long forgotten!\n\n'Your lip is trembling,' said the Ghost. 'And what is that upon your\ncheek?'\n\nScrooge muttered, with an unusual catching in his voice, that it was a\npimple; and begged the Ghost to lead him where he would.\n\n'You recollect the way?' inquired the Spirit.\n\n'Remember it!' cried Scrooge with fervour; 'I could walk it blindfold.'\n\n'Strange to have forgotten it for so many years!' observed the Ghost.\n'Let us go on.'\n\nThey walked along the road, Scrooge recognising every gate, and post,\nand tree, until a little market-town appeared in the distance, with its\nbridge, its church, and winding river. Some shaggy ponies now were seen\ntrotting towards them with boys upon their backs, who called to other\nboys in country gigs and carts, driven by farmers. All these boys were\nin great spirits, and shouted to each other, until the broad fields were\nso full of merry music, that the crisp air laughed to hear it.\n\n'These are but shadows of the things that have been,' said the Ghost.\n'They have no consciousness of us.'\n\nThe jocund travellers came on; and as they came, Scrooge knew and named\nthem every one. Why was he rejoiced beyond all bounds to see them? Why\ndid his cold eye glisten, and his heart leap up as they went past? Why\nwas he filled with gladness when he heard them give each other Merry\nChristmas, as they parted at cross-roads and by-ways for their several\nhomes? What was merry Christmas to Scrooge? Out upon merry Christmas!\nWhat good had it ever done to him?\n\n'The school is not quite deserted,' said the Ghost. 'A solitary child,\nneglected by his friends, is left there still.'\n\nScrooge said he knew it. And he sobbed.\n\nThey left the high-road by a well-remembered lane and soon approached a\nmansion of dull red brick, with a little weather-cock surmounted cupola\non the roof, and a bell hanging in it. It was a large house, but one of\nbroken fortunes; for the spacious offices were little used, their walls\nwere damp and mossy, their windows broken, and their gates decayed.\nFowls clucked and strutted in the stables; and the coach-houses and\nsheds were overrun with grass. Nor was it more retentive of its ancient\nstate within; for, entering the dreary hall, and glancing through the\nopen doors of many rooms, they found them poorly furnished, cold, and\nvast. There was an earthy savour in the air, a chilly bareness in the\nplace, which associated itself somehow with too much getting up by\ncandle light and not too much to eat.\n\nThey went, the Ghost and Scrooge, across the hall, to a door at the back\nof the house. It opened before them, and disclosed a long, bare,\nmelancholy room, made barer still by lines of plain deal forms and\ndesks. At one of these a lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire; and\nScrooge sat down upon a form, and wept to see his poor forgotten self as\nhe had used to be.\n\nNot a latent echo in the house, not a squeak and scuffle from the mice\nbehind the panelling, not a drip from the half-thawed waterspout in the\ndull yard behind, not a sigh among the leafless boughs of one despondent\npoplar, not the idle swinging of an empty storehouse door, no, not a\nclicking in the fire, but fell upon the heart of Scrooge with softening\ninfluence, and gave a freer passage to his tears.\n\nThe Spirit touched him on the arm, and pointed to his younger self,\nintent upon his reading. Suddenly a man in foreign garments, wonderfully\nreal and distinct to look at, stood outside the window, with an axe\nstuck in his belt, and leading by the bridle an ass laden with wood.\n\n'Why, it's Ali Baba!' Scrooge exclaimed in ecstasy. 'It's dear old\nhonest Ali Baba! Yes, yes, I know. One Christmas-time, when yonder\nsolitary child was left here all alone, he _did_ come, for the first\ntime, just like that. Poor boy! And Valentine,' said Scrooge, 'and his\nwild brother, Orson; there they go! And what's his name, who was put\ndown in his drawers, asleep, at the gate of Damascus; don't you see him?\nAnd the Sultan's Groom turned upside down by the Genii; there he is upon\nhis head! Serve him right! I'm glad of it. What business had he to be\nmarried to the Princess?'\n\nTo hear Scrooge expending all the earnestness of his nature on such\nsubjects, in a most extraordinary voice between laughing and crying; and\nto see his heightened and excited face; would have been a surprise to\nhis business friends in the City, indeed.\n\n'There's the Parrot!' cried Scrooge. 'Green body and yellow tail, with a\nthing like a lettuce growing out of the top of his head; there he is!\nPoor Robin Crusoe he called him, when he came home again after sailing\nround the island. \"Poor Robin Crusoe, where have you been, Robin\nCrusoe?\" The man thought he was dreaming, but he wasn't. It was the\nParrot, you know. There goes Friday, running for his life to the little\ncreek! Halloa! Hoop! Halloo!'\n\nThen, with a rapidity of transition very foreign to his usual character,\nhe said, in pity for his former self, 'Poor boy!' and cried again.\n\n'I wish,' Scrooge muttered, putting his hand in his pocket, and looking\nabout him, after drying his eyes with his cuff; 'but it's too late now.'\n\n'What is the matter?' asked the Spirit.\n\n'Nothing,' said Scrooge. 'Nothing. There was a boy singing a Christmas\ncarol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something:\nthat's all.'\n\nThe Ghost smiled thoughtfully, and waved its hand, saying as it did so,\n'Let us see another Christmas!'\n\nScrooge's former self grew larger at the words, and the room became a\nlittle darker and more dirty. The panels shrunk, the windows cracked;\nfragments of plaster fell out of the ceiling, and the naked laths were\nshown instead; but how all this was brought about Scrooge knew no more\nthan you do. He only knew that it was quite correct; that everything had\nhappened so; that there he was, alone again, when all the other boys had\ngone home for the jolly holidays.\n\nHe was not reading now, but walking up and down despairingly. Scrooge\nlooked at the Ghost, and, with a mournful shaking of his head, glanced\nanxiously towards the door.\n\nIt opened; and a little girl, much younger than the boy, came darting\nin, and, putting her arms about his neck, and often kissing him,\naddressed him as her 'dear, dear brother.'\n\n'I have come to bring you home, dear brother!' said the child, clapping\nher tiny hands, and bending down to laugh. 'To bring you home, home,\nhome!'\n\n'Home, little Fan?' returned the boy.\n\n'Yes!' said the child, brimful of glee. 'Home for good and all. Home for\never and ever. Father is so much kinder than he used to be, that home's\nlike heaven! He spoke so gently to me one dear night when I was going to\nbed, that I was not afraid to ask him once more if you might come home;\nand he said Yes, you should; and sent me in a coach to bring you. And\nyou're to be a man!' said the child, opening her eyes; 'and are never to\ncome back here; but first we're to be together all the Christmas long,\nand have the merriest time in all the world.'\n\n'You are quite a woman, little Fan!' exclaimed the boy.\n\nShe clapped her hands and laughed, and tried to touch his head; but,\nbeing too little laughed again, and stood on tiptoe to embrace him. Then\nshe began to drag him, in her childish eagerness, towards the door; and\nhe, nothing loath to go, accompanied her.\n\nA terrible voice in the hall cried, 'Bring down Master Scrooge's box,\nthere!' and in the hall appeared the schoolmaster himself, who glared on\nMaster Scrooge with a ferocious condescension, and threw him into a\ndreadful state of mind by shaking hands with him. He then conveyed him\nand his sister into the veriest old well of a shivering best parlour\nthat ever was seen, where the maps upon the wall, and the celestial and\nterrestrial globes in the windows, were waxy with cold. Here he produced\na decanter of curiously light wine, and a block of curiously heavy cake,\nand administered instalments of those dainties to the young people; at\nthe same time sending out a meagre servant to offer a glass of\n'something' to the postboy, who answered that he thanked the gentleman,\nbut, if it was the same tap as he had tasted before, he had rather not.\nMaster Scrooge's trunk being by this time tied on to the top of the\nchaise, the children bade the schoolmaster good-bye right willingly;\nand, getting into it, drove gaily down the garden sweep; the quick\nwheels dashing the hoar-frost and snow from off the dark leaves of the\nevergreens like spray.\n\n[Illustration: HE PRODUCED A DECANTER OF CURIOUSLY LIGHT WINE, AND A\nBLOCK OF CURIOUSLY HEAVY CAKE]\n\n'Always a delicate creature, whom a breath might have withered,' said\nthe Ghost. 'But she had a large heart!'\n\n'So she had,' cried Scrooge. 'You're right. I will not gainsay it,\nSpirit. God forbid!'\n\n'She died a woman,' said the Ghost, 'and had, as I think, children.'\n\n'One child,' Scrooge returned.\n\n'True,' said the Ghost. 'Your nephew!'\n\nScrooge seemed uneasy in his mind, and answered briefly, 'Yes.'\n\nAlthough they had but that moment left the school behind them, they were\nnow in the busy thoroughfares of a city, where shadowy passengers passed\nand re-passed; where shadowy carts and coaches battled for the way, and\nall the strife and tumult of a real city were. It was made plain enough,\nby the dressing of the shops, that here, too, it was Christmas-time\nagain; but it was evening, and the streets were lighted up.\n\nThe Ghost stopped at a certain warehouse door, and asked Scrooge if he\nknew it.\n\n'Know it!' said Scrooge. 'Was I apprenticed here?'\n\nThey went in. At sight of an old gentleman in a Welsh wig, sitting\nbehind such a high desk, that if he had been two inches taller, he must\nhave knocked his head against the ceiling, Scrooge cried in great\nexcitement--\n\n'Why, it's old Fezziwig! Bless his heart, it's Fezziwig alive again!'\n\nOld Fezziwig laid down his pen, and looked up at the clock, which\npointed to the hour of seven. He rubbed his hands; adjusted his\ncapacious waistcoat; laughed all over himself, from his shoes to his\norgan of benevolence; and called out, in a comfortable, oily, rich, fat,\njovial voice--\n\n'Yo ho, there! Ebenezer! Dick!'\n\nScrooge's former self, now grown a young man, came briskly in,\naccompanied by his fellow-'prentice.\n\n'Dick Wilkins, to be sure!' said Scrooge to the Ghost. 'Bless me, yes.\nThere he is. He was very much attached to me, was Dick. Poor Dick! Dear,\ndear!'\n\n'Yo ho, my boys!' said Fezziwig. 'No more work to-night. Christmas Eve,\nDick. Christmas, Ebenezer! Let's have the shutters up,' cried old\nFezziwig, with a sharp clap of his hands, 'before a man can say Jack\nRobinson!'\n\nYou wouldn't believe how those two fellows went at it! They charged into\nthe street with the shutters--one, two, three--had 'em up in their\nplaces--four, five, six--barred 'em and pinned 'em--seven, eight,\nnine--and came back before you could have got to twelve, panting like\nracehorses.\n\n'Hilli-ho!' cried old Fezziwig, skipping down from the high desk with\nwonderful agility. 'Clear away, my lads, and let's have lots of room\nhere! Hilli-ho, Dick! Chirrup, Ebenezer!'\n\nClear away! There was nothing they wouldn't have cleared away, or\ncouldn't have cleared away, with old Fezziwig looking on. It was done in\na minute. Every movable was packed off, as if it were dismissed from\npublic life for evermore; the floor was swept and watered, the lamps\nwere trimmed, fuel was heaped upon the fire; and the warehouse was as\nsnug, and warm, and dry, and bright a ball-room as you would desire to\nsee upon a winter's night.\n\nIn came a fiddler with a music-book, and went up to the lofty desk, and\nmade an orchestra of it, and tuned like fifty stomach-aches. In came\nMrs. Fezziwig, one vast substantial smile. In came the three Miss\nFezziwigs, beaming and lovable. In came the six young followers whose\nhearts they broke. In came all the young men and women employed in the\nbusiness. In came the housemaid, with her cousin the baker. In came the\ncook with her brother's particular friend the milkman. In came the boy\nfrom over the way, who was suspected of not having board enough from his\nmaster; trying to hide himself behind the girl from next door but one,\nwho was proved to have had her ears pulled by her mistress. In they all\ncame, one after another; some shyly, some boldly, some gracefully, some\nawkwardly, some pushing, some pulling; in they all came, any how and\nevery how. Away they all went, twenty couple at once; hands half round\nand back again the other way; down the middle and up again; round and\nround in various stages of affectionate grouping; old top couple always\nturning up in the wrong place; new top couple starting off again as soon\nas they got there; all top couples at last, and not a bottom one to help\nthem! When this result was brought about, old Fezziwig, clapping his\nhands to stop the dance, cried out, 'Well done!' and the fiddler plunged\nhis hot face into a pot of porter, especially provided for that purpose.\nBut, scorning rest upon his reappearance, he instantly began again,\nthough there were no dancers yet, as if the other fiddler had been\ncarried home, exhausted, on a shutter, and he were a bran-new man\nresolved to beat him out of sight, or perish.\n\n[Illustration: _Then old Fezziwig stood out to dance with Mrs.\nFezziwig_]\n\nThere were more dances, and there were forfeits, and more dances, and\nthere was cake, and there was negus, and there was a great piece of Cold\nRoast, and there was a great piece of Cold Boiled, and there were\nmince-pies, and plenty of beer. But the great effect of the evening came\nafter the Roast and Boiled, when the fiddler (an artful dog, mind! The\nsort of man who knew his business better than you or I could have told\nit him!) struck up 'Sir Roger de Coverley.' Then old Fezziwig stood\nout to dance with Mrs. Fezziwig. Top couple, too; with a good stiff\npiece of work cut out for them; three or four and twenty pair of\npartners; people who were not to be trifled with; people who would\ndance, and had no notion of walking.\n\nBut if they had been twice as many--ah! four times--old Fezziwig would\nhave been a match for them, and so would Mrs. Fezziwig. As to _her_, she\nwas worthy to be his partner in every sense of the term. If that's not\nhigh praise, tell me higher, and I'll use it. A positive light appeared\nto issue from Fezziwig's calves. They shone in every part of the dance\nlike moons. You couldn't have predicted, at any given time, what would\nbecome of them next. And when old Fezziwig and Mrs. Fezziwig had gone\nall through the dance; advance and retire, both hands to your partner,\nbow and curtsy, cork-screw, thread-the-needle, and back again to your\nplace: Fezziwig 'cut'--cut so deftly, that he appeared to wink with his\nlegs, and came upon his feet again without a stagger.\n\nWhen the clock struck eleven, this domestic ball broke up. Mr. and Mrs.\nFezziwig took their stations, one on either side the door, and, shaking\nhands with every person individually as he or she went out, wished him\nor her a Merry Christmas. When everybody had retired but the two\n'prentices, they did the same to them; and thus the cheerful voices died\naway, and the lads were left to their beds; which were under a counter\nin the back-shop.\n\nDuring the whole of this time Scrooge had acted like a man out of his\nwits. His heart and soul were in the scene, and with his former self. He\ncorroborated everything, remembered everything, enjoyed everything, and\nunderwent the strangest agitation. It was not until now, when the bright\nfaces of his former self and Dick were turned from them, that he\nremembered the Ghost, and became conscious that it was looking full upon\nhim, while the light upon its head burnt very clear.\n\n'A small matter,' said the Ghost, 'to make these silly folks so full of\ngratitude.'\n\n'Small!' echoed Scrooge.\n\nThe Spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices, who were\npouring out their hearts in praise of Fezziwig; and when he had done so,\nsaid:\n\n'Why! Is it not? He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money:\nthree or four, perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves this praise?'\n\n'It isn't that,' said Scrooge, heated by the remark, and speaking\nunconsciously like his former, not his latter self. 'It isn't that,\nSpirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our\nservice light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power\nlies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it\nis impossible to add and count 'em up: what then? The happiness he gives\nis quite as great as if it cost a fortune.'\n\nHe felt the Spirit's glance, and stopped.\n\n'What is the matter?' asked the Ghost.\n\n'Nothing particular,' said Scrooge.\n\n'Something, I think?' the Ghost insisted.\n\n'No,' said Scrooge, 'no. I should like to be able to say a word or two\nto my clerk just now. That's all.'\n\nHis former self turned down the lamps as he gave utterance to the wish;\nand Scrooge and the Ghost again stood side by side in the open air.\n\n'My time grows short,' observed the Spirit. 'Quick!'\n\nThis was not addressed to Scrooge, or to any one whom he could see, but\nit produced an immediate effect. For again Scrooge saw himself. He was\nolder now; a man in the prime of life. His face had not the harsh and\nrigid lines of later years; but it had begun to wear the signs of care\nand avarice. There was an eager, greedy, restless motion in the eye,\nwhich showed the passion that had taken root, and where the shadow of\nthe growing tree would fall.\n\nHe was not alone, but sat by the side of a fair young girl in a mourning\ndress: in whose eyes there were tears, which sparkled in the light that\nshone out of the Ghost of Christmas Past.\n\n'It matters little,' she said softly. 'To you, very little. Another idol\nhas displaced me; and, if it can cheer and comfort you in time to come\nas I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve.'\n\n'What Idol has displaced you?' he rejoined.\n\n'A golden one.'\n\n'This is the even-handed dealing of the world!' he said. 'There is\nnothing on which it is so hard as poverty; and there is nothing it\nprofesses to condemn with such severity as the pursuit of wealth!'\n\n'You fear the world too much,' she answered gently. 'All your other\nhopes have merged into the hope of being beyond the chance of its sordid\nreproach. I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until\nthe master passion, Gain, engrosses you. Have I not?'\n\n'What then?' he retorted. 'Even if I have grown so much wiser, what\nthen? I am not changed towards you.'\n\nShe shook her head.\n\n'Am I?'\n\n'Our contract is an old one. It was made when we were both poor, and\ncontent to be so, until, in good season, we could improve our worldly\nfortune by our patient industry. You _are_ changed. When it was made you\nwere another man.'\n\n'I was a boy,' he said impatiently.\n\n'Your own feeling tells you that you were not what you are,' she\nreturned. 'I am. That which promised happiness when we were one in heart\nis fraught with misery now that we are two. How often and how keenly I\nhave thought of this I will not say. It is enough that I _have_ thought\nof it, and can release you.'\n\n'Have I ever sought release?'\n\n'In words. No. Never.'\n\n'In what, then?'\n\n'In a changed nature; in an altered spirit; in another atmosphere of\nlife; another Hope as its great end. In everything that made my love of\nany worth or value in your sight. If this had never been between us,'\nsaid the girl, looking mildly, but with steadiness, upon him; 'tell me,\nwould you seek me out and try to win me now? Ah, no!'\n\nHe seemed to yield to the justice of this supposition in spite of\nhimself. But he said, with a struggle, 'You think not.'\n\n'I would gladly think otherwise if I could,' she answered. 'Heaven\nknows! When _I_ have learned a Truth like this, I know how strong and\nirresistible it must be. But if you were free to-day, to-morrow,\nyesterday, can even I believe that you would choose a dowerless\ngirl--you who, in your very confidence with her, weigh everything by\nGain: or, choosing her, if for a moment you were false enough to your\none guiding principle to do so, do I not know that your repentance and\nregret would surely follow? I do; and I release you. With a full heart,\nfor the love of him you once were.'\n\n[Illustration: SHE LEFT HIM, AND THEY PARTED]\n\nHe was about to speak; but, with her head turned from him, she resumed:\n\n'You may--the memory of what is past half makes me hope you will--have\npain in this. A very, very brief time, and you will dismiss the\nrecollection of it gladly, as an unprofitable dream, from which it\nhappened well that you awoke. May you be happy in the life you have\nchosen!'\n\nShe left him, and they parted.\n\n'Spirit!' said Scrooge, 'show me no more! Conduct me home. Why do you\ndelight to torture me?'\n\n'One shadow more!' exclaimed the Ghost.\n\n'No more!' cried Scrooge. 'No more! I don't wish to see it. Show me no\nmore!'\n\nBut the relentless Ghost pinioned him in both his arms, and forced him\nto observe what happened next.\n\nThey were in another scene and place; a room, not very large or\nhandsome, but full of comfort. Near to the winter fire sat a beautiful\nyoung girl, so like that last that Scrooge believed it was the same,\nuntil he saw _her_, now a comely matron, sitting opposite her daughter.\nThe noise in this room was perfectly tumultuous, for there were more\nchildren there than Scrooge in his agitated state of mind could count;\nand, unlike the celebrated herd in the poem, they were not forty\nchildren conducting themselves like one, but every child was conducting\nitself like forty. The consequences were uproarious beyond belief; but\nno one seemed to care; on the contrary, the mother and daughter laughed\nheartily, and enjoyed it very much; and the latter, soon beginning to\nmingle in the sports, got pillaged by the young brigands most\nruthlessly. What would I not have given to be one of them! Though I\nnever could have been so rude, no, no! I wouldn't for the wealth of all\nthe world have crushed that braided hair, and torn it down; and for the\nprecious little shoe, I wouldn't have plucked it off, God bless my soul!\nto save my life. As to measuring her waist in sport, as they did, bold\nyoung brood, I couldn't have done it; I should have expected my arm to\nhave grown round it for a punishment, and never come straight again. And\nyet I should have dearly liked, I own, to have touched her lips; to have\nquestioned her, that she might have opened them; to have looked upon the\nlashes of her downcast eyes, and never raised a blush; to have let loose\nwaves of hair, an inch of which would be a keepsake beyond price: in\nshort, I should have liked, I do confess, to have had the lightest\nlicense of a child, and yet to have been man enough to know its value.\n\n[Illustration: _A flushed and boisterous group_]\n\nBut now a knocking at the door was heard, and such a rush immediately\nensued that she, with laughing face and plundered dress, was borne\ntowards it the centre of a flushed and boisterous group, just in time to\ngreet the father, who came home attended by a man laden with Christmas\ntoys and presents. Then the shouting and the struggling, and the\nonslaught that was made on the defenceless porter! The scaling him, with\nchairs for ladders, to dive into his pockets, despoil him of\nbrown-paper parcels, hold on tight by his cravat, hug him round his\nneck, pummel his back, and kick his legs in irrepressible affection! The\nshouts of wonder and delight with which the development of every package\nwas received! The terrible announcement that the baby had been taken in\nthe act of putting a doll's frying pan into his mouth, and was more than\nsuspected of having swallowed a fictitious turkey, glued on a wooden\nplatter! The immense relief of finding this a false alarm! The joy, and\ngratitude, and ecstasy! They are all indescribable alike. It is enough\nthat, by degrees, the children and their emotions got out of the\nparlour, and, by one stair at a time, up to the top of the house, where\nthey went to bed, and so subsided.\n\nAnd now Scrooge looked on more attentively than ever, when the master of\nthe house, having his daughter leaning fondly on him, sat down with her\nand her mother at his own fireside; and when he thought that such\nanother creature, quite as graceful and as full of promise, might have\ncalled him father, and been a spring-time in the haggard winter of his\nlife, his sight grew very dim indeed.\n\n'Belle,' said the husband, turning to his wife with a smile, 'I saw an\nold friend of yours this afternoon.'\n\n'Who was it?'\n\n'Guess!'\n\n'How can I? Tut, don't I know?' she added in the same breath, laughing\nas he laughed. 'Mr. Scrooge.'\n\n'Mr. Scrooge it was. I passed his office window; and as it was not shut\nup, and he had a candle inside, I could scarcely help seeing him. His\npartner lies upon the point of death, I hear; and there he sat alone.\nQuite alone in the world, I do believe.'\n\n'Spirit!' said Scrooge in a broken voice, 'remove me from this place.'\n\n'I told you these were shadows of the things that have been,' said the\nGhost. 'That they are what they are do not blame me!'\n\n'Remove me!' Scrooge exclaimed, 'I cannot bear it!'\n\nHe turned upon the Ghost, and seeing that it looked upon him with a\nface, in which in some strange way there were fragments of all the faces\nit had shown him, wrestled with it.\n\n'Leave me! Take me back. Haunt me no longer!'\n\nIn the struggle, if that can be called a struggle in which the Ghost\nwith no visible resistance on its own part was undisturbed by any effort\nof its adversary, Scrooge observed that its light was burning high and\nbright; and dimly connecting that with its influence over him, he seized\nthe extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its\nhead.\n\n[Illustration: _Laden with Christmas toys and presents_]\n\nThe Spirit dropped beneath it, so that the extinguisher covered its\nwhole form; but though Scrooge pressed it down with all his force, he\ncould not hide the light, which streamed from under it, in an unbroken\nflood upon the ground.\n\nHe was conscious of being exhausted, and overcome by an irresistible\ndrowsiness; and, further, of being in his own bedroom. He gave the cap a\nparting squeeze, in which his hand relaxed; and had barely time to reel\nto bed, before he sank into a heavy sleep.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nSTAVE THREE\n\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\nTHE SECOND OF THE THREE SPIRITS\n\n\nAwaking in the middle of a prodigiously tough snore, and sitting up in\nbed to get his thoughts together, Scrooge had no occasion to be told\nthat the bell was again upon the stroke of One. He felt that he was\nrestored to consciousness in the right nick of time, for the especial\npurpose of holding a conference with the second messenger despatched to\nhim through Jacob Marley's intervention. But finding that he turned\nuncomfortably cold when he began to wonder which of his curtains this\nnew spectre would draw back, he put them every one aside with his own\nhands, and, lying down again, established a sharp look-out all round the\nbed. For he wished to challenge the Spirit on the moment of its\nappearance, and did not wish to be taken by surprise and made nervous.\n\nGentlemen of the free-and-easy sort, who plume themselves on being\nacquainted with a move or two, and being usually equal to the time of\nday, express the wide range of their capacity for adventure by observing\nthat they are good for anything from pitch-and-toss to manslaughter;\nbetween which opposite extremes, no doubt, there lies a tolerably wide\nand comprehensive range of subjects. Without venturing for Scrooge quite\nas hardily as this, I don't mind calling on you to believe that he was\nready for a good broad field of strange appearances, and that nothing\nbetween a baby and a rhinoceros would have astonished him very much.\n\nNow, being prepared for almost anything, he was not by any means\nprepared for nothing; and consequently, when the bell struck One, and no\nshape appeared, he was taken with a violent fit of trembling. Five\nminutes, ten minutes, a quarter of an hour went by, yet nothing came.\nAll this time he lay upon his bed, the very core and centre of a blaze\nof ruddy light, which streamed upon it when the clock proclaimed the\nhour; and which, being only light, was more alarming than a dozen\nghosts, as he was powerless to make out what it meant, or would be at;\nand was sometimes apprehensive that he might be at that very moment an\ninteresting case of spontaneous combustion, without having the\nconsolation of knowing it. At last, however, he began to think--as you\nor I would have thought at first; for it is always the person not in the\npredicament who knows what ought to have been done in it, and would\nunquestionably have done it too--at last, I say, he began to think that\nthe source and secret of this ghostly light might be in the adjoining\nroom, from whence, on further tracing it, it seemed to shine. This idea\ntaking full possession of his mind, he got up softly, and shuffled in\nhis slippers to the door.\n\nThe moment Scrooge's hand was on the lock a strange voice called him by\nhis name, and bade him enter. He obeyed.\n\nIt was his own room. There was no doubt about that. But it had undergone\na surprising transformation. The walls and ceiling were so hung with\nliving green, that it looked a perfect grove; from every part of which\nbright gleaming berries glistened. The crisp leaves of holly, mistletoe,\nand ivy reflected back the light, as if so many little mirrors had been\nscattered there; and such a mighty blaze went roaring up the chimney as\nthat dull petrification of a hearth had never known in Scrooge's time,\nor Marley's, or for many and many a winter season gone. Heaped up on the\nfloor, to form a kind of throne, were turkeys, geese, game, poultry,\nbrawn, great joints of meat, sucking-pigs, long wreaths of sausages,\nmince-pies, plum-puddings, barrels of oysters, red-hot chestnuts,\ncherry-cheeked apples, juicy oranges, luscious pears, immense\ntwelfth-cakes, and seething bowls of punch, that made the chamber dim\nwith their delicious steam. In easy state upon this couch there sat a\njolly Giant, glorious to see; who bore a glowing torch, in shape not\nunlike Plenty's horn, and held it up, high up, to shed its light on\nScrooge as he came peeping round the door.\n\n'Come in!' exclaimed the Ghost. 'Come in! and know me better, man!'\n\nScrooge entered timidly, and hung his head before this Spirit. He was\nnot the dogged Scrooge he had been; and though the Spirit's eyes were\nclear and kind, he did not like to meet them.\n\n'I am the Ghost of Christmas Present,' said the Spirit. 'Look upon me!'\n\nScrooge reverently did so. It was clothed in one simple deep green robe,\nor mantle, bordered with white fur. This garment hung so loosely on the\nfigure, that its capacious breast was bare, as if disdaining to be\nwarded or concealed by any artifice. Its feet, observable beneath the\nample folds of the garment, were also bare; and on its head it wore no\nother covering than a holly wreath, set here and there with shining\nicicles. Its dark-brown curls were long and free; free as its genial\nface, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its\nunconstrained demeanour, and its joyful air. Girded round its middle was\nan antique scabbard: but no sword was in it, and the ancient sheath was\neaten up with rust.\n\n'You have never seen the like of me before!' exclaimed the Spirit.\n\n'Never,' Scrooge made answer to it.\n\n'Have never walked forth with the younger members of my family; meaning\n(for I am very young) my elder brothers born in these later years?'\npursued the Phantom.\n\n'I don't think I have,' said Scrooge. 'I am afraid I have not. Have you\nhad many brothers, Spirit?'\n\n'More than eighteen hundred,' said the Ghost.\n\n'A tremendous family to provide for,' muttered Scrooge.\n\nThe Ghost of Christmas Present rose.\n\n'Spirit,' said Scrooge submissively, 'conduct me where you will. I went\nforth last night on compulsion, and I learned a lesson which is working\nnow. To-night if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it.'\n\n'Touch my robe!'\n\nScrooge did as he was told, and held it fast.\n\nHolly, mistletoe, red berries, ivy, turkeys, geese, game, poultry,\nbrawn, meat, pigs, sausages, oysters, pies, puddings, fruit, and punch,\nall vanished instantly. So did the room, the fire, the ruddy glow, the\nhour of night, and they stood in the city streets on Christmas morning,\nwhere (for the weather was severe) the people made a rough, but brisk\nand not unpleasant kind of music, in scraping the snow from the pavement\nin front of their dwellings, and from the tops of their houses, whence\nit was mad delight to the boys to see it come plumping down into the\nroad below, and splitting into artificial little snowstorms.\n\nThe house-fronts looked black enough, and the windows blacker,\ncontrasting with the smooth white sheet of snow upon the roofs, and with\nthe dirtier snow upon the ground; which last deposit had been ploughed\nup in deep furrows by the heavy wheels of carts and waggons: furrows\nthat crossed and recrossed each other hundreds of times where the great\nstreets branched off; and made intricate channels, hard to trace in the\nthick yellow mud and icy water. The sky was gloomy, and the shortest\nstreets were choked up with a dingy mist, half thawed, half frozen,\nwhose heavier particles descended in a shower of sooty atoms, as if all\nthe chimneys in Great Britain had, by one consent, caught fire, and were\nblazing away to their dear heart's content. There was nothing very\ncheerful in the climate or the town, and yet was there an air of\ncheerfulness abroad that the clearest summer air and brightest summer\nsun might have endeavoured to diffuse in vain.\n\n[Illustration: THERE WAS NOTHING VERY CHEERFUL IN THE CLIMATE]\n\nFor the people who were shovelling away on the house-tops were jovial\nand full of glee; calling out to one another from the parapets, and now\nand then exchanging a facetious snowball--better-natured missile far\nthan many a wordy jest--laughing heartily if it went right, and not less\nheartily if it went wrong. The poulterers' shops were still half open,\nand the fruiterers' were radiant in their glory. There were great,\nround, pot-bellied baskets of chestnuts, shaped like the waistcoats of\njolly old gentlemen, lolling at the doors, and tumbling out into the\nstreet in their apoplectic opulence: There were ruddy, brown-faced,\nbroad-girthed Spanish onions, shining in the fatness of their growth\nlike Spanish friars, and winking from their shelves in wanton slyness at\nthe girls as they went by, and glanced demurely at the hung-up\nmistletoe. There were pears and apples clustered high in blooming\npyramids; there were bunches of grapes, made, in the shopkeepers'\nbenevolence, to dangle from conspicuous hooks that people's mouths might\nwater gratis as they passed; there were piles of filberts, mossy and\nbrown, recalling, in their fragrance, ancient walks among the woods, and\npleasant shufflings ankle deep through withered leaves; there were\nNorfolk Biffins, squab and swarthy, setting off the yellow of the\noranges and lemons, and, in the great compactness of their juicy\npersons, urgently entreating and beseeching to be carried home in paper\nbags and eaten after dinner. The very gold and silver fish, set forth\namong these choice fruits in a bowl, though members of a dull and\nstagnant-blooded race, appeared to know that there was something going\non; and, to a fish, went gasping round and round their little world in\nslow and passionless excitement.\n\nThe Grocers'! oh, the Grocers'! nearly closed, with perhaps two shutters\ndown, or one; but through those gaps such glimpses! It was not alone\nthat the scales descending on the counter made a merry sound, or that\nthe twine and roller parted company so briskly, or that the canisters\nwere rattled up and down like juggling tricks, or even that the blended\nscents of tea and coffee were so grateful to the nose, or even that the\nraisins were so plentiful and rare, the almonds so extremely white, the\nsticks of cinnamon so long and straight, the other spices so delicious,\nthe candied fruits so caked and spotted with molten sugar as to make the\ncoldest lookers-on feel faint, and subsequently bilious. Nor was it that\nthe figs were moist and pulpy, or that the French plums blushed in\nmodest tartness from their highly-decorated boxes, or that everything\nwas good to eat and in its Christmas dress; but the customers were all\nso hurried and so eager in the hopeful promise of the day, that they\ntumbled up against each other at the door, crashing their wicker baskets\nwildly, and left their purchases upon the counter, and came running\nback to fetch them, and committed hundreds of the like mistakes, in the\nbest humour possible; while the grocer and his people were so frank and\nfresh, that the polished hearts with which they fastened their aprons\nbehind might have been their own, worn outside for general inspection,\nand for Christmas daws to peck at if they chose.\n\nBut soon the steeples called good people all to church and chapel, and\naway they came, flocking through the streets in their best clothes and\nwith their gayest faces. And at the same time there emerged, from scores\nof by-streets, lanes, and nameless turnings, innumerable people,\ncarrying their dinners to the bakers' shops. The sight of these poor\nrevellers appeared to interest the Spirit very much, for he stood with\nScrooge beside him in a baker's doorway, and, taking off the covers as\ntheir bearers passed, sprinkled incense on their dinners from his torch.\nAnd it was a very uncommon kind of torch, for once or twice, when there\nwere angry words between some dinner-carriers who had jostled each\nother, he shed a few drops of water on them from it, and their\ngood-humour was restored directly. For they said, it was a shame to\nquarrel upon Christmas Day. And so it was! God love it, so it was!\n\nIn time the bells ceased, and the bakers were shut up; and yet there was\na genial shadowing forth of all these dinners, and the progress of their\ncooking, in the thawed blotch of wet above each baker's oven, where the\npavement smoked as if its stones were cooking too.\n\n'Is there a peculiar flavour in what you sprinkle from your torch?'\nasked Scrooge.\n\n'There is. My own.'\n\n'Would it apply to any kind of dinner on this day?' asked Scrooge.\n\n'To any kindly given. To a poor one most.'\n\n'Why to a poor one most?' asked Scrooge.\n\n'Because it needs it most.'\n\n'Spirit!' said Scrooge, after a moment's thought, 'I wonder you, of all\nthe beings in the many worlds about us, should desire to cramp these\npeople's opportunities of innocent enjoyment.\n\n'I!' cried the Spirit.\n\n'You would deprive them of their means of dining every seventh day,\noften the only day on which they can be said to dine at all,' said\nScrooge; 'wouldn't you?'\n\n'I!' cried the Spirit.\n\n'You seek to close these places on the Seventh Day,' said Scrooge. 'And\nit comes to the same thing.'\n\n'I seek!' exclaimed the Spirit.\n\n'Forgive me if I am wrong. It has been done in your name, or at least in\nthat of your family,' said Scrooge.\n\n'There are some upon this earth of yours,' returned the Spirit, 'who\nlay claim to know us, and who do their deeds of passion, pride,\nill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry, and selfishness in our name, who are as\nstrange to us, and all our kith and kin, as if they had never lived.\nRemember that, and charge their doings on themselves, not us.'\n\nScrooge promised that he would; and they went on, invisible, as they had\nbeen before, into the suburbs of the town. It was a remarkable quality\nof the Ghost (which Scrooge had observed at the baker's), that\nnotwithstanding his gigantic size, he could accommodate himself to any\nplace with ease; and that he stood beneath a low roof quite as\ngracefully and like a supernatural creature as it was possible he could\nhave done in any lofty hall.\n\nAnd perhaps it was the pleasure the good Spirit had in showing off this\npower of his, or else it was his own kind, generous, hearty nature, and\nhis sympathy with all poor men, that led him straight to Scrooge's\nclerk's; for there he went, and took Scrooge with him, holding to his\nrobe; and on the threshold of the door the Spirit smiled, and stopped to\nbless Bob Cratchit's dwelling with the sprinklings of his torch. Think\nof that! Bob had but fifteen 'Bob' a week himself; he pocketed on\nSaturdays but fifteen copies of his Christian name; and yet the Ghost of\nChristmas Present blessed his four-roomed house!\n\nThen up rose Mrs. Cratchit, Cratchit's wife, dressed out but poorly in a\ntwice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons, which are cheap, and make a\ngoodly show for sixpence; and she laid the cloth, assisted by Belinda\nCratchit, second of her daughters, also brave in ribbons; while Master\nPeter Cratchit plunged a fork into the saucepan of potatoes, and getting\nthe corners of his monstrous shirt-collar (Bob's private property,\nconferred upon his son and heir in honour of the day,) into his mouth,\nrejoiced to find himself so gallantly attired, and yearned to show his\nlinen in the fashionable Parks. And now two smaller Cratchits, boy and\ngirl, came tearing in, screaming that outside the baker's they had smelt\nthe goose, and known it for their own; and basking in luxurious thoughts\nof sage and onion, these young Cratchits danced about the table, and\nexalted Master Peter Cratchit to the skies, while he (not proud,\nalthough his collars nearly choked him) blew the fire, until the slow\npotatoes, bubbling up, knocked loudly at the saucepan-lid to be let out\nand peeled.\n\n'What has ever got your precious father, then?' said Mrs. Cratchit. 'And\nyour brother, Tiny Tim? And Martha warn't as late last Christmas Day by\nhalf an hour!'\n\n'Here's Martha, mother!' said a girl, appearing as she spoke.\n\n'Here's Martha, mother!' cried the two young Cratchits. 'Hurrah! There's\n_such_ a goose, Martha!'\n\n'Why, bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you are!' said Mrs.\nCratchit, kissing her a dozen times, and taking off her shawl and bonnet\nfor her with officious zeal.\n\n'We'd a deal of work to finish up last night,' replied the girl, 'and\nhad to clear away this morning, mother!'\n\n'Well! never mind so long as you are come,' said Mrs. Cratchit. 'Sit ye\ndown before the fire, my dear, and have a warm, Lord bless ye!'\n\n'No, no! There's father coming,' cried the two young Cratchits, who were\neverywhere at once. 'Hide, Martha, hide!'\n\nSo Martha hid herself, and in came little Bob, the father, with at least\nthree feet of comforter, exclusive of the fringe, hanging down before\nhim, and his threadbare clothes darned up and brushed to look\nseasonable, and Tiny Tim upon his shoulder. Alas for Tiny Tim, he bore a\nlittle crutch, and had his limbs supported by an iron frame!\n\n'Why, where's our Martha?' cried Bob Cratchit, looking round.\n\n'Not coming,' said Mrs. Cratchit.\n\n'Not coming!' said Bob, with a sudden declension in his high spirits;\nfor he had been Tim's blood-horse all the way from church, and had come\nhome rampant. 'Not coming upon Christmas Day!'\n\nMartha didn't like to see him disappointed, if it were only in joke; so\nshe came out prematurely from behind the closet door, and ran into his\narms, while the two young Cratchits hustled Tiny Tim, and bore him off\ninto the wash-house, that he might hear the pudding singing in the\ncopper.\n\n'And how did little Tim behave?' asked Mrs. Cratchit when she had\nrallied Bob on his credulity, and Bob had hugged his daughter to his\nheart's content.\n\n'As good as gold,' said Bob, 'and better. Somehow, he gets thoughtful,\nsitting by himself so much, and thinks the strangest things you ever\nheard. He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the\nchurch, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to\nremember upon Christmas Day who made lame beggars walk and blind men\nsee.'\n\nBob's voice was tremulous when he told them this, and trembled more when\nhe said that Tiny Tim was growing strong and hearty.\n\nHis active little crutch was heard upon the floor, and back came Tiny\nTim before another word was spoken, escorted by his brother and\nsister to his stool beside the fire; and while Bob, turning up his\ncuffs--as if, poor fellow, they were capable of being made more\nshabby--compounded some hot mixture in a jug with gin and lemons, and\nstirred it round and round, and put it on the hob to simmer, Master\nPeter and the two ubiquitous young Cratchits went to fetch the goose,\nwith which they soon returned in high procession.\n\n[Illustration]\n\nSuch a bustle ensued that you might have thought a goose the rarest of\nall birds; a feathered phenomenon, to which a black swan was a matter of\ncourse--and, in truth, it was something very like it in that house. Mrs.\nCratchit made the gravy (ready beforehand in a little saucepan) hissing\nhot; Master Peter mashed the potatoes with incredible vigour; Miss\nBelinda sweetened up the apple sauce; Martha dusted the hot plates; Bob\ntook Tiny Tim beside him in a tiny corner at the table; the two young\nCratchits set chairs for everybody, not forgetting themselves, and,\nmounting guard upon their posts, crammed spoons into their mouths, lest\nthey should shriek for goose before their turn came to be helped. At\nlast the dishes were set on, and grace was said. It was succeeded by a\nbreathless pause, as Mrs. Cratchit, looking slowly all along the\ncarving-knife, prepared to plunge it in the breast; but when she did,\nand when the long-expected gush of stuffing issued forth, one murmur of\ndelight arose all round the board, and even Tiny Tim, excited by the two\nyoung Cratchits, beat on the table with the handle of his knife and\nfeebly cried Hurrah!\n\n[Illustration: HE HAD BEEN TIM'S BLOOD-HORSE ALL THE WAY FROM CHURCH]\n\nThere never was such a goose. Bob said he didn't believe there ever was\nsuch a goose cooked. Its tenderness and flavour, size and cheapness,\nwere the themes of universal admiration. Eked out by apple sauce and\nmashed potatoes, it was a sufficient dinner for the whole family;\nindeed, as Mrs. Cratchit said with great delight (surveying one small\natom of a bone upon the dish), they hadn't ate it all at last! Yet every\none had had enough, and the youngest Cratchits, in particular, were\nsteeped in sage and onion to the eyebrows! But now, the plates being\nchanged by Miss Belinda, Mrs. Cratchit left the room alone--too nervous\nto bear witnesses--to take the pudding up, and bring it in.\n\nSuppose it should not be done enough! Suppose it should break in turning\nout! Suppose somebody should have got over the wall of the back-yard and\nstolen it, while they were merry with the goose--a supposition at which\nthe two young Cratchits became livid! All sorts of horrors were\nsupposed.\n\nHallo! A great deal of steam! The pudding was out of the copper. A smell\nlike a washing-day! That was the cloth. A smell like an eating-house and\na pastry-cook's next door to each other, with a laundress's next door to\nthat! That was the pudding! In half a minute Mrs. Cratchit\nentered--flushed, but smiling proudly--with the pudding, like a speckled\ncannon-ball, so hard and firm, blazing in half of half-a-quartern of\nignited brandy, and bedight with Christmas holly stuck into the top.\n\nOh, a wonderful pudding! Bob Cratchit said, and calmly too, that he\nregarded it as the greatest success achieved by Mrs. Cratchit since\ntheir marriage. Mrs. Cratchit said that, now the weight was off her\nmind, she would confess she had her doubts about the quantity of flour.\nEverybody had something to say about it, but nobody said or thought it\nwas at all a small pudding for a large family. It would have been flat\nheresy to do so. Any Cratchit would have blushed to hint at such a\nthing.\n\n[Illustration: WITH THE PUDDING]\n\nAt last the dinner was all done, the cloth was cleared, the hearth\nswept, and the fire made up. The compound in the jug being tasted and\nconsidered perfect, apples and oranges were put upon the table, and a\nshovel full of chestnuts on the fire. Then all the Cratchit family\ndrew round the hearth in what Bob Cratchit called a circle, meaning half\na one; and at Bob Cratchit's elbow stood the family display of glass.\nTwo tumblers and a custard cup without a handle.\n\nThese held the hot stuff from the jug, however, as well as golden\ngoblets would have done; and Bob served it out with beaming looks, while\nthe chestnuts on the fire sputtered and cracked noisily. Then Bob\nproposed:\n\n'A merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!'\n\nWhich all the family re-echoed.\n\n'God bless us every one!' said Tiny Tim, the last of all.\n\nHe sat very close to his father's side, upon his little stool. Bob held\nhis withered little hand to his, as if he loved the child, and wished to\nkeep him by his side, and dreaded that he might be taken from him.\n\n'Spirit,' said Scrooge, with an interest he had never felt before, 'tell\nme if Tiny Tim will live.'\n\n'I see a vacant seat,' replied the Ghost, 'in the poor chimney corner,\nand a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved. If these shadows\nremain unaltered by the Future, the child will die.'\n\n'No, no,' said Scrooge. 'Oh no, kind Spirit! say he will be spared.'\n\n'If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future none other of my race,'\nreturned the Ghost, 'will find him here. What then? If he be like to\ndie, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.'\n\nScrooge hung his head to hear his own words quoted by the Spirit, and\nwas overcome with penitence and grief.\n\n'Man,' said the Ghost, 'if man you be in heart, not adamant, forbear\nthat wicked cant until you have discovered what the surplus is, and\nwhere it is. Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die? It\nmay be that, in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit\nto live than millions like this poor man's child. O God! to hear the\ninsect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his hungry\nbrothers in the dust!'\n\nScrooge bent before the Ghost's rebuke, and, trembling, cast his eyes\nupon the ground. But he raised them speedily on hearing his own name.\n\n'Mr. Scrooge!' said Bob. 'I'll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the\nFeast!'\n\n'The Founder of the Feast, indeed!' cried Mrs. Cratchit, reddening. 'I\nwish I had him here. I'd give him a piece of my mind to feast upon, and\nI hope he'd have a good appetite for it.'\n\n'My dear,' said Bob, 'the children! Christmas Day.'\n\n'It should be Christmas Day, I am sure,' said she, 'on which one drinks\nthe health of such an odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man as Mr.\nScrooge. You know he is, Robert! Nobody knows it better than you do,\npoor fellow!'\n\n'My dear!' was Bob's mild answer. 'Christmas Day.'\n\n'I'll drink his health for your sake and the Day's,' said Mrs. Cratchit,\n'not for his. Long life to him! A merry Christmas and a happy New Year!\nHe'll be very merry and very happy, I have no doubt!'\n\nThe children drank the toast after her. It was the first of their\nproceedings which had no heartiness in it. Tiny Tim drank it last of\nall, but he didn't care twopence for it. Scrooge was the Ogre of the\nfamily. The mention of his name cast a dark shadow on the party, which\nwas not dispelled for full five minutes.\n\nAfter it had passed away they were ten times merrier than before, from\nthe mere relief of Scrooge the Baleful being done with. Bob Cratchit\ntold them how he had a situation in his eye for Master Peter, which\nwould bring in, if obtained, full five-and-sixpence weekly. The two\nyoung Cratchits laughed tremendously at the idea of Peter's being a man\nof business; and Peter himself looked thoughtfully at the fire from\nbetween his collars, as if he were deliberating what particular\ninvestments he should favour when he came into the receipt of that\nbewildering income. Martha, who was a poor apprentice at a milliner's,\nthen told them what kind of work she had to do, and how many hours she\nworked at a stretch and how she meant to lie abed to-morrow morning for\na good long rest; to-morrow being a holiday she passed at home. Also how\nshe had seen a countess and a lord some days before, and how the lord\n'was much about as tall as Peter'; at which Peter pulled up his collar\nso high that you couldn't have seen his head if you had been there. All\nthis time the chestnuts and the jug went round and round; and by-and-by\nthey had a song, about a lost child travelling in the snow, from Tiny\nTim, who had a plaintive little voice, and sang it very well indeed.\n\nThere was nothing of high mark in this. They were not a handsome family;\nthey were not well dressed; their shoes were far from being waterproof;\ntheir clothes were scanty; and Peter might have known, and very likely\ndid, the inside of a pawnbroker's. But they were happy, grateful,\npleased with one another, and contented with the time; and when they\nfaded, and looked happier yet in the bright sprinklings of the Spirit's\ntorch at parting, Scrooge had his eye upon them, and especially on Tiny\nTim, until the last.\n\nBy this time it was getting dark, and snowing pretty heavily; and as\nScrooge and the Spirit went along the streets, the brightness of the\nroaring fires in kitchens, parlours, and all sorts of rooms was\nwonderful. Here, the flickering of the blaze showed preparations for a\ncosy dinner, with hot plates baking through and through before the fire,\nand deep red curtains, ready to be drawn to shut out cold and darkness.\nThere, all the children of the house were running out into the snow to\nmeet their married sisters, brothers, cousins, uncles, aunts, and be the\nfirst to greet them. Here, again, were shadows on the window-blinds of\nguests assembling; and there a group of handsome girls, all hooded and\nfur-booted, and all chattering at once, tripped lightly off to some near\nneighbour's house; where, woe upon the single man who saw them\nenter--artful witches, well they knew it--in a glow!\n\nBut, if you had judged from the numbers of people on their way to\nfriendly gatherings, you might have thought that no one was at home to\ngive them welcome when they got there, instead of every house expecting\ncompany, and piling up its fires half-chimney high. Blessings on it, how\nthe Ghost exulted! How it bared its breadth of breast, and opened its\ncapacious palm, and floated on, outpouring with a generous hand its\nbright and harmless mirth on everything within its reach! The very\nlamplighter, who ran on before, dotting the dusky street with specks of\nlight, and who was dressed to spend the evening somewhere, laughed out\nloudly as the Spirit passed, though little kenned the lamplighter that\nhe had any company but Christmas.\n\nAnd now, without a word of warning from the Ghost, they stood upon a\nbleak and desert moor, where monstrous masses of rude stone were cast\nabout, as though it were the burial-place of giants; and water spread\nitself wheresoever it listed; or would have done so, but for the frost\nthat held it prisoner; and nothing grew but moss and furze, and coarse,\nrank grass. Down in the west the setting sun had left a streak of fiery\nred, which glared upon the desolation for an instant, like a sullen eye,\nand frowning lower, lower, lower yet, was lost in the thick gloom of\ndarkest night.\n\n'What place is this?' asked Scrooge.\n\n'A place where miners live, who labour in the bowels of the earth,'\nreturned the Spirit. 'But they know me. See!'\n\nA light shone from the window of a hut, and swiftly they advanced\ntowards it. Passing through the wall of mud and stone, they found a\ncheerful company assembled round a glowing fire. An old, old man and\nwoman, with their children and their children's children, and another\ngeneration beyond that, all decked out gaily in their holiday attire.\nThe old man, in a voice that seldom rose above the howling of the wind\nupon the barren waste, was singing them a Christmas song; it had been a\nvery old song when he was a boy; and from time to time they all joined\nin the chorus. So surely as they raised their voices, the old man got\nquite blithe and loud; and so surely as they stopped, his vigour sank\nagain.\n\nThe Spirit did not tarry here, but bade Scrooge hold his robe, and,\npassing on above the moor, sped whither? Not to sea? To sea. To\nScrooge's horror, looking back, he saw the last of the land, a frightful\nrange of rocks, behind them; and his ears were deafened by the\nthundering of water, as it rolled and roared, and raged among the\ndreadful caverns it had worn, and fiercely tried to undermine the earth.\n\nBuilt upon a dismal reef of sunken rocks, some league or so from shore,\non which the waters chafed and dashed, the wild year through, there\nstood a solitary lighthouse. Great heaps of seaweed clung to its base,\nand storm-birds--born of the wind, one might suppose, as seaweed of the\nwater--rose and fell about it, like the waves they skimmed.\n\nBut, even here, two men who watched the light had made a fire, that\nthrough the loophole in the thick stone wall shed out a ray of\nbrightness on the awful sea. Joining their horny hands over the rough\ntable at which they sat, they wished each other Merry Christmas in their\ncan of grog; and one of them--the elder too, with his face all damaged\nand scarred with hard weather, as the figure-head of an old ship might\nbe--struck up a sturdy song that was like a gale in itself.\n\nAgain the Ghost sped on, above the black and heaving sea--on, on--until\nbeing far away, as he told Scrooge, from any shore, they lighted on a\nship. They stood beside the helmsman at the wheel, the look-out in the\nbow, the officers who had the watch; dark, ghostly figures in their\nseveral stations; but every man among them hummed a Christmas tune, or\nhad a Christmas thought, or spoke below his breath to his companion of\nsome bygone Christmas Day, with homeward hopes belonging to it. And\nevery man on board, waking or sleeping, good or bad, had had a kinder\nword for one another on that day than on any day in the year; and had\nshared to some extent in its festivities; and had remembered those he\ncared for at a distance, and had known that they delighted to remember\nhim.\n\nIt was a great surprise to Scrooge, while listening to the moaning of\nthe wind, and thinking what a solemn thing it was to move on through the\nlonely darkness over an unknown abyss, whose depths were secrets as\nprofound as death: it was a great surprise to Scrooge, while thus\nengaged, to hear a hearty laugh. It was a much greater surprise to\nScrooge to recognise it as his own nephew's and to find himself in a\nbright, dry, gleaming room, with the Spirit standing smiling by his\nside, and looking at that same nephew with approving affability!\n\n'Ha, ha!' laughed Scrooge's nephew. 'Ha, ha, ha!'\n\nIf you should happen, by any unlikely chance, to know a man more blessed\nin a laugh than Scrooge's nephew, all I can say is, I should like to\nknow him too. Introduce him to me, and I'll cultivate his acquaintance.\n\nIt is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there\nis infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so\nirresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour. When Scrooge's\nnephew laughed in this way--holding his sides, rolling his head, and\ntwisting his face into the most extravagant contortions--Scrooge's\nniece, by marriage, laughed as heartily as he. And their assembled\nfriends, being not a bit behindhand, roared out lustily.\n\n'Ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha, ha!'\n\n'He said that Christmas was a humbug, as I live!' cried Scrooge's\nnephew. 'He believed it, too!'\n\n'More shame for him, Fred!' said Scrooge's niece indignantly. Bless\nthose women! they never do anything by halves. They are always in\nearnest.\n\nShe was very pretty; exceedingly pretty. With a dimpled,\nsurprised-looking, capital face; a ripe little mouth, that seemed made\nto be kissed--as no doubt it was; all kinds of good little dots about\nher chin, that melted into one another when she laughed; and the\nsunniest pair of eyes you ever saw in any little creature's head.\nAltogether she was what you would have called provoking, you know; but\nsatisfactory, too. Oh, perfectly satisfactory!\n\n'He's a comical old fellow,' said Scrooge's nephew, 'that's the truth;\nand not so pleasant as he might be. However, his offences carry their\nown punishment, and I have nothing to say against him.'\n\n'I'm sure he is very rich, Fred,' hinted Scrooge's niece. 'At least, you\nalways tell _me_ so.'\n\n'What of that, my dear?' said Scrooge's nephew. 'His wealth is of no use\nto him. He don't do any good with it. He don't make himself comfortable\nwith it. He hasn't the satisfaction of thinking--ha, ha, ha!--that he is\never going to benefit Us with it.'\n\n'I have no patience with him,' observed Scrooge's niece. Scrooge's\nniece's sisters, and all the other ladies, expressed the same opinion.\n\n'Oh, I have!' said Scrooge's nephew. 'I am sorry for him; I couldn't be\nangry with him if I tried. Who suffers by his ill whims? Himself always.\nHere he takes it into his head to dislike us, and he won't come and dine\nwith us. What's the consequence? He don't lose much of a dinner.'\n\n'Indeed, I think he loses a very good dinner,' interrupted Scrooge's\nniece. Everybody else said the same, and they must be allowed to have\nbeen competent judges, because they had just had dinner; and with the\ndessert upon the table, were clustered round the fire, by lamplight.\n\n'Well! I am very glad to hear it,' said Scrooge's nephew, 'because I\nhaven't any great faith in these young housekeepers. What do _you_ say,\nTopper?'\n\nTopper had clearly got his eye upon one of Scrooge's niece's sisters,\nfor he answered that a bachelor was a wretched outcast, who had no right\nto express an opinion on the subject. Whereat Scrooge's niece's\nsister--the plump one with the lace tucker: not the one with the\nroses--blushed.\n\n'Do go on, Fred,' said Scrooge's niece, clapping her hands. 'He never\nfinishes what he begins to say! He is such a ridiculous fellow!'\n\nScrooge's nephew revelled in another laugh, and as it was impossible to\nkeep the infection off, though the plump sister tried hard to do it with\naromatic vinegar, his example was unanimously followed.\n\n'I was only going to say,' said Scrooge's nephew, 'that the consequence\nof his taking a dislike to us, and not making merry with us, is, as I\nthink, that he loses some pleasant moments, which could do him no harm.\nI am sure he loses pleasanter companions than he can find in his own\nthoughts, either in his mouldy old office or his dusty chambers. I mean\nto give him the same chance every year, whether he likes it or not, for\nI pity him. He may rail at Christmas till he dies, but he can't help\nthinking better of it--I defy him--if he finds me going there, in good\ntemper, year after year, and saying, \"Uncle Scrooge, how are you?\" If it\nonly put him in the vein to leave his poor clerk fifty pounds, _that's_\nsomething; and I think I shook him yesterday.'\n\nIt was their turn to laugh now, at the notion of his shaking Scrooge.\nBut being thoroughly good-natured, and not much caring what they laughed\nat, so that they laughed at any rate, he encouraged them in their\nmerriment, and passed the bottle, joyously.\n\nAfter tea they had some music. For they were a musical family, and knew\nwhat they were about when they sung a Glee or Catch, I can assure you:\nespecially Topper, who could growl away in the bass like a good one, and\nnever swell the large veins in his forehead, or get red in the face over\nit. Scrooge's niece played well upon the harp; and played, among other\ntunes, a simple little air (a mere nothing: you might learn to whistle\nit in two minutes) which had been familiar to the child who fetched\nScrooge from the boarding-school, as he had been reminded by the Ghost\nof Christmas Past. When this strain of music sounded, all the things\nthat Ghost had shown him came upon his mind; he softened more and more;\nand thought that if he could have listened to it often, years ago, he\nmight have cultivated the kindnesses of life for his own happiness with\nhis own hands, without resorting to the sexton's spade that buried Jacob\nMarley.\n\n[Illustration: _The way he went after that plump sister in the lace\ntucker!_]\n\nBut they didn't devote the whole evening to music. After a while they\nplayed at forfeits; for it is good to be children sometimes, and never\nbetter than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.\nStop! There was first a game at blind man's-buff. Of course there was.\nAnd I no more believe Topper was really blind than I believe he had eyes\nin his boots. My opinion is, that it was a done thing between him and\nScrooge's nephew; and that the Ghost of Christmas Present knew it. The\nway he went after that plump sister in the lace tucker was an outrage on\nthe credulity of human nature. Knocking down the fire-irons, tumbling\nover the chairs, bumping up against the piano, smothering himself\namongst the curtains, wherever she went, there went he! He always knew\nwhere the plump sister was. He wouldn't catch anybody else. If you had\nfallen up against him (as some of them did) on purpose, he would have\nmade a feint of endeavouring to seize you, which would have been an\naffront to your understanding, and would instantly have sidled off in\nthe direction of the plump sister. She often cried out that it wasn't\nfair; and it really was not. But when, at last, he caught her; when, in\nspite of all her silken rustlings, and her rapid flutterings past him,\nhe got her into a corner whence there was no escape; then his conduct\nwas the most execrable. For his pretending not to know her; his\npretending that it was necessary to touch her head-dress, and further to\nassure himself of her identity by pressing a certain ring upon her\nfinger, and a certain chain about her neck; was vile, monstrous! No\ndoubt she told him her opinion of it when, another blind man being in\noffice, they were so very confidential together behind the curtains.\n\nScrooge's niece was not one of the blind man's-buff party, but was made\ncomfortable with a large chair and a footstool, in a snug corner where\nthe Ghost and Scrooge were close behind her. But she joined in the\nforfeits, and loved her love to admiration with all the letters of the\nalphabet. Likewise at the game of How, When, and Where, she was very\ngreat, and, to the secret joy of Scrooge's nephew, beat her sisters\nhollow; though they were sharp girls too, as Topper could have told you.\nThere might have been twenty people there, young and old, but they all\nplayed, and so did Scrooge; for wholly forgetting, in the interest he\nhad in what was going on, that his voice made no sound in their ears, he\nsometimes came out with his guess quite loud, and very often guessed\nright, too; for the sharpest needle, best Whitechapel, warranted not to\ncut in the eye, was not sharper than Scrooge, blunt as he took it in\nhis head to be.\n\nThe Ghost was greatly pleased to find him in this mood, and looked upon\nhim with such favour that he begged like a boy to be allowed to stay\nuntil the guests departed. But this the Spirit said could not be done.\n\n'Here is a new game,' said Scrooge. 'One half-hour, Spirit, only one!'\n\nIt was a game called Yes and No, where Scrooge's nephew had to think of\nsomething, and the rest must find out what, he only answering to their\nquestions yes or no, as the case was. The brisk fire of questioning to\nwhich he was exposed elicited from him that he was thinking of an\nanimal, a live animal, rather a disagreeable animal, a savage animal, an\nanimal that growled and grunted sometimes, and talked sometimes and\nlived in London, and walked about the streets, and wasn't made a show\nof, and wasn't led by anybody, and didn't live in a menagerie, and was\nnever killed in a market, and was not a horse, or an ass, or a cow, or a\nbull, or a tiger, or a dog, or a pig, or a cat, or a bear. At every\nfresh question that was put to him, this nephew burst into a fresh roar\nof laughter; and was so inexpressibly tickled, that he was obliged to\nget up off the sofa and stamp. At last the plump sister, falling into a\nsimilar state, cried out:\n\n'I have found it out! I know what it is, Fred! I know what it is!'\n\n'What is it?' cried Fred.\n\n'It's your uncle Scro-o-o-o-oge.'\n\nWhich it certainly was. Admiration was the universal sentiment, though\nsome objected that the reply to 'Is it a bear?' ought to have been\n'Yes'; inasmuch as an answer in the negative was sufficient to have\ndiverted their thoughts from Mr. Scrooge, supposing they had ever had\nany tendency that way.\n\n'He has given us plenty of merriment, I am sure,' said Fred, 'and it\nwould be ungrateful not to drink his health. Here is a glass of mulled\nwine ready to our hand at the moment; and I say, \"Uncle Scrooge!\"'\n\n'Well! Uncle Scrooge!' they cried.\n\n'A merry Christmas and a happy New Year to the old man, whatever he is!'\nsaid Scrooge's nephew. 'He wouldn't take it from me, but may he have it,\nnevertheless. Uncle Scrooge!'\n\nUncle Scrooge had imperceptibly become so gay and light of heart, that\nhe would have pledged the unconscious company in return, and thanked\nthem in an inaudible speech, if the Ghost had given him time. But the\nwhole scene passed off in the breath of the last word spoken by his\nnephew; and he and the Spirit were again upon their travels.\n\nMuch they saw, and far they went, and many homes they visited, but\nalways with a happy end. The Spirit stood beside sick-beds, and they\nwere cheerful; on foreign lands, and they were close at home; by\nstruggling men, and they were patient in their greater hope; by poverty,\nand it was rich. In almshouse, hospital, and gaol, in misery's every\nrefuge, where vain man in his little brief authority had not made fast\nthe door, and barred the Spirit out, he left his blessing and taught\nScrooge his precepts.\n\nIt was a long night, if it were only a night; but Scrooge had his doubts\nof this, because the Christmas holidays appeared to be condensed into\nthe space of time they passed together. It was strange, too, that, while\nScrooge remained unaltered in his outward form, the Ghost grew older,\nclearly older. Scrooge had observed this change, but never spoke of it\nuntil they left a children's Twelfth-Night party, when, looking at the\nSpirit as they stood together in an open place, he noticed that its hair\nwas grey.\n\n'Are spirits' lives so short?' asked Scrooge.\n\n'My life upon this globe is very brief,' replied the Ghost. 'It ends\nto-night.'\n\n'To-night!' cried Scrooge.\n\n'To-night at midnight. Hark! The time is drawing near.'\n\nThe chimes were ringing the three-quarters past eleven at that moment.\n\n'Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask,' said Scrooge, looking\nintently at the Spirit's robe, 'but I see something strange, and not\nbelonging to yourself, protruding from your skirts. Is it a foot or a\nclaw?'\n\n'It might be a claw, for the flesh there is upon it,' was the Spirit's\nsorrowful reply. 'Look here!'\n\nFrom the foldings of its robe it brought two children, wretched, abject,\nfrightful, hideous, miserable. They knelt down at its feet, and clung\nupon the outside of its garment.\n\n'O Man! look here! Look, look down here!' exclaimed the Ghost.\n\nThey were a boy and girl. Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish, but\nprostrate, too, in their humility. Where graceful youth should have\nfilled their features out, and touched them with its freshest tints, a\nstale and shrivelled hand, like that of age, had pinched and twisted\nthem, and pulled them into shreds. Where angels might have sat\nenthroned, devils lurked, and glared out menacing. No change, no\ndegradation, no perversion of humanity in any grade, through all the\nmysteries of wonderful creation, has monsters half so horrible and\ndread.\n\nScrooge started back, appalled. Having them shown to him in this way, he\ntried to say they were fine children, but the words choked themselves,\nrather than be parties to a lie of such enormous magnitude.\n\n'Spirit! are they yours?' Scrooge could say no more.\n\n'They are Man's,' said the Spirit, looking down upon them. 'And they\ncling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This\ngirl is Want. Beware of them both, and all of their degree, but most of\nall beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom,\nunless the writing be erased. Deny it!' cried the Spirit, stretching out\nhis hand towards the city. 'Slander those who tell it ye! Admit it for\nyour factious purposes, and make it worse! And bide the end!'\n\n'Have they no refuge or resource?' cried Scrooge.\n\n'Are there no prisons?' said the Spirit, turning on him for the last\ntime with his own words. 'Are there no workhouses?'\n\nThe bell struck Twelve.\n\nScrooge looked about him for the Ghost, and saw it not. As the last\nstroke ceased to vibrate, he remembered the prediction of old Jacob\nMarley, and, lifting up his eyes, beheld a solemn Phantom, draped and\nhooded, coming like a mist along the ground towards him.\n\n\nSTAVE FOUR\n\n\n\n\nTHE LAST OF THE SPIRITS\n\n\nThe Phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached. When it came near him,\nScrooge bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this\nSpirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery.\n\nIt was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its\nface, its form, and left nothing of it visible, save one outstretched\nhand. But for this, it would have been difficult to detach its figure\nfrom the night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was\nsurrounded.\n\nHe felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that\nits mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread. He knew no more,\nfor the Spirit neither spoke nor moved.\n\n'I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come?' said\nScrooge.\n\nThe Spirit answered not, but pointed onward with its hand.\n\n'You are about to show me shadows of the things that have not happened,\nbut will happen in the time before us,' Scrooge pursued. 'Is that so,\nSpirit?'\n\nThe upper portion of the garment was contracted for an instant in its\nfolds, as if the Spirit had inclined its head. That was the only answer\nhe received.\n\nAlthough well used to ghostly company by this time, Scrooge feared the\nsilent shape so much that his legs trembled beneath him, and he found\nthat he could hardly stand when he prepared to follow it. The Spirit\npaused a moment, as observing his condition, and giving him time to\nrecover.\n\nBut Scrooge was all the worse for this. It thrilled him with a vague,\nuncertain horror to know that, behind the dusky shroud, there were\nghostly eyes intently fixed upon him, while he, though he stretched his\nown to the utmost, could see nothing but a spectral hand and one great\nheap of black.\n\n'Ghost of the Future!' he exclaimed, 'I fear you more than any spectre\nI have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope\nto live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear your\ncompany, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?'\n\nIt gave him no reply. The hand was pointed straight before them.\n\n'Lead on!' said Scrooge. 'Lead on! The night is waning fast, and it is\nprecious time to me, I know. Lead on, Spirit!'\n\nThe Phantom moved away as it had come towards him. Scrooge followed in\nthe shadow of its dress, which bore him up, he thought, and carried him\nalong.\n\nThey scarcely seemed to enter the City; for the City rather seemed to\nspring up about them, and encompass them of its own act. But there they\nwere in the heart of it; on 'Change, amongst the merchants, who hurried\nup and down, and chinked the money in their pockets, and conversed in\ngroups, and looked at their watches, and trifled thoughtfully with their\ngreat gold seals, and so forth, as Scrooge had seen them often.\n\nThe Spirit stopped beside one little knot of business men. Observing\nthat the hand was pointed to them, Scrooge advanced to listen to their\ntalk.\n\n'No,' said a great fat man with a monstrous chin, 'I don't know much\nabout it either way. I only know he's dead.'\n\n'When did he die?' inquired another.\n\n'Last night, I believe.'\n\n'Why, what was the matter with him?' asked a third, taking a vast\nquantity of snuff out of a very large snuff-box. 'I thought he'd never\ndie.'\n\n'God knows,' said the first, with a yawn.\n\n'What has he done with his money?' asked a red-faced gentleman with a\npendulous excrescence on the end of his nose, that shook like the gills\nof a turkey-cock.\n\n'I haven't heard,' said the man with the large chin, yawning again.\n'Left it to his company, perhaps. He hasn't left it to _me_. That's all\nI know.'\n\nThis pleasantry was received with a general laugh.\n\n'It's likely to be a very cheap funeral,' said the same speaker; 'for,\nupon my life, I don't know of anybody to go to it. Suppose we make up a\nparty, and volunteer?'\n\n'I don't mind going if a lunch is provided,' observed the gentleman with\nthe excrescence on his nose. 'But I must be fed if I make one.'\n\nAnother laugh.\n\n[Illustration:\n\n _\"How are you?\" said one.\n \"How are you?\" returned the other.\n \"Well!\" said the first. \"Old Scratch has got his own at last, hey?\"_\n\n]\n\n'Well, I am the most disinterested among you, after all,' said the first\nspeaker, 'for I never wear black gloves, and I never eat lunch. But I'll\noffer to go if anybody else will. When I come to think of it, I'm not\nat all sure that I wasn't his most particular friend; for we used to\nstop and speak whenever we met. Bye, bye!'\n\nSpeakers and listeners strolled away, and mixed with other groups.\nScrooge knew the men, and looked towards the Spirit for an explanation.\n\nThe phantom glided on into a street. Its finger pointed to two persons\nmeeting. Scrooge listened again, thinking that the explanation might lie\nhere.\n\nHe knew these men, also, perfectly. They were men of business: very\nwealthy, and of great importance. He had made a point always of standing\nwell in their esteem in a business point of view, that is; strictly in a\nbusiness point of view.\n\n'How are you?' said one.\n\n'How are you?' returned the other.\n\n'Well!' said the first, 'old Scratch has got his own at last, hey?'\n\n'So I am told,' returned the second. 'Cold, isn't it?'\n\n'Seasonable for Christmas-time. You are not a skater, I suppose?'\n\n'No, no. Something else to think of. Good-morning!'\n\nNot another word. That was their meeting, their conversation, and their\nparting.\n\nScrooge was at first inclined to be surprised that the Spirit should\nattach importance to conversations apparently so trivial; but feeling\nassured that they must have some hidden purpose, he set himself to\nconsider what it was likely to be. They could scarcely be supposed to\nhave any bearing on the death of Jacob, his old partner, for that was\nPast, and this Ghost's province was the Future. Nor could he think of\nany one immediately connected with himself to whom he could apply them.\nBut nothing doubting that, to whomsoever they applied, they had some\nlatent moral for his own improvement, he resolved to treasure up every\nword he heard, and everything he saw; and especially to observe the\nshadow of himself when it appeared. For he had an expectation that the\nconduct of his future self would give him the clue he missed, and would\nrender the solution of these riddles easy.\n\nHe looked about in that very place for his own image, but another man\nstood in his accustomed corner; and though the clock pointed to his\nusual time of day for being there, he saw no likeness of himself among\nthe multitudes that poured in through the Porch. It gave him little\nsurprise, however; for he had been revolving in his mind a change of\nlife, and thought and hoped he saw his new-born resolutions carried out\nin this.\n\nQuiet and dark, beside him stood the Phantom, with its outstretched\nhand. When he roused himself from his thoughtful quest, he fancied,\nfrom the turn of the hand, and its situation in reference to himself,\nthat the Unseen Eyes were looking at him keenly. It made him shudder,\nand feel very cold.\n\nThey left the busy scene, and went into an obscure part of the town,\nwhere Scrooge had never penetrated before, although he recognised its\nsituation and its bad repute. The ways were foul and narrow; the shop\nand houses wretched; the people half naked, drunken, slipshod, ugly.\nAlleys and archways, like so many cesspools, disgorged their offences of\nsmell and dirt, and life upon the straggling streets; and the whole\nquarter reeked with crime, with filth, and misery.\n\nFar in this den of infamous resort, there was a low-browed, beetling\nshop, below a penthouse roof, where iron, old rags, bottles, bones, and\ngreasy offal were bought. Upon the floor within were piled up heaps of\nrusty keys, nails, chains, hinges, files, scales, weights, and refuse\niron of all kinds. Secrets that few would like to scrutinise were bred\nand hidden in mountains of unseemly rags, masses of corrupted fat, and\nsepulchres of bones. Sitting in among the wares he dealt in, by a\ncharcoal stove made of old bricks, was a grey-haired rascal, nearly\nseventy years of age, who had screened himself from the cold air without\nby a frouzy curtaining of miscellaneous tatters hung upon a line and\nsmoked his pipe in all the luxury of calm retirement.\n\nScrooge and the Phantom came into the presence of this man, just as a\nwoman with a heavy bundle slunk into the shop. But she had scarcely\nentered, when another woman, similarly laden, came in too; and she was\nclosely followed by a man in faded black, who was no less startled by\nthe sight of them than they had been upon the recognition of each other.\nAfter a short period of blank astonishment, in which the old man with\nthe pipe had joined them, they all three burst into a laugh.\n\n'Let the charwoman alone to be the first!' cried she who had entered\nfirst. 'Let the laundress alone to be the second; and let the\nundertaker's man alone to be the third. Look here, old Joe, here's a\nchance! If we haven't all three met here without meaning it!'\n\n'You couldn't have met in a better place,' said old Joe, removing his\npipe from his mouth. 'Come into the parlour. You were made free of it\nlong ago, you know; and the other two an't strangers. Stop till I shut\nthe door of the shop. Ah! how it skreeks! There an't such a rusty bit of\nmetal in the place as its own hinges, I believe; and I'm sure there's no\nsuch old bones here as mine. Ha! ha! We're all suitable to our calling,\nwe're well matched. Come into the parlour. Come into the parlour.'\n\nThe parlour was the space behind the screen of rags. The old man raked\nthe fire together with an old stair-rod, and having trimmed his smoky\nlamp (for it was night) with the stem of his pipe, put it into his mouth\nagain.\n\nWhile he did this, the woman who had already spoken threw her bundle on\nthe floor, and sat down in a flaunting manner on a stool, crossing her\nelbows on her knees, and looking with a bold defiance at the other two.\n\n'What odds, then? What odds, Mrs. Dilber?' said the woman. 'Every person\nhas a right to take care of themselves. _He_ always did!'\n\n'That's true, indeed!' said the laundress. 'No man more so.'\n\n'Why, then, don't stand staring as if you was afraid, woman! Who's the\nwiser? We're not going to pick holes in each other's coats, I suppose?'\n\n'No, indeed!' said Mrs. Dilber and the man together. 'We should hope\nnot.'\n\n'Very well then!' cried the woman. 'That's enough. Who's the worse for\nthe loss of a few things like these? Not a dead man, I suppose?'\n\n'No, indeed,' said Mrs. Dilber, laughing.\n\n'If he wanted to keep 'em after he was dead, a wicked old screw,'\npursued the woman, 'why wasn't he natural in his lifetime? If he had\nbeen, he'd have had somebody to look after him when he was struck with\nDeath, instead of lying gasping out his last there, alone by himself.'\n\n'It's the truest word that ever was spoke,' said Mrs. Dilber. 'It's a\njudgment on him.'\n\n'I wish it was a little heavier judgment,' replied the woman: 'and it\nshould have been, you may depend upon it, if I could have laid my hands\non anything else. Open that bundle, old Joe, and let me know the value\nof it. Speak out plain. I'm not afraid to be the first, nor afraid for\nthem to see it. We knew pretty well that we were helping ourselves\nbefore we met here, I believe. It's no sin. Open the bundle, Joe.'\n\nBut the gallantry of her friends would not allow of this; and the man in\nfaded black, mounting the breach first, produced _his_ plunder. It was\nnot extensive. A seal or two, a pencil-case, a pair of sleeve-buttons,\nand a brooch of no great value, were all. They were severally examined\nand appraised by old Joe, who chalked the sums he was disposed to give\nfor each upon the wall, and added them up into a total when he found\nthat there was nothing more to come.\n\n'That's your account,' said Joe, 'and I wouldn't give another sixpence,\nif I was to be boiled for not doing it. Who's next?'\n\n\n[Illustration: _\"What do you call this?\" said Joe. \"Bed-curtains.\"_]\n\nMrs. Dilber was next. Sheets and towels, a little wearing apparel, two\nold fashioned silver teaspoons, a pair of sugar-tongs, and a few\nboots. Her account was stated on the wall in the same manner.\n\n'I always give too much to ladies. It's a weakness of mine, and that's\nthe way I ruin myself,' said old Joe. 'That's your account. If you asked\nme for another penny, and made it an open question, I'd repent of being\nso liberal, and knock off half-a-crown.'\n\n'And now undo _my_ bundle, Joe,' said the first woman.\n\nJoe went down on his knees for the greater convenience of opening it,\nand, having unfastened a great many knots, dragged out a large heavy\nroll of some dark stuff.\n\n'What do you call this?' said Joe. 'Bed-curtains?'\n\n'Ah!' returned the woman, laughing and leaning forward on her crossed\narms. 'Bed-curtains!'\n\n'You don't mean to say you took 'em down, rings and all, with him lying\nthere?' said Joe.\n\n'Yes, I do,' replied the woman. 'Why not?'\n\n'You were born to make your fortune,' said Joe, 'and you'll certainly do\nit.'\n\n'I certainly shan't hold my hand, when I can get anything in it by\nreaching it out, for the sake of such a man as he was, I promise you,\nJoe,' returned the woman coolly. 'Don't drop that oil upon the blankets,\nnow.'\n\n'His blankets?' asked Joe.\n\n'Whose else's do you think?' replied the woman. 'He isn't likely to take\ncold without 'em, I dare say.'\n\n'I hope he didn't die of anything catching? Eh?' said old Joe, stopping\nin his work, and looking up.\n\n'Don't you be afraid of that,' returned the woman. 'I an't so fond of\nhis company that I'd loiter about him for such things, if he did. Ah!\nyou may look through that shirt till your eyes ache, but you won't find\na hole in it, nor a threadbare place. It's the best he had, and a fine\none too. They'd have wasted it, if it hadn't been for me.'\n\n'What do you call wasting of it?' asked old Joe.\n\n'Putting it on him to be buried in, to be sure,' replied the woman, with\na laugh. 'Somebody was fool enough to do it, but I took it off again. If\ncalico an't good enough for such a purpose, it isn't good enough for\nanything. It's quite as becoming to the body. He can't look uglier than\nhe did in that one.'\n\nScrooge listened to this dialogue in horror. As they sat grouped about\ntheir spoil, in the scanty light afforded by the old man's lamp, he\nviewed them with a detestation and disgust which could hardly have been\ngreater, though they had been obscene demons marketing the corpse\nitself.\n\n'Ha, ha!' laughed the same woman when old Joe producing a flannel bag\nwith money in it, told out their several gains upon the ground. 'This\nis the end of it, you see! He frightened every one away from him when he\nwas alive, to profit us when he was dead! Ha, ha, ha!'\n\n'Spirit!' said Scrooge, shuddering from head to foot. 'I see, I see. The\ncase of this unhappy man might be my own. My life tends that way now.\nMerciful heaven, what is this?'\n\nHe recoiled in terror, for the scene had changed, and now he almost\ntouched a bed--a bare, uncurtained bed--on which, beneath a ragged\nsheet, there lay a something covered up, which, though it was dumb,\nannounced itself in awful language.\n\nThe room was very dark, too dark to be observed with any accuracy,\nthough Scrooge glanced round it in obedience to a secret impulse,\nanxious to know what kind of room it was. A pale light, rising in the\nouter air, fell straight upon the bed; and on it, plundered and bereft,\nunwatched, unwept, uncared for, was the body of this man.\n\nScrooge glanced towards the Phantom. Its steady hand was pointed to the\nhead. The cover was so carelessly adjusted that the slightest raising of\nit, the motion of a finger upon Scrooge's part, would have disclosed the\nface. He thought of it, felt how easy it would be to do, and longed to\ndo it; but he had no more power to withdraw the veil than to dismiss the\nspectre at his side.\n\nOh, cold, cold, rigid, dreadful Death, set up thine altar here, and\ndress it with such terrors as thou hast at thy command; for this is thy\ndominion! But of the loved, revered, and honoured head thou canst not\nturn one hair to thy dread purposes, or make one feature odious. It is\nnot that the hand is heavy, and will fall down when released; it is not\nthat the heart and pulse are still; but that the hand was open,\ngenerous, and true; the heart brave, warm, and tender, and the pulse a\nman's. Strike, Shadow, strike! And see his good deeds springing from the\nwound, to sow the world with life immortal!\n\nNo voice pronounced these words in Scrooge's ears, and yet he heard them\nwhen he looked upon the bed. He thought, if this man could be raised up\nnow, what would be his foremost thoughts? Avarice, hard dealing, griping\ncares? They have brought him to a rich end, truly!\n\nHe lay in the dark, empty house, with not a man, a woman, or a child to\nsay he was kind to me in this or that, and for the memory of one kind\nword I will be kind to him. A cat was tearing at the door, and there was\na sound of gnawing rats beneath the hearthstone. What _they_ wanted in\nthe room of death, and why they were so restless and disturbed, Scrooge\ndid not dare to think.\n\n'Spirit!' he said, 'this is a fearful place. In leaving it, I shall not\nleave its lesson, trust me. Let us go!'\n\nStill the Ghost pointed with an unmoved finger to the head.\n\n'I understand you,' Scrooge returned, 'and I would do it if I could. But\nI have not the power, Spirit. I have not the power.'\n\nAgain it seemed to look upon him.\n\n'If there is any person in the town who feels emotion caused by this\nman's death,' said Scrooge, quite agonised, 'show that person to me,\nSpirit, I beseech you!'\n\nThe Phantom spread its dark robe before him for a moment, like a wing;\nand, withdrawing it, revealed a room by daylight, where a mother and her\nchildren were.\n\nShe was expecting some one, and with anxious eagerness; for she walked\nup and down the room, started at every sound, looked out from the\nwindow, glanced at the clock, tried, but in vain, to work with her\nneedle, and could hardly bear the voices of her children in their play.\n\nAt length the long-expected knock was heard. She hurried to the door,\nand met her husband; a man whose face was careworn and depressed, though\nhe was young. There was a remarkable expression in it now, a kind of\nserious delight of which he felt ashamed, and which he struggled to\nrepress.\n\nHe sat down to the dinner that had been hoarding for him by the fire,\nand when she asked him faintly what news (which was not until after a\nlong silence), he appeared embarrassed how to answer.\n\n'Is it good,' she said, 'or bad?' to help him.\n\n'Bad,' he answered.\n\n'We are quite ruined?'\n\n'No. There is hope yet, Caroline.'\n\n'If _he_ relents,' she said, amazed, 'there is! Nothing is past hope, if\nsuch a miracle has happened.'\n\n'He is past relenting,' said her husband. 'He is dead.'\n\nShe was a mild and patient creature, if her face spoke truth; but she\nwas thankful in her soul to hear it, and she said so with clasped hands.\nShe prayed forgiveness the next moment, and was sorry; but the first was\nthe emotion of her heart.\n\n'What the half-drunken woman, whom I told you of last night, said to me\nwhen I tried to see him and obtain a week's delay--and what I thought\nwas a mere excuse to avoid me--turns out to have been quite true. He was\nnot only very ill, but dying, then.'\n\n'To whom will our debt be transferred?'\n\n'I don't know. But, before that time, we shall be ready with the money;\nand even though we were not, it would be bad fortune indeed to find so\nmerciless a creditor in his successor. We may sleep to-night with light\nhearts, Caroline!'\n\nYes. Soften it as they would, their hearts were lighter. The children's\nfaces, hushed and clustered round to hear what they so little\nunderstood, were brighter; and it was a happier house for this man's\ndeath! The only emotion that the Ghost could show him, caused by the\nevent, was one of pleasure.\n\n'Let me see some tenderness connected with a death,' said Scrooge; 'or\nthat dark chamber, Spirit, which we left just now, will be for ever\npresent to me.'\n\nThe Ghost conducted him through several streets familiar to his feet;\nand as they went along, Scrooge looked here and there to find himself,\nbut nowhere was he to be seen. They entered poor Bob Cratchit's house;\nthe dwelling he had visited before; and found the mother and the\nchildren seated round the fire.\n\nQuiet. Very quiet. The noisy little Cratchits were as still as statues\nin one corner, and sat looking up at Peter, who had a book before him.\nThe mother and her daughters were engaged in sewing. But surely they\nwere very quiet!\n\n'\"And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them.\"'\n\nWhere had Scrooge heard those words? He had not dreamed them. The boy\nmust have read them out as he and the Spirit crossed the threshold. Why\ndid he not go on?\n\nThe mother laid her work upon the table, and put her hand up to her\nface.\n\n'The colour hurts my eyes,' she said.\n\nThe colour? Ah, poor Tiny Tim!\n\n'They're better now again,' said Cratchit's wife. 'It makes them weak by\ncandle-light; and I wouldn't show weak eyes to your father when he comes\nhome for the world. It must be near his time.'\n\n'Past it rather,' Peter answered, shutting up his book. 'But I think he\nhas walked a little slower than he used, these few last evenings,\nmother.'\n\nThey were very quiet again. At last she said, and in a steady, cheerful\nvoice, that only faltered once:\n\n'I have known him walk with--I have known him walk with Tiny Tim upon\nhis shoulder very fast indeed.'\n\n'And so have I,' cried Peter. 'Often.'\n\n'And so have I,' exclaimed another. So had all.\n\n'But he was very light to carry,' she resumed, intent upon her work,\n'and his father loved him so, that it was no trouble, no trouble. And\nthere is your father at the door!'\n\nShe hurried out to meet him; and little Bob in his comforter--he had\nneed of it, poor fellow--came in. His tea was ready for him on the hob,\nand they all tried who should help him to it most. Then the two young\nCratchits got upon his knees, and laid, each child, a little cheek\nagainst his face, as if they said, 'Don't mind it, father. Don't be\ngrieved!'\n\nBob was very cheerful with them, and spoke pleasantly to all the family.\nHe looked at the work upon the table, and praised the industry and speed\nof Mrs. Cratchit and the girls. They would be done long before Sunday,\nhe said.\n\n'Sunday! You went to-day, then, Robert?' said his wife.\n\n'Yes, my dear,' returned Bob. 'I wish you could have gone. It would have\ndone you good to see how green a place it is. But you'll see it often. I\npromised him that I would walk there on a Sunday. My little, little\nchild!' cried Bob. 'My little child!'\n\nHe broke down all at once. He couldn't help it. If he could have helped\nit, he and his child would have been farther apart, perhaps, than they\nwere.\n\nHe left the room, and went upstairs into the room above, which was\nlighted cheerfully, and hung with Christmas. There was a chair set close\nbeside the child, and there were signs of some one having been there\nlately. Poor Bob sat down in it, and when he had thought a little and\ncomposed himself, he kissed the little face. He was reconciled to what\nhad happened, and went down again quite happy.\n\nThey drew about the fire, and talked, the girls and mother working\nstill. Bob told them of the extraordinary kindness of Mr. Scrooge's\nnephew, whom he had scarcely seen but once, and who, meeting him in the\nstreet that day, and seeing that he looked a little--'just a little\ndown, you know,' said Bob, inquired what had happened to distress him.\n'On which,' said Bob, 'for he is the pleasantest-spoken gentleman you\never heard, I told him. \"I am heartily sorry for it, Mr. Cratchit,\" he\nsaid, \"and heartily sorry for your good wife.\" By-the-bye, how he ever\nknew _that_ I don't know.'\n\n'Knew what, my dear?'\n\n'Why, that you were a good wife,' replied Bob.\n\n'Everybody knows that,' said Peter.\n\n'Very well observed, my boy!' cried Bob. 'I hope they do. \"Heartily\nsorry,\" he said, \"for your good wife. If I can be of service to you in\nany way,\" he said, giving me his card, \"that's where I live. Pray come\nto me.\" Now, it wasn't,' cried Bob, 'for the sake of anything he might\nbe able to do for us, so much as for his kind way, that this was quite\ndelightful. It really seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim, and felt\nwith us.'\n\n'I'm sure he's a good soul!' said Mrs. Cratchit.\n\n'You would be sure of it, my dear,' returned Bob, 'if you saw and spoke\nto him. I shouldn't be at all surprised--mark what I say!--if he got\nPeter a better situation.'\n\n'Only hear that, Peter,' said Mrs. Cratchit.\n\n'And then,' cried one of the girls, 'Peter will be keeping company with\nsome one, and setting up for himself.'\n\n'Get along with you!' retorted Peter, grinning.\n\n'It's just as likely as not,' said Bob, 'one of these days; though\nthere's plenty of time for that, my dear. But, however and whenever we\npart from one another, I am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny\nTim--shall we--or this first parting that there was among us?'\n\n'Never, father!' cried they all.\n\n'And I know,' said Bob, 'I know, my dears, that when we recollect how\npatient and how mild he was; although he was a little, little child; we\nshall not quarrel easily among ourselves, and forget poor Tiny Tim in\ndoing it.'\n\n'No, never, father!' they all cried again.\n\n'I am very happy,' said little Bob, 'I am very happy!'\n\nMrs. Cratchit kissed him, his daughters kissed him, the two young\nCratchits kissed him, and Peter and himself shook hands. Spirit of Tiny\nTim, thy childish essence was from God!\n\n'Spectre,' said Scrooge, 'something informs me that our parting moment\nis at hand. I know it but I know not how. Tell me what man that was whom\nwe saw lying dead?'\n\nThe Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come conveyed him, as before--though at a\ndifferent time, he thought: indeed there seemed no order in these latter\nvisions, save that they were in the Future--into the resorts of business\nmen, but showed him not himself. Indeed, the Spirit did not stay for\nanything, but went straight on, as to the end just now desired, until\nbesought by Scrooge to tarry for a moment.\n\n'This court,' said Scrooge, 'through which we hurry now, is where my\nplace of occupation is, and has been for a length of time. I see the\nhouse. Let me behold what I shall be in days to come.'\n\nThe Spirit stopped; the hand was pointed elsewhere.\n\n'The house is yonder,' Scrooge exclaimed. 'Why do you point away?'\n\nThe inexorable finger underwent no change.\n\nScrooge hastened to the window of his office, and looked in. It was an\noffice still, but not his. The furniture was not the same, and the\nfigure in the chair was not himself. The Phantom pointed as before.\n\nHe joined it once again, and, wondering why and whither he had gone,\naccompanied it until they reached an iron gate. He paused to look round\nbefore entering.\n\nA churchyard. Here, then, the wretched man, whose name he had now to\nlearn, lay underneath the ground. It was a worthy place. Walled in by\nhouses; overrun by grass and weeds, the growth of vegetation's death,\nnot life; choked up with too much burying; fat with repleted appetite. A\nworthy place!\n\nThe Spirit stood among the graves, and pointed down to One. He advanced\ntowards it trembling. The Phantom was exactly as it had been, but he\ndreaded that he saw new meaning in its solemn shape.\n\n'Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point,' said Scrooge,\n'answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that Will\nbe, or are they shadows of the things that May be only?'\n\nStill the Ghost pointed downward to the grave by which it stood.\n\n'Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in,\nthey must lead,' said Scrooge. 'But if the courses be departed from, the\nends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me!'\n\nThe Spirit was immovable as ever.\n\nScrooge crept towards it, trembling as he went; and, following the\nfinger, read upon the stone of the neglected grave his own name,\nEBENEZER SCROOGE.\n\n'Am I that man who lay upon the bed?' he cried upon his knees.\n\nThe finger pointed from the grave to him, and back again.\n\n'No, Spirit! Oh no, no!'\n\nThe finger still was there.\n\n'Spirit!' he cried, tight clutching at its robe, 'hear me! I am not the\nman I was. I will not be the man I must have been but for this\nintercourse. Why show me this, if I am past all hope?'\n\nFor the first time the hand appeared to shake.\n\n'Good Spirit,' he pursued, as down upon the ground he fell before it,\n'your nature intercedes for me, and pities me. Assure me that I yet may\nchange these shadows you have shown me by an altered life?'\n\nThe kind hand trembled.\n\n'I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I\nwill live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all\nThree shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they\nteach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!'\n\nIn his agony he caught the spectral hand. It sought to free itself, but\nhe was strong in his entreaty, and detained it. The Spirit stronger yet,\nrepulsed him.\n\nHolding up his hands in a last prayer to have his fate reversed, he saw\nan alteration in the Phantom's hood and dress. It shrunk, collapsed, and\ndwindled down into a bedpost.\n\n\nSTAVE FIVE\n\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\nTHE END OF IT\n\n\nYes! and the bedpost was his own. The bed was his own, the room was his\nown. Best and happiest of all, the Time before him was his own, to make\namends in!\n\n'I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!' Scrooge repeated\nas he scrambled out of bed. 'The Spirits of all Three shall strive\nwithin me. O Jacob Marley! Heaven and the Christmas Time be praised for\nthis! I say it on my knees, old Jacob; on my knees!'\n\nHe was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions, that his\nbroken voice would scarcely answer to his call. He had been sobbing\nviolently in his conflict with the Spirit, and his face was wet with\ntears.\n\n'They are not torn down,' cried Scrooge, folding one of his bed-curtains\nin his arms, 'They are not torn down, rings and all. They are here--I am\nhere--the shadows of the things that would have been may be dispelled.\nThey will be. I know they will!'\n\nHis hands were busy with his garments all this time: turning them inside\nout, putting them on upside down, tearing them, mislaying them, making\nthem parties to every kind of extravagance.\n\n'I don't know what to do!' cried Scrooge, laughing and crying in the\nsame breath, and making a perfect Laocoon of himself with his stockings.\n'I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as\na schoolboy, I am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to\neverybody! A happy New Year to all the world! Hallo here! Whoop! Hallo!'\n\nHe had frisked into the sitting-room, and was now standing there,\nperfectly winded.\n\n'There's the saucepan that the gruel was in!' cried Scrooge, starting\noff again, and going round the fireplace. 'There's the door by which the\nGhost of Jacob Marley entered! There's the corner where the Ghost of\nChristmas Present sat! There's the window where I saw the wandering\nSpirits! It's all right, it's all true, it all happened. Ha, ha, ha!'\n\nReally, for a man who had been out of practice for so many years, it was\na splendid laugh, a most illustrious laugh. The father of a long, long\nline of brilliant laughs!\n\n'I don't know what day of the month it is,' said Scrooge. 'I don't know\nhow long I have been among the Spirits. I don't know anything. I'm quite\na baby. Never mind. I don't care. I'd rather be a baby. Hallo! Whoop!\nHallo here!'\n\nHe was checked in his transports by the churches ringing out the\nlustiest peals he had ever heard. Clash, clash, hammer; ding, dong,\nbell! Bell, dong, ding; hammer, clash, clash! Oh, glorious, glorious!\n\nRunning to the window, he opened it, and put out his head. No fog, no\nmist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold; cold, piping for the blood\nto dance to; golden sunlight; heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry\nbells. Oh, glorious! Glorious!\n\n'What's to-day?' cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday\nclothes, who perhaps had loitered in to look about him.\n\n'EH?' returned the boy with all his might of wonder.\n\n'What's to-day, my fine fellow?' said Scrooge.\n\n'To-day!' replied the boy. 'Why, CHRISTMAS DAY.'\n\n'It's Christmas Day!' said Scrooge to himself. 'I haven't missed it. The\nSpirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like.\nOf course they can. Of course they can. Hallo, my fine fellow!'\n\n'Hallo!' returned the boy.\n\n'Do you know the poulterer's in the next street but one, at the corner?'\nScrooge inquired.\n\n'I should hope I did,' replied the lad.\n\n'An intelligent boy!' said Scrooge. 'A remarkable boy! Do you know\nwhether they've sold the prize turkey that was hanging up there?--Not\nthe little prize turkey: the big one?'\n\n'What! the one as big as me?' returned the boy.\n\n'What a delightful boy!' said Scrooge. 'It's a pleasure to talk to him.\nYes, my buck!'\n\n'It's hanging there now,' replied the boy.\n\n'Is it?' said Scrooge. 'Go and buy it.'\n\n'Walk-ER!' exclaimed the boy.\n\n'No, no,' said Scrooge. 'I am in earnest. Go and buy it, and tell 'em to\nbring it here, that I may give them the directions where to take it.\nCome back with the man, and I'll give you a shilling. Come back with him\nin less than five minutes, and I'll give you half-a-crown!'\n\nThe boy was off like a shot. He must have had a steady hand at a trigger\nwho could have got a shot off half as fast.\n\n'I'll send it to Bob Cratchit's,' whispered Scrooge, rubbing his hands,\nand splitting with a laugh. 'He shan't know who sends it. It's twice the\nsize of Tiny Tim. Joe Miller never made such a joke as sending it to\nBob's will be!'\n\nThe hand in which he wrote the address was not a steady one; but write\nit he did, somehow, and went downstairs to open the street-door, ready\nfor the coming of the poulterer's man. As he stood there, waiting his\narrival, the knocker caught his eye.\n\n'I shall love it as long as I live!' cried Scrooge, patting it with his\nhand. 'I scarcely ever looked at it before. What an honest expression it\nhas in its face! It's a wonderful knocker!--Here's the turkey. Hallo!\nWhoop! How are you! Merry Christmas!'\n\nIt _was_ a turkey! He never could have stood upon his legs, that bird.\nHe would have snapped 'em short off in a minute, like sticks of\nsealing-wax.\n\n'Why, it's impossible to carry that to Camden Town,' said Scrooge. 'You\nmust have a cab.'\n\nThe chuckle with which he said this, and the chuckle with which he paid\nfor the turkey, and the chuckle with which he paid for the cab, and the\nchuckle with which he recompensed the boy, were only to be exceeded by\nthe chuckle with which he sat down breathless in his chair again, and\nchuckled till he cried.\n\nShaving was not an easy task, for his hand continued to shake very much;\nand shaving requires attention, even when you don't dance while you are\nat it. But if he had cut the end of his nose off, he would have put a\npiece of sticking-plaster over it, and been quite satisfied.\n\nHe dressed himself 'all in his best,' and at last got out into the\nstreets. The people were by this time pouring forth, as he had seen them\nwith the Ghost of Christmas Present; and, walking with his hands behind\nhim, Scrooge regarded every one with a delighted smile. He looked so\nirresistibly pleasant, in a word, that three or four good-humoured\nfellows said, 'Good-morning, sir! A merry Christmas to you!' And Scrooge\nsaid often afterwards that, of all the blithe sounds he had ever heard,\nthose were the blithest in his ears.\n\nHe had not gone far when, coming on towards him, he beheld the portly\ngentleman who had walked into his counting-house the day before, and\nsaid, 'Scrooge and Marley's, I believe?' It sent a pang across his heart\nto think how this old gentleman would look upon him when they met; but\nhe knew what path lay straight before him, and he took it.\n\n'My dear sir,' said Scrooge, quickening his pace, and taking the old\ngentleman by both his hands, 'how do you do? I hope you succeeded\nyesterday. It was very kind of you. A merry Christmas to you, sir!'\n\n'Mr. Scrooge?'\n\n'Yes,' said Scrooge. 'That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant\nto you. Allow me to ask your pardon. And will you have the goodness----'\nHere Scrooge whispered in his ear.\n\n'Lord bless me!' cried the gentleman, as if his breath were taken away.\n'My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you serious?'\n\n'If you please,' said Scrooge. 'Not a farthing less. A great many\nback-payments are included in it, I assure you. Will you do me that\nfavour?'\n\n'My dear sir,' said the other, shaking hands with him, 'I don't know\nwhat to say to such munifi----'\n\n'Don't say anything, please,' retorted Scrooge. 'Come and see me. Will\nyou come and see me?'\n\n'I will!' cried the old gentleman. And it was clear he meant to do it.\n\n'Thankee,' said Scrooge. 'I am much obliged to you. I thank you fifty\ntimes. Bless you!'\n\nHe went to church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people\nhurrying to and fro, and patted the children on the head, and questioned\nbeggars, and looked down into the kitchens of houses, and up to the\nwindows; and found that everything could yield him pleasure. He had\nnever dreamed that any walk--that anything--could give him so much\nhappiness. In the afternoon he turned his steps towards his nephew's\nhouse.\n\nHe passed the door a dozen times before he had the courage to go up and\nknock. But he made a dash and did it.\n\n'Is your master at home, my dear?' said Scrooge to the girl. 'Nice girl!\nVery.'\n\n'Yes, sir.'\n\n'Where is he, my love?' said Scrooge.\n\n'He's in the dining-room, sir, along with mistress. I'll show you\nupstairs, if you please.'\n\n'Thankee. He knows me,' said Scrooge, with his hand already on the\ndining-room lock. 'I'll go in here, my dear.'\n\nHe turned it gently, and sidled his face in round the door. They were\nlooking at the table (which was spread out in great array); for these\nyoung housekeepers are always nervous on such points, and like to see\nthat everything is right.\n\n'Fred!' said Scrooge.\n\nDear heart alive, how his niece by marriage started! Scrooge had\nforgotten, for the moment, about her sitting in the corner with the\nfootstool, or he wouldn't have done it on any account.\n\n'Why, bless my soul!' cried Fred, 'who's that?'\n\n[Illustration: _\"It's I, your uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will\nyou let me in, Fred?\"_]\n\n'It's I. Your uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will you let me in,\nFred?'\n\nLet him in! It is a mercy he didn't shake his arm off. He was at home in\nfive minutes. Nothing could be heartier. His niece looked just the same.\nSo did Topper when _he_ came. So did the plump sister when _she_ came.\nSo did every one when _they_ came. Wonderful party, wonderful games,\nwonderful unanimity, won-der-ful happiness!\n\nBut he was early at the office next morning. Oh, he was early there! If\nhe could only be there first, and catch Bob Cratchit coming late! That\nwas the thing he had set his heart upon.\n\nAnd he did it; yes, he did! The clock struck nine. No Bob. A quarter\npast. No Bob. He was full eighteen minutes and a half behind his time.\nScrooge sat with his door wide open, that he might see him come into the\ntank.\n\nHis hat was off before he opened the door; his comforter too. He was on\nhis stool in a jiffy, driving away with his pen, as if he were trying to\novertake nine o'clock.\n\n'Hallo!' growled Scrooge in his accustomed voice as near as he could\nfeign it. 'What do you mean by coming here at this time of day?'\n\n'I am very sorry, sir,' said Bob. 'I _am_ behind my time.'\n\n'You are!' repeated Scrooge. 'Yes, I think you are. Step this way, sir,\nif you please.'\n\n'It's only once a year, sir,' pleaded Bob, appearing from the tank. 'It\nshall not be repeated. I was making rather merry yesterday, sir.'\n\n'Now, I'll tell you what, my friend,' said Scrooge. 'I am not going to\nstand this sort of thing any longer. And therefore,' he continued,\nleaping from his stool, and giving Bob such a dig in the waistcoat that\nhe staggered back into the tank again--'and therefore I am about to\nraise your salary!'\n\nBob trembled, and got a little nearer to the ruler. He had a momentary\nidea of knocking Scrooge down with it, holding him, and calling to the\npeople in the court for help and a strait-waistcoat.\n\n'A merry Christmas, Bob!' said Scrooge, with an earnestness that could\nnot be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back. 'A merrier Christmas,\nBob, my good fellow, than I have given you for many a year! I'll raise\nyour salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family, and we will\ndiscuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of\nsmoking bishop, Bob! Make up the fires and buy another coal-scuttle\nbefore you dot another i, Bob Cratchit!'\n\n[Illustration: _\"Now, I'll tell you what, my friend,\" said Scrooge. \"I\nam not going to stand this sort of thing any longer.\"_]\n\nScrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more;\nand to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father. He became as\ngood a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the good old\nCity knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough in the good old\nworld. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them\nlaugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that\nnothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did\nnot have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as\nthese would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they\nshould wrinkle up their eyes in grins as have the malady in less\nattractive forms. His own heart laughed, and that was quite enough for\nhim.\n\nHe had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the\nTotal-Abstinence Principle ever afterwards; and it was always said of\nhim that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed\nthe knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as\nTiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!\n\n[Illustration]\n\n+---------------------------------------------------------------+\n|Transcriber's note: The Contents were added by the transcriber.|\n+---------------------------------------------------------------+\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CHRISTMAS CAROL ***\n\n\n \n\nUpdated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will\nbe renamed.\n\nCreating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright\nlaw means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works,\nso the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United\nStates without permission and without paying copyright\nroyalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part\nof this license, apply to copying and distributing Project\nGutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™\nconcept and trademark. 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- }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/neo4jWorkDir/kv_store_llm_response_cache.json b/neo4jWorkDir/kv_store_llm_response_cache.json
deleted file mode 100644
index c3b669c5..00000000
--- a/neo4jWorkDir/kv_store_llm_response_cache.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,538 +0,0 @@
-{
- "09c3e65acef33139a3334086692f6727": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a character who experiences disbelief and fear in the presence of Marley's Ghost, showing a conflict between skepticism and acknowledgment of the supernatural.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"Marley's Ghost\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Marley's Ghost is a spectral figure that represents Scrooge's past partner who has returned to convey a message, encapsulating themes of guilt and redemption.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Jacob Marley is Scrooge's deceased business partner who appears as a ghost, wearing chains that symbolize his past misdeeds and the burden of his regrets.\")## \n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Marley's Ghost\"<|>\"Scrooge is confronted by Marley's Ghost, representing the struggle between his disbelief and the ghost's insistence on showing the consequences of Scrooge's life choices.\"<|>\"confrontation, supernatural experience\"<|>8)## \n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"Marley's Ghost\"<|>\"Jacob Marley is the entity represented by Marley's Ghost, embodying the warning about the repercussions of a life focused solely on material gain.\"<|>\"past partnership, redemption\"<|>9)## \n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"disbelief, redemption, supernatural, past consequence\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "00d7b6433965192b078c10dfaf4206e0": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a character who experiences perplexity and fear over supernatural events and visions, particularly concerning Marley's Ghost.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Marley's Ghost\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Marley's Ghost is an unearthly visitor that appears to Scrooge, causing him to question the nature of reality and dreams.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Ghost is described as a strange figure with qualities of both a child and an old man, representing the supernatural intervention in Scrooge's life.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Clock\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Clock symbolizes the passage of time and plays a pivotal role in establishing the moments of Scrooge's experience with the Ghost.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Marley's Ghost\"<|>\"Scrooge is directly confronted by Marley's Ghost, leading to confusion and existential questioning on his part.\"<|>\"supernatural encounter, existential crisis\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"Scrooge's interaction with The Ghost leads to significant inner turmoil and contemplation about dreams and reality.\"<|>\"supernatural encounter, confusion\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Clock\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Scrooge's observations of the Clock reflect his anxiety over time and the supernatural events unfolding around him.\"<|>\"time symbolism, anxiety\"<|>7)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"supernatural, existential questioning, time, confusion\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "ef7a5529fddead830ae9f9fdfb9e47cf": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Marley\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Marley is depicted as a ghost, having a pigtail, waistcoat, tights, and boots, and is central to Scrooge's haunting experience.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is the main character who is initially skeptical about the ghostly presence of Marley, reflecting his character's humbug attitude.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The House\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The House is the setting for Scrooge's encounters, characterized by its darkness, the creaking sounds, and the presence of the ghost.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Ghost refers to the apparition of Marley, which instills dread in Scrooge and symbolizes the theme of redemption.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Marley\"<|>\"Scrooge encounters Marley’s ghost, which challenges his beliefs and signifies the start of his transformation.\"<|>\"ghostly encounter, transformation\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The House\"<|>\"Scrooge's experiences and encounters with Marley occur within The House, which plays a significant role in the haunting atmosphere.\"<|>\"setting, atmosphere\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Marley\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"Marley is the embodiment of The Ghost that appears to Scrooge, representing past choices and the consequences of his actions.\"<|>\"haunting, past choices\"<|>9)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"redemption, ghosts, transformation, haunting atmosphere\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "ac87fabbb84a6d5cca16454aa74afa60": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a solitary and cold-hearted character, known for his miserly behavior and disdain for Christmas, showing a lack of empathy towards others.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew is a cheerful and optimistic character who challenges Scrooge's gloomy outlook on Christmas and life.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas represents a time of celebration and joy that Scrooge rejects, highlighting themes of generosity and community.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Counting-house\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Scrooge's counting-house is the place of his work, characterized by coldness and a lack of warmth or holiday spirit.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew\"<|>\"Scrooge and his nephew engage in a verbal exchange where the nephew represents joy and celebration, contrasting with Scrooge's cynicism and disdain.\"<|>\"family conflict, contrasting views\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"Scrooge's rejection of Christmas embodies his overall discord with the spirit of the holiday, viewing it as a time of financial burden instead of joy.\"<|>\"rejection, festive spirit\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"Scrooge's nephew views Christmas as a merry occasion, symbolizing the warmth and generosity that Scrooge dismisses.\"<|>\"celebration, contrasting views\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Counting-house\"<|>\"Scrooge's counting-house is a reflection of his cold character and attitude towards life, where he isolates himself from human interactions.\"<|>\"isolation, work environment\"<|>8)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"isolation, festive spirit, financial burden, family conflict\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "b6d217776b520bf85bf936916835d0b1": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a central character who interacts with the Spirit and reflects on his past during the narrative.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Past\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Past represents a spirit that guides Scrooge to revisit and reflect on his past experiences and memories.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Spirit serves as a guiding force in the narrative, helping Scrooge understand his history and the impact of his actions.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"winter day\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The winter day serves as the setting for Scrooge's journey with the Ghost, representing a time for reflection and nostalgia.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"market-town\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The market-town appears in Scrooge's memories as a significant place from his childhood, representing a connection to his past.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Past\"<|>\"Scrooge engages with the Ghost of Christmas Past to explore and reflect on his life and choices.\"<|>\"reflection, guidance\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Spirit\"<|>\"Scrooge's interactions with the Spirit serve to illuminate his past and its influence on his current self.\"<|>\"guidance, personal growth\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Past\"<|>\"winter day\"<|>\"The Ghost leads Scrooge to experience a winter day from his memories, emphasizing feelings of nostalgia and longing.\"<|>\"nostalgia, memory\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"market-town\"<|>\"Scrooge encounters the market-town in his memories, triggering feelings of recognition and emotional reflection.\"<|>\"memory, childhood\"<|>8)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"reflection, nostalgia, personal growth, memory\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "634f685c0c2c226df03cfd9c92ac5482": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a character who is confronted by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, and is warned of the consequences of his actions and the visits from three spirits.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Jacob Marley is the ghost of Scrooge's former partner, who appears to warn Scrooge about his fate and the need for change in his life.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Ghost represents the specter of Jacob Marley, who visits Scrooge to deliver an important message regarding his life and the impending visits of three spirits.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Three Spirits\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Three Spirits are the apparitions that Jacob Marley warns Scrooge about, who will visit him to guide him toward redemption.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Phantom Voices\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Phantom Voices refer to the sorrowful sounds of lamentation that Scrooge hears as the apparitions wander, representing lost opportunities and regret.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"Scrooge is visited by Jacob Marley, who warns him about his fate and the necessity for personal change to avoid a bleak future.\"<|>\"warning, consequence\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"The Three Spirits\"<|>\"Jacob Marley indicates that Scrooge will be visited by The Three Spirits to offer him guidance and the chance for redemption.\"<|>\"guidance, redemption\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"Scrooge interacts with The Ghost of Jacob Marley, which highlights his struggle with the supernatural and his past actions.\"<|>\"supernatural interaction, past actions\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Phantom Voices\"<|>\"Scrooge hears the lamentations of The Phantom Voices, reflecting his connection to the spirits of the lost and the consequences of his life choices.\"<|>\"regret, lost opportunities\"<|>6)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"redemption, guidance, regret, supernatural\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "427f3f0888e677aa2216716b8b911c69": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a character who experiences a transformation through memories of his past, showing deep emotional vulnerability and a nostalgic connection to Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Ali Baba\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Ali Baba is a character from a story recalled by Scrooge, representing memories of adventure and kindness during Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Valentine\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Valentine is mentioned as a character associated with Scrooge's childhood memories, indicating the depth of his nostalgia.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Orson\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Orson, the wild brother of Valentine, is another figure from Scrooge's past, representing familial connections and memories.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas is depicted as a significant time of emotional reflection for Scrooge, impacting his character development and memories.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Spirit refers to a ghostly figure guiding Scrooge through his memories, playing a vital role in his transformation.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"The Spirit guides Scrooge through his memories, facilitating his emotional journey and transformation.\"<|>\"guidance, transformation\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"Scrooge reflects on Christmas with a mix of emotions, highlighting its importance in his life and character arc.\"<|>\"nostalgia, reflection\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Ali Baba\"<|>\"Scrooge recalls Ali Baba fondly, indicating a positive association with adventurers and kindness during Christmas.\"<|>\"memory, kindness\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Valentine\"<|>\"Scrooge's memory of Valentine and Orson illustrates the childhood connections that shape his sentiments during Christmas.\"<|>\"childhood, sentiment\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Orson\"<|>\"Valentine\"<|>\"Orson and Valentine are brothers in the stories remembered by Scrooge, representing familial bonds in his past.\"<|>\"family, nostalgia\"<|>8)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"nostalgia, transformation, Christmas, emotional reflection\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "cc95e0e21f91f9d1b6f767e6b0166221": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a character who interacts with a ghost, reflecting on his past decisions and their moral implications.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Ghost\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Ghost is the spirit of Jacob Marley, who expresses remorse for his life and warns Scrooge about the consequences of ignoring his moral duties.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Jacob Marley is the deceased business partner of Scrooge, whose ghost visits him to convey a message about the importance of charity and kindness.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas Eves\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas Eves refer to the time periods associated with the spirits' visits, specifically connecting to themes of reflection and redemption during the festive season.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Mankind\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Mankind is referenced as a significant concern that should have been the focus of Scrooge's life, highlighting the importance of universal compassion and care.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Ghost\"<|>\"Scrooge interacts directly with the Ghost, who aims to teach him about the errors of his ways and the importance of caring for others.\"<|>\"moral lesson, reflection\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"The Ghost is revealed to be Jacob Marley, who embodies the regret of a wasted life and the importance of personal responsibility.\"<|>\"identity, remorse\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"Scrooge acknowledges Jacob Marley, recognizing his former business partner's lost opportunities and the implications for his own life.\"<|>\"self-reflection, legacy\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost\"<|>\"Mankind\"<|>\"The Ghost emphasizes that Mankind was his true business in life, urging Scrooge to focus on the welfare of others.\"<|>\"moral duty, call to action\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Christmas Eves\"<|>\"Christmas Eves symbolize a critical time for self-reflection and understanding one's past decisions, linking to Scrooge's journey of redemption.\"<|>\"time of reflection, redemption\"<|>7)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"reflection, redemption, morality, compassion, responsibility\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "fe9aaca3a0fa3a437655b0148e15b0c1": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a miserly character who expresses disdain for Christmas and refuses to embrace its spirit, highlighting his cold demeanor.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew is portrayed as warm-hearted and attempts to engage his uncle in the spirit of Christmas, despite Scrooge's rebuff.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Marley\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Marley is Scrooge's deceased business partner, whose death is mentioned as impactful, having passed seven years prior to the events in the text.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge and Marley's\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Scrooge and Marley's is the name of the business run by Scrooge, signifying a partnership that existed before Marley’s death.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas is depicted as a festive season that Scrooge contests, representing themes of generosity and good will that he refuses to acknowledge.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew attempts to encourage Scrooge to embrace Christmas and reconcile despite Scrooge's insistence on maintaining his disdain.\" <|>\"family dynamics, holiday spirit\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Marley\"<|>\"Scrooge reflects on Marley's death, indicating the profound effect it had on his life, shaping his current perspective on generosity and the holidays.\" <|>\"past influence, regret\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew associates Christmas with goodwill and joy, which he tries to instill in Scrooge through their conversation.\" <|>\"celebration, contrasting views\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge and Marley's\"<|>\"Marley\"<|>\"Scrooge and Marley's is the business associated with Marley, emphasizing its history and the weight of Marley's legacy in shaping Scrooge's character.\" <|>\"partnership, legacy\"<|>6)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"Christmas, family dynamics, legacy, festive spirit\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "fb5cc30455a081e6a6571a0627c00c7d": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a character who is portrayed as miserly and indifferent to the plight of the poor, showing a strong reluctance to engage in charitable acts.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Gentleman\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Gentleman is a character attempting to persuade Scrooge to contribute to charity for the poor during Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Poor Law\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Poor Law refers to a governmental system in place intended to support the impoverished, which Scrooge references to indicate his views on responsibility and charity.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Union Workhouses\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Union Workhouses are facilities that provide aid to the poor, still operational as confirmed by the Gentleman during the discussion with Scrooge.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas is a festive season during which the narrative emphasizes themes of charity and social responsibility, contrasting with Scrooge's views.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Mansion House\"<|>\"location\"<|>\"The Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor, where festive preparations for Christmas are being made.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Gentleman\"<|>\"Scrooge and the Gentleman engage in a discussion about the responsibilities to the poor, underlining Scrooge's disdain for charitable contributions.\"<|>\"charity, social responsibility\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Gentleman\"<|>\"The Poor Law\"<|>\"The Gentleman references the Poor Law as part of his argument for helping the needy, illustrating systemic support for the impoverished.\"<|>\"charity, systemic support\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Poor Law\"<|>\"The Union Workhouses\"<|>\"The Poor Law and Union Workhouses are connected as they both serve as mechanisms for helping the poor, albeit with differing implications for charity.\"<|>\"support mechanisms, charity\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"Scrooge's refusal to celebrate Christmas reflects his overall attitude towards generosity and societal obligations during this festive time.\"<|>\"holiday spirit, social critique\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Lady Mayor\"<|>\"The Mansion House\"<|>\"The Lady Mayor prepares for Christmas festivities at the Mansion House, highlighting the importance of the event to the community.\"<|>\"holiday preparations, community significance\"<|>8)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"charity, social responsibility, Christmas, poverty\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "2b05f17e6e7f73aa7dc5f2c4d1ef948c": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Ebenezer Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Ebenezer Scrooge is a central character known for his past connections and interactions, especially with Fezziwig and Dick Wilkins.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Dick Wilkins\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Dick Wilkins is a former apprentice of Scrooge, remembered fondly for his attachment to Scrooge.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Fezziwig is the owner of a business where festive celebrations take place, known for his jovial character and ability to create a lively atmosphere.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas Eve\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas Eve is a significant time in the story, marked by celebrations and gatherings led by Fezziwig.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Mrs. Fezziwig\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Mrs. Fezziwig is noted for her smile and participation in the festivities, particularly in dancing with Fezziwig.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Dancers\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Dancers represent the lively group of people celebrating and participating in the festivities organized by Fezziwig.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ebenezer Scrooge\"<|>\"Dick Wilkins\"<|>\"Scrooge remembers Dick Wilkins fondly, showing a connection from their past as apprentices together.\"<|>\"nostalgia, past friendship\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"Ebenezer Scrooge\"<|>\"Fezziwig created a memorable and joyful atmosphere for Scrooge and his fellow apprentices during the celebration.\"<|>\"mentorship, celebration\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"Christmas Eve\"<|>\"Fezziwig's celebrations take place on Christmas Eve, highlighting the special significance of this event.\"<|>\"event significance, festivity\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Mrs. Fezziwig\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"Mrs. Fezziwig participates in the festivities alongside her husband, enhancing the joyful environment.\"<|>\"partnership, celebration\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"The Dancers\"<|>\"The Dancers participate in the lively celebrations orchestrated by Fezziwig, showcasing the joyous atmosphere of the event.\"<|>\"celebration, community\"<|>9)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"celebration, nostalgia, community, mentorship\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "95e3e9ed4ebba90196292e83422ede45": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Fezziwig is a character known for hosting a domestic ball that brings joy and merriment to the participants, showcasing his ability to create happiness.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Mrs. Fezziwig\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Mrs. Fezziwig partners with Fezziwig in hosting the domestic ball, contributing to the warmth and cheer of the event.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a central character who observes the joyful scenes of the past, reflecting on his own life choices with agitation and regret.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Dick\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Dick is associated with Scrooge's former self, evoking nostalgic memories as Scrooge witnesses the past.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Past\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Past is a supernatural entity that allows Scrooge to revisit and reflect on his previous life experiences.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Domestic Ball\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Domestic Ball represents a joyful gathering, fostering a sense of community and happiness among the participants.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"Mrs. Fezziwig\"<|>\"Fezziwig and Mrs. Fezziwig work together to create a joyful atmosphere at the Domestic Ball, emphasizing their partnership in celebration.\"<|>\"partnership, celebration\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Past\"<|>\"Scrooge's interaction with the Ghost of Christmas Past highlights his journey of self-reflection and struggle with his past decisions.\"<|>\"self-reflection, guidance\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"Scrooge reminisces about Fezziwig's ball, reflecting on the contrast between his past happiness and present isolation.\"<|>\"nostalgia, contrast\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"The Domestic Ball\"<|>\"Fezziwig is the host of The Domestic Ball, an event that symbolizes joy and community.\" <|>\"celebration, joy\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Dick\"<|>\"Scrooge's memories of Dick evoke a sense of nostalgia and reflection on the changes in his life and their friendship.\"<|>\"nostalgia, friendship\"<|>7)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"nostalgia, happiness, reflection, celebration\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "6abaeba2769933c3d9f1bf8dd66f0db8": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a character who exhibits a miserly attitude, showing detachment and indifference towards the festive spirit of Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit is Scrooge's clerk, who demonstrates a contrasting warmth and joy during Christmas, despite his low wages.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas Eve\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas Eve is the day prior to Christmas, a time that carries festive significance and anticipation in the narrative.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Camden Town\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"Camden Town is a location mentioned as Bob Cratchit's home, highlighting the setting of his personal life.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Marley\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Marley is Scrooge's deceased business partner whose presence looms over the story, symbolizing the consequences of a life similar to Scrooge's.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Counting-House\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Counting-House is the place where Scrooge works, reflecting a business environment lacking warmth or joy.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Scrooge is Bob Cratchit's employer, representing a stark divide between their characters, with Scrooge's miserly nature contrasting with Bob's kindness.\"<|>\"employer-employee relationship, contrasting values\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Christmas Eve\"<|>\"Scrooge's actions and attitudes towards Christmas Eve highlight his disdain for traditional celebrations, setting the tone for his character arc.\"<|>\"holiday spirit, character development\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Christmas Eve\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit celebrates Christmas Eve with joy and innocence, showcasing the festive spirit that Scrooge rejects.\"<|>\"festive spirit, contrasting perspectives\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Marley\"<|>\"Scrooge's reflection on Marley underscores the theme of regret and the potential for change in his character's journey.\"<|>\"reflection, theme of regret\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Counting-House\"<|>\"The Counting-House represents Scrooge's work environment, which is devoid of warmth, paralleling Scrooge's cold demeanor.\"<|>\"work environment, emotional landscape\"<|>6)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"miserliness, festive spirit, Christmas Eve, contrasting values\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "4498cd83d1404d5f1a79e9d76791f24a": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Fezziwig is a joyful and lively character who dances with Mrs. Fezziwig, embodying the festive spirit of Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a tight-fisted and solitary old man, characterized by his greed and lack of compassion for others.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Marley\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Marley is Scrooge's deceased business partner, whose death is a significant event that sets the tone for the story.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Fred\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Fred is Scrooge's nephew, who invites Scrooge to dinner, emphasizing familial connections and the spirit of Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas represents a time of joy and giving, contrasting sharply with Scrooge's cold demeanor.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Warehouse\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Warehouse is the place of business shared by Scrooge and Marley, a symbol of their partnership in life and business.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Fezziwig represents the joyful side of business and celebration, contrasting with Scrooge's miserly nature and serving as a foil to Scrooge's character development.\"<|>\"contrast, character foil\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Marley\"<|>\"Scrooge and Marley were business partners, and Marley's death greatly impacts Scrooge, highlighting themes of loss and regret.\"<|>\"partnership, regret\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Fred\"<|>\"Fred attempts to reach out to Scrooge for family connections, representing the warmth of familial love against Scrooge's coldness.\"<|>\"family ties, contrast\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"Scrooge's attitude towards Christmas is one of disdain, setting the stage for his eventual transformation as he confronts the meaning of the holiday.\"<|>\"transformation, disdain\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Warehouse\"<|>\"The Warehouse symbolizes Scrooge's business practices and his partnership with Marley, shaping his character's motivations.\"<|>\"business partnership, character motivation\"<|>8)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"transformation, Christmas spirit, greed, familial connections\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "371f793d5f1464f976f67054a62f95be": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a central character who experiences a journey of reflection and change, highlighted by his interactions with the Ghost and memories of his past.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Fan\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Fan is Scrooge's younger sister, who brings joy and the promise of a happier home, reflecting on their childhood relationship.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Fezziwig is presented as Scrooge's former employer, known for his jovial nature and generous spirit, who plays a significant role in Scrooge's memories.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Dick Wilkins\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Dick Wilkins is Scrooge's fellow apprentice, associated with Scrooge's past and the context of his earlier, more carefree life.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas-time\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas-time symbolizes a period of joy and reunion, characterized by scenes of celebration and warmth in the story.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The City\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The City represents the bustling urban environment where Scrooge's memories unfold, highlighting the contrast between his past and present.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Fan\"<|>\"Scrooge and Fan share a sibling bond, with Fan representing innocence and happiness from their childhood, which evokes fond memories for Scrooge.\"<|>\"sibling bond, nostalgia\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"Fezziwig is a significant figure in Scrooge's past, illustrating a contrast between Scrooge's current miserly demeanor and Fezziwig's jovial nature.\"<|>\"mentor figure, positive influence\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"Dick Wilkins\"<|>\"Fezziwig and Dick Wilkins are connected through their roles in Scrooge's past, representing camaraderie and joyful experiences at work.\"<|>\"apprenticeship, camaraderie\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Dick Wilkins\"<|>\"Scrooge and Dick Wilkins share memories of their apprenticeship, highlighting Scrooge's transformation from a young man to his current state.\"<|>\"shared history, transformation\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Christmas-time\"<|>\"Scrooge's experiences during Christmas-time reflect his internal struggles and the possibility of redemption and joy.\"<|>\"redemption, celebration\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The City\"<|>\"The City serves as a backdrop for Scrooge's memories, contrasting the vibrant life he once had with his current isolation.\"<|>\"urban setting, contrast\"<|>8)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"nostalgia, transformation, redemption, family, memory\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "6e7abc6cb791cadb58d046d26a7e09bd": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Chain\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Chain represents the burdens of greed and the consequences of one's actions, worn by Marley's Ghost as a physical manifestation of his regrets.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Heavy Door\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Heavy Door symbolizes the threshold between life and death, as well as the barriers between Scrooge and the supernatural world.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Dying Flame\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Dying Flame signifies the waning spirit of Scrooge, momentarily invigorated by the arrival of the ghost as a metaphor for his fading humanity.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Spectre\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Spectre refers to the ghostly presence of Marley that embodies the themes of haunting and reflection on one's life choices.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"Infernal Atmosphere\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Infernal Atmosphere refers to the unsettling environment surrounding Marley's Ghost, indicating the discomfort and fear associated with his presence.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Chair\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Chair represents the symbol of comfort and safety that Scrooge clings to while facing the terrifying apparition.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Vision\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Vision refers to the haunting imagery that Scrooge perceives, reflecting his inner turmoil and conflict with reality.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Bandage\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Bandage represents the ghost's attempt to maintain semblance in his appearance while revealing his true ghostly form.\")## \n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"burdens, reality, fear, haunting\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "a12fea2b0950a92bbc46978364cb351b": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Ebenezer Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character who experiences a profound transformation through his encounters with supernatural entities.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Holly\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Holly is a symbol held by The Ghost, representing peace and goodwill, contrasting with the cold wintry atmosphere around Scrooge.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Light\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Light is a prominent feature associated with The Ghost, symbolizing knowledge and revelation, illuminating the darkness of Scrooge's ignorance.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Winter\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"Winter represents the cold and bleak environment that surrounds Scrooge during his nighttime encounters with the supernatural.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Dressing-Gown\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Dressing-Gown is worn by Scrooge, symbolizing his state of vulnerability and introspection as he grapples with profound ideas in the narrative.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Fog\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"Fog represents the obscured visibility and confusion in Scrooge's surroundings, enhancing the atmosphere of uncertainty and apprehension.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Tunic\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Tunic is part of The Ghost's attire, signifying purity and heavenly qualities in contrast to Scrooge's current state.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Bell\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Bell signifies the passage of time and is crucial in alerting Scrooge to the hour of visitation by The Ghost.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Clock's Strike\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Clock's Strike is an event marking significant moments throughout the narrative, emphasizing the theme of time.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Dream\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Dream refers to Scrooge's mental conflict regarding whether the spectral encounters are real or figments of his imagination.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"Ding Dong\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Ding Dong represents the sound of the clock chimes, anchoring the reader in time and emphasizing the moments of realization for Scrooge.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Time\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Time is a central theme, with characters reflecting on its passage and significance in relation to life and revelations.\")## \n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"supernatural, transformation, time, light, confusion\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "c9eb60dd2dad7cb53bc8d800adce5f9e": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Poor\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Poor refer to those individuals in society who face economic hardship and are in need of help, as indicated by their absence from the workhouses and their desperate circumstances during the festive season.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge's Counting-House\"<|>\"location\"<|>\"Scrooge's Counting-House is the workspace of Scrooge where he conducts his business, symbolizing his frugality and solitary nature.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Lord Mayor\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Lord Mayor oversees the festivities during Christmas at the Mansion House, representing authority and public celebration.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas Pudding\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas Pudding is a dish being prepared for the festive celebration, embodying the spirit of Christmas and family gatherings.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Gas-Pipes\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Gas-Pipes represent the infrastructure of the city, which signifies the industrial and economic activity during the cold winter season.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Church\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Church is a place referenced in the context of the community's sentiments toward Christmas and social welfare.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Cratchit Family\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Cratchit Family represents a typical struggling family in the text, highlighting the theme of social disparity during Christmas.\")##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"social disparity, festive spirit, community engagement, economic hardship\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "bae4242e365dca1a912909924d66b12b": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Beggars\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Beggars are individuals who implore Scrooge for charity, symbolizing the lack of compassion and generosity in his character.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Children\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Children represent innocence and joy, often seen as seeking affection and connection with adults like Scrooge.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Cold Weather\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"Cold Weather sets the bleak and unforgiving atmosphere, reflecting Scrooge’s own personality and state of mind.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Fog\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"Fog represents the obscurity and isolation in the environment, mirroring Scrooge’s emotional distance and isolation from society.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Court\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Court is a location described as a space outside Scrooge's office where people pass by, emphasizing the contrast between Scrooge's inside world and the outside social interactions.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Beggars\"<|>\"Beggars do not seek help from Scrooge due to his reputation, highlighting his inability to connect and empathize with those in need.\"<|>\"lack of compassion, social isolation\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Children\"<|>\"Scrooge's indifference towards children shows his emotional coldness and detachment from the joyous aspects of life.\"<|>\"emotional detachment, joy\"<|>5)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Cold Weather\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The cold weather reflects Scrooge's icy demeanor, emphasizing his negative attitude towards life and others.\"<|>\"atmosphere, personality mirror\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Fog\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The fog obscures vision and symbolizes Scrooge’s cloudy outlook on life, illustrating his isolation from societal warmth.\"<|>\"obscurity, isolation\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Court\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The court serves as a contrasting backdrop to Scrooge’s private space, where social warmth and interaction occur, which he actively avoids.\"<|>\"social contrast, isolation\"<|>7)## \n<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "749b6e8b484fd12302eff82136755095": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg is an organization that provides free eBooks, promoting accessibility to literature without restrictions.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"A Christmas Carol\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"A Christmas Carol is a famous novella by Charles Dickens that tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation and redemption, particularly around the Christmas season.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Charles Dickens\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Charles Dickens is the author of A Christmas Carol, a prominent English writer known for his literary contributions in the 19th century.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Arthur Rackham\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Arthur Rackham is the illustrator of A Christmas Carol, renowned for his distinctive style in illustrating classic literature.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Ebenezer Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character of A Christmas Carol, depicted as a miserly and cold-hearted man who undergoes a significant transformation.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit is a clerk in the employ of Ebenezer Scrooge, characterized by his kindness and struggles to support his family.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Tiny Tim, whose real name is Tim Cratchit, is Bob Cratchit's youngest son, known for his frail health and optimistic outlook.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Mr. Fezziwig\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Mr. Fezziwig is a kind-hearted merchant and former employer of Scrooge, representing joy and generosity in contrast to Scrooge's character.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Past\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Past is one of the spirits in A Christmas Carol that shows Scrooge his past, prompting reflection and change.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Present is a spirit that reveals the current struggles and joys of others, influencing Scrooge's perspective.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is a foreboding spirit that shows Scrooge the potential consequences of his actions if he does not change.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg\"<|>\"A Christmas Carol\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg provides A Christmas Carol as a free eBook, facilitating access to this literary work.\"<|>\"accessibility, literature promotion\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Charles Dickens\"<|>\"A Christmas Carol\"<|>\"Charles Dickens is the author of A Christmas Carol, whose writing has had a lasting impact on literature.\"<|>\"authorship, literary impact\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Arthur Rackham\"<|>\"A Christmas Carol\"<|>\"Arthur Rackham illustrated A Christmas Carol, enhancing the storytelling through visual art.\"<|>\"illustration, artistic enhancement\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ebenezer Scrooge\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Ebenezer Scrooge is Bob Cratchit's employer, representing a dynamic of power and struggle in their relationship.\"<|>\"employment, power dynamics\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit is the father of Tiny Tim, showcasing familial love and challenges faced by the Cratchit family.\"<|>\"family, love struggles\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Mr. Fezziwig\"<|>\"Ebenezer Scrooge\"<|>\"Mr. Fezziwig represents a contrast to Ebenezer Scrooge's character, showing kindness and generosity in business.\"<|>\"contrast, influence\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Past\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge experiences from his life that prompt his transformation.\"<|>\"reflection, transformation\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Present reveals the realities of others' lives, influencing Scrooge's understanding of generosity and compassion.\"<|>\"awareness, compassion\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come presents a foreboding vision of Scrooge's future, driving home the need for personal change.\"<|>\"forewarning, change\"<|>10)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"literary classic, transformation, Christmas, moral lessons\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "79025ceaa057a92c5332b421afa95ac8": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Boys\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The boys are depicted as cheerful characters riding ponies, contributing to the joyful atmosphere and memories of Scrooge's past.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Shaggy Ponies\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"Shaggy ponies are mentioned as part of the scene, representing the innocent and playful aspects of Scrooge's childhood.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Bridge\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The bridge is a landmark in the market-town that Scrooge recognizes from his childhood, symbolizing a connection to his past.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Church\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The church is another landmark in the market-town representing tradition and community significant to Scrooge's memories.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Winding River\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The winding river is part of the landscape Scrooge recalls, tying into his emotions of nostalgia and remembrance of home.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Boys\"<|>\"Scrooge feels joy upon seeing the boys, evoking memories of childhood experiences and emotions associated with them.\"<|>\"joy, childhood memories\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Boys\"<|>\"Shaggy Ponies\"<|>\"The boys interact with the shaggy ponies, highlighting the carefree and playful nature of youth in Scrooge's memories.\"<|>\"playfulness, childhood\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Bridge\"<|>\"The bridge serves as a significant landmark in Scrooge's past, reminding him of his childhood and former happiness.\"<|>\"memory, landmark\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Church\"<|>\"The church symbolizes the community and settings of Scrooge's past, highlighting the contrast between then and now.\"<|>\"community, contrast\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Winding River\"<|>\"The winding river evokes memories and emotions for Scrooge, connecting him to his past experiences and places.\"<|>\"nostalgia, memory\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Past\"<|>\"Scrooge's memories\"<|>\"The Ghost facilitates Scrooge's recollection of his memories, allowing him to confront his past choices.\"<|>\"memory, confrontation\"<|>9)##\n<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "4676e3d9051dc96688f1e0f2f268a10a": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Bell\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Bell is a disused bell in Scrooge's room, which begins to swing and rings out loudly, heralding the appearance of Marley's Ghost.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Wine-Merchant's Cellar\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Wine-Merchant's Cellar is a location within The House where sounds of dragging chains are heard, signifying a haunted presence.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Dying Flame\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Dying Flame represents the fear and uncertainty in Scrooge as it reacts to the presence of Marley’s Ghost, adding to the eerie atmosphere.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Grate\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Grate is a small fire in Scrooge's room that provides meager warmth, symbolizing Scrooge's cold disposition.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge's Dressing-Gown\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Scrooge's Dressing-Gown represents his reluctance to engage with the world outside, emphasizing his isolation and contentment with solitude.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Grue\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"Grue is the small saucepan of gruel prepared by Scrooge, indicating his minimalistic lifestyle and frugality.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Heavy Chain\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Heavy Chain is associated with the dragging noise heard by Scrooge, symbolizing the burdens of his past actions.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Cask\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Cask is part of the sounds emerging from the cellar, contributing to the eerie atmosphere surrounding Marley’s Ghost.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Bell\"<|>\"The Bell's unexpected ringing is associated with the appearance of Marley’s Ghost, enhancing the supernatural events in The House.\"<|>\"supernatural event, signaling\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Marley\"<|>\"The Heavy Chain\"<|>\"The Heavy Chain is linked to Marley as it suggests the burdens he carries from his earthly life, which he now haunts Scrooge with.\"<|>\"burden, consequence\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Wine-Merchant's Cellar\"<|>\"Scrooge hears the dragging chains from The Wine-Merchant's Cellar, indicating that the haunting presence is felt throughout The House.\"<|>\"atmosphere, haunting\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Grate\"<|>\"Scrooge's small fire in The Grate represents his need for warmth and symbolizes his cold heart initially showing longing for comfort.\"<|>\"coldness, minimalism\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Dying Flame\"<|>\"The Dying Flame's flickering is reflective of Scrooge's fear and mental state in the presence of the ghost, amplifying his internal conflict.\"<|>\"fear, conflict\"<|>8)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"isolation, haunting, redemption, supernatural presence\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "ed426a7ebb0505cc3d8687f90a7af0f0": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Marley's Ghost\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Marley's Ghost is the spectral figure of Jacob Marley, who appears to forewarn Scrooge about his fate and the necessity of change in his life.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Window\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Window is a physical presence in Scrooge's chamber that he approaches to observe the supernatural occurrences outside.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Church\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Church is a location from where the clock chimes are heard, marking the passage of time and contributing to the atmosphere of the scene.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Clock\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Clock serves as a symbol of time passing, reflecting Scrooge's disorientation regarding time as he transitions between reality and the supernatural.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Chain\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Chain represents the burdens of regret and guilt that haunt Marley and serve as a warning to Scrooge about the consequences of a life poorly lived.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Darkness\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Darkness symbolizes the confusion and the unknown that envelops Scrooge as he faces the reality of his past, present, and future.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Marley's Ghost\"<|>\"Scrooge reacts to Marley's Ghost, reflecting on his past as he is warned about the consequences of his actions.\"<|>\"reflection, consequence\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Window\"<|>\"Scrooge approaches The Window, which acts as a portal to the outside world and the supernatural, illustrating his curiosity and fear.\"<|>\"curiosity, fear\"<|>5)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Marley's Ghost\"<|>\"The Chain\"<|>\"Marley's Ghost is bound by The Chain, which symbolizes his regrets and serves as a warning to Scrooge about the consequences of his own actions.\"<|>\"regret, warning\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Clock\"<|>\"Scrooge's awareness of time is challenged by The Clock, reflecting his confusion and the urgency of his situation.\"<|>\"disorientation, urgency\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Darkness\"<|>\"Scrooge finds himself enveloped by The Darkness, representing his internal struggle and the unknown future he faces.\"<|>\"internal struggle, unknown\"<|>6)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"consequence, time, struggle, supernatural warnings\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "3ea04f2c61dd6ac327f22803cc4f16d7": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Clerk\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Clerk is a minor character who provides a contrast to Scrooge's character, expressing warmth and kindness during the holiday season.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Gentlemen\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Gentlemen are portrayed as representatives who arrive at Scrooge's office to collect donations for the poor during Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Poor and Destitute\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Poor and Destitute refer to those in need, highlighting the themes of charity and social responsibility that are emphasized during the Christmas season.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas-Time\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas-Time refers to the period surrounding Christmas, laden with connotations of joy, generosity, and family gatherings, which Scrooge vehemently criticizes.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Bedlam\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"Bedlam is referenced as a metaphorical expression of madness, illustrating Scrooge's disdain for cheerful attitudes he finds absurd.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Clerk\"<|>\"Scrooge's Clerk represents a contrasting viewpoint to Scrooge's own, showcasing a degree of warmth that Scrooge actively dismisses.\" <|>\"contrast, workplace dynamics\"<|>5)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Gentlemen\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Gentlemen approach Scrooge about donations for the poor, representing a charitable campaign that he strongly resists.\" <|>\"charity, social responsibility\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Poor and Destitute\"<|>\"Scrooge's reluctance to support the Poor and Destitute highlights his miserly nature and his antagonism toward societal responsibility.\" <|>\"miserliness, social neglect\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew\"<|>\"Christmas-Time\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew celebrates Christmas-Time as a period for kindness and charity, clashing with Scrooge's cynical view.\" <|>\"celebration, family dynamics\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Bedlam\"<|>\"Scrooge invokes the concept of Bedlam to express his disbelief and frustration at the cheerfulness of others, implying a disdain for societal norms.\" <|>\"disdain, societal norms\"<|>6)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"charity, social responsibility, contrasting characters, holiday cheer\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "28a3f1cc7c3c190365ca81af69227551": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Two Apprentices\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Two Apprentices are characters present at the Domestic Ball, who express gratitude and admiration for Fezziwig after the event.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Clock\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Clock signifies the passage of time during the Domestic Ball and plays a role in marking the end of the celebration.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Spirit represents a guiding force encouraging Scrooge to introspect on his past and recognize the value of happiness.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Golden Idol\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Golden Idol symbolizes materialism and the pursuit of wealth, indicating a shift in Scrooge's values over time.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Prime of Life\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Prime of Life refers to a phase in Scrooge's youth when he was more carefree before becoming hardened by greed.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Mourning Dress\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Mourning Dress symbolizes loss and separation, highlighting the emotional distance between Scrooge and his former love.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"The Two Apprentices\"<|>\"Fezziwig is celebrated and appreciated by The Two Apprentices for creating a joyful atmosphere during the Domestic Ball.\"<|>\"appreciation, mentorship\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"Scrooge's interaction with The Spirit serves as a pivotal moment for him to reflect on his past decisions and seek wisdom.\"<|>\"introspection, guidance\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Golden Idol\"<|>\"The Golden Idol represents the materialistic pursuits that have displaced meaningful connections in Scrooge's life.\"<|>\"materialism, lost connections\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Mourning Dress\"<|>\"The Mourning Dress symbolizes Scrooge's unfulfilled relationships and the emotional consequences of his choices.\"<|>\"loss, emotional distance\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Prime of Life\"<|>\"Scrooge reflects on his Prime of Life, contrasting it with his current state and the sacrifices he has made for wealth.\"<|>\"reflection, life choices\"<|>9)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"mentorship, materialism, emotional loss, life choices\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "c36f042701abbe3edb6ef5bee488deac": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Joe\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Joe is a character who interacts with others, demonstrating a sense of curiosity and disbelief regarding certain situations and comments.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Woman\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Woman engages in conversation with Joe, providing light-hearted responses and laughing at the absurdity of their discussions.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Tim\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Tim is mentioned as someone important to Scrooge, indicating familial ties and possibly evoking sympathy and regret from Scrooge's character.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Lace Tucker\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Lace Tucker is a small event within the text, illustrating moments of humor and social interactions among characters.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Old Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Old Scrooge represents an earlier version of Scrooge, depicted in memories or recollections and emphasizing his character's history.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Funeral\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Funeral of Marley is a significant event that highlights Scrooge's relationship with Marley and sets the tone for their partnership and Scrooge's eventual path.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Joe\"<|>\"The Woman\"<|>\"Joe and The Woman engage in a conversation, highlighting community dynamics and common social interactions among friends or acquaintances.\"<|>\"social interaction, community dynamics\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Tim\"<|>\"Scrooge's connection to Tim emphasizes emotional depth, reflecting on family and lost connections as part of his character development.\"<|>\"familial connection, emotional depth\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Old Scrooge\"<|>\"Scrooge's history is revealed through the mention of Old Scrooge, indicating his past beliefs and practices that shape his current persona.\"<|>\"character history, development\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Marley's Funeral\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Marley's Funeral signifies the beginning of Scrooge's emotional journey, showcasing his reaction to loss and setting the stage for the narrative.\"<|>\"loss, character journey\"<|>9)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"social interaction, character history, emotional journey, community\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "4f2f2afd0cd2e46079661b43ae172655": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Eternal Chain\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Eternal Chain represents the burdens and consequences of one's actions in life, symbolizing the weight of regret carried by the Ghost.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Counting-house\"<|>\"location\"<|>\"The Counting-house is the place where Scrooge conducted his business and represents the limitations of his previous life.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Star\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Star symbolizes guidance and hope, referenced in connection with the Wise Men, representing the potential for enlightenment and moral direction.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Wise Men\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Wise Men are figures who followed the Star to bring gifts, embodying the values of recognition and generosity that Scrooge has neglected.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Fellow-beings\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Fellow-beings are the people whom Scrooge ignored in life, representing the importance of community and connection.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas Spirit\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Christmas Spirit represents the ideals of generosity and kindness associated with the holiday season, which the Ghost encourages Scrooge to embrace.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Spectre\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Spectre is another term for the Ghost, representing a manifestation of guilt and the need for change in Scrooge's life.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost\"<|>\"Eternal Chain\"<|>\"The Ghost describes the Eternal Chain as a symbol of the burdens he carries due to his life choices, emphasizing the consequences of neglecting humanity.\"<|>\"burden, regret\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Counting-house\"<|>\"Scrooge reflects on his life spent in the Counting-house, which represents his previous priorities focused on business over personal connections.\"<|>\"reflection, priorities\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Star\"<|>\"Wise Men\"<|>\"The Star guided the Wise Men to recognize the importance of giving, which relates to the values that the Ghost tries to impart to Scrooge.\"<|>\"guidance, generosity\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Fellow-beings\"<|>\"Scrooge is confronted with his past choices to ignore Fellow-beings, leading to a realization of his moral failures.\"<|>\"neglect, realization\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost\"<|>\"Christmas Spirit\"<|>\"The Ghost embodies the Christmas Spirit's values of compassion and kindness, urging Scrooge to reconsider his way of living.\"<|>\"values, transformation\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Spectre\"<|>\"Ghost\"<|>\"The Spectre is synonymous with the Ghost, representing the collective spirit urging Scrooge to change his ways.\"<|>\"identity, motivation\"<|>10)##\n<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "d5206a48e38c2eb34781a9e451a6fe0f": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Ghost represents a spectral figure guiding Scrooge through his past, serving as a catalyst for self-reflection and transformation.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Home\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Home symbolizes warmth, safety, and family connection, representing what Scrooge yearns for but has lost in his life.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Coach\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Coach is a means of transport that signifies the transition from Scrooge's lonely past to the possibility of companionship and warmth.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas signifies a time of joy, reunion, and reflection, central to the theme of redemption in Scrooge's journey.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The School\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The School represents the institutional aspect of Scrooge's childhood, contrasting with the warmth and love represented by Fan.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Cold\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Cold symbolizes the emotional detachment and isolation present in Scrooge's life, contrasting with the warmth of family and connection that he longs for.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Evening\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Evening represents a time of transition and reflection as Scrooge recalls his past and seeks transformation.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Party\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Party refers to festive gatherings that Fezziwig hosts, showcasing joy and camaraderie during the Christmas season.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Warehouse\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Warehouse serves as the setting for Scrooge's memories of Fezziwig's jovial nature and the lively gatherings during his apprenticeship.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Children\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Children serve as symbols of innocence and joy, representing the untainted happiness of childhood that Scrooge longs to reconnect with.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"A Coach to Bring You Home\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"A Coach to Bring You Home symbolizes the hope and opportunity for reconnection and warmth in Scrooge's life.\")##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"self-reflection, family, childhood memories, joy, emotional warmth\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "116ac1ae1f082545ac96dbcd9c9b9366": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a character who undergoes a transformation, displaying joy and generosity during Christmas after a period of miserliness.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Tiny Tim is a character referenced by Scrooge, symbolizing innocence and the spirit of Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Old Gentleman\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Old Gentleman is a character with whom Scrooge interacts, showcasing the themes of kindness and forgiveness.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Fred\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Fred is Scrooge's nephew, representing familial love and the joy of Christmas gatherings.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Camden Town\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"Camden Town is mentioned as a location related to the transportation of a turkey in a humorous context during the holiday season.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas is the festive holiday being celebrated, central to the transformation of Scrooge and the story's theme of generosity.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"Scrooge expresses a newfound joy during Christmas, indicating a change in attitude towards the spirit symbolized by Tiny Tim.\"<|>\"transformation, holiday spirit\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Old Gentleman\"<|>\"Scrooge shows kindness and generosity to The Old Gentleman, marking a significant change in his character and relationships.\"<|>\"kindness, transformation\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Fred\"<|>\"Scrooge visits his nephew Fred, demonstrating the rekindling of family ties and the spirit of Christmas.\"<|>\"family, rekindled relationships\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"Scrooge's transformation is closely linked to the celebration of Christmas, highlighting themes of giving and joy.\"<|>\"holiday significance, transformation\"<|>10)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"transformation, kindness, Christmas spirit, family values\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "98f72937763bce3b05031c3c8e413ed3": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Fiddler\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Fiddler is a musician who plays at Fezziwig's celebration, providing music for the dancers and contributing to the festive atmosphere.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Three Miss Fezziwigs\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Three Miss Fezziwigs are jovial participants in the celebration, characterized by their lovable demeanor.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Young Followers\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Young Followers consist of several young men and women who are employed in Fezziwig's business and participate in the festivities.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Housemaid\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Housemaid is a character present during the celebrations, contributing to the lively atmosphere of the evening.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Cook\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Cook is another character involved in the celebrations, participating in the festivities alongside other guests.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Baker\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Baker is related to the Housemaid and present during the celebrations, adding to the communal aspect of the event.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Boy from Over the Way\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Boy from Over the Way is a humorous character trying to hide behind another participant, showcasing the inclusiveness of the celebrations.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Girl from Next Door\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Girl from Next Door is referenced as hiding from the Boy, illustrating the interactions during the event.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"The Fiddler\"<|>\"The Fiddler provides music for the dance, playing a crucial role in enhancing the festive atmosphere created by Fezziwig.\"<|>\"musical contribution, festive atmosphere\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Three Miss Fezziwigs\"<|>\"The Young Followers\"<|>\"The Three Miss Fezziwigs interact with the Young Followers during the dance, highlighting the communal joy of the celebration.\"<|>\"community, interactions\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Housemaid\"<|>\"The Cook\"<|>\"The Housemaid and The Cook are both present at Fezziwig's celebration, participating in the festivities and showcasing the inclusive environment.\"<|>\"inclusion, participation\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ebenezer Scrooge\"<|>\"Fezziwig\"<|>\"Scrooge reflects on his positive memories of Fezziwig, contributing to the theme of mentorship and joy in the past.\"<|>\"reflection, mentorship\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Boy from Over the Way\"<|>\"The Girl from Next Door\"<|>\"The Boy's attempts to hide from The Girl demonstrate the youthful interactions and dynamics during the festive event.\"<|>\"youthful antics, dynamics\"<|>6)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"music, joy, community, interactions\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "10860e13c74959020089c6b154d4feae": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Ghost is a supernatural being that interacts with Scrooge, helping him to confront his past and evoke emotions connected to Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Mansion\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Mansion is a large house described as being in a state of decay and neglect, serving as a setting for Scrooge's memories.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Child\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Child is a solitary figure leaving in the school, representing loneliness and the emotions tied to Scrooge's memories of his younger self.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Robin Crusoe\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Robin Crusoe is a character from literature that Scrooge remembers fondly, illustrating his connection to stories of adventure and survival.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Friday\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Friday is another character from the story of Robin Crusoe, noted in Scrooge's memories, indicating the impact of literature on his nostalgia.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Parrot\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Parrot is a character in Scrooge's memory tied to Robin Crusoe, representing Scrooge's whimsical recollections.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"The Ghost prompts Scrooge to remember significant moments, driving his emotional exploration of the past.\"<|>\"guidance, emotional exploration\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Child\"<|>\"Scrooge sees his younger self in the solitary child, sparking deep emotional reflections about his past and choices.\"<|>\"self-reflection, past connection\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ali Baba\"<|>\"Robin Crusoe\"<|>\"Both Ali Baba and Robin Crusoe represent figures from stories that shaped Scrooge's childhood memories and sentiments towards Christmas.\"<|>\"literary connection, childhood memories\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Mansion\"<|>\"The Mansion symbolizes the neglect and decay that parallels Scrooge's own emotional state and memories of his past.\"<|>\"symbolism, emotional state\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"Mansion\"<|>\"The Ghost guides Scrooge through the Mansion, illustrating the contrast between past warmth and present decay.\"<|>\"guidance, contrast\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Robin Crusoe\"<|>\"Friday\"<|>\"Friday serves alongside Robin Crusoe in the stories remembered by Scrooge, representing loyalty and friendship in adventure.\"<|>\"friendship, adventure\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Parrot\"<|>\"Scrooge recalls the Parrot associated with his memories of Robin Crusoe, highlighting the whimsical and nostalgic aspects of his reflections.\"<|>\"nostalgia, whimsy\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Child\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"The Spirit points Scrooge to the Child, emphasizing themes of neglect, remembrance, and the importance of past experiences.\"<|>\"remembrance, neglect\"<|>8)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"literary nostalgia, self-reflection, emotional guidance, childhood figures\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "9ac920735aeb9411290364be763be7db": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Knocker\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Knocker is a feature on Scrooge's door, which takes on a mystical quality when Scrooge perceives Marley's face in it.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Counting-House Clerk\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Counting-House Clerk is an unnamed character who interacts with Scrooge, representing the workforce under Scrooge's employment.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Candle\"<|>\"technology\"<|>\"The Candle is a source of light that Scrooge lights as he enters his home, symbolizing the struggle against darkness and isolation.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Yard\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Yard refers to the dark and gloomy space behind Scrooge's residence, creating an atmosphere of loneliness and despair.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Fog and Frost\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Fog and Frost symbolize the coldness and obscurity surrounding Scrooge's life and mindset, enhancing the gloomy atmosphere.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Ghost of Marley\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Ghost of Marley refers to the apparition that appears to Scrooge, serving as a catalyst for his transformation and moral reckoning.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"London\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"London serves as the setting for the story, highlighting the bustling yet isolating environment in which Scrooge lives.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Knocker\"<|>\"Scrooge perceives Marley's face in the knocker, symbolizing his own guilt and the haunting nature of his past choices.\"<|>\"haunting, symbol of guilt\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Yard\"<|>\"The Yard represents the isolation in Scrooge's life, physically and metaphorically reflecting his emotional state.\"<|>\"isolation, emotional landscape\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Fog and Frost\"<|>\"The Fog and Frost enveloping Scrooge's home reflect the chilling atmosphere of his life and his emotional coldness.\"<|>\"atmosphere, emotional coldness\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"The Counting-House Clerk\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit and The Counting-House Clerk represent the working class under Scrooge's employment, showcasing different character traits in the context of their work.\" <|>\"workforce dynamics, character contrast\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Ghost of Marley\"<|>\"The Ghost of Marley serves as a direct reminder of Scrooge's past decisions, urging him towards change and redemption.\"<|>\"redemption, moral reflection\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Camden Town\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit lives in Camden Town, highlighting the geographical context of his life and family, contrasting with Scrooge's isolated existence.\"<|>\"family life, geographical contrast\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Candle\"<|>\"The Fog and Frost\"<|>\"The Candle symbolizes a flicker of warmth and hope in the bleak setting of Fog and Frost, contrasting the overall atmosphere.\"<|>\"hope, contrast\"<|>6)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"isolation, redemption, haunting, contrast of lives\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "fcf8d38c5fa7849c04b307de5329e635": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Tiny Tim is a young child who is cherished by his family, particularly his father, Bob Cratchit, and is a symbol of innocence and loss.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit is the father of Tiny Tim and a devoted husband, showing love and care for his family despite their struggles.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Mrs. Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Mrs. Cratchit, the wife of Bob, is industrious and caring, focused on the well-being of her family.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Peter\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Peter is the son of Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, showing concern and support for his father and siblings.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Mr. Scrooge's Nephew\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Mr. Scrooge's Nephew is a kind gentleman who expresses sympathy for Bob Cratchit and offers help, reflecting goodwill.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas is depicted as a time of gathering, warmth, and reflection for the Cratchit family.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit shows deep love and sorrow for Tiny Tim, reflecting a father's bond with his child.\"<|>\"parental love, sorrow\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Mrs. Cratchit\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Mrs. Cratchit supports Bob in caring for their family and exhibits her love for him and their children.\"<|>\"partnership, family bond\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Mr. Scrooge's Nephew\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Mr. Scrooge's Nephew expresses sympathy and kindness towards Bob, reinforcing community and support.\"<|>\"kindness, community support\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Peter\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Peter shows concern for Bob, participating actively in family discussions and support.\"<|>\"family support, concern\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"Tiny Tim represents the spirit of Christmas, being cherished by family during this festive occasion.\"<|>\"innocence, holiday spirit\"<|>9)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"family, love, loss, kindness, Christmas\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "10c3ebd5e67ddaefba0e8292c3ba4c3e": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg is an organization that promotes the free distribution of electronic works and holds a compilation copyright for its collection.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Foundation\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Foundation, also known as the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, owns the compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg electronic works.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"A Christmas Carol\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"A Christmas Carol is a literary work available through Project Gutenberg, indicating its role in literature and public access.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg\"<|>\"The Foundation\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg operates under the governance of The Foundation, which oversees its copyright and distribution activities.\"<|>\"organizational structure, governance\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg\"<|>\"A Christmas Carol\"<|>\"A Christmas Carol is part of the collection offered by Project Gutenberg, highlighting its role in promoting literature.\" <|>\"literature promotion, public access\"<|>9)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"free distribution, public domain, literary works, copyright\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "b6d15714a948777d8db0132513bccee9": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a central character experiencing emotional turmoil and reflection, undergoing significant transformations throughout the text.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Belle\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Belle is Scrooge's former love, evidence of care and affection, now mentioned in the context of Scrooge’s memories.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Jacob Marley is Scrooge's deceased partner, who appears in spirit to influence Scrooge's journey towards redemption.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Spirit refers to the ghostly apparitions that guide Scrooge through his reflections on life, past, present, and future.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas represents a time of joy and giving, contrasting with Scrooge's initial demeanor of disdain and solitude.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Office\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Office refers to Scrooge's workplace, emphasizing his isolation and the business-focused nature of his life.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Belle\"<|>\"Scrooge reminisces about Belle and the love they shared, indicating a lost connection and regret.\"<|>\"nostalgia, lost love\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"Jacob Marley influences Scrooge's transformation by appearing as a spirit to warn him.\"<|>\"redemption, influence\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"The Spirit serves as the medium for Scrooge's journey of self-discovery and accountability.\"<|>\"guidance, self-reflection\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"The Spirit's appearances highlight the themes of Christmas and the importance of compassion and community.\"<|>\"holiday spirit, compassion\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Office\"<|>\"Scrooge's office reflects his solitary and business-driven life, showcasing his disconnection from familial and social ties.\"<|>\"isolation, work ethic\"<|>6)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"redemption, love, Christmas spirit, transformation, isolation\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "6b8180301e5091df9244a7a3198abb51": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Turkey\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Turkey represents a key symbol of generosity and festivity during Christmas, as Scrooge purchases it to spread joy.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Bob\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Bob is likely referenced as a character who may receive the turkey sent by Scrooge, highlighting the theme of generosity.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Cab\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Cab is an event associated with transporting the turkey, illustrating the lengths to which Scrooge is willing to go to share joy.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Street\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Street represents the setting where Scrooge interacts with various characters and experiences joy, emphasizing the festive atmosphere.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Knocker\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Knocker is a physical object that symbolizes Scrooge's newfound appreciation for the simple, honest joys of life during Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The People\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The People refer to the townsfolk whom Scrooge encounters, showcasing the communal spirit of Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Kitchen\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Kitchen is a location that Scrooge looks into, symbolizing warmth, family, and the spirit of hospitality during the holiday season.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Mistress\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Mistress is referenced in relation to Fred, indicating the presence of family dynamics during the Christmas celebration.\")##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"generosity, community spirit, holiday traditions, familial bonds\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
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- "5f787a11337980d80fd28d5e22074583": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Cratchit Family\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Cratchit Family is depicted as a warm and loving household celebrating Christmas together, with various members actively participating in the festivities.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit is the father of the Cratchit family, dedicated to his children and caring for Tiny Tim's needs.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Martha\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Martha is the daughter in the Cratchit family, who makes a dramatic entrance to surprise her family, highlighting the family's closeness.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Tiny Tim is a young boy in the Cratchit family who is a cripple, yet is portrayed with a hopeful spirit and brings joy to those around him.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Peter Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Peter Cratchit is one of the Cratchit children, shown to be active and enthusiastic during the Christmas celebration.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Cratchit Christmas Dinner\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Cratchit Christmas Dinner is a festive occasion filled with joy, love, and togetherness as the family celebrates the holiday.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit shows deep care for Tiny Tim, supporting him and expressing pride in his resilience, especially regarding Tiny Tim's reflective thoughts on Christmas.\"<|>\"father-son relationship, care\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Martha\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Martha surprises Bob Cratchit by coming home late for Christmas dinner, showing the family's love and warmth in reunions.\"<|>\"family reunion, surprise\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Cratchit Family\"<|>\"Cratchit Christmas Dinner\"<|>\"The Cratchit Family comes together to celebrate Christmas dinner, encapsulating their unity and joyful spirit during the holiday season.\"<|>\"family celebration, togetherness\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"Cratchit Family\"<|>\"Tiny Tim, despite his condition, brings joy to the Cratchit Family and fosters a sense of hope and love during their Christmas celebration.\"<|>\"hope, joy\"<|>10)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"family love, Christmas celebration, hope, togetherness\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "75c99644e77c82502e8543b94d61350d": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Joe\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Joe is an old character who engages in conversation about the deceased man's belongings, revealing his pragmatic and somewhat cynical perspective on life and death.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Woman\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Woman is another character who interacts with Joe, demonstrating a lack of reverence for the deceased and a focus on material gain.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a central character who experiences horror and reflection upon witnessing the treatment of the deceased, contemplating the moral implications of greed and death.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Deceased Man\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Deceased Man is a character whose belongings are being discussed and whose death prompts reactions of horror and contemplation from Scrooge.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Death\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Death is depicted as a cold, inevitable force, prompting reflections on the value of life and the consequences of avarice.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Bed\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Bed represents a significant scene where the deceased man's body is laid, evoking deep emotions and realizations about life and morality.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Joe\"<|>\"The Woman\"<|>\"Joe and The Woman are engaged in a discussion about the deceased man’s belongings, illustrating their shared perspective on material possessions.\" <|>\"conversational dynamics, materialism\"<|>5)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Deceased Man\"<|>\"Scrooge reflects on the life and death of The Deceased Man, prompting introspection about his own life choices.\" <|>\"moral reflection, consequence\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Joe\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Joe's cynical attitude towards death and belongings contrasts with Scrooge's moral horror, creating a tension between their perspectives.\" <|>\"perspective contrast, moral dilemma\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Death\"<|>\"The Bed\"<|>\"Death is inherently linked to The Bed as the resting place of the deceased, symbolizing the finality of life and the legacy left behind.\" <|>\"finality, mortality\"<|>8)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"materialism, mortality, moral reflection, avarice\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
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- "85a6fdce3cecbc860360511c4ac36275": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Cratchit Family\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Cratchit Family consists of Bob, Mrs. Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and their children, characterized by their strong familial bonds and love for one another despite financial struggles.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Two Young Cratchits\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Two Young Cratchits are siblings who show affection for their father, demonstrating the innocence and unity of childhood.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Table\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Table is where the Cratchit family gathers, representing their domestic life and togetherness.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Room Above\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Room Above is a space in the Cratchit household which is illuminated cheerfully, suggesting a haven despite their hardships.\")##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"family dynamics, support, resilience, affection, holiday gathering\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "ae027fae1a5f9d6a056ff95c9e55fd51": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit is a father figure who expresses happiness and is concerned for his family, specifically Tiny Tim's well-being.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Tiny Tim is a young child, representing innocence and goodness, whose essence is revered by his family.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a character who undergoes a profound transformation, grappling with his past, present, and future through the visits of spirits.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Jacob Marley is the deceased partner of Scrooge who shows concern for Scrooge's fate and the importance of change in his life.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas represents a time of goodwill and change, which Scrooge decides to embrace fully in his life moving forward.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is a spirit that shows Scrooge the consequences of his actions, pointing toward his eventual demise.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Grave\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Grave represents a place where Scrooge's future self lies, symbolizing death and the consequences of a life unexamined.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit shows deep concern and love for his son, Tiny Tim, highlighting the family dynamics and attachment in their household.\"<|>\"family bond, love\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"Scrooge reflects on Tiny Tim's essence and the impact of his potential death, considering how it could prompt him to change his ways.\"<|>\"reflection, transformation\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"Jacob Marley warns Scrooge about his fate and the importance of change, acting as a catalyst for Scrooge's transformation.\"<|>\"warning, catalyst\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come\"<|>\"The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge the consequences of his life choices, prompting introspection and desire for change.\"<|>\"consequence, introspection\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Grave\"<|>\"Scrooge is confronted with his own grave, symbolizing the ultimate outcome of his current lifestyle and actions.\"<|>\"mortality, reflection\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Christmas becomes a focal point for Scrooge's promise to change and embrace life, symbolizing hope and renewal.\"<|>\"renewal, change\"<|>9)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"transformation, family, reflection, change, mortality\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
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- "f36cccb2f6122a29414c9ed057806f4e": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a central character, observing and interacting with the Spirit of Christmas Present, reflecting on themes of generosity and social responsibility.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Spirit of Christmas Present\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Spirit of Christmas Present embodies the spirit of generosity and compassion, showing Scrooge scenes of joy and festivity among the poor.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit is Scrooge's clerk, depicted as a struggling yet loving family man, whose household is blessed by the Spirit.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Mrs. Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Mrs. Cratchit is Bob's wife, portrayed as devoted and hardworking, striving to create a joyous atmosphere for her family despite limited resources.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Belinda Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Belinda Cratchit is one of Bob's daughters, assisting in household tasks and showing a strong familial bond.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Peter Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Peter Cratchit is Bob's son, excited about his clothing and preparing a festive meal, symbolizing youthful innocence and hope.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Cratchit Household\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Cratchit Household represents a loving family unit, managing to find joy despite their financial struggles.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas Day\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas Day is portrayed as a day of celebration and gathering, emphasizing themes of togetherness and generosity.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Spirit of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Scrooge interacts with the Spirit of Christmas Present, who shows him the joys of Christmas and the importance of generosity.\"<|>\"transformation, generosity\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Spirit of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"The Spirit blesses Bob Cratchit’s dwelling, symbolizing the recognition of the Cratchit family's struggles and joys on Christmas Day.\"<|>\"blessing, compassion\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"The Cratchit Household\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit leads his family, representing resilience and love in the face of hardship, which is celebrated by the Spirit.\"<|>\"family, support\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Mrs. Cratchit\"<|>\"The Cratchit Household\"<|>\"Mrs. Cratchit contributes to the family’s efforts to celebrate Christmas, demonstrating dedication and caring.\"<|>\"dedication, familial love\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Belinda Cratchit\"<|>\"The Cratchit Household\"<|>\"Belinda plays an active role in the household duties, reinforcing the theme of cooperation and togetherness.\"<|>\"cooperation, family bonds\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Peter Cratchit\"<|>\"Mrs. Cratchit\"<|>\"Peter demonstrates youthful excitement and contributes to the household, showcasing the joy found even in modest circumstances.\"<|>\"youthful joy, family dynamics\"<|>7)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"Christmas spirit, family, generosity, social responsibility\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "f77d8d11b2e499cc9287be7a5000801b": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a central character who undergoes a transformation and experiences visions of his past, present, and future.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Ghost represents a supernatural entity that shows Scrooge various scenes from his life, influencing his emotional state and ultimate redemption.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Beautiful Young Girl\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Beautiful Young Girl is a figure from Scrooge's past, representing lost opportunities and innocence.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Comely Matron\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Comely Matron is the grown-up version of the Beautiful Young Girl, emphasizing change and the passage of time.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Children\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Children are a lively group in the matron's home, symbolizing joy, chaos, and familial warmth.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas Toys and Presents\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas Toys and Presents are associated with familial love and joy, as they arrive with the father, enhancing the holiday spirit.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Beautiful Young Girl\"<|>\"Scrooge reflects on his past relationship with the young girl, which holds significance in understanding his character's regrets.\"<|>\"nostalgia, lost love\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"The Ghost influences Scrooge's journey by revealing his past, driving the narrative of his redemption.\"<|>\"supernatural guidance, transformation\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Beautiful Young Girl\"<|>\"The Comely Matron\"<|>\"The Beautiful Young Girl evolves into The Comely Matron, representing the effects of time and choices made.\"<|>\"change, passage of time\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Comely Matron\"<|>\"The Children\"<|>\"The Comely Matron fosters a lively environment with The Children, highlighting familial love and joy.\"<|>\"family bonds, joy\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Father\"<|>\"The Children\"<|>\"The Father returns home with gifts, reinforcing familial ties and the festive atmosphere.\"<|>\"family reunion, festivities\"<|>9)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"redemption, nostalgia, familial love, transformation\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "596ac46576474fa7c137975ee2b863b8": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a pivotal character in the story, known for his transformation from a miserly figure to one filled with the spirit of Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Fred\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Fred is Scrooge's nephew who expresses admiration for Scrooge and raises a toast to his uncle during a Christmas gathering.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Spirit\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Spirit represents a supernatural entity guiding Scrooge and teaching him lessons about compassion and humanity.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas Holidays\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas Holidays signify a time for celebration, reflection, and reconciliation, playing a critical role in Scrooge's transformation.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Ignorance\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Ignorance refers to one of the two children presented by the Spirit, symbolizing societal neglect and the consequences of lack of awareness.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Want\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Want is represented as the second child shown by the Spirit, symbolizing the dire social conditions and needs of the impoverished.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Fred\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Fred expresses admiration and gratitude for Scrooge, highlighting the family connection and the hope for Scrooge's redemption.\"<|>\"family ties, redemption\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Spirit\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Spirit serves as a guide for Scrooge, showing him visions that lead to his personal transformation and moral awakening.\"<|>\"guidance, transformation\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Christmas Holidays\"<|>\"Christmas Holidays are integral to Scrooge's journey, representing the time of year that prompts his change and reinstates joy.\"<|>\"transformation, significance of time\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Spirit\"<|>\"Ignorance\"<|>\"The Spirit introduces Ignorance to Scrooge as a representation of societal failures, urging him to acknowledge and address these issues.\"<|>\"social issues, awareness\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Spirit\"<|>\"Want\"<|>\"The Spirit presents Want along with Ignorance, symbolizing the plight of the less fortunate and appealing for compassion.\"<|>\"social issues, need for compassion\"<|>8)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"transformation, family ties, societal issues, compassion, Christmas spirit\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
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- "09bcfbc45e8dca5a2c7d3008a6d4d077": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew is a jovial character known for his infectious laughter and optimistic attitude towards Christmas, finding humor in Scrooge's ill temper and wealth.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge's Niece\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge's Niece is a lively character who expresses indignation towards Scrooge's disdain for Christmas and embodies warmth and charm, showing affection and concern for family.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is portrayed as a comical yet irritable old man who is wealthy but reclusive, exhibiting a disdain for Christmas and the merriment that accompanies it.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Topper\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Topper is a member of Scrooge's Niece's social group, characterized by his playful manner and romantic interests, notably towards one of Scrooge's Niece's sisters.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas is referenced as a holiday that Scrooge's Nephew is passionate about, contrasting sharply with Scrooge's cynical view of it as a humbug.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew often expresses pity for Scrooge, believing that Scrooge loses more by avoiding family gatherings and Christmas cheer.\"<|>\"family, festive spirit\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge's Niece\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Scrooge's Niece shows indignation toward Scrooge's negativity about Christmas, highlighting the familial tensions between them.\"<|>\"family conflict, holiday spirit\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew\"<|>\"Scrooge's Niece\"<|>\"Scrooge's Nephew and Scrooge's Niece share laughter and a good-natured attitude towards Christmas, contrasting with Scrooge's sternness.\"<|>\"shared joy, familial bond\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Topper\"<|>\"Scrooge's Niece\"<|>\"Topper displays interest in Scrooge's Niece, which adds a light-hearted romantic element to the scene.\"<|>\"romance, social interaction\"<|>6)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"family dynamics, Christmas spirit, humor, social interaction\")<|COMPLETE|>",
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- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Old Joe\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Old Joe is a grey-haired man who runs a shop where people come to sell their belongings after a death, embodying a rough, pragmatic character.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Mrs. Dilber\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Mrs. Dilber is a laundress who participates in the gathering, commenting on the morality of their actions with a laugh.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Woman\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Woman is an unknown character, bold and defiant, who instigates the gathering and discusses the deceased with a lack of reverence.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Man in Faded Black\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Man in Faded Black is a character who, echoing the sentiments of the others, reveals his modest haul of stolen goods during the gathering.\")##\n(\"event\"<|>\"The Gathering\"<|>\"The Gathering is the meeting of characters in Old Joe's shop to appraise and discuss the stolen belongings of a deceased man.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Old Joe\"<|>\"Mrs. Dilber\"<|>\"Old Joe and Mrs. Dilber are involved in the exchange relating to the appraisal of stolen goods, sharing a camaraderie based on their circumstances.\"<|>\"commerce, camaraderie\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Mrs. Dilber\"<|>\"The Woman\"<|>\"Mrs. Dilber and The Woman share a similar perspective regarding their actions post-death, discussing the deceased with a sense of irreverence.\"<|>\"irreverence, morality\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Old Joe\"<|>\"The Woman\"<|>\"Old Joe engages with The Woman in the appraisal process, showcasing a practical approach to their questionable activities.\"<|>\"commerce, practicality\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Man in Faded Black\"<|>\"The Woman\"<|>\"The Man in Faded Black shares his modest plunder with The Woman, building a sense of community among the characters involved.\"<|>\"shared activity, community\"<|>5)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Old Joe\"<|>\"The Gathering\"<|>\"Old Joe facilitates The Gathering by appraising the items brought by each character, serving as a focal point for their interactions.\"<|>\"facilitation, social dynamics\"<|>9)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"morality, death, community, commerce\")<|COMPLETE|>",
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- "984442fe3bdd9f4f0ef6e22dbcef8654": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a character who undergoes a transformation filled with joy and goodwill, celebrating Christmas after interacting with the Spirits.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Jacob Marley is a spirit who influences Scrooge's change of heart, representing a connection to Scrooge's past and the theme of redemption.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Tiny Tim is a character symbolizing vulnerability and hope, often a central figure in Scrooge's reflections about family and generosity.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas Day\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas Day serves as the backdrop for Scrooge's transformation, representing joy, celebration, and new beginnings.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit is Scrooge's clerk, embodying the struggles of the working class and the importance of family in the narrative.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Poulterer's\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Poulterer's is a shop mentioned by Scrooge, relevant in the context of his generous actions towards the Cratchit family.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"Scrooge's transformation is influenced by Jacob Marley's ghost, who represents the consequences of a life poorly lived.\"<|>\"redemption, spiritual influence\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Christmas Day\"<|>\"Scrooge experiences a profound change on Christmas Day, which signifies his newfound joy and generosity.\"<|>\"transformation, celebration\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"Scrooge's intention to send a large turkey to Bob Cratchit's family, particularly to Tiny Tim, shows his emotional connection and desire to help.\"<|>\"generosity, familial love\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Scrooge expresses a form of goodwill towards Bob Cratchit by sending a prize turkey, indicating a shift in their relationship.\"<|>\"charity, employer-employee relationship\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit is the father of Tiny Tim, showing the importance of family dynamics and care in their lives.\"<|>\"family, caregiving\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Poulterer's\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"The Poulterer's shop is where Scrooge instructs the boy to buy a turkey for the Cratchit family, linking commerce to kindness.\"<|>\"commerce, generosity\"<|>6)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"transformation, Christmas spirit, redemption, family, generosity\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
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- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a central character who experiences a journey with the Spirit, showing growth and transformation.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Spirit is a supernatural entity guiding Scrooge through various scenarios, pushing him towards reflection and change.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge's nephew\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge's nephew is portrayed as a joyful character who embodies laughter and good-humor, contrasting with Scrooge's initial persona.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas is depicted as a time of joy and festivity, significantly influencing the behaviors and thoughts of the characters.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Lighthouse\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Lighthouse serves as a solitary structure representing hope and guidance amid a stormy sea, populated by individuals celebrating Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Ship\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Ship is a vessel where the crew shares moments of kindness and reflection during Christmas, symbolizing unity and camaraderie.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"The Spirit is guiding Scrooge through different scenes, aiming to transform his character and perspective on life.\"<|>\"guidance, transformation\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Scrooge's nephew\"<|>\"Scrooge's relationship with his nephew highlights the contrast between their different views on Christmas and joy.\"<|>\"family dynamics, contrast\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"The Spirit connects various scenes to the theme of Christmas, emphasizing its impact on individuals’ attitudes and behaviors.\"<|>\"seasonal influence, moral reflection\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge's nephew\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"Scrooge's nephew embodies the spirit of Christmas, representing joy and good humor during the holiday season.\"<|>\"festivity, positive influence\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Lighthouse\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"The Lighthouse is a site where Christmas is celebrated, symbolizing hope and warmth in a bleak environment.\"<|>\"hope, celebration\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Ship\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"The Ship's crew celebrates Christmas together, creating a sense of unity and shared joy despite their circumstances.\"<|>\"unity, shared experience\"<|>8)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"transformation, Christmas, joy, family dynamics, celebration\")<|COMPLETE|>",
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- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Ghost is a supernatural figure that guides Scrooge through his experiences, showing him the joys of family and the significance of Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Blind Man's Buff\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Blind Man's Buff is a traditional game played during the gathering, contributing to the festive atmosphere and interactions among the guests.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Forfeits\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Forfeits is another social game played by the characters, emphasizing the playful nature of their Christmas celebration.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Plump Sister\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Plump Sister is a character in the gathering who becomes the focus of Topper's playful advances during the games, contributing to the comedic aspects of the gathering.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"London\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"London serves as the general setting for the story, although its specific mention relates to an animal in the context of a game.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Harp\"<|>\"technology\"<|>\"The Harp is a musical instrument played by Scrooge's niece, contributing to the evening's entertainment and illustrating the family's musical talents.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Spirit refers to the Ghost of Christmas Present, who observes and interacts with the gathering, influencing Scrooge's emotional journey.\")##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"supernatural guidance, games, festive atmosphere, family dynamics, joy\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "455c4a7b963c1fcad74e0724d83d7b3a": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Scrooge is a character reflecting on the consequences of a man's death, analyzing emotions and connections to the deceased.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Spirit\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Spirit represents a ghostly figure guiding Scrooge through reflections related to a death, illustrating lessons about life and mortality.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Caroline\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Caroline is portrayed as a mother filled with hope and emotion regarding her husband’s situation, revealing her character through her reactions to news.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit is depicted as a husband and father, embodying the challenges of family life and economic struggle after a critical loss.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Tiny Tim is a child in the Cratchit family, whose well-being is central to the family's emotional state and hopes for the future.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Cratchit House\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Cratchit House symbolizes a place of familial connection and warmth, despite the hardships faced by its inhabitants.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Event of Death\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Event of Death signifies a pivotal moment affecting the characters, transitioning their emotional state and family dynamics.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Spirit\"<|>\"Scrooge is guided by the Spirit to reflect on the impact of death, learning important lessons about life and legacy.\"<|>\"reflection, guidance\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Caroline\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Caroline and Bob Cratchit represent a married couple grappling with the implications of financial stress and loss in their family.\"<|>\"marital struggle, economic challenges\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit is a father figure to Tiny Tim, who carries both hope and concern for his child's future health and well-being.\"<|>\"parenting, hope\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Spirit\"<|>\"The Event of Death\"<|>\"The Spirit highlights the emotional repercussions of The Event of Death, demonstrating the profound effects on those left behind.\"<|>\"emotional impact, mortality\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Cratchit House\"<|>\"Scrooge's reflections in The Cratchit House illustrate his evolving understanding of compassion and connection to others.\"<|>\"compassion, familial connection\"<|>9)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"reflection, family dynamics, economic struggle, mortality\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
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- "38d32c65a8c7be2f96b5e936cd6c8d59": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"501(c)(3)\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"501(c)(3) refers to the tax-exempt status granted to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation by the IRS, allowing it to operate as a charitable organization.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"EIN 64-6221541\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The EIN or federal tax identification number for the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, used for tax purposes and identification.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"U.S. federal laws\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"U.S. federal laws govern the tax treatment of contributions made to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and those involved in charitable activities.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Website\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Project Gutenberg website serves as a hosting platform for eBooks, donation methods, and information regarding the Foundation's activities.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"www.gutenberg.org/contact\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The contact page provides up-to-date information on how to reach the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"www.gutenberg.org/donate\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The donation page on the Project Gutenberg website where individuals can contribute funds to support the Foundation's mission.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Public Domain\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Public Domain refers to works that are available for free use without copyright restrictions, a key focus of Project Gutenberg's mission to distribute such materials.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"501(c)(3)\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation\"<|>\"The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation operates under the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, allowing it to receive tax-deductible donations.\"<|>\"tax status, charitable organization\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"EIN 64-6221541\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation\"<|>\"The EIN serves as the foundation's identification for tax purposes, linking it to federal tax compliance.\"<|>\"tax identification, compliance\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation\"<|>\"U.S. federal laws\"<|>\"The Foundation must comply with U.S. federal laws regarding charitable donations and tax-exempt status.\"<|>\"legal compliance, federal regulations\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Website\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation\"<|>\"The Foundation's website is essential for disseminating information and facilitating donations and eBook access.\"<|>\"information dissemination, operational platform\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Public Domain\"<|>\"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation\"<|>\"The Foundation's mission is focused on distributing works that are in the Public Domain, enhancing accessibility for the public.\"<|>\"accessibility, distribution\"<|>9)##\n<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "bbc1f7093f7f7d16bc7fca8e933f8196": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Red-faced Gentleman\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Red-faced Gentleman is a character who humorously discusses the potential nature of a cheap funeral at the gathering.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Gentleman with the Excrescence\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Gentleman with the Excrescence is characterized by a physical trait and provides humorous remarks about attending a funeral.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Funeral\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Funeral is a context for conversation among characters, reflecting on mortality and social connections surrounding death.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Old Scratch\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Old Scratch is a colloquial term used in reference to the devil, indicating a grim context in discussions about death.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Meeting\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Meeting is characterized by light-hearted banter among characters regarding the funeral and their connections to the deceased.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Phantom\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Phantom represents a ghostly presence guiding Scrooge through reflections on his life and future decisions.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Quarter\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Quarter is a depiction of an impoverished and crime-ridden area of the town, emphasizing societal neglect.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Coal Shop\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Coal Shop is a den of lowly transactions that signifies the harsh living conditions experienced by the characters in the quarter.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Miscellaneous Tatters\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Miscellaneous Tatters symbolize the shabby and worn conditions surrounding the characters in the Low-Browed Shop.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Charcoal Stove\"<|>\"technology\"<|>\"The Charcoal Stove is a humble source of warmth within the Low-Browed Shop, indicative of the bleak environment.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"The People\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The People refers to the inhabitants of the quarter, characterized by their desperate living conditions and societal challenges.\")## \n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Red-faced Gentleman\"<|>\"Scrooge observes the conversation of the Red-faced Gentleman, which offers humorous insights into communal attitudes toward death.\"<|>\"humor, communal context\"<|>6)## \n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Red-faced Gentleman\"<|>\"Gentleman with the Excrescence\"<|>\"Both gentlemen engage in light-hearted banter about the funeral, reflecting casual societal norms in their discussion.\"<|>\"social interaction, humor\"<|>7)## \n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Phantom\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Phantom interacts with Scrooge, pointing him towards the importance of reflections on mortality and social connections.\"<|>\"guidance, reflection\"<|>8)## \n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Quarter\"<|>\"The People\"<|>\"The People inhabit The Quarter, which is characterized by poverty, crime, and a sense of neglect.\"<|>\"socioeconomic struggle, societal neglect\"<|>9)## \n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Low-Browed Shop\"<|>\"The People\"<|>\"The Low-Browed Shop serves the needs of The People, representing the harsh realities of their lives in the quarter.\"<|>\"desperation, commerce\"<|>8)## \n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Old Scratch\"<|>\"The Funeral\"<|>\"The concept of Old Scratch is invoked in the context of discussions about The Funeral, highlighting societal attitudes towards death.\"<|>\"morbid humor, societal views\"<|>7)## \n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"mortality, humor, social interactions, societal neglect\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "68548487de1a07402644b1c4cd4b1f36": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Jacob Marley\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Jacob Marley is the ghost of Scrooge's former business partner, who foretells the consequences of Scrooge's selfishness and warns him to change his ways.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Phantom\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Phantom is a representation of death and the unknown future, appearing to Scrooge with a mysterious and intimidating presence.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"business men\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The business men are a group discussing Scrooge's death, reflecting society's indifference and the consequential nature of wealth.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"the Dead man\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Dead man is the subject of discussion among the business men, representing Scrooge himself and the consequences of his life.\")##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"ghosts, societal indifference, self-reflection, moral lessons\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "4617c23d2b43a07334ed71999f6d34f8": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Topper\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Topper is one of Fred's friends who attends the Christmas gathering, contributing to the joyful atmosphere of the celebration.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Family\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Family includes Bob Cratchit and his loved ones, who represent themes of togetherness and support during Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The City\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The City refers to the broader urban environment in which Scrooge operates and signifies the societal norms and attitudes towards Christmas.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Tank\"<|>\"location\"<|>\"The Tank is the workplace setting where Bob Cratchit works under Scrooge, highlighting the power dynamics in their relationship.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Smoking Bishop\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Smoking Bishop is a traditional Christmas drink mentioned in the context of Scrooge and Bob's plans to celebrate together, symbolizing festive cheer.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Topper\"<|>\"Topper's presence at the Christmas gathering highlights the festive spirit and camaraderie among friends and family during the celebration.\"<|>\"celebration, friendship\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"The Family\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit is a central figure in The Family, demonstrating love and responsibility towards his children during Christmas.\"<|>\"family, responsibility\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The City\"<|>\"Scrooge's transformation impacts The City as he learns to embrace Christmas spirit and generosity within his community.\"<|>\"transformation, community\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"The Tank\"<|>\"Bob's working conditions in The Tank under Scrooge reflect the challenges he faces as a struggling employee supporting his family.\"<|>\"workplace, struggle\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Smoking Bishop\"<|>\"Scrooge and Bob's plans to enjoy Smoking Bishop together symbolize the welcoming of joy and warmth during the Christmas season.\"<|>\"celebration, warmth\"<|>9)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"celebration, family values, community transformation, festive traditions\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "157fac6b7fc70ada7a268a41ff3c10ac": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Goose\"<|>\"food\"<|>\"The Goose is a central dish enjoyed by the Cratchit family during their Christmas dinner, symbolizing abundance and celebration.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Pudding\"<|>\"food\"<|>\"The Pudding is a special dessert made by Mrs. Cratchit, described as hard and firm, and is a source of pride and excitement for the family.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"Miss Belinda\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Miss Belinda is a member of the Cratchit family who assists in the dinner preparations, specifically changing the plates.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"Christmas is the festive occasion being celebrated by the Cratchit family, embodying themes of joy, togetherness, and gratitude.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Spirit refers to the moral lesson embodied by the Ghost that visits Scrooge, emphasizing compassion and the value of life.\")## \n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Founder of the Feast\"<|>\"title\"<|>\"The Founder of the Feast refers to Scrooge, whom Bob Cratchit acknowledges during the Christmas dinner, signifying gratitude toward Scrooge's provision for the meal.\")## \n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Goose\"<|>\"The Dinner\"<|>\"The Goose is a significant part of The Dinner, representing the main course that brings joy and satisfaction to the Cratchit family.\"<|>\"holiday meal, celebration\"<|>8)## \n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Pudding\"<|>\"The Dinner\"<|>\"The Pudding is a highlight of The Dinner, showcasing Mrs. Cratchit's skill and adding to the festive atmosphere.\"<|>\"dessert, holiday tradition\"<|>9)## \n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Miss Belinda\"<|>\"The Dinner\"<|>\"Miss Belinda's role in changing the plates represents her contribution to the family effort in celebrating The Dinner.\"<|>\"family contribution, teamwork\"<|>7)## \n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Christmas\"<|>\"The Dinner\"<|>\"The Dinner is part of the Christmas celebration, reflecting the traditions and spirit associated with this holiday.\"<|>\"festive occasion, celebration\"<|>10)## \n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Founder of the Feast\"<|>\"Scrooge's contribution as The Founder of the Feast is acknowledged by Bob, highlighting the connection between Scrooge and the Cratchit family's Christmas dinner.\"<|>\"gratitude, recognition\"<|>8)## \n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"holiday meal, familial love, gratitude, moral reflection\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "2ac2768c650ed961b04df670684310d8": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Lamplighter\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Lamplighter is a character who brings light to the street, symbolizing hope and joy as he dotting the dusky street with specks of light.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Moor\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Moor is depicted as a bleak and desolate landscape, symbolizing the harsh conditions where miners live.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Old Man\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Old Man is a character who sings a Christmas song, providing a sense of tradition and warmth amidst the desolate environment.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Hut\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Hut is a place where miners and their families gather to celebrate Christmas, representing warmth and community.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Miners\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Miners are individuals who labor in the moor, showcasing their resilience and connection to Christmas despite their harsh living conditions.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Officers\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Officers are dark, ghostly figures aboard the ship, participating in the shared camaraderie of the Christmas spirit.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Wave\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"The Wave is described as thundering and raging, representing the overwhelming natural forces present in the sea setting.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Storm-Birds\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"Storm-Birds are creatures associated with the wild sea, symbolizing the untamed nature of the environment around the lighthouse.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Lamplighter\"<|>\"The Lamplighter's cheerful demeanor contrasts with Scrooge's initial outlook, highlighting the possibility of joy in life.\"<|>\"contrast, positivity\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Old Man\"<|>\"The Hut\"<|>\"The Old Man leads the gathering in song within the Hut, showcasing the warmth of family during Christmas.\"<|>\"tradition, family gathering\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Miners\"<|>\"The Hut\"<|>\"The Miners find solace and community in the Hut during Christmas, emphasizing the importance of gathering during difficult times.\"<|>\"community, resilience\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Officers\"<|>\"The Ship\"<|>\"The Officers aboard the Ship share in the collective spirit of Christmas, contributing to the festive atmosphere during their duty.\"<|>\"camaraderie, festive spirit\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Wave\"<|>\"The Lighthouse\"<|>\"The Wave's constant battering of the Lighthouse highlights the isolation and challenges faced by those in such remote environments.\"<|>\"struggle, isolation\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Storm-Birds\"<|>\"The Lighthouse\"<|>\"Storm-Birds surrounding the Lighthouse reflect the wildness and unpredictability of the sea, enhancing the sense of danger and solitude.\"<|>\"wildness, nature\"<|>6)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"community, resilience, tradition, isolation, camaraderie\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "9b66edb1949404199c178f68e93e6385": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Spirit\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Spirit refers to the Ghost of Christmas Present, which embodies the essence of the Christmas season and serves as a guide for Scrooge.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Holly\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Holly represents a traditional decoration associated with Christmas, symbolizing festivity and the presence of the Christmas spirit.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Mistletoe\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Mistletoe is a plant used as a Christmas decoration, symbolizing love and goodwill during the holiday season.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Red Berries\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Red Berries are festive decorations representing the colors of Christmas, enhancing the holiday atmosphere.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Turkeys\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Turkeys are part of the Christmas feast, symbolizing the abundance and sharing associated with the holiday.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Poultry\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Poultry is another aspect of the Christmas feast, representing the various traditions of holiday meals.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Meat\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Meat refers to a significant part of the Christmas feast, further emphasizing the theme of abundance during the holiday.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Sausages\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Sausages are festive foods that complement the traditional Christmas meal, adding to the variety of the feast.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Oysters\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Oysters represent a delicacy often served during Christmas, symbolizing luxury and celebration.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Pies\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Pies are a traditional dessert during the Christmas season, embodying the spirit of sharing and celebration.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Puddings\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Puddings are a classic Christmas dessert, symbolizing warmth and indulgence during the holiday.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Fruit\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Fruit represents a staple part of the Christmas spread, emphasizing freshness and the joy of sharing.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Punch\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Punch refers to a festive drink that is often served at Christmas gatherings, contributing to the celebration.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Antique Scabbard\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The Antique Scabbard is a symbolic object seen on the Ghost, representing the notion of protection and history.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"Spirit\"<|>\"Scrooge interacts with the Spirit, who has come to teach him about the meaning of Christmas and share lessons of generosity.\"<|>\"transformation, mentorship\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Holly\"<|>\"The Ghost is adorned with Holly, emphasizing its association with Christmas and the spirit of celebration.\"<|>\"festivity, symbolism\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Mistletoe\"<|>\"The Spirit’s presence is enhanced by Mistletoe, a traditional decoration symbolizing love and goodwill.\"<|>\"tradition, symbolism\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Red Berries\"<|>\"The Ghost is surrounded by Red Berries, reinforcing the imagery of Christmas abundance and decoration.\"<|>\"festivity, abundance\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Turkeys\"<|>\"The Ghost showcases a feast that includes Turkeys, emphasizing the importance of sharing meals during Christmas.\"<|>\"feast, sharing\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Poultry\"<|>\"The Ghost presents Poultry as part of the Christmas spread, highlighting the traditional meals associated with the holiday.\"<|>\"feast, tradition\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Meat\"<|>\"The included Meat within the Ghost's feast symbolizes abundance and the spirit of generosity during Christmas.\"<|>\"abundance, generosity\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Sausages\"<|>\"The presence of Sausages in the Ghost's portrayal reinforces the variety often seen in Christmas dinners.\"<|>\"feast, variety\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Oysters\"<|>\"The inclusion of Oysters in the Christmas feast illustrates the luxury and indulgence during festive celebrations.\"<|>\"luxury, celebration\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Pies\"<|>\"Pies presented by the Ghost highlight the traditions of holiday desserts shared among families.\"<|>\"tradition, dessert\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Puddings\"<|>\"Puddings are part of the Ghost’s feast, embodying warmth and comfort during the Christmas season.\"<|>\"warmth, comfort\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Fruit\"<|>\"Fruit served by the Ghost reinforces the joy of sharing and the abundance of the Christmas season.\"<|>\"sharing, abundance\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Punch\"<|>\"Punch serves as a festive drink shared during Christmas, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere.\"<|>\"celebration, festivity\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Ghost of Christmas Present\"<|>\"Antique Scabbard\"<|>\"The Antique Scabbard worn by the Spirit symbolizes history and the guardianship of Christmas traditions.\"<|>\"history, guardianship\"<|>7)##\n<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "dadf46477737e1949143b410fc89ff80": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Peter Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Peter Cratchit is the eldest son of Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, who is portrayed as contemplative about his future as he considers a potential job opportunity.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Martha Cratchit\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Martha Cratchit is a daughter of Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, working as an apprentice at a milliner's and looking forward to the holiday for a good rest.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The children\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"The children are the offspring of the Cratchit family, showcasing innocence and joy during the Christmas celebrations, reacting with laughter and cheer.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Countess\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Countess is mentioned by Martha, indicating an encounter that highlights the social stratification and aspirations of the Cratchit family.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Lord\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Lord is referenced in Martha's account of her work, underscoring the contrast between the Cratchit family's modest means and the nobility.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Spirit's Torch\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Spirit's Torch symbolizes the joy and magic of the Christmas spirit, illuminating the family's happiness despite their hardships.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Gathering\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Gathering refers to the collective event of the family coming together to celebrate Christmas, filled with warmth and camaraderie despite their struggles.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Peter Cratchit\"<|>\"Martha Cratchit\"<|>\"Peter and Martha interact as siblings during the Christmas gathering, reflecting familial bonds and shared experiences.\"<|>\"sibling relationship, family dynamics\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Martha Cratchit\"<|>\"The Countess\"<|>\"Martha’s mention of having seen the Countess represents her connection to higher social circles and dreams beyond her current situation.\"<|>\"social aspirations, class contrast\"<|>5)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Tiny Tim\"<|>\"The Cratchit Family\"<|>\"Tiny Tim is an integral part of the Cratchit family, embodying their hopes and joys during the Christmas festivities.\"<|>\"family unity, hope\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit\"<|>\"The Gathering\"<|>\"Bob Cratchit leads his family in the Christmas Gathering, showcasing their love and commitment to celebrating together despite worries.\"<|>\"family commitment, celebration\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Spirit\"<|>\"The Gathering\"<|>\"The Spirit enhances The Gathering by infusing it with joy and positivity, transforming the atmosphere into one of celebration.\"<|>\"holiday influence, spirit embodiment\"<|>9)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"family unity, social class, aspirations, festive spirit\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "b5de796fb64e8985ac4e015cd42095a4": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"Holly\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Holly is mentioned as part of the traditional decorations associated with Christmas, symbolizing festivity.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Mistletoe\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Mistletoe is described in the context of Christmas decorations, often used for kissing and holiday celebrations.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Red Berries\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Red Berries are decorative elements commonly used during Christmas decorations, adding color and festivity.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Turkeys\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Turkeys are food items prominently featured in Christmas meals, representing a festive celebration of the holiday.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Geese\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Geese are also traditional food items that may be included in Christmas feasts, adding to the holiday cheer.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Poultry\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Poultry represents a variety of birds that are often prepared for Christmas dinners, enhancing the festive festivities.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Brawn\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Brawn refers to a traditional meat dish that may be part of Christmas festivities, highlighting culinary practices of the season.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Meat\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Meat serves as a general representation of the food consumed during Christmas celebrations, contributing to the holiday meals.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Sausages\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Sausages are food items mentioned that may be served during Christmas festivities, adding to the variety of traditional foods.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Oysters\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Oysters are considered delicacies that can enhance special occasions such as Christmas, indicating celebratory dining.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Pies\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Pies, often sweet, are traditional desserts served during Christmas, symbolizing festive dessert offerings.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Puddings\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Puddings are showcased as a traditional dessert during Christmas celebrations, central to holiday meals.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Fruit\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Fruit represents the fresh produce that accompanies holiday meals, bringing color and variety to the Christmas table.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Punch\"<|>\"organization\"<|>\"Punch is a festive beverage that is often served during Christmas celebrations, adding to the holiday spirit.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"City Streets\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"City Streets are referenced as the setting where people are celebrating and making music, contributing to the festive atmosphere of Christmas morning.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Snow\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"Snow is a significant element of the Christmas setting, emphasizing the winter atmosphere and contributing to the imagery of the holiday.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Parapets\"<|>\"geo\"<|>\"Parapets are structures that people use to engage in playful activities, such as throwing snowballs during Christmas celebrations.\")##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"Christmas decorations, festive foods, winter atmosphere, community joy\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "5e401523b119c8201c5f3fb0689a28e8": {
- "return": "(\"entity\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"event\"<|>\"The Ghost serves as a supernatural guide for Scrooge, revealing lessons about kindness, death, and the emotional repercussions of one's actions.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Mother\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Mother is a character who exhibits anxiety and hope as she awaits her husband's return, embodying the emotional depth of family relations during hardship.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Husband\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Husband is depicted as a careworn man, bringing news that impacts his family's emotional state, symbolizing the struggle between hope and despair.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Peter\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"Peter is a son in the Cratchit family, responsible and calm, attempting to engage his siblings amidst a tense family situation and financial uncertainty.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Children\"<|>\"person\"<|>\"The Children in the Cratchit family represent innocence and curiosity, highlighting the effects of their family's struggles on their happiness.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"The Debt\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"The Debt symbolizes the financial burdens faced by the Cratchit family, a source of anxiety and tension impacting their morale and outlook.\")##\n(\"entity\"<|>\"Hope\"<|>\"concept\"<|>\"Hope emerges as a central theme in the characters' lives, particularly through Caroline's reaction to news about the husband and the family's future.\")##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Ghost\"<|>\"Scrooge\"<|>\"The Ghost interacts with Scrooge, revealing truths that challenge his perspective on life and death.\"<|>\"rebuke, self-discovery\"<|>10)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Mother\"<|>\"The Husband\"<|>\"The Mother expresses anxiety and eagerness as she interacts with her husband, showcasing the emotional strain caused by uncertainty.\"<|>\"marital dynamics, emotional strain\"<|>8)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Husband\"<|>\"Caroline\"<|>\"The Husband and Caroline's conversation illustrates the tension between optimism and the reality of their situation after receiving distressing news.\"<|>\"communication, emotional burden\"<|>7)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Peter\"<|>\"The Children\"<|>\"Peter acts as a stabilizing force among The Children, leading them in moments of uncertainty and representing familial responsibility.\"<|>\"leadership, sibling dynamics\"<|>6)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"The Debt\"<|>\"The Cratchit House\"<|>\"The Debt looms over The Cratchit House, contributing to the emotional atmosphere and fears of its inhabitants during the story.\"<|>\"financial burden, atmosphere\"<|>9)##\n(\"relationship\"<|>\"Hope\"<|>\"Caroline\"<|>\"Hope influences Caroline's reactions and actions throughout the story, serving as both a motivator and a source of inner conflict.\"<|>\"emotional resilience, motivation\"<|>8)##\n(\"content_keywords\"<|>\"hope, family struggles, emotional dynamics, financial burden\")<|COMPLETE|>",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "9b676559c7ffd6e8d9eb46019f7bb76f": {
- "return": "Bob Cratchit is a significant character in Charles Dickens' \"A Christmas Carol,\" serving as Scrooge's dedicated clerk and embodiment of the struggles faced by the working class. He is depicted as a humble family man, exhibiting warmth and joy at home despite his limited income. Cratchit demonstrates a sense of hope, particularly highlighted during the Christmas season, where he attempts to maintain positivity in the face of challenges.\n\nAs the father of Tiny Tim and head of the Cratchit family, Bob exemplifies deep familial love and concern, striving to care for his children amidst financial hardships. He is characterized by his kindness and emotional depth, particularly in caring for Tiny Tim's wellbeing. The Cratchit household is filled with a warm atmosphere, and Cratchit's joy and gratitude during their Christmas dinner starkly contrast with Scrooge's initial miserly demeanor.\n\nDespite his struggles, Bob Cratchit is portrayed as a voice of moderation and kindness, especially during family celebrations. His character captures the essence of duty and love, and he expresses happiness and appreciation during difficult times, showing affection for his children and a strong commitment to his family. His arrival late to work after celebrating Christmas highlights his trepidation toward Scrooge, yet it also reflects Scrooge's eventual generosity towards him, including an intention to support the Cratchit family.\n\nIn summary, Bob Cratchit is not only a devoted father and husband but also a representation of resilience and the importance of family, embodying the spirit of hope and joy amidst adversity in \"A Christmas Carol.\"",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "4b427f9d0a6468eeb2d77eb421e41694": {
- "return": "Tiny Tim, whose full name is Tim Cratchit, is a young boy and the youngest son of Bob Cratchit in Charles Dickens' \"A Christmas Carol.\" He is a frail child who embodies innocence and vulnerability, serving as a poignant symbol of hope and resilience. Despite his health struggles, characterized by being a cripple, Tiny Tim maintains a joyful spirit and a positive outlook on life, which brings joy to those around him and highlights the warmth of the Christmas season.\n\nTiny Tim's character serves multiple significant roles within the narrative. He represents the harsh realities of illness and poverty faced by the Cratchit family, evoking compassion and drawing attention to their struggles. His presence is central to the family's emotional state, reflecting their hopes for the future and their love for one another. Tiny Tim's plight also becomes a focal point for Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation, as Tiny Tim symbolizes the impact of Scrooge's change of heart—ultimately illustrating the themes of generosity and the value of family.\n\nThroughout the story, Tiny Tim participates in festive celebrations, including the Christmas toast, but remains acutely aware of his family's difficulties. He is cherished by his family, particularly by his father, Bob, who often expresses profound love and concern for his well-being. Tiny Tim's role as a representation of innocence and goodness resonates throughout \"A Christmas Carol,\" leaving a lasting impression on both the characters in the story and the readers alike.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "59d9eb171bdc2f6f33906a87ba51ea54": {
- "return": "Christmas is a significant and festive occasion that plays a crucial role in the narrative, especially seen through the experiences of the Cratchit family and the character of Ebenezer Scrooge. It embodies themes of joy, love, generosity, and community, highlighting the importance of family togetherness and the spirit of giving. For the Cratchit family, Christmas represents a time of celebration, warmth, and gratitude, filled with merriment and social gatherings, where they come together to create cherished memories despite their modest means.\n\nIn contrast, Scrooge initially dismisses Christmas, viewing it with cynicism and referring to it as a \"humbug.\" His cold demeanor and rejection of the holiday stand in stark contrast to the joy and festive atmosphere surrounding it. Throughout the story, the holiday acts as a backdrop for his transformation, as he is confronted with his memories and reflections on joy, loneliness, and the relationships he has neglected. Christmas becomes pivotal in emphasizing the themes of redemption, generosity, and social responsibility, ultimately leading Scrooge to embrace the values he once rejected.\n\nThe holiday is depicted through scenes of communal spirit, with people engaging in festivities, celebrating with dances, and interacting joyfully in the streets. It emphasizes the positive impact of the holiday spirit on individuals and serves as a time of emotional reflection for Scrooge, marking a significant change in his character. By the end of the narrative, Christmas symbolizes a time of goodwill and transformation, as Scrooge decides to embrace the holiday's spirit of joy and giving, leaving behind his previous disdain and solitude. Overall, Christmas is central to the themes and character development within the story, highlighting the power of love, generosity, and community.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "bd98cc9c05c7b7bd0c3d0422895a0500": {
- "return": "Scrooge is a central character in the narrative, undergoing a profound transformation that highlights his emotional turmoil and reflective journey. Initially depicted as a miserly and cold-hearted individual, Scrooge embodies greed and displays a profound disdain for Christmas, focusing solely on his business and lacking compassion for others. He is characterized as a solitary figure, often referred to in negative terms, such as the “Ogre of the family” or as a “tight-fisted old man.” His reluctance to engage in charitable acts and his indifference towards the festive spirit of Christmas create a stark contrast to the transformation he ultimately experiences.\n\nThroughout the story, Scrooge is confronted by supernatural elements, notably the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him of the consequences of his actions. This encounter sparks a series of reflections prompted by visits from three spirits, which guide him through scenes from his past, present, and future. These experiences evoke feelings of horror, agitation, and regret as he contemplates the consequences of his miserliness and the moral implications of his actions. He recalls his lonely childhood and the decisions that have shaped his pessimistic worldview, prompting deep emotional vulnerability.\n\nAs he interacts with the spirits, Scrooge witnesses both joy and hardship, particularly relating to the Cratchit family and Tiny Tim, igniting feelings of grief, longing for connection, and a recognition of his own mortality. This journey leads him to acknowledge his past mistakes and consider the impacts of his life choices on others, ultimately fostering an internal struggle between his prior skepticism and a budding capacity for empathy.\n\nBy the narrative's conclusion, Scrooge's character has undergone a significant transformation. He emerges from his experiences with a newfound joy and a commitment to generosity and compassion. He embraces the spirit of Christmas, taking steps to positively impact the lives of those around him, particularly Bob Cratchit and his family. Scrooge’s evolution from a grumpy, indifferent man to one filled with goodwill and the spirit of Christmas is central to the narrative, illustrating the themes of redemption, compassion, and the importance of community.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "add8b887f3594b7b88931ad42a3ad6fa": {
- "return": "Mrs. Cratchit is depicted as Bob Cratchit's supportive and industrious wife, embodying warmth and resilience amidst their financial struggles. She plays a central role in managing the household and preparing festive meals, notably the Christmas pudding, showcasing her pride in family traditions and her cooking skills. Despite feeling strong disdain for Scrooge, she passionately engages in the Christmas festivities for the sake of her family, reflecting her nurturing nature and concern for her children's well-being, particularly in regard to Tiny Tim's health. Throughout the holiday preparations, Mrs. Cratchit displays her devotion and care, striving to create a joyous atmosphere despite their limited resources. She is portrayed as both outspoken and energetic, contributing to the emotional dynamics of the family while remaining focused on their shared experiences during the Christmas celebration.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "57c5e1889e1159e05b2eabaa5e57a130": {
- "return": "Jacob Marley is the deceased business partner of Ebenezer Scrooge, who appears as a ghost to convey significant messages about the consequences of a life lived without compassion. He is depicted as wearing chains, which symbolize the burden of his past misdeeds and the regrets that haunt him. Marley plays a crucial role in introducing the spirits that guide Scrooge on his journey toward redemption.\n\nAs a ghost, Jacob Marley warns Scrooge about his impending fate if he continues on his selfish path, highlighting the importance of charity, kindness, and connection to humanity. Through his visitation, Marley seeks to influence Scrooge's change of heart by representing both the weight of one's past actions and the potential for transformation. His presence serves as a catalyst for Scrooge’s eventual realization of the need for change, compelling him to reflect on his life choices and the impact they have on others.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "3ed3ce0022a8b1dcef7372e0b833cc7f": {
- "return": "\"The Spirit\" is a multifaceted ghostly figure within the narrative, primarily guiding Ebenezer Scrooge on a transformative journey during the Christmas season. The Spirit embodies various aspects of Christmas, showcasing the themes of joy, generosity, and moral introspection. It serves as both a supernatural and emotional guide, encouraging Scrooge to witness joyful moments and the resilience of people during Christmas, thus profoundly influencing his perspective on life.\n\nThe Spirit is associated with the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Past, symbolizing the ideas of reflection, memory, and moral guidance. It prompts Scrooge to engage deeply with his past, urging him to recognize the consequences of his actions and the significance of compassion and community in life. Furthermore, The Spirit acts as a guiding force that helps Scrooge understand the value of happiness and the importance of generosity, particularly during the festive season.\n\nThroughout the narrative, The Spirit's presence significantly alters the mood of Christmas, promoting an atmosphere of cheer and mirth as it guides Scrooge through various scenarios. It invokes critical reflections on existential queries, ultimately playing a vital role in Scrooge's transformation, pushing him towards meaningful change and a re-evaluation of his life choices. In essence, The Spirit encapsulates the collective essence of the Christmas spirits, representing a powerful influence over personal growth and transformation.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "4deffd8dfd38f5cbfa1ad29b30f8c2e7": {
- "return": "Bob Cratchit is a significant character in Charles Dickens' \"A Christmas Carol,\" serving as Ebenezer Scrooge's dedicated clerk and an embodiment of the struggles faced by the working class. He is depicted as a struggling yet loving family man, whose household is blessed by the Spirit of Christmas. Despite his low wages, Cratchit exhibits warmth and joy at home, particularly during the Christmas season, where he strives to maintain a positive atmosphere amidst financial hardships.\n\nAs the father of Tiny Tim and head of the Cratchit family, Bob exemplifies deep familial love and concern. He is characterized by his kindness and emotional depth, showing dedication to caring for his children and addressing Tiny Tim's well-being. Bob is a mild-mannered character who expresses happiness and appreciation during family celebrations, capturing the essence of duty and love.\n\nCratchit's arrival late to work after Christmas highlights his trepidation toward Scrooge, yet it also reflects Scrooge's newfound generosity towards him. This generosity serves as a stark contrast to Cratchit's warm and positive demeanor, which remains consistent despite his challenges. The Cratchit household is filled with a warm atmosphere, where Cratchit's joy during their Christmas dinner stands in contrast to Scrooge's initial miserly attitude.\n\nIn summary, Bob Cratchit is not only a devoted father and husband but also a representation of resilience, hope, and the importance of family. He embodies the spirit of joy amidst adversity, making him a compelling and heartwarming character within the narrative of \"A Christmas Carol.\"",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "e8dfb51c975f7be9e3123d191be1780c": {
- "return": "\"The Ghost\" refers to a spectral manifestation of Jacob Marley, who appears to communicate a crucial message to Ebenezer Scrooge regarding the spiritual consequences of his life choices. This supernatural entity serves multiple roles, including guiding Scrooge through reflections on his past and evoking feelings of realization and remorse about his behavior. The Ghost represents a crucial figure in Scrooge's journey toward redemption, highlighting the importance of human virtue and kindness, and warning him about the dire repercussions of neglecting these values throughout his life.\n\nDescribed as a strange figure possessing qualities both of a child and an old man, The Ghost embodies the supernatural intervention in Scrooge's life. It facilitates his transformation by revealing lessons about kindness, death, and the emotional repercussions of one’s actions. The Ghost shows Scrooge various scenes from his past and the joys of family, emphasizing the significance of Christmas and serving as a catalyst for self-reflection.\n\nAdditionally, The Ghost instills a sense of dread in Scrooge while symbolizing the theme of redemption. This spectral figure conveys an important message regarding the impending visits from three spirits and helps Scrooge confront and come to terms with his past. Overall, The Ghost encapsulates themes of change, redemption, and moral lessons, acting as a guiding presence that ultimately influences Scrooge's emotional state and paves the way for his ultimate redemption.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "59a8f621f87e84f74cfe9e6d613bf489": {
- "return": "Tiny Tim, whose full name is Tim Cratchit, is a significant character in Charles Dickens' \"A Christmas Carol,\" serving as the youngest son of Bob Cratchit. He is depicted as a frail child who embodies innocence, vulnerability, and hope, symbolizing resilience in the face of adversity. Despite his struggles with health—characterized by being a cripple—Tiny Tim maintains a joyful spirit and a positive attitude that brings joy to those around him.\n\nTiny Tim's character plays multiple essential roles within the narrative. He serves as a poignant reminder of the harsh realities of illness and poverty experienced by the Cratchit family, highlighting their struggles and evoking compassion from others, including Ebenezer Scrooge. His well-being is central to the family's emotional state, embodying their hopes for the future and the love that binds them together. Tiny Tim's presence is particularly impactful for Scrooge, illustrating how transformation and generosity can influence lives profoundly.\n\nIn addition to his role within the Cratchit family, Tiny Tim participates in festive celebrations, such as the Christmas toast, but remains acutely aware of his family's hardships. Cherished by his family, especially by his father, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim is often a focal point of love and concern, reinforcing the themes of family and togetherness. He represents innocence and goodness, leaving a lasting impression on both the characters within the story and the readers, ultimately embodying the spirit of Christmas and the possibility of hope and renewal.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "815211ca6ec39c366a42a5e2c3c070a4": {
- "return": "Christmas is a significant and festive season that embodies themes of joy, love, generosity, and community, playing a crucial role in the narrative, particularly through the experiences of the Cratchit family and the character of Ebenezer Scrooge. It is depicted as a time for family togetherness, celebration, and emotional reflection. During this holiday, the Cratchit family experiences warmth, gratitude, and merriment, creating cherished memories despite their modest circumstances.\n\nIn stark contrast, Scrooge initially approaches Christmas with cynicism, dismissively referring to it as a \"humbug\" and rejecting the joy and goodwill that the season represents. His cold demeanor and disdain for the holiday stand in stark opposition to the spirit of generosity and community that prevails around him. Throughout the story, Christmas serves as the backdrop for Scrooge’s transformation, forcing him to confront his past and the relationships he has neglected, which becomes a critical aspect of his character development.\n\nThe narrative highlights Christmas as a time of joy and giving, emphasizing the importance of social responsibility and emotional connections within a community. It showcases joyful scenes of people celebrating, dancing, and engaging in festive activities, which starkly contrast with Scrooge's earlier solitude and disdain. By the end, Christmas symbolizes redemption and transformation for Scrooge, as he ultimately decides to embrace the holiday's spirit of goodwill, leaving behind his previous bitterness. Consequently, Christmas emerges as a pivotal element that reinforces the story's exploration of redemption, generosity, and the transformative power of love and community.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "6dffff0a09e2e507bceeff9f01b83775": {
- "return": "Scrooge is a central character in the narrative who undergoes a profound transformation, highlighted by his emotional turmoil and reflective journey. Initially depicted as a miserly, cold-hearted individual characterized by greed and a disdain for Christmas, Scrooge embodies the traits of a solitary figure, often referred to negatively as the “Ogre of the family” or a “tight-fisted old man.” His lack of compassion for others and reluctance to engage in charitable acts create a stark contrast to the growth he eventually experiences.\n\nThe turning point in Scrooge's journey begins with a haunting visit from the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him of the dire consequences of his actions. This encounter sets off a series of supernatural visits from three spirits that guide Scrooge through his past, present, and future. Through these reflections, Scrooge experiences horror, agitation, and regret as he contemplates the implications of his miserliness, recalling lonely moments from his childhood and decisions that fostered his pessimistic outlook on life.\n\nAs he interacts with the spirits, Scrooge witnesses both joy and hardship, particularly in relation to the Cratchit family and Tiny Tim, which ignites feelings of grief and a longing for connection. This emotional journey leads him to recognize his mortality and the impact of his life choices on others, sparking an internal struggle between his prior skepticism and a burgeoning capacity for empathy.\n\nBy the conclusion of the story, Scrooge has experienced a significant transformation. Emerging from his encounters with a newfound sense of joy and a commitment to kindness, he embraces the spirit of Christmas, striving to positively influence the lives of those around him, especially Bob Cratchit and his family. Scrooge’s evolution from a grumpy, indifferent man to one filled with goodwill encapsulates the narrative's themes of redemption, compassion, and the importance of community, demonstrating that change is possible and that love and generosity can triumph over isolation and greed.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "efe2e79f30a5c3dd8e37940721610fe1": {
- "return": "Fred is Ebenezer Scrooge's lively nephew, who embodies the spirit of Christmas and serves as a striking contrast to Scrooge's misanthropic nature. He represents familial love and joy, often inviting Scrooge to family gatherings and emphasizing the importance of familial connections during the holiday season. Fred expresses admiration for his uncle and raises a toast in his honor at Christmas gatherings, showcasing his warmth and festive spirit. His character highlights the warmth of family that Scrooge initially rejects, and he is depicted as a friendly figure who is surprised and pleased by Scrooge's unexpected visits. Overall, Fred exemplifies the joy and unity of Christmas, passionately inviting Scrooge to embrace the happiness associated with the holiday and family.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "e28347f5e0a769b02f98c737fd20b023": {
- "return": "Fezziwig is a character renowned for his role as a joyful and jovial employer who hosts domestic balls, creating an atmosphere filled with happiness and merriment for his participants. He is depicted as a kind-hearted figure who organizes lively Christmas festivities for his employees, exemplifying kindness and generosity. Fezziwig plays a significant role in the memories of Ebenezer Scrooge, being portrayed as his former employer who embodies the true spirit of Christmas.\n\nHe is often seen dancing with his wife, Mrs. Fezziwig, which further illustrates his cheerful nature and the festive spirit surrounding the celebrations. As the owner of a business where these vibrant festivities take place, Fezziwig is celebrated for his ability to create a lively and joyful environment, leaving a lasting impression on those who encounter him during the festive seasons. His portrayal encapsulates the essence of joy, generosity, and the festive spirit, making him a beloved character in the narrative of Scrooge's past.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "44b4969e464de1b68cd7fffc2df10107": {
- "return": "Marley is Scrooge's deceased business partner, whose presence looms over the narrative of the story, symbolizing the dire consequences of a life lived without compassion and care for others. His death serves as a significant event that sets the tone for the plot and reflects the overarching themes of regret and the supernatural.\n\nMarley passed away seven years prior to the events depicted, making his spectral appearance even more impactful. Despite being a character who is only mentioned throughout much of the story, his influence on Scrooge is profound, as reflections and memories of Marley shape Scrooge's perspective on life and relationships. This ghostly figure is depicted distinctly with a pigtail, waistcoat, tights, and boots, making him central to Scrooge's haunting experience.\n\nOverall, Marley represents the weight of past actions and the importance of empathy, acting as a harbinger of transformation for Scrooge. His ghostly manifestation evokes both fear and introspection, ultimately contributing to the moral lessons embedded in the tale.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "3a3eb8f6a4024ed5f54a09bece900570": {
- "return": "\"The Spirit\" is a multifaceted supernatural entity guiding Ebenezer Scrooge through a transformative journey during the Christmas season. It is portrayed as a ghostly figure, encompassing the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Past, and serves to illuminate various themes including joy, generosity, and moral introspection. Throughout the narrative, The Spirit influences Scrooge's emotional journey, encouraging him to reflect on his past and understand the consequences of his actions.\n\nAs a guiding force, The Spirit prompts Scrooge to engage deeply with his memories, helping him realize the value of happiness and the importance of compassion and community in life. It plays a critical role in shaping the atmosphere of Christmas, promoting an environment filled with cheer and mirth as it leads Scrooge through moments of reflection and revelry. \n\nBy embodying the collective essence of the Christmas spirits, The Spirit acts as a moral compass for Scrooge, pushing him towards meaningful change and a reevaluation of his life choices. Ultimately, The Spirit serves as both a supernatural guide and an emotional influence, signifying the profound impact of reflection, memory, and personal transformation during the holiday season.",
- "model": "gpt-4o-mini"
- },
- "cf82d8a7e6a0ae8cf73878e2a910fef0": {
- "return": "Tiny Tim, whose real name is Tim Cratchit, is a significant character in Charles Dickens' \"A Christmas Carol\" and is portrayed as Bob Cratchit's youngest son. He symbolizes hope, innocence, and resilience amidst the hardships faced by the Cratchit family, who struggle with poverty and illness. Described as a frail child and a cripple, Tiny Tim maintains an optimistic outlook and a joyful spirit, bringing joy to those around him and embodying the essence of goodness.\n\nTiny Tim's well-being is pivotal to the emotional state of his family, as he represents their hopes for the future and the love that unites them. His presence serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges posed by illness and poverty, evoking compassion from others, particularly Ebenezer Scrooge. Through Tiny Tim, the narrative conveys themes of family, generosity, and the potential for transformation, illustrating how acts of kindness can profoundly impact lives.\n\nDespite being acutely aware of his family's hardships, Tiny Tim participates in festive celebrations, such as the Christmas toast, showcasing his ability to embody the spirit of Christmas. Cherished by his family, particularly by his father, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim is often at the center of love and concern, reinforcing his role as a symbol of innocence and hope. Overall, Tiny Tim leaves a lasting impression on both other characters and readers, encapsulating the themes of hope and renewal that resonate throughout the story.",
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- "d34942c45d6b2e409bbd81368ef59b2f": {
- "return": "Bob Cratchit is a significant character in Charles Dickens' \"A Christmas Carol,\" serving as Ebenezer Scrooge's dedicated clerk and an embodiment of the struggles faced by the working class. He is depicted as a struggling yet loving family man, whose household is blessed by the Spirit of Christmas. Despite his low wages, Cratchit exhibits warmth and joy at home, particularly during the festive season, striving to maintain a positive atmosphere amidst financial hardships. \n\nAs the father of Tiny Tim and head of the Cratchit family, Bob exemplifies deep familial love and concern, demonstrating kindness and emotional depth while caring for his children. He is portrayed as a mild-mannered character who expresses happiness and appreciation during family celebrations, capturing the essence of duty and love. Bob's affection for his children and his consistent concern for Tiny Tim's well-being highlight his dedication to family life.\n\nCratchit's arrival late to work after Christmas illustrates his trepidation about Scrooge, though it also signals Scrooge's newfound generosity towards him. This contrast underscores Cratchit's warm and positive demeanor, which remains steadfast despite his challenges. The Cratchit household radiates warmth, with Bob’s joy during their Christmas dinner sharply contrasting Scrooge's initial miserly attitude.\n\nIn summary, Bob Cratchit is not only a devoted father and husband but also a representation of resilience, hope, and the importance of family. He embodies the spirit of joy amidst adversity, making him a compelling and heartwarming character within the narrative of \"A Christmas Carol.\"",
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- "b3aedce96ee5cb39cf093e445c918444": {
- "return": "Christmas is a significant and festive season that embodies themes of joy, love, generosity, and community. It plays a crucial role in the narrative, particularly through the experiences of the Cratchit family and the character of Ebenezer Scrooge. The holiday is depicted as a time for family togetherness, celebration, and emotional reflection. During this season, the Cratchit family experiences warmth, gratitude, and merriment, creating cherished memories despite their modest circumstances.\n\nIn stark contrast, Scrooge initially approaches Christmas with cynicism, dismissively referring to it as a \"humbug\" and rejecting the joy and goodwill that the season represents. His cold demeanor and disdain for the holiday stand in opposition to the spirit of generosity and community that prevails around him. The narrative highlights Christmas as a time of joy and giving, emphasizing the importance of social responsibility and emotional connections within a community.\n\nThroughout the story, Christmas serves as the backdrop for Scrooge’s transformation, forcing him to confront his past and the relationships he has neglected, which becomes a critical aspect of his character development. The holiday is also referenced as one that Scrooge's Nephew is passionate about, further contrasting with Scrooge's cynical views.\n\nAs the story unfolds, Christmas symbolizes redemption and change for Scrooge, who ultimately decides to embrace the holiday's spirit of goodwill and abandon his previous bitterness. Christmas emerges as a pivotal element that reinforces the story's exploration of redemption, generosity, and the transformative power of love and community. Joyful scenes of people celebrating, dancing, and engaging in festive activities starkly contrast with Scrooge's earlier solitude and disdain, highlighting the pervasive influence of this festive occasion on the thoughts and behaviors of all characters involved.",
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- "9abfb7726432aeb32d6e7505c94f41c5": {
- "return": "The Ghost is a crucial supernatural being in the narrative that interacts with Ebenezer Scrooge, guiding him through a transformative journey. Described as a strange figure exhibiting qualities of both a child and an old man, The Ghost embodies the supernatural intervention in Scrooge's life, serving as a catalyst for self-reflection and moral realization. This spectral manifestation, identified as the apparition of Jacob Marley, instills dread in Scrooge while simultaneously delivering a critical message about the repercussions of his choices and the need for change.\n\nThroughout his encounters with The Ghost, Scrooge is shown various scenes from his past, which evoke deep emotions and highlight the joys of family and the significance of Christmas. The Ghost emphasizes themes of redemption, kindness, and the emotional consequences of one's actions, urging Scrooge to confront his past and reconsider his life choices. This supervision reveals lessons about the importance of human virtue and the need for compassion towards others.\n\nUltimately, The Ghost acts as a guiding presence, influencing Scrooge's emotional state and facilitating his journey toward redemption. By confronting his past and acknowledging the impending visits from three spirits, Scrooge begins to understand the value of kindness and the dire consequences of neglecting these moral values throughout his life. In summary, The Ghost serves as a key figure in Scrooge's transformation, encapsulating the overarching themes of change, redemption, and moral lessons.",
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- "95271b66695b07bc0cb726ac6c085621": {
- "return": "Scrooge is a central character in the narrative, whose journey encapsulates profound emotional turmoil and transformation. Initially depicted as a miserly, cold-hearted individual characterized by greed and a disdain for Christmas, Scrooge is often referred to negatively as the “Ogre of the family” or a “tight-fisted old man.” His lack of compassion for others and reluctance to engage in charitable acts highlight his solitary nature and indifference to the festive spirit.\n\nThe turning point in Scrooge's journey begins with a haunting visit from the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley. This encounter warns him of the dire consequences of his actions and sets off a series of supernatural visits from three spirits that guide Scrooge through his past, present, and future. As he reflects on his life during these encounters, he experiences horror, agitation, and regret, particularly as he contemplates the implications of his miserliness and recalls lonely moments from his childhood.\n\nThrough interactions with the spirits, Scrooge witnesses both joy and sorrow, particularly in his observations of the Cratchit family and Tiny Tim. These reflections ignite feelings of grief and a longing for connection, prompting Scrooge to recognize his mortality and the far-reaching impact of his life choices on others. This emotional struggle fosters a conflict between his prior skepticism and a burgeoning capacity for empathy.\n\nUltimately, by the conclusion of the story, Scrooge undergoes a significant transformation. Emerging from his encounters with a newfound sense of joy and commitment to kindness, he embraces the spirit of Christmas and strives to positively influence the lives of those around him, especially Bob Cratchit and his family. His evolution from a grumpy, indifferent man to one filled with goodwill encapsulates the narrative's themes of redemption, compassion, and community, demonstrating that change is not only possible but that love and generosity can triumph over isolation and greed.",
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- "37d40959756e2d80647ca38e1495c668": {
- "return": "Peter Cratchit is the eldest son of Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, characterized by his youthful innocence and enthusiasm. He actively participates in the festive meal preparation, expressing excitement about dressing up and contributing to the family's Christmas celebration. As a member of the Cratchit family, Peter embodies the joy and unity of the household, particularly highlighted during their interactions surrounding Tiny Tim, his ailing younger brother. Additionally, Peter is portrayed as contemplative regarding his future, considering a potential job opportunity. This combination of excitement for the present and reflection on the future underscores his dynamic role within the family, illustrating the themes of hope and resilience amidst their challenges.",
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- "188ced6a51350b354e6ca595ad900a7b": {
- "return": "The Children are a lively and joyful group experiencing wonder and delight, especially during the gift-giving scenes of the Christmas festivities. They embody innocence and joy, highlighting the untainted happiness of childhood, a happiness that Ebenezer Scrooge longs to reconnect with. Among them are the offspring of the Cratchit family, who, despite the struggles their family faces, react with laughter and cheer during the Christmas celebrations. The Children symbolize familial warmth and chaotic joy in various settings, including the matron's home and their own family's environment, showcasing their carefree nature and the profound effects of their circumstances on their happiness. Overall, they represent the pure and curious essence of childhood, serving as a reminder of the happiness that can persist even amidst adversity.",
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- "fcb702d894133971cc60f02ab4abd547": {
- "return": "Scrooge's Nephew is a cheerful and optimistic character who embodies the spirit of Christmas, consistently challenging his uncle Scrooge's gloomy outlook on both Christmas and life. He is characterized by his contagious laughter and good humor, starkly contrasting with Scrooge's miserliness and pessimism. This jovial character actively participates in family gatherings, engaging in games and displaying a joyful demeanor. He finds humor in Scrooge's ill temper and wealth, often emphasizing the positive qualities of Christmas despite his uncle's negativity. Warm-hearted and determined, Scrooge's Nephew makes repeated attempts to involve Scrooge in the festive spirit, even in the face of his uncle's rebuffs. Overall, he represents a vibrant spirit of joy and laughter, serving as a lively counterpoint to Scrooge's initial persona.",
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- "be4078c8712b67c5254f0b1615306cb1": {
- "return": "Project Gutenberg is a digital library and organization dedicated to the free distribution of electronic works, particularly eBooks that are not protected by U.S. copyright law. It offers access to a vast array of literature, allowing for worldwide distribution under specific conditions. The organization aims to promote accessibility to literature without restrictions, providing eBooks in various formats to users globally.\n\nProject Gutenberg relies on the support of volunteers and donations to maintain its extensive collection, which serves the purpose of preserving cultural heritage through public domain literature. Additionally, the organization holds a compilation copyright for its collection, ensuring that its offerings are both legally sound and accessible to the public.\n\nIn essence, Project Gutenberg is committed to making literature freely available to everyone, championing the cause of open access to knowledge and cultural works.",
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- "return": "Mrs. Cratchit is Bob Cratchit's devoted and hardworking wife, who plays a vital role in nurturing their family. She is characterized by her strong dedication to creating a joyous atmosphere in their home, despite the financial difficulties they face. As the mother of the Cratchit family, Mrs. Cratchit is nurturing and energetic, diligently managing Christmas preparations and ensuring that her children are well taken care of.\n\nProud of her cooking skills, particularly her Christmas pudding, Mrs. Cratchit showcases her commitment to family traditions. During the holiday festivities, she is actively involved, embodying warmth and resilience as she prepares meals and engages in celebrations that lift her family’s spirits. Her love for her family is evident as she expresses concern for her children, especially Tiny Tim, whose health brings emotional depth to their Christmas gathering.\n\nWhile she is portrayed as outspoken and harboring resentment towards Scrooge, she ultimately puts aside her feelings to fully participate in the Christmas festivities for the sake of her family. Her character embodies a blend of strength and vulnerability, reflecting both her pride and her struggles, and she remains a pivotal figure in the family's emotional dynamics during the holiday season.",
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- "6738bfb81d8ab602900c4355ac2a7283": {
- "return": "Christmas is a significant and festive season that embodies themes of joy, love, generosity, and community, playing a crucial role in the narrative, particularly through the experiences of the Cratchit family and Ebenezer Scrooge. It is depicted as a time for family togetherness, celebration, and emotional reflection. For the Cratchit family, Christmas is a period marked by warmth, gratitude, and merriment, creating cherished memories despite their modest circumstances.\n\nIn contrast, Scrooge initially approaches Christmas with cynicism, referring to it dismissively as a \"humbug\" and rejecting the joy and goodwill that the season represents. His cold demeanor and disdain starkly oppose the spirit of generosity and community that permeates the holiday. The narrative emphasizes Christmas as a time of celebration and change, showcasing social responsibility and the importance of emotional connections within a community.\n\nChristmas serves as the backdrop for Scrooge's transformation, compelling him to confront his neglected relationships and past choices, which is integral to his character development. It is also associated with his Nephew, who passionately advocates for the holiday, further highlighting the contrast with Scrooge's cynical views.\n\nAs the story progresses, Christmas symbolizes redemption and change for Scrooge, who ultimately embraces the holiday's spirit of goodwill and abandons his bitterness. The festive occasion emerges as a pivotal element that reinforces exploration of redemption, generosity, and the transformative power of love and community. Joyful scenes of people celebrating, dancing, and engaging in festive activities sharply contrast with Scrooge's earlier solitude and disdain, underscoring the profound influence of Christmas on the thoughts and behaviors of all characters involved.",
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- "ad29dacc156636211c9e2acee1036972": {
- "return": "Jacob Marley is Scrooge's deceased business partner, who appears as a ghost, prominently wearing chains that symbolize the burdens of his past misdeeds and the weight of his regrets. As a spirit, Marley plays a pivotal role in influencing Ebenezer Scrooge's journey toward redemption. He visits Scrooge to convey significant messages about the dire consequences of a life devoid of compassion and the critical importance of charity and kindness.\n\nMarley's haunting presence serves as a warning to Scrooge about his impending fate if he continues on his selfish and isolated path. He is depicted as showing genuine concern for Scrooge's welfare and the necessity for transformative change in his life. Through his visitation, Marley acts as a catalyst, compelling Scrooge to reflect on his past actions and their impact on others. His connection to Scrooge's history reinforces the themes of redemption and personal responsibility, emphasizing the potential for transformation and renewal in the face of prior wrongdoings. Ultimately, Jacob Marley's spirit not only acts as a reminder of the consequences of one's choices but also highlights the possibility of change and growth through self-awareness and connection to humanity.",
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- "9e37b2e1b4c1dc22f558c100c91e6019": {
- "return": "The \"Spirit\" represents a multifaceted supernatural entity that plays a crucial role in guiding Ebenezer Scrooge through profound reflections on his life, death, and human emotions. Central to the narrative is the Spirit's embodiment of the essence of Marley, which interacts with Scrooge to highlight themes related to the afterlife and unresolved issues. The Spirit manifests as various figures, most notably the Ghost of Christmas Present, who personifies the themes of generosity, merriment, and the true spirit of the Christmas season.\n\nThroughout Scrooge's journey, the Spirit serves as a guide, leading him through memories of his past, reflecting his former self and the influence of time on his character. The entity illustrates important lessons about compassion, social responsibility, and the consequences of his actions, urging Scrooge to confront societal issues and fostering self-awareness.\n\nThe Spirit also emphasizes the somber aspects of life, illustrating lessons about mortality and the inevitability of death, prompting Scrooge to reflect on the implications of his life choices. Overall, the Spirit encapsulates the intersection of compassion, humanity, and the moral lessons inherent in the experience of life, serving as a catalyst for Scrooge's transformation and awakening.",
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- "d09833d296d89df6958b8a318f3b82a0": {
- "return": "The Ghost is a crucial supernatural being in the narrative of Ebenezer Scrooge, playing a significant role in his transformative journey. Described as a strange figure that embodies qualities of both a child and an old man, The Ghost represents supernatural intervention in Scrooge's life and serves as a catalyst for self-reflection and moral realization. This spectral manifestation is identified as the apparition of Jacob Marley, who instills a sense of dread in Scrooge while delivering an important message about the repercussions of his actions and the necessity for change.\n\nThroughout their encounters, The Ghost guides Scrooge by revealing various scenes from his past, which evoke poignant emotions and highlight the joys of family and the significance of Christmas. It emphasizes key themes of redemption, kindness, and the emotional consequences of one's actions, urging Scrooge to confront his past and reconsider his life choices. This guidance underscores the importance of human virtue and the need for compassion towards others.\n\nUltimately, The Ghost acts as a guiding presence that influences Scrooge's emotional state and facilitates his journey toward redemption. By facing his past and opening himself to the lessons imparted by The Ghost, Scrooge begins to understand the value of kindness and the severe consequences of neglecting these moral principles throughout his life. In summary, The Ghost is a vital figure in Scrooge's transformation, encapsulating the overarching themes of change, redemption, and moral lessons.",
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- "ee7cb608fe472e9b3ae5d4c29e57f3fc": {
- "return": "Scrooge is a central character in the narrative, initially depicted as a miserly, cold-hearted individual characterized by greed and a disdain for Christmas. Often referred to negatively as the \"Ogre of the family\" or a \"tight-fisted old man,\" Scrooge exemplifies a lack of compassion for others and a reluctance to engage in charitable acts, reflecting his solitary nature and indifference to the festive spirit.\n\nThe turning point in Scrooge's journey occurs with a haunting visit from the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley. This encounter serves as a warning of the dire consequences of his actions and sets off a series of supernatural visits from three spirits, which guide Scrooge through his past, present, and future. During these encounters, Scrooge experiences horror, agitation, and regret, particularly as he grapples with the implications of his miserliness and recalls lonely moments from his childhood.\n\nThrough his interactions with the spirits, Scrooge witnesses both joy and sorrow, becoming especially affected by the plight of the Cratchit family and Tiny Tim. These reflections ignite feelings of grief and a longing for connection, prompting him to recognize his mortality and the far-reaching impact of his life choices on those around him. This emotional struggle fosters a conflict between Scrooge's prior skepticism about the supernatural and a developing capacity for empathy.\n\nUltimately, by the conclusion of the story, Scrooge undergoes a profound transformation. Emerging from his encounters with a newfound sense of joy and commitment to kindness, he fully embraces the spirit of Christmas and strives to positively influence the lives of those around him, particularly his employee Bob Cratchit and his family. Scrooge's evolution from a grumpy, indifferent man to one filled with goodwill encapsulates the narrative's themes of redemption, compassion, and community, demonstrating that change is not only possible, but that love and generosity can triumph over isolation and greed.",
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- "3d41833fd70a98b647240ffdacdf5db3": {
- "return": "Bob Cratchit is a significant character in Charles Dickens' \"A Christmas Carol,\" serving as Ebenezer Scrooge's dedicated clerk. He is depicted as a struggling yet loving family man who embodies the challenges faced by the working class, highlighting the importance of family in the narrative. Despite enduring low wages, Cratchit demonstrates warmth and joy during the Christmas season, striving to maintain a positive atmosphere at home amidst financial hardships.\n\nAs the father of Tiny Tim and head of the Cratchit family, Bob exemplifies deep familial love and concern. He is characterized by his kindness and emotional depth, caring for his children and expressing affection for them, particularly during family celebrations. His happiness during the festive season underscores his duty as a father and husband, showcasing his resilience in the face of adversity.\n\nCratchit’s late arrival to work after Christmas illustrates his anxiety about Scrooge, which contrasts with the newfound generosity Scrooge begins to show him. This contrast further emphasizes Cratchit's positive demeanor, which remains unwavering despite his struggles. The warmth of the Cratchit household, particularly during their Christmas dinner, sharply contrasts with Scrooge's initial miserly attitude, highlighting the spirit of joy that Cratchit embodies.\n\nOverall, Bob Cratchit is not only a devoted father and husband but also a poignant symbol of resilience, hope, and the profound significance of family within the narrative, making him a compelling and heartwarming figure in \"A Christmas Carol.\"",
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- "2790c87e7adc96ca16c5adfe8302b4ef": {
- "return": "Tiny Tim, whose real name is Tim Cratchit, is a poignant character in Charles Dickens' \"A Christmas Carol.\" He is depicted as the youngest son of Bob Cratchit and symbolizes hope, innocence, and resilience amidst the hardships faced by the Cratchit family, who struggle with poverty and illness. Tiny Tim is characterized by his frail health and is described as a cripple; despite this, he possesses a joyful spirit and maintains an optimistic outlook, serving as a source of joy for those around him.\n\nTiny Tim's well-being is central to the emotional landscape of the Cratchit family, representing their hopes for a better future and the love that bonds them together. His presence reminds others of the challenges posed by illness and poverty, evoking compassion, particularly from Ebenezer Scrooge, who transforms from a miser into a more generous figure through his reflections on Tiny Tim's situation.\n\nThe character is often referenced by Scrooge and serves as a symbol of innocence and the spirit of Christmas. Tiny Tim participates in festive celebrations, such as the Christmas toast, displaying his ability to embody the true essence of the holiday season despite his family's struggles. Cherished by his father, Bob Cratchit, and his family, Tiny Tim reinforces the narrative's themes of family, generosity, and the transformative power of kindness.\n\nUltimately, Tiny Tim leaves a lasting impression on both the characters within the story and the readers, encapsulating the themes of hope and renewal that resonate throughout \"A Christmas Carol.\" His legacy is not only of innocence and vulnerability but also of the indomitable spirit that inspires hope in times of adversity.",
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- "7fa3342d360c51e527cdac3518f7e543": {
- "return": "Mrs. Fezziwig is the warm and kind partner of Mr. Fezziwig, playing a vital role in creating a festive atmosphere during their domestic celebrations, particularly at the Christmas ball. She embodies companionship and festive cheer, participating actively in the dances alongside her husband. Mrs. Fezziwig is known for her bright smile and joyous nature, contributing significantly to the warmth and cheer of the events they host together. Her presence and participation greatly enhance the overall ambiance, emphasizing the importance of joyous gatherings in their celebrations. Through her engagement in the festivities, Mrs. Fezziwig represents the spirit of holiday joy and communal celebration.",
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- "ef9b4ecb09f93b9786b7c80f6f9a16bb": {
- "return": "Ebenezer Scrooge is a central character in Charles Dickens' \"A Christmas Carol,\" portrayed as a miserly and cold-hearted old man who undergoes a significant transformation. Known for his past connections and interactions, particularly with figures like Fezziwig and Dick Wilkins, Scrooge initially embodies selfishness and greed. Throughout the narrative, he experiences confusion and fear regarding the passage of time and is especially troubled by visitations from supernatural entities, which serve as catalysts for his change. Scrooge's journey illustrates his profound transformation, moving from a life of isolation and avarice to one filled with generosity and compassion, ultimately redefining his character from that of a miser to a benefactor.",
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- "c50ee4c8d609063ed3ba3d5cb617351d": {
- "return": "Marley's Ghost is a spectral figure representing Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge's former business partner, who has returned to convey a crucial message about guilt, redemption, and the consequences of one's actions. This unearthly visitor appears to Scrooge to warn him of the impending visits from three spirits, intensifying themes of remorse and the necessity for transformation in Scrooge's life. Marley, having been dead for seven years, symbolizes the regret of a life poorly lived. His apparition deeply troubles Scrooge, prompting him to question the nature of reality and forcing him to confront the distressing realities of his past deeds. Ultimately, Marley's Ghost serves as a harbinger of change, urging Scrooge to reflect on his life choices and the potential for redemption.",
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- "7d61a97a91ffb6cc808c6ee67e1e9cb0": {
- "return": "The Woman is a bold and defiant character who engages in humorous and lively exchanges, particularly with Joe, concerning the deceased and their belongings. She showcases a carefree attitude towards the former owner of these belongings, instigating discussions with a notable lack of reverence for the deceased. Throughout their conversations, The Woman provides light-hearted responses and laughs at the absurdity of their discussions, emphasizing her humorous demeanor.\n\nShe enters a shop with a heavy bundle, which further illustrates her assertive presence. Despite her engaging nature, her interactions reflect a focus on material gain rather than solemnity, making her a central figure in the dialogue that unfolds. Overall, The Woman embodies both a lively and irreverent spirit, contributing significantly to the dynamics of the conversations surrounding the deceased and their possessions.",
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- "78813d2c107b60441e3031c89577eacc": {
- "return": "The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational corporation dedicated to increasing access to public domain and licensed works in machine-readable form. Established to ensure the free distribution of electronic works, the Foundation is committed to maintaining the Project Gutenberg™ collection for future generations. It serves as the organization that manages the Project Gutenberg trademark and oversees rights, licensing, and royalty payments associated with the organization. Additionally, it is focused on securing the future of Project Gutenberg's activities and contributions, fostering the availability of literary works that can be freely enjoyed by the public. Through its initiatives, the Foundation aims to expand the reach of literature and education by advancing access to a vast array of works.",
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- "39955fa986c78edd05f65a4bbde6617c": {
- "return": "Topper is a lively and mischievous character who plays a significant role in the festive gathering associated with Scrooge's family. He is known for his jovial nature and participates actively in games, embodying the celebratory spirit of the Christmas party. As a guest at the gathering, Topper contributes to the joyful atmosphere alongside Fred and Scrooge. He is also noted for his playful and somewhat roguish demeanor, which enhances the merriment of the events.\n\nIn addition to his role as a cheerful participant, Topper is a member of Scrooge's niece's social circle, where he showcases his romantic inclinations, particularly towards one of Scrooge's niece's sisters. This intersection of playful behavior and romantic interest further enriches his character, making him an integral part of the festive celebrations. Overall, Topper exemplifies the spirit of joviality and camaraderie during the holiday season, solidifying his place as a memorable guest at the Christmas festivities.",
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- "a0f037be8304d857f6992dc5495a79c1": {
- "return": "\"The Ghost\" is a crucial supernatural being in the narrative of Ebenezer Scrooge, playing a significant role in his transformative journey. Described as a strange figure that embodies qualities of both a child and an old man, The Ghost symbolizes supernatural intervention in Scrooge's life and serves as a catalyst for self-reflection and moral realization. This spectral manifestation is identified as the apparition of Jacob Marley, who instills a sense of dread in Scrooge while delivering an important message about the repercussions of his actions and the necessity for change.\n\nThroughout their encounters, The Ghost guides Scrooge by revealing various scenes from his past, which evoke poignant emotions and highlight the joys of family and the significance of Christmas. It emphasizes key themes of redemption, kindness, and the emotional consequences of one's actions, urging Scrooge to confront his past and reconsider his life choices. The Ghost serves as a supernatural guide, illustrating the importance of human virtue and the need for compassion towards others.\n\nUltimately, The Ghost acts as a guiding presence that influences Scrooge's emotional state and facilitates his journey toward redemption. By facing his past and opening himself to the lessons imparted by The Ghost, Scrooge begins to understand the value of kindness and the severe consequences of neglecting these moral principles throughout his life. In summary, The Ghost encapsulates the overarching themes of change, redemption, and moral lessons, proving vital in Scrooge's transformation.",
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- "005ab373369a34ce3326ba3b09d1896b": {
- "return": "Tiny Tim, whose full name is Tim Cratchit, is a poignant character in Charles Dickens' \"A Christmas Carol.\" He is depicted as the youngest son of Bob Cratchit within a family that struggles with the hardships of poverty and illness. Tiny Tim symbolizes hope, innocence, and resilience amidst these challenges, with his frail health often leading him to be described as a cripple. Despite his physical limitations, he possesses a joyful spirit and maintains an optimistic outlook, which serves as a source of joy for those around him.\n\nTiny Tim's well-being is central to the emotional landscape of the Cratchit family, representing their hopes for a better future and the love that binds them together. His character evokes compassion and reflection from others, particularly Ebenezer Scrooge, who transforms from a miserly figure into a more generous person inspired by Tiny Tim's situation. Tiny Tim is often referenced by Scrooge and embodies the true essence of the Christmas spirit, participating in festive celebrations with a cheerful demeanor, embodying innocence and goodness despite the challenges presented by his health.\n\nCherished by his family, especially by his father, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim reinforces the narrative's themes of family, generosity, and the transformative power of kindness. His presence in the story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the vulnerable, and he leaves a lasting impression on both the characters within the narrative and the readers. Ultimately, he encapsulates the themes of hope and renewal that resonate throughout \"A Christmas Carol,\" symbolizing the indomitable spirit that inspires hope even in times of adversity.",
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- "53ebadd626dd7425d34d8da57532f604": {
- "return": "Christmas is a significant and festive season that embodies themes of joy, love, generosity, and community. It plays a crucial role in the narrative, particularly through the experiences of the Cratchit family and the character development of Ebenezer Scrooge. Christmas is depicted as a joyful time of family togetherness, celebration, and emotional reflection, marked by warmth and gratitude, especially for the Cratchit family who create cherished memories despite their modest circumstances.\n\nIn contrast, Scrooge initially approaches Christmas with cynicism, dismissing it as a \"humbug\" and rejecting the joy and goodwill that the season represents. His cold demeanor and disdain sharply oppose the spirit of generosity and community that permeates the holiday. The narrative emphasizes Christmas as a time of celebration and social responsibility, showcasing the importance of emotional connections within a community.\n\nChristmas serves as the backdrop for Scrooge's transformation, compelling him to confront his neglected relationships and past choices, which is pivotal to his character development. His Nephew, who is passionate about the holiday, further highlights the contrast between Scrooge's cynical views and the festive spirit. As the story progresses, Christmas symbolizes redemption and change for Scrooge, who ultimately embraces the holiday's spirit of goodwill and abandons his bitterness.\n\nThe festive occasion emerges as a pivotal element that reinforces exploration of redemption, generosity, and the transformative power of love and community. Joyful scenes of people celebrating, dancing, and engaging in festive activities sharply contrast with Scrooge's earlier solitude and disdain, underscoring the profound influence of Christmas on the thoughts and behaviors of all characters involved.",
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- "return": "Scrooge is a central character embodying a profound transformation throughout Charles Dickens' narrative, initially depicted as a miserly, cold-hearted individual characterized by greed and a disdain for Christmas. Often referred to negatively as the \"Ogre of the family\" or a \"tight-fisted old man,\" he exemplifies a lack of compassion and indifference toward others, reflecting his solitary nature and reluctance to engage in charitable acts.\n\nThe pivotal turning point in Scrooge's journey occurs with a haunting visit from the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who warns him of the dire consequences of his actions. This encounter triggers a series of supernatural visits from three spirits, guiding Scrooge through reflections on his past, present, and future. During these encounters, he experiences horror, agitation, and regret as he grapples with the implications of his miserliness and recalls lonely moments from his childhood.\n\nThrough his interactions with the spirits, Scrooge witnesses both joy and sorrow, becoming especially affected by the plight of the Cratchit family and Tiny Tim. These reflections ignite feelings of grief and a longing for connection, compelling him to recognize his mortality and the extensive impact of his choices on those around him. This emotional struggle catalyzes a conflict between Scrooge's initial skepticism about the supernatural and a developing capacity for empathy.\n\nUltimately, by the conclusion of the story, Scrooge undergoes a significant transformation. Emerging from his supernatural encounters with a newfound joy and commitment to kindness, he fully embraces the spirit of Christmas. This evolution from a grumpy, indifferent figure to one filled with goodwill encapsulates the narrative's themes of redemption, compassion, and community. Scrooge’s journey illustrates that change is not only possible, but that love and generosity can triumph over isolation and greed, as he strives to positively influence the lives of others, particularly his employee Bob Cratchit and his family.",
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- "return": "\"The Spirit\" is a multifaceted supernatural entity that guides Ebenezer Scrooge through a transformative journey during the Christmas season. It is often portrayed as a ghostly figure, encompassing the roles of the Ghost of Christmas Past and the Ghost of Christmas Present. This entity plays a vital role in illuminating various themes, including joy, generosity, and moral introspection.\n\nThroughout the narrative, The Spirit influences Scrooge's emotional journey, prompting him to reflect on his past and understand the consequences of his actions. By guiding him through memories, The Spirit helps Scrooge recognize the significance of happiness, compassion, and community in life. This guiding force not only encourages deep introspection but also highlights the moral lessons associated with the holiday season.\n\nThe Spirit embodies the collective essence of the Christmas spirits and serves as a moral compass for Scrooge. It promotes an environment filled with cheer and mirth, significantly shaping the mood of Christmas and emphasizing the importance of generosity. As Scrooge navigates his reflections on life—past, present, and future—The Spirit plays a critical role in his transformation, ultimately pushing him toward meaningful change and a reevaluation of his life choices.\n\nIn essence, The Spirit acts as both a supernatural guide and an emotional influence, signifying the profound impact of reflection, memory, and personal transformation during the holiday season. Through its guidance, Scrooge embarks on a journey towards understanding the value of life and embracing the spirit of Christmas.",
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- "return": "Bob Cratchit is a significant character in Charles Dickens' \"A Christmas Carol,\" serving as Ebenezer Scrooge's dedicated clerk. He is depicted as a struggling yet loving family man who embodies the challenges faced by the working class, highlighting the importance of family in the narrative. Despite enduring low wages, Bob demonstrates warmth and joy during the Christmas season, striving to maintain a positive atmosphere at home amidst financial hardships.\n\nAs the father of Tiny Tim and head of the Cratchit family, Bob exemplifies deep familial love and concern. He is characterized by his kindness and emotional depth, caring for his children and expressing affection for them, especially during family celebrations. His happiness during the festive season underscores his duty as a father and husband, showcasing his resilience in the face of adversity. Bob’s mild-mannered nature is evident as he enjoys Christmas dinner with his family, reflecting appreciation for even the smallest of blessings despite their struggles.\n\nCratchit's late arrival to work after Christmas illustrates his anxiety about Scrooge, contrasting with the newfound generosity Scrooge begins to show him. This dynamic emphasizes Bob's positive demeanor, which remains unwavering despite his challenges. The warmth of the Cratchit household, particularly during their Christmas dinner, sharply contrasts with Scrooge’s initial miserly attitude, highlighting the spirit of joy that Bob embodies.\n\nOverall, Bob Cratchit is not only a devoted father and husband but also a poignant symbol of resilience, hope, and the profound significance of family within the narrative, making him a compelling and heartwarming figure in \"A Christmas Carol.\"",
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- "return": "The story, primarily \"A Christmas Carol\" by Charles Dickens, embodies several prominent themes that resonate throughout its narrative. \n\nOne of the most significant themes is the idea of redemption. Throughout the story, the protagonist, Ebenezer Scrooge, undergoes a profound transformation from a miserly, cold-hearted individual to one who embraces compassion, generosity, and the spirit of Christmas. This journey illustrates that it is never too late to change and that personal redemption is achievable through self-reflection and the willingness to amend one's ways.\n\nAnother key theme is the importance of family and community. The relationships demonstrated among the Cratchit family highlight the warmth and joy that come from love, unity, and support, in stark contrast to Scrooge's isolated existence. The story emphasizes how being connected to others and valuing those relationships enriches one's life beyond material wealth.\n\nAdditionally, the theme of the consequences of one’s actions is central to the narrative. Scrooge's journey with the spirits shows that his past misdeeds and present behaviors have far-reaching impacts, not only on himself but also on those around him. The vivid visions of the future serve as a stark reminder of where his choices could lead, reinforcing the message that our decisions reflect our values and affect our lives and those of others.\n\nLastly, the story conveys a strong social commentary on the disparities between the rich and the poor, urging a sense of social responsibility. Dickens critiques the indifference of the wealthy towards the suffering of the less fortunate, advocating for empathy and the need to care for one another, particularly during the festive season. \n\nThese themes combine to create a powerful narrative that speaks to the human capacity for change, the invaluable nature of relationships, the morality of our actions, and the call to social consciousness.",
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- "return": "{\n \"high_level_keywords\": [\"Themes\", \"Story analysis\", \"Literary elements\"],\n \"low_level_keywords\": [\"Character development\", \"Conflict\", \"Setting\", \"Plot twists\", \"Motifs\"]\n}",
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- "return": "## Top Themes in \"A Christmas Carol\"\n\n\"A Christmas Carol,\" a timeless tale by Charles Dickens, revolves around several profound themes that resonate with readers even today. Through the journey of Ebenezer Scrooge, these themes are depicted vividly, driving the narrative and the transformative journey of the protagonist.\n\n### Redemption and Change\n\nRedemption is central to Scrooge's story. Initially depicted as a miserly and cold-hearted individual, Scrooge undergoes a significant transformation. The turning point occurs when he is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley, followed by three spirits representing his past, present, and future. These encounters compel him to confront the consequences of his actions and reconsider his life choices. The notion that it is never too late for change embodies the spirit of hope and the possibility of redemption, reinforcing that one's past does not define their future.\n\n### Compassion and Generosity\n\nAnother key theme is the importance of compassion and the necessity for generosity. Throughout the narrative, we see the stark contrast between Scrooge's initial indifference and the warm-heartedness of the Cratchit family, who, despite their financial struggles, embody love and kindness. Scrooge's eventual embrace of the Christmas spirit and willingness to support those in need highlight the narrative's critique of societal apathy and the moral obligation to care for one another. The transformation of Scrooge from a \"tight-fisted old man\" to a figure of goodwill symbolizes the profound impact of kindness on both the giver and receiver.\n\n### The Significance of Family\n\nFamily plays an essential role in \"A Christmas Carol,\" particularly through the portrayal of the Cratchit family and Scrooge's relationships. The Cratchits exemplify resilience and togetherness despite their hardships. Their celebrations and love for one another demonstrate the strength derived from familial bonds. In contrast, Scrooge's initial isolation serves as a poignant reflection on the consequences of rejecting connections with loved ones. The theme emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships, love, and emotional connections during both joyful and challenging times.\n\n### The Passage of Time\n\nTime is a critical theme woven throughout the narrative. Scrooge's encounters with the ghosts emphasize the significance of the past, the fleeting nature of the present, and the inevitable fate awaiting him in the future if he continues on his current path. Through the spirits, Scrooge is forced to reflect on his life choices and the impact of time on relationships and personal values. This theme invokes an understanding of mortality and the urgency to live a life of purpose, kindness, and responsibility to others.\n\n### Societal Critique\n\nLastly, Dickens effectively uses \"A Christmas Carol\" to critique societal issues, particularly regarding poverty and social injustice. The characterization of individuals such as Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim underlines the struggles faced by the working class and the dire consequences of neglecting societal obligations. Dickens employs the narrative to champion social responsibility and awareness, advocating that wealth should not be hoarded but shared for the betterment of society. The poignant images of Want and Ignorance introduced by the Ghost of Christmas Present serve as symbols of societal failings and highlight the urgent need for change and compassion.\n\n---\n\nIn summary, the themes of redemption, compassion, family, the passage of time, and societal critique intertwine to create a rich tapestry that allows \"A Christmas Carol\" to be a powerful and enduring narrative. Through Scrooge’s transformation, Dickens conveys essential lessons on the values of kindness, connection, and the importance of living a life filled with compassion.",
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- "return": "The story of *A Christmas Carol* by Charles Dickens is rich with themes that explore the human condition, morality, and social commentary. Below are some of the top themes evidenced in the narrative:\n\n### Transformation and Redemption\nThe central theme of the story is the possibility of personal transformation and redemption. Ebenezer Scrooge epitomizes this theme as he undergoes a profound change from a miserly, cold-hearted man to a kind and generous person. The visits from the three spirits—The Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present, and The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come—serve as catalysts for this transformation. They compel Scrooge to confront the consequences of his life choices, illustrating the narrative's core message that it is never too late for change and growth.\n\n### The Spirit of Christmas\nChristmas itself stands as a symbol of hope, generosity, and love. The holiday serves as a backdrop for Scrooge's journey, allowing him to reconnect with the joys of family, community, and kindness. The story portrays Christmas as a time for reflection, reconciliation, and joy, emphasizing the importance of compassion towards others and the spirit of giving. The stark contrast between Scrooge’s initial disdain for Christmas and his later embrace of its meanings underscores this theme.\n\n### Social Critique\nDickens offers a critique of societal issues, particularly poverty and social injustice, by highlighting the plight of characters such as Bob Cratchit and his family. The introduction of concepts like \"Want\" and \"Ignorance\" during Scrooge's transformation journey serves to remind readers of the moral obligations to help those less fortunate. The character of Tiny Tim becomes a poignant representation of innocence and vulnerability, compelling readers to acknowledge the struggles faced by the lower classes in society.\n\n### Isolation vs. Community\nIsolation is a recurring theme tied closely to Scrooge's character. His initial seclusion and detachment from society reflect his indifference and greed, creating a life devoid of warmth and connection. In contrast, the joyful gatherings of the Cratchit family and Scrooge’s interactions with friends and family illustrate the importance of community. The narrative emphasizes that true fulfillment comes from meaningful relationships and social engagement rather than material wealth.\n\n### Memory and Reflection\nMemory plays a vital role in shaping Scrooge’s understanding of himself and his past. The spirits’ journeys through Scrooge's memories reveal moments of joy, sorrow, and lost opportunities that lead to self-reflection. The memories serve as a foundation for his transformation, prompting an exploration of how past experiences influence current values and decisions.\n\n### Love and Loyalty\nLove, particularly familial love, is presented as a source of strength and resilience. Bob Cratchit’s devotion to his family, especially his care for Tiny Tim, highlights the significance of loyalty and affection in the face of hardship. Scrooge's eventual recognition of the importance of love, as he begins to prioritize relationships over wealth, demonstrates the power of love to bring about personal change and happiness.\n\n### Conclusion\nIn summary, *A Christmas Carol* navigates through complex themes that resonate with readers across generations. Dickens masterfully intertwines elements of redemption, the festive spirit, social critique, isolation versus community, memory, and the profound importance of love to deliver a compelling narrative that inspires reflection on morality and one's impact on society. These themes combine to form a powerful message that encourages kindness, generosity, and an understanding of the interconnectedness of humanity, making the story timeless and universally relevant.",
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- "return": "The narrative of \"A Christmas Carol\" by Charles Dickens is rich with various themes that explore the complexities of human relationships, morality, and social issues. Here are some of the top themes found throughout the story:\n\n### **Redemption and Transformation**\nOne of the most prominent themes is the possibility of redemption. The evolution of Ebenezer Scrooge's character from a miserly, cold-hearted individual to a compassionate, caring person underscores this theme. Through his encounters with the spirits, Scrooge learns about the consequences of his actions and the importance of generosity and love. His transformation is a testament to the belief that it is never too late to change one's ways, reinforcing the idea that individuals have the power to reshape their lives through conscious effort.\n\n### **The Spirit of Christmas**\nChristmas serves as a central backdrop in the story, embodying themes of joy, love, and community. The festive spirit is depicted through the Cratchit family's warm celebrations, contrasting sharply with Scrooge’s initial disdain for the holiday. The narrative emphasizes the significance of coming together with family and friends, the joy of giving, and the overall impact of Christmas on human behavior, suggesting that this season can inspire compassion and reconnect people with their humanity.\n\n### **Societal Responsibility**\nThe story also addresses social responsibility, particularly through the representations of Want and Ignorance. These figures symbolize the neglect of the impoverished and the urgent need for societal awareness and compassion. Dickens critiques social norms that allow wealth disparities to influence the lives of the less fortunate, urging readers to reflect on their roles in addressing these social issues. The relationship between Scrooge and Bob Cratchit highlights the struggles of the working class, and through Tiny Tim, the narrative underscores the vulnerability of those in need.\n\n### **Mortality and Reflection**\nMortality is another critical theme woven into the narrative. The specter of death hangs over Scrooge as he is confronted with his fate, prompting deep introspection regarding his life choices and their ramifications. These reflections compel Scrooge—and readers alike—to evaluate what truly matters in life and consider their legacies. The moments of realization surrounding death inspire a renewed appreciation for life’s experiences and relationships, encouraging themes of connection and legacy.\n\n### **Isolation vs. Connection**\nAnother striking theme in the story revolves around the contrast between isolation and connection. Scrooge's character initially embodies solitude, reflecting a life devoid of meaningful relationships. However, through his journey, he learns that connection and caring for others lead to true happiness and fulfillment. The Cratchit family's unity amidst hardship serves as a poignant example of resilience and love, illustrating the enriching power of community and shared experiences.\n\n### **Love and Family**\nLastly, the theme of love—especially familial love—pervades the narrative. The Cratchit family's emotional support for one another amidst poverty emphasizes the significance of love in overcoming life's challenges. Scrooge's eventual acceptance of familial connections and his shifting perspectives on his Nephew Fred highlight the importance of familial bonds and the joy derived from nurturing those relationships.\n\n### **Conclusion**\nOverall, \"A Christmas Carol\" presents a multifaceted exploration of themes that resonate deeply with readers. By addressing redemption, the spirit of Christmas, societal responsibility, mortality, connection, and familial love, Dickens weaves a compelling narrative that invites reflection on personal values and social ethics. The transformations and lessons learned by Scrooge serve as timeless reminders of the impact one can have on themselves and others through kindness, generosity, and connection.",
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- "content": "The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Christmas Carol\n \nThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and\nmost other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions\nwhatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms\nof the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online\nat www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States,\nyou will have to check the laws of the country where you are located\nbefore using this eBook.\n\nTitle: A Christmas Carol\n\nAuthor: Charles Dickens\n\nIllustrator: Arthur Rackham\n\nRelease date: December 24, 2007 [eBook #24022]\n\nLanguage: English\n\nOriginal publication: Philadelphia and New York: J. B. Lippincott Company,, 1915\n\nCredits: Produced by Suzanne Shell, Janet Blenkinship and the Online\n Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net\n\n\n*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CHRISTMAS CAROL ***\n\n\n\n\nProduced by Suzanne Shell, Janet Blenkinship and the Online\nDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n A CHRISTMAS CAROL\n\n [Illustration: _\"How now?\" said Scrooge, caustic and cold as ever.\n \"What do you want with me?\"_]\n\n\n A CHRISTMAS CAROL\n\n [Illustration]\n\n BY\n\n CHARLES DICKENS\n\n [Illustration]\n\n ILLUSTRATED BY ARTHUR RACKHAM\n\n [Illustration]\n\n J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY PHILADELPHIA AND NEW YORK\n\n FIRST PUBLISHED 1915\n\n REPRINTED 1923, 1927, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1947, 1948, 1952, 1958,\n 1962, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973\n\n ISBN: 0-397-00033-2\n\n PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN\n\n\n\n\n PREFACE\n\n I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book to raise the Ghost of an\n Idea which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with\n each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their house\n pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it.\n\n Their faithful Friend and Servant,\n\n C. D.\n\n _December, 1843._\n\n\n\n\n CHARACTERS\n\n Bob Cratchit, clerk to Ebenezer Scrooge.\n Peter Cratchit, a son of the preceding.\n Tim Cratchit (\"Tiny Tim\"), a cripple, youngest son of Bob Cratchit.\n Mr. Fezziwig, a kind-hearted, jovial old merchant.\n Fred, Scrooge's nephew.\n Ghost of Christmas Past, a phantom showing things past.\n Ghost of Christmas Present, a spirit of a kind, generous,\n and hearty nature.\n Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, an apparition showing the shadows\n of things which yet may happen.\n Ghost of Jacob Marley, a spectre of Scrooge's former partner in business.\n Joe, a marine-store dealer and receiver of stolen goods.\n Ebenezer Scrooge, a grasping, covetous old man, the surviving partner\n of the firm of Scrooge and Marley.\n Mr. Topper, a bachelor.\n Dick Wilkins, a fellow apprentice of Scrooge's.\n\n Belle, a comely matron, an old sweetheart of Scrooge's.\n Caroline, wife of one of Scrooge's debtors.\n Mrs. Cratchit, wife of Bob Cratchit.\n Belinda and Martha Cratchit, daughters of the preceding.\n\n Mrs. Dilber, a laundress.\n Fan, the sister of Scrooge.\n Mrs. Fezziwig, the worthy partner of Mr. Fezziwig.\n\n\n\n\n CONTENTS\n\n STAVE ONE--MARLEY'S GHOST 3\n STAVE TWO--THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS 37\n STAVE THREE--THE SECOND OF THE THREE SPIRITS 69\n STAVE FOUR--THE LAST OF THE SPIRITS 111\n STAVE FIVE--THE END OF IT 137\n\n\n LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS\n\n _IN COLOUR_\n\n\n \"How now?\" said Scrooge, caustic\n and cold as ever. \"What do you\n want with me?\" _Frontispiece_\n\n Bob Cratchit went down a slide on\n Cornhill, at the end of a lane of\n boys, twenty times, in honour of\n its being Christmas Eve 16\n\n Nobody under the bed; nobody in\n the closet; nobody in his dressing-gown,\n which was hanging up\n in a suspicious attitude against\n the wall 20\n\n The air was filled with phantoms,\n wandering hither and thither in\n restless haste and moaning as\n they went 32\n\n Then old Fezziwig stood out to\n dance with Mrs. Fezziwig 54\n\n A flushed and boisterous group 62\n\n Laden with Christmas toys and\n presents 64\n\n The way he went after that plump\n sister in the lace tucker! 100\n\n \"How are you?\" said one.\n \"How are you?\"",
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- "content": "restless haste and moaning as\n they went 32\n\n Then old Fezziwig stood out to\n dance with Mrs. Fezziwig 54\n\n A flushed and boisterous group 62\n\n Laden with Christmas toys and\n presents 64\n\n The way he went after that plump\n sister in the lace tucker! 100\n\n \"How are you?\" said one.\n \"How are you?\" returned the other.\n \"Well!\" said the first. \"Old\n Scratch has got his own at last,\n hey?\" 114\n\n \"What do you call this?\" said Joe.\n \"Bed-curtains!\" \"Ah!\" returned\n the woman, laughing....\n \"Bed-curtains!\"\n\n \"You don't mean to say you took\n 'em down, rings and all, with him\n lying there?\" said Joe.\n\n \"Yes, I do,\" replied the woman.\n \"Why not?\" 120\n\n \"It's I, your uncle Scrooge. I have\n come to dinner. Will you let\n me in, Fred?\" 144\n\n \"Now, I'll tell you what, my friend,\"\n said Scrooge. \"I am not going\n to stand this sort of thing any\n longer.\" 146\n\n[Illustration]\n\n_IN BLACK AND WHITE_\n\n\n Tailpiece vi\n Tailpiece to List of Coloured Illustrations x\n Tailpiece to List of Black and White Illustrations xi\n Heading to Stave One 3\n They were portly gentlemen, pleasant to behold 12\n On the wings of the wind 28-29\n Tailpiece to Stave One 34\n Heading to Stave Two 37\n He produced a decanter of curiously\n light wine and a block of curiously heavy cake 50\n She left him, and they parted 60\n Tailpiece to Stave Two 65\n Heading to Stave Three 69\n There was nothing very cheerful in the climate 75\n He had been Tim's blood-horse all the way from church 84-85\n With the pudding 88\n Heading to Stave Four 111\n Heading to Stave Five 137\n Tailpiece to Stave Five 147\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nSTAVE ONE\n\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\nMARLEY'S GHOST\n\n\nMarley was dead, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that.\nThe register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the\nundertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it. And Scrooge's name\nwas good upon 'Change for anything he chose to put his hand to. Old\nMarley was as dead as a door-nail.\n\nMind! I don't mean to say that I know of my own knowledge, what there is\nparticularly dead about a door-nail. I might have been inclined, myself,\nto regard a coffin-nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the\ntrade. But the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile; and my\nunhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the country's done for. You\nwill, therefore, permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as\ndead as a door-nail.\n\nScrooge knew he was dead? Of course he did. How could it be otherwise?\nScrooge and he were partners for I don't know how many years. Scrooge\nwas his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole\nresiduary legatee, his sole friend, and sole mourner. And even Scrooge\nwas not so dreadfully cut up by the sad event but that he was an\nexcellent man of business on the very day of the funeral, and solemnised\nit with an undoubted bargain.\n\nThe mention of Marley's funeral brings me back to the point I started\nfrom. There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly\nunderstood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to\nrelate. If we were not perfectly convinced that Hamlet's father died\nbefore the play began, there would be nothing more remarkable in his\ntaking a stroll at night, in an easterly wind, upon his own ramparts,\nthan there would be in any other middle-aged gentleman rashly turning\nout after dark in a breezy spot--say St. Paul's Churchyard, for\ninstance--literally to astonish his son's weak mind.\n\nScrooge never painted out Old Marley's name. There it stood, years\nafterwards, above the warehouse door: Scrooge and Marley. The firm was\nknown as Scrooge and Marley. Sometimes people new to the business called\nScrooge Scrooge, and sometimes Marley, but he answered to both names. It\nwas all the same to him.\n\nOh! but he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone, Scrooge! a\nsqueezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old\nsinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out\ngenerous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster.\nThe cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose,\nshrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin\nlips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime",
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- "content": "clutching, covetous old\nsinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out\ngenerous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster.\nThe cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose,\nshrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin\nlips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime\nwas on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his\nown low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the\ndog-days, and didn't thaw it one degree at Christmas.\n\nExternal heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge. No warmth could\nwarm, no wintry weather chill him. No wind that blew was bitterer than\nhe, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain\nless open to entreaty. Foul weather didn't know where to have him. The\nheaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet could boast of the\nadvantage over him in only one respect. They often 'came down'\nhandsomely, and Scrooge never did.\n\nNobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome looks, 'My\ndear Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me?' No beggars\nimplored him to bestow a trifle, no children asked him what it was\no'clock, no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired the way to\nsuch and such a place, of Scrooge. Even the blind men's dogs appeared to\nknow him; and, when they saw him coming on, would tug their owners into\ndoorways and up courts; and then would wag their tails as though they\nsaid, 'No eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master!'\n\nBut what did Scrooge care? It was the very thing he liked. To edge his\nway along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep\nits distance, was what the knowing ones call 'nuts' to Scrooge.\n\nOnce upon a time--of all the good days in the year, on Christmas\nEve--old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house. It was cold, bleak,\nbiting weather; foggy withal; and he could hear the people in the court\noutside go wheezing up and down, beating their hands upon their breasts,\nand stamping their feet upon the pavement stones to warm them. The City\nclocks had only just gone three, but it was quite dark already--it had\nnot been light all day--and candles were flaring in the windows of the\nneighbouring offices, like ruddy smears upon the palpable brown air. The\nfog came pouring in at every chink and keyhole, and was so dense\nwithout, that, although the court was of the narrowest, the houses\nopposite were mere phantoms. To see the dingy cloud come drooping down,\nobscuring everything, one might have thought that nature lived hard by,\nand was brewing on a large scale.\n\nThe door of Scrooge's counting-house was open, that he might keep his\neye upon his clerk, who in a dismal little cell beyond, a sort of tank,\nwas copying letters. Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk's fire\nwas so very much smaller that it looked like one coal. But he couldn't\nreplenish it, for Scrooge kept the coal-box in his own room; and so\nsurely as the clerk came in with the shovel, the master predicted that\nit would be necessary for them to part. Wherefore the clerk put on his\nwhite comforter, and tried to warm himself at the candle; in which\neffort, not being a man of strong imagination, he failed.\n\n'A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!' cried a cheerful voice. It was\nthe voice of Scrooge's nephew, who came upon him so quickly that this\nwas the first intimation he had of his approach.\n\n'Bah!' said Scrooge. 'Humbug!'\n\nHe had so heated himself with rapid walking in the fog and frost, this\nnephew of Scrooge's, that he was all in a glow; his face was ruddy and\nhandsome; his eyes sparkled, and his breath smoked again.\n\n'Christmas a humbug, uncle!' said Scrooge's nephew. 'You don't mean\nthat, I am sure?'\n\n'I do,' said Scrooge. 'Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry?\nWhat reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough.'\n\n'Come, then,' returned the nephew gaily. 'What right have you to be\ndismal? What reason have you to be morose? You're rich enough.'\n\nScrooge, having no better answer ready on the spur of the moment, said,\n'Bah!' again; and followed it up with 'Humbug!'\n\n'Don't be cross, uncle!' said the nephew.\n\n'What else can I be,' returned the uncle, 'when I live in such a world\nof fools as this? Merry Christmas! Out upon merry Christmas! What's\nChristmas-time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time\nfor finding yourself a year older, and not an hour richer; a time for\nbalancing your books, and having every item in 'em through a round dozen\nof months presented dead against you? If I could work my will,' said\nScrooge indignantly, 'every idiot who goes",
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- "content": "when I live in such a world\nof fools as this? Merry Christmas! Out upon merry Christmas! What's\nChristmas-time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time\nfor finding yourself a year older, and not an hour richer; a time for\nbalancing your books, and having every item in 'em through a round dozen\nof months presented dead against you? If I could work my will,' said\nScrooge indignantly, 'every idiot who goes about with \"Merry Christmas\"\non his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a\nstake of holly through his heart. He should!'\n\n'Uncle!' pleaded the nephew.\n\n'Nephew!' returned the uncle sternly, 'keep Christmas in your own way,\nand let me keep it in mine.'\n\n'Keep it!' repeated Scrooge's nephew. 'But you don't keep it.'\n\n'Let me leave it alone, then,' said Scrooge. 'Much good may it do you!\nMuch good it has ever done you!'\n\n'There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I\nhave not profited, I dare say,' returned the nephew; 'Christmas among\nthe rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas-time, when\nit has come round--apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and\norigin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that--as a good\ntime; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know\nof, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one\nconsent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people\nbelow them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and\nnot another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore,\nuncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I\nbelieve that it _has_ done me good and _will_ do me good; and I say, God\nbless it!'\n\nThe clerk in the tank involuntarily applauded. Becoming immediately\nsensible of the impropriety, he poked the fire, and extinguished the\nlast frail spark for ever.\n\n'Let me hear another sound from _you_,' said Scrooge, 'and you'll keep\nyour Christmas by losing your situation! You're quite a powerful\nspeaker, sir,' he added, turning to his nephew. 'I wonder you don't go\ninto Parliament.'\n\n'Don't be angry, uncle. Come! Dine with us to-morrow.'\n\nScrooge said that he would see him----Yes, indeed he did. He went the\nwhole length of the expression, and said that he would see him in that\nextremity first.\n\n'But why?' cried Scrooge's nephew. 'Why?'\n\n'Why did you get married?' said Scrooge.\n\n'Because I fell in love.'\n\n'Because you fell in love!' growled Scrooge, as if that were the only\none thing in the world more ridiculous than a merry Christmas. 'Good\nafternoon!'\n\n'Nay, uncle, but you never came to see me before that happened. Why give\nit as a reason for not coming now?'\n\n'Good afternoon,' said Scrooge.\n\n'I want nothing from you; I ask nothing of you; why cannot we be\nfriends?'\n\n'Good afternoon!' said Scrooge.\n\n'I am sorry, with all my heart, to find you so resolute. We have never\nhad any quarrel to which I have been a party. But I have made the trial\nin homage to Christmas, and I'll keep my Christmas humour to the last.\nSo A Merry Christmas, uncle!'\n\n'Good afternoon,' said Scrooge.\n\n'And A Happy New Year!'\n\n'Good afternoon!' said Scrooge.\n\nHis nephew left the room without an angry word, notwithstanding. He\nstopped at the outer door to bestow the greetings of the season on the\nclerk, who, cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge; for he returned\nthem cordially.\n\n'There's another fellow,' muttered Scrooge, who overheard him: 'my\nclerk, with fifteen shillings a week, and a wife and family, talking\nabout a merry Christmas. I'll retire to Bedlam.'\n\nThis lunatic, in letting Scrooge's nephew out, had let two other people\nin. They were portly gentlemen, pleasant to behold, and now stood, with\ntheir hats off, in Scrooge's office. They had books and papers in their\nhands, and bowed to him.\n\n'Scrooge and Marley's, I believe,' said one of the gentlemen, referring\nto his list. 'Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge, or Mr.\nMarley?'\n\n'Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years,' Scrooge replied. 'He died\nseven years ago, this very night.'\n\n'We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving\npartner,' said the gentleman, presenting his credentials.\n\n[Illustration: THEY WERE PORTLY GENTLEMEN, PLEASANT TO BEHOLD]\n\nIt certainly was; for they had been two kindred spirits. At the ominous\nword 'liberality' Scrooge frowned, and shook his head, and handed the\ncredentials back.\n\n'At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,' said the gentleman,\ntaking up a pen, 'it is more than usually desirable that we should make\nsome slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at\nthe present time. Many thousands are",
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- "content": "It certainly was; for they had been two kindred spirits. At the ominous\nword 'liberality' Scrooge frowned, and shook his head, and handed the\ncredentials back.\n\n'At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,' said the gentleman,\ntaking up a pen, 'it is more than usually desirable that we should make\nsome slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at\nthe present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries;\nhundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.'\n\n'Are there no prisons?' asked Scrooge.\n\n'Plenty of prisons,' said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.\n\n'And the Union workhouses?' demanded Scrooge. 'Are they still in\noperation?'\n\n'They are. Still,' returned the gentleman, 'I wish I could say they were\nnot.'\n\n'The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?' said Scrooge.\n\n'Both very busy, sir.'\n\n'Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had\noccurred to stop them in their useful course,' said Scrooge. 'I am very\nglad to hear it.'\n\n'Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind\nor body to the multitude,' returned the gentleman, 'a few of us are\nendeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and\nmeans of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all\nothers, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I\nput you down for?'\n\n'Nothing!' Scrooge replied.\n\n'You wish to be anonymous?'\n\n'I wish to be left alone,' said Scrooge. 'Since you ask me what I wish,\ngentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas,\nand I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the\nestablishments I have mentioned--they cost enough: and those who are\nbadly off must go there.'\n\n'Many can't go there; and many would rather die.'\n\n'If they would rather die,' said Scrooge, 'they had better do it, and\ndecrease the surplus population. Besides--excuse me--I don't know that.'\n\n'But you might know it,' observed the gentleman.\n\n'It's not my business,' Scrooge returned. 'It's enough for a man to\nunderstand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's.\nMine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!'\n\nSeeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point, the\ngentlemen withdrew. Scrooge resumed his labours with an improved opinion\nof himself, and in a more facetious temper than was usual with him.\n\nMeanwhile the fog and darkness thickened so, that people ran about with\nflaring links, proffering their services to go before horses in\ncarriages, and conduct them on their way. The ancient tower of a church,\nwhose gruff old bell was always peeping slyly down at Scrooge out of a\nGothic window in the wall, became invisible, and struck the hours and\nquarters in the clouds, with tremulous vibrations afterwards, as if its\nteeth were chattering in its frozen head up there. The cold became\nintense. In the main street, at the corner of the court, some labourers\nwere repairing the gas-pipes, and had lighted a great fire in a brazier,\nround which a party of ragged men and boys were gathered: warming their\nhands and winking their eyes before the blaze in rapture. The water-plug\nbeing left in solitude, its overflowings suddenly congealed, and turned\nto misanthropic ice. The brightness of the shops, where holly sprigs and\nberries crackled in the lamp heat of the windows, made pale faces ruddy\nas they passed. Poulterers' and grocers' trades became a splendid joke:\na glorious pageant, with which it was next to impossible to believe that\nsuch dull principles as bargain and sale had anything to do. The Lord\nMayor, in the stronghold of the mighty Mansion House, gave orders to his\nfifty cooks and butlers to keep Christmas as a Lord Mayor's household\nshould; and even the little tailor, whom he had fined five shillings on\nthe previous Monday for being drunk and bloodthirsty in the streets,\nstirred up to-morrow's pudding in his garret, while his lean wife and\nthe baby sallied out to buy the beef.\n\nFoggier yet, and colder! Piercing, searching, biting cold. If the good\nSt. Dunstan had but nipped the Evil Spirit's nose with a touch of such\nweather as that, instead of using his familiar weapons, then indeed he\nwould have roared to lusty purpose. The owner of one scant young nose,\ngnawed and mumbled by the hungry cold as bones are gnawed by dogs,\nstooped down at Scrooge's keyhole to regale him with a Christmas carol;\nbut, at the first sound of\n\n 'God bless you, merry gentleman,\n May nothing you dismay!'\n\nScrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action that the singer fled\nin terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog, and even more congenial\nfrost.\n\nAt length the hour of shutting up the counting-house arrived. With an\nill-will Scrooge dismounted from his stool, and tacitly admitted the\nfact to the expectant clerk in the tank, who instantly snuffed his",
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- "content": "God bless you, merry gentleman,\n May nothing you dismay!'\n\nScrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action that the singer fled\nin terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog, and even more congenial\nfrost.\n\nAt length the hour of shutting up the counting-house arrived. With an\nill-will Scrooge dismounted from his stool, and tacitly admitted the\nfact to the expectant clerk in the tank, who instantly snuffed his\ncandle out, and put on his hat.\n\n'You'll want all day to-morrow, I suppose?' said Scrooge.\n\n'If quite convenient, sir.'\n\n'It's not convenient,' said Scrooge, 'and it's not fair. If I was to\nstop half-a-crown for it, you'd think yourself ill used, I'll be bound?'\n\nThe clerk smiled faintly.\n\n'And yet,' said Scrooge, 'you don't think _me_ ill used when I pay a\nday's wages for no work.'\n\n[Illustration: _Bob Cratchit went down a slide on Cornhill, at the end\nof a lane of boys, twenty times, in honour of its being Christmas\nEve_]\n\nThe clerk observed that it was only once a year.\n\n'A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of\nDecember!' said Scrooge, buttoning his greatcoat to the chin. 'But I\nsuppose you must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier next\nmorning.'\n\nThe clerk promised that he would; and Scrooge walked out with a growl.\nThe office was closed in a twinkling, and the clerk, with the long ends\nof his white comforter dangling below his waist (for he boasted no\ngreatcoat), went down a slide on Cornhill, at the end of a lane of boys,\ntwenty times, in honour of its being Christmas Eve, and then ran home to\nCamden Town as hard as he could pelt, to play at blind man's-buff.\n\nScrooge took his melancholy dinner in his usual melancholy tavern; and\nhaving read all the newspapers, and beguiled the rest of the evening\nwith his banker's book, went home to bed. He lived in chambers which had\nonce belonged to his deceased partner. They were a gloomy suite of\nrooms, in a lowering pile of building up a yard, where it had so little\nbusiness to be, that one could scarcely help fancying it must have run\nthere when it was a young house, playing at hide-and-seek with other\nhouses, and have forgotten the way out again. It was old enough now, and\ndreary enough; for nobody lived in it but Scrooge, the other rooms\nbeing all let out as offices. The yard was so dark that even Scrooge,\nwho knew its every stone, was fain to grope with his hands. The fog and\nfrost so hung about the black old gateway of the house, that it seemed\nas if the Genius of the Weather sat in mournful meditation on the\nthreshold.\n\nNow, it is a fact that there was nothing at all particular about the\nknocker on the door, except that it was very large. It is also a fact\nthat Scrooge had seen it, night and morning, during his whole residence\nin that place; also that Scrooge had as little of what is called fancy\nabout him as any man in the City of London, even including--which is a\nbold word--the corporation, aldermen, and livery. Let it also be borne\nin mind that Scrooge had not bestowed one thought on Marley since his\nlast mention of his seven-years'-dead partner that afternoon. And then\nlet any man explain to me, if he can, how it happened that Scrooge,\nhaving his key in the lock of the door, saw in the knocker, without its\nundergoing any intermediate process of change--not a knocker, but\nMarley's face.\n\nMarley's face. It was not in impenetrable shadow, as the other objects\nin the yard were, but had a dismal light about it, like a bad lobster in\na dark cellar. It was not angry or ferocious, but looked at Scrooge as\nMarley used to look; with ghostly spectacles turned up on its ghostly\nforehead. The hair was curiously stirred, as if by breath or hot air;\nand, though the eyes were wide open, they were perfectly motionless.\nThat, and its livid colour, made it horrible; but its horror seemed to\nbe in spite of the face, and beyond its control, rather than a part of\nits own expression.\n\nAs Scrooge looked fixedly at this phenomenon, it was a knocker again.\n\nTo say that he was not startled, or that his blood was not conscious of\na terrible sensation to which it had been a stranger from infancy, would\nbe untrue. But he put his hand upon the key he had relinquished, turned\nit sturdily, walked in, and lighted his candle.\n\nHe _did_ pause, with a moment's irresolution, before he shut the door;\nand he _did_ look cautiously behind it first, as if he half expected to\nbe terrified with the sight of Marley's pigtail sticking out into the\nhall. But there was nothing on the back of the door, except the screws\nand nuts that held the knocker on, so he said, 'Pooh, pooh!' and closed\nit with a bang.\n\nThe sound resounded through the house like thunder. Every room above,\nand every cask in the wine-merchant's cellars below,",
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- "content": "behind it first, as if he half expected to\nbe terrified with the sight of Marley's pigtail sticking out into the\nhall. But there was nothing on the back of the door, except the screws\nand nuts that held the knocker on, so he said, 'Pooh, pooh!' and closed\nit with a bang.\n\nThe sound resounded through the house like thunder. Every room above,\nand every cask in the wine-merchant's cellars below, appeared to have a\nseparate peal of echoes of its own. Scrooge was not a man to be\nfrightened by echoes. He fastened the door, and walked across the hall,\nand up the stairs: slowly, too: trimming his candle as he went.\n\nYou may talk vaguely about driving a coach and six up a good old flight\nof stairs, or through a bad young Act of Parliament; but I mean to say\nyou might have got a hearse up that staircase, and taken it broadwise,\nwith the splinter-bar towards the wall, and the door towards the\nbalustrades: and done it easy. There was plenty of width for that, and\nroom to spare; which is perhaps the reason why Scrooge thought he saw a\nlocomotive hearse going on before him in the gloom. Half-a-dozen\ngas-lamps out of the street wouldn't have lighted the entry too well, so\nyou may suppose that it was pretty dark with Scrooge's dip.\n\nUp Scrooge went, not caring a button for that. Darkness is cheap, and\nScrooge liked it. But, before he shut his heavy door, he walked through\nhis rooms to see that all was right. He had just enough recollection of\nthe face to desire to do that.\n\nSitting-room, bedroom, lumber-room. All as they should be. Nobody under\nthe table, nobody under the sofa; a small fire in the grate; spoon and\nbasin ready; and the little saucepan of gruel (Scrooge had a cold in his\nhead) upon the hob. Nobody under the bed; nobody in the closet; nobody\nin his dressing-gown, which was hanging up in a suspicious attitude\nagainst the wall. Lumber-room as usual. Old fire-guard, old shoes, two\nfish baskets, washing-stand on three legs, and a poker.\n\n[Illustration: _Nobody under the bed; nobody in the closet; nobody in\nhis dressing-gown, which was hanging up in a suspicious attitude against\nthe wall_]\n\nQuite satisfied, he closed his door, and locked himself in; double\nlocked himself in, which was not his custom. Thus secured against\nsurprise, he took off his cravat; put on his dressing-gown and slippers,\nand his nightcap; and sat down before the fire to take his gruel.\n\nIt was a very low fire indeed; nothing on such a bitter night. He was\nobliged to sit close to it, and brood over it, before he could extract\nthe least sensation of warmth from such a handful of fuel. The fireplace\nwas an old one, built by some Dutch merchant long ago, and paved all\nround with quaint Dutch tiles, designed to illustrate the Scriptures.\nThere were Cains and Abels, Pharaoh's daughters, Queens of Sheba,\nAngelic messengers descending through the air on clouds like\nfeather-beds, Abrahams, Belshazzars, Apostles putting off to sea in\nbutter-boats, hundreds of figures to attract his thoughts; and yet that\nface of Marley, seven years dead, came like the ancient Prophet's rod,\nand swallowed up the whole. If each smooth tile had been a blank at\nfirst, with power to shape some picture on its surface from the\ndisjointed fragments of his thoughts, there would have been a copy of\nold Marley's head on every one.\n\n'Humbug!' said Scrooge; and walked across the room.\n\nAfter several turns he sat down again. As he threw his head back in the\nchair, his glance happened to rest upon a bell, a disused bell, that\nhung in the room, and communicated, for some purpose now forgotten, with\na chamber in the highest storey of the building. It was with great\nastonishment, and with a strange, inexplicable dread, that, as he\nlooked, he saw this bell begin to swing. It swung so softly in the\noutset that it scarcely made a sound; but soon it rang out loudly, and\nso did every bell in the house.\n\nThis might have lasted half a minute, or a minute, but it seemed an\nhour. The bells ceased, as they had begun, together. They were succeeded\nby a clanking noise deep down below as if some person were dragging a\nheavy chain over the casks in the wine-merchant's cellar. Scrooge then\nremembered to have heard that ghosts in haunted houses were described as\ndragging chains.\n\nThe cellar door flew open with a booming sound, and then he heard the\nnoise much louder on the floors below; then coming up the stairs; then\ncoming straight towards his door.\n\n'It's humbug still!' said Scrooge. 'I won't believe it.'\n\nHis colour changed, though, when, without a pause, it came on through\nthe heavy door and passed into the room before his eyes. Upon its coming\nin, the dying flame leaped up, as though it cried, 'I know him! Marley's\nGhost!' and fell again.\n\nThe same face: the very same. Marley in his pigtail, usual waistcoat,\ntights, and boots; the tassels on the latter bristling",
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- "content": "I won't believe it.'\n\nHis colour changed, though, when, without a pause, it came on through\nthe heavy door and passed into the room before his eyes. Upon its coming\nin, the dying flame leaped up, as though it cried, 'I know him! Marley's\nGhost!' and fell again.\n\nThe same face: the very same. Marley in his pigtail, usual waistcoat,\ntights, and boots; the tassels on the latter bristling, like his\npigtail, and his coat-skirts, and the hair upon his head. The chain he\ndrew was clasped about his middle. It was long, and wound about him like\na tail; and it was made (for Scrooge observed it closely) of cash-boxes,\nkeys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel. His\nbody was transparent: so that Scrooge, observing him, and looking\nthrough his waistcoat, could see the two buttons on his coat behind.\n\nScrooge had often heard it said that Marley had no bowels, but he had\nnever believed it until now.\n\nNo, nor did he believe it even now. Though he looked the phantom through\nand through, and saw it standing before him; though he felt the chilling\ninfluence of its death-cold eyes, and marked the very texture of the\nfolded kerchief bound about its head and chin, which wrapper he had not\nobserved before, he was still incredulous, and fought against his\nsenses.\n\n'How now!' said Scrooge, caustic and cold as ever. 'What do you want\nwith me?'\n\n'Much!'--Marley's voice; no doubt about it.\n\n'Who are you?'\n\n'Ask me who I _was_.'\n\n'Who _were_ you, then?' said Scrooge, raising his voice. 'You're\nparticular, for a shade.' He was going to say '_to_ a shade,' but\nsubstituted this, as more appropriate.\n\n'In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley.'\n\n'Can you--can you sit down?' asked Scrooge, looking doubtfully at him.\n\n'I can.'\n\n'Do it, then.'\n\nScrooge asked the question, because he didn't know whether a ghost so\ntransparent might find himself in a condition to take a chair; and felt\nthat in the event of its being impossible, it might involve the\nnecessity of an embarrassing explanation. But the Ghost sat down on the\nopposite side of the fireplace, as if he were quite used to it.\n\n'You don't believe in me,' observed the Ghost.\n\n'I don't,' said Scrooge.\n\n'What evidence would you have of my reality beyond that of your own\nsenses?'\n\n'I don't know,' said Scrooge.\n\n'Why do you doubt your senses?'\n\n'Because,' said Scrooge, 'a little thing affects them. A slight disorder\nof the stomach makes them cheats. You may be an undigested bit of beef,\na blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato.\nThere's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!'\n\nScrooge was not much in the habit of cracking jokes, nor did he feel in\nhis heart by any means waggish then. The truth is, that he tried to be\nsmart, as a means of distracting his own attention, and keeping down his\nterror; for the spectre's voice disturbed the very marrow in his bones.\n\nTo sit staring at those fixed, glazed eyes in silence, for a moment,\nwould play, Scrooge felt, the very deuce with him. There was something\nvery awful, too, in the spectre's being provided with an infernal\natmosphere of his own. Scrooge could not feel it himself, but this was\nclearly the case; for though the Ghost sat perfectly motionless, its\nhair, and skirts, and tassels were still agitated as by the hot vapour\nfrom an oven.\n\n'You see this toothpick?' said Scrooge, returning quickly to the charge,\nfor the reason just assigned; and wishing, though it were only for a\nsecond, to divert the vision's stony gaze from himself.\n\n'I do,' replied the Ghost.\n\n'You are not looking at it,' said Scrooge.\n\n'But I see it,' said the Ghost, 'notwithstanding.'\n\n'Well!' returned Scrooge, 'I have but to swallow this, and be for the\nrest of my days persecuted by a legion of goblins, all of my own\ncreation. Humbug, I tell you: humbug!'\n\nAt this the spirit raised a frightful cry, and shook its chain with such\na dismal and appalling noise, that Scrooge held on tight to his chair,\nto save himself from falling in a swoon. But how much greater was his\nhorror when the phantom, taking off the bandage round his head, as if it\nwere too warm to wear indoors, its lower jaw dropped down upon its\nbreast!\n\nScrooge fell upon his knees, and clasped his hands before his face.\n\n'Mercy!' he said. 'Dreadful apparition, why do you trouble me?'\n\n'Man of the worldly mind!' replied the Ghost, 'do you believe in me or\nnot?'\n\n'I do,' said Scrooge; 'I must. But why do spirits walk the earth, and\nwhy do they come to me?'\n\n'It is required of every man,' the Ghost returned, 'that the spirit\nwithin him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and\nwide",
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- "content": "said. 'Dreadful apparition, why do you trouble me?'\n\n'Man of the worldly mind!' replied the Ghost, 'do you believe in me or\nnot?'\n\n'I do,' said Scrooge; 'I must. But why do spirits walk the earth, and\nwhy do they come to me?'\n\n'It is required of every man,' the Ghost returned, 'that the spirit\nwithin him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and\nwide; and, if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do\nso after death. It is doomed to wander through the world--oh, woe is\nme!--and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth,\nand turned to happiness!'\n\nAgain the spectre raised a cry, and shook its chain and wrung its\nshadowy hands.\n\n'You are fettered,' said Scrooge, trembling. 'Tell me why?'\n\n'I wear the chain I forged in life,' replied the Ghost. 'I made it link\nby link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of\nmy own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to _you_?'\n\nScrooge trembled more and more.\n\n'Or would you know,' pursued the Ghost, 'the weight and length of the\nstrong coil you bear yourself? It was full as heavy and as long as this\nseven Christmas Eves ago. You have laboured on it since. It is a\nponderous chain!'\n\nScrooge glanced about him on the floor, in the expectation of finding\nhimself surrounded by some fifty or sixty fathoms of iron cable; but he\ncould see nothing.\n\n'Jacob!' he said imploringly. 'Old Jacob Marley, tell me more! Speak\ncomfort to me, Jacob!'\n\n'I have none to give,' the Ghost replied. 'It comes from other regions,\nEbenezer Scrooge, and is conveyed by other ministers, to other kinds of\nmen. Nor can I tell you what I would. A very little more is all\npermitted to me. I cannot rest, I cannot stay, I cannot linger anywhere.\nMy spirit never walked beyond our counting-house--mark me;--in life my\nspirit never roved beyond the narrow limits of our money-changing hole;\nand weary journeys lie before me!'\n\nIt was a habit with Scrooge, whenever he became thoughtful, to put his\nhands in his breeches pockets. Pondering on what the Ghost had said, he\ndid so now, but without lifting up his eyes, or getting off his knees.\n\n[Illustration: ON THE WINGS OF THE WIND]\n\n'You must have been very slow about it, Jacob,' Scrooge observed in a\nbusiness-like manner, though with humility and deference.\n\n'Slow!' the Ghost repeated.\n\n'Seven years dead,' mused Scrooge. 'And travelling all the time?'\n\n'The whole time,' said the Ghost. 'No rest, no peace. Incessant torture\nof remorse.'\n\n'You travel fast?' said Scrooge.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n'On the wings of the wind,' replied the Ghost.\n\n'You might have got over a great quantity of ground in seven years,'\nsaid Scrooge.\n\nThe Ghost, on hearing this, set up another cry, and clanked its chain so\nhideously in the dead silence of the night, that the Ward would have\nbeen justified in indicting it for a nuisance.\n\n'Oh! captive, bound, and double-ironed,' cried the phantom, 'not to know\nthat ages of incessant labour, by immortal creatures, for this earth\nmust pass into eternity before the good of which it is susceptible is\nall developed! Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly in\nits little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too\nshort for its vast means of usefulness! Not to know that no space of\nregret can make amends for one life's opportunities misused! Yet such\nwas I! Oh, such was I!'\n\n'But you were always a good man of business, Jacob,' faltered Scrooge,\nwho now began to apply this to himself.\n\n'Business!' cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. 'Mankind was my\nbusiness. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy,\nforbearance, and benevolence were, all, my business. The dealings of my\ntrade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my\nbusiness!'\n\nIt held up its chain at arm's-length, as if that were the cause of all\nits unavailing grief, and flung it heavily upon the ground again.\n\n'At this time of the rolling year,' the spectre said, 'I suffer most.\nWhy did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down,\nand never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a\npoor abode? Were there no poor homes to which its light would have\nconducted _me_?'\n\nScrooge was very much dismayed to hear the spectre going on at this\nrate, and began to quake exceedingly.\n\n'Hear me!' cried the Ghost. 'My time is nearly gone.'\n\n'I will,' said Scrooge. 'But don't be hard upon me! Don't be flowery,\nJacob! Pray!'\n\n'How it is that I appear before you in a shape that you can see, I may\nnot tell. I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day.'\n\nIt was not an agreeable idea. Scrooge shivered, and wiped the\nperspiration from his brow.\n\n'That is no light part of my",
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- "content": "'My time is nearly gone.'\n\n'I will,' said Scrooge. 'But don't be hard upon me! Don't be flowery,\nJacob! Pray!'\n\n'How it is that I appear before you in a shape that you can see, I may\nnot tell. I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day.'\n\nIt was not an agreeable idea. Scrooge shivered, and wiped the\nperspiration from his brow.\n\n'That is no light part of my penance,' pursued the Ghost. 'I am here\nto-night to warn you that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my\nfate. A chance and hope of my procuring, Ebenezer.'\n\n'You were always a good friend to me,' said Scrooge. 'Thankee!'\n\n'You will be haunted,' resumed the Ghost, 'by Three Spirits.'\n\nScrooge's countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost's had done.\n\n'Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?' he demanded in a\nfaltering voice.\n\n'It is.'\n\n'I--I think I'd rather not,' said Scrooge.\n\n'Without their visits,' said the Ghost, 'you cannot hope to shun the\npath I tread. Expect the first to-morrow when the bell tolls One.'\n\n'Couldn't I take 'em all at once, and have it over, Jacob?' hinted\nScrooge.\n\n'Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third, upon\nthe next night when the last stroke of Twelve has ceased to vibrate.\nLook to see me no more; and look that, for your own sake, you remember\nwhat has passed between us!'\n\nWhen it had said these words, the spectre took its wrapper from the\ntable, and bound it round its head as before. Scrooge knew this by the\nsmart sound its teeth made when the jaws were brought together by the\nbandage. He ventured to raise his eyes again, and found his supernatural\nvisitor confronting him in an erect attitude, with its chain wound over\nand about its arm.\n\n[Illustration: _The air was filled with phantoms, wandering hither and\nthither in restless haste and moaning as they went_]\n\nThe apparition walked backward from him; and, at every step it took, the\nwindow raised itself a little, so that, when the spectre reached it, it\nwas wide open. It beckoned Scrooge to approach, which he did. When they\nwere within two paces of each other, Marley's Ghost held up its hand,\nwarning him to come no nearer. Scrooge stopped.\n\nNot so much in obedience as in surprise and fear; for, on the raising of\nthe hand, he became sensible of confused noises in the air; incoherent\nsounds of lamentation and regret; wailings inexpressibly sorrowful and\nself-accusatory. The spectre, after listening for a moment, joined in\nthe mournful dirge; and floated out upon the bleak, dark night.\n\nScrooge followed to the window: desperate in his curiosity. He looked\nout.\n\nThe air was filled with phantoms, wandering hither and thither in\nrestless haste, and moaning as they went. Every one of them wore chains\nlike Marley's Ghost; some few (they might be guilty governments) were\nlinked together; none were free. Many had been personally known to\nScrooge in their lives. He had been quite familiar with one old ghost in\na white waistcoat, with a monstrous iron safe attached to its ankle, who\ncried piteously at being unable to assist a wretched woman with an\ninfant, whom it saw below upon a doorstep. The misery with them all was\nclearly, that they sought to interfere, for good, in human matters, and\nhad lost the power for ever.\n\nWhether these creatures faded into mist, or mist enshrouded them, he\ncould not tell. But they and their spirit voices faded together; and\nthe night became as it had been when he walked home.\n\nScrooge closed the window, and examined the door by which the Ghost had\nentered. It was double locked, as he had locked it with his own hands,\nand the bolts were undisturbed. He tried to say 'Humbug!' but stopped at\nthe first syllable. And being, from the emotions he had undergone, or\nthe fatigues of the day, or his glimpse of the Invisible World, or the\ndull conversation of the Ghost, or the lateness of the hour, much in\nneed of repose, went straight to bed without undressing, and fell asleep\nupon the instant.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nSTAVE TWO\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\nTHE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS\n\n\nWhen Scrooge awoke it was so dark, that, looking out of bed, he could\nscarcely distinguish the transparent window from the opaque walls of his\nchamber. He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret\neyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.\nSo he listened for the hour.\n\nTo his great astonishment, the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and\nfrom seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped. Twelve!\nIt was past two when he went to bed. The clock was wrong. An icicle must\nhave got into the works. Twelve!\n\nHe touched the spring of his repeater, to correct this most preposterous\nclock. Its rapid little pulse beat twelve, and stopped.\n\n'Why, it isn't possible,' said Scrooge, 'that I can have slept through a\nwhole day and far into",
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- "content": "from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped. Twelve!\nIt was past two when he went to bed. The clock was wrong. An icicle must\nhave got into the works. Twelve!\n\nHe touched the spring of his repeater, to correct this most preposterous\nclock. Its rapid little pulse beat twelve, and stopped.\n\n'Why, it isn't possible,' said Scrooge, 'that I can have slept through a\nwhole day and far into another night. It isn't possible that anything\nhas happened to the sun, and this is twelve at noon!'\n\nThe idea being an alarming one, he scrambled out of bed, and groped his\nway to the window. He was obliged to rub the frost off with the sleeve\nof his dressing-gown before he could see anything; and could see very\nlittle then. All he could make out was, that it was still very foggy and\nextremely cold, and that there was no noise of people running to and\nfro, and making a great stir, as there unquestionably would have been if\nnight had beaten off bright day, and taken possession of the world. This\nwas a great relief, because 'Three days after sight of this First of\nExchange pay to Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge or his order,' and so forth, would\nhave become a mere United States security if there were no days to count\nby.\n\nScrooge went to bed again, and thought, and thought, and thought it over\nand over, and could make nothing of it. The more he thought, the more\nperplexed he was; and, the more he endeavoured not to think, the more he\nthought.\n\nMarley's Ghost bothered him exceedingly. Every time he resolved within\nhimself, after mature inquiry that it was all a dream, his mind flew\nback again, like a strong spring released, to its first position, and\npresented the same problem to be worked all through, 'Was it a dream or\nnot?'\n\nScrooge lay in this state until the chime had gone three-quarters more,\nwhen he remembered, on a sudden, that the Ghost had warned him of a\nvisitation when the bell tolled one. He resolved to lie awake until the\nhour was passed; and, considering that he could no more go to sleep than\ngo to heaven, this was, perhaps, the wisest resolution in his power.\n\nThe quarter was so long, that he was more than once convinced he must\nhave sunk into a doze unconsciously, and missed the clock. At length it\nbroke upon his listening ear.\n\n'Ding, dong!'\n\n'A quarter past,' said Scrooge, counting.\n\n'Ding, dong!'\n\n'Half past,' said Scrooge.\n\n'Ding, dong!'\n\n'A quarter to it.' said Scrooge.\n\n'Ding, dong!'\n\n'The hour itself,' said Scrooge triumphantly, 'and nothing else!'\n\nHe spoke before the hour bell sounded, which it now did with a deep,\ndull, hollow, melancholy ONE. Light flashed up in the room upon the\ninstant, and the curtains of his bed were drawn.\n\nThe curtains of his bed were drawn aside, I tell you, by a hand. Not\nthe curtains at his feet, nor the curtains at his back, but those to\nwhich his face was addressed. The curtains of his bed were drawn aside;\nand Scrooge, starting up into a half-recumbent attitude, found himself\nface to face with the unearthly visitor who drew them: as close to it as\nI am now to you, and I am standing in the spirit at your elbow.\n\nIt was a strange figure--like a child; yet not so like a child as like\nan old man, viewed through some supernatural medium, which gave him the\nappearance of having receded from the view, and being diminished to a\nchild's proportions. Its hair, which hung about its neck and down its\nback, was white, as if with age; and yet the face had not a wrinkle in\nit, and the tenderest bloom was on the skin. The arms were very long and\nmuscular; the hands the same, as if its hold were of uncommon strength.\nIts legs and feet, most delicately formed, were, like those upper\nmembers, bare. It wore a tunic of the purest white; and round its waist\nwas bound a lustrous belt, the sheen of which was beautiful. It held a\nbranch of fresh green holly in its hand; and, in singular contradiction\nof that wintry emblem, had its dress trimmed with summer flowers. But\nthe strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there\nsprang a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and\nwhich was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a\ngreat extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.\n\nEven this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness,\nwas _not_ its strangest quality. For, as its belt sparkled and\nglittered, now in one part and now in another, and what was light one\ninstant at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its\ndistinctness; being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with\ntwenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a\nbody: of which dissolving parts no outline would be visible in the dense\ngloom wherein they melted away. And, in the very wonder of this, it\nwould be itself again; distinct and clear as ever.",
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- "content": "instant at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its\ndistinctness; being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with\ntwenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a\nbody: of which dissolving parts no outline would be visible in the dense\ngloom wherein they melted away. And, in the very wonder of this, it\nwould be itself again; distinct and clear as ever.\n\n'Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?' asked\nScrooge.\n\n'I am!'\n\nThe voice was soft and gentle. Singularly low, as if, instead of being\nso close behind him, it were at a distance.\n\n'Who and what are you?' Scrooge demanded.\n\n'I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.'\n\n'Long Past?' inquired Scrooge, observant of its dwarfish stature.\n\n'No. Your past.'\n\nPerhaps Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have\nasked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap,\nand begged him to be covered.\n\n'What!' exclaimed the Ghost, 'would you so soon put out, with worldly\nhands, the light I give? Is it not enough that you are one of those\nwhose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years\nto wear it low upon my brow?'\n\nScrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge\nof having wilfully 'bonneted' the Spirit at any period of his life. He\nthen made bold to inquire what business brought him there.\n\n'Your welfare!' said the Ghost.\n\nScrooge expressed himself much obliged, but could not help thinking that\na night of unbroken rest would have been more conducive to that end. The\nSpirit must have heard him thinking, for it said immediately--\n\n'Your reclamation, then. Take heed!'\n\nIt put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the\narm.\n\n'Rise! and walk with me!'\n\nIt would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the\nhour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the\nthermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in\nhis slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon\nhim at that time. The grasp, though gentle as a woman's hand, was not\nto be resisted. He rose; but, finding that the Spirit made towards the\nwindow, clasped its robe in supplication.\n\n'I am a mortal,' Scrooge remonstrated, 'and liable to fall.'\n\n'Bear but a touch of my hand _there_,' said the Spirit, laying it upon\nhis heart, 'and you shall be upheld in more than this!'\n\nAs the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon\nan open country road, with fields on either hand. The city had entirely\nvanished. Not a vestige of it was to be seen. The darkness and the mist\nhad vanished with it, for it was a clear, cold, winter day, with snow\nupon the ground.\n\n'Good Heaven!' said Scrooge, clasping his hands together, as he looked\nabout him. 'I was bred in this place. I was a boy here!'\n\nThe Spirit gazed upon him mildly. Its gentle touch, though it had been\nlight and instantaneous, appeared still present to the old man's sense\nof feeling. He was conscious of a thousand odours floating in the air,\neach one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and\ncares long, long forgotten!\n\n'Your lip is trembling,' said the Ghost. 'And what is that upon your\ncheek?'\n\nScrooge muttered, with an unusual catching in his voice, that it was a\npimple; and begged the Ghost to lead him where he would.\n\n'You recollect the way?' inquired the Spirit.\n\n'Remember it!' cried Scrooge with fervour; 'I could walk it blindfold.'\n\n'Strange to have forgotten it for so many years!' observed the Ghost.\n'Let us go on.'\n\nThey walked along the road, Scrooge recognising every gate, and post,\nand tree, until a little market-town appeared in the distance, with its\nbridge, its church, and winding river. Some shaggy ponies now were seen\ntrotting towards them with boys upon their backs, who called to other\nboys in country gigs and carts, driven by farmers. All these boys were\nin great spirits, and shouted to each other, until the broad fields were\nso full of merry music, that the crisp air laughed to hear it.\n\n'These are but shadows of the things that have been,' said the Ghost.\n'They have no consciousness of us.'\n\nThe jocund travellers came on; and as they came, Scrooge knew and named\nthem every one. Why was he rejoiced beyond all bounds to see them? Why\ndid his cold eye glisten, and his heart leap up as they went past? Why\nwas he filled with gladness when he heard them give each other Merry\nChristmas, as they parted at cross-roads and by-ways for their several\nhomes? What was merry Christmas to Scrooge? Out upon merry Christmas!\nWhat good had it ever done to him?\n\n'The school is not quite deserted,' said the Ghost. 'A solitary child,\nneglected by his friends, is left there still.'\n\nScrooge said he knew it. And he sobbed.\n\nThey left the high-road by a well-remembered lane and soon approached",
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- "content": "Merry\nChristmas, as they parted at cross-roads and by-ways for their several\nhomes? What was merry Christmas to Scrooge? Out upon merry Christmas!\nWhat good had it ever done to him?\n\n'The school is not quite deserted,' said the Ghost. 'A solitary child,\nneglected by his friends, is left there still.'\n\nScrooge said he knew it. And he sobbed.\n\nThey left the high-road by a well-remembered lane and soon approached a\nmansion of dull red brick, with a little weather-cock surmounted cupola\non the roof, and a bell hanging in it. It was a large house, but one of\nbroken fortunes; for the spacious offices were little used, their walls\nwere damp and mossy, their windows broken, and their gates decayed.\nFowls clucked and strutted in the stables; and the coach-houses and\nsheds were overrun with grass. Nor was it more retentive of its ancient\nstate within; for, entering the dreary hall, and glancing through the\nopen doors of many rooms, they found them poorly furnished, cold, and\nvast. There was an earthy savour in the air, a chilly bareness in the\nplace, which associated itself somehow with too much getting up by\ncandle light and not too much to eat.\n\nThey went, the Ghost and Scrooge, across the hall, to a door at the back\nof the house. It opened before them, and disclosed a long, bare,\nmelancholy room, made barer still by lines of plain deal forms and\ndesks. At one of these a lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire; and\nScrooge sat down upon a form, and wept to see his poor forgotten self as\nhe had used to be.\n\nNot a latent echo in the house, not a squeak and scuffle from the mice\nbehind the panelling, not a drip from the half-thawed waterspout in the\ndull yard behind, not a sigh among the leafless boughs of one despondent\npoplar, not the idle swinging of an empty storehouse door, no, not a\nclicking in the fire, but fell upon the heart of Scrooge with softening\ninfluence, and gave a freer passage to his tears.\n\nThe Spirit touched him on the arm, and pointed to his younger self,\nintent upon his reading. Suddenly a man in foreign garments, wonderfully\nreal and distinct to look at, stood outside the window, with an axe\nstuck in his belt, and leading by the bridle an ass laden with wood.\n\n'Why, it's Ali Baba!' Scrooge exclaimed in ecstasy. 'It's dear old\nhonest Ali Baba! Yes, yes, I know. One Christmas-time, when yonder\nsolitary child was left here all alone, he _did_ come, for the first\ntime, just like that. Poor boy! And Valentine,' said Scrooge, 'and his\nwild brother, Orson; there they go! And what's his name, who was put\ndown in his drawers, asleep, at the gate of Damascus; don't you see him?\nAnd the Sultan's Groom turned upside down by the Genii; there he is upon\nhis head! Serve him right! I'm glad of it. What business had he to be\nmarried to the Princess?'\n\nTo hear Scrooge expending all the earnestness of his nature on such\nsubjects, in a most extraordinary voice between laughing and crying; and\nto see his heightened and excited face; would have been a surprise to\nhis business friends in the City, indeed.\n\n'There's the Parrot!' cried Scrooge. 'Green body and yellow tail, with a\nthing like a lettuce growing out of the top of his head; there he is!\nPoor Robin Crusoe he called him, when he came home again after sailing\nround the island. \"Poor Robin Crusoe, where have you been, Robin\nCrusoe?\" The man thought he was dreaming, but he wasn't. It was the\nParrot, you know. There goes Friday, running for his life to the little\ncreek! Halloa! Hoop! Halloo!'\n\nThen, with a rapidity of transition very foreign to his usual character,\nhe said, in pity for his former self, 'Poor boy!' and cried again.\n\n'I wish,' Scrooge muttered, putting his hand in his pocket, and looking\nabout him, after drying his eyes with his cuff; 'but it's too late now.'\n\n'What is the matter?' asked the Spirit.\n\n'Nothing,' said Scrooge. 'Nothing. There was a boy singing a Christmas\ncarol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something:\nthat's all.'\n\nThe Ghost smiled thoughtfully, and waved its hand, saying as it did so,\n'Let us see another Christmas!'\n\nScrooge's former self grew larger at the words, and the room became a\nlittle darker and more dirty. The panels shrunk, the windows cracked;\nfragments of plaster fell out of the ceiling, and the naked laths were\nshown instead; but how all this was brought about Scrooge knew no more\nthan you do. He only knew that it was quite correct; that everything had\nhappened so; that there he was, alone again, when all the other boys had\ngone home for the jolly holidays.\n\nHe was not reading now, but walking up and down despairingly. Scrooge\nlooked at the Ghost, and, with a mournful shaking of his head, glanced\nanxiously towards the door.\n\nIt opened; and a little girl, much",
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- "content": "more\nthan you do. He only knew that it was quite correct; that everything had\nhappened so; that there he was, alone again, when all the other boys had\ngone home for the jolly holidays.\n\nHe was not reading now, but walking up and down despairingly. Scrooge\nlooked at the Ghost, and, with a mournful shaking of his head, glanced\nanxiously towards the door.\n\nIt opened; and a little girl, much younger than the boy, came darting\nin, and, putting her arms about his neck, and often kissing him,\naddressed him as her 'dear, dear brother.'\n\n'I have come to bring you home, dear brother!' said the child, clapping\nher tiny hands, and bending down to laugh. 'To bring you home, home,\nhome!'\n\n'Home, little Fan?' returned the boy.\n\n'Yes!' said the child, brimful of glee. 'Home for good and all. Home for\never and ever. Father is so much kinder than he used to be, that home's\nlike heaven! He spoke so gently to me one dear night when I was going to\nbed, that I was not afraid to ask him once more if you might come home;\nand he said Yes, you should; and sent me in a coach to bring you. And\nyou're to be a man!' said the child, opening her eyes; 'and are never to\ncome back here; but first we're to be together all the Christmas long,\nand have the merriest time in all the world.'\n\n'You are quite a woman, little Fan!' exclaimed the boy.\n\nShe clapped her hands and laughed, and tried to touch his head; but,\nbeing too little laughed again, and stood on tiptoe to embrace him. Then\nshe began to drag him, in her childish eagerness, towards the door; and\nhe, nothing loath to go, accompanied her.\n\nA terrible voice in the hall cried, 'Bring down Master Scrooge's box,\nthere!' and in the hall appeared the schoolmaster himself, who glared on\nMaster Scrooge with a ferocious condescension, and threw him into a\ndreadful state of mind by shaking hands with him. He then conveyed him\nand his sister into the veriest old well of a shivering best parlour\nthat ever was seen, where the maps upon the wall, and the celestial and\nterrestrial globes in the windows, were waxy with cold. Here he produced\na decanter of curiously light wine, and a block of curiously heavy cake,\nand administered instalments of those dainties to the young people; at\nthe same time sending out a meagre servant to offer a glass of\n'something' to the postboy, who answered that he thanked the gentleman,\nbut, if it was the same tap as he had tasted before, he had rather not.\nMaster Scrooge's trunk being by this time tied on to the top of the\nchaise, the children bade the schoolmaster good-bye right willingly;\nand, getting into it, drove gaily down the garden sweep; the quick\nwheels dashing the hoar-frost and snow from off the dark leaves of the\nevergreens like spray.\n\n[Illustration: HE PRODUCED A DECANTER OF CURIOUSLY LIGHT WINE, AND A\nBLOCK OF CURIOUSLY HEAVY CAKE]\n\n'Always a delicate creature, whom a breath might have withered,' said\nthe Ghost. 'But she had a large heart!'\n\n'So she had,' cried Scrooge. 'You're right. I will not gainsay it,\nSpirit. God forbid!'\n\n'She died a woman,' said the Ghost, 'and had, as I think, children.'\n\n'One child,' Scrooge returned.\n\n'True,' said the Ghost. 'Your nephew!'\n\nScrooge seemed uneasy in his mind, and answered briefly, 'Yes.'\n\nAlthough they had but that moment left the school behind them, they were\nnow in the busy thoroughfares of a city, where shadowy passengers passed\nand re-passed; where shadowy carts and coaches battled for the way, and\nall the strife and tumult of a real city were. It was made plain enough,\nby the dressing of the shops, that here, too, it was Christmas-time\nagain; but it was evening, and the streets were lighted up.\n\nThe Ghost stopped at a certain warehouse door, and asked Scrooge if he\nknew it.\n\n'Know it!' said Scrooge. 'Was I apprenticed here?'\n\nThey went in. At sight of an old gentleman in a Welsh wig, sitting\nbehind such a high desk, that if he had been two inches taller, he must\nhave knocked his head against the ceiling, Scrooge cried in great\nexcitement--\n\n'Why, it's old Fezziwig! Bless his heart, it's Fezziwig alive again!'\n\nOld Fezziwig laid down his pen, and looked up at the clock, which\npointed to the hour of seven. He rubbed his hands; adjusted his\ncapacious waistcoat; laughed all over himself, from his shoes to his\norgan of benevolence; and called out, in a comfortable, oily, rich, fat,\njovial voice--\n\n'Yo ho, there! Ebenezer! Dick!'\n\nScrooge's former self, now grown a young man, came briskly in,\naccompanied by his fellow-'prentice.\n\n'Dick Wilkins, to be sure!' said Scrooge to the Ghost. 'Bless me, yes.\nThere he is. He was very much attached to me, was Dick",
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- "content": "benevolence; and called out, in a comfortable, oily, rich, fat,\njovial voice--\n\n'Yo ho, there! Ebenezer! Dick!'\n\nScrooge's former self, now grown a young man, came briskly in,\naccompanied by his fellow-'prentice.\n\n'Dick Wilkins, to be sure!' said Scrooge to the Ghost. 'Bless me, yes.\nThere he is. He was very much attached to me, was Dick. Poor Dick! Dear,\ndear!'\n\n'Yo ho, my boys!' said Fezziwig. 'No more work to-night. Christmas Eve,\nDick. Christmas, Ebenezer! Let's have the shutters up,' cried old\nFezziwig, with a sharp clap of his hands, 'before a man can say Jack\nRobinson!'\n\nYou wouldn't believe how those two fellows went at it! They charged into\nthe street with the shutters--one, two, three--had 'em up in their\nplaces--four, five, six--barred 'em and pinned 'em--seven, eight,\nnine--and came back before you could have got to twelve, panting like\nracehorses.\n\n'Hilli-ho!' cried old Fezziwig, skipping down from the high desk with\nwonderful agility. 'Clear away, my lads, and let's have lots of room\nhere! Hilli-ho, Dick! Chirrup, Ebenezer!'\n\nClear away! There was nothing they wouldn't have cleared away, or\ncouldn't have cleared away, with old Fezziwig looking on. It was done in\na minute. Every movable was packed off, as if it were dismissed from\npublic life for evermore; the floor was swept and watered, the lamps\nwere trimmed, fuel was heaped upon the fire; and the warehouse was as\nsnug, and warm, and dry, and bright a ball-room as you would desire to\nsee upon a winter's night.\n\nIn came a fiddler with a music-book, and went up to the lofty desk, and\nmade an orchestra of it, and tuned like fifty stomach-aches. In came\nMrs. Fezziwig, one vast substantial smile. In came the three Miss\nFezziwigs, beaming and lovable. In came the six young followers whose\nhearts they broke. In came all the young men and women employed in the\nbusiness. In came the housemaid, with her cousin the baker. In came the\ncook with her brother's particular friend the milkman. In came the boy\nfrom over the way, who was suspected of not having board enough from his\nmaster; trying to hide himself behind the girl from next door but one,\nwho was proved to have had her ears pulled by her mistress. In they all\ncame, one after another; some shyly, some boldly, some gracefully, some\nawkwardly, some pushing, some pulling; in they all came, any how and\nevery how. Away they all went, twenty couple at once; hands half round\nand back again the other way; down the middle and up again; round and\nround in various stages of affectionate grouping; old top couple always\nturning up in the wrong place; new top couple starting off again as soon\nas they got there; all top couples at last, and not a bottom one to help\nthem! When this result was brought about, old Fezziwig, clapping his\nhands to stop the dance, cried out, 'Well done!' and the fiddler plunged\nhis hot face into a pot of porter, especially provided for that purpose.\nBut, scorning rest upon his reappearance, he instantly began again,\nthough there were no dancers yet, as if the other fiddler had been\ncarried home, exhausted, on a shutter, and he were a bran-new man\nresolved to beat him out of sight, or perish.\n\n[Illustration: _Then old Fezziwig stood out to dance with Mrs.\nFezziwig_]\n\nThere were more dances, and there were forfeits, and more dances, and\nthere was cake, and there was negus, and there was a great piece of Cold\nRoast, and there was a great piece of Cold Boiled, and there were\nmince-pies, and plenty of beer. But the great effect of the evening came\nafter the Roast and Boiled, when the fiddler (an artful dog, mind! The\nsort of man who knew his business better than you or I could have told\nit him!) struck up 'Sir Roger de Coverley.' Then old Fezziwig stood\nout to dance with Mrs. Fezziwig. Top couple, too; with a good stiff\npiece of work cut out for them; three or four and twenty pair of\npartners; people who were not to be trifled with; people who would\ndance, and had no notion of walking.\n\nBut if they had been twice as many--ah! four times--old Fezziwig would\nhave been a match for them, and so would Mrs. Fezziwig. As to _her_, she\nwas worthy to be his partner in every sense of the term. If that's not\nhigh praise, tell me higher, and I'll use it. A positive light appeared\nto issue from Fezziwig's calves. They shone in every part of the dance\nlike moons. You couldn't have predicted, at any given time, what would\nbecome of them next. And when old Fezziwig and Mrs. Fezziwig had gone\nall through the dance; advance and retire, both hands to your partner,\nbow and curtsy, cork-screw, thread-the-needle",
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- "content": "me higher, and I'll use it. A positive light appeared\nto issue from Fezziwig's calves. They shone in every part of the dance\nlike moons. You couldn't have predicted, at any given time, what would\nbecome of them next. And when old Fezziwig and Mrs. Fezziwig had gone\nall through the dance; advance and retire, both hands to your partner,\nbow and curtsy, cork-screw, thread-the-needle, and back again to your\nplace: Fezziwig 'cut'--cut so deftly, that he appeared to wink with his\nlegs, and came upon his feet again without a stagger.\n\nWhen the clock struck eleven, this domestic ball broke up. Mr. and Mrs.\nFezziwig took their stations, one on either side the door, and, shaking\nhands with every person individually as he or she went out, wished him\nor her a Merry Christmas. When everybody had retired but the two\n'prentices, they did the same to them; and thus the cheerful voices died\naway, and the lads were left to their beds; which were under a counter\nin the back-shop.\n\nDuring the whole of this time Scrooge had acted like a man out of his\nwits. His heart and soul were in the scene, and with his former self. He\ncorroborated everything, remembered everything, enjoyed everything, and\nunderwent the strangest agitation. It was not until now, when the bright\nfaces of his former self and Dick were turned from them, that he\nremembered the Ghost, and became conscious that it was looking full upon\nhim, while the light upon its head burnt very clear.\n\n'A small matter,' said the Ghost, 'to make these silly folks so full of\ngratitude.'\n\n'Small!' echoed Scrooge.\n\nThe Spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices, who were\npouring out their hearts in praise of Fezziwig; and when he had done so,\nsaid:\n\n'Why! Is it not? He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money:\nthree or four, perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves this praise?'\n\n'It isn't that,' said Scrooge, heated by the remark, and speaking\nunconsciously like his former, not his latter self. 'It isn't that,\nSpirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our\nservice light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power\nlies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it\nis impossible to add and count 'em up: what then? The happiness he gives\nis quite as great as if it cost a fortune.'\n\nHe felt the Spirit's glance, and stopped.\n\n'What is the matter?' asked the Ghost.\n\n'Nothing particular,' said Scrooge.\n\n'Something, I think?' the Ghost insisted.\n\n'No,' said Scrooge, 'no. I should like to be able to say a word or two\nto my clerk just now. That's all.'\n\nHis former self turned down the lamps as he gave utterance to the wish;\nand Scrooge and the Ghost again stood side by side in the open air.\n\n'My time grows short,' observed the Spirit. 'Quick!'\n\nThis was not addressed to Scrooge, or to any one whom he could see, but\nit produced an immediate effect. For again Scrooge saw himself. He was\nolder now; a man in the prime of life. His face had not the harsh and\nrigid lines of later years; but it had begun to wear the signs of care\nand avarice. There was an eager, greedy, restless motion in the eye,\nwhich showed the passion that had taken root, and where the shadow of\nthe growing tree would fall.\n\nHe was not alone, but sat by the side of a fair young girl in a mourning\ndress: in whose eyes there were tears, which sparkled in the light that\nshone out of the Ghost of Christmas Past.\n\n'It matters little,' she said softly. 'To you, very little. Another idol\nhas displaced me; and, if it can cheer and comfort you in time to come\nas I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve.'\n\n'What Idol has displaced you?' he rejoined.\n\n'A golden one.'\n\n'This is the even-handed dealing of the world!' he said. 'There is\nnothing on which it is so hard as poverty; and there is nothing it\nprofesses to condemn with such severity as the pursuit of wealth!'\n\n'You fear the world too much,' she answered gently. 'All your other\nhopes have merged into the hope of being beyond the chance of its sordid\nreproach. I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until\nthe master passion, Gain, engrosses you. Have I not?'\n\n'What then?' he retorted. 'Even if I have grown so much wiser, what\nthen? I am not changed towards you.'\n\nShe shook her head.\n\n'Am I?'\n\n'Our contract is an old one. It was made when we were both poor, and\ncontent to be so, until, in good season, we could improve our worldly\nfortune by our patient industry. You _are_ changed. When it was made you\nwere another man.'\n\n'I was a boy,' he said impatiently.\n\n'Your own feeling tells you that you were not what you are,' she\nreturned. 'I am. That which promised happiness when we were one in heart\nis fraught with misery now that we are two. How often and how keenly I\nhave thought of this I will",
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- "content": "in good season, we could improve our worldly\nfortune by our patient industry. You _are_ changed. When it was made you\nwere another man.'\n\n'I was a boy,' he said impatiently.\n\n'Your own feeling tells you that you were not what you are,' she\nreturned. 'I am. That which promised happiness when we were one in heart\nis fraught with misery now that we are two. How often and how keenly I\nhave thought of this I will not say. It is enough that I _have_ thought\nof it, and can release you.'\n\n'Have I ever sought release?'\n\n'In words. No. Never.'\n\n'In what, then?'\n\n'In a changed nature; in an altered spirit; in another atmosphere of\nlife; another Hope as its great end. In everything that made my love of\nany worth or value in your sight. If this had never been between us,'\nsaid the girl, looking mildly, but with steadiness, upon him; 'tell me,\nwould you seek me out and try to win me now? Ah, no!'\n\nHe seemed to yield to the justice of this supposition in spite of\nhimself. But he said, with a struggle, 'You think not.'\n\n'I would gladly think otherwise if I could,' she answered. 'Heaven\nknows! When _I_ have learned a Truth like this, I know how strong and\nirresistible it must be. But if you were free to-day, to-morrow,\nyesterday, can even I believe that you would choose a dowerless\ngirl--you who, in your very confidence with her, weigh everything by\nGain: or, choosing her, if for a moment you were false enough to your\none guiding principle to do so, do I not know that your repentance and\nregret would surely follow? I do; and I release you. With a full heart,\nfor the love of him you once were.'\n\n[Illustration: SHE LEFT HIM, AND THEY PARTED]\n\nHe was about to speak; but, with her head turned from him, she resumed:\n\n'You may--the memory of what is past half makes me hope you will--have\npain in this. A very, very brief time, and you will dismiss the\nrecollection of it gladly, as an unprofitable dream, from which it\nhappened well that you awoke. May you be happy in the life you have\nchosen!'\n\nShe left him, and they parted.\n\n'Spirit!' said Scrooge, 'show me no more! Conduct me home. Why do you\ndelight to torture me?'\n\n'One shadow more!' exclaimed the Ghost.\n\n'No more!' cried Scrooge. 'No more! I don't wish to see it. Show me no\nmore!'\n\nBut the relentless Ghost pinioned him in both his arms, and forced him\nto observe what happened next.\n\nThey were in another scene and place; a room, not very large or\nhandsome, but full of comfort. Near to the winter fire sat a beautiful\nyoung girl, so like that last that Scrooge believed it was the same,\nuntil he saw _her_, now a comely matron, sitting opposite her daughter.\nThe noise in this room was perfectly tumultuous, for there were more\nchildren there than Scrooge in his agitated state of mind could count;\nand, unlike the celebrated herd in the poem, they were not forty\nchildren conducting themselves like one, but every child was conducting\nitself like forty. The consequences were uproarious beyond belief; but\nno one seemed to care; on the contrary, the mother and daughter laughed\nheartily, and enjoyed it very much; and the latter, soon beginning to\nmingle in the sports, got pillaged by the young brigands most\nruthlessly. What would I not have given to be one of them! Though I\nnever could have been so rude, no, no! I wouldn't for the wealth of all\nthe world have crushed that braided hair, and torn it down; and for the\nprecious little shoe, I wouldn't have plucked it off, God bless my soul!\nto save my life. As to measuring her waist in sport, as they did, bold\nyoung brood, I couldn't have done it; I should have expected my arm to\nhave grown round it for a punishment, and never come straight again. And\nyet I should have dearly liked, I own, to have touched her lips; to have\nquestioned her, that she might have opened them; to have looked upon the\nlashes of her downcast eyes, and never raised a blush; to have let loose\nwaves of hair, an inch of which would be a keepsake beyond price: in\nshort, I should have liked, I do confess, to have had the lightest\nlicense of a child, and yet to have been man enough to know its value.\n\n[Illustration: _A flushed and boisterous group_]\n\nBut now a knocking at the door was heard, and such a rush immediately\nensued that she, with laughing face and plundered dress, was borne\ntowards it the centre of a flushed and boisterous group, just in time to\ngreet the father, who came home attended by a man laden with Christmas\ntoys and presents. Then the shouting and the struggling, and the\nonslaught that was made on the defenceless porter! The scaling him, with\nchairs for ladders, to dive into his pockets, despoil him of\nbrown-paper parcels, hold on tight by his cravat, hug him round his\nneck, pummel his back, and kick his legs in irrepressible",
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- "content": "greet the father, who came home attended by a man laden with Christmas\ntoys and presents. Then the shouting and the struggling, and the\nonslaught that was made on the defenceless porter! The scaling him, with\nchairs for ladders, to dive into his pockets, despoil him of\nbrown-paper parcels, hold on tight by his cravat, hug him round his\nneck, pummel his back, and kick his legs in irrepressible affection! The\nshouts of wonder and delight with which the development of every package\nwas received! The terrible announcement that the baby had been taken in\nthe act of putting a doll's frying pan into his mouth, and was more than\nsuspected of having swallowed a fictitious turkey, glued on a wooden\nplatter! The immense relief of finding this a false alarm! The joy, and\ngratitude, and ecstasy! They are all indescribable alike. It is enough\nthat, by degrees, the children and their emotions got out of the\nparlour, and, by one stair at a time, up to the top of the house, where\nthey went to bed, and so subsided.\n\nAnd now Scrooge looked on more attentively than ever, when the master of\nthe house, having his daughter leaning fondly on him, sat down with her\nand her mother at his own fireside; and when he thought that such\nanother creature, quite as graceful and as full of promise, might have\ncalled him father, and been a spring-time in the haggard winter of his\nlife, his sight grew very dim indeed.\n\n'Belle,' said the husband, turning to his wife with a smile, 'I saw an\nold friend of yours this afternoon.'\n\n'Who was it?'\n\n'Guess!'\n\n'How can I? Tut, don't I know?' she added in the same breath, laughing\nas he laughed. 'Mr. Scrooge.'\n\n'Mr. Scrooge it was. I passed his office window; and as it was not shut\nup, and he had a candle inside, I could scarcely help seeing him. His\npartner lies upon the point of death, I hear; and there he sat alone.\nQuite alone in the world, I do believe.'\n\n'Spirit!' said Scrooge in a broken voice, 'remove me from this place.'\n\n'I told you these were shadows of the things that have been,' said the\nGhost. 'That they are what they are do not blame me!'\n\n'Remove me!' Scrooge exclaimed, 'I cannot bear it!'\n\nHe turned upon the Ghost, and seeing that it looked upon him with a\nface, in which in some strange way there were fragments of all the faces\nit had shown him, wrestled with it.\n\n'Leave me! Take me back. Haunt me no longer!'\n\nIn the struggle, if that can be called a struggle in which the Ghost\nwith no visible resistance on its own part was undisturbed by any effort\nof its adversary, Scrooge observed that its light was burning high and\nbright; and dimly connecting that with its influence over him, he seized\nthe extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its\nhead.\n\n[Illustration: _Laden with Christmas toys and presents_]\n\nThe Spirit dropped beneath it, so that the extinguisher covered its\nwhole form; but though Scrooge pressed it down with all his force, he\ncould not hide the light, which streamed from under it, in an unbroken\nflood upon the ground.\n\nHe was conscious of being exhausted, and overcome by an irresistible\ndrowsiness; and, further, of being in his own bedroom. He gave the cap a\nparting squeeze, in which his hand relaxed; and had barely time to reel\nto bed, before he sank into a heavy sleep.\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\nSTAVE THREE\n\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\nTHE SECOND OF THE THREE SPIRITS\n\n\nAwaking in the middle of a prodigiously tough snore, and sitting up in\nbed to get his thoughts together, Scrooge had no occasion to be told\nthat the bell was again upon the stroke of One. He felt that he was\nrestored to consciousness in the right nick of time, for the especial\npurpose of holding a conference with the second messenger despatched to\nhim through Jacob Marley's intervention. But finding that he turned\nuncomfortably cold when he began to wonder which of his curtains this\nnew spectre would draw back, he put them every one aside with his own\nhands, and, lying down again, established a sharp look-out all round the\nbed. For he wished to challenge the Spirit on the moment of its\nappearance, and did not wish to be taken by surprise and made nervous.\n\nGentlemen of the free-and-easy sort, who plume themselves on being\nacquainted with a move or two, and being usually equal to the time of\nday, express the wide range of their capacity for adventure by observing\nthat they are good for anything from pitch-and-toss to manslaughter;\nbetween which opposite extremes, no doubt, there lies a tolerably wide\nand comprehensive range of subjects. Without venturing for Scrooge quite\nas hardily as this, I don't mind calling on you to believe that he was\nready for a good broad field of strange appearances, and that nothing\nbetween a baby and a rhinoceros would have astonished him very much.\n\nNow, being prepared for almost anything, he was not by any means\nprepared for nothing; and consequently, when the bell struck One, and no\nshape appeared, he was taken with a violent fit of trembling. Five",
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- "content": "uring for Scrooge quite\nas hardily as this, I don't mind calling on you to believe that he was\nready for a good broad field of strange appearances, and that nothing\nbetween a baby and a rhinoceros would have astonished him very much.\n\nNow, being prepared for almost anything, he was not by any means\nprepared for nothing; and consequently, when the bell struck One, and no\nshape appeared, he was taken with a violent fit of trembling. Five\nminutes, ten minutes, a quarter of an hour went by, yet nothing came.\nAll this time he lay upon his bed, the very core and centre of a blaze\nof ruddy light, which streamed upon it when the clock proclaimed the\nhour; and which, being only light, was more alarming than a dozen\nghosts, as he was powerless to make out what it meant, or would be at;\nand was sometimes apprehensive that he might be at that very moment an\ninteresting case of spontaneous combustion, without having the\nconsolation of knowing it. At last, however, he began to think--as you\nor I would have thought at first; for it is always the person not in the\npredicament who knows what ought to have been done in it, and would\nunquestionably have done it too--at last, I say, he began to think that\nthe source and secret of this ghostly light might be in the adjoining\nroom, from whence, on further tracing it, it seemed to shine. This idea\ntaking full possession of his mind, he got up softly, and shuffled in\nhis slippers to the door.\n\nThe moment Scrooge's hand was on the lock a strange voice called him by\nhis name, and bade him enter. He obeyed.\n\nIt was his own room. There was no doubt about that. But it had undergone\na surprising transformation. The walls and ceiling were so hung with\nliving green, that it looked a perfect grove; from every part of which\nbright gleaming berries glistened. The crisp leaves of holly, mistletoe,\nand ivy reflected back the light, as if so many little mirrors had been\nscattered there; and such a mighty blaze went roaring up the chimney as\nthat dull petrification of a hearth had never known in Scrooge's time,\nor Marley's, or for many and many a winter season gone. Heaped up on the\nfloor, to form a kind of throne, were turkeys, geese, game, poultry,\nbrawn, great joints of meat, sucking-pigs, long wreaths of sausages,\nmince-pies, plum-puddings, barrels of oysters, red-hot chestnuts,\ncherry-cheeked apples, juicy oranges, luscious pears, immense\ntwelfth-cakes, and seething bowls of punch, that made the chamber dim\nwith their delicious steam. In easy state upon this couch there sat a\njolly Giant, glorious to see; who bore a glowing torch, in shape not\nunlike Plenty's horn, and held it up, high up, to shed its light on\nScrooge as he came peeping round the door.\n\n'Come in!' exclaimed the Ghost. 'Come in! and know me better, man!'\n\nScrooge entered timidly, and hung his head before this Spirit. He was\nnot the dogged Scrooge he had been; and though the Spirit's eyes were\nclear and kind, he did not like to meet them.\n\n'I am the Ghost of Christmas Present,' said the Spirit. 'Look upon me!'\n\nScrooge reverently did so. It was clothed in one simple deep green robe,\nor mantle, bordered with white fur. This garment hung so loosely on the\nfigure, that its capacious breast was bare, as if disdaining to be\nwarded or concealed by any artifice. Its feet, observable beneath the\nample folds of the garment, were also bare; and on its head it wore no\nother covering than a holly wreath, set here and there with shining\nicicles. Its dark-brown curls were long and free; free as its genial\nface, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its\nunconstrained demeanour, and its joyful air. Girded round its middle was\nan antique scabbard: but no sword was in it, and the ancient sheath was\neaten up with rust.\n\n'You have never seen the like of me before!' exclaimed the Spirit.\n\n'Never,' Scrooge made answer to it.\n\n'Have never walked forth with the younger members of my family; meaning\n(for I am very young) my elder brothers born in these later years?'\npursued the Phantom.\n\n'I don't think I have,' said Scrooge. 'I am afraid I have not. Have you\nhad many brothers, Spirit?'\n\n'More than eighteen hundred,' said the Ghost.\n\n'A tremendous family to provide for,' muttered Scrooge.\n\nThe Ghost of Christmas Present rose.\n\n'Spirit,' said Scrooge submissively, 'conduct me where you will. I went\nforth last night on compulsion, and I learned a lesson which is working\nnow. To-night if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it.'\n\n'Touch my robe!'\n\nScrooge did as he was told, and held it fast.\n\nHolly, mistletoe, red berries, ivy, turkeys, geese, game, poultry,\nbrawn, meat, pigs, sausages, oysters, pies, puddings, fruit, and punch,\nall vanished instantly. So did the room, the fire, the ruddy glow, the\nhour of night, and they stood in the city",
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- "content": ", let me profit by it.'\n\n'Touch my robe!'\n\nScrooge did as he was told, and held it fast.\n\nHolly, mistletoe, red berries, ivy, turkeys, geese, game, poultry,\nbrawn, meat, pigs, sausages, oysters, pies, puddings, fruit, and punch,\nall vanished instantly. So did the room, the fire, the ruddy glow, the\nhour of night, and they stood in the city streets on Christmas morning,\nwhere (for the weather was severe) the people made a rough, but brisk\nand not unpleasant kind of music, in scraping the snow from the pavement\nin front of their dwellings, and from the tops of their houses, whence\nit was mad delight to the boys to see it come plumping down into the\nroad below, and splitting into artificial little snowstorms.\n\nThe house-fronts looked black enough, and the windows blacker,\ncontrasting with the smooth white sheet of snow upon the roofs, and with\nthe dirtier snow upon the ground; which last deposit had been ploughed\nup in deep furrows by the heavy wheels of carts and waggons: furrows\nthat crossed and recrossed each other hundreds of times where the great\nstreets branched off; and made intricate channels, hard to trace in the\nthick yellow mud and icy water. The sky was gloomy, and the shortest\nstreets were choked up with a dingy mist, half thawed, half frozen,\nwhose heavier particles descended in a shower of sooty atoms, as if all\nthe chimneys in Great Britain had, by one consent, caught fire, and were\nblazing away to their dear heart's content. There was nothing very\ncheerful in the climate or the town, and yet was there an air of\ncheerfulness abroad that the clearest summer air and brightest summer\nsun might have endeavoured to diffuse in vain.\n\n[Illustration: THERE WAS NOTHING VERY CHEERFUL IN THE CLIMATE]\n\nFor the people who were shovelling away on the house-tops were jovial\nand full of glee; calling out to one another from the parapets, and now\nand then exchanging a facetious snowball--better-natured missile far\nthan many a wordy jest--laughing heartily if it went right, and not less\nheartily if it went wrong. The poulterers' shops were still half open,\nand the fruiterers' were radiant in their glory. There were great,\nround, pot-bellied baskets of chestnuts, shaped like the waistcoats of\njolly old gentlemen, lolling at the doors, and tumbling out into the\nstreet in their apoplectic opulence: There were ruddy, brown-faced,\nbroad-girthed Spanish onions, shining in the fatness of their growth\nlike Spanish friars, and winking from their shelves in wanton slyness at\nthe girls as they went by, and glanced demurely at the hung-up\nmistletoe. There were pears and apples clustered high in blooming\npyramids; there were bunches of grapes, made, in the shopkeepers'\nbenevolence, to dangle from conspicuous hooks that people's mouths might\nwater gratis as they passed; there were piles of filberts, mossy and\nbrown, recalling, in their fragrance, ancient walks among the woods, and\npleasant shufflings ankle deep through withered leaves; there were\nNorfolk Biffins, squab and swarthy, setting off the yellow of the\noranges and lemons, and, in the great compactness of their juicy\npersons, urgently entreating and beseeching to be carried home in paper\nbags and eaten after dinner. The very gold and silver fish, set forth\namong these choice fruits in a bowl, though members of a dull and\nstagnant-blooded race, appeared to know that there was something going\non; and, to a fish, went gasping round and round their little world in\nslow and passionless excitement.\n\nThe Grocers'! oh, the Grocers'! nearly closed, with perhaps two shutters\ndown, or one; but through those gaps such glimpses! It was not alone\nthat the scales descending on the counter made a merry sound, or that\nthe twine and roller parted company so briskly, or that the canisters\nwere rattled up and down like juggling tricks, or even that the blended\nscents of tea and coffee were so grateful to the nose, or even that the\nraisins were so plentiful and rare, the almonds so extremely white, the\nsticks of cinnamon so long and straight, the other spices so delicious,\nthe candied fruits so caked and spotted with molten sugar as to make the\ncoldest lookers-on feel faint, and subsequently bilious. Nor was it that\nthe figs were moist and pulpy, or that the French plums blushed in\nmodest tartness from their highly-decorated boxes, or that everything\nwas good to eat and in its Christmas dress; but the customers were all\nso hurried and so eager in the hopeful promise of the day, that they\ntumbled up against each other at the door, crashing their wicker baskets\nwildly, and left their purchases upon the counter, and came running\nback to fetch them, and committed hundreds of the like mistakes, in the\nbest humour possible; while the grocer and his people were so frank and\nfresh, that the polished hearts with which they fastened their aprons\nbehind might have been their own, worn outside for general inspection,\nand for Christmas daws to peck at if they chose.\n\nBut soon",
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- "content": "other at the door, crashing their wicker baskets\nwildly, and left their purchases upon the counter, and came running\nback to fetch them, and committed hundreds of the like mistakes, in the\nbest humour possible; while the grocer and his people were so frank and\nfresh, that the polished hearts with which they fastened their aprons\nbehind might have been their own, worn outside for general inspection,\nand for Christmas daws to peck at if they chose.\n\nBut soon the steeples called good people all to church and chapel, and\naway they came, flocking through the streets in their best clothes and\nwith their gayest faces. And at the same time there emerged, from scores\nof by-streets, lanes, and nameless turnings, innumerable people,\ncarrying their dinners to the bakers' shops. The sight of these poor\nrevellers appeared to interest the Spirit very much, for he stood with\nScrooge beside him in a baker's doorway, and, taking off the covers as\ntheir bearers passed, sprinkled incense on their dinners from his torch.\nAnd it was a very uncommon kind of torch, for once or twice, when there\nwere angry words between some dinner-carriers who had jostled each\nother, he shed a few drops of water on them from it, and their\ngood-humour was restored directly. For they said, it was a shame to\nquarrel upon Christmas Day. And so it was! God love it, so it was!\n\nIn time the bells ceased, and the bakers were shut up; and yet there was\na genial shadowing forth of all these dinners, and the progress of their\ncooking, in the thawed blotch of wet above each baker's oven, where the\npavement smoked as if its stones were cooking too.\n\n'Is there a peculiar flavour in what you sprinkle from your torch?'\nasked Scrooge.\n\n'There is. My own.'\n\n'Would it apply to any kind of dinner on this day?' asked Scrooge.\n\n'To any kindly given. To a poor one most.'\n\n'Why to a poor one most?' asked Scrooge.\n\n'Because it needs it most.'\n\n'Spirit!' said Scrooge, after a moment's thought, 'I wonder you, of all\nthe beings in the many worlds about us, should desire to cramp these\npeople's opportunities of innocent enjoyment.\n\n'I!' cried the Spirit.\n\n'You would deprive them of their means of dining every seventh day,\noften the only day on which they can be said to dine at all,' said\nScrooge; 'wouldn't you?'\n\n'I!' cried the Spirit.\n\n'You seek to close these places on the Seventh Day,' said Scrooge. 'And\nit comes to the same thing.'\n\n'I seek!' exclaimed the Spirit.\n\n'Forgive me if I am wrong. It has been done in your name, or at least in\nthat of your family,' said Scrooge.\n\n'There are some upon this earth of yours,' returned the Spirit, 'who\nlay claim to know us, and who do their deeds of passion, pride,\nill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry, and selfishness in our name, who are as\nstrange to us, and all our kith and kin, as if they had never lived.\nRemember that, and charge their doings on themselves, not us.'\n\nScrooge promised that he would; and they went on, invisible, as they had\nbeen before, into the suburbs of the town. It was a remarkable quality\nof the Ghost (which Scrooge had observed at the baker's), that\nnotwithstanding his gigantic size, he could accommodate himself to any\nplace with ease; and that he stood beneath a low roof quite as\ngracefully and like a supernatural creature as it was possible he could\nhave done in any lofty hall.\n\nAnd perhaps it was the pleasure the good Spirit had in showing off this\npower of his, or else it was his own kind, generous, hearty nature, and\nhis sympathy with all poor men, that led him straight to Scrooge's\nclerk's; for there he went, and took Scrooge with him, holding to his\nrobe; and on the threshold of the door the Spirit smiled, and stopped to\nbless Bob Cratchit's dwelling with the sprinklings of his torch. Think\nof that! Bob had but fifteen 'Bob' a week himself; he pocketed on\nSaturdays but fifteen copies of his Christian name; and yet the Ghost of\nChristmas Present blessed his four-roomed house!\n\nThen up rose Mrs. Cratchit, Cratchit's wife, dressed out but poorly in a\ntwice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons, which are cheap, and make a\ngoodly show for sixpence; and she laid the cloth, assisted by Belinda\nCratchit, second of her daughters, also brave in ribbons; while Master\nPeter Cratchit plunged a fork into the saucepan of potatoes, and getting\nthe corners of his monstrous shirt-collar (Bob's private property,\nconferred upon his son and heir in honour of the day,) into his mouth,\nrejoiced to find himself so gallantly attired, and yearned to show his\nlinen in the fashionable Parks. And now two smaller Cratchits, boy and\ngirl, came tearing in, screaming that outside the baker's they had smelt\nthe goose, and known it for their own; and basking in luxurious thoughts\nof sage and onion, these young Cratchits danced about the table, and\nexalted Master Peter Cratchit to the skies, while he (not proud,\nalthough his collars nearly",
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- "content": "antly attired, and yearned to show his\nlinen in the fashionable Parks. And now two smaller Cratchits, boy and\ngirl, came tearing in, screaming that outside the baker's they had smelt\nthe goose, and known it for their own; and basking in luxurious thoughts\nof sage and onion, these young Cratchits danced about the table, and\nexalted Master Peter Cratchit to the skies, while he (not proud,\nalthough his collars nearly choked him) blew the fire, until the slow\npotatoes, bubbling up, knocked loudly at the saucepan-lid to be let out\nand peeled.\n\n'What has ever got your precious father, then?' said Mrs. Cratchit. 'And\nyour brother, Tiny Tim? And Martha warn't as late last Christmas Day by\nhalf an hour!'\n\n'Here's Martha, mother!' said a girl, appearing as she spoke.\n\n'Here's Martha, mother!' cried the two young Cratchits. 'Hurrah! There's\n_such_ a goose, Martha!'\n\n'Why, bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you are!' said Mrs.\nCratchit, kissing her a dozen times, and taking off her shawl and bonnet\nfor her with officious zeal.\n\n'We'd a deal of work to finish up last night,' replied the girl, 'and\nhad to clear away this morning, mother!'\n\n'Well! never mind so long as you are come,' said Mrs. Cratchit. 'Sit ye\ndown before the fire, my dear, and have a warm, Lord bless ye!'\n\n'No, no! There's father coming,' cried the two young Cratchits, who were\neverywhere at once. 'Hide, Martha, hide!'\n\nSo Martha hid herself, and in came little Bob, the father, with at least\nthree feet of comforter, exclusive of the fringe, hanging down before\nhim, and his threadbare clothes darned up and brushed to look\nseasonable, and Tiny Tim upon his shoulder. Alas for Tiny Tim, he bore a\nlittle crutch, and had his limbs supported by an iron frame!\n\n'Why, where's our Martha?' cried Bob Cratchit, looking round.\n\n'Not coming,' said Mrs. Cratchit.\n\n'Not coming!' said Bob, with a sudden declension in his high spirits;\nfor he had been Tim's blood-horse all the way from church, and had come\nhome rampant. 'Not coming upon Christmas Day!'\n\nMartha didn't like to see him disappointed, if it were only in joke; so\nshe came out prematurely from behind the closet door, and ran into his\narms, while the two young Cratchits hustled Tiny Tim, and bore him off\ninto the wash-house, that he might hear the pudding singing in the\ncopper.\n\n'And how did little Tim behave?' asked Mrs. Cratchit when she had\nrallied Bob on his credulity, and Bob had hugged his daughter to his\nheart's content.\n\n'As good as gold,' said Bob, 'and better. Somehow, he gets thoughtful,\nsitting by himself so much, and thinks the strangest things you ever\nheard. He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the\nchurch, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to\nremember upon Christmas Day who made lame beggars walk and blind men\nsee.'\n\nBob's voice was tremulous when he told them this, and trembled more when\nhe said that Tiny Tim was growing strong and hearty.\n\nHis active little crutch was heard upon the floor, and back came Tiny\nTim before another word was spoken, escorted by his brother and\nsister to his stool beside the fire; and while Bob, turning up his\ncuffs--as if, poor fellow, they were capable of being made more\nshabby--compounded some hot mixture in a jug with gin and lemons, and\nstirred it round and round, and put it on the hob to simmer, Master\nPeter and the two ubiquitous young Cratchits went to fetch the goose,\nwith which they soon returned in high procession.\n\n[Illustration]\n\nSuch a bustle ensued that you might have thought a goose the rarest of\nall birds; a feathered phenomenon, to which a black swan was a matter of\ncourse--and, in truth, it was something very like it in that house. Mrs.\nCratchit made the gravy (ready beforehand in a little saucepan) hissing\nhot; Master Peter mashed the potatoes with incredible vigour; Miss\nBelinda sweetened up the apple sauce; Martha dusted the hot plates; Bob\ntook Tiny Tim beside him in a tiny corner at the table; the two young\nCratchits set chairs for everybody, not forgetting themselves, and,\nmounting guard upon their posts, crammed spoons into their mouths, lest\nthey should shriek for goose before their turn came to be helped. At\nlast the dishes were set on, and grace was said. It was succeeded by a\nbreathless pause, as Mrs. Cratchit, looking slowly all along the\ncarving-knife, prepared to plunge it in the breast; but when she did,\nand when the long-expected gush of stuffing issued forth, one murmur of\ndelight arose all round the board, and even Tiny Tim, excited by the two\nyoung Cratchits, beat on the table with the handle of his knife and\nfeebly cried Hurrah!\n\n[Illustration: HE HAD BEEN TIM'S BLOOD-HORSE ALL THE WAY FROM CHURCH]\n\nThere never was such a goose. Bob said he didn't believe there ever was\nsuch",
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- "content": "she did,\nand when the long-expected gush of stuffing issued forth, one murmur of\ndelight arose all round the board, and even Tiny Tim, excited by the two\nyoung Cratchits, beat on the table with the handle of his knife and\nfeebly cried Hurrah!\n\n[Illustration: HE HAD BEEN TIM'S BLOOD-HORSE ALL THE WAY FROM CHURCH]\n\nThere never was such a goose. Bob said he didn't believe there ever was\nsuch a goose cooked. Its tenderness and flavour, size and cheapness,\nwere the themes of universal admiration. Eked out by apple sauce and\nmashed potatoes, it was a sufficient dinner for the whole family;\nindeed, as Mrs. Cratchit said with great delight (surveying one small\natom of a bone upon the dish), they hadn't ate it all at last! Yet every\none had had enough, and the youngest Cratchits, in particular, were\nsteeped in sage and onion to the eyebrows! But now, the plates being\nchanged by Miss Belinda, Mrs. Cratchit left the room alone--too nervous\nto bear witnesses--to take the pudding up, and bring it in.\n\nSuppose it should not be done enough! Suppose it should break in turning\nout! Suppose somebody should have got over the wall of the back-yard and\nstolen it, while they were merry with the goose--a supposition at which\nthe two young Cratchits became livid! All sorts of horrors were\nsupposed.\n\nHallo! A great deal of steam! The pudding was out of the copper. A smell\nlike a washing-day! That was the cloth. A smell like an eating-house and\na pastry-cook's next door to each other, with a laundress's next door to\nthat! That was the pudding! In half a minute Mrs. Cratchit\nentered--flushed, but smiling proudly--with the pudding, like a speckled\ncannon-ball, so hard and firm, blazing in half of half-a-quartern of\nignited brandy, and bedight with Christmas holly stuck into the top.\n\nOh, a wonderful pudding! Bob Cratchit said, and calmly too, that he\nregarded it as the greatest success achieved by Mrs. Cratchit since\ntheir marriage. Mrs. Cratchit said that, now the weight was off her\nmind, she would confess she had her doubts about the quantity of flour.\nEverybody had something to say about it, but nobody said or thought it\nwas at all a small pudding for a large family. It would have been flat\nheresy to do so. Any Cratchit would have blushed to hint at such a\nthing.\n\n[Illustration: WITH THE PUDDING]\n\nAt last the dinner was all done, the cloth was cleared, the hearth\nswept, and the fire made up. The compound in the jug being tasted and\nconsidered perfect, apples and oranges were put upon the table, and a\nshovel full of chestnuts on the fire. Then all the Cratchit family\ndrew round the hearth in what Bob Cratchit called a circle, meaning half\na one; and at Bob Cratchit's elbow stood the family display of glass.\nTwo tumblers and a custard cup without a handle.\n\nThese held the hot stuff from the jug, however, as well as golden\ngoblets would have done; and Bob served it out with beaming looks, while\nthe chestnuts on the fire sputtered and cracked noisily. Then Bob\nproposed:\n\n'A merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!'\n\nWhich all the family re-echoed.\n\n'God bless us every one!' said Tiny Tim, the last of all.\n\nHe sat very close to his father's side, upon his little stool. Bob held\nhis withered little hand to his, as if he loved the child, and wished to\nkeep him by his side, and dreaded that he might be taken from him.\n\n'Spirit,' said Scrooge, with an interest he had never felt before, 'tell\nme if Tiny Tim will live.'\n\n'I see a vacant seat,' replied the Ghost, 'in the poor chimney corner,\nand a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved. If these shadows\nremain unaltered by the Future, the child will die.'\n\n'No, no,' said Scrooge. 'Oh no, kind Spirit! say he will be spared.'\n\n'If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future none other of my race,'\nreturned the Ghost, 'will find him here. What then? If he be like to\ndie, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.'\n\nScrooge hung his head to hear his own words quoted by the Spirit, and\nwas overcome with penitence and grief.\n\n'Man,' said the Ghost, 'if man you be in heart, not adamant, forbear\nthat wicked cant until you have discovered what the surplus is, and\nwhere it is. Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die? It\nmay be that, in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit\nto live than millions like this poor man's child. O God! to hear the\ninsect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his hungry\nbrothers in the dust!'\n\nScrooge bent before the Ghost's rebuke, and, trembling, cast his eyes\nupon the ground. But he raised them speedily on hearing his own name.\n\n'Mr. Scrooge!' said Bob. 'I'll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the\nFeast!'\n\n'The Founder of the Feast",
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- "content": "O God! to hear the\ninsect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his hungry\nbrothers in the dust!'\n\nScrooge bent before the Ghost's rebuke, and, trembling, cast his eyes\nupon the ground. But he raised them speedily on hearing his own name.\n\n'Mr. Scrooge!' said Bob. 'I'll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the\nFeast!'\n\n'The Founder of the Feast, indeed!' cried Mrs. Cratchit, reddening. 'I\nwish I had him here. I'd give him a piece of my mind to feast upon, and\nI hope he'd have a good appetite for it.'\n\n'My dear,' said Bob, 'the children! Christmas Day.'\n\n'It should be Christmas Day, I am sure,' said she, 'on which one drinks\nthe health of such an odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man as Mr.\nScrooge. You know he is, Robert! Nobody knows it better than you do,\npoor fellow!'\n\n'My dear!' was Bob's mild answer. 'Christmas Day.'\n\n'I'll drink his health for your sake and the Day's,' said Mrs. Cratchit,\n'not for his. Long life to him! A merry Christmas and a happy New Year!\nHe'll be very merry and very happy, I have no doubt!'\n\nThe children drank the toast after her. It was the first of their\nproceedings which had no heartiness in it. Tiny Tim drank it last of\nall, but he didn't care twopence for it. Scrooge was the Ogre of the\nfamily. The mention of his name cast a dark shadow on the party, which\nwas not dispelled for full five minutes.\n\nAfter it had passed away they were ten times merrier than before, from\nthe mere relief of Scrooge the Baleful being done with. Bob Cratchit\ntold them how he had a situation in his eye for Master Peter, which\nwould bring in, if obtained, full five-and-sixpence weekly. The two\nyoung Cratchits laughed tremendously at the idea of Peter's being a man\nof business; and Peter himself looked thoughtfully at the fire from\nbetween his collars, as if he were deliberating what particular\ninvestments he should favour when he came into the receipt of that\nbewildering income. Martha, who was a poor apprentice at a milliner's,\nthen told them what kind of work she had to do, and how many hours she\nworked at a stretch and how she meant to lie abed to-morrow morning for\na good long rest; to-morrow being a holiday she passed at home. Also how\nshe had seen a countess and a lord some days before, and how the lord\n'was much about as tall as Peter'; at which Peter pulled up his collar\nso high that you couldn't have seen his head if you had been there. All\nthis time the chestnuts and the jug went round and round; and by-and-by\nthey had a song, about a lost child travelling in the snow, from Tiny\nTim, who had a plaintive little voice, and sang it very well indeed.\n\nThere was nothing of high mark in this. They were not a handsome family;\nthey were not well dressed; their shoes were far from being waterproof;\ntheir clothes were scanty; and Peter might have known, and very likely\ndid, the inside of a pawnbroker's. But they were happy, grateful,\npleased with one another, and contented with the time; and when they\nfaded, and looked happier yet in the bright sprinklings of the Spirit's\ntorch at parting, Scrooge had his eye upon them, and especially on Tiny\nTim, until the last.\n\nBy this time it was getting dark, and snowing pretty heavily; and as\nScrooge and the Spirit went along the streets, the brightness of the\nroaring fires in kitchens, parlours, and all sorts of rooms was\nwonderful. Here, the flickering of the blaze showed preparations for a\ncosy dinner, with hot plates baking through and through before the fire,\nand deep red curtains, ready to be drawn to shut out cold and darkness.\nThere, all the children of the house were running out into the snow to\nmeet their married sisters, brothers, cousins, uncles, aunts, and be the\nfirst to greet them. Here, again, were shadows on the window-blinds of\nguests assembling; and there a group of handsome girls, all hooded and\nfur-booted, and all chattering at once, tripped lightly off to some near\nneighbour's house; where, woe upon the single man who saw them\nenter--artful witches, well they knew it--in a glow!\n\nBut, if you had judged from the numbers of people on their way to\nfriendly gatherings, you might have thought that no one was at home to\ngive them welcome when they got there, instead of every house expecting\ncompany, and piling up its fires half-chimney high. Blessings on it, how\nthe Ghost exulted! How it bared its breadth of breast, and opened its\ncapacious palm, and floated on, outpouring with a generous hand its\nbright and harmless mirth on everything within its reach! The very\nlamplighter, who ran on before, dotting the dusky street with specks of\nlight, and who was dressed to spend the evening somewhere, laughed out\nloudly as the Spirit passed, though little kenned the lamplighter that\nhe had any company but Christmas.\n\nAnd now, without a word of warning from",
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- "content": "capacious palm, and floated on, outpouring with a generous hand its\nbright and harmless mirth on everything within its reach! The very\nlamplighter, who ran on before, dotting the dusky street with specks of\nlight, and who was dressed to spend the evening somewhere, laughed out\nloudly as the Spirit passed, though little kenned the lamplighter that\nhe had any company but Christmas.\n\nAnd now, without a word of warning from the Ghost, they stood upon a\nbleak and desert moor, where monstrous masses of rude stone were cast\nabout, as though it were the burial-place of giants; and water spread\nitself wheresoever it listed; or would have done so, but for the frost\nthat held it prisoner; and nothing grew but moss and furze, and coarse,\nrank grass. Down in the west the setting sun had left a streak of fiery\nred, which glared upon the desolation for an instant, like a sullen eye,\nand frowning lower, lower, lower yet, was lost in the thick gloom of\ndarkest night.\n\n'What place is this?' asked Scrooge.\n\n'A place where miners live, who labour in the bowels of the earth,'\nreturned the Spirit. 'But they know me. See!'\n\nA light shone from the window of a hut, and swiftly they advanced\ntowards it. Passing through the wall of mud and stone, they found a\ncheerful company assembled round a glowing fire. An old, old man and\nwoman, with their children and their children's children, and another\ngeneration beyond that, all decked out gaily in their holiday attire.\nThe old man, in a voice that seldom rose above the howling of the wind\nupon the barren waste, was singing them a Christmas song; it had been a\nvery old song when he was a boy; and from time to time they all joined\nin the chorus. So surely as they raised their voices, the old man got\nquite blithe and loud; and so surely as they stopped, his vigour sank\nagain.\n\nThe Spirit did not tarry here, but bade Scrooge hold his robe, and,\npassing on above the moor, sped whither? Not to sea? To sea. To\nScrooge's horror, looking back, he saw the last of the land, a frightful\nrange of rocks, behind them; and his ears were deafened by the\nthundering of water, as it rolled and roared, and raged among the\ndreadful caverns it had worn, and fiercely tried to undermine the earth.\n\nBuilt upon a dismal reef of sunken rocks, some league or so from shore,\non which the waters chafed and dashed, the wild year through, there\nstood a solitary lighthouse. Great heaps of seaweed clung to its base,\nand storm-birds--born of the wind, one might suppose, as seaweed of the\nwater--rose and fell about it, like the waves they skimmed.\n\nBut, even here, two men who watched the light had made a fire, that\nthrough the loophole in the thick stone wall shed out a ray of\nbrightness on the awful sea. Joining their horny hands over the rough\ntable at which they sat, they wished each other Merry Christmas in their\ncan of grog; and one of them--the elder too, with his face all damaged\nand scarred with hard weather, as the figure-head of an old ship might\nbe--struck up a sturdy song that was like a gale in itself.\n\nAgain the Ghost sped on, above the black and heaving sea--on, on--until\nbeing far away, as he told Scrooge, from any shore, they lighted on a\nship. They stood beside the helmsman at the wheel, the look-out in the\nbow, the officers who had the watch; dark, ghostly figures in their\nseveral stations; but every man among them hummed a Christmas tune, or\nhad a Christmas thought, or spoke below his breath to his companion of\nsome bygone Christmas Day, with homeward hopes belonging to it. And\nevery man on board, waking or sleeping, good or bad, had had a kinder\nword for one another on that day than on any day in the year; and had\nshared to some extent in its festivities; and had remembered those he\ncared for at a distance, and had known that they delighted to remember\nhim.\n\nIt was a great surprise to Scrooge, while listening to the moaning of\nthe wind, and thinking what a solemn thing it was to move on through the\nlonely darkness over an unknown abyss, whose depths were secrets as\nprofound as death: it was a great surprise to Scrooge, while thus\nengaged, to hear a hearty laugh. It was a much greater surprise to\nScrooge to recognise it as his own nephew's and to find himself in a\nbright, dry, gleaming room, with the Spirit standing smiling by his\nside, and looking at that same nephew with approving affability!\n\n'Ha, ha!' laughed Scrooge's nephew. 'Ha, ha, ha!'\n\nIf you should happen, by any unlikely chance, to know a man more blessed\nin a laugh than Scrooge's nephew, all I can say is, I should like to\nknow him too. Introduce him to me, and I'll cultivate his acquaintance.\n\nIt is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there\nis infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so\nirresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour.",
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- "content": "'\n\nIf you should happen, by any unlikely chance, to know a man more blessed\nin a laugh than Scrooge's nephew, all I can say is, I should like to\nknow him too. Introduce him to me, and I'll cultivate his acquaintance.\n\nIt is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there\nis infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so\nirresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour. When Scrooge's\nnephew laughed in this way--holding his sides, rolling his head, and\ntwisting his face into the most extravagant contortions--Scrooge's\nniece, by marriage, laughed as heartily as he. And their assembled\nfriends, being not a bit behindhand, roared out lustily.\n\n'Ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha, ha!'\n\n'He said that Christmas was a humbug, as I live!' cried Scrooge's\nnephew. 'He believed it, too!'\n\n'More shame for him, Fred!' said Scrooge's niece indignantly. Bless\nthose women! they never do anything by halves. They are always in\nearnest.\n\nShe was very pretty; exceedingly pretty. With a dimpled,\nsurprised-looking, capital face; a ripe little mouth, that seemed made\nto be kissed--as no doubt it was; all kinds of good little dots about\nher chin, that melted into one another when she laughed; and the\nsunniest pair of eyes you ever saw in any little creature's head.\nAltogether she was what you would have called provoking, you know; but\nsatisfactory, too. Oh, perfectly satisfactory!\n\n'He's a comical old fellow,' said Scrooge's nephew, 'that's the truth;\nand not so pleasant as he might be. However, his offences carry their\nown punishment, and I have nothing to say against him.'\n\n'I'm sure he is very rich, Fred,' hinted Scrooge's niece. 'At least, you\nalways tell _me_ so.'\n\n'What of that, my dear?' said Scrooge's nephew. 'His wealth is of no use\nto him. He don't do any good with it. He don't make himself comfortable\nwith it. He hasn't the satisfaction of thinking--ha, ha, ha!--that he is\never going to benefit Us with it.'\n\n'I have no patience with him,' observed Scrooge's niece. Scrooge's\nniece's sisters, and all the other ladies, expressed the same opinion.\n\n'Oh, I have!' said Scrooge's nephew. 'I am sorry for him; I couldn't be\nangry with him if I tried. Who suffers by his ill whims? Himself always.\nHere he takes it into his head to dislike us, and he won't come and dine\nwith us. What's the consequence? He don't lose much of a dinner.'\n\n'Indeed, I think he loses a very good dinner,' interrupted Scrooge's\nniece. Everybody else said the same, and they must be allowed to have\nbeen competent judges, because they had just had dinner; and with the\ndessert upon the table, were clustered round the fire, by lamplight.\n\n'Well! I am very glad to hear it,' said Scrooge's nephew, 'because I\nhaven't any great faith in these young housekeepers. What do _you_ say,\nTopper?'\n\nTopper had clearly got his eye upon one of Scrooge's niece's sisters,\nfor he answered that a bachelor was a wretched outcast, who had no right\nto express an opinion on the subject. Whereat Scrooge's niece's\nsister--the plump one with the lace tucker: not the one with the\nroses--blushed.\n\n'Do go on, Fred,' said Scrooge's niece, clapping her hands. 'He never\nfinishes what he begins to say! He is such a ridiculous fellow!'\n\nScrooge's nephew revelled in another laugh, and as it was impossible to\nkeep the infection off, though the plump sister tried hard to do it with\naromatic vinegar, his example was unanimously followed.\n\n'I was only going to say,' said Scrooge's nephew, 'that the consequence\nof his taking a dislike to us, and not making merry with us, is, as I\nthink, that he loses some pleasant moments, which could do him no harm.\nI am sure he loses pleasanter companions than he can find in his own\nthoughts, either in his mouldy old office or his dusty chambers. I mean\nto give him the same chance every year, whether he likes it or not, for\nI pity him. He may rail at Christmas till he dies, but he can't help\nthinking better of it--I defy him--if he finds me going there, in good\ntemper, year after year, and saying, \"Uncle Scrooge, how are you?\" If it\nonly put him in the vein to leave his poor clerk fifty pounds, _that's_\nsomething; and I think I shook him yesterday.'\n\nIt was their turn to laugh now, at the notion of his shaking Scrooge.\nBut being thoroughly good-natured, and not much caring what they laughed\nat, so that they laughed at any rate, he encouraged them in their\nmerriment, and passed the bottle, joyously.\n\nAfter tea they had some music. For they were a musical family, and knew\nwhat they were about when they sung a Glee or Catch, I can assure you:\nespecially Topper, who could growl away in the bass like a good one",
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- "content": "shaking Scrooge.\nBut being thoroughly good-natured, and not much caring what they laughed\nat, so that they laughed at any rate, he encouraged them in their\nmerriment, and passed the bottle, joyously.\n\nAfter tea they had some music. For they were a musical family, and knew\nwhat they were about when they sung a Glee or Catch, I can assure you:\nespecially Topper, who could growl away in the bass like a good one, and\nnever swell the large veins in his forehead, or get red in the face over\nit. Scrooge's niece played well upon the harp; and played, among other\ntunes, a simple little air (a mere nothing: you might learn to whistle\nit in two minutes) which had been familiar to the child who fetched\nScrooge from the boarding-school, as he had been reminded by the Ghost\nof Christmas Past. When this strain of music sounded, all the things\nthat Ghost had shown him came upon his mind; he softened more and more;\nand thought that if he could have listened to it often, years ago, he\nmight have cultivated the kindnesses of life for his own happiness with\nhis own hands, without resorting to the sexton's spade that buried Jacob\nMarley.\n\n[Illustration: _The way he went after that plump sister in the lace\ntucker!_]\n\nBut they didn't devote the whole evening to music. After a while they\nplayed at forfeits; for it is good to be children sometimes, and never\nbetter than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.\nStop! There was first a game at blind man's-buff. Of course there was.\nAnd I no more believe Topper was really blind than I believe he had eyes\nin his boots. My opinion is, that it was a done thing between him and\nScrooge's nephew; and that the Ghost of Christmas Present knew it. The\nway he went after that plump sister in the lace tucker was an outrage on\nthe credulity of human nature. Knocking down the fire-irons, tumbling\nover the chairs, bumping up against the piano, smothering himself\namongst the curtains, wherever she went, there went he! He always knew\nwhere the plump sister was. He wouldn't catch anybody else. If you had\nfallen up against him (as some of them did) on purpose, he would have\nmade a feint of endeavouring to seize you, which would have been an\naffront to your understanding, and would instantly have sidled off in\nthe direction of the plump sister. She often cried out that it wasn't\nfair; and it really was not. But when, at last, he caught her; when, in\nspite of all her silken rustlings, and her rapid flutterings past him,\nhe got her into a corner whence there was no escape; then his conduct\nwas the most execrable. For his pretending not to know her; his\npretending that it was necessary to touch her head-dress, and further to\nassure himself of her identity by pressing a certain ring upon her\nfinger, and a certain chain about her neck; was vile, monstrous! No\ndoubt she told him her opinion of it when, another blind man being in\noffice, they were so very confidential together behind the curtains.\n\nScrooge's niece was not one of the blind man's-buff party, but was made\ncomfortable with a large chair and a footstool, in a snug corner where\nthe Ghost and Scrooge were close behind her. But she joined in the\nforfeits, and loved her love to admiration with all the letters of the\nalphabet. Likewise at the game of How, When, and Where, she was very\ngreat, and, to the secret joy of Scrooge's nephew, beat her sisters\nhollow; though they were sharp girls too, as Topper could have told you.\nThere might have been twenty people there, young and old, but they all\nplayed, and so did Scrooge; for wholly forgetting, in the interest he\nhad in what was going on, that his voice made no sound in their ears, he\nsometimes came out with his guess quite loud, and very often guessed\nright, too; for the sharpest needle, best Whitechapel, warranted not to\ncut in the eye, was not sharper than Scrooge, blunt as he took it in\nhis head to be.\n\nThe Ghost was greatly pleased to find him in this mood, and looked upon\nhim with such favour that he begged like a boy to be allowed to stay\nuntil the guests departed. But this the Spirit said could not be done.\n\n'Here is a new game,' said Scrooge. 'One half-hour, Spirit, only one!'\n\nIt was a game called Yes and No, where Scrooge's nephew had to think of\nsomething, and the rest must find out what, he only answering to their\nquestions yes or no, as the case was. The brisk fire of questioning to\nwhich he was exposed elicited from him that he was thinking of an\nanimal, a live animal, rather a disagreeable animal, a savage animal, an\nanimal that growled and grunted sometimes, and talked sometimes and\nlived in London, and walked about the streets, and wasn't made a show\nof, and wasn't led by anybody, and didn't live in a menagerie, and was\nnever killed in a market, and was not a horse, or an ass, or a cow, or a\nbull, or a tiger, or a dog, or a pig, or a cat, or",
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- "content": "animal, a savage animal, an\nanimal that growled and grunted sometimes, and talked sometimes and\nlived in London, and walked about the streets, and wasn't made a show\nof, and wasn't led by anybody, and didn't live in a menagerie, and was\nnever killed in a market, and was not a horse, or an ass, or a cow, or a\nbull, or a tiger, or a dog, or a pig, or a cat, or a bear. At every\nfresh question that was put to him, this nephew burst into a fresh roar\nof laughter; and was so inexpressibly tickled, that he was obliged to\nget up off the sofa and stamp. At last the plump sister, falling into a\nsimilar state, cried out:\n\n'I have found it out! I know what it is, Fred! I know what it is!'\n\n'What is it?' cried Fred.\n\n'It's your uncle Scro-o-o-o-oge.'\n\nWhich it certainly was. Admiration was the universal sentiment, though\nsome objected that the reply to 'Is it a bear?' ought to have been\n'Yes'; inasmuch as an answer in the negative was sufficient to have\ndiverted their thoughts from Mr. Scrooge, supposing they had ever had\nany tendency that way.\n\n'He has given us plenty of merriment, I am sure,' said Fred, 'and it\nwould be ungrateful not to drink his health. Here is a glass of mulled\nwine ready to our hand at the moment; and I say, \"Uncle Scrooge!\"'\n\n'Well! Uncle Scrooge!' they cried.\n\n'A merry Christmas and a happy New Year to the old man, whatever he is!'\nsaid Scrooge's nephew. 'He wouldn't take it from me, but may he have it,\nnevertheless. Uncle Scrooge!'\n\nUncle Scrooge had imperceptibly become so gay and light of heart, that\nhe would have pledged the unconscious company in return, and thanked\nthem in an inaudible speech, if the Ghost had given him time. But the\nwhole scene passed off in the breath of the last word spoken by his\nnephew; and he and the Spirit were again upon their travels.\n\nMuch they saw, and far they went, and many homes they visited, but\nalways with a happy end. The Spirit stood beside sick-beds, and they\nwere cheerful; on foreign lands, and they were close at home; by\nstruggling men, and they were patient in their greater hope; by poverty,\nand it was rich. In almshouse, hospital, and gaol, in misery's every\nrefuge, where vain man in his little brief authority had not made fast\nthe door, and barred the Spirit out, he left his blessing and taught\nScrooge his precepts.\n\nIt was a long night, if it were only a night; but Scrooge had his doubts\nof this, because the Christmas holidays appeared to be condensed into\nthe space of time they passed together. It was strange, too, that, while\nScrooge remained unaltered in his outward form, the Ghost grew older,\nclearly older. Scrooge had observed this change, but never spoke of it\nuntil they left a children's Twelfth-Night party, when, looking at the\nSpirit as they stood together in an open place, he noticed that its hair\nwas grey.\n\n'Are spirits' lives so short?' asked Scrooge.\n\n'My life upon this globe is very brief,' replied the Ghost. 'It ends\nto-night.'\n\n'To-night!' cried Scrooge.\n\n'To-night at midnight. Hark! The time is drawing near.'\n\nThe chimes were ringing the three-quarters past eleven at that moment.\n\n'Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask,' said Scrooge, looking\nintently at the Spirit's robe, 'but I see something strange, and not\nbelonging to yourself, protruding from your skirts. Is it a foot or a\nclaw?'\n\n'It might be a claw, for the flesh there is upon it,' was the Spirit's\nsorrowful reply. 'Look here!'\n\nFrom the foldings of its robe it brought two children, wretched, abject,\nfrightful, hideous, miserable. They knelt down at its feet, and clung\nupon the outside of its garment.\n\n'O Man! look here! Look, look down here!' exclaimed the Ghost.\n\nThey were a boy and girl. Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish, but\nprostrate, too, in their humility. Where graceful youth should have\nfilled their features out, and touched them with its freshest tints, a\nstale and shrivelled hand, like that of age, had pinched and twisted\nthem, and pulled them into shreds. Where angels might have sat\nenthroned, devils lurked, and glared out menacing. No change, no\ndegradation, no perversion of humanity in any grade, through all the\nmysteries of wonderful creation, has monsters half so horrible and\ndread.\n\nScrooge started back, appalled. Having them shown to him in this way, he\ntried to say they were fine children, but the words choked themselves,\nrather than be parties to a lie of such enormous magnitude.\n\n'Spirit! are they yours?' Scrooge could say no more.\n\n'They are Man's,' said the Spirit, looking down upon them. 'And they\ncling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This\ngirl is",
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- "content": "oge started back, appalled. Having them shown to him in this way, he\ntried to say they were fine children, but the words choked themselves,\nrather than be parties to a lie of such enormous magnitude.\n\n'Spirit! are they yours?' Scrooge could say no more.\n\n'They are Man's,' said the Spirit, looking down upon them. 'And they\ncling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This\ngirl is Want. Beware of them both, and all of their degree, but most of\nall beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom,\nunless the writing be erased. Deny it!' cried the Spirit, stretching out\nhis hand towards the city. 'Slander those who tell it ye! Admit it for\nyour factious purposes, and make it worse! And bide the end!'\n\n'Have they no refuge or resource?' cried Scrooge.\n\n'Are there no prisons?' said the Spirit, turning on him for the last\ntime with his own words. 'Are there no workhouses?'\n\nThe bell struck Twelve.\n\nScrooge looked about him for the Ghost, and saw it not. As the last\nstroke ceased to vibrate, he remembered the prediction of old Jacob\nMarley, and, lifting up his eyes, beheld a solemn Phantom, draped and\nhooded, coming like a mist along the ground towards him.\n\n\nSTAVE FOUR\n\n\n\n\nTHE LAST OF THE SPIRITS\n\n\nThe Phantom slowly, gravely, silently approached. When it came near him,\nScrooge bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this\nSpirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery.\n\nIt was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its\nface, its form, and left nothing of it visible, save one outstretched\nhand. But for this, it would have been difficult to detach its figure\nfrom the night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was\nsurrounded.\n\nHe felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that\nits mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread. He knew no more,\nfor the Spirit neither spoke nor moved.\n\n'I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come?' said\nScrooge.\n\nThe Spirit answered not, but pointed onward with its hand.\n\n'You are about to show me shadows of the things that have not happened,\nbut will happen in the time before us,' Scrooge pursued. 'Is that so,\nSpirit?'\n\nThe upper portion of the garment was contracted for an instant in its\nfolds, as if the Spirit had inclined its head. That was the only answer\nhe received.\n\nAlthough well used to ghostly company by this time, Scrooge feared the\nsilent shape so much that his legs trembled beneath him, and he found\nthat he could hardly stand when he prepared to follow it. The Spirit\npaused a moment, as observing his condition, and giving him time to\nrecover.\n\nBut Scrooge was all the worse for this. It thrilled him with a vague,\nuncertain horror to know that, behind the dusky shroud, there were\nghostly eyes intently fixed upon him, while he, though he stretched his\nown to the utmost, could see nothing but a spectral hand and one great\nheap of black.\n\n'Ghost of the Future!' he exclaimed, 'I fear you more than any spectre\nI have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope\nto live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear your\ncompany, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?'\n\nIt gave him no reply. The hand was pointed straight before them.\n\n'Lead on!' said Scrooge. 'Lead on! The night is waning fast, and it is\nprecious time to me, I know. Lead on, Spirit!'\n\nThe Phantom moved away as it had come towards him. Scrooge followed in\nthe shadow of its dress, which bore him up, he thought, and carried him\nalong.\n\nThey scarcely seemed to enter the City; for the City rather seemed to\nspring up about them, and encompass them of its own act. But there they\nwere in the heart of it; on 'Change, amongst the merchants, who hurried\nup and down, and chinked the money in their pockets, and conversed in\ngroups, and looked at their watches, and trifled thoughtfully with their\ngreat gold seals, and so forth, as Scrooge had seen them often.\n\nThe Spirit stopped beside one little knot of business men. Observing\nthat the hand was pointed to them, Scrooge advanced to listen to their\ntalk.\n\n'No,' said a great fat man with a monstrous chin, 'I don't know much\nabout it either way. I only know he's dead.'\n\n'When did he die?' inquired another.\n\n'Last night, I believe.'\n\n'Why, what was the matter with him?' asked a third, taking a vast\nquantity of snuff out of a very large snuff-box. 'I thought he'd never\ndie.'\n\n'God knows,' said the first, with a yawn.\n\n'What has he done with his money?' asked a red-faced gentleman with a\npendulous excrescence on the end of his nose, that shook like the gills\nof a turkey-cock.\n\n'I haven't heard,' said the man with the large chin, yawning again.\n'Left it to his company, perhaps. He hasn't left it to _me_. That's all\nI know.'\n\nThis pleasantry was received with a general",
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- "content": ",' said the first, with a yawn.\n\n'What has he done with his money?' asked a red-faced gentleman with a\npendulous excrescence on the end of his nose, that shook like the gills\nof a turkey-cock.\n\n'I haven't heard,' said the man with the large chin, yawning again.\n'Left it to his company, perhaps. He hasn't left it to _me_. That's all\nI know.'\n\nThis pleasantry was received with a general laugh.\n\n'It's likely to be a very cheap funeral,' said the same speaker; 'for,\nupon my life, I don't know of anybody to go to it. Suppose we make up a\nparty, and volunteer?'\n\n'I don't mind going if a lunch is provided,' observed the gentleman with\nthe excrescence on his nose. 'But I must be fed if I make one.'\n\nAnother laugh.\n\n[Illustration:\n\n _\"How are you?\" said one.\n \"How are you?\" returned the other.\n \"Well!\" said the first. \"Old Scratch has got his own at last, hey?\"_\n\n]\n\n'Well, I am the most disinterested among you, after all,' said the first\nspeaker, 'for I never wear black gloves, and I never eat lunch. But I'll\noffer to go if anybody else will. When I come to think of it, I'm not\nat all sure that I wasn't his most particular friend; for we used to\nstop and speak whenever we met. Bye, bye!'\n\nSpeakers and listeners strolled away, and mixed with other groups.\nScrooge knew the men, and looked towards the Spirit for an explanation.\n\nThe phantom glided on into a street. Its finger pointed to two persons\nmeeting. Scrooge listened again, thinking that the explanation might lie\nhere.\n\nHe knew these men, also, perfectly. They were men of business: very\nwealthy, and of great importance. He had made a point always of standing\nwell in their esteem in a business point of view, that is; strictly in a\nbusiness point of view.\n\n'How are you?' said one.\n\n'How are you?' returned the other.\n\n'Well!' said the first, 'old Scratch has got his own at last, hey?'\n\n'So I am told,' returned the second. 'Cold, isn't it?'\n\n'Seasonable for Christmas-time. You are not a skater, I suppose?'\n\n'No, no. Something else to think of. Good-morning!'\n\nNot another word. That was their meeting, their conversation, and their\nparting.\n\nScrooge was at first inclined to be surprised that the Spirit should\nattach importance to conversations apparently so trivial; but feeling\nassured that they must have some hidden purpose, he set himself to\nconsider what it was likely to be. They could scarcely be supposed to\nhave any bearing on the death of Jacob, his old partner, for that was\nPast, and this Ghost's province was the Future. Nor could he think of\nany one immediately connected with himself to whom he could apply them.\nBut nothing doubting that, to whomsoever they applied, they had some\nlatent moral for his own improvement, he resolved to treasure up every\nword he heard, and everything he saw; and especially to observe the\nshadow of himself when it appeared. For he had an expectation that the\nconduct of his future self would give him the clue he missed, and would\nrender the solution of these riddles easy.\n\nHe looked about in that very place for his own image, but another man\nstood in his accustomed corner; and though the clock pointed to his\nusual time of day for being there, he saw no likeness of himself among\nthe multitudes that poured in through the Porch. It gave him little\nsurprise, however; for he had been revolving in his mind a change of\nlife, and thought and hoped he saw his new-born resolutions carried out\nin this.\n\nQuiet and dark, beside him stood the Phantom, with its outstretched\nhand. When he roused himself from his thoughtful quest, he fancied,\nfrom the turn of the hand, and its situation in reference to himself,\nthat the Unseen Eyes were looking at him keenly. It made him shudder,\nand feel very cold.\n\nThey left the busy scene, and went into an obscure part of the town,\nwhere Scrooge had never penetrated before, although he recognised its\nsituation and its bad repute. The ways were foul and narrow; the shop\nand houses wretched; the people half naked, drunken, slipshod, ugly.\nAlleys and archways, like so many cesspools, disgorged their offences of\nsmell and dirt, and life upon the straggling streets; and the whole\nquarter reeked with crime, with filth, and misery.\n\nFar in this den of infamous resort, there was a low-browed, beetling\nshop, below a penthouse roof, where iron, old rags, bottles, bones, and\ngreasy offal were bought. Upon the floor within were piled up heaps of\nrusty keys, nails, chains, hinges, files, scales, weights, and refuse\niron of all kinds. Secrets that few would like to scrutinise were bred\nand hidden in mountains of unseemly rags, masses of corrupted fat, and\nsepulchres of bones. Sitting in among the wares he dealt in, by a\ncharcoal stove made of old bricks, was a grey-haired rascal, nearly\nseventy years of age, who had screened himself from the cold air without\nby a frouzy curtaining of miscellaneous tatters hung upon a line and\nsmoked his pipe in all",
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- "content": "to scrutinise were bred\nand hidden in mountains of unseemly rags, masses of corrupted fat, and\nsepulchres of bones. Sitting in among the wares he dealt in, by a\ncharcoal stove made of old bricks, was a grey-haired rascal, nearly\nseventy years of age, who had screened himself from the cold air without\nby a frouzy curtaining of miscellaneous tatters hung upon a line and\nsmoked his pipe in all the luxury of calm retirement.\n\nScrooge and the Phantom came into the presence of this man, just as a\nwoman with a heavy bundle slunk into the shop. But she had scarcely\nentered, when another woman, similarly laden, came in too; and she was\nclosely followed by a man in faded black, who was no less startled by\nthe sight of them than they had been upon the recognition of each other.\nAfter a short period of blank astonishment, in which the old man with\nthe pipe had joined them, they all three burst into a laugh.\n\n'Let the charwoman alone to be the first!' cried she who had entered\nfirst. 'Let the laundress alone to be the second; and let the\nundertaker's man alone to be the third. Look here, old Joe, here's a\nchance! If we haven't all three met here without meaning it!'\n\n'You couldn't have met in a better place,' said old Joe, removing his\npipe from his mouth. 'Come into the parlour. You were made free of it\nlong ago, you know; and the other two an't strangers. Stop till I shut\nthe door of the shop. Ah! how it skreeks! There an't such a rusty bit of\nmetal in the place as its own hinges, I believe; and I'm sure there's no\nsuch old bones here as mine. Ha! ha! We're all suitable to our calling,\nwe're well matched. Come into the parlour. Come into the parlour.'\n\nThe parlour was the space behind the screen of rags. The old man raked\nthe fire together with an old stair-rod, and having trimmed his smoky\nlamp (for it was night) with the stem of his pipe, put it into his mouth\nagain.\n\nWhile he did this, the woman who had already spoken threw her bundle on\nthe floor, and sat down in a flaunting manner on a stool, crossing her\nelbows on her knees, and looking with a bold defiance at the other two.\n\n'What odds, then? What odds, Mrs. Dilber?' said the woman. 'Every person\nhas a right to take care of themselves. _He_ always did!'\n\n'That's true, indeed!' said the laundress. 'No man more so.'\n\n'Why, then, don't stand staring as if you was afraid, woman! Who's the\nwiser? We're not going to pick holes in each other's coats, I suppose?'\n\n'No, indeed!' said Mrs. Dilber and the man together. 'We should hope\nnot.'\n\n'Very well then!' cried the woman. 'That's enough. Who's the worse for\nthe loss of a few things like these? Not a dead man, I suppose?'\n\n'No, indeed,' said Mrs. Dilber, laughing.\n\n'If he wanted to keep 'em after he was dead, a wicked old screw,'\npursued the woman, 'why wasn't he natural in his lifetime? If he had\nbeen, he'd have had somebody to look after him when he was struck with\nDeath, instead of lying gasping out his last there, alone by himself.'\n\n'It's the truest word that ever was spoke,' said Mrs. Dilber. 'It's a\njudgment on him.'\n\n'I wish it was a little heavier judgment,' replied the woman: 'and it\nshould have been, you may depend upon it, if I could have laid my hands\non anything else. Open that bundle, old Joe, and let me know the value\nof it. Speak out plain. I'm not afraid to be the first, nor afraid for\nthem to see it. We knew pretty well that we were helping ourselves\nbefore we met here, I believe. It's no sin. Open the bundle, Joe.'\n\nBut the gallantry of her friends would not allow of this; and the man in\nfaded black, mounting the breach first, produced _his_ plunder. It was\nnot extensive. A seal or two, a pencil-case, a pair of sleeve-buttons,\nand a brooch of no great value, were all. They were severally examined\nand appraised by old Joe, who chalked the sums he was disposed to give\nfor each upon the wall, and added them up into a total when he found\nthat there was nothing more to come.\n\n'That's your account,' said Joe, 'and I wouldn't give another sixpence,\nif I was to be boiled for not doing it. Who's next?'\n\n\n[Illustration: _\"What do you call this?\" said Joe. \"Bed-curtains.\"_]\n\nMrs. Dilber was next. Sheets and towels, a little wearing apparel, two\nold fashioned silver teaspoons, a pair of sugar-tongs, and a few\nboots. Her account was stated on the wall in the same manner.\n\n'I always give too much to ladies. It's a weakness of mine, and that's\nthe way I ruin myself,' said old Joe. 'That's your account. If you asked\nme for another penny, and made it an open question, I'd repent of being\nso liberal, and knock off half-a-crown.'\n\n'And now undo _my_ bundle, Joe,' said the first woman.\n\nJoe went down on his knees for the",
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- "content": "Her account was stated on the wall in the same manner.\n\n'I always give too much to ladies. It's a weakness of mine, and that's\nthe way I ruin myself,' said old Joe. 'That's your account. If you asked\nme for another penny, and made it an open question, I'd repent of being\nso liberal, and knock off half-a-crown.'\n\n'And now undo _my_ bundle, Joe,' said the first woman.\n\nJoe went down on his knees for the greater convenience of opening it,\nand, having unfastened a great many knots, dragged out a large heavy\nroll of some dark stuff.\n\n'What do you call this?' said Joe. 'Bed-curtains?'\n\n'Ah!' returned the woman, laughing and leaning forward on her crossed\narms. 'Bed-curtains!'\n\n'You don't mean to say you took 'em down, rings and all, with him lying\nthere?' said Joe.\n\n'Yes, I do,' replied the woman. 'Why not?'\n\n'You were born to make your fortune,' said Joe, 'and you'll certainly do\nit.'\n\n'I certainly shan't hold my hand, when I can get anything in it by\nreaching it out, for the sake of such a man as he was, I promise you,\nJoe,' returned the woman coolly. 'Don't drop that oil upon the blankets,\nnow.'\n\n'His blankets?' asked Joe.\n\n'Whose else's do you think?' replied the woman. 'He isn't likely to take\ncold without 'em, I dare say.'\n\n'I hope he didn't die of anything catching? Eh?' said old Joe, stopping\nin his work, and looking up.\n\n'Don't you be afraid of that,' returned the woman. 'I an't so fond of\nhis company that I'd loiter about him for such things, if he did. Ah!\nyou may look through that shirt till your eyes ache, but you won't find\na hole in it, nor a threadbare place. It's the best he had, and a fine\none too. They'd have wasted it, if it hadn't been for me.'\n\n'What do you call wasting of it?' asked old Joe.\n\n'Putting it on him to be buried in, to be sure,' replied the woman, with\na laugh. 'Somebody was fool enough to do it, but I took it off again. If\ncalico an't good enough for such a purpose, it isn't good enough for\nanything. It's quite as becoming to the body. He can't look uglier than\nhe did in that one.'\n\nScrooge listened to this dialogue in horror. As they sat grouped about\ntheir spoil, in the scanty light afforded by the old man's lamp, he\nviewed them with a detestation and disgust which could hardly have been\ngreater, though they had been obscene demons marketing the corpse\nitself.\n\n'Ha, ha!' laughed the same woman when old Joe producing a flannel bag\nwith money in it, told out their several gains upon the ground. 'This\nis the end of it, you see! He frightened every one away from him when he\nwas alive, to profit us when he was dead! Ha, ha, ha!'\n\n'Spirit!' said Scrooge, shuddering from head to foot. 'I see, I see. The\ncase of this unhappy man might be my own. My life tends that way now.\nMerciful heaven, what is this?'\n\nHe recoiled in terror, for the scene had changed, and now he almost\ntouched a bed--a bare, uncurtained bed--on which, beneath a ragged\nsheet, there lay a something covered up, which, though it was dumb,\nannounced itself in awful language.\n\nThe room was very dark, too dark to be observed with any accuracy,\nthough Scrooge glanced round it in obedience to a secret impulse,\nanxious to know what kind of room it was. A pale light, rising in the\nouter air, fell straight upon the bed; and on it, plundered and bereft,\nunwatched, unwept, uncared for, was the body of this man.\n\nScrooge glanced towards the Phantom. Its steady hand was pointed to the\nhead. The cover was so carelessly adjusted that the slightest raising of\nit, the motion of a finger upon Scrooge's part, would have disclosed the\nface. He thought of it, felt how easy it would be to do, and longed to\ndo it; but he had no more power to withdraw the veil than to dismiss the\nspectre at his side.\n\nOh, cold, cold, rigid, dreadful Death, set up thine altar here, and\ndress it with such terrors as thou hast at thy command; for this is thy\ndominion! But of the loved, revered, and honoured head thou canst not\nturn one hair to thy dread purposes, or make one feature odious. It is\nnot that the hand is heavy, and will fall down when released; it is not\nthat the heart and pulse are still; but that the hand was open,\ngenerous, and true; the heart brave, warm, and tender, and the pulse a\nman's. Strike, Shadow, strike! And see his good deeds springing from the\nwound, to sow the world with life immortal!\n\nNo voice pronounced these words in Scrooge's ears, and yet he heard them\nwhen he looked upon the bed. He thought, if this man could be raised up\nnow, what would be his foremost thoughts? Avarice, hard dealing, griping\ncares? They have brought him to a rich end, truly!\n\nHe lay in the dark, empty house, with not",
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- "content": "see his good deeds springing from the\nwound, to sow the world with life immortal!\n\nNo voice pronounced these words in Scrooge's ears, and yet he heard them\nwhen he looked upon the bed. He thought, if this man could be raised up\nnow, what would be his foremost thoughts? Avarice, hard dealing, griping\ncares? They have brought him to a rich end, truly!\n\nHe lay in the dark, empty house, with not a man, a woman, or a child to\nsay he was kind to me in this or that, and for the memory of one kind\nword I will be kind to him. A cat was tearing at the door, and there was\na sound of gnawing rats beneath the hearthstone. What _they_ wanted in\nthe room of death, and why they were so restless and disturbed, Scrooge\ndid not dare to think.\n\n'Spirit!' he said, 'this is a fearful place. In leaving it, I shall not\nleave its lesson, trust me. Let us go!'\n\nStill the Ghost pointed with an unmoved finger to the head.\n\n'I understand you,' Scrooge returned, 'and I would do it if I could. But\nI have not the power, Spirit. I have not the power.'\n\nAgain it seemed to look upon him.\n\n'If there is any person in the town who feels emotion caused by this\nman's death,' said Scrooge, quite agonised, 'show that person to me,\nSpirit, I beseech you!'\n\nThe Phantom spread its dark robe before him for a moment, like a wing;\nand, withdrawing it, revealed a room by daylight, where a mother and her\nchildren were.\n\nShe was expecting some one, and with anxious eagerness; for she walked\nup and down the room, started at every sound, looked out from the\nwindow, glanced at the clock, tried, but in vain, to work with her\nneedle, and could hardly bear the voices of her children in their play.\n\nAt length the long-expected knock was heard. She hurried to the door,\nand met her husband; a man whose face was careworn and depressed, though\nhe was young. There was a remarkable expression in it now, a kind of\nserious delight of which he felt ashamed, and which he struggled to\nrepress.\n\nHe sat down to the dinner that had been hoarding for him by the fire,\nand when she asked him faintly what news (which was not until after a\nlong silence), he appeared embarrassed how to answer.\n\n'Is it good,' she said, 'or bad?' to help him.\n\n'Bad,' he answered.\n\n'We are quite ruined?'\n\n'No. There is hope yet, Caroline.'\n\n'If _he_ relents,' she said, amazed, 'there is! Nothing is past hope, if\nsuch a miracle has happened.'\n\n'He is past relenting,' said her husband. 'He is dead.'\n\nShe was a mild and patient creature, if her face spoke truth; but she\nwas thankful in her soul to hear it, and she said so with clasped hands.\nShe prayed forgiveness the next moment, and was sorry; but the first was\nthe emotion of her heart.\n\n'What the half-drunken woman, whom I told you of last night, said to me\nwhen I tried to see him and obtain a week's delay--and what I thought\nwas a mere excuse to avoid me--turns out to have been quite true. He was\nnot only very ill, but dying, then.'\n\n'To whom will our debt be transferred?'\n\n'I don't know. But, before that time, we shall be ready with the money;\nand even though we were not, it would be bad fortune indeed to find so\nmerciless a creditor in his successor. We may sleep to-night with light\nhearts, Caroline!'\n\nYes. Soften it as they would, their hearts were lighter. The children's\nfaces, hushed and clustered round to hear what they so little\nunderstood, were brighter; and it was a happier house for this man's\ndeath! The only emotion that the Ghost could show him, caused by the\nevent, was one of pleasure.\n\n'Let me see some tenderness connected with a death,' said Scrooge; 'or\nthat dark chamber, Spirit, which we left just now, will be for ever\npresent to me.'\n\nThe Ghost conducted him through several streets familiar to his feet;\nand as they went along, Scrooge looked here and there to find himself,\nbut nowhere was he to be seen. They entered poor Bob Cratchit's house;\nthe dwelling he had visited before; and found the mother and the\nchildren seated round the fire.\n\nQuiet. Very quiet. The noisy little Cratchits were as still as statues\nin one corner, and sat looking up at Peter, who had a book before him.\nThe mother and her daughters were engaged in sewing. But surely they\nwere very quiet!\n\n'\"And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them.\"'\n\nWhere had Scrooge heard those words? He had not dreamed them. The boy\nmust have read them out as he and the Spirit crossed the threshold. Why\ndid he not go on?\n\nThe mother laid her work upon the table, and put her hand up to her\nface.\n\n'The colour hurts my eyes,' she said.\n\nThe colour? Ah, poor Tiny Tim!\n\n'They're better now again,' said Cratchit's wife. 'It makes them weak by\ncandle-light; and I wouldn't show weak eyes to your father when he comes\nhome for the world. It must be near his time.'\n\n'Past it rather,' Peter answered, shutting up his",
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- "content": "go on?\n\nThe mother laid her work upon the table, and put her hand up to her\nface.\n\n'The colour hurts my eyes,' she said.\n\nThe colour? Ah, poor Tiny Tim!\n\n'They're better now again,' said Cratchit's wife. 'It makes them weak by\ncandle-light; and I wouldn't show weak eyes to your father when he comes\nhome for the world. It must be near his time.'\n\n'Past it rather,' Peter answered, shutting up his book. 'But I think he\nhas walked a little slower than he used, these few last evenings,\nmother.'\n\nThey were very quiet again. At last she said, and in a steady, cheerful\nvoice, that only faltered once:\n\n'I have known him walk with--I have known him walk with Tiny Tim upon\nhis shoulder very fast indeed.'\n\n'And so have I,' cried Peter. 'Often.'\n\n'And so have I,' exclaimed another. So had all.\n\n'But he was very light to carry,' she resumed, intent upon her work,\n'and his father loved him so, that it was no trouble, no trouble. And\nthere is your father at the door!'\n\nShe hurried out to meet him; and little Bob in his comforter--he had\nneed of it, poor fellow--came in. His tea was ready for him on the hob,\nand they all tried who should help him to it most. Then the two young\nCratchits got upon his knees, and laid, each child, a little cheek\nagainst his face, as if they said, 'Don't mind it, father. Don't be\ngrieved!'\n\nBob was very cheerful with them, and spoke pleasantly to all the family.\nHe looked at the work upon the table, and praised the industry and speed\nof Mrs. Cratchit and the girls. They would be done long before Sunday,\nhe said.\n\n'Sunday! You went to-day, then, Robert?' said his wife.\n\n'Yes, my dear,' returned Bob. 'I wish you could have gone. It would have\ndone you good to see how green a place it is. But you'll see it often. I\npromised him that I would walk there on a Sunday. My little, little\nchild!' cried Bob. 'My little child!'\n\nHe broke down all at once. He couldn't help it. If he could have helped\nit, he and his child would have been farther apart, perhaps, than they\nwere.\n\nHe left the room, and went upstairs into the room above, which was\nlighted cheerfully, and hung with Christmas. There was a chair set close\nbeside the child, and there were signs of some one having been there\nlately. Poor Bob sat down in it, and when he had thought a little and\ncomposed himself, he kissed the little face. He was reconciled to what\nhad happened, and went down again quite happy.\n\nThey drew about the fire, and talked, the girls and mother working\nstill. Bob told them of the extraordinary kindness of Mr. Scrooge's\nnephew, whom he had scarcely seen but once, and who, meeting him in the\nstreet that day, and seeing that he looked a little--'just a little\ndown, you know,' said Bob, inquired what had happened to distress him.\n'On which,' said Bob, 'for he is the pleasantest-spoken gentleman you\never heard, I told him. \"I am heartily sorry for it, Mr. Cratchit,\" he\nsaid, \"and heartily sorry for your good wife.\" By-the-bye, how he ever\nknew _that_ I don't know.'\n\n'Knew what, my dear?'\n\n'Why, that you were a good wife,' replied Bob.\n\n'Everybody knows that,' said Peter.\n\n'Very well observed, my boy!' cried Bob. 'I hope they do. \"Heartily\nsorry,\" he said, \"for your good wife. If I can be of service to you in\nany way,\" he said, giving me his card, \"that's where I live. Pray come\nto me.\" Now, it wasn't,' cried Bob, 'for the sake of anything he might\nbe able to do for us, so much as for his kind way, that this was quite\ndelightful. It really seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim, and felt\nwith us.'\n\n'I'm sure he's a good soul!' said Mrs. Cratchit.\n\n'You would be sure of it, my dear,' returned Bob, 'if you saw and spoke\nto him. I shouldn't be at all surprised--mark what I say!--if he got\nPeter a better situation.'\n\n'Only hear that, Peter,' said Mrs. Cratchit.\n\n'And then,' cried one of the girls, 'Peter will be keeping company with\nsome one, and setting up for himself.'\n\n'Get along with you!' retorted Peter, grinning.\n\n'It's just as likely as not,' said Bob, 'one of these days; though\nthere's plenty of time for that, my dear. But, however and whenever we\npart from one another, I am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny\nTim--shall we--or this first parting that there was among us?'\n\n'Never, father!' cried they all.\n\n'And I know,' said Bob, 'I know, my dears, that when we recollect how\npatient and how mild he was; although he was a little, little child; we\nshall not quarrel easily among ourselves, and forget poor Tiny Tim in\ndoing it.'\n\n'No, never, father!' they all cried again.\n\n'I am very happy,' said little Bob, 'I am very happy",
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- "content": "there was among us?'\n\n'Never, father!' cried they all.\n\n'And I know,' said Bob, 'I know, my dears, that when we recollect how\npatient and how mild he was; although he was a little, little child; we\nshall not quarrel easily among ourselves, and forget poor Tiny Tim in\ndoing it.'\n\n'No, never, father!' they all cried again.\n\n'I am very happy,' said little Bob, 'I am very happy!'\n\nMrs. Cratchit kissed him, his daughters kissed him, the two young\nCratchits kissed him, and Peter and himself shook hands. Spirit of Tiny\nTim, thy childish essence was from God!\n\n'Spectre,' said Scrooge, 'something informs me that our parting moment\nis at hand. I know it but I know not how. Tell me what man that was whom\nwe saw lying dead?'\n\nThe Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come conveyed him, as before--though at a\ndifferent time, he thought: indeed there seemed no order in these latter\nvisions, save that they were in the Future--into the resorts of business\nmen, but showed him not himself. Indeed, the Spirit did not stay for\nanything, but went straight on, as to the end just now desired, until\nbesought by Scrooge to tarry for a moment.\n\n'This court,' said Scrooge, 'through which we hurry now, is where my\nplace of occupation is, and has been for a length of time. I see the\nhouse. Let me behold what I shall be in days to come.'\n\nThe Spirit stopped; the hand was pointed elsewhere.\n\n'The house is yonder,' Scrooge exclaimed. 'Why do you point away?'\n\nThe inexorable finger underwent no change.\n\nScrooge hastened to the window of his office, and looked in. It was an\noffice still, but not his. The furniture was not the same, and the\nfigure in the chair was not himself. The Phantom pointed as before.\n\nHe joined it once again, and, wondering why and whither he had gone,\naccompanied it until they reached an iron gate. He paused to look round\nbefore entering.\n\nA churchyard. Here, then, the wretched man, whose name he had now to\nlearn, lay underneath the ground. It was a worthy place. Walled in by\nhouses; overrun by grass and weeds, the growth of vegetation's death,\nnot life; choked up with too much burying; fat with repleted appetite. A\nworthy place!\n\nThe Spirit stood among the graves, and pointed down to One. He advanced\ntowards it trembling. The Phantom was exactly as it had been, but he\ndreaded that he saw new meaning in its solemn shape.\n\n'Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point,' said Scrooge,\n'answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that Will\nbe, or are they shadows of the things that May be only?'\n\nStill the Ghost pointed downward to the grave by which it stood.\n\n'Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in,\nthey must lead,' said Scrooge. 'But if the courses be departed from, the\nends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me!'\n\nThe Spirit was immovable as ever.\n\nScrooge crept towards it, trembling as he went; and, following the\nfinger, read upon the stone of the neglected grave his own name,\nEBENEZER SCROOGE.\n\n'Am I that man who lay upon the bed?' he cried upon his knees.\n\nThe finger pointed from the grave to him, and back again.\n\n'No, Spirit! Oh no, no!'\n\nThe finger still was there.\n\n'Spirit!' he cried, tight clutching at its robe, 'hear me! I am not the\nman I was. I will not be the man I must have been but for this\nintercourse. Why show me this, if I am past all hope?'\n\nFor the first time the hand appeared to shake.\n\n'Good Spirit,' he pursued, as down upon the ground he fell before it,\n'your nature intercedes for me, and pities me. Assure me that I yet may\nchange these shadows you have shown me by an altered life?'\n\nThe kind hand trembled.\n\n'I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I\nwill live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all\nThree shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they\nteach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!'\n\nIn his agony he caught the spectral hand. It sought to free itself, but\nhe was strong in his entreaty, and detained it. The Spirit stronger yet,\nrepulsed him.\n\nHolding up his hands in a last prayer to have his fate reversed, he saw\nan alteration in the Phantom's hood and dress. It shrunk, collapsed, and\ndwindled down into a bedpost.\n\n\nSTAVE FIVE\n\n\n[Illustration]\n\n\n\n\nTHE END OF IT\n\n\nYes! and the bedpost was his own. The bed was his own, the room was his\nown. Best and happiest of all, the Time before him was his own, to make\namends in!\n\n'I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!' Scrooge repeated\nas he scrambled out of bed. 'The Spirits of all Three shall strive\nwithin me. O Jacob Marley! Heaven and the Christmas Time be praised for\nthis! I say it on my knees, old Jacob; on my knees!'",
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- "content": "was his own, the room was his\nown. Best and happiest of all, the Time before him was his own, to make\namends in!\n\n'I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!' Scrooge repeated\nas he scrambled out of bed. 'The Spirits of all Three shall strive\nwithin me. O Jacob Marley! Heaven and the Christmas Time be praised for\nthis! I say it on my knees, old Jacob; on my knees!'\n\nHe was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions, that his\nbroken voice would scarcely answer to his call. He had been sobbing\nviolently in his conflict with the Spirit, and his face was wet with\ntears.\n\n'They are not torn down,' cried Scrooge, folding one of his bed-curtains\nin his arms, 'They are not torn down, rings and all. They are here--I am\nhere--the shadows of the things that would have been may be dispelled.\nThey will be. I know they will!'\n\nHis hands were busy with his garments all this time: turning them inside\nout, putting them on upside down, tearing them, mislaying them, making\nthem parties to every kind of extravagance.\n\n'I don't know what to do!' cried Scrooge, laughing and crying in the\nsame breath, and making a perfect Laocoon of himself with his stockings.\n'I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as\na schoolboy, I am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to\neverybody! A happy New Year to all the world! Hallo here! Whoop! Hallo!'\n\nHe had frisked into the sitting-room, and was now standing there,\nperfectly winded.\n\n'There's the saucepan that the gruel was in!' cried Scrooge, starting\noff again, and going round the fireplace. 'There's the door by which the\nGhost of Jacob Marley entered! There's the corner where the Ghost of\nChristmas Present sat! There's the window where I saw the wandering\nSpirits! It's all right, it's all true, it all happened. Ha, ha, ha!'\n\nReally, for a man who had been out of practice for so many years, it was\na splendid laugh, a most illustrious laugh. The father of a long, long\nline of brilliant laughs!\n\n'I don't know what day of the month it is,' said Scrooge. 'I don't know\nhow long I have been among the Spirits. I don't know anything. I'm quite\na baby. Never mind. I don't care. I'd rather be a baby. Hallo! Whoop!\nHallo here!'\n\nHe was checked in his transports by the churches ringing out the\nlustiest peals he had ever heard. Clash, clash, hammer; ding, dong,\nbell! Bell, dong, ding; hammer, clash, clash! Oh, glorious, glorious!\n\nRunning to the window, he opened it, and put out his head. No fog, no\nmist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold; cold, piping for the blood\nto dance to; golden sunlight; heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry\nbells. Oh, glorious! Glorious!\n\n'What's to-day?' cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday\nclothes, who perhaps had loitered in to look about him.\n\n'EH?' returned the boy with all his might of wonder.\n\n'What's to-day, my fine fellow?' said Scrooge.\n\n'To-day!' replied the boy. 'Why, CHRISTMAS DAY.'\n\n'It's Christmas Day!' said Scrooge to himself. 'I haven't missed it. The\nSpirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like.\nOf course they can. Of course they can. Hallo, my fine fellow!'\n\n'Hallo!' returned the boy.\n\n'Do you know the poulterer's in the next street but one, at the corner?'\nScrooge inquired.\n\n'I should hope I did,' replied the lad.\n\n'An intelligent boy!' said Scrooge. 'A remarkable boy! Do you know\nwhether they've sold the prize turkey that was hanging up there?--Not\nthe little prize turkey: the big one?'\n\n'What! the one as big as me?' returned the boy.\n\n'What a delightful boy!' said Scrooge. 'It's a pleasure to talk to him.\nYes, my buck!'\n\n'It's hanging there now,' replied the boy.\n\n'Is it?' said Scrooge. 'Go and buy it.'\n\n'Walk-ER!' exclaimed the boy.\n\n'No, no,' said Scrooge. 'I am in earnest. Go and buy it, and tell 'em to\nbring it here, that I may give them the directions where to take it.\nCome back with the man, and I'll give you a shilling. Come back with him\nin less than five minutes, and I'll give you half-a-crown!'\n\nThe boy was off like a shot. He must have had a steady hand at a trigger\nwho could have got a shot off half as fast.\n\n'I'll send it to Bob Cratchit's,' whispered Scrooge, rubbing his hands,\nand splitting with a laugh. 'He shan't know who sends it. It's twice the\nsize of Tiny Tim. Joe Miller never made such a joke as sending it to\nBob's will be!'\n\nThe hand in which he wrote the address was not a steady one; but write\nit he did, somehow, and went downstairs to open the street-door, ready\nfor the coming of the poulterer's man. As he stood there, waiting his\narrival, the",
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- "content": "hands,\nand splitting with a laugh. 'He shan't know who sends it. It's twice the\nsize of Tiny Tim. Joe Miller never made such a joke as sending it to\nBob's will be!'\n\nThe hand in which he wrote the address was not a steady one; but write\nit he did, somehow, and went downstairs to open the street-door, ready\nfor the coming of the poulterer's man. As he stood there, waiting his\narrival, the knocker caught his eye.\n\n'I shall love it as long as I live!' cried Scrooge, patting it with his\nhand. 'I scarcely ever looked at it before. What an honest expression it\nhas in its face! It's a wonderful knocker!--Here's the turkey. Hallo!\nWhoop! How are you! Merry Christmas!'\n\nIt _was_ a turkey! He never could have stood upon his legs, that bird.\nHe would have snapped 'em short off in a minute, like sticks of\nsealing-wax.\n\n'Why, it's impossible to carry that to Camden Town,' said Scrooge. 'You\nmust have a cab.'\n\nThe chuckle with which he said this, and the chuckle with which he paid\nfor the turkey, and the chuckle with which he paid for the cab, and the\nchuckle with which he recompensed the boy, were only to be exceeded by\nthe chuckle with which he sat down breathless in his chair again, and\nchuckled till he cried.\n\nShaving was not an easy task, for his hand continued to shake very much;\nand shaving requires attention, even when you don't dance while you are\nat it. But if he had cut the end of his nose off, he would have put a\npiece of sticking-plaster over it, and been quite satisfied.\n\nHe dressed himself 'all in his best,' and at last got out into the\nstreets. The people were by this time pouring forth, as he had seen them\nwith the Ghost of Christmas Present; and, walking with his hands behind\nhim, Scrooge regarded every one with a delighted smile. He looked so\nirresistibly pleasant, in a word, that three or four good-humoured\nfellows said, 'Good-morning, sir! A merry Christmas to you!' And Scrooge\nsaid often afterwards that, of all the blithe sounds he had ever heard,\nthose were the blithest in his ears.\n\nHe had not gone far when, coming on towards him, he beheld the portly\ngentleman who had walked into his counting-house the day before, and\nsaid, 'Scrooge and Marley's, I believe?' It sent a pang across his heart\nto think how this old gentleman would look upon him when they met; but\nhe knew what path lay straight before him, and he took it.\n\n'My dear sir,' said Scrooge, quickening his pace, and taking the old\ngentleman by both his hands, 'how do you do? I hope you succeeded\nyesterday. It was very kind of you. A merry Christmas to you, sir!'\n\n'Mr. Scrooge?'\n\n'Yes,' said Scrooge. 'That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant\nto you. Allow me to ask your pardon. And will you have the goodness----'\nHere Scrooge whispered in his ear.\n\n'Lord bless me!' cried the gentleman, as if his breath were taken away.\n'My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you serious?'\n\n'If you please,' said Scrooge. 'Not a farthing less. A great many\nback-payments are included in it, I assure you. Will you do me that\nfavour?'\n\n'My dear sir,' said the other, shaking hands with him, 'I don't know\nwhat to say to such munifi----'\n\n'Don't say anything, please,' retorted Scrooge. 'Come and see me. Will\nyou come and see me?'\n\n'I will!' cried the old gentleman. And it was clear he meant to do it.\n\n'Thankee,' said Scrooge. 'I am much obliged to you. I thank you fifty\ntimes. Bless you!'\n\nHe went to church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people\nhurrying to and fro, and patted the children on the head, and questioned\nbeggars, and looked down into the kitchens of houses, and up to the\nwindows; and found that everything could yield him pleasure. He had\nnever dreamed that any walk--that anything--could give him so much\nhappiness. In the afternoon he turned his steps towards his nephew's\nhouse.\n\nHe passed the door a dozen times before he had the courage to go up and\nknock. But he made a dash and did it.\n\n'Is your master at home, my dear?' said Scrooge to the girl. 'Nice girl!\nVery.'\n\n'Yes, sir.'\n\n'Where is he, my love?' said Scrooge.\n\n'He's in the dining-room, sir, along with mistress. I'll show you\nupstairs, if you please.'\n\n'Thankee. He knows me,' said Scrooge, with his hand already on the\ndining-room lock. 'I'll go in here, my dear.'\n\nHe turned it gently, and sidled his face in round the door. They were\nlooking at the table (which was spread out in great array); for these\nyoung housekeepers are always nervous on such points, and like to see\nthat everything is right.\n\n'Fred!' said Scrooge.\n\nDear heart alive, how his niece by marriage started! Scrooge had\nforgotten,",
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- "content": "hand already on the\ndining-room lock. 'I'll go in here, my dear.'\n\nHe turned it gently, and sidled his face in round the door. They were\nlooking at the table (which was spread out in great array); for these\nyoung housekeepers are always nervous on such points, and like to see\nthat everything is right.\n\n'Fred!' said Scrooge.\n\nDear heart alive, how his niece by marriage started! Scrooge had\nforgotten, for the moment, about her sitting in the corner with the\nfootstool, or he wouldn't have done it on any account.\n\n'Why, bless my soul!' cried Fred, 'who's that?'\n\n[Illustration: _\"It's I, your uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will\nyou let me in, Fred?\"_]\n\n'It's I. Your uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will you let me in,\nFred?'\n\nLet him in! It is a mercy he didn't shake his arm off. He was at home in\nfive minutes. Nothing could be heartier. His niece looked just the same.\nSo did Topper when _he_ came. So did the plump sister when _she_ came.\nSo did every one when _they_ came. Wonderful party, wonderful games,\nwonderful unanimity, won-der-ful happiness!\n\nBut he was early at the office next morning. Oh, he was early there! If\nhe could only be there first, and catch Bob Cratchit coming late! That\nwas the thing he had set his heart upon.\n\nAnd he did it; yes, he did! The clock struck nine. No Bob. A quarter\npast. No Bob. He was full eighteen minutes and a half behind his time.\nScrooge sat with his door wide open, that he might see him come into the\ntank.\n\nHis hat was off before he opened the door; his comforter too. He was on\nhis stool in a jiffy, driving away with his pen, as if he were trying to\novertake nine o'clock.\n\n'Hallo!' growled Scrooge in his accustomed voice as near as he could\nfeign it. 'What do you mean by coming here at this time of day?'\n\n'I am very sorry, sir,' said Bob. 'I _am_ behind my time.'\n\n'You are!' repeated Scrooge. 'Yes, I think you are. Step this way, sir,\nif you please.'\n\n'It's only once a year, sir,' pleaded Bob, appearing from the tank. 'It\nshall not be repeated. I was making rather merry yesterday, sir.'\n\n'Now, I'll tell you what, my friend,' said Scrooge. 'I am not going to\nstand this sort of thing any longer. And therefore,' he continued,\nleaping from his stool, and giving Bob such a dig in the waistcoat that\nhe staggered back into the tank again--'and therefore I am about to\nraise your salary!'\n\nBob trembled, and got a little nearer to the ruler. He had a momentary\nidea of knocking Scrooge down with it, holding him, and calling to the\npeople in the court for help and a strait-waistcoat.\n\n'A merry Christmas, Bob!' said Scrooge, with an earnestness that could\nnot be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back. 'A merrier Christmas,\nBob, my good fellow, than I have given you for many a year! I'll raise\nyour salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family, and we will\ndiscuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of\nsmoking bishop, Bob! Make up the fires and buy another coal-scuttle\nbefore you dot another i, Bob Cratchit!'\n\n[Illustration: _\"Now, I'll tell you what, my friend,\" said Scrooge. \"I\nam not going to stand this sort of thing any longer.\"_]\n\nScrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more;\nand to Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, he was a second father. He became as\ngood a friend, as good a master, and as good a man as the good old\nCity knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough in the good old\nworld. Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them\nlaugh, and little heeded them; for he was wise enough to know that\nnothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did\nnot have their fill of laughter in the outset; and knowing that such as\nthese would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they\nshould wrinkle up their eyes in grins as have the malady in less\nattractive forms. His own heart laughed, and that was quite enough for\nhim.\n\nHe had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the\nTotal-Abstinence Principle ever afterwards; and it was always said of\nhim that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed\nthe knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as\nTiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!\n\n[Illustration]\n\n+---------------------------------------------------------------+\n|Transcriber's note: The Contents were added by the transcriber.|\n+---------------------------------------------------------------+\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CHRISTMAS CAROL ***\n\n\n \n\nUpdated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will\nbe renamed.\n\nCreating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright\nlaw means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works,\nso the Foundation (and you",
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- "content": "One!\n\n[Illustration]\n\n+---------------------------------------------------------------+\n|Transcriber's note: The Contents were added by the transcriber.|\n+---------------------------------------------------------------+\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CHRISTMAS CAROL ***\n\n\n \n\nUpdated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will\nbe renamed.\n\nCreating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright\nlaw means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works,\nso the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United\nStates without permission and without paying copyright\nroyalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part\nof this license, apply to copying and distributing Project\nGutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™\nconcept and trademark. 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\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/neo4jWorkDir/lightrag.log b/neo4jWorkDir/lightrag.log
deleted file mode 100644
index 7a7741ea..00000000
--- a/neo4jWorkDir/lightrag.log
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,27839 +0,0 @@
-2024-10-30 05:08:05,826 - lightrag - INFO - Logger initialized for working directory: ./neo4jWorkDir
-2024-10-30 05:08:05,827 - lightrag - DEBUG - LightRAG init with param:
- working_dir = ./neo4jWorkDir,
- chunk_token_size = 1200,
- chunk_overlap_token_size = 100,
- tiktoken_model_name = gpt-4o-mini,
- entity_extract_max_gleaning = 1,
- entity_summary_to_max_tokens = 500,
- node_embedding_algorithm = node2vec,
- node2vec_params = {'dimensions': 1536, 'num_walks': 10, 'walk_length': 40, 'window_size': 2, 'iterations': 3, 'random_seed': 3},
- embedding_func = {'embedding_dim': 1536, 'max_token_size': 8192, 'func': },
- embedding_batch_num = 32,
- embedding_func_max_async = 16,
- llm_model_func = ,
- llm_model_name = meta-llama/Llama-3.2-1B-Instruct,
- llm_model_max_token_size = 32768,
- llm_model_max_async = 16,
- key_string_value_json_storage_cls = ,
- vector_db_storage_cls = ,
- vector_db_storage_cls_kwargs = {},
- graph_storage_cls = ,
- enable_llm_cache = True,
- addon_params = {},
- convert_response_to_json_func =
-
-2024-10-30 05:08:05,827 - lightrag - INFO - Load KV full_docs with 0 data
-2024-10-30 05:08:05,827 - lightrag - INFO - Load KV text_chunks with 0 data
-2024-10-30 05:08:05,827 - lightrag - INFO - Load KV llm_response_cache with 0 data
-2024-10-30 05:08:05,828 - lightrag - INFO - Creating a new event loop in a sub-thread.
-2024-10-30 05:08:05,828 - lightrag - INFO - [New Docs] inserting 1 docs
-2024-10-30 05:08:05,999 - lightrag - INFO - [New Chunks] inserting 42 chunks
-2024-10-30 05:08:05,999 - lightrag - INFO - Inserting 42 vectors to chunks
-2024-10-30 05:08:08,078 - lightrag - INFO - [Entity Extraction]...
-2024-10-30 05:09:04,051 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`PROJECT GUTENBERG`) RETURN n:result:"Project Gutenberg is a digital library providing free access to a wide range of eBooks, primarily in the United States and other regions, under specific licensing terms.""Project Gutenberg is an organization dedicated to the free distribution of electronic works and the preservation of the cultural heritage by providing access to public domain literature."', 'source_id': 'chunk-194cd9680f4967f48bea89678f7ece21chunk-af4ae173c561e4594c5aea96198cce9dchunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:04,409 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`PROJECT GUTENBERG`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"ORGANIZATION"', 'description': '"Project Gutenberg is a digital library offering free access to a vast array of eBooks, particularly those not protected by U.S. copyright law, allowing for worldwide distribution under specific conditions.""Project Gutenberg is a digital library offering free eBooks, allowing anyone to access literature in various formats without restrictions.""Project Gutenberg is a digital library providing free access to a wide range of eBooks, primarily in the United States and other regions, under specific licensing terms.""Project Gutenberg is an organization dedicated to the free distribution of electronic works and the preservation of the cultural heritage by providing access to public domain literature.""Project Gutenberg is an organization dedicated to the free distribution of electronic works, relying on volunteers and donations to maintain its collection.""Project Gutenberg is an organization that promotes the free distribution of electronic works and holds a compilation copyright for its collection.""Project Gutenberg is an organization that provides free eBooks, promoting accessibility to literature without restrictions."', 'source_id': 'chunk-194cd9680f4967f48bea89678f7ece21chunk-af4ae173c561e4594c5aea96198cce9dchunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-c51b3dc560b408cce12cdfe5c9c94f57'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:04,957 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`A CHRISTMAS CAROL`) RETURN n:result:
-2024-10-30 05:09:05,114 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`A CHRISTMAS CAROL`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"EVENT"', 'description': '"A Christmas Carol is a famous novella by Charles Dickens that tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge\'s transformation and redemption, particularly around the Christmas season.""A Christmas Carol is a literary work available through Project Gutenberg, indicating its role in literature and public access.""A Christmas Carol is a novella by Charles Dickens that explores themes of redemption, compassion, and the spirit of Christmas, first published in 1843."', 'source_id': 'chunk-194cd9680f4967f48bea89678f7ece21chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:05,271 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`CHARLES DICKENS`) RETURN n:result:
-2024-10-30 05:09:05,422 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`CHARLES DICKENS`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"PERSON"', 'description': '"Charles Dickens is a renowned English writer and social critic, best known for his novels depicting Victorian society, including A Christmas Carol.""Charles Dickens is the author of A Christmas Carol, a prominent English writer known for his literary contributions in the 19th century."', 'source_id': 'chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:05,578 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`ARTHUR RACKHAM`) RETURN n:result:
-2024-10-30 05:09:05,735 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`ARTHUR RACKHAM`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"PERSON"', 'description': '"Arthur Rackham is the illustrator of A Christmas Carol, renowned for his distinctive style in illustrating classic literature.""Arthur Rackham was an English illustrator known for his imaginative and detailed illustrations for children\'s books, including A Christmas Carol."', 'source_id': 'chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:05,896 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`EBENEZER SCROOGE`) RETURN n:result:"Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character of A Christmas Carol, portrayed as a miserly and greedy old man who experiences a transformation through the visitation of spirits."', 'source_id': 'chunk-c7b10789a9cb0af6c553730b29bd9034chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:06,100 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`EBENEZER SCROOGE`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"PERSON"', 'description': '"Ebenezer Scrooge is a central character known for his past connections and interactions, especially with Fezziwig and Dick Wilkins.""Ebenezer Scrooge is a protagonist who experiences confusion and fear regarding the passage of time and supernatural events, especially concerned about a ghostly visitation.""Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character of A Christmas Carol, portrayed as a miserly and greedy old man who experiences a transformation through the visitation of spirits.""Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character of A Christmas Carol, depicted as a miserly and cold-hearted man who undergoes a significant transformation.""Ebenezer Scrooge is the main character who experiences a profound transformation through his encounters with supernatural entities."', 'source_id': 'chunk-c7b10789a9cb0af6c553730b29bd9034chunk-8bc1edd983869352d14cf0886a9175a7chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:06,254 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`BOB CRATCHIT`) RETURN n:result:"Bob Cratchit is Scrooge\'s clerk, who demonstrates a sense of hope and joy, particularly highlighted during Christmas Eve.""Bob Cratchit is Scrooge\'s employee who arrives late to work after celebrating Christmas, displaying a sense of trepidation toward Scrooge.""Bob Cratchit is a character associated with Scrooge, representing the family Scrooge intends to support by sending a turkey.""Bob Cratchit is a character who appears to be the voice of moderation and kindness, attempting to maintain positivity during the family Christmas feast despite Scrooge\'s presence.""Bob Cratchit is depicted as a struggling father, representative of familial love and concern, particularly for his children, including Tiny Tim.""Bob Cratchit is the dedicated clerk of Ebenezer Scrooge, representing the struggles of the working class and the importance of family in A Christmas Carol.""Bob Cratchit is the father of Tiny Tim and the head of the Cratchit family, who expresses joy and gratitude during Christmas dinner.""Bob Cratchit is the father of Tiny Tim, characterized by his kindness and emotional depth, especially in relation to his family\'s struggles.""Bob Cratchit is the father of the Cratchit family, characterized by his warmth and dedication to his family, particularly in caring for Tiny Tim."', 'source_id': 'chunk-83ac129dc9b56f84c46760d153d68e93chunk-503f0bfa5453467c7c61d160a3540ecachunk-90b95db5c53e4364a6bee36b7aa4d70fchunk-b0f459f5af1c3a5e0b92cbe4ee48b77bchunk-1d4b58de5429cd1261370c231c8673e8chunk-d9aac3484185ac66045df92214d245d5chunk-94bea83e7153fc2064aa382b494936a1chunk-7e2e7ebcc19a53b399dc03aded4743e7chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-19d72c57ae3408758b18d2568e86dc6b'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:06,257 - lightrag - DEBUG - Trigger summary: "BOB CRATCHIT"
-2024-10-30 05:09:06,382 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`TINY TIM`) RETURN n:result:"Tiny Tim is a member of the Cratchit family, who represents the innocence and impact of Scrooge\'s generosity.""Tiny Tim is a symbol of innocence and vulnerability within the Cratchit family, evoking compassion and highlighting the harsh realities of illness and poverty.""Tiny Tim is a symbolic character representing innocence and the impact of loss on family cohesion.""Tiny Tim is a young boy in the Cratchit family, characterized by his spirit and resilience despite being a cripple, symbolizing hope and kindness during Christmas.""Tiny Tim is a young boy in the Cratchit family, who is portrayed as frail yet joyous and embodies the spirit of Christmas.""Tiny Tim is a young child in the Cratchit family, whose health and well-being are of great concern to his family, and he is remembered fondly.""Tiny Tim is depicted as a vulnerable child who participates in the Christmas toast but seems indifferent to it, symbolizing the family\'s struggles.""Tiny Tim, the son of Bob Cratchit, is a sickly child whose positive outlook on life symbolizes hope and compassion in A Christmas Carol."', 'source_id': 'chunk-83ac129dc9b56f84c46760d153d68e93chunk-503f0bfa5453467c7c61d160a3540ecachunk-91572b3cd42786ba4cb2f180ca25cbf4chunk-1d4b58de5429cd1261370c231c8673e8chunk-90b95db5c53e4364a6bee36b7aa4d70fchunk-94bea83e7153fc2064aa382b494936a1chunk-7e2e7ebcc19a53b399dc03aded4743e7chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-19d72c57ae3408758b18d2568e86dc6b'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:06,385 - lightrag - DEBUG - Trigger summary: "TINY TIM"
-2024-10-30 05:09:06,509 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`MR. FEZZIWIG`) RETURN n:result:
-2024-10-30 05:09:06,659 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`MR. FEZZIWIG`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"PERSON"', 'description': '"Mr. Fezziwig is a kind-hearted merchant and former employer of Scrooge, representing joy and generosity in contrast to Scrooge\'s character.""Mr. Fezziwig is a kind-hearted old merchant who served as a mentor to Scrooge, representing generosity and the joy of Christmas through his festive parties."', 'source_id': 'chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:06,804 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST`) RETURN n:result:"The Ghost of Christmas Past is a supernatural entity that aids Scrooge in reflecting on his past experiences and emotions."', 'source_id': 'chunk-bb21d58d36c6306fd8810ddd51c4a971chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:06,962 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"EVENT"', 'description': '"The Ghost of Christmas Past is a supernatural character that shows Scrooge his past, helping him understand the roots of his current miserliness.""The Ghost of Christmas Past is a supernatural entity that aids Scrooge in reflecting on his past experiences and emotions.""The Ghost of Christmas Past is one of the spirits in A Christmas Carol that shows Scrooge his past, prompting reflection and change.""The Ghost of Christmas Past represents a spirit that guides Scrooge to revisit and reflect on his past experiences and memories."', 'source_id': 'chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-bb21d58d36c6306fd8810ddd51c4a971'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:07,105 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT`) RETURN n:result:"The Ghost of Christmas Present is a spirit that reveals to Scrooge the joys and struggles of the present Christmas season, emphasizing generosity and compassion."', 'source_id': 'chunk-843b5b2f944c7413d9ca876e2e2f151fchunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:07,251 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"EVENT"', 'description': '"The Ghost of Christmas Present is a spirit that embodies generosity and abundance, leading Scrooge to self-reflection and understanding.""The Ghost of Christmas Present is a spirit that reveals to Scrooge the joys and struggles of the present Christmas season, emphasizing generosity and compassion.""The Ghost of Christmas Present is a spirit that represents generosity and joy, playing a pivotal role in teaching Scrooge valuable lessons about kindness and the Christmas spirit.""The Ghost of Christmas Present is a spirit that reveals the current struggles and joys of others, influencing Scrooge\'s perspective."', 'source_id': 'chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-843b5b2f944c7413d9ca876e2e2f151f'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:07,415 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`GHOST OF CHRISTMAS YET TO COME`) RETURN n:result:"The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is an event within the story that signifies Scrooge\'s confrontation with the future consequences of his actions."', 'source_id': 'chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-02baee20cc9463dbe08170a8e1043e32'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:07,608 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`GHOST OF CHRISTMAS YET TO COME`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"EVENT"', 'description': '"The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is a foreboding spirit that shows Scrooge the potential consequences of his actions if he does not change.""The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is an apparition that presents Scrooge with a grim vision of his possible future if he doesn\'t change his ways.""The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is an event within the story that signifies Scrooge\'s confrontation with the future consequences of his actions.""The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come signifies a pivotal moment where Scrooge is confronted with the potential futures resulting from his life choices."', 'source_id': 'chunk-02baee20cc9463dbe08170a8e1043e32chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:07,780 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`FRED`) RETURN n:result:"Fred is Scrooge\'s nephew who expresses admiration for his uncle and proposes a toast in his honor during a Christmas gathering.""Fred is Scrooge\'s nephew, mentioned in the context of Scrooge\'s visit to his house.""Fred is Scrooge\'s nephew, representing the warmth and joy of family that Scrooge initially rejects.""Fred is Scrooge\'s niece by marriage who expresses surprise and warmth at Scrooge\'s unexpected visit for dinner."', 'source_id': 'chunk-8f738cb25d60a7dab782162d9d0a25edchunk-e7637ff18c5ded77a68cce0a87883fadchunk-94bea83e7153fc2064aa382b494936a1chunk-89777b838d5447c7bd1ec11282c4ee89chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:07,925 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`FRED`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"PERSON"', 'description': '"Fred is Ebenezer Scrooge\'s lively nephew, who embodies the spirit of Christmas and contrasts with Scrooge\'s misanthropy by inviting him to family gatherings.""Fred is Scrooge\'s nephew who expresses admiration for his uncle and proposes a toast in his honor during a Christmas gathering.""Fred is Scrooge\'s nephew, mentioned in the context of Scrooge\'s visit to his house.""Fred is Scrooge\'s nephew, representing the warmth and joy of family that Scrooge initially rejects.""Fred is Scrooge\'s niece by marriage who expresses surprise and warmth at Scrooge\'s unexpected visit for dinner.""Fred is Ebenezer Scrooge\'s nephew, who embodies the spirit of Christmas and represents familial love and joy.""Fred is Scrooge\'s nephew who expresses admiration for Scrooge and raises a toast to his uncle during a Christmas gathering.""Fred is Scrooge\'s nephew, representing familial love and the joy of Christmas gatherings.""Fred is Scrooge\'s nephew, who invites Scrooge to dinner, emphasizing familial connections and the spirit of Christmas.""Fred is Scrooge\'s nephew, who is surprised by Scrooge\'s visit and is depicted as a friendly figure during the Christmas gathering."', 'source_id': 'chunk-e7637ff18c5ded77a68cce0a87883fadchunk-89777b838d5447c7bd1ec11282c4ee89chunk-94bea83e7153fc2064aa382b494936a1chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-8f738cb25d60a7dab782162d9d0a25ed'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:08,067 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`MRS. CRATCHIT`) RETURN n:result:"Mrs. Cratchit is Bob Cratchit\'s supportive wife, who strives to provide for her family despite their financial struggles and embodies resilience.""Mrs. Cratchit is Bob\'s wife who prepares the Christmas pudding, showcasing her pride and care in family traditions.""Mrs. Cratchit is Bob\'s wife, a supportive mother who manages the household while showing concern for her children\'s well-being.""Mrs. Cratchit is Bob\'s wife, portrayed as making an effort to prepare a festive atmosphere despite their financial struggles.""Mrs. Cratchit is a character who shows affection towards Bob, enhancing the family dynamic.""Mrs. Cratchit is the mother in the family who prepares the meal and shows warmth and attentiveness towards her family members during their Christmas celebration."', 'source_id': 'chunk-503f0bfa5453467c7c61d160a3540ecachunk-b0f459f5af1c3a5e0b92cbe4ee48b77bchunk-91572b3cd42786ba4cb2f180ca25cbf4chunk-1d4b58de5429cd1261370c231c8673e8chunk-7e2e7ebcc19a53b399dc03aded4743e7chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-19d72c57ae3408758b18d2568e86dc6b'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:08,214 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`MRS. CRATCHIT`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"PERSON"', 'description': '"Mrs. Cratchit expresses strong disdain for Scrooge, highlighting her feelings towards him during the Christmas festivities.""Mrs. Cratchit is Bob Cratchit\'s supportive wife, who strives to provide for her family despite their financial struggles and embodies resilience.""Mrs. Cratchit is Bob\'s wife who prepares the Christmas pudding, showcasing her pride and care in family traditions.""Mrs. Cratchit is Bob\'s wife, a supportive mother who manages the household while showing concern for her children\'s well-being.""Mrs. Cratchit is Bob\'s wife, portrayed as making an effort to prepare a festive atmosphere despite their financial struggles.""Mrs. Cratchit is a character who shows affection towards Bob, enhancing the family dynamic.""Mrs. Cratchit is the mother in the family who prepares the meal and shows warmth and attentiveness towards her family members during their Christmas celebration.""Mrs. Cratchit is Bob\'s wife, portrayed as devoted and hardworking, striving to create a joyous atmosphere for her family despite limited resources.""Mrs. Cratchit is Bob\'s wife, proud of her cooking skills, particularly the Christmas pudding, and plays a central role in the family\'s holiday celebration.""Mrs. Cratchit is Bob\'s wife, who expresses care for her family and shares in the emotional moments surrounding Tiny Tim\'s health.""Mrs. Cratchit is portrayed as outspoken and resentful towards Scrooge, yet ultimately participates in the Christmas festivities for her family\'s sake.""Mrs. Cratchit is the mother of the Cratchit family, depicted as nurturing and energetic, managing the Christmas preparations and caring for her children.""Mrs. Cratchit is the wife of Bob Cratchit, who supports her family and embodies warmth and resilience despite their struggles.""Mrs. Cratchit, the wife of Bob, is industrious and caring, focused on the well-being of her family."', 'source_id': 'chunk-7e2e7ebcc19a53b399dc03aded4743e7chunk-91572b3cd42786ba4cb2f180ca25cbf4chunk-b0f459f5af1c3a5e0b92cbe4ee48b77bchunk-19d72c57ae3408758b18d2568e86dc6bchunk-1d4b58de5429cd1261370c231c8673e8chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-503f0bfa5453467c7c61d160a3540eca'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:08,354 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`BELINDA CRATCHIT`) RETURN n:result:"Belinda Cratchit is one of Bob Cratchit\'s daughters, assisting her mother in laying the dining cloth.""Belinda is a daughter of Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, representing the Cratchit family\'s love and unity during difficult times."', 'source_id': 'chunk-7e2e7ebcc19a53b399dc03aded4743e7chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-b0f459f5af1c3a5e0b92cbe4ee48b77b'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:08,506 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`BELINDA CRATCHIT`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"PERSON"', 'description': '"Belinda Cratchit is another daughter in the Cratchit family, depicted as participating in the festive meal by sweetening the apple sauce, showcasing her involvement in family traditions.""Belinda Cratchit is one of Bob Cratchit\'s daughters, assisting her mother in laying the dining cloth.""Belinda is a daughter of Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, representing the Cratchit family\'s love and unity during difficult times.""Belinda Cratchit is one of Bob\'s daughters, assisting in household tasks and showing a strong familial bond.""Belinda is the daughter of Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, representing the innocence and joyful spirit of the Cratchit family."', 'source_id': 'chunk-b0f459f5af1c3a5e0b92cbe4ee48b77bchunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-7e2e7ebcc19a53b399dc03aded4743e7'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:08,651 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`MARTHA CRATCHIT`) RETURN n:result:"Martha is another daughter of Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, who, like her sister Belinda, symbolizes the warmth and togetherness in the Cratchit household."', 'source_id': 'chunk-7e2e7ebcc19a53b399dc03aded4743e7chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:08,801 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`MARTHA CRATCHIT`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"PERSON"', 'description': '"Martha Cratchit is a daughter in the Cratchit family who contributes to the household and shows affection for her family, particularly her father Bob.""Martha is another daughter of Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, who, like her sister Belinda, symbolizes the warmth and togetherness in the Cratchit household.""Martha Cratchit is a daughter of Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, working as an apprentice at a milliner\'s and looking forward to the holiday for a good rest.""Martha is another daughter of Bob and Mrs. Cratchit, who shows love and care for her family."', 'source_id': 'chunk-7e2e7ebcc19a53b399dc03aded4743e7chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-19d72c57ae3408758b18d2568e86dc6b'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:08,943 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`JOE`) RETURN n:result:"Joe is a marine-store dealer depicted as receiving stolen goods, illustrating the consequences of crime and the darker sides of society.""Joe is portrayed as a character engaged in a conversation about the deceased, displaying a mix of humor and practicality in dealing with the possessions of the dead."', 'source_id': 'chunk-89777b838d5447c7bd1ec11282c4ee89chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-e1f29eeadc1d8ab46dc8a0bbd3c56b64'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:09,098 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`JOE`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"PERSON"', 'description': '"Joe is a character engaged in a conversation, displaying curiosity and a sense of humor regarding a situation related to \'bed-curtains\'.""Joe is a marine-store dealer depicted as receiving stolen goods, illustrating the consequences of crime and the darker sides of society.""Joe is portrayed as a character engaged in a conversation about the deceased, displaying a mix of humor and practicality in dealing with the possessions of the dead.""Joe is a character who interacts with others, demonstrating a sense of curiosity and disbelief regarding certain situations and comments.""Joe is a marine-store dealer and receiver of stolen goods, indicative of the darker, more unscrupulous elements of society.""Joe is an old character who engages in conversation about the deceased man\'s belongings, revealing his pragmatic and somewhat cynical perspective on life and death."', 'source_id': 'chunk-e1f29eeadc1d8ab46dc8a0bbd3c56b64chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-89777b838d5447c7bd1ec11282c4ee89'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:09,245 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`GHOST OF JACOB MARLEY`) RETURN n:result:
-2024-10-30 05:09:09,388 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`GHOST OF JACOB MARLEY`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"EVENT"', 'description': '"The Ghost of Jacob Marley is Scrooge\'s deceased business partner who returns as a spirit to warn Scrooge about the consequences of his life choices and to encourage change.""The Ghost of Jacob Marley is the specter of Scrooge\'s former business partner, who warns Scrooge to change his ways."', 'source_id': 'chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:09,529 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`FAN`) RETURN n:result:
-2024-10-30 05:09:09,672 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`FAN`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"PERSON"', 'description': '"Fan is Ebenezer Scrooge\'s sister, who represents love and kindness from Scrooge\'s past, influencing his character development.""Fan is Scrooge\'s caring sister who represents innocence and love, showcasing a more tender side of Scrooge’s past.""Fan is Scrooge\'s younger sister, who brings joy and the promise of a happier home, reflecting on their childhood relationship."', 'source_id': 'chunk-c6c248858d1b13ab7ee9ca13c1aeed6bchunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:09,815 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`MRS. FEZZIWIG`) RETURN n:result:"Mrs. Fezziwig is the kind partner of Mr. Fezziwig, contributing to the festive atmosphere of their celebrations, emphasizing the importance of joyous gatherings.""Mrs. Fezziwig is the wife of Fezziwig, joining him in celebrations and dances, embodying warmth and partnership.""Mrs. Fezziwig is the wife of Fezziwig, participating in the dance, representing companionship and festive cheer."', 'source_id': 'chunk-b2f98bc7abb0c67d4c86055c7fd72218chunk-89777b838d5447c7bd1ec11282c4ee89chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-8bc1edd983869352d14cf0886a9175a7'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:09,963 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`MRS. FEZZIWIG`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"PERSON"', 'description': '"Mrs. Fezziwig is Fezziwig\'s partner at the domestic ball, contributing to the festive atmosphere alongside her husband.""Mrs. Fezziwig is the kind partner of Mr. Fezziwig, contributing to the festive atmosphere of their celebrations, emphasizing the importance of joyous gatherings.""Mrs. Fezziwig is the wife of Fezziwig, joining him in celebrations and dances, embodying warmth and partnership.""Mrs. Fezziwig is the wife of Fezziwig, participating in the dance, representing companionship and festive cheer.""Mrs. Fezziwig is noted for her smile and participation in the festivities, particularly in dancing with Fezziwig.""Mrs. Fezziwig is the partner of Mr. Fezziwig, known for her warmth and joyous nature during Christmas celebrations.""Mrs. Fezziwig partners with Fezziwig in hosting the domestic ball, contributing to the warmth and cheer of the event."', 'source_id': 'chunk-b2f98bc7abb0c67d4c86055c7fd72218chunk-8bc1edd983869352d14cf0886a9175a7chunk-9e3921da66da5d761ab73cd849af6c43chunk-89777b838d5447c7bd1ec11282c4ee89'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:10,105 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`FEZZIWIG`) RETURN n:result:"Fezziwig is a figure representing a cheerful and jovial employer who organizes lively Christmas festivities for his employees.""Fezziwig is a jovial figure from Scrooge\'s past, known for his kind-heartedness and as a former employer who embodies the spirit of Christmas.""Fezziwig is depicted as a joyful character who dances with his wife and embodies the spirit of Christmas."', 'source_id': 'chunk-b2f98bc7abb0c67d4c86055c7fd72218chunk-89777b838d5447c7bd1ec11282c4ee89chunk-c6c248858d1b13ab7ee9ca13c1aeed6bchunk-8bc1edd983869352d14cf0886a9175a7'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:10,272 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`FEZZIWIG`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"PERSON"', 'description': '"Fezziwig is a character known for hosting a domestic ball that brings joy and merriment to the participants, showcasing his ability to create happiness.""Fezziwig is a character noted for his role during a domestic ball, providing a joyful atmosphere and exemplifying kindness and generosity.""Fezziwig is a figure representing a cheerful and jovial employer who organizes lively Christmas festivities for his employees.""Fezziwig is a jovial figure from Scrooge\'s past, known for his kind-heartedness and as a former employer who embodies the spirit of Christmas.""Fezziwig is depicted as a joyful character who dances with his wife and embodies the spirit of Christmas.""Fezziwig is a joyful and lively character who dances with Mrs. Fezziwig, embodying the festive spirit of Christmas.""Fezziwig is presented as Scrooge\'s former employer, known for his jovial nature and generous spirit, who plays a significant role in Scrooge\'s memories.""Fezziwig is the owner of a business where festive celebrations take place, known for his jovial character and ability to create a lively atmosphere."', 'source_id': 'chunk-b2f98bc7abb0c67d4c86055c7fd72218chunk-c6c248858d1b13ab7ee9ca13c1aeed6bchunk-89777b838d5447c7bd1ec11282c4ee89chunk-8bc1edd983869352d14cf0886a9175a7'}
-2024-10-30 05:09:10,424 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`SCROOGE`) RETURN n:result:chunk-b2f98bc7abb0c67d4c86055c7fd72218chunk-91614df5cb74cbe5e109a338a82041e9chunk-8f738cb25d60a7dab782162d9d0a25edchunk-e7637ff18c5ded77a68cce0a87883fadchunk-d9aac3484185ac66045df92214d245d5chunk-90b95db5c53e4364a6bee36b7aa4d70fchunk-89777b838d5447c7bd1ec11282c4ee89chunk-c6c248858d1b13ab7ee9ca13c1aeed6bchunk-5dac41b3f9eeaf794f0147400b1718cdchunk-773d0df1dd25c356f7b771d780583e09chunk-843b5b2f944c7413d9ca876e2e2f151fchunk-f1a4fbcf1ed86864b9bfd5e8dba4c683chunk-359187e7571bda4b0b08b2e0b6581e52chunk-503f0bfa5453467c7c61d160a3540ecachunk-9c43dac2fcd5b578242d907ea6f8fc7bchunk-b0f459f5af1c3a5e0b92cbe4ee48b77bchunk-1aa50206d02ed89418f65f97c6441d1cchunk-54bdd22db1f84a965b5f4c06c9216d8dchunk-cb661c37436355ccec2769b1d0350c5fchunk-90d5764e301321c087f5a8f78b73a145chunk-91572b3cd42786ba4cb2f180ca25cbf4chunk-da2472b4ef2a535b62908f14d0fb0ca9chunk-99b0ec7f7e006561352b5d65e849611dchunk-43c9bee23adfa77aa9dedd22401bba7dchunk-83ac129dc9b56f84c46760d153d68e93chunk-e1f29eeadc1d8ab46dc8a0bbd3c56b64chunk-8590d9263cd2cd4fa583c432fc54e6c3chunk-02baee20cc9463dbe08170a8e1043e32chunk-94bea83e7153fc2064aa382b494936a1chunk-74e2466de2f67fd710ef2f20c0a8d9e0chunk-19d72c57ae3408758b18d2568e86dc6b'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:10,427 - lightrag - DEBUG - Trigger summary: "SCROOGE"
-2024-10-30 05:09:10,558 - lightrag - INFO - get_node:query:MATCH (n:`MARLEY`) RETURN n:result:"Marley is Scrooge\'s deceased partner whose death is emphasized, and who impacts Scrooge\'s story through memories and reflections.""Marley is a character who, although only mentioned, has had a significant influence on Scrooge\'s life and perspective, representing his past connections.""Marley is a deceased character whose ghost appears to Scrooge, representing regret and the consequences of a life led without compassion."', 'source_id': 'chunk-d9aac3484185ac66045df92214d245d5chunk-843b5b2f944c7413d9ca876e2e2f151fchunk-89777b838d5447c7bd1ec11282c4ee89chunk-9c43dac2fcd5b578242d907ea6f8fc7b'}>
-2024-10-30 05:09:10,709 - lightrag - INFO - _do_upsert:query:
- MERGE (n:`MARLEY`)
- SET n += $properties
- RETURN n
- :result:{'entity_type': '"PERSON"', 'description': '"Marley is Scrooge\'s deceased business partner whose presence looms over the story, symbolizing the consequences of a life similar to Scrooge\'s.""Marley is Scrooge\'s deceased business partner, whose death is a significant event that sets the tone for the story.""Marley is Scrooge\'s deceased business partner, whose death is mentioned as impactful, having passed seven years prior to the events in the text.""Marley is Scrooge\'s deceased business partner, whose spectral presence looms over Scrooge, evoking themes of regret and the supernatural.""Marley is Scrooge\'s deceased partner whose death is emphasized, and who impacts Scrooge\'s story through memories and reflections.""Marley is a character who, although only mentioned, has had a significant influence on Scrooge\'s life and perspective, representing his past connections.""Marley is a deceased character whose ghost appears to Scrooge, representing regret and the consequences of a life led without compassion.""Marley is depicted as a ghost, having a pigtail, waistcoat, tights, and boots, and is central to Scrooge\'s haunting experience."', 'source_id': 'chunk-d9aac3484185ac66045df92214d245d5chunk-5dac41b3f9eeaf794f0147400b1718cdchunk-89777b838d5447c7bd1ec11282c4ee89chunk-9c43dac2fcd5b578242d907ea6f8fc7b