Scro. How long since you contracted the debt?
James. Ten years to morrow, sir.
Scro. Then you have already paid me over half the amount in interest, which interest has been compounded, and I have, in fact, received more than the principal. My dear fellow, you owe me nothing, just consider the debt cancelled.
James. Surely, sir, you cannot mean it.
Scro. But I do.
Mrs. B. Oh, sir, how can we ever sufficiently manifest our gratitude for such unexpected generosity?
Scro. By saying nothing about it. Remember, James and wife, this is Christmas day, and on this day, of all others, we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us.
James. May Heaven reward you, sir. You have lightened our hearts of a heavy burden.
Scro. There, there! go to church.
James. We shall, sir, and remember our benefactor in our devotions. (Shaking hands. ) I can say heartily a Merry Christmas.
Mrs. B. And A Happy New Year. [Exeunt L.]
Scro. I guess they are glad, now, that I am alive, and will be really sorry when I die. Halloo! Whoop!
Enter Mr. Barnes , L., passes across stage; Scrooge follows and stops him.
Scro. My dear sir (taking both, his hands ), how do you do? I hope you succeeded yesterday. It was very kind of you. A Merry Christmas to you, sir.
Mr. B. Mr. Scrooge?
Scro. Yes. That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to you. Allow me to ask your pardon. And will you have the goodness (Scrooge whispers in his ear. )
Mr. B. Lord bless me you take my breath away. My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you really serious?
Scro. If you please. Not a farthing less. A great many back payments are included in it, I assure you. Will you do me the favor?
Mr. B. My dear sir (shaking hands with him ), I don't know what to say to such munifi
Scro. Don't say any thing, please. Come and see me. Will you come and see me?
Mr. B. I will with great pleasure. [Exit , R.]
Scro. Thank'er. I am much obliged to you. I thank you fifty times. Bless you!
Bob. I am very sorry, sir; I was not coming, I was only passing, sir, on my way to hear the Christmas carols.
Scro. What right have you to be passing here to remind me that it is Christmas?
Bob. It's only once a year, sir; it shall not be repeated.
Scro. Now, I'll tell you what, my friend. I am not going to stand this any longer: and therefore I give you permission to pass my house fifty times a day, if you want to. I give you a week's vacation, without any deduction for lost time. I am about to raise your salary. (Giving him a dig in the waistcoat; Bob staggers back, and Scrooge follows him up. ) A Merry Christmas, Bob! (Slapping him on the back. )
A Merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have ever given you for many a year! I'll raise your salary, and endeavor to assist your struggling family, and I'll be Tiny Tim's Godfather. Come along, my good fellow, we'll go to church together, and discuss your affairs on the way. Tiny Tim, what do you say to that?
Tiny Tim. I say God bless us, every one.
Bob. I would like to say something, sir, but you have deprived me of the power of speech.
Scro. Come on, then, we'll talk it over as we go. Come Tiny Tim, and go with your Godfather. (Takes Tim on his shoulder. Exeunt , L.)
SCENE III. Drawing Room in Fred Merry's house. Fred, Mrs. Fred and Mrs. Kemper discovered seated at table, conversing.
Fred. Is it possible! You surprise me. I never had the least idea that you had ever met Uncle Scrooge, much less that he was an old admirer of yours.
Mrs. M. Oh! do tell us all about it, dear mother; I'm dying to hear it.
Mrs. K. Well, you must know, my dear children, that Fanny Scrooge our mother, Fred was my earliest friend and schoolmate, and through her I became acquainted with her brother your uncle; at that time a noble spirited boy, fresh from his studies. Our friendship soon ripened into love, and a betrothal. I cannot describe to you how happy and light hearted I was, and how true and devoted your uncle continued. Our marriage was deferred until such time as he should be in a position to provide us a suitable home. After he left Mr. Fezziwig's, where he had served his time, he entered the service of Jacob Marley, and subsequently became his partner. It was at this time I observed a change in him; he was not less ardent than before, but I soon discovered that avarice had become the guiding passion of his nature, and that our love was subservient to its influence. Foreseeing that only misery could ensue from our union, I released him from the engagement. And now after the lapse of many years, with the exception of the day, five years ago, when he attended your father's funeral, we have not met or exchanged a word with each other.
Mrs M. But, mother, did you really love him?
Mrs. K. I did, my dear previous to the discovery of the change in him.
Mrs. M. And did you not sacrifice your love in releasing him?
Mrs. K. I merely sacrificed my desires to common sense. Love, to be lasting, must be mutual, and if it is not paramount to all other passions, it ends in misery or hate. Hence, being guided by judgment, I soon found by experience that true love can again exist if worthily bestowed.