re of
addressing Mr. Scrooge or Mr. Marley?

SCROOGE. Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years. He died seven
years ago this very night.

FIRST LASS. We have no doubt his liberality is represented by his
surviving partner. (_Shows subscription paper._)

SCROOGE. Liberality? Humph! (_Returns paper to her._)

SECOND LASS. At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, we are
trying to make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who
are suffering greatly. Hundreds of thousands are in want of common
comforts, sir.

SCROOGE. Are there no prisons?

SECOND LASS (_sighs_). Plenty of prisons, sir.

SCROOGE. And the workhouses--are they still in operation?

FIRST LASS. They are, sir; but they scarcely furnish Christmas cheer
for mind and body. We are trying to raise a fund to buy the poor some
meat and drink and means of warmth.

SECOND LASS. We chose this time because it is a time when want is
keenly felt and abundance rejoices. What shall we put you down for?

SCROOGE. Nothing.

FIRST LASS. You wish to be anonymous?

SCROOGE. I wish to be left alone. I don't make merry myself at
Christmas, I don't believe in it. And I can't afford to make idle
people merry. They should go to the poorhouse.

SECOND LASS. Many of them would rather die, sir, than do that.

SCROOGE (_savagely_). If they would rather die, they'd better do it
and decrease the population. And besides, I am a very busy man.

FIRST LASS. But, sir--

SCROOGE. Good afternoon.

FIRST LASS. I'm sorry, sir. Sorry--

SCROOGE. Sorry for them?

FIRST LASS. No, sir, I'm sorry for you, sir. Good afternoon. (_Exits
L. followed by_ SECOND LASS.)

SCROOGE. Sorry for me, hey? (_Pause. He works. The clock strikes
five._) Sorry for me!

CRATCHIT (_closes his book, blows out candle_). Is there anything
more, sir? (_Comes to C._)

SCROOGE. You'll want all day off tomorrow, I suppose?

CRATCHIT. If it's quite convenient, sir.

SCROOGE. Well, it isn't--and it's not fair. If I'd dock you a half a
crown for it you'd think I was ill using you, wouldn't you?

CRATCHIT (_nervously_). I don't know, sir.

SCROOGE. And yet you expect me to pay a full day's wages for no work.

CRATCHIT. It only comes once a year, sir. Only once a year.

SCROOGE. A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth
of December! But I suppose you've got to have the whole day. But you
be here all the earlier next morning.

CRATCHIT. Oh, yes, indeed, sir. (_G