much loud laughter, clapping
hands, running about, etc. The_ FIDDLER _plays._)

MRS. FEZZIWIG. Oh, I never was so happy in all my life. This is the
real spirit of Christmas.

FEZZIWIG (_hangs up a bit of mistletoe_). And here's the mistletoe.

(_They form a ring and play a ring game with much noise and
confusion._)

EBENEZER (_catching_ MRS. FEZZIWIG _under the mistletoe_). I've got
ye! (_Kisses her._)

MRS. FEZZIWIG. God bless the boy!

EBENEZER. And God bless the merry Christmas!

FEZZIWIG. And now a dance, my hearties. Yo ho! For the old time
Christmas dance.

(_They dance a few figures of Sir Roger de Coverly or the Virginia
Reel. All are dancing wildly, swinging, etc., with plenty of loud
laughter, clapping of hands, etc., as the rear curtains are drawn.
Note: Use brilliant lights from R. and L. upon the rear stage._)

FIRST SPIRIT. What a small matter to make these silly folks so full of
gratitude and happiness.

SCROOGE (_astonished_). Small? It was the happiest time in my life.

FIRST SPIRIT. And yet your master only spent a few pounds of your
mortal money. Three or four, perhaps. And yet he kindled the true
spirit of Christmas in all your hearts.

SCROOGE. He could have made us miserable, but he made every day we
worked for him seem like Christmas.

FIRST SPIRIT (_gazes steadily at Scrooge, who becomes uneasy under the
look_). What's the matter now?

SCROOGE (_trying to appear unconcerned, but failing_). Oh, nothing!

FIRST SPIRIT (_gazing at him_). Something, I think.

SCROOGE. No, nothing; only this, I wish I could say a word or two to
my clerk just now. That's all. Poor fellow. I'm afraid I've been a
little hard on him. Poor Bob Cratchit!

FIRST SPIRIT. My work is thriving, but my time grows short. Quick, I
have another picture for you.

_Soft music. The curtains part, showing the scene as before, but only_
EBENEZER _and_ BELLA _are discovered. Soft music plays all through
this scene._

BELLA. It matters little to you, very little. Another idol has
displaced me, that's all. If it can comfort you and cheer you in time
to come, as I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve.

EBENEZER (_irritated_). What idol has displaced you in my heart?

BELLA. An idol of gold.

EBENEZER. Well, I must make money. You know that. Poverty is the
hardest thing in the world.

BELLA. I have seen your nobler instincts fall off one by one. Now
nothing remains in your heart but the love o