the message and you may yet be saved.
My time is over. (_Chains rattle._) Farewell, farewell, farewell!
(_Loud crash of thunder. Light is quenched and_ GHOST _exits unseen by
audience._)

_Pause. The bell tolls one. Enter_ SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS PAST _from R.
She comes down R. Strong white light on her from R._

SCROOGE (_trembling_). Are you the Spirit whose coming was foretold to
me?

FIRST SPIRIT. I am.

SCROOGE. Who and what are you?

FIRST SPIRIT. I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.

SCROOGE. Long past?

FIRST SPIRIT. No, your past.

SCROOGE. Why have you come here to me?

FIRST SPIRIT. For your own welfare. I must teach you the first lesson
of consideration.

SCROOGE. But I _am_ considerate.

FIRST SPIRIT. Are you a kind master to your clerk?

SCROOGE. Well, I'm not unkind.

FIRST SPIRIT. Do you remember your own first master? One Fezziwig by
name?

SCROOGE. Indeed, I do. Bless his dear, old heart. He was the kindest
master that ever lived.

FIRST SPIRIT. Then why haven't you followed his good example? Would
any of your clerks say that you were the kindest master that ever
lived?

SCROOGE. Well, times have changed, that's it--it's all the fault of
the times.

FIRST SPIRIT. It's all the fault of a squeezing, wrenching, grasping,
scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint,
from which no steel has ever struck out a generous fire. No wind that
blows is more bitter than he, no falling snow is more intent upon its
purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty. And his name is
Ebenezer Scrooge.

SCROOGE. All I ask is to edge my way along the crowded path of life. I
want to be left alone. That's all--left alone.

FIRST SPIRIT. I have come to save you, Ebenezer Scrooge. I have come
to kindle into life the stone that once was your heart. First I will
show you the kind heart and generosity of your old time master. Behold
the warehouse of Fezziwig and Company.

(_Rear curtains are drawn apart, revealing a workshop, with desk down
R. facing front. Barrel up L. Sign on rear wall reads, "Fezziwig and
Company." Two young men_, EBENEZER _and_ DICK, _discovered happily
working at desk. Fezziwig stands up L. looking off L._ WAITS _are
heard singing off L. at rear._)

WAITS (_sing, music page 169_).

Christ was born on Christmas Day,
Wreathe the holly, twine the bay,
Light and Life and Joy is He,
The Babe, the Son,
The Holy One
Of Ma