The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge by Charlie Lovett Read Free Book Online

see, and as familiar to Scrooge as was the innkeeper who prepared his nightly feast. There was the simple green robe, or mantle, bordered with white fur. There were the bare feet and chest. There was the wreath of holly on the head, and there, amongst its leaves, the shining icicles that defied the summer weather. Scrooge’s face sparkled with delight to see a figure so alike in countenance and raiment to his former companion.
    â€œWelcome, good friend,” he said, skipping round the Spirit with as much glee as his old knees would allow. The Spirit followed Scrooge’s capering with twinkling eyes and a genial face, and answered him in a cheery voice that rent the air with joy.
    â€œMy dear Scrooge,” he said. “How well you have come to know my brothers these past twenty years.”
    â€œIndeed,” replied Scrooge, “I count them amongst my best of friends. I believe, at times, that they alone understand my peculiar habits and attitudes.”
    â€œYou are as one of our family,” said the phantom, gently laying a hand on Scrooge’s head, at which the old man blushed so deeply the glow might have lit the room, were a fire not burning merrily in the grate. “But our time is short, and you have set us a difficult task. Shall we begin?”
    Scrooge reached out a wrinkled hand and grasped the hemof the Spirit’s robe, and holly, mistletoe, red berries, ivy, turkeys, geese, game, poultry, meat, pigs, sausages, oysters, pies, puddings, fruit, and punch all vanished instantly. In their place was a dim parlour, the lamps doused and the grate empty, the only light filtering in through the open window from the streetlight below. In two round stuffed chairs slumped two round stuffed gentlemen, snoring in unison, empty brandy glasses at their elbows. In an instant a fire leapt in the grate and the chairs leant forward, tumbling their occupants onto the hearthrug, where they sat rubbing their eyes, wondering if breakfast had come already and why Johnson had lit a fire on such a hot day.
    â€œMerry Christmas, friends!” shouted Scrooge, adding further confusion to the faces of Messrs. Pleasant and Portly until the latter, realising that only one person in London would make such an exclamation on the shortest night of the year, stumbled to his feet and responded with a scowl.
    â€œEbenezer Scrooge! Bah!”
    To which his companion added, “Humbug!”
    â€œWe’ve not much time and much to do,” said Scrooge, ignoring the displeasure of the freshly disturbed gentlemen. “Perhaps I should first introduce you.”
    And here the eyes of Messrs. Portly and Pleasant widened in a way that was usually reserved for surprisingly largedeposits received at the bank, for they observed, lounging on a mountain of turkeys, geese, plum puddings, and holly, the spirit who had borne Scrooge to their parlour. The Spirit remained silent, but his eyes glittered and he smiled broadly at the two dumbstruck gentlemen as he gobbled an especially large pudding.
    â€œHe . . . he . . . he looks like a child,” stammered Mr. Portly as the Spirit wiped his mouth on his voluminous sleeve.
    â€œIndeed, you are exactly correct!” squealed Scrooge with delight.
    â€œI am the Ghost of Christmas Present,” said the Spirit, trying ineffectually to suppress a giggle. “I shall not be of age for another six months.” With this he ripped the leg off a turkey and began to gnaw on the juicy meat.
    â€œâ€™Tis no matter,” said Scrooge. “Young or old, he will take us where we need to go this night.”
    â€œWhere I need to go,” said Mr. Pleasant in a tone that belied his epithet, “is to bed. I suggest the rest of you do the same.” He marched towards the door, only to find his path barricaded by an enormous fold of fur as the Spirit tossed the hem of his mantle in front of the fleeing financier.
    â€œIf . . . if you