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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Ghost of Christmas Past 2. Fezziwig
The ghost then takes Scrooge the warehouse
where he first worked as an n apprentice. They went in. An old gentleman in a wig was sitting behind a desk so high that it almost reached the ceiling, Scrooge cried in great excitement: `Why, it's old Fezziwig. Bless his heart; it's Fezziwig alive again.' Old Fezziwig laid down his pen, and looked up at the clock. Seeing it was 7 o’clock, he
rubbed his hands and adjusted his capacious waistcoat. Laughing to himself he called out in a comfortable, oily, rich, fat, jovial voice: `Yo ho, there. Ebenezer. Dick.' A happy young man Scrooge's former self, now grown a young man, hurried in. His fellow apprentice accompanied him. `Dick Wilkins, to be sure.' said Scrooge to the Ghost. `Bless me, yes. There he is. He was very much attached to me, was Dick. Poor Dick. Dear, dear.' `Yo ho, my boys.' said Fezziwig. `No more work tonight. It's Christmas Eve, Dick. Christmas, Ebenezer. Let's have the shutters up,' The two young men charged into the street to put up the shutters. They soon rushed back, panting like race-horses. `Hilli-ho!' cried old Fezziwig, skipping down from the high desk. `Clear away, my lads, and
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let's have lots of room here. Hilli-ho, Dick. Chirrup, Ebenezer.' Everything was cleared away in a minute. The floor was swept and watered. The lamps were trimmed. Fuel was heaped upon the fire. Soon the warehouse was as snug, warm and dry - a bright ballroom, on a winter's night. The guests arrive In came a fiddler with a music-book. In came Mrs Fezziwig, one vast smile. In came the three Miss Fezziwigs, beaming and lovable. In came the six young followers whose hearts they broke. In came all the young men and women working for the Fezziwigs. In came the housemaid, with her cousin, the baker. In came the cook, with her brother's particular friend, the milkman. In they all came, one after another. Some came shyly, some boldly, some gracefully, some awkwardly, some pushing, some pulling. In they all came,.
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Sad memories of happy times
A wonderful party follows. Everyone eats and drinks and dances all evening. When the clock struck eleven, this domestic ball broke up. Mr and Mrs Fezziwig took their stations, one on either side of the door. They shook hands with every person individually as he or she went out, wishing him or her a Merry Christmas. When everybody had retired the two apprentices went to their beds; which were under a counter in the back-shop. Scrooge remembered everything, enjoyed everything. It was not until now, when the bright faces of his former self and Dick were 4
turned from them, that he remembered the Ghost. It was looking full upon him, while the light upon its head burnt very clear. 'A small matter,' said the Ghost,' to make these silly folks so full of gratitude.' `Small.' echoed Scrooge. Cost of Kindness The Spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices. They were pouring out their hearts in praise of Fezziwig. `Does he deserves so much gratitude?' asked the Spirit. 'He only spent a few pounds on these boys `It isn't that, Spirit' said Scrooge, speaking like his former self. `Mr Fezziwig has the power to make us happy or unhappy. His power lies in words and looks: things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count them up. The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.' Scrooge felt the Spirit's glance, and stopped. `What is the matter.' asked the Ghost. 5
`Nothing in particular,' said Scrooge. `Something, I think.' the Ghost insisted. `No,' said Scrooge,' No. I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now. That's all.'
Next > Fezziwig Glossary/Vocabulary Bless his heart - term of affection Gratitude - thanks/appreciation A glossary, comprehension exercises, key quotes and other learning activities related to this text are here: http://christmascarol.esolebooks.com/
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