Yes! The bedpost was his own! The bed was his own, the room was his own. Best and happiest of all, the time before him was his own, to change his life! 'I will live in the past, the present, and the future!' cried Scrooge. 'The spirits of all three shall live within me!' 'Oh, Jacob Marley! Heaven and Christmas be praised for this!' He jumped out of bed and began to dress. His hands were busy with his clothes, but he could not stop talking. 'I don't know what to do!' he said, laughing and crying at the same time. 'I am as light as a feather! I am as happy as an angel!' 'I am as merry as a schoolboy!' 'A merry Christmas to everybody! A happy New Year to all the world!' He ran to the window and opened it. The sky was clear and bright, the air was cold and fresh. 'What day is today?' Scrooge called to a boy in the street. 'Today?' replied the boy. 'Why, it's Christmas Day!' 'It's Christmas Day!' said Scrooge to himself. 'I haven't missed it!' 'The spirits have done it all in one night!' 'Hello, my fine fellow!' he called to the boy. 'Do you know the butcher's shop around the corner?' 'I should hope I do,' replied the boy. 'Do you know whether they've sold the prize turkey that was hanging in the window?' 'The big one? It's still hanging there,' said the boy. 'Go and buy it!' said Scrooge. 'Tell them to bring it here, and I'll pay the cab fare.' 'Come back in less than five minutes, and I'll give you a shilling!' The boy was off like a shot. 'I'll send it to Bob Cratchit!' whispered Scrooge, rubbing his hands. 'He won't know who sent it! It's twice the size of Tiny Tim!' When the turkey arrived, Scrooge laughed with joy. He paid for the turkey and the cab and gave the boy his shilling. Then he got dressed in his best clothes and went out into the streets. The people were all so cheerful that Scrooge smiled at everyone. Three or four people said 'Good morning!' to him. It was the sweetest music Scrooge had ever heard. He soon saw one of the gentlemen who had visited his office the day before. 'My dear sir!' said Scrooge, taking him by the hands. 'How do you do? I hope you were successful yesterday!' 'Mr. Scrooge?' said the gentleman, looking surprised. 'Yes,' said Scrooge. 'Allow me to give something for the poor.' He whispered an amount in the gentleman's ear. 'Lord bless me!' cried the gentleman, as if his breath had been taken away. 'My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you serious?' 'Very serious,' said Scrooge. 'Not a penny less.' 'It includes a lot of back payments. Will you come and see me?' 'I will!' cried the gentleman warmly. Scrooge walked through the streets, patting children on the head. He had never dreamed that walking could make him so happy. In the afternoon, he walked toward his nephew's house. He passed the door a dozen times before he had the courage to knock. Finally, he knocked and went in. 'Fred!' he said. 'Why bless my soul!' cried Fred. 'Who's that?' 'It's I, your uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will you let me in, Fred?' Fred shook his hand warmly and welcomed him inside. It was a wonderful party, with wonderful games and wonderful happiness. Scrooge was at home in five minutes. Nothing could have made him feel more welcome. The next morning, Scrooge was at his office early. He wanted to catch Bob Cratchit coming late. And he did! Bob was eighteen minutes late. Scrooge sat with his door wide open so he could see Bob come in. Bob took off his hat and scarf and sat down quickly at his desk. He started writing as fast as he could. 'Hello!' growled Scrooge in his old voice. 'What do you mean by coming here at this time of day?' 'I'm very sorry, sir,' said Bob. 'I am behind my time.' 'You are?' said Scrooge. 'Yes, I think you are. Step this way, sir!' 'It's only once a year, sir,' said Bob, coming out of his corner. 'It shall not happen again.' 'Now I'll tell you what, my friend,' said Scrooge. 'I am not going to stand for this sort of thing any longer.' 'And therefore,' said Scrooge, jumping off his chair. 'And therefore I am going to raise your salary!' Bob trembled and moved closer to the ruler, thinking Scrooge had gone mad. 'A merry Christmas, Bob!' said Scrooge with great sincerity. 'A merrier Christmas than I have given you for many years!' 'I'll raise your salary and help your family!' 'We will discuss it this afternoon over a bowl of punch!' 'Make up the fires and buy another coal box before you do another thing!' Scrooge was better than his word. He did everything he promised, and much more. To Tiny Tim, who did not die, he became a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, as good a man as the city ever knew. Some people laughed to see the change in him. But Scrooge let them laugh. He knew that nothing good ever happened without some people laughing at it. His own heart laughed, and that was quite enough for him. He had no more visits from spirits. And it was always said of him that he knew how to keep Christmas well. May that be truly said of all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed: God bless us, every one!
B1Chapter 5 / 5946 words90 sentences
Stave Five: The End of It
Chapter 5 · A Christmas Carol · B1 English. Tip: Click on any word while reading to see its translation. Take your time with each chapter and review the vocabulary before moving on.
Chapter Summary
Scrooge wakes on Christmas morning a changed man. He sends a prize turkey to the Cratchits, joins his nephew's party, raises Bob Cratchit's salary, and becomes a second father to Tiny Tim, who does not die.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What was the first thing Scrooge did when he woke up on Christmas morning?
2
What gift did Scrooge send to the Cratchit family?
3
Where did Scrooge go for Christmas dinner?
4