The first of the three spirits He decided to stay awake until one o'clock had passed. The quarter of an hour passed very slowly, but at last he heard the clock striking the four quarters. "It's one o'clock cried Scrooge delighted and nothing has happened!' But he spoke before the hour bell had sounded. The clock now struck a deep, sad ONE, and immediately light shone into Scrooge's bedroom. The curtains round his bed were pulled open. Scrooge sat up in bed, and stared at his ghostly visitor. A strange figure, half like child, half like an old man, looked back at him. It had long, white hair, but its skin was soft and young. It wore a short, white robe, covered with both summer and winter flowers. But the strangest thing about it was that from the top of its head shone a bright, clear light. Perhaps this light was sometimes too bright, because under one arm it carried a hat, which looked like a large extinguisher who and what are you, sir asked Scrooge I am the ghost of Christmas Past,' replied the spirit, in a soft, gentle voice. Scrooge. "Do you mean long ago in the past?' asked "No. Your past." "Spirit, please tell me why you are here.' "I am here for your own good," answered the ghost. "Thank you," replied Scrooge politely. But secretly he thought, 'Bah! A night of unbroken sleep is a more useful thing to have!' at once, The spirit seemed to hear him thinking, and said at once,