The first of the three spirits
'I am here to help you change your life! Watch and listen!' It put out a strong hand, and held Scrooge by the arm. 'Get up, and come with me!'
It was dark and cold outside. Scrooge did not want to go anywhere , and for a moment he thought about pretending to be too ill to go out. But he did not like to refuse, so he said nothing and got out of bed. Together they passed through the wall of the house out into the darkness.
Suddenly Scrooge realized they ware standing on a open country road, with fields on each side. London, the fog, and the darkness had all disappeared, and it was a clear, cold, winter day, with snow on the ground.
'Good Heavens!' cried Scrooge. ' I was born near here! I remember it well!'
The spirit looked kindly at the old man. 'How strange that you've forgotten it for so many years! What is that on your face? Are you crying?'
Scrooge put a have over his eyes. 'It's nothing-l've got a cold , that's all. Take me where you want, spirit!'
Scrooge recognized every field, post, and tree, as they walked along the road towards a little market town. All around them were young schoolboys on horses and in farmers' cats, laughing and wishing each other a merry Christmas, as they travelled to their homes for the Christmas holiday.
'They are only shadows from the past,' said the spirit. 'They cannot see us.'
Scrooge knew and named all of them. Why was he so