Why was he so delighted to see them? Why did his cold heart beat faster when they went past, shouting "Merry Christmas! What was "merry Christmas' to Scrooge? What good had it ever done to him? Not everyone has left the school," said the ghost. "There is one lonely child there still, one child whose friends have all gone. "I know!' said Scrooge. And now he was crying openly. They turned into a smaller road, and soon came to the school. Inside, in the long, cold, silent classroom, a lonely boy sat reading near a small fire. When he saw his poor forgotten past self, Scrooge sat down at one of the desks put his head in his hands and cried "Poor boy! I wish but it's too late now.' What's the matter?' asked the spirit. "There was a boy singing Christmas carols at my door yesterday.