Suddenly Scrooge realized they were standing on an 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 hand over his eyes.'It's nothing-I'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 thgm were young schoolboys on horses and in farmers' carts,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 delighted to se them?