`A Merry Christmas, uncle,' said Scrooge's nephew, Fred, coming into the cold, dark office. `Bah!' replied Scrooge. 'Humbug!' He really hated Christmas. `Oh, come on, uncle,' said Fred. 'I'm sure you don't mean it.' `I do,' answered Scrooge. 'Why are you merry? You're a poor man.' `And why aren't you merry?' asked Fred. `You're a very rich man. And it's Christmas!' `Bah!' said Scrooge again. 'Humbug!' `Please come to dinner with us tomorrow, uncle,' said Fred. `Goodbye,' answered Scrooge. `I don't want to be angry with you, uncle,' said Fred, `so Merry Christmas.' `Goodbye,' said Scrooge again.