EBENEZER (_catching_ MRS. FEZZIWIG _under the mistletoe_). I've got ye! (_Kisses her._) MRS. FEZZIWIG. God bless the boy! EBENEZER. And God bless the merry Christmas! FEZZIWIG. And now a dance, my hearties. Yo ho! For the old time Christmas dance. (_They dance a few figures of Sir Roger de Coverly or the Virginia Reel. All are dancing wildly, swinging, etc., with plenty of loud laughter, clapping of hands, etc., as the rear curtains are drawn. Note: Use brilliant lights from R. and L. upon the rear stage._) FIRST SPIRIT. What a small matter to make these silly folks so full of gratitude and happiness. SCROOGE (_astonished_). Small? It was the happiest time in my life. FIRST SPIRIT. And yet your master only spent a few pounds of your mortal money. Three or four, perhaps. And yet he kindled the true spirit of Christmas in all your hearts. SCROOGE. He could have made us miserable, but he made every day we worked for him seem like Christmas. FIRST SPIRIT (_gazes steadily at Scrooge, who becomes uneasy under the look_). What's the matter now? SCROOGE (_trying to appear unconcerned, but failing_). Oh, nothing! FIRST SPIRIT (_gazing at him_). Something, I think. SCROOGE. No, nothing; only this, I wish I could say a word or two to my clerk just now. That's all. Poor fellow. I'm afraid I've been a little hard on him. Poor Bob Cratchit! FIRST SPIRIT. My work is thriving, but my time grows short. Quick, I have another picture for you. _Soft music. The curtains part, showing the scene as before, but only_ EBENEZER _and_ BELLA _are discovered. Soft music plays all through this scene._ BELLA. It matters little to you, very little. Another idol has displaced me, that's all. If it can comfort you and cheer you in time to come, as I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve. EBENEZER (_irritated_). What idol has displaced you in my heart? BELLA. An idol of gold. EBENEZER. Well, I must make money. You know that. Poverty is the hardest thing in the world. BELLA. I have seen your nobler instincts fall off one by one. Now nothing remains in your heart but the love of gold. Therefore, I am releasing you from your engagement. (_Offers ring._) EBENEZER. Have I ever sought release? BELLA. In words, no; but in everything else, yes. I am penniless. If you married me, you would probably regret it. So I release you with a heart full of love for the noble man you once were. EBENEZER. But, Bella-- BELLA. You will soon forget me. Your time and your mind will be full of business, seeking after gold. The idol of gold has driven love from your heart, but may you be happy and contented in the life you have chosen. (_Rear curtains are drawn._) FIRST SPIRIT. And are you happy and content in the life you have chosen, Ebenezer Scrooge? SCROOGE. No, a thousand times--no. I threw away her love, the one pure thing in my life, for gold. And now I'm alone, alone. (_Sinks at desk and sobs._)