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Narrator: Marley was dead. There is no doubt about that.

The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman (cura), the clerk (contable), the undertaker (director de la funeraria), and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it. Scrooge and he were partners (socios) for many years. Scrooge was his sole (nico) executor (albacea), his sole administrator, his sole friend, and sole mourner (doliente). Oh! But Scrooge was tight-sted, (tacao) secret, and solitary as an oyster (ostra). Nobody ever stopped him on the street to say, "My dear Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me?" No beggars (mendigos) asked him for money. No children asked him what time it was. No man or woman ever once in his life inquired the way to such and such (tal o cual) a place. No-one asked Scrooge for anything. But what did Scrooge carel lt was the very (preciso) thing he liked, to keep all human sympathy at a distance. Once upon a time of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve old Scrooge sat busy at his counting-house (gestora). lt was cold, bleak (crudo/ gris), biting (cortante) weather. The city clocks had only just gone (dar la hora) three, but it was quite dark already. It had not been light all day. Candles were burning in the windows of the neighbouring ofces. The fog was so dense outside that the houses opposite were mere phantoms. The door of Scrooges counting-house was open so that he might keep his eye

A Ch!"mas Carol by Charles Dickens

(vigilar) upon his clerk. The clerk sat in a dismal (sombro) little room copying letters. Scrooge had a very small re but the clerks re was so very much smaller that it looked like one piece of coal. Scrooge kept the coal-box in his own room. Nephew: A Merry Christmas, uncle! God save you! Narrator: Cried a cheerful voice. It was the voice of Scrooges nephew. Scrooge: Bah! Humbug (paparruchas)!
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Narrator: Scrooges nephew, Fred, had been walking rapidly in the fog and frost (escarcha). His face was glowing (radiante). His eyes sparkled (brillar). Nephew: Christmas a humbug, uncle! You don't mean (decir en serio) that, I am sure? Scrooge: I do mean it. Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough. Nephew: Come, then. What right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be miserable (abatido/deprimido)? You're rich enough. Scrooge: Bah! Nephew: Don't be cross (enfadado), uncle! Scrooge: Merry Christmas! What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills (facturas) without money, a time for nding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer, a time for balancing your books (hacer cuadrar las cuentas) Nephew: Uncle!

Scrooge: Nephew! Keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in mine. Nephew: Keep it! But you don't keep it. Scrooge: Let me leave it alone, then. Much good may it do you! Much good it has ever done you! Nephew: I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time, a kind, forgiving (indulgente/permisivo), charitable, pleasant time. It's the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women open their hearts freely. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap (pequea cantidad) of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it! Narrator: The clerk involuntarily applauded. Scrooge: Let me hear another sound from you, and you'll keep your Christmas by losing your position! Nephew: Don't be angry, uncle. Come! Dine with us tomorrow. Scrooge: NO! Nephew: But why? Why? Scrooge: Why did you get married? Nephew: Because I fell in love. Scrooge: Because you fell in love! Good afternoon! Nephew: But uncle, you never carne to see me before I got married. Why give it as a reason for not coming now? Scrooge: Good afternoon. Nephew: I want nothing from you; I ask nothing of you; why cannot we be
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friends? Scrooge: Good afternoon. Nephew: I am sorry, with all my heart, to nd you so resolute (empecinado). But I'll keep my Christmas humour to the last. So a Merry Christmas, uncle! And a Happy New Year! Scrooge: Good afternoon! Narrator: His nephew left the room. He stopped at the door to wish a Merry Christmas to the clerk, who, cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge, for he returned the Christmas greetings cordially. Scrooge: There's another fellow. My clerk, with fteen shillings (chelines) a week, and a wife and family, talking about a Merry Christmas. Narrator: As the clerk let Scrooges nephew out (acompaar a la puerta), he let two other people in (recibir/invitar a pasar).! First Visitor: Scrooge and Marley's, I believe. Have I the pleasure of addressing (dirigirse a) Mr. Scrooge, or Mr. Marley? Scrooge: Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years. He died seven years ago, this very (misma) night. First Visitor: At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge, it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute (indigentes), who suffer greatly at the present time. Second Visitor: Many thousands are in want of common necessities; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir. Scrooge: Are there no prisons? Second Visitor: Plenty of prisons.

Scrooge: And the workhouses? Are they still in operation? Second Visitor: They are. Still. I wish I could say they were not. Scrooge: The Treadmill (molino disciplinario ingls) and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then? Second Visitor: Both very busy, sir. Scrooge: Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at rst, that something had occurred to stop them. I'm very glad to hear it. Second Visitor: A few of us are trying to raise funds to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want (la necesidad) is keenly (profundamente) felt (sentir), and Abundance rejoices (regocijar). What shall I put you down (apuntar) for? Scrooge: Nothing! First Visitor: You wish to be anonymous? Scrooge: I wish to be left alone. Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the prisons and workhouses; they cost enough; and those who are badly off (estar en malas condiciones) must go there. First Visitor: Many can't go there, and many would rather die. Scrooge: If they would rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus (excedente/sobrante) population. It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's. My business occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen! Narrator: Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point, the
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gentlemen left. Meanwhile the fog and darkness thickened (espesarse) and the cold became intense. At length (nalmente) the hour of closing the countinghouse arrived. With an ill-will (mala gana) Scrooge got off (bajarse) his stool. The clerk put on his hat. Scrooge: You'll want all day tomorrow, I suppose?!

growl (gruido). He took his melancholy dinner in his usual melancholy tavern and, having read all the newspapers and studied his banker s book, he went home to bed. He lived in a gloomy (lgubre) suite of rooms. The house was old and dreary (lbrega, deprimente), for nobody lived in it except Scrooge. The other rooms were all let out (alquilar) as ofces. The fog and frost hung about (rodear) the black old gateway (verja) of the house. No, it is a fact that there was nothing at all particular about the knocker (llamador) on the door, except that it was very large. It is a fact that Scrooge had seen it, every night and every morning, for many years. It is also a fact that Scrooge had as little imagination as any man in the city of London. Yet on that Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), Scrooge saw not a knocker, but Marleys face. Marleys face. It had a dismal light about it. The eyes were wide open (como platos/muy abiertos) and were perfectly motionless (inmvil). As Scrooge looked xedly at this phenomenon, it was a knocker again. To say that he was not troubled (azorado/turbado) would be untrue (mentira). He took out the key, turned it, walked in, and lighted his can die. Up Scrooge went. Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it. Before he shut his heavy door, he walked through his rooms to see that everything was all right. His memory of the face on the knocker made him want to do that. Quite satised, he closed his door and locked himself in (encerrarse). Se- cured against surprise, he put on his dressing-gown (camisn), slippers (zapatillas) and nightcap (gorro de dormir), and sat down before the re to take his gruel (gachas). As he threw his head back (recostar) in the chair, he glanced up (levantar la vista) at a disused (en desuso/que no utilizaba) bell that hung in the room. It was with great astonishment (asombro) and with a strange, inexplicable dread (temor) that, as he looked, he saw this bell begin to swing (moverse de uno a otro lado/balancearse). It swung so softly that it scarcely (apenas) made a sound, but soon it rang out (sonar/resonar) loudly, and so did every bell in the house. This might have lasted half a minute, or a minute, but it seemed an hour. The
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Bob Cratchit: If convenient, sir.! Scrooge: !t's not convenient and it's not fair. If I was to stop half-a-crown (media corona) for it, you'd think yourself ill-used (maltratado). And yet you don't think me ill-used, when I pay day's wages for no work. Bob Cratchit: It is only once a year, sir. Scrooge: A poor excuse for picking (robar) a man's pocket every twenty- fth of December! I suppose you must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier (ms temprano an) next morning. Narrator: The clerk promised that he would, and Scrooge walked out with a

bells stopped as they had begun, together. They were followed by a clanking (metlico) noise from down below in the cellar (stano) as if someone were dragging (arrastrar) a heavy chain. Scrooge then remembered that ghosts in haunted (encantada) houses were described as dragging chains. The cellar door ew open (abrirse sbitamente) with a booming (fuerte) sound, and then he heard the noise much louder on the oors below, then coming up the stairs, then coming straight towards his door. Scrooge: It's humbug still! I won't believe it. His colour changed though, when, without a pause, it came on (pasar) through the heavy door, and passed into the room before his eyes. It was Marleys Ghost. The same face, the very same. Marley. The chain he dragged was fastened (atada) about his middle (cintura). It was made of cash-boxes (cajas para el dinero), keys, and deeds (escrituras). His body was transparent. Scrooge: How now! What do you want with me? Marley's Ghost: Mueh!

Scrooge: Who were you then? Marley's Ghost: In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley! Scrooge: Mercy! Dreadful apparition, why do you trouble (molestar) me? Marley's Ghost: Man of the worldly (materialista) mind! Do you believe in me or not? Scrooge: I do, I must. But why do spirits walk the earth, and why do they come to me? Marley's Ghost: It is required of every man that the spirit within him should waIk abroad among his fellowmen (prjimo), and travel far and wide (por todas partes). If that spirit does not travel in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It is condemned to wander (vagar) through the world and witness (presenciar) what it might have shared on earth and might have tumed to happiness! Scrooge: You are chained. Tell me why.

Scrooge: Who are you? Marley's Ghost: Ask me who I was. Marley's Ghost: I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link (eslabn a eslabn), and I wore it of my own free will (por mi propia voluntad). It is a ponderous (pesada) chain! Scrooge: Jacob. Old Jacob Marley, tell me more. Speak comfort (consuelo) to me, Jacob! Marley's Ghost: I have! no comfort to give. I cannot rest, I cannot stay, I cannot linger (permanecer) anywhere. My spirit never walked beyond our counting-house in life. Weary (cansado) joumeys lie before (esperar) me! No rest, no peace. Scrooge: But you were always a good man of business, Jacob. Marley's Ghost: Business! Mankind (la humanidad) was my business. The
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common welfare (bienestar) was my business. Charity, mercy (misericordia), and benevolence were all, my business. The dealings (asuntos/negocios) of my trade were but a drop (gota) of water in the ocean of my business! At this time of the year, I suffer most. Hear me! My time is nearly gone. Scrooge: I will. But don't be hard on me! Jacob! Pray! (te lo suplico) Marley's Ghost: I am here to-night to warn you that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate, Ebenezer. Scrooge: You were always a good friend to me. Thank'ee! Marley's Ghost: You will be haunted by Three Spirits. Scrooge: Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob? Marley's Ghost: It is. Scrooge: I think I' d rather not. Marley's Ghost: Without their visits you cannot hope to avoid the path I walk. Expect the rst tomorrow, when the bell tolls (dar/tocar) One. Scrooge: Couldn't I take 'em all at once, and have it over, Jacob? Marley's Ghost: Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third upon the next night at the last stroke (campanada) of twelve. And for your own sake, remember what has passed between us! Narrator: Scrooge became aware of confused noises in the air. The spectre oated out (salir otando) into the bleak, dark night. Scrooge followed to the window, desperate in his curiosity. He looked out. The air was lled with phantoms, wandering here and there and moaning (gimiendo) as they went. Every one of them wore chains. The misery with them all was, clearly, that they sought (tratar de) to interfere for good, in human matters, and had lost the power for ever.

Scrooge closed the window. From the emotion or fatigues of the day, or his glimpse (vistazo) of the Invisible World (el ms all), or the dull (triste) conversation of the Ghost, or the lateness (lo tarde) of the hour, he was in great need of rest. He went straight to bed, without undressing (desvestirse), and fell asleep instantly. When Scrooge awoke, it was dark. The chimes (campanadas) of a neighbouring (cercana/vecina) church began to strike (sonar), so he listened for the hour. To his great astonishment (asombro) the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and up to twelve, then stopped. Twelve! Scrooge: Why (vaya/anda), it isn't possible that I can have slept through (dormir de un tirn) a whole day and far into another night. Narrator: The idea alarmed him. He scrambled out (levantarse apresuradamente) of bed and went to the window. Al! he could make out was that it was still very foggy and extremely cold, and that there was no noise of people running in the streets. Scrooge went to bed again, and thought. The more he thought, the more perplexed he was; and the more he tried not to think, the more he thought. "Was it a dream or not?" Scrooge remembered that the Ghost had warned him of a visitation when the bell tolled one. He resolved to lie awake (estar tumbado despierto) until the hour was passed. At last the bell sounded One. Light ashed up (encenderse) in the room and the curtains of his bed were opened. Scrooge found himself face to face with an unearthly (de otro mundo) visitor. Scrooge: Are you the Spirit whose coming was foretold (anunciar) to me? Ghost of Christmas Past: I am! Scrooge: Who and what are you? Ghost of Christmas Past: I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.
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Narrator: The merry riders came on, and as they came, Scrooge knew and named every one of them. Why was he so happy to see them? Why was he lled with gladness when he heard them wish each other Merry Christmas as they parted (separar) at the cross-roads for their homes? What was Merry Christmas to Scrooge? What good had it ever done to him? Ghost of Christmas Past: The school is not quite deserted. A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still. Narrator: Scrooge said he knew it. And he sobbed (llorar). They left the highroad and soon approached the school. They entered the dreary hall, and glancing (echar un vistazo) through the open doors of many rooms, they found hem poorly furnished, cold and vast. In one of these a lonely boy was reading near a feeble (dbil) re. Scrooge wept (llorar) to see his poor forgotten self (su pobre y olvidada persona) as he used to be. Scrooge: Poor boy! I wish, but it's too late now. Ghost of Christmas Past: What is the matter? Scrooge: Nothing, Nothing. There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something, that's all. Ghost of Christmas Past: Let us see another Christmas! Narrator: Scrooges former self grew larger at the words, and the schoolroom became a little darker and dirtier. There he was, alone again, when all the other boys had gone home for their holidays. He was not reading no~ but walking up and down despairingly (con desesperacin). Scrooge looked at the Ghost and, with a mournful (lastimero) shaking of his head, glanced anxiously towards the door. It opened. A little girl, much younger than the boy, came in and put her arms about his neck, often kissing him. Little Fan: Dear, dear brother. I have come to bring you home, dear brother! To bring you home, home, home!

Narrator: As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall of the house, and stood upon (estar en) an open country road, the elds on either side. The city had vanished, and the darkness and the mist had vanished with it. It was a clear, cold, winter day, with snow upon the ground. Scrooge: Good Heaven! I was brought up (criar) in this place. I was a boy here! Ghost of Christmas Past: Let us go on. Do you remember the way? Scrooge: Remember it! I could walk it blindfold (con los ojos cerrados). Narrator: They walked along the road. Scrooge recognised every gate, and post, and tree, until a little market-town appeared in the distance, with its bridge, its church, and river. Some ponies now were seen trotting towards them with boys on their back. All these boys were in great spirits (muy animados), and shouted to each other, until the elds were full of merry sounds. Ghost of Christmas Past: These are but (sino) shadows of the things that have been. They have no consciousness of us

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Young Scrooge: Home? Little Fan! Little Fan: Yes! Home, for ever and ever. Father is so much kinder than he used to be. Home is now like Heaven! He spoke so gently to me one dear night when I was going to bed. I was not afraid to ask him once more if you might come home. He said Yes, you should and sent me in a coach (coche de caballos) to bring you. And you're to be a man and are never to come back here. But rst, we're to be together all the Christmas long, and have the merriest time in all the world. Young Scrooge: You are quite a woman, little Fan! Ghost of Christmas Past: She died a woman and had, as I think, children. Scrooge: One child Ghost of Christmas Past: True. Your nephew! When the clock struck eleven, the ball (esta) ended. Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig Scrooge: Yes. Narrator: They left the school behind them and were now in the busy streets of a city. It was plain enough (muy claro) that here too it was Christmas time again, but it was evening, and the streets were lighted up (iluminadas). The Ghost stopped at a warehouse (almacn) door and asked Scrooge if he knew it. Scrooge: Know it! I was apprenticed (estar de aprendiz) here! Why, it's old Fezziwig! Bless his heart. (Bendito sea). It's Fezziwig alive again! Old Fezziwig: Yo ho, there! Ebenezer! Dick! Narrator: Scrooges former self, now grown a young man, came in, accompanied by his fellow apprentice, ! Dick. Scrooge: Dick Wilkins, to be sure! Bless me, yes, There he is. He was very close to me, was Dick. Poor Dick! Dear, dear! shook hands (dar la mano) with everyone individually as he or she went out, and wished him or her a Merry Christmas. During the whole of this time, Scrooges heart and soul were in the scene and with his former self. He remembered everything and enjoyed everything. Ghost of Christmas Past: A small matter to make these silly folks so full of gratitude. Scrooge: Small! Ghost of Christmas Past: Why! Is it not? He has spent only a few pounds of your mortal money, three or four perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves (merecer) this praise (elogios)? Scrooge: It isn't that. It isn't that, Spirit. He has the power to make us happy or unhappy. The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it cost a fortune. There were more dances, and there was cake, and there was a great piece of Cold Roast, and there were mince pies, and plenty of beer. Then old Fezziwig danced with Mrs. Fezziwig. Old Fezziwig: Yo ho, my boys! No more work to-night. Christmas Eve, Dick. Christmas, Ebenezer! Narrator: In came a ddler (violinista) with a music-book. In came Mrs. Fezziwig, one vast smile. In came the three Miss Fezziwigs, beaming (con sonrisa radiante) and lovable (adorable). In came the six young men whose hearts they broke. In came all the young men and women employed in the business. In came the housemaid, with her cousin, the baker. In came the cook with the milkman. In they all came, one after another. Away they all went dancing, twenty couples at once. Old Fezziwig, clapping his hands (aplaudir) to stop the dance, cried out, "Well done!" but the ddler instantly began again.

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Ghost of Christmas Past: My time grows short (acabarse). Quick! Narrator: Scrooge saw himself again, but older now: a man in the prime of his life. He was not alone, but sat by the side of a fair (bella) young girl in whose eyes there were tears. Young Belle: Another idol has displaced me. I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until the master-passion (obsesin), Gain (avaricia), controls you. Have I not? Scrooge in his prime (de joven): I am not changed towards you, Belle. Young Belle: Our contract is an old one. It was made when we were both poor and content to be so, until we could improve our worldly (material) fortune by our patient work. You are changed. When our agreement was made, you were another man. Scrooge in his prime: I was a boy. Young Belle: Your own feeling tells you that you were not what you are. I am. That which promised happiness when we were one in heart is fraught (lleno de / cargado) with misery now that we are two. How often I have thought of this, I will not say. It is enough that I have thought of it, and can release (liberar) you from your promise of marriage. Scrooge in his prime: Have I ever sought (buscar) release? Young Belle: In words, no. Never. Scrooge in his prime: In what, then? Young Belle: In a changed nature; in an altered spirit. May you be happy (que seas feliz) in the life you have chosen. Scrooge: Spirit! Show me no more! Why do you delight (disfrutar) to torture me?

Ghost of Christmas Past: One shadow more! Scrooge: I don't wish to see it. Show me no more! Narrator: But the relentless (implacable) Ghost forced him to observe what happened next. They were in another scene and place: a room, not very large or handsome, but full of comfort. Near the winter re sat a beautiful young girl, so like Belle that Scrooge believed it was her, until he saw Belle, older now, sitting opposite her daughter. There were more children there. Now a knocking (golpe) was heard at the door. /t was father come home bringing Christmas toys and presents. Oh the shouts of wonder (asombro) and delight with which each package was received! The evening passed. One by one, the children and their emotions got out of the parlour (sala de estar) and up to the top of the house, where they went to bed. And now Scrooge looked on more attentively than ever as the master of the house sat down with his eldest daughter and his wife Belle at the reside (chimenea). His daughter leaned (recostarse) fondly (con cario) on him. Scrooges sight grew very dim indeed when he thought that such another creature, quite as graceful (llena de gracia) and as full of promise, might have called him father and been a springtime (alegra) in the haggard (triste / solitario) winter of his life. Husband: Belle, I saw an old friend of yours this aftemoon. Mr. Scrooge. I passed his ofce window, and as it was not shut up (cerrada) and he had a candle inside, I could scarcely help (evitar) seeing him. His partner lies upon the point of death, I hear. There he sat alone, quite alone in the world, I do believe. Scrooge: Spirit! Remove (llevar) me from this place. I cannot bear (soportar) it! Take me back (llevar de vuelta). Haunt me no longer! Narrator: Scrooge was conscious of being exhausted, and overcome (vencido) by an irresistible drowsiness (sueo/sopor). He was back in his own bedroom. He barely (apenas) had time to get into bed before he sank (sumirse) into a
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heavy (profundo) sleep. Scrooge awoke and sat up (incorporarse) in bed to get his thoughts together (aclarar/poner en orden). But the bell was again on the stroke (campanada) of One. A voice called him by his name. Ghost of Christmas Present: Ebenezer Scrooge. I am the Ghost of Christmas Present. Look upon me! Scrooge: Spirit, take me where you will. I went last night and I learnt a lesson which is working now. Tonight, if you have anything to teach me, let me prot by it.

onion, these young Cratchits danced about the table. Mrs. Cratchit: Whatever is keeping your precious father then? And your brother, Tiny Tim! And Martha wasn't as late last Christmas Day. Martha: Here's Martha, mother! Two young Cratchits: Here's Martha, mother! Hurrah! There's such a goose, Martha! Mrs. Cratchit: Sit down before the re, my dear, and have a warm, Lord bless you! Two young Cratchits: No, no! Here's father coming. Narrator: In came Bob Cratchit with Tiny Tim on his shoulder. Alas for Tiny Tim, he carried a little crutch (muleta), and his legs were supported by an iron frame (armazn)! Martha ran into her fathers arms, while the two young Cratchits took Tiny Tim into the kitchen, that he might hear the pudding cooking. Mrs. Cratchit: And how did little Tim behave (comportarse)? Bob Cratchit: As good as gold (como un ngel), and better. Somehow he gets thoughtful (quedarse pensativo), sitting by himself so much, and thinks the strangest things you ever heard. He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple (lisiado), and it might be pleasant for them on Christmas Day to remember Him who made lame (cojo) beggars (mendigo) walk, and blind (ciegos) men see. Narrator: Bobs voice trembled when he told them this. The goose was served. Bob said he didnt believe there ever was such a goose cooked. lts tenderness and avour, size and cheapness were the themes (temas) of universal admiration. Accompanied by apple sauce and mashed potatoes (pure de patatas), it was sufcient for the whole family. Every one had had enough. Now Mrs. Cratchit left the room to bring the pudding in.
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Ghost of Christmas Present: Touch my robe (tnica)! Narrator: Scrooge did as he was told, and held the robe fast. Suddenly, they were inside Bob Cratchits four-roomed house. Mrs. Cratchit, dressed poorly, laid (poner) the table, assisted by Belinda Cratchit, second of her daughters, while Master Peter Cratchit plunged a fork into the sauce pan of potatoes. And now two smaller Cratchits, boy and girl, came tearing in, screaming that outside the bakers (panadera) they had smelt the goose (ganso), and known it for their own. Basking in (disfrutando de) thoughts of sage (salvia) and

She entered ushed (sofocada/acalorada), but smiling proudly (con orgullo) with the pudding so hard and rm, blazing (ardiendo) in ignited brandy, with Christmas holly (acebo) stuck into the top. Oh, a wonderful pudding! Bob Cratchit said that he regarded it as the greatest success achieved by Mrs. Cratchit since their marriage. At last the dinner was over. All the Cratchit family gathered round the hearth.

Ghost of Christmas Present: I see a vacant seat in the corner, and a crutch without an owner. If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die. Scrooge: No, no. Oh, no, kind Spirit! Say he will be spared (perdonado/ salvarse). Ghost of Christmas Present: If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future,

Bob Cratchit: A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us! All: God bless us!

none other of my race will nd Tiny Tim here. What then? If he is to (tener que) die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Narrator: Scrooge hung (agachar) his head to hear his own words quoted (citar) by the Spirit, and was overcome (sentirse abrumado) with penitence (arrepentimiento) and grief (profunda pena). Bob Cratchit: Mr. Scrooge! I'll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast! ! Mrs. Cratchit: The Founder of the Feast indeed! I wish I had him here. I'd give him a piece of my mind to feast upon. Bob Cratchit: My dear, the children! Christmas Day. Mrs. Cratchit: It has to be Christmas Day, I am sure, to drink the health of such an odious, stingy (tacao), hard, unfeeling (insensible/poco compasivo) man as Mr. Scrooge. You know he is, Robert! Nobody knows it better than you do, poor fellow! Bob Cratchit: My dear, Christmas Day.

Tiny Tim: God bless us every one! Narrator: Tiny Tim sat very close to his father s side upon his little stool (banqueta). Bob held (sostener) his withered (atroada) little hand in his as if he loved the chi/d, and wished to keep him by his side, and dreaded (temer) that he might be taken from him. Scrooge: Spirit,tell me if Tiny Tim will live.

Mrs. Cratchit: Ill drink his health for your sake and the Day's, not for his. Long life to him! A Merry Christmas and a Happy NewYear! He'll be very merry and very happy, I have no doubt! Narrator: The children drank the toast (brindis) after her. Scrooge was the Ogre (ogro) of the family. The mention of his name cast (proyectar) a dark shadow on the party, which was not dispelled (disipar) for ve minutes. After
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the shadow had passed away, they were ten times merrier than before. And now, without a word of warning (advertencia) from the Ghost, they stood in Scrooges nephew s house. Scrooge: What place is this?! Scrooge's Nephew: He said that Christmas was a humbug! He believed it too! Scrooges Niece: More shame (vergenza) for him, Fred!

what he was thinking of. He answered only yes or no to their questions. The questions showed that Fred was thinking of an animal, a live animal, a rather (ciertamente, bastante) savage animal, an animal that growled and grunted sometimes, and talked sometimes, and lived in London. The animal was not a horse, or an ass (asno), or a cow, or a bull, or a tiger, or a dog, or a pig, or a cat, or a bear. At every fresh (nueva) question that was put (formular) to him, the nephew burst into (desternillarse) a fresh roar of laughter (risotadas). At last Scrooges niece cried out:

Scrooge's Nephew: He's a comical old fellow, that's the truth: and not so pleasant as he might be. However, his offences carry their own punishment (en el pecado lleva la penitencia), and I have nothing to say against him. Scrooge's Niece: I'm sure he is very rich, Fred. At least you always tell me so. Scrooge's Nephew: What of that, my dear! His wealth is of no use to him. He doesn't do any good with it. He doesn't make himself comfortable with it. Scrooge's Niece: I have no patience with him. Scrooge's! Nephew:! Oh, I have! I am sorry for him; I couldn't be angry with him if I tried. Who suffers by his ill whims (caprichos negativos)? Himself, always. He takes it into his head (empearse) to dislike (detestar) us, and he won't come and dine with us. What's the consequence? Scrooges Niece: Indeed, I think he loses a very good dinner. Scrooge's Nephew: I was only going to say that the consequence of his taking a dislike to us is that he loses some pleasant moments, which could do him no harm (mal). I mean (tener la intencin) to give him the same chance every year, whether he likes it or not, for (porque) I pity (dar lstima) him. Narrator: After tea, they had some music. But they didnt devote the whole evening to music. After a while they played a game called Yes and No. Scrooges nephew had to think of something, and the rest had to discover

Scrooge's Niece: I have found it out (averiguar)! I know what it is, Fred! I know what it is! Scrooge's Nephew: What is it? Scrooge's Niece: It's your uncle Scro-o-o-o-oge! Scrooge's Nephew: He has given us plenty of merriment (diversion), I am sure. It would be ungrateful (desagradecido) of us not to drink his health (brindar a su salud). Here is a glass of mulled wine (ponche caliente de vino con especias), and I say, 'Uncle Scrooge!' A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the old man, whatever he is! He wouldn't take it from me, but may he have it, nevertheless. Uncle Scrooge! Narrator: Uncle Scrooge had become so light of heart (tranquilo) that he would have thanked them in an in audible speech, if the Ghost had given him time. But he and the Spirit were again on their travels. Much they saw, and far they went, and many homes they visited, but always with a happy end. The Spirit stood beside sick (enfermos) beds, and they were cheerful (alegres); on foreign lands, and they were close at home; by (junto a) struggling (que luchaban) men, and they were patient in their hope; by poverty, and it was rich. In hospitals, and jails, in miserys every refuge the Spirit left his blessing, and taught Scrooge his precepts. It was a long night, if it were only a night, but Scrooge had his doubts of this.
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Scrooge: Forgive me for what I ask but I see something strange under your skirts. What is it? Narrator: From its robe (tnica), the Spirit brought two children, wretched (desdichado), abject (mseros), frightful (temerosos), hideous (espantosos), miserable (triste). They knelt down(arrodillarse) at its feet, and clung (aferrarse) to the outside of its garment (prenda). Ghost of Christmas Present: Oh, Man! Look here. Look, look, down here. Narrator: They were a boy and girl: yellow (macilentos), ragged (harapientos), sullen (decaidos), and wolsh (voraces). Scrooge started back (asustarse), appalled (horrorizado). Scrooge: Spirit! Are they yours?

Scrooge: I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come? Narrator: The Spirit did not answer, but pointed onward with its hand. Scrooge: You are about to show me shadows of the things that have not happened, but will happen in the future. Is that so, Spirit? Narrator: The upper part of the garment moved for an instant, as if the Spirit had inclined its head. That was the only answer he received. Scrooge: Ghost of the Future! I fear you more than any spectre I have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be a different man from what I was, I am prepared to keep you company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me? Narrator: lt gave him no reply. The hand was pointed straight before them.

Ghost of Christmas Present: They are Man's. And they cling to me, abandoned by their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want (necesidad). Beware (cuidado con) them both, but most of all beware this boy, for I see Doom (fatalidad) written on his brow (frente) unless the writing be erased (borrada). Scrooge: Have they no refuge or resource (medios)? Ghost of Christmas Present: Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses (asilos para pobres donde daban comida y alojamiento a cambio de trabajar)? Narrator: The bell struck twelve. Scrooge looked about him for the Ghost and did not see it. At the last stroke, he remembered the prediction of old Jacob Marley and lifting up (alzando) his eyes, saw a solemn Phantom coming, like a mist (neblina) along the ground, towards him. The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently, approached. When it carne near him, Scrooge bent down upon his knee. It was covered in a deep black garment, which concealed (ocultar) its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand.

Scrooge: Lead on, Spirit! Narrator: The Phantom moved away (apartarse). Scrooge followed in shadow of its dress, which carried him up and away. There they were, in heart of the City amongst the merchants, who hurried up and down, chinked the money in their pockets, and conversed in groups, as Scrooge seen them do so often. the the and had

The Spirit stopped beside two business men. Observing that the hand was pointed to them, Scrooge advanced to listen to their talk. Great Fat Man: No, I don't know much about it, either way (de uno u otro modo). I only know he's dead. Red-faced Gentleman: When did he die? Great Fat Man: Last night, I believe. Red-faced Gentleman: What has he done with his money?
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Great Fat Man: I haven't heard. Left it to his company, perhaps. He hasn't left it to me. That's all I know. It's likely (probable) to be a very cheap funeral, for upon my life I don't know anybody who will go. Suppose we volunteer? Red-faced Gentleman: I don't mind going if a lunch is provided. Great Fat Man: Ill offer to go, if anyone else will. When I come to think of it, I'm not at all sure that I wasn't his most particular friend, for we used to stop and speak whenever we met. Bye, bye! Narrator: The Phantom glided on (deslizarse) into a street. Its nger pointed to two business men talking. Scrooge listened. He knew these men. They were men of business, very wealthy (rico), and of great importance. First Wealthy Businessman: Well! Old Scratch has got his own (recibir su merecido) at last, hey? Second Wealthy Businessman: So I am told. Cold, isn't it? First Wealthy Businessman: Seasonable (propio para la poca del ao) for Christmas time. You're not a skater (patinador), I suppose? Second Wealthy Businessman: No. No. Something else to think of. Good morning! Narrator: Not another word. That was their meeting, their conversation, and their parting. Narrator: The scene changed, and now Scrooge almost touched a bed, a bare (desnuda), uncurtained bed, on which, beneath a sheet, there lay (yacer) something covered up (tapado). The room was very dark. A pale light fell straight upon the bed. On it, unwatched (sin velar), unkept, uncared for (sin cuidados), was the body of a man. He lay in the dark empty house, with not a man, a woman, or a child, to say that he had been kind in this or that. A cat was tearing at (araar) the

door, and there was a sound of gnawing rats. What they wanted in the room of death, Scrooge did not dare (atreverse) to think. Scrooge: Spirit! This is a fearful (horrible) place. Let us go! Narrator: The Ghost then conducted him through several streets familiar to him. As they went along, Scrooge looked here and there to nd himself, but he was nowhere to be seen. They entered poor Bob Cratchits house, and found the mother and the children seated round the re. Quiet. Very quiet. The noisy little Cratchits were as still (quieto) as statues in one corner, and sat looking up at Peter who was reading from a book. The mother and her daughters were sewing (coser). But surely they were very quiet! Peter Cratchit: And He took a child, and set him in the midst (en medio) of them.' Mrs. Cratchit: And here is your father at the door! You went to the graveyard (cementerio) today, then, Robert? Bob Cratchit: Yes, my dear. I wish you could have gone. It would have done you good to see how green a place it is. But you'll see it often. I promised him that I would walk there on a Sunday. My little, little child! My little child! Narrator: They sat around the re and talked. The girls and mother continued sewing. Bob told them of the extraordinary kindness of Mr. Scrooges nephew, who had met him in the street that day, and - seeing that he looked a little down (abatido) - inquired what had happened to distress (disgustar) him. Bob Cratchit: I told him. 'I am heartily sorry for it, Mr. Cratchit,' he said, 'and heartily sorry for your good wife. If I can be of service to you in any way,' he said, giving me his card, 'that's where I live. Pray (le ruego) come to me. ' It really seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim, and felt with us. I am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny Tim shall we?

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All the Cratchits: Never, father! Bob Cratchit: And I know, my dears, that when we remember how patient and how mild (dulce) he was, although he was a little, little child, we shall not quarrel (pelear) easily among ourselves, and forget poor Tiny Tim. All the Cratchits: No, never, father! Bob Cratchit: I am very happy, I am very happy! Narrator: The Ghost of Christmas yet To Come conveyed him to a churchyard. Here, the wretched man, whose name he had now to learn, lay underneath the ground. The Spirit stood among the graves (tumbas) and pointed down to one. Scrooge advanced towards it trembling. Scrooge: Spirit, tell me what man that was who we saw lying dead. Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point, answer me one question. Are these the shadows of the things that will be, or are they shadows of things that may be, only? Am I that man who lay upon the bed? No, Spirit! Oh no, no! Spirit! Hear me! I am not the man I was. Why show me this, if I am past all hope! Good Spirit, assure me that I may yet change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life! I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall live within me. I will not shut out (olvidar) the lesson that they teach. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future! The Spirits of all Three shall be within me. Oh Jacob Marley! Heaven and Christmas Time be praised (alabados sean) for this! I don't know what to do! I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. I am as giddy (mareado) as a drunken man. A Merry Christmas to everybody! A Happy New Year to all the world. I don't know what day of the month it is! I don't know how long I've been among the Spirits. I don't know anything. Never mind (no importa). I don't care (me da igual). What's today! Boy: Eh?

Scrooge: What's today, my ne fellow? Boy: Today! Why, CHRISTMAS DAY. Scrooge: It's Christmas Day! I haven't missed (perderse algo) it. The Spirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like. Of course they can. Hallo, my ne fellow! Boy: Hallo! Scrooge: Do you know the butcher's, in the next street but one, at the comer? Boy: I should hope I did. Scrooge: An intelligent boy! A remarkable (excepcional) boy! Do you know whether they've sold the prize turkey that was hanging up there? Boy: What, the one as big as me? Scrooge: What a delightful boy! It's a pleasure to talk to him. Yes, my boy! Boy: !t's hanging there now. Scrooge: Is it? Go and buy it and tell ' em to bring it here, that I may give them the address where to take it. Come back (regresar) with the man, and Ill give you a shilling. Come back with him in less (menos) than ve minutes and I'll give you half-a-crown (corona)! Narrator: The boy was off (marcharse) like a shot. Scrooge: I'll send it to Bob Cratchit's! He won't know who sends it. It's twice the size (abulta el doble) of Tiny Tim. Narrator: The hand in which he wrote the address was not a steady one, but he wrote it somehow. He went downstairs to open the street door, ready for the coming of the butchers man. As he stood there, the knocker caught his eye.
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Scrooge: I shall love that knocker, as long as I live! I scarcely (apenas) ever looked at it before. What an honest expression it has on its face! It's a wonderful knocker! - Here's the Turkey! Hallo! Whoop! How are you! Merry Christmas! Why, it's impossible to carry that to Camden Town. You must have a cab (taxi). Narrator: The chuckle (risita) with which he said this, and the chuckle with which he paid for the Turkey, and the chuckle with which he paid for the cab, and the chuckle with which he recompensed the boy, were only to be exceeded by the chuckle with which he sat down breathless (sin aliento) in his chair again, and chuckled till he cried. He dressed himself "all in his best" and at last got out into the streets. The people were by this time lling the streets, as he had seen them with the Ghost of Christmas Present. Scrooge regarded every one with a delighted smile. He looked so irresistibly pleasant that three or four good-humoured fellows said, "Good morning, sir! A Merry Christmas to you!" He had not gone far when, coming towards him, he saw the fat gentleman who had walked into his counting-house the day before, and had said, "Scrooge and Marley's, I believe?" Scrooge: My dear sir, how do you do? I hope you succeeded yesterday. It was very kind of you. A Merry Christmas to you, sir! First Visitor: Mr. Scrooge? Scrooge: Yes. That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to YOU. Allow me to ask your pardon. And will you have the goodness . . . First Visitor: Lord bless me! My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you serious? Scrooge: If you please, not a penny less. A great many back-payments (pagos atrasados) are included in it, I assure you. Will you do me that favour? First Visitor: My dear sir, I don't know what to say.

Scrooge: Don't say anything, please. Come and see me. Will you come and see me? First Visitor: I will! Scrooge: I am much obliged to you. Thank you fty times. Bless you! Narrator: He went to church, and walked about the streets, and patted (acariciar) children on the head, and found that everything could give him pleasure. He had never dreamed that any walk could give him so much happiness. In the afternoon he walked towards his nephew's house. He passed the door a dozen times, before he had the courage to go up and knock. But he made a dash, and did it: Scrooge's Nephew: Why bless my soul! Who's that? Scrooge: It's I. Your uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will you let me in, Fred? Narrator: Let him in! It is a mercy (milagro) he didnt shake his arm off (arrancar). He was at home in ve minutes. His niece looked just the same. So did everyone when they came. Wonderful party, wonderful games, won-der-ful happiness! But he was early at the ofce next morning. Oh, he was early there. If he could only be there rst, and catch Bob Cratchit coming late! That was the thing he had set his heart upon (empearse positivamente). And he did it; yes, he did! The clock struck nine. No Bob. A quarter past. No Bob. He was eighteen and a half minutes late. Scrooge sat with his door wide open, that he might see him come in. Bob's hat was off before he opened the door. He was on his stool (banqueta) in a jiffy (en un segundo) working away (afanndose) with his pen. Scrooge: Hallo! What do you mean by coming here at this time of day? Bob Cratchit: I am very sorry, sir. I am late.

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Scrooge: You are? Yes, I think you are. Step this way, sir, if you please. Bob Cratchit: It's only once a year, sir. It shall not be repeated. I was making rather merry yesterday, sir. Scrooge: Now, Ill tell you what (le dir una cosa), my friend, I am not going to stand (soportar) this sort of thing any longer. And I am about to raise your salary! A Merry Christmas, Bob! A merrier Christmas, my good fellow, than I have given you, for many a year! Ill raise your salary, and try to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, Bob! Prepare the res, and buy some more coal before you dot another!, Bob Cratchit! Narrator: Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and innitely more, and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, and he had no further encounters with the Spirits, and it was always said of him that he knew how to celebrate Christmas better than any man alive. May that be truly said of all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, Tiny Tim: God bless Us, Every One!

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