`` Business ! '' cried the Ghost , wringing its hands again . `` Mankind was my business . The common welfare was my business ; charity , mercy , forbearance , and benevolence were , all , my business . The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business ! '' It held up its chain at arm 's length , as if that were the cause of all its unavailing grief , and flung it heavily upon the ground again . `` At this time of the rolling year , '' the spectre said , `` I suffer most . Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down , and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode ? Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me ? '' Scrooge was very much dismayed to hear the spectre going on at this rate , and began to quake exceedingly . `` Hear me ! '' cried the Ghost . `` My time is nearly gone . '' `` I will , '' said Scrooge . `` But do n't be hard upon me ! Do n't be flowery , Jacob ! Pray ! '' `` How it is that I appear before you in a shape that you can see , I may not tell . I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day . '' It was not an agreeable idea .
XXXXX shivered , and wiped the perspiration from his brow .
Jacob Mankind Men Scrooge Star day fellow-beings forbearance idea shape