But , as I know your purpose is to do me good , and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was , I am prepared to bear you company , and do it with a thankful heart . Will you not speak to me ? '' It gave him no reply . The hand was pointed straight before them . `` Lead on ! '' said Scrooge . `` Lead on ! The night is waning fast , and it is precious time to me , I know . Lead on , Spirit ! '' The phantom moved away as it had come towards him . Scrooge followed in the shadow of its dress , which bore him up , he thought , and carried him along . They scarcely seemed to enter the City ; for the City rather seemed to spring up about them , and encompass them of its own act . But there they were in the heart of it ; on ` Change , amongst the merchants ; who hurried up and down , and chinked the money in their pockets , and conversed in groups , and looked at their watches , and trifled thoughtfully with their great gold seals ; and so forth , as Scrooge had seen them often . The Spirit stopped beside one little knot of business men . Observing that the hand was pointed to them , Scrooge advanced to listen to their talk . `` No , '' said a great fat man with a monstrous chin , `` I do n't know much about it either way . I only know he 's dead . '' `` When did he die ? '' inquired another . `` Last night , I believe . ''
`` Why , what was the matter XXXXX him ? ''
about along amongst before for on that to towards with