It would have been flat heresy to do so . Any Cratchit would have blushed to hint at such a thing . At last the dinner was all done , the cloth was cleared , the hearth swept , and the fire made up . The compound in the jug being tasted , and considered perfect , apples and oranges were put upon the table , and a shovel full of chestnuts on the fire . Then all the Cratchit family drew round the hearth in what Bob Cratchit called a circle , meaning half a one ; and at Bob Cratchit 's elbow stood the family display of glass . Two tumblers and a custard cup without a handle . These held the hot stuff from the jug , however , as well as golden goblets would have done ; and Bob served it out with beaming looks , while the chestnuts on the fire sputtered and cracked noisily . Then Bob proposed : `` A merry Christmas to us all , my dears . God bless us ! '' Which all the family re-echoed . `` God bless us every one ! '' said Tiny Tim , the last of all . He sat very close to his father 's side , upon his little stool . Bob held his withered little hand in his , as if he loved the child , and wished to keep him by his side , and dreaded that he might be taken from him . `` Spirit , '' said Scrooge with an interest he had never felt before , `` tell me if Tiny Tim will live . '' `` I see a vacant seat , '' replied the Ghost , `` in the poor chimney-corner , and a crutch without an owner , carefully preserved . If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future , the child will die . '' `` No , no , '' said Scrooge . `` Oh , no , kind Spirit ! say he will be spared . ''
`` XXXXX these shadows remain unaltered by the Future , none other of my race , '' returned the Ghost , `` will find him here .
If as at by from of on while with without