Expect the first to-morrow when the bell tolls One . '' `` Could n't I take 'em all at once , and have it over , Jacob ? '' hinted Scrooge . `` Expect the second on the next night at the same hour . The third , upon the next night when the last stroke of Twelve has ceased to vibrate . Look to see me no more ; and look that , for your own sake , you remember what has passed between us ! '' When it had said these words , the spectre took its wrapper from the table , and bound it round its head as before . Scrooge knew this by the smart sound its teeth made when the jaws were brought together by the bandage . He ventured to raise his eyes again , and found his supernatural visitor confronting him in an erect attitude , with its chain wound over and about its arm . The apparition walked backward from him ; and , at every step it took , the window raised itself a little , so that , when the spectre reached it , it was wide open . It beckoned Scrooge to approach , which he did . When they were within two paces of each other , Marley 's Ghost held up its hand , warning him to come no nearer . Scrooge stopped . Not so much in obedience as in surprise and fear ; for , on the raising of the hand , he became sensible of confused noises in the air ; incoherent sounds of lamentation and regret ; wailings inexpressibly sorrowful and self-accusatory . The spectre , after listening for a moment , joined in the mournful dirge ; and floated out upon the bleak , dark night . Scrooge followed to the window : desperate in his curiosity . He looked out . The air was filled with phantoms , wandering hither and thither in restless haste , and moaning as they went . Every one of them wore chains like Marley 's Ghost ; some few -LRB- they might be guilty governments -RRB- were linked together ; none were free . Many had been personally known to Scrooge in their lives .
He had been quite familiar with one old ghost in a white waistcoat , with a monstrous iron safe attached to its ankle , who cried piteously at being unable XXXXX assist a wretched woman with an infant , whom it saw below upon a doorstep .
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