`` Nothing ! '' Scrooge replied . `` You wish to be anonymous ? '' `` I wish to be left alone , '' said Scrooge . `` Since you ask me what I wish , gentlemen , that is my answer . I do n't make merry myself at Christmas , and I ca n't afford to make idle people merry . I help to support the establishments I have mentioned -- they cost enough ; and those who are badly off must go there . '' `` Many ca n't go there ; and many would rather die . '' `` If they would rather die , '' said Scrooge , `` they had better do it , and decrease the surplus population . Besides -- excuse me -- I do n't know that . '' `` But you might know it , '' observed the gentleman . `` It 's not my business , '' Scrooge returned . `` It 's enough for a man to understand his own business , and not to interfere with other people 's . Mine occupies me constantly . Good afternoon , gentlemen ! '' Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point , the gentlemen withdrew . Scrooge resumed his labours with an improved opinion of himself , and in a more facetious temper than was usual with him . Meanwhile the fog and darkness thickened so , that people ran about with flaring links , proffering their services to go before horses in carriages , and conduct them on their way . The ancient tower of a church , whose gruff old bell was always peeping slily down at Scrooge out of a Gothic window in the wall , became invisible , and struck the hours and quarters in the clouds , with tremulous vibrations afterwards , as if its teeth were chattering in its frozen head up there . The cold became intense .
In the main street , at the corner of the court , some labourers were repairing the gas-pipes , and had lighted a great fire in a brazier , round which a party of ragged men and boys were gathered : warming their hands and winking their eyes before the blaze XXXXX rapture .
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