`` Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge , or Mr. Marley ? '' `` Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years , '' Scrooge replied . `` He died seven years ago , this very night . '' `` We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner , '' said the gentleman , presenting his credentials . It certainly was ; for they had been two kindred spirits . At the ominous word `` liberality '' Scrooge frowned , and shook his head , and handed the credentials back . `` At this festive season of the year , Mr. Scrooge , '' said the gentleman , taking up a pen , `` it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute , who suffer greatly at the present time . Many thousands are in want of common necessaries ; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts , sir . '' `` Are there no prisons ? '' asked Scrooge . `` Plenty of prisons , '' said the gentleman , laying down the pen again . `` And the Union workhouses ? '' demanded Scrooge . `` Are they still in operation ? '' `` They are . Still , '' returned the gentleman , `` I wish I could say they were not . '' `` The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour , then ? '' said Scrooge . `` Both very busy , sir . '' `` Oh !
I was afraid , from what you said at first , XXXXX something had occurred to stop them in their useful course , '' said Scrooge .
Scrooge at by for in night of than that years