Nor can I tell you what I would . A very little more is all permitted to me . I can not rest , I can not stay , I can not linger anywhere . My spirit never walked beyond our counting-house -- mark me ; -- in life my spirit never roved beyond the narrow limits of our money-changing hole ; and weary journeys lie before me ! '' It was a habit with Scrooge , whenever he became thoughtful , to put his hands in his breeches pockets . Pondering on what the Ghost had said , he did so now , but without lifting up his eyes , or getting off his knees . `` You must have been very slow about it , Jacob , '' Scrooge observed in a business-like manner , though with humility and deference . `` Slow ! '' the Ghost repeated . `` Seven years dead , '' mused Scrooge . `` And travelling all the time ? '' `` The whole time , '' said the Ghost . `` No rest , no peace . Incessant torture of remorse . '' `` You travel fast ? '' said Scrooge . `` On the wings of the wind , '' replied the Ghost . `` You might have got over a great quantity of ground in seven years , '' said Scrooge . The Ghost , on hearing this , set up another cry , and clanked its chain so hideously in the dead silence of the night , that the Ward would have been justified in indicting it for a nuisance . `` Oh !
captive , bound , and double-ironed , '' cried the phantom , `` not to know that ages of incessant labour , by immortal creatures , XXXXX this earth must pass into eternity before the good of which it is susceptible is all developed !
about before for in of on over to with without