The Spirit stood beside sick-beds , and they were cheerful ; on foreign lands , and they were close at home ; by struggling men , and they were patient in their greater hope ; by poverty , and it was rich . In almshouse , hospital , and gaol , in misery 's every refuge , where vain man in his little brief authority had not made fast the door , and barred the Spirit out , he left his blessing , and taught Scrooge his precepts . It was a long night , if it were only a night ; but Scrooge had his doubts of this , because the Christmas holidays appeared to be condensed into the space of time they passed together . It was strange , too , that , while Scrooge remained unaltered in his outward form , the Ghost grew older , clearly older . Scrooge had observed this change , but never spoke of it , until they left a children 's Twelfth-Night party , when , looking at the Spirit as they stood together in an open place , he noticed that its hair was grey . `` Are spirits ' lives so short ? '' asked Scrooge . `` My life upon this globe is very brief , '' replied the Ghost . `` It ends to-night . '' `` To-night ! '' cried Scrooge . `` To-night at midnight . Hark ! The time is drawing near . '' The chimes were ringing the three-quarters past eleven at that moment . `` Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask , '' said Scrooge , looking intently at the Spirit 's robe , `` but I see something strange , and not belonging to yourself , protruding from your skirts . Is it a foot or a claw ? '' `` It might be a claw , for the flesh there is upon it , '' was the Spirit 's sorrowful reply . `` Look here . '' From the foldings of its robe it brought two children ; wretched , abject , frightful , hideous , miserable .
They knelt down at its feet , and clung upon the outside XXXXX its garment .
as from if in into of that until upon while