-LSB- Illustration : `` You recollect the way ? '' inquired the spirit . `` Remember it ! '' cried Scrooge with fervour ; `` I could walk it blindfold . '' -RSB- They walked along the road , Scrooge recognising every gate , and post , and tree , until a little market-town appeared in the distance , with its bridge , its church , and winding river . Some shaggy ponies now were seen trotting towards them with boys upon their backs , who called to other boys in country gigs and carts , driven by farmers . All these boys were in great spirits , and shouted to each other , until the broad fields were so full of merry music , that the crisp air laughed to hear it . `` These are but shadows of the things that have been , '' said the Ghost . `` They have no consciousness of us . '' The jocund travellers came on ; and as they came , Scrooge knew and named them every one . Why was he rejoiced beyond all bounds to see them ? Why did his cold eye glisten , and his heart leap up as they went past ? Why was he filled with gladness when he heard them give each other Merry Christmas , as they parted at cross-roads and by-ways for their several homes ? What was merry Christmas to Scrooge ? Out upon merry Christmas ! What good had it ever done to him ? `` The school is not quite deserted , '' said the Ghost . `` A solitary child , neglected by his friends , is left there still . '' Scrooge said he knew it . And he sobbed .
They left the high-road XXXXX a well-remembered lane , and soon approached a mansion of dull red brick , with a little weather-cock surmounted cupola on the roof and a bell hanging in it .
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