Pray ! '' `` How it is that I appear before you in a shape that you can see , I may not tell . I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day . '' It was not an agreeable idea . Scrooge shivered , and wiped the perspiration from his brow . `` That is no light part of my penance , '' pursued the Ghost . `` I am here to-night to warn you that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate . A chance and hope of my procuring , Ebenezer . '' `` You were always a good friend to me , '' said Scrooge . `` Thankee ! '' `` You will be haunted , '' resumed the Ghost , `` by Three Spirits . '' Scrooge 's countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost 's had done . `` Is that the chance and hope you mentioned , Jacob ? '' he demanded in a faltering voice . `` It is . '' `` I -- I think I 'd rather not , '' said Scrooge . `` Without their visits , '' said the Ghost , `` you can not hope to shun the path I tread . Expect the first to-morrow when the bell tolls One . '' `` Could n't I take 'em all at once , and have it over , Jacob ? '' hinted Scrooge .
`` Expect the second on the next night XXXXX the same hour .
Without as at beside from in of over that to