His body was transparent ; so that Scrooge , observing him , and looking through his waistcoat , could see the two buttons on his coat behind . Scrooge had often heard it said that Marley had no bowels , but he had never believed it until now . No , nor did he believe it even now . Though he looked the phantom through and through , and saw it standing before him ; though he felt the chilling influence of its death-cold eyes ; and marked the very texture of the folded kerchief bound about its head and chin , which wrapper he had not observed before ; he was still incredulous , and fought against his senses . `` How now ! '' said Scrooge , caustic and cold as ever . `` What do you want with me ? '' `` Much ! '' -- Marley 's voice , no doubt about it . `` Who are you ? '' `` Ask me who I was . '' `` Who were you , then ? '' said Scrooge , raising his voice . `` You 're particular , for a shade . '' He was going to say '' to a shade , '' but substituted this , as more appropriate . `` In life I was your partner , Jacob Marley . '' `` Can you -- can you sit down ? '' asked Scrooge , looking doubtfully at him . `` I can . '' `` Do it , then . ''
Scrooge asked the question , because he did n't know whether a ghost so transparent might find himself in a condition to take a chair ; and felt that , in the event of its being impossible , it might involve the necessity XXXXX an embarrassing explanation .
In against as before of on that through to until