`` 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 , for this earth must pass into eternity before the good of which it is susceptible is all developed ! Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere , whatever it may be , will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness ! Not to know that no space of regret can make amends for one life 's opportunities misused ! Yet such was I ! Oh , such was I ! '' `` But you were always a good man of business , Jacob , '' faltered Scrooge , who now began to apply this to himself . `` Business ! '' cried the Ghost , wringing its hands again . `` Mankind was my business . The common welfare was my business ; charity , mercy , forbearance , and benevolence were , all , my business .
The dealings XXXXX my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business ! ''
by for forbearance in night of on over that to