He resolved to lie awake until the hour was passed ; and , considering that he could no more go to sleep than go to Heaven , this was , perhaps , the wisest resolution in his power . The quarter was so long , that he was more than once convinced he must have sunk into a doze unconsciously , and missed the clock . At length it broke upon his listening ear . `` Ding , dong ! '' `` A quarter past , '' said Scrooge , counting . `` Ding , dong ! '' `` Half past , '' said Scrooge . `` Ding , dong ! '' `` A quarter to it , '' said Scrooge . `` Ding , dong ! '' `` The hour itself , '' said Scrooge triumphantly , `` and nothing else ! '' He spoke before the hour bell sounded , which it now did with a deep , dull , hollow , melancholy ONE . Light flashed up in the room upon the instant , and the curtains of his bed were drawn . The curtains of his bed were drawn aside , I tell you , by a hand . Not the curtains at his feet , nor the curtains at his back , but those to which his face was addressed . The curtains of his bed were drawn aside ; and Scrooge , starting up into a half-recumbent attitude , found himself face to face with the unearthly visitor who drew them : as close to it as I am now to you , and I am standing in the spirit at your elbow . It was a strange figure -- like a child : yet not so like a child as like an old man , viewed through some supernatural medium , which gave him the appearance of having receded from the view , and being diminished to a child 's proportions . Its hair , which hung about its neck and down its back , was white , as if with age ; and yet the face had not a wrinkle in it , and the tenderest bloom was on the skin . The arms were very long and muscular ; the hands the same , as if its hold were of uncommon strength . Its legs and feet , most delicately formed , were , like those upper members , bare .
It wore a tunic of the purest white ; and round its waist was bound a lustrous belt , the sheen XXXXX which was beautiful .
at before by into like of that to until with