`` Nay , uncle , but you never came to see me before that happened . Why give it as a reason for not coming now ? '' `` Good afternoon , '' said Scrooge . `` I want nothing from you ; I ask nothing of you ; why can not we be friends ? '' `` Good afternoon ! '' said Scrooge . `` I am sorry , with all my heart , to find you so resolute . We have never had any quarrel to which I have been a party . But I have made the trial in homage to Christmas , and I 'll keep my Christmas humour to the last . So A Merry Christmas , uncle ! '' `` Good afternoon , '' said Scrooge . `` And A Happy New Year ! '' `` Good afternoon ! '' said Scrooge . His nephew left the room without an angry word , notwithstanding . He stopped at the outer door to bestow the greetings of the season on the clerk , who , cold as he was , was warmer than Scrooge ; for he returned them cordially . `` There 's another fellow , '' muttered Scrooge , who overheard him : `` my clerk , with fifteen shillings a week , and a wife and family , talking about a merry Christmas . I 'll retire to Bedlam . '' This lunatic , in letting Scrooge 's nephew out , had let two other people in . They were portly gentlemen , pleasant to behold , and now stood , with their hats off , in Scrooge 's office .
They had books and papers in their hands , and bowed XXXXX him .
as at before from in of on than to without