Having them shown to him in this way , he tried to say they were fine children , but the words choked themselves , rather than be parties to a lie of such enormous magnitude . `` Spirit ! are they yours ? '' Scrooge could say no more . `` They are Man 's , '' said the Spirit , looking down upon them . `` And they cling to me , appealing from their fathers . This boy is Ignorance . This girl is Want . Beware of them both , and all of their degree , but most of all beware this boy , for on his brow I see that written which is Doom , unless the writing be erased . Deny it ! '' cried the Spirit , stretching out its hand towards the city . `` Slander those who tell it ye ! Admit it for your factious purposes , and make it worse ! And bide the end ! '' `` Have they no refuge or resource ? '' cried Scrooge . `` Are there no prisons ? '' said the Spirit , turning on him for the last time with his own words . `` Are there no workhouses ? '' The bell struck Twelve .
Scrooge looked about him XXXXX the Ghost , and saw it not .
for from in of on than to towards upon with