`` There are some upon this earth of yours , '' returned the Spirit , `` who lay claim to know us , and who do their deeds of passion , pride , ill-will , hatred , envy , bigotry , and selfishness in our name , who are as strange to us , and all our kith and kin , as if they had never lived . Remember that , and charge their doings on themselves , not us . '' Scrooge promised that he would ; and they went on , invisible , as they had been before , into the suburbs of the town . It was a remarkable quality of the Ghost -LRB- which Scrooge had observed at the baker 's -RRB- , that , notwithstanding his gigantic size , he could accommodate himself to any place with ease ; and that he stood beneath a low roof quite as gracefully and like a supernatural creature as it was possible he could have done in any lofty hall . And perhaps it was the pleasure the good Spirit had in showing off this power of his , or else it was his own kind , generous , hearty nature , and his sympathy with all poor men , that led him straight to Scrooge 's clerk 's ; for there he went , and took Scrooge with him , holding to his robe ; and , on the threshold of the door , the Spirit smiled , and stopped to bless Bob Cratchit 's dwelling with the sprinklings of his torch . Think of that ! Bob had but fifteen `` Bob '' a week himself ; he pocketed on Saturdays but fifteen copies of his Christian name ; and yet the Ghost of Christmas Present blessed his four-roomed house ! Then up rose Mrs. Cratchit , Cratchit 's wife , dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown , but brave in ribbons , which are cheap , and make a goodly show for sixpence ; and she laid the cloth , assisted by Belinda Cratchit , second of her daughters , also brave in ribbons ; while Master Peter Cratchit plunged a fork into the saucepan of potatoes , and , getting the corners of his monstrous shirt collar -LRB- Bob 's private property , conferred upon his son and heir in honour of the day -RRB- into his mouth , rejoiced to find himself so gallantly attired , and yearned to show his linen in the fashionable Parks . And now two smaller Cratchits , boy and girl , came tearing in , screaming that outside the baker 's they had smelt the goose , and known it for their own ; and , basking in luxurious thoughts of sage and onion , these young Cratchits danced about the table , and exalted Master Peter Cratchit to the skies , while he -LRB- not proud , although his collars nearly choked him -RRB- blew the fire , until the slow potatoes , bubbling up , knocked loudly at the saucepan lid to be let out and peeled . `` What has ever got your precious father , then ? '' said Mrs. Cratchit . `` And your brother , Tiny Tim ? And Martha war n't as late last Christmas-day by half an hour ! '' `` Here 's Martha , mother ! '' said a girl , appearing as she spoke . `` Here 's Martha , mother ! '' cried the two young Cratchits . `` Hurrah ! There 's such a goose , Martha ! '' `` Why , bless your heart alive , my dear , how late you are ! ''
said Mrs. Cratchit , kissing her a dozen times , and taking off her shawl and bonnet XXXXX her with officious zeal .
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