“ I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned—they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there. ”
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol (1843). copy citation
| Author | Charles Dickens |
|---|---|
| Source | A Christmas Carol |
| Topic | Christmas cost |
| Date | 1843 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46/46-h/46-h.htm |
Context
“We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for? ” “ Nothing! ”
“ You wish to be anonymous? ” “ I wish to be left alone, ” said Scrooge. “ Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned—they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there. “ Many can’t go there; and many would rather die. ” “ If they would rather die, ” said Scrooge, “ they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides—excuse me—I don’t know that. ” “ But you might know it, ” observed the gentleman.
” source
“ You wish to be anonymous? ” “ I wish to be left alone, ” said Scrooge. “ Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don’t make merry myself at Christmas and I can’t afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned—they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there. “ Many can’t go there; and many would rather die. ” “ If they would rather die, ” said Scrooge, “ they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides—excuse me—I don’t know that. ” “ But you might know it, ” observed the gentleman.
” source
