When Scrooge
and the Spirit of Christmas Present first arrive at the Cratchit residence, Mrs. Cratchit and
the older children are boiling the potatoes for Christmas dinner while the younger children can
hardly contain their excitement about the goings-on of the day. Martha arrives and barely has
time to hide before Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim enter the house after attending Christmas worship
at church.
As Peter and the younger Cratchits leave to fetch the Christmas
goose, Bob stirs up a special drink "compounded in a jug with gin and lemons", Mrs.
Cratchit reheats the gravy, Peter mashes the potatoes, Belinda finishes the applesauce, and
Martha sets out the plates.
The goose is carved and served, accompanied by
much acclamation as to its perfection. "Its tenderness and flavour, size and cheapness,
were themes of universal admiration." When all the goose, sage and onion stuffing, apple
sauce and potatoes had been consumed, Mrs. Cratchit brings in the Christmas pudding to finish
the feast.
When dishes are put away, the cider is shared along with fresh
fruit and roasted chestnuts as the family toasts each other with affection and enthusiasm, and
then Mr. Scrooge, with much different emotions.
It should
be Christmas Day, I am sure...on which one drinks the health of such an odious, stingy, hard,
unfeelinf man as Mr. Scrooge...I'll drink his health for your sake and the Day's,...not for
his.
Having gotten that distasteful duty out of the way,
the family is able to resume sharing time with each other, dreaming of a future that would hold
better days for them all. They loved and laughed and treasured the company of each
other.
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