It was strange , too , that , while Scrooge remained unaltered in his outward form , the Ghost grew older , clearly older . Scrooge had observed this change , but never spoke of it , until they left a children 's Twelfth-Night party , when , looking at the Spirit as they stood together in an open place , he noticed that its hair was grey . `` Are spirits ' lives so short ? '' asked Scrooge . `` My life upon this globe is very brief , '' replied the Ghost . `` It ends to-night . '' `` To-night ! '' cried Scrooge . `` To-night at midnight . Hark ! The time is drawing near . '' The chimes were ringing the three-quarters past eleven at that moment . `` Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask , '' said Scrooge , looking intently at the Spirit 's robe , `` but I see something strange , and not belonging to yourself , protruding from your skirts . Is it a foot or a claw ? '' `` It might be a claw , for the flesh there is upon it , '' was the Spirit 's sorrowful reply . `` Look here . '' From the foldings of its robe it brought two children ; wretched , abject , frightful , hideous , miserable . They knelt down at its feet , and clung upon the outside of its garment . `` Oh , Man ! look here !
XXXXX , look , down here ! ''
Look am ask brought grew knelt protruding said see spoke