The Businessmen on the Exchange

The casual conversation among businessmen about Scrooge's death, revealing his reputation and lack of friends.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Death Discussed

Indifferent Gossip The First Group On the Royal Exchange, a group of businessmen discuss the death of a man—implied to be Scrooge. They joke about the cheap funeral and wonder who will go. One says he was 'his most particular friend' but only because they spoke when they met. The Second Conversation Two other businessmen meet and briefly mention Old Scratch's death, then move on to discuss the weather. The conversations are utterly devoid of emotion, showing that Scrooge's death is a matter of complete indifference.

Future, after Scrooge's death