Scrooge Dismisses Bob Cratchit

At the hour of shutting up the counting-house, Scrooge grudgingly admits the fact to the expectant clerk. He grudgingly grants Bob Cratchit the whole day off for Christmas, but complains that it is not fair and that he is picking his pocket. He insists that the clerk be there all the earlier the next morning. The office is closed in a twinkling, and the clerk, with his white comforter dangling, goes down a slide on Cornhill twenty times in honour of Christmas Eve before running home to Camden Town.