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A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol

Chapter II · Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits

Read and study this complete chapter with synchronized narration, pronunciation, and vocabulary support.

STAVE II: THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS WHEN Scrooge awoke, it was so dark, that looking out of bed, he could scarcely distinguish the transparent window from the opaque walls of his chamber.

Young Scrooge alone at school as Fan arrives, watched by the Ghost of Christmas Past
Context Illustration Reading 13/81 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.
"What!"
exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?
Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"
Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Christmas Carol

Chapter II · Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits

Study this chapter through synchronized reading, listening, pronunciation, and contextual vocabulary.

Reading 13/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 61–65

Line 1
Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.
Line 2
"What!"
Line 3
exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?
Line 4
Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"
Line 5
Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.
All words in this reading · 80

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

and

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

any

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

anybody

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

are

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

asked

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

at

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

be

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

begged

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

bonneted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

brow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

but

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

cap

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

could

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

covered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

desire

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

disclaimed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

enough

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

exclaimed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

force

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

Ghost

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

give

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

had

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

hands

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

have

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

having

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

he

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

him

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

his

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

I

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

if

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

in

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

intention

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

Is

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

it

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

knowledge

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

life

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

light

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

low

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

made

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

me

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

my

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

not

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

of

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

offend

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

one

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

or

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

passions

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

Perhaps

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

period

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

put

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

reverently

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

Scrooge

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

see

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

so

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

soon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

special

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

Spirit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

that

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

the

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

this

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

those

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

through

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

to

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

told

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

trains

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

upon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

wear

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

What

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "What!"

whole

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

whose

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

why

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.

wilfully

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully "bonneted" the Spirit at any period of his life.

with

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

worldly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

would

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

years

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!"

you

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading exclaimed the Ghost, "would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?

Chapter Quiz

Use these questions to verify literal comprehension before continuing to the next chapter.

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "STAVE II: THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Repeat the selected source lines aloud to practice rhythm, stress, and clear US English pronunciation.

Narrator: STAVE II: THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS
Narrator: "Was I apprenticed here!"