Chapter 1

           Marleywasdead:tobeginwith.Thereisnodoubtwhateveraboutthat.Theregisterofhisburialwassignedbytheclergyman,theclerk,theundertaker,andthechiefmourner.Scroogesignedit.AndScrooge’snamewasgoodupon‘Change,foranythinghechosetoputhishandto.

           OldMarleywasasdeadasadoor-nail.

           Mind!Idon’tmeantosaythatIknow,ofmyownknowledge,whatthereisparticularlydeadaboutadoor-nail.Imighthavebeeninclined,myself,toregardacoffin-nailasthedeadestpieceofironmongeryinthetrade.Butthewisdomofourancestorsisinthesimile;andmyunhallowedhandsshallnotdisturbit,ortheCountry’sdonefor.Youwillthereforepermitmetorepeat,emphatically,thatMarleywasasdeadasadoor-nail.

           Scroogeknewhewasdead?Ofcoursehedid.Howcoulditbeotherwise?ScroogeandhewerepartnersforIdon’tknowhowmanyyears.Scroogewashissoleexecutor,hissoleadministrator,hissoleassign,hissoleresiduarylegatee,hissolefriend,andsolemourner.AndevenScroogewasnotsodreadfullycutupbythesadevent,butthathewasanexcellentmanofbusinessontheverydayofthefuneral,andsolemniseditwithanundoubtedbargain.ThementionofMarley’sfuneralbringsmebacktothepointIstartedfrom.ThereisnodoubtthatMarleywasdead.Thismustbedistinctlyunderstood,ornothingwonderfulcancomeofthestoryIamgoingtorelate.