Scrooge continued to walk down the street.
He wished a Merry Christmas to all the ladies, greeted all the beggars and gave pennies to the children.
All of them were astonished and several of them wished him a merry Christmas.
Some thought he must be ill, but the old man didn't care.
The hustle and bustle of the town filled him with joy.
For the first time in ages, he was happy.