Mark Strickson credited as playing...
Young Scrooge
- Belle: If there had been no understanding between us, would you seek me out and try to win me now, a dowerless girl with nothing but myself to bring to a marriage?
- [extreme silence from Young Scrooge]
- Belle: You have no answer?
- Young Scrooge: You think I would not then?
- Belle: Oh Ebenezer, what a safe and terrible answer! So characteristic of the careful man.
- [pause]
- Belle: Ebenezer, I release you. You are a free man. I let you go with a full heart. May you be happy in the life you have chosen.
- Young Scrooge: [Fan enters the boarding school where Young Ebenezer sleeps on a desk] Fan?
- [They hug each other dearly]
- Fan: Dear, dear brother! I've come to bring you home, brother. Home for good and all! Father is so much kinder now than he used to be. One night, he spoke with me so gently that I worked up the courage to ask him if you might come home! And he said yes, you should. We came in a coach to pick you up; it's right outside!
- Young Scrooge: You've grown into quite a young woman, Fan.
- Fan: And you've grown into quite a young man, never to need see this lonely place again. Come on, let's not keep Father waiting.
- [They dash outside to meet their father. Young Ebenezer starts to hug Silas, but the elder man holds out his walking-stick to stop the boy from doing such]
- Silas Scrooge: There, there, boy. Stand still now. Let's have a look at you. Well, they haven't been overfeeding you. That's certain.
- Young Scrooge: I've grown, Fan tells me.
- Silas Scrooge: Yes, most boys do. I imagine she has also told you that you're not moving back here. So it's time you made your way in the world. I've arranged an apprenticeship for you. You will move into Mr. Fezziwig's establishment in three days' time.
- Fan: Three days, Father? It's been YEARS since we've had my brother at home! I was hoping we would have him for longer.
- Silas Scrooge: LONGER? Three days is QUITE long enough for BOTH of us. You DO agree, Ebenezer, DON'T you?
- Young Scrooge: Indeed, Sir. Quite long enough.
- Silas Scrooge: That's better. Come along, Fan.
- [They ride off for home]