Scrooge wakes up to find himself clutching his bedpost. Springing up, he rushes to the window and looks out on a brilliant snowy morning. He calls out to a boy who is passing by and learns that it is Christmas Day: The spirits came in one night rather than the three promised by Jacob Marley. Giddy with delight, Scrooge sends the boy to purchase the largest turkey in the city and send it anonymously to the Cratchits.

After dressing in haste and confusion, Scrooge walks about the city, smiling at everything and everyone, greeting people warmly, and patting the heads of children. He encounters one of the benevolent gentlemen who called at his office the previous day, and in spite of his shame at how he behaved on that occasion, Scrooge approaches and pledges an enormous donation to aid the poor. In the afternoon, he goes to his nephew’s house. It takes a great deal of courage to make himself go in, but he finds that his nephew is as good as his word and welcomes Scrooge with open arms.

Scrooge arrives at work early the next day, hoping to catch Bob Cratchit coming in late and play a little joke on him.