Ghost story

At this the spirit gave a dreadful cry, and shook its chain with such a dismal and appalling noise, that Scrooge held on tight to his chair, to save himself from falling in a swoon. But how much greater was his horror, when the phantom taking off the bandage around its head as if it were too warm to wear indoors, it's lower jaw dropped down upon its breast!

Picked this up on a whim tonight and have to say it still comes across as brilliant; worth reading rather than watching one of the many television and film versions. There is something very beguiling about a ghost story at Christmas - perhaps because it is the darkest time of year just upon the winter solstice.

Work was far from dead quiet - rather the opposite. But I found it difficult to concentrate. Like Marley in chains I had little enthusiasm today ...