A Christmas Carol (1984 TV Movie)

Brian Pettifer: Ben

Quotes 

• Ebenezer Scrooge : Where are we now? I'm sure I don't know this place.

  Ghost of Christmas Present : The name would mean nothing to you. It's a place, like many in this world.

  Meg : Do we have enough wood for the night?

  Ben : Ah, it'll last through the night. At least there's one thing still free in this country.

  Meg : [Checking the food the children are cooking over the fire]  Mary, Peter they're cooked.

  Peter (their son) : They're too hot.

  Meg : They'll be cold soon enough.

  Mary (their daughter) : Where did you get these father?

  Ben : I didn't steal them, if that's what you say.

  Meg : She didn't say you stole them.

  Ben : She should have some respect.

  Meg : Don't berate the girl.

  [Speaking to Mary] 

  Meg : They fell from a cart into the road.

  Ben : You're father's not a thief girl. Not yet.

  Ebenezer Scrooge : Why are these people out here? Men and women in rags. Children eating scraps! There are institutions.

  Ghost of Christmas Present : Have you visited any of them? These institutions you speak of?

  Ebenezer Scrooge : No! I am taxed for them. Isn't that enough?

  Ghost of Christmas Present : Is it?

  Meg : Ben, come back to the fire.

  Ben : Look at these hands, Meg. They're hard hands; they've done hard work. I want to work. I want to have bread for my children. It's not right that there's no work.

  Meg : We're together Ben. That's the important thing.

  Ben : I love you Meg. I love the children. Tomorrow take the children and go to the parish poorhouse.

  Meg : No! No. I'd rather we all drown in the river than go to one of those places and be separated forever.

  Ben : Until I get work?

  Meg : No! Ben, we're a family. We stay together. Come. Come back to the fire. Come.

  Ebenezer Scrooge : Why do you show me this? What does it have to do with me?

  Ghost of Christmas Present : Are they not of the human race!