In A Christmas Carol, after the ghost takes Scrooge to the home of his nephew, what do you think Fred means when he says, "his offences carry their...

Scrooge is
terribly rude to Fred when his nephew wishes him a Merry Christmas on Christmas Eve and responds
with his signature "Bah! Humbug." He says to Fred:

"What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? Youre poor
enough."

Scrooge goes on the say to him
that:

"every idiot who goes about with €˜Merry
Christmas on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly
through his heart. He should!"

By "every
idiot," he means Fred. However, rather than taking offense at the idea his uncle thinks he
should be killed, Fred invites him to Christmas dinneran invitation Scrooge emphatically
rejects.

Talking about it the next day, Fred, who is much wiser than Scrooge,
waxes philosophical. He says that Scrooge's "offences"his rudeness, boorish
insensitivity, and heartlessness"carry their own punishment." In other words, Scrooge
pays the price for his outlook and behavior by being isolated, lonely, and disliked. He misses
out on most of life's simple pleasures, such as love, companionship, and even the chance to
share Christmas with his extended family. As far as Fred is concerned, Scrooge is more than paid
back for his offensive behavior.