Scrooge's face turned apologetic. "I'm sorry to throw that in your faces, but I just learned of that this morning while investigating the root cause of how things have gotten so bad here. I understand why you wouldn't have mentioned it before: I'm an outsider in these matters. Unfortunately, that means I'm much farther behind that I'd like.

"There's going to be more death coming. And faster. And you're going to be blamed for it all. And those villagers know not to call me to do their dirty work."