When Cratchit arrives to work "eighteen minutes and a half" late, Scrooge treats him with the same malevolent demeanor he has "for many a year," and as Scrooge is scolding and poking at Cratchit causing him to back away from him with fear, Scrooge gives him the shock of his life by telling him that he is going to raise ...

Why does Scrooge offer to raise Bob's salary?

Raising family-man Bob's wages to the standard set in the City will, moreover, ensure Bob's loyalty as an employee, so that Scrooge's treating him to a cup of punch in his own rooms (which is the subject of John Leech's final illustration) is likely to make Bob regard his employer as a surrogate father to his ...

How much did Scrooge raise Bob Cratchit's salary?

For example, he claims, Scrooge paid Cratchit more than the going rate in mid-19th century London. “A lot more,” he says. “Bob Cratchit was paid, according to 'A Christmas Carol,' 15 shillings a week.