SKEPTICISM OF SUPERNATURAL
Ebenezer Scrooge initially expresses skepticism and disbelief regarding the supernatural appearance of Marley's ghost, attributing the vision to possible physical causes such as indigestion. He jokes about the ghost being an undigested bit of beef or a fragment of an underdone potato, and calls the apparition "humbug" before being convinced by the ghost's actions and words.
EBENEZER SCROOGE
'You don't believe in me,' observed the Ghost. 'I don't,' said Scrooge. 'What evidence would you have of my reality beyond that of your own senses?' 'Because,' said Scrooge, 'a little thing affects them. A slight disorder of the stomach makes them cheats. You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato. There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!' 'Humbug, I tell you: humbug!'