........... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~:w LIrf:-taM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~i 8 M:i ~:86: i-I":s-: ii,'ii,,.::::::B:':":h 81 Ig:: g:i:iS8i::.:..b:gggg;ggggBgs —-+~ ~~: E 3 ''':,:,, "::~i~ I fi I f:a rii I a C~ 48 I" "i::": Bi F I f" "" ;~ i i~~~2.~~'*' 3 I,, ~ri I,, j P " fiii s:i I X THE ADVENTURES OF OLIVER TWIST. BY CHARLES DICKENS. WITH TWENTY-EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS BY 7. MAHONEY NEW YORK: HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE. PREFACE. NCE. upon a time it was held to be a coarse and shocking circumstance, that some of the characters in these pages are chosen from the most criminal and degraded of London's population. As I saw no reason, when I wrote this book, why the dregs of life (so long as their speech did not offend the ear) should not serve the purpose of a moral, as well as its froth and cream, I made bold to believe that this same Once upon a time would not prove to be All-time or even a long time. I saw many strong reasons for pursuing my course. J I had read of thieves by scores; seductive fellows (amiable for the most part), faultless in dress, plump in pocket, choice in horse-flesh, bold in bearing, fortunate in gallantry, great at a song, a bottle, pack of cards or dice-box, and fit companions for the bravest. But I had never met (except in HOGARTH) with the miserable reality. It appeared to me that to draw a knot of such associates in crime as really did exist; to paint them in all their deformity, in all their wretchedness, in all the squalid misery of their lives; to show them as they really were, forever skulking uneasily through the dirtiest paths of life, with the great black ghastly gallows closing up their prospect, turn them where they might; it appeared to me that to do this would be to attempt a something which was needed, and which would be a service to society. And I did it as I best could. - In every book I know, where such characters are treated of, allurements and fascinations are thrown around them. Even in the Beggars' Opera, the thieves are represented as leading a life which is rather to be envied than otherwise: while MACHEATH, with all the captivations of command, and the devotion of the most beautiful girl and only pure character in the piece, is as much to be admired and emulated by weak beholders, as any fine gentleman in a red coat who has purchased, as VOLTAIRE says, the right to command a couple of thousand men, or so, and to affront death at their head. Johnson's question, whether any man will turn thief because Macheath is reprieved, seems to me beside the matter. I ask myself, whether any man will be deterred from turning thief because of Macheath's being sentenced to death, and because of the existence of Peachum and Lockit; and remembering the captain's roaring life, great appearance, vast success, and strong advantages, I feel assured that nobody having a bent that way will take any warning from him, or will see any thing in the play but a flowery and pleasant road, conducting an honorable ambition-in course of time-to Tyburn Tree. In fact, Gay's witty satire on society had a general object, which made him quite regardless of example in this respect, and gave him other and wider aims. The same may be said of Sir Edward Bulwer's admirable and powerful novel of Paul Clifford, which can not be fairly considered as having, or as being intended to have, any bearing on this part of the subject, one way or other. What manner of life is that which is described in these pages, as the every-day existence of a Thief? What charms has it for the young and ill-disposed, what allurements for the most jolter-headed of juveniles? Here are no canterings on moonlit heaths, no merry-makings in the snuggest of all possible caverns, none of the attractions of dress, no embroidery, no lace, no jack-boots, no crimson coats and ruffles, none of the dash aid freedom with which "the road" has been time out of mind invested. The cold, wet, shelterless midnight streets of London; the foul and frowzy dens, where vice is closely packed and lacks the room to turn; the haunts of hunger and disease; the shabby rags that scarcely hold together; where are the attractions of these things? There are people, however, of so refined and delicate a nature, that they can not bear the contemplation of such horrors. Not that they turn instinctively from crime; but that criminal characters, to suit them, must be, like their meat, in delicate disguise. A Massaroni in green velvet is an enchanting creature; 8 PREFACE. but a Sikes in fustian is insupportable. A Mrs. Massaroni, being a lady in short petticoats and a fancy dress, is a thing to imitate in tableaux and have in lithograph on pretty songs; but a Nancy, being a creature in a cotton gown and cheap shawl, is not to be thought of. It is wonderful how Virtue turns from dirty stockings; and how Vice, married to ribbons and a little gay attire, changes her name, as wedded ladies do, and becomes Romance. But as the stern truth, even in the dress of this (in novels) much exalted race, was a part of the purpose of this book, I did not, for these readers, abate one hole in the Dodger's coat, or one scrap of curl-paper in Nancy's disheveled hair. I had no faith in the delicacy which could not bear to look upon them. I had no desire to make proselytes among such people. I had no respect for their opinion, good or bad; did not covet their approval; and did not write for their amusement. It has been observed of Nancy that her devotion to the brutal house-breaker does not seem natural. And it has been objected to Sikes in the same breath-with some inconsistency, as I venture to thinkthat he is surely overdrawn, because in him there would appear to be none of those redeeming traits which are objected to as unnatural in his mistress. Of the latter objection I will merely remark, that I fear there are in the world some insensible and callous natures, that do become utterly and incurably bad. Whether this be so or not, of one thing I am certain: that there are such men as Sikes, who, being closely followed through the same space of time and through the same current of circumstances, would not give, by the action of a moment, the faintest indication of a better nature. Whether every gentler human feeling is dead within such bosoms, or the proper chord to strike has rusted and is hard to find, I do not pretend to know; but that the fact is as I state it, Iam sure.! It is useless to discuss whether the conduct and character of the girl seems natural or unnatural, probable or improbable, light or wrong. IT IS TRUE. Every man who has watched these melancholy shades of life, must know it to be so. From the first introduction of that poor wretch, to her laying her bloodstained head upon the robber's breast, there is not a word exaggerated or overwrought. It is emphatically God's truth, for it is the truth He leaves in such depraved and miserable breasts; the hope yet lingering there; the last fair drop of water at the bottom of the weed-choked well. It involves the best and worst shades of our nature; much of its ugliest hues, and something of its most beautiful; it is a contradiction, an anomaly, an apparent impossibility; but it is a truth. I am glad to have had it doubted, for in that circumstance I should find a sufficient assurance (if I wanted any) that it needed to be told. In the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty, it was publicly declared in London by an amazing Alderman, that Jacob's Island did not exist, and never had existed. Jacob's Island continues to exist (like an ill-bred place as it is) in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, though improved and much changed. OLIVER TWIST. CHAPTER I. they had, that being comprised within a couple of pages, they would have possessed the inestimable TREATS OF THE merit of being the most concise and faithful speciAND OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING HIS BIRTH. men of biography extant in the literature of any age A MONG other public buildings in a certain town, or country. which for many reasons it will be prudent to Although I am not disposed to maintain that the refrain from mentioning, and to which I will assign being born in a work-house, is in itself the most forno fictitious name, there is one anciently common to tunate and enviable circumstance that can possibly most towns, great or small: to wit, a work-house; befall a human being, I do mean to say that in this and in this work-house was born-on a day and date particular instance, it was the best thing for 01which I need not trouble myself to repeat, inasmuch iver Twist that could by possibility have occurred. as it can be of no possible consequence to the reader, The fact is, that there was considerable difficulty in in this stage of the business at all events-the item inducing Oliver to take upon himself the office of of mortality whose name is prefixed to the head of respiration, —a troublesome practice, but one which this chapter. custom has rendered necessary to our easy existence; For a long time after it was ushered into this and for some time he lay gasping on a little flock world of sorrow and trouble, by the parish surgeon, mattress, rather unequally poised between this world it remained a matter of considerable doubt whether and the next: the balance being decidedly in favor the child would survive to bear any name at all; in of the latter. Now, if, during this brief period, O1which case it is somewhat more than probable that iver had been surrounded by careful grandmothers, these memoirs would never have appeared; or, if anxious aunts, experienced nurses, and doctors of 10 OLIVER TWIST. profound wisdom, he would most inevitably and in- for her shoes were worn to pieces; but where she dubitably have been killed in no time. There being came from, or where she was going to, nobody nobody by, however, but a pauper old woman, who knows." was rendered rather misty by an unwonted allow- The surgeon leaned over the body, and raised the ance of beer; and a parish surgeon who did such left hand. "The old story," he said, shaking his matters by contract; Oliver and Nature fought out head: "no wedding-ring, I see. Ah! Good-night!" the point between them. The result was, that, after The medical gentleman walked away to dinner; a few struggles, Oliver breathed, sneezed, and pro- and the nurse, having once more applied herself to ceeded to advertise to the inmates of the work-house the green bottle, sat down on a low chair before the the fact of a new burden having been imposed upon fire, and proceeded to dress the infant. the parish, by setting up as loud a cry as could rea- i What an excellent example of the power of dress, sonably have been expected from a male infant who young Oliver Twist was! Wrapped in the blanket had not been possessed of that very useful append- which had hitherto formed his only covering, he age, a voice, for a much longer space of time than might have been the child of a nobleman or a begthree minutes and a quarter. gar; it would have been hard for the haughtiest As Oliver gave this first proof of the free and stranger to have assigned him his proper station in proper action of his lungs, the patchwork coverlet society. But now that he was enveloped in the old which was carelessly flung over the iron bedstead, calico robes which had grown yellow in the same rustled; the pale face of a young woman was raised service, he was badged and ticketed, and fell into his feebly from the pillow; and a faint voice imperfect- place at once-a parish child —the orphan of a workly articulated the words " Let me see the child, and house-the humble, half-starved drudge-to be cuffdie." ed and buffeted through the world-despised by all, The surgeon had been sitting with his face turned and pitied by none. toward the fire: giving the palms of his hands a Oliver cried lustily. If he could have known that warm and a rub alternately. As the young woman he was an orphan, left to the tender mercies of churchspoke, he rose, and advancing to the bed's head, said, wardens and overseers, perhaps he would have cried with more kindness than might have been expected the louder. of him:: " Oh, you must not talk about dying yet." "Lor bless her dear heart, no!" interposed the CHAPTER II. nurse, hastily depositing in her pocket a green glass bottle, the contents of which she had been tasting in TREATS OF OLIVZ TWISTS GROWTH, EDUCATION, AND a corner with evident satisfaction. "Lor bless her BOARD. dear heart, when she has lived as long as I have, sir, OR the next eight or ten months, Oliver was the and had thirteen children of her own, and all on'cm victim of a systematic course of treachery and dead except two, and them in the wurkus with me, deception. He was brought up by hand. The hunshe'll know better than to take on in that way, bless gry and destitute situation of the infant orphan was her dear heart! Think what it is to be a mother, duly reported by the work-house authorities to the there's a dear young lamb, do." parish authorities. The parish authorities inquired Apparently this consolatory perspective of a moth- with dignity of the work-house authorities whether er's prospects failed in producing its due effect. The there was no female then domiciled " in the house " patient shook her head, and stretched out her hand. who was in a situation to impart to Oliver Twist the toward the child. consolation and nourishment of which he stood in The surgeon deposited it in her arms. She im- need. The work-house authorities replied with huprinted her cold white lips passionately on its fore- mility, that there was not. Upon this, the parish anuhead; passed her hands over her face; gazed wild- thorities magnanimously and humanely resolved that ly round; shuddered; fell back - and died. They Oliver should be "farmed," or, in other words, that chafed her breast, hands, and temples; but the blood he should be dispatched to a branch work-house some had stopped forever. They talked of hope and com- thr~e miles off, where twenty or thirty other juvenile fort. They had been strangers too long. offenders against the poor-laws, rolled about the floor " It's all over, Mrs. Thingummy!" said the surgeon all day, without the inconvenience of too much food at last. or too much clothing, under the parental superin" Ah, poor dear, so it is!" said the nurse, picking tendence of an elderly female, who received the culup the cork of the green bottle, which had fallen out prits at and for the consideration of sevenpence-halfon the pillow, as she stooped to take up the child. penny per small head per week. Sevenpence-half"Poor dear!" penny's worth per week is a good round diet for a " You needn't mind sending up to me, if the child child; a great deal may be got for sevenpence-lhalfcries, nurse," said the surgeon, putting on his gloves penny, quite enough to overload its stomach, and with great deliberation. "It's very likely it will be make it uncomfortable. The elderly female was a troublesome. Give it a little gruel if it is." He put woman of wisdom and experience; she knew what on his hat, and, pausing by the bedside on his way was good for children; and she had a very accurate to the door, added, " She was a good-looking girl, perception of what was good for herself. So she aptoo; where'did she come from?" propriated the greater part of the weekly stipend to " She was brought here last night," replied the old her own use, and consigned the rising parochial genwoman, "by the overseer's order. She was found eration to even a shorter allowance than was origlying in the street. She had walked some distance, inally provided for them. Thereby finding in the STARVATION OF THE HERO. 11 lowest depth a deeper still; and proving herself a'em directly.) My heart alive! Mr. Bumble, how very great experimental philosopher. glad I am to see you, sure-ly!" Every body knows the story of another experi- Now, Mr. Bumble was a fat man, and a choleric; mental philosopher who had a great theory about a so, instead of responding to this open-hearted saluhorse being able to live without eating, and who tation in a kindred spirit, he gave the little wicket demonstrated it so well, that he got his own horse a tremendous shake, and then bestowed upon it a down to a straw a day, and would unquestionably kick which could have emanated from no leg but a have rendered him a very spirited and rampacious beadle's. animal on nothing at all, if he had not died, four- " Lor, only think," said Mrs. Mann, running out,and-twenty hours before he was to have had his first for the three boys had been removed by this time,comfortable bait of air. Unfortunately for the ex- " only think of that! That I should have forgotten perimental philosophy of the female to whose pro- that the gate was bolted on the inside, on account tecting care Oliver Twist was delivered over, a sim- of them dear children! Walk in, sir; walk in pray, ilar result usually attended the operation of her sys- Mr. Bumble, do, sir." tem; for at the very moment when a child had con- Although this invitation was accompanied with a t ived to exist upon the smallest possible portion of courtesy that might have softened the heart of a the weakest possible food, it did perversely happen church-warden, it by no means mollified the beadle. in eight and a half cases out of ten, either that it "Do you think this respectful or proper conduct, sickened from want or cold, or fell into the fire from Mrs. Mann," inquired Mr. Bumble, grasping his cane, neglect, or got half-smothered by accident; in any " to keep the parish officers a-waiting at your garone of which cases, the miserable little being was den-gate, when they come here upon porochial busi-:usually summoned into another world, and there ness connected with the porochial orphans? Are gathered to the fathers it had never known in this. you aweer, Mrs. Mann, that you are, as I may say, a Occasionally, when there was some more than porochial delegate, and a stipendiary?" ustually interesting inquest upon a parish child, who "I'm sure, Mr. Bumble, that I was only a-telling had been overlooked in turning up a bedstead, or in- one or two of the dear children as is so fond of you, advertently scalded to death when there happened that it was you a-coming," replied Mrs. Mann, with to be a washing-though the latter accident was great humility. very scarce, any thing approaching to a washing be- Mr. Bumble had a great idea of his oratorical powing of rare occurrence in the farm-the jury would ers and his importance. He had displayed the one, take it into their heads to ask troublesome ques- and vindicated the other. He relaxed. tions, or the parishioners would rebelliously affix " Well, well, Mrs. Mann," he replied, in a calmer their signatures to a remonstrance. But these im- tone; "it may be as you say; it may be. Lead the pertinences were speedily checked by the evidence way in, Mrs. Mann, for I come on business, and have of the surgeon, and the testimony of the beadle; the something to say." former of whom had always opened the body and Mrs. Mann ushered the beadle into a small parlor found nothing inside (which was very probable in- with a brick floor; placed a seat for him; and offideed), and the latter of whom invariably swore what- ciously deposited his cocked hat and cane on the taever the parish wanted; which was very self-devo- ble before him. Mr. Bumble wiped from his foretional. Besides, the board made periodical pilgrim- head the perspiration which his walk had engenderages to the farm, and always sent the beadle the day ed, glanced complacently at the cocked hat, and before, to say they were going. The children were smiled. Yes, he smiled. Beadles are but men: and neat and clean to behold when they went; and what Mr. Bumble smiled. more would the people have! "Now don't you be offended at what I'm a-going It can not be expected that this system of farming to say," observed Mrs. Mann, with a captivating would produce any very extraordinary or luxuriant sweetness. "You've had a long walk, you know, or crop. Oliver Twist's ninth birthday found him a I wouldn't mention it. Now, will you take a little pale, thin child, somewhat diminutive in stature, and drop of somethink, Mr. Bumble." decidedly small in circumference. But nature or in- "Not a drop. Not a drop," said Mr. Bumble, heritance had implanted a good sturdy spirit in Oli- waving his right hand in a dignified, but placid ver's breast. It had had plenty room to expand, manner. thanks to the spare diet of the establishment; and " I think you will," said Mrs. Mann, who had noperhaps to this circumstance may be attributed his ticed the tone of the refusal, and the gesture that having any ninth birthday at all. Be this as it may, had accompanied it. " Just a leetle drop, with a lithowever, it ewas his ninth birthday; and he was keep- tie cold water, and a lump of sugar." ing it in the coal-cellar with a select party of two Mr. Bumble coughed. other young gentlemen, who, after participating with " Now, just a leetle drop," said Mrs. Mann, persuahim in a sound thrashing, had been locked up for sively. atrociously presuming to be hungry, when Mrs. Mann, " What is it?" inquired the beadle. the good lady of the house, was uii6xpectedly start- "Why, it's what I'm obliged to keep a little of in led by the apparition of Mr. Bumble, the beadle, the house, to put into the blessed infants' Daffy, when striving to undo the wicket of the garden-gate. they ain't well, Mr. Bumble," replied Mrs. Mann, as "Goodness gracious! Is that you, Mr. Bumble, she opened a corner cupboard and took down a botsir?" said Mrs. Mann, thrusting her head out of the tle and glass. " It's gin. I'll not deceive you, Mr. window in well-affected ecstasies of joy. "(Susan, B. It's gin." take Oliver and them two brats up stairs and wash " Do you give the children Daffy, Mrs. Mann?" in 12 OLIVER TWIST. quired Bumble, following with his eyes the interest- hint at once, for the fist had been too often impressing process of mixing. ed upon his body not to be deeply impressed upon "Ah, bless'em, that I do, dear as it is," replied the his recollection. nurse. "I couldn't see'em suffer before my very "Will she go with me?" inquired poor Oliver. eyes, you know, sir." "No, she can't," replied Mr. Bumble. " But she'll "No," said Mr. Bumble, approvingly; "no, you come and see you sometimes." could not. You are a humane woman, Mrs. Mann." This was no very great consolation to the child. (Here she set down the glass.) "I shall take a Young as he was, however, he had sense enough to early opportunity of mentioning it to the board, Mrs. make a feint of feeling great regret at going away. Mann." (He drew it toward him.) "You feel as a It was no very difficult matter for the boy to call mother, Mrs. Mann." (He stirred the gin-and-wa- tears into his eyes. Hunger and recent ill-usage are ter.) "I —I drink your health with cheerfulness, great assistants if you want to cry; and Oliver cried Mrs. Mann;" and he swallowed half of it. very naturally indeed. Mrs. Mann gave him a thou"And now about business," said the beadle, tak- sand embraces, and, what Oliver wanted a great deal ing out a leathern pocket-book. " The child that more, a piece of bread-and-butter, lest he should seem was half-baptized Oliver Twist, is nine year old to- too hungry when he got to the work-house. With day." the slice of bread in his hand, and the little brown"Bless him!" interposed Mrs. Mann, inflaming her cloth parish cap on his head, Oliver was then led left eye with the corner of her apron. away by Mr. Bumble from the wretched home where "And notwithstanding a offered reward of ten one kind word or look had never lighted the gloom pound, which was afterward increased to twenty of his infant years. And yet he burst into an agony pound. Notwithstanding the most superlative, and, of childish grief, as the cottage-gate closed after him. I may say, supernat'ral exertions on the part of this Wretched as were the little companions in misery he parish," said Bumble, "we have never been able to was leaving behind, they were the only friends he discover who is his father, or what was his mother's had ever known; and a sense of his loneliness in the settlement, name, or con-dition." great wide world, sank into the child's heart for the Mrs. Mann raised her hands in astonishment; but first time. added, after a moment's reflection, "How comes he Mr. Bumble walked on with long strides; little to have any name at all, then?" Oliver, firmly grasping his gold -laced cuff, trotted The beadle drew himself up with great pride, and beside him, inquiring at the end of every quarter of said, " I inwented it." a mile whether they were "nearly there." To these "You, Mr. Bumble!" interrogations Mr. Bumble returned very brief and " I, Mrs. Mann. We name our foundlings in al- snappish replies; for the temporary blandness which phabetical order. The last was a S-Swubble, I gin-and-water awakens in some bosoms had by this named him. This was a T -Twist, I named him. time evaporated; and he was once again a beadle. The next one as comes will be Unwin, and the next Oliver had not been within the walls of the workVilkins. I have got names ready made to the end house a quarter of an hour, and had scarcely comnof the alphabet, and all the way through it again, pleted 6he demolition of a second slice of bread, when we come to Z." when Mr. Bumble, who had handed him over to the " Why, you are quite a literary character, sir!" said care of an old woman, returned; and, telling him it Mrs. Mann. was a board night, informed him that the board had "Well, well," said the beadle, evidently gratified said he was to appear before it forthwith. with the compliment; " perhaps I may be. Perhaps Not having a very clearly defined notion of what I may be, Mrs. Mann." He finished the gin-and-wa- a live board was, Oliver was rather astounded by this ter, and added, "Oliver being now too old to remain intelligence, and was not quite certain whether he here, the board have determined to have him back ought to laugh or cry. He had no time to think into the house. I have come out myself to take him about the matter, however; for Mr. Bumble gave there. So let me see him at once." him a tap on the head with his cane, to wake him " I'll fetch him directly," said Mrs. Mann, leaving up: and another on the back to make him lively: the room for that purpose. Oliver, having had by and bidding him follow, conducted him into a large this time as much of the outer coat of dirt which whitewashed room, where eight or ten fat gentlemen incrusted his face and hands, removed, as could be were sitting round a table. At the top of the table, scrubbed off in one washing, was led into the room seated in an arm-chair rather higher than the rest, by his benevolent protectress. was a particularly fat gentleman with a very round, "Make a bow to the gentleman, Oliver," said Mrs. red face. Mann. "Bow to the board," said Bumble. Oliver brushOliver made a bow, which was divided between ed away two or three tears that were lingering in the beadle on the chair, and the cocked hat on the his eyes; and seeing no board but the table, fortutable. nately bowed to that. "Will you go along with me, Oliver?" said Mr. "What's your name, boy?" said the gentleman in Bumble, in a majestic voice. the high chair. Oliver was about to say that he would go along Oliver was frightened at the sight of so many genwith any body with great readiness, when, glancing tlemen, which made him tremble: and the beadle upward, he caught sight of Mrs. Mann, who had got gave him another tap behind, which made him cry. behind the beadle's chair, and was shaking her fist These two causes made him answer in a very low at him with a furious countenance. He took the and hesitating voice; whereupon a gentleman in a BEFORE THE BOARD. 13 white waistcoat said he was a fool. Which was a great many other wise and humane regulations, havcapital way of raising his spirits, and putting him ing reference to the ladies, which it is not necessary quite at his ease. to repeat; kindly undertook to divorce poor married " Boy," said the gentleman in the high chair, " list- people, in consequence of the great expense of a suit en to me. You know you're an orphan, I suppose?" in Doctors' Commons; and, instead of compelling a "What's that, sir?" inquired poor Oliver. man to support his family, as they had theretofore "The boy is a fool-I thought he was," said the done, took his family away from him, and made him gentleman in the white waistcoat. a bachelor! There is no saying how many appli"Hush!" said the gentleman who had spoken first. cants for relief, under these last two heads, might "You know you've got no father or mother, and that have started up in all classes of society, if it had not you were brought up by the parish, don't you?" been coupled with the work-house; but the board "Yes, sir," replied Oliver, weeping bitterly. were long - headed men, and had provided for this "What are you crying for?" inquired the gentle- difficulty. The relief was inseparable from the man in the white waistcoat. And to be sure it was work-house and the gruel; and that frightened peovery extraordinary. What could the boy be crying ple. for? For the first six months after Oliver Twist was "I hope you say your prayers every night," said removed, the system was in full operation. It was another gentleman, in a gruff voice; "and pray for rather expensive at first, in consequence of the inthe people who feed you and take care of you-like crease in the undertaker's bill, and the necessity of a Christian." taking in the clothes of all the paupers, which fint"Yes, sir," stammered the boy. The gentleman tered loosely on their wasted, shrunken forms, after who spoke last was unconsciously right. It would a week or two's gruel. But the number of workhave been very like a Christian, and a marvelously house inmates got thin as well as the paupers; and good Christian, too, if Oliver had prayed for the peo- the board were in ecstasies. pie who fed and took care of him. But he hadn't, The room in which the boys were fed was a large because nobody had taught him. stone hall, with a copper at one end; out of which "Well! You have come here to be educated, and the master, dressed in an apron for the purpose, and taught a useful trade,?' said the red-faced gentleman assisted by one or two women, ladled the gruel at in the high chair. meal - times. Of this festive composition each boy "So you'll begin to pick oakum to-morrow morn- had one porringer, and no more -except on occaing at six o'clock," added the surly one in the white sions of great public rejoicing, when he had two waistcoat. ounces and a quarter of bread besides. The bowls For the combination of both these blessings in the never wanted washing. The boys polished them one simple process of picking oakum, Oliver bowed with their spoons till they shone again; and when low by the direction of the beadle, and was then hur- they had performed this operation (which never ried away to a large ward: where, on a rough, hard took very long, the spoons being nearly as large as bed, he sobbed himself to sleep. What a noble illus- the bowls), they would sit staring at the copper, tration of the tender laws of England! They let the with such eager eyes, as if they could have devoured paupers go to sleep! the very bricks of which it was composed; employPoor Oliver! He little thought, as he lay sleeping ing themselves, meanwhile, in sucking their fingers in happy unconsciousness of all around him, that the most assiduously, with the view of catching up any board had that very day arrived at a decision which stray splashes of gruel that might have been cast would exercise the most material influence over all thereon. Boys have generally excellent appetites. his future fortunes. But they had. And this was Oliver Twist and his companions suffered the torit: tures of slow starvation for three months: at last The members of this board were very sage, deep, they got so voracious and wild with hunger, that philosophical men; and when they came to turn one boy, who was tall for his age, and hadn't been their attention to the work-house, they found out at used to that sort of thing (for his father had kept a once, what ordinary folks would never have discov- small cook-shop), hinted darkly to his companions, ered-the poor people liked it! It was a regular that unless he had another basin of gruel per diem, place of public entertainment for the poorer classes; he was afraid he might some night happen to eat a tavern where there was nothing to pay; a public the boy who slept next him, who happened to be a breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper, all the year round; weakly youth of tender age. He had a wild, hungry a brick and mortar elysium, where it was all play eye; and they implicitly believed him. A council and no work. " Oho!" said the board, looking very was held; lots were cast who should walk up to the knowing; "we are the fellows to set this to rights; master after supper that evening, and ask for more; we'll stop it all, in no time." So, they established and it fell to Oliver Twist. the rule, that all poor people should have the alter- The evening arrived; the boys took their places. native (for they would compel nobody, not they), of The master, in his cook's uniform, stationed himself being starved by a gradual process in the house, or at the copper; his pauper assistants ranged themby a quick one out of it. With this view, they con- selves behind him; the gruel was served out; and a tracted with the water-works to lay on an unlimited long grace was said over the short commons. The supply of water; and with a corn-factor to supply gruel disappeared; the boys whispered each other, periodically small quantities of oatmeal; and issued and winked at Oliver; while his next neighbors three meals of thin gruel a day, with an onion twice nudged him. Child as he was, he was desperate a week, and half a roll on Sundays. They made a with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose 14 OLIVER TWIST. from the table; and advancing to the master, basin prediction of the gentleman in the white waistcoat, and spoon in hand, said, somewhat alarmed at his he would have established that sage individual's proown temerity: phetic character, once and forever, by tying one end " Please, sir, I want some more." of his pocket-handkerchief to a hook in the wall, and The master was a fat, healthy man; but he turned attaching himself to the other. To the performance very pale. He gazed in stupefied astonishment on of this feat, however, there was one obstacle; namethe small rebel for some seconds, and then clung for ly, that pocket-handkerchiefs being decided articles support to the copper.'The assistants were para- of luxury, had been, for all future times and ages, lyzed with wonder; the boys with fear. removed from the noses of paupers by the express "What!" said the master at length, in a faint order of the board, in council assembled: solemnly voice. given and pronounced under their hands and seals. "Please, sir," replied Oliver, "I want some more." There was a still greater obstacle in Oliver's youth The master aimed a blow at Oliver's head with the and childishness. He only cried bitterly all day; ladle; pinioned him in his arms; and shrieked aloud and, when the long, dismal night came on, spread his for the beadle. little hands before his eyes to shut out the darkness, The board were sitting in solemn conclave, when and crouching in the corner, tried to sleep: ever and Mr. Bumble rushed into the room in great excite- anon waking with a start and tremble, and drawing ment, and addressing the gentleman in the high himself closer and closer to the wall, as if to feel chair, said, even its cold hard surface were a protection in the "Mr. Limbkins, I beg your pardon, sir! Oliver gloom and loneliness which surrounded him. Twist has asked for more." Let it not be supposed by the enemies of "the There was a general start. Horror was depicted system," that, during the period of his solitary inon every countenance. carceration, Oliver was denied the benefit of exer" For more!" said Mr. Limbkins. " Compose your- cise, the pleasure of society, or the advantages of reself, Bumble, and answer me distinctly. Do I under- ligious consolation. As for exercise, it was nice cold stand that he asked for more, after he had eaten the weather, and he was allowed to perform his ablusupper allotted by the dietary?" tions every morning under the pump, in a stone " He did, sir," replied Bumble. yard, in the presence of Mr. Bumble, who prevented "That boy will be hung," said the gentleman in his catching cold, and caused a tingling sensation to the white waistcoat. "I know that boy will be pervade his frame, by repeated applications of the'hung." cane. As for society, he was carried every other day Nobody controverted the prophetic gentleman's into the hall where the boys dined, and there sociaopinion. An animated discussion took place. 01- bly flogged as a public warning and example. And iver was ordered into instant confinement; and a so far from being denied the advantages of religious bill was next morning pasted on the outside of the consolation, he was kicked into the same apartment gate, offering a reward of five pounds to any body every evening at prayer-time, and there permitted to who would take Oliver Twist off the hands of the listen to, and console his mind with, a general suppliparish. In other words, five pounds and Oliver cation of the boys, containing a special clause, thereTwist were offered to any man or woman who want- in inserted by authority of the board, in which they ed an apprentice to any trade, business, or calling. entreated to be made good, virtuous, contented, and " I never was more convinced of any thing in my obedient, and to be guarded from the sins and vices life," said the gentleman in the white waistcoat, as of Oliver Twist: whom the supplication distinctly he knocked at the gate and read the bill next morn- set forth to be under the exclusive patronage and ing: "I never was more convinced of any thing in protection of the powers of wickedness, and an artimy life, than I am that that boy will come to be cle direct from the manufactory of the very Devil hung." himself. As I purpose to show in the sequel whether the It chanced one morning, while Oliver's affairs white-waistcoated gentleman was right or not, I were in this auspicious and comfortable state, that should perhaps mar the interest of this narrative Mr. Gamfield, chimney-sweep, went his way down (supposing it to possess any at all), if I ventured to the High Street, deeply cogitating in his mind his hint just yet, whether the life of Oliver Twist had ways and means of paying certain arrears of rent, this violent termination or no. for which his landlord had become rather pressing. Mr. Gamfield's most sanguine estimate of his finances could not raise them within full five pounds of the desired amount; and, in a species of arithmetical CHAPTER III. desperation, he was alternately cudgeling his brains and his donkey, when, passing the work-house, his RELATES HOW OLIVER TWIST W.~S VERY NEAR GETTINGe A PLACE WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A SINECURE. eyes encountered the bill on the gate. "Wo-o!" said Mr. Gamfield to the donkey. DOR a week after the commission of the impious The donkey was in a state of profound abstracand profane offense of asking for more, Oliver tion: wondering, probably, whether he was destined remained a close prisoner in the dark and solitary to be regaled with a cabbage-stalk or two when he room to which he had been consigned by the wis- had disposed of the two sacks of soot with which the dom and mercy of the board. It appears, at first little cart was laden; so, without noticing the word sight, not unreasonable to suppose that, if he had of command, he jogged onward. entertained a becoming feeling of respect for the Mr. Gamfield growled a fierce imprecation on the ALMOST APPRENTICED. 15 donkey generally, but more particularly on his eyes; be heard, indeed, on account of their being very freand, running after him, bestowed a blow on his head, quently repeated with great emphasis. which would inevitably have beaten in any skull but At length the whispering ceased; and the mema donkey's. Then, catching hold of the bridle, he bers of the board, having resumed their seats and gave his jaw a sharp wrench, by way of gentle re- their solemnity, Mr. Limbkins said: minder that he was not his own master; and by "We have considered your proposition, and we these means turned him round. He then gave him don't approve of it." another blow on the head, just to stun him till he "Not at all," said the gentleman in the white came back again. Having completed these arrange- waistcoat. ments, he walked up to the gate, to read the bill. " Decidedly not," added the other members. The gentleman with the white waistcoat was stand- As Mr. Gamfield did happen to labor under the ing at the gate with his hands behind him, after hav- slight imputation of having bruised three or four ing delivered himself of some profound sentiments in boys to death already, it occurred to him that the the board-room. Having witnessed the little dispute board had, perhaps, in some unaccountable freak, between Mr. Gamfield and the donkey, he smiled joy- taken it into their heads that this extraneous circumously when that person came up to read the bill, for stance ought to influence their proceedings. It was he saw at once that Mr. Gamfield was exactly the very unlike their general mode of doing business, if sort of master Oliver Twist wanted. Mr. Gamfield they had; but still, as he had no particular wish to smiled, too, as he perused the document; for five revive the rumor, he twisted his cap in his hands, pounds was just the sum he had been wishing for; and walked slowly from the table. and, as to the boy with which it was incumbered, " So you won't let me have him, gen'lmen?" said Mr. Gamfield, knowing what the dietary of the work- Mr. Gamfield, pausing near the door. house was, well knew he would be a nice small pat- "No," replied Mr. Limbkins; "at least, as it's a tern, just the very thing for register stoves. So, he nasty business, we think you ought to take somespelled the bill through again from beginning to end; thing less than the premium we offered." and then, touching his fur cap in token of humility, Mr. Gamfield's countenance brightened, as, with a accosted the gentleman in the white waistcoat. quick step, he returned to the table, and said, " This here boy, sir, wot the parish wants to'pren- "What'll you give, gen'lmen? Come! Don't be tis," said Mr. Gamfield. too hard on a poor man. What'll you give?" "Ay, my man," said the gentleman in the white "I should say three pound ten was plenty," said waistcoat, with a condescending smile. "What of Mr. Limbkins. him?" "Ten shillings too much," said the gentleman in " If the parish vould like him to learn a light pleas- the white waistcoat. ant trade, in a good'spectable chimbley-sweepin' bis- "Come!" said Gamfield; " say four pound, gen'lness," said Mr. Gamfield, "I wants a'prentis, and I men. Say four pound, and you've got rid on him for am ready to take him." good and all. There!" " Walk in," said the gentleman in the white waist- " Three pound ten," repeated Mr. Limbkins, firmly. coat. Mr. Gamfield having lingered behind, to give "Come! I'll split the difference, gen'lmen," urged the donkey another blow on the head, and another Gamfield. "' Three pound fifteen." wrench of the jaw, as a caution not to run away in " Not a farthing more," was the firm reply of Mr. his absence, followed the gentleman with the white Limbkins. waistcoat into the room where Oliver had first seen "You're desperate hard upon me, gen'lmen," said him. Gamfield, wavering. "It's a nasty trade," said Mr. Limbkins, when "Pooh! pooh! nonsense!" said the gentleman in Gamfield had again stated his wish. the white waistcoat. " He'd be cheap with nothing "Young boys have been smothered in chimneys at all, as a premium. Take him, you silly fellow! before now," said another gentleman. He's just the boy for you. He wants the stick, now "That's acause they damped the straw afore they and then: it'll do him good; and his board needn't lit it in the chimbley to make'em come down agin," come very expensive, for he hasn't been overfed since said Gamfield; "that's all smoke, and no blaze; he was born. Ha! ha! ha!" vereas smoke ain't o' no use at all in making a boy Mr. Gamfield gave an arch look at the faces round come down, for it only sinds him to sleep, and that's the table, and, observing a smile on all of them, gradwot he likes. Boys is wery obstinit, and wery lazy, ually broke into a smile himself. The bargain was gen'lmen, and there's nothink like a good hot blaze made. Mr. Bumble was at once instructed that Olito make'em come down vith a run. It's humane ver Twist and his indentures were to be conveyed too, gen'lmen, acause, even if they've stuck in the before the magistrate, for signature and approval, chimbley, roasting their feet makes'em struggle to that very afternoon. hextricate theirselves." In pursuance of this determination, little Oliver, to The gentleman in the white waistcoat appeared his excessive astonishment, was released from bondvery much amused by this explanation; but his age, and ordered to put himself into a clean shirt. mirth was speedily checked by a look from Mr. He had hardly achieved this very unusual gymnasLimbkins. The board then proceeded to converse tic performance, when Mr. Bumble brought him, with among themselves for a few minutes, but in so low a his own hands, a basin of gruel, and the holiday altone, that the words " saving of expenditure," " look- lowance of two ounces and a quarter of bread. At ed well in the accounts," " have a printed report pub- this tremendous sight, Oliver began to cry very pitlished," were alone audible. These only chanced to eously: thinking, not unnaturally, that the board 16 OLIVER TWIST. irust have determined to kill him for svme useful per raised his head for a moment, and pulled the othp urpose, or they never would have begun to fatten er old gentleman by the sleeve; whereupon the lasthim up in that way. mentioned old gentleman woke up. "Don't make your eyes red, Oliver, but eat your "Oh, is this the boy?" said the old gentleman. food and be thankful, " said Mr. Bumble, in a tone of "This is him, sir," replied Mr. Bumble. " Bow to impressive pomposity. "You're a going to be made the magistrate, my dear." a'prentice of, Oliver." Oliver roused himself, and made his best obeisance. "A'prentice, sir!" said the child, trembling. He had been wondering, with his eyes fixed on the "Yes, Oliver," said Mr. Bumble. " The kind and magistrates' powder, whether all boards were born blessed gentlemen which is so many parents to you, with that white stuff on their heads, and were boards Oliver, when you had none of your own, are a going from thenceforth on that account. to'prentice you, and to set you up in life, and make "Well," said the old gentleman, "I suppose he's a man of you: although the expense to the parish is fond of chimney-sweeping?" three pound ten! —three pound ten, Oliver!-seventy "He dotes on it, your worship," replied Bumble; shillings-one hundred and forty sixpences! —and all giving Oliver a sly pinch, to intimate that he had for a naughty orphan which nobody can't love." better not say he didn't. As Mr. Bumble paused to take breath, after deliv- " And he will be a sweep, will he?" inquired the ering this address in an awful voice, the tears rolled old gentleman. down the poor child's face, and he sobbed bitterly. " If we was to bind him to any other trade to-mor" Come," said Mr. Bumble, somewhat less pompous- row, he'd run away simultaneous, your worship," rely, for it was gratifying to his feelings to observe the plied Bumble. effect his eloquence had produced; "come, Oliver! " And this man that's to be his master-you, sir, Wipe your eyes with the cuffs of your jacket, and you'll treat him well, and feed him, and do all that don't cry into your gruel; that's a very foolish ac- sort of thing, will you?" said the old gentleman. tion, Oliver." It certainly was, for there was quite "When I says I will, I means I will," replied Mr. enough water in it already. Gamfield, doggedly. On their way to the magistrate, Mr. Bumble in- "You're a rough speaker, my friend, but you look structed Oliver that all he would have to do would an honest, open-hearted man," said the old gentlebe to look very happy, and say, when the gentleman man: turning his spectacles in the direction of the asked him if he wanted to be apprenticed, that he candidate for Oliver's premium, whose villainous should like it very much indeed; both of which in- countenance was a regular stamped receipt for crujunctions Oliver promised to obey: the rather as Mr. elty. But the magistrate was half blind and half Bumble threw in a gentle hint, that if he failed in childish, so he couldn't reasonably be expected to either particular, there was no telling what would discern what other people did. be done to him. When they arrived at the office, he " I hope I am, sir," said Mr. Gamfield, with an ugly was shut up in a little room by himself, and admon- leer. ished by Mr. Bumble to stay there, until he came "I have no doubt you are, my friend," replied the back to'fetch him. old gentleman, fixing his spectacles more firmly on There the boy remained, with a palpitating heart, his nose, and looking about him for the inkstand. for half an hour. At the expiration of which time It was the critical moment of Oliver's fate. If the Mr. Bumble thrust in his head, unadorned with the inkstand had been where the old gentleman thought cocked hat, and said aloud: it was, he would have dipped his pen into it, and "Now, Oliver, my dear, come to the gentleman." signed the indentures, and Oliver would have been As Mr. Bumble said this, he put on a grim and threat- straightway hurried off. But, as it chanced to be euing look, and added, in a low voice, "Mind what I immediately under his nose, it followed, as a matter told you, you young rascal!" of course, that he looked all over his desk for it, withOliver stared innocently in Mr. Bumble's face at out finding it; and happening in the course of his this somewhat contradictory style of address; but search to look straight before him, his gaze encounthat gentleman prevented his offering any remark tered the pale and terrified face of Oliver Twist: thereupon, by leading him at once into an adjoin- who, despite all the admonitory looks and pinches of ing room: the door of which was open. It was a Bumble, was regarding the repulsive countenance large room, with a great window. Behind a desk of his future master, with a mingled expression of sat two old gentlemen with powdered heads: one of horror and fear, too palpable to be mistaken, even by whom was reading the newspaper; while the other a half-blind magistrate. was perusing, with the aid of a pair of tortoise-shell The old gentleman stopped, laid down his pen, and spectacles, a small piece of parchment which lay be- looked from Oliver to Mr. Limbkins; who attempted fore him. Mr. Limbkins was standing in front of to take snuff with a cheerful and unconcerned aspect. the desk on one side; and Mr. Gamfield, with a par- "My boy!" said the old gentleman, leaning over tially washed face, on the other; while two or three the desk. Oliver started at the sound. He might bluff-looking men, in top-boots, were lounging about. be excused for doing so: for the words were kindly The old gentleman with the spectacles gradually said; and strange sounds frighten one. He trembled dozed off, over the little bit of parchment; and there violently, and burst into tears. was a short pause, after Oliver had been stationed by " My boy!" said the old gentleman, " you look pale Mr. Bumble in front of the desk. and alarmed. What is the matter?" "This is the boy, your worship," said Mr. Bumble. " Stand a little away from him, Beadle," said the The old gentleman who was reading the newspa- other magistrate: laying aside the paper, and lean ANOTHER PLACE OFFERS. 17 ing forward with an expression of interest. "Now, mood, some day after dinner, or would knock his boy, tell us what's the matter: don't be afraid." brains out with an iron bar; both pastimes being, as Oliver fell on his knees, and clasping his hands to- is pretty generally known, very favorite and common gether, prayed that they would order him back to the recreations among gentlemen of that class. The dark room-that they would starve him-beat him more the case presented itself to the board, in this -kill him, if they pleased-rather than send him point of view, the more manifold the advantages of away with that dreadful man. the step appeared; so, they came to the conclusion "Well!" said Mr. Bumble, raising his hands and that the only way of providing for Oliver effectually, eyes with most impressive solemnity. " Well! of all was to send him to sea without delay. the artful and designing orphans that ever I see, Mr. Bumble had been dispatched to make various Oliver, you are one of the most barefacedest." preliminary inquiries, with the view of finding out "Hold your tongue, Beadle," said the second old some captain or other who wanted a cabin-boy withgentleman, when Mr. Bumble had given vent to this out any friends; and was returning to the workcompound adjective. house to communicate the result of his mission; "I beg your worship's pardon," said Mr. Bumble, when he encountered at the gate no less a person incredulous of his having heard aright. " Did your than Mr. Sowerberry, the parochial undertaker. worship speak to me?" Mr. Sowerberry was a tall, gaunt, large-jointed " Yes. Hold your tongue." man, attired in a suit of threadbare black, with darned Mr. Bumble was stupefied with astonishment. A cotton stockings of the same color, and shoes to anbeadle ordered to hold his tongue! A moral revolu- swer. His features were not naturally intended to tion! wear a smiling aspect, but he was in general rather The old gentleman in the tortoise-shell spectacles given to professional jocosity. His step was elastic, looked at his companion, he nodded significantly. and his face betokened inward pleasantry, as he ads "We refuse to sanction these indentures," said the vanced to Mr. Bumble, and shook him cordially by old gentleman: tossing aside the piece of parchment the hand. as he spoke. " I have taken the measure of the two women that " I hope," stammered Mr. Limbkins: " I hope the died last night, Mr. Bumble," said the undertaker. magistrates will not form the opinion that the au- "You'll make your fortune, Mr. Sowerberry," said thorities have been guilty of any improper conduct, the beadle, as he thrust his thumb and forefinger on the unsupported testimony of a mere child." into the proffered snuff-box of the undertaker: which " The magistrates are not called upon to pronounce was an ingenious little model of a patent coffin. "I any opinion on the matter," said the second old gen- say you'll make your fortune, Mr. Sowerberry," retleman sharply. " Take the boy back to the work- peated Mr. Bumble, tapping the undertaker on the house, and treat him kindly. He seems to want it." shoulder, in a friendly manner, with his cane. That same evening, the gentleman in the white " Think so?" said the undertaker, in a tone which waistcoat most positively and decidedly affirmed, half admitted and half disputed the probability of not only that Oliver would be hung, but that he the event. "The prices allowed by the board are would be drawn and quartered into the bargain. very small, Mr. Bumble." Mr. Bumble shook his head with gloomy mystery, "So are the coffins," replied the beadle: with preand said he wished he might come to good; where- cisely as near an approach to a laugh as a great offiunto Mr. Gamfield replied, that he wished he might cial ought to indulge in. come to him; which, although he agreed with the Mr. Sowerberry was much tickled at this: as of beadle in most matters, would seem to be a wish of course he ought to be; and laughed a long time a totally opposite description. without cessation. "Well, well, Mr. Bumble," he The next morning, the public were once more in- said at length, "there's no denying that, since the formed that Oliver Twist was again To Let, and that new system of feeding has come in, the coffins are five pounds would be paid to any body who would something narrower and more shallow than they take possession of him. used to be; but we must have some profit, Mr. Bumble. Well-seasoned timber is an expensive article, sir; and all the iron handles come, by canal, from Birmingham." CHAPTER IV. " Well, well," said Mr. Bumble, " every trade has its drawbacks. A fair profit is, of course, allowable." OLIVEIR), BEINGr OFFERED ANOTHER PLACE, MAKES HIS "d Of course, of course," replied the undertaker; FIRST ENTRY INTO PUBLIC LIFE. t" and if I don't get a profit upon this or that particuIN great families, when an advantageous place can lar article, why, I make it up in the long run, you not be obtained, either in possession, reversion, re- see-he! he! he!" mainder, or expectancy, for the young man who is "Just so," said Mr. Bumble. growing up, it is a very general custom to send him "Though I must say," continued the undertaker, to sea. The board, in imitation of so wise and salu- resuming the current of observations which the beatary an example, took counsel together on the expe- dle had interrupted: "though I must say, Mr. Bumdiency of shipping off Oliver Twist in some small ble, that I have to contend against one very great trading vessel bound to a good unhealthy port. This disadvantage: which is, that all the stout people go suggested itself as the very best thing that could pos- off the quickest. The people who have been better sibly be done with him; the probability being that off, and have paid rates for many years, are the first the skipper would flog him to death, in a playful to sink when they come into the house; and let me B 18 OLIVER TWIST. tell you, Mr. Bumble, that three or four inches over put it on, I remember, for the first time, to attend one's calculation makes a great hole in one's prof- the inquest on that reduced tradesman, who died in a its: especially when one has a family to provide for, door-way at midnight." sir." "I recollect," said the undertaker. "The jury As Mr. Sowerberry said this, with the becoming in- brought it in,' Died from exposure to the cold, and dignation of an ill-used man; and as Mr. Bumble felt want of the common necessaries of life,' didn't they?" that it rather tended to convey a reflection on the Mr. Bumble nodded. honor of the parish; the latter gentleman thought it "And they made it a special verdict, I think," said advisable to change the subject. Oliver Twist being the undertaker, " by adding some words to the effect uppermost in his mind, he made him his theme. that if the relieving officer had —" "By-the-bye," said Mr. Bumble, " you don't know " Tush! Foolery!" interposed the beadle. "If any body who wants a boy, do you? A porochial the board attended to all the nonsense that ignorant'prentis, who is at present a dead-weight; a mill- jurymen talk, they'd have enough to do." stone, as I may say; round the porochial throat? "Very true," said the undertaker; "they would Liberal terms, Mr. Sowerberry, liberal terms!" As indeed." ~ ~ ~ _______ I _______ " LIBERAL TERMS, MR. SOWERBERRlY, LIBERAL TERMS. Mr. Bumble spoke, he raised his cane to the bill above "Juries," said Mr. Bumble, grasping his cane tighthim, and gave three distinct raps upon the words ly, as was his wont when working into a passion: "five pounds;" which were printed thereon in Ro- "juries is ineddicated, vulgar, groveling wretches." man capitals of gigantic size. "So they are," said the undertaker. "Gadso!" said the undertaker, taking Mr. Bum- "They haven't no more philosophy nor political ble by the gilt-edged lappel of his official coat; economy about'em than that," said the beadle, snap"that's just the very thing I wanted to speak to you ping his fingers contemptuously. about. You know -dear me, what a very elegant "No more they have," acquiesced the undertaker. button this is, Mr. Bumble! I never noticed it be- "I despise'em,' said the beadle, growing very red fore." in the face. "Yes, I think it is rather pretty," said the beadle, "So do I," rejoined the undertaker. glancing proudly downward at the large brass but- "And I only wish we'd a jury of the independent tons which embellished his coat. "The die is the sort in the house for a week or two," said the beadle; same as the porochial seal-the Good Samaritan heal- "the rules and regulations of the board would soon ing t he sick a nd bruised man. The oard presented bring their spirit down for'em." it to nw-ear me o N ew-ear's orning, Mr. Sowerberry. I "Let'em alone for that," replied the undertaker. ANOTHER PLACE OFFERS. 19 So saying, he smiled approvingly, to calm the rising "Yes, sir," replied Oliver, in a low, tremulous voice. wrath of the indignant parish officer. "Pull that cap off your eyes, and hold up your Mr. Bumble lifted off his cocked hat; took a hand- I head, sir." kerchief from the inside of the crown; wiped from Although Oliver did as he was desired, at once, his forehead the perspiration which his rage had en- and passed the back of his unoccupied hand briskly gendered; fixed the cocked hat on again; and, turn- across his eyes, he left a tear in them when he looked ing to the undertaker, said, in a calmer voice: up at his conductor. As Mr. Bumble gazed sternly "Well; what about the boy?" upon him, it rolled down his cheek. It was followed "Oh!" replied the undertaker; "why, you know, by another, and another. The child made a strong Mr. Bumble, I pay a good deal toward the poor's effort, but it was an unsuccessful one. Withdrawing rates." his other hand from Mr. Bumble's, he covered his face "Hem!" said Mr. Bumble. "Well?" with both; and wept until the tears sprung out from "Well," replied the undertaker, "I was thinking between his chin and bony fingers. that if I pay so much toward'em, I've a right to get "Well!" exclaimed Mr. Bumble, stopping short, as much out of'em as I can, Mr. Bumble; and so- and darting at his little charge a look of intense and so-I think I'll take the boy myself." malignity. "Well! Of all the ungratefullest, and Mr. Bumble grasped the undertaker by the arm, worst-disposed boys as ever I see, Oliver, you are and led him into the building. Mr. Sowerberry was the-" closeted with the board for five minutes, and it was " No, no, sir," sobbed Oliver, clinging to the hand arranged that Oliver should go to him that evening which held the well-known cane; " no, no, sir; I will "upon liking "-a phrase which means, in the case be good indeed; indeed, indeed I will, sir! I am a of a parish apprentice, that if the master find, upon very little boy, sir; and it is so-so " a short trial, that he can get enough work out of a "So what?" inquired Mr. Bumble, in amazement. boy without putting too much food into him, he shall "So lonely, sir! So very lonely!" cried the child. have him for a term of years, to do what he likes with. "Every body hates me. Oh! sir, don't, don't, pray, When little Oliver was taken before "the gentle- be cross to me!" The child beat his hand upon his men " that evening; and informed that he was to go, heart; and looked in his companion's face, with tears that night, as general house-lad to a coffin-maker's; of real agony. and that if he complained of his situation, or ever Mr. Bumble regarded Oliver's piteous and helpless came back to the parish again, he would be sent to look, with some astonishment, for a few seconds; sea, there to be drowned, or knocked on the head, as hemmed three or four times in a husky manner; and the case might be, he evinced so little emotion, that after muttering something about " that troublesome they by common consent pronounced him a hardened cough," bade Oliver dry his eyes and be a good boy. young rascal, and ordered Mr. Bumble to remove him Then once more taking his hand, he walked on with forthwith. him in silence. Now, although it was very natural that the board, The undertaker, who had just put up the shutters of all people in the world, should feel in a great state of his shop, was making some entries in his day-book of virtuous astonishment and horror at the smallest by the light of a most appropriate dismal candle, tokens of want of feeling on the part of any body, when Mr. Bumble entered. they were rather out, in this particular instance. "Aha!" said the undertaker: looking up from the The simple fact was, that Oliver, instead of possess- book, and pausing in the middle of a word; "is that ing too little feeling, possessed rather too much; and you, Bumble?" was in a fair way of being reduced, for life, to a state "No one else, Mr. Soiverberry," replied the beadle. of brutal stupidity and sullenness by the ill-usage he "Here! I've brought the boy." Oliver made a bow. had received. He heard the news of his destination " Oh! that's the boy, is it?" said the undertaker, in perfect silence; and, having, had his luggage put raising the candle above his head, to get a better into his hand-which was not very difficult to carry, view of Oliver. "Mrs. Sowerberry, will you have inasmuch as it was all comprised within the limits the goodness to come here a moment, my dear I" of a brown paper parcel, about half a foot square by Mrs. Sowerberry emerged from a little room bethree inches deep-he pulled his cap over his eyes; hind the shop, and presented the form of a short, and once more attaching himself to Mr. Bumble's coat thin, squeezed-up woman, with a vixenish countecuff, was led away by that dignitary to a new scene of nance. suffering. "My dear," said Mr. Sowerberry, deferentially, For some time, Mr. Bumble drew Oliver along, "this is the boy from the work-house that I told you without notice or remark; for the beadle carried his of." Oliver bowed again. head very erect, as a beadle always should: and, it " Dear me!" said the undertaker's wife, " he's very being a windy day, little Oliver was completely en- small." shrouded by the skirts of Mr. Bumble's coat as they " Why, he is rather small," replied Mr. Bumble: blew open, and disclosed to great advantage his flap- looking at Oliver as if it were his fault that he was ped waistcoat and drab plush knee-breeches. As no bigger; "he is small. There's no denying it. But they drew near to their destination, however, Mr. he'll grow, Mrs. Sowerberry-he'll grow." Bumble thought it expedient to look down, and see "Ah! I dare say he will," replied the lady pettishthat the boy was in good order for inspection by his ly, " on our victuals and our drink. I see no saving new master: which he accordingly did, with a fit and in parish children, not I; for they always cost more becoming air of gracious patronage. to keep than they're worth. However, men always "Oliver!" said Mr. Bumble. think they know best. There! Get down stairs, lit 20 OLIVER TWIST. tle bag o' bones." With this, the undertaker's wife behind the counter was ornamented with a lively opened a side door, and pushed Oliver down a steep representation of two mutes in very stiff neckeloths, flight of stairs into a stone cell, damp and dark: on duty at a large private door, with a hearse drawn forming the ante-room to the coal-cellar, and de- by four black steeds, approaching in the distance. nominated "kitchen:" wherein sat a slatternly girl, The shop was close and hot. The atmosphere seemed in shoes down at heel, and blue worsted stockings tainted with the smell of coffins. The recess beneath very much out of repair. the counter in which his flock mattress was thrust, "Here, Charlotte," said Mrs. Sowerberry, who had looked like a grave. followed Oliver down, "give this boy some of the Nor were these the only dismal feelings which decold bits that were put by for Trip. He hasn't come pressed Oliver. He was alone in a strange place; home since the morning, so he may go without'em. and we all know how chilled and desolate the best I dare say the boy isn't too dainty to eat'em —are of us will sometimes feel in such a situation. The you, boy?" boy had no friends to care for, or to care for hinl. Oliver, whose eyes had glistened at the mention The regret of no recent separation was fresh in his of meat, and who was trembling with eagerness to mind; the absence of no loved and well-remembered devour it, replied in the negative; and a plateful of face sank heavily into his heart. But his heart wz1as coarse broken victuals was set before him. heavy, notwithstanding; and he wished, as he crept I wish some well-fed philosopher, whose meat and into his narrow bed, that that were his coffin, and drink turn to gall within him-whose blood is ice, that he could be lain in a calm and lasting sleep in whose heart is iron-could have seen Oliver Twist the church-yard ground, with the tall grass waving clutching at the dainty viands that the dog had neg- gently above his head, and the sound of the old deep lected. I wish he could have witnessed the horrible bell to soothe him in his sleep. avidity with which Oliver tore the bits asunder with Oliver was awakened in the morning, by a loud all the ferocity of famine. There is only one thing kicking at the outside of the shop-door: which, beI should like better; and that would be to see the fore he could huddle on his clothes, was repeated, in Philosopher making the same sort of meal himself, an angry and impetuous manner, about twenty-five with the same relish. times. When he began to undo the chain, the legs " Well," said the undertaker's wife, when OWiver desisted, and a voice began. had finished his supper: which she had regarded in "Open the door, will yer?" cried the voice which silent horror, and with fearful auguries of his future belonged to the legs which had kicked at the door. appetite: "have you done?" "I will, directly, sir," replied Oliver, undoing the There being nothing eatable within his reach, Oli. chain, and turning the key. ver replied in the affirmative. "I suppose yer the new boy, ain't yer?" said the "Then come with me," said Mrs. Sowerberry: tak- voice through the key-hole. ing up a dim and dirty lamp, and leading the way "Yes, sir," replied Oliver. up stairs; " your bed's under the counter. You don't "How old are yer?" inquired the voice. mind sleeping among the coffins, I suppose? But it "Ten, sir," replied Oliver. doesn't much matter whether you do or don't, for you "Then I'll whop yer when I get in," said the voice; can't sleep anywhere else. Come, don't keep me here "you just see if I don't, that's all, my work'us brat!" all night!" and having made this obliging promise, the voice Oliver lingered no longer, but meekly followed his began to whistle. new mistress. Oliver had been too often subjected to the process to which the very expressive monosyllable just recorded bears reference, to entertain the smallest CHAPTER V. doubt that the owner of the voice, whoever he might be, would redeem his pledge, most honorably. He OLIVER MINGLES WITn NETW ASSOCIATES. GOHING TO A drew back the bolts with a trembling hand and FUNERAL FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE FORMS AN UNFA- opened the door. VORABLE NOTION OF HIS MASTER'S BUSINESS. oor For a second or two, Oliver glanced up the street, LIVER, being left to himself in the undertaker's and down the street, and over the way: impressed J shop, set the lamp down on a workman's bench, with the belief that the unknown, who had addressed and gazed timidly about him with a feeling of awe him through the key-hole, had walked a few paces and dread, which many people a good deal older than off, to warm himself; for nobody did he see but a big he will be at no loss to understand. An unfinished charity-boy, sitting on a post in front of the house, coffin on black tressels, which stood in the middle of eating a slice of bread and butter: which he cut into the shop, looked so gloomy and death-like that a wedges, the size of his mouth, with a clasp-knife, and cold tremble came over him every time his eyes wan- then consumed with great dexterity. dered in the direction of the dismal object: from "I beg your pardon, sir," said Oliver at length: which he almost expected to see some frightful form seeing that no other visitor made his appearance; slowly rear its head, to drive him mad with terror. "did you knock?" Against the wall were ranged, in regular array, a "I kicked,'? replied the charity-boy. long row of elm boards cut into the same shape: "Did you want a coffin, sir?" inquired Oliver, inlooking in the dim light, like high-shouldered ghosts nocently. with their hands in their breeches-pockets. Coffin- At this the charity-boy looked monstrous fierce; plates, elm-chips, bright-headed nails, and shreds of and said that Oliver would want one before long, if black cloth, lay scattered on the floor; and the wall he cut jokes with his superiors in that way. NEW IDEza IN THE UN~DERTAKING- WAY. 21 "Yer don't know who I am, I suppose, Work'us?" Oliver had been sojourning at the undertaker's said the charity-boy, in continuation: descending some three weeks or a month. Mr. and Mrs. Sowerirom the top of the post, meanwhile, with edifying berry-the shop being shut up-were taking their gravity. supper in the little back-parlor, when Mr. Sowerber" No, sir," rejoined Oliver. ry, after several deferential glances at his wife, said, "I'm Mister Noah Claypole," said the charity-boy, "My dear-" He was going to say more; but, "and you're under me. Take down the shutters, yer Mrs. Sowerberry looking up, with a peculiar unproidle young ruffian!" With this, Mr. Claypole admin- pitious aspect, he stopped short. istered a kick to Oliver, and entered the shop with a "Well," said Mrs. Sowerberry, sharply. dignified air, which did him great credit. It is diffi- " Nothing, my dear, nothing," said Mr. Sowerberry. cult for a large-headed, small-eyed youth, of lumber- "Ugh, you brute!" said Mrs. Sowerberry. ing make and heavy countenance, to look dignified " Not at all, my dear," said Mr. Sowerberry, humunder any circumstances; but it is more especially bly. " I thought you didn't want to hear, my dear. so, when superadded to these personal attractions I was only going to say-" are a red nose and yellow smalls. "Oh, don't tell me what you were going to say," Oliver, having taken down the shutters, and broken interposed Mrs. Sowerberry. "I am nobody; don't a, pane of glass in his efforts to stagger away beneath consult rue, pray. I don't want to intrude upon your the weight of the first one to a small court at the secrets." As Mrs. Sowerberry said this, she gave side of the house in which they were kept during the an hysterical laugh, which threatened violent conseday, was graciously assisted by Noah: who having quences. consoled him with the assurance that " he'd catch it," " But, my dear," said Sowerberry, " I want to ask condescended to help him. Mr. Sowerberry came your advice." clown soon after. Shortly afterward, Mrs. Sowerber- "No, no, don't ask mine," replied Mrs. Sowerberry appeared. Oliver having " caught it," in fiulfill- ry, in an affecting manner: "' ask somebody else's." ment of Noah's prediction, followed that young gen- Here there was another hysterical laugh, which tleman down the stairs to breakfast. frightened Mr. Sowerberry very much. This is a "Come near the fire, Noah," said Charlotte. "I very common and much-approved matrimonial course saved a nice little bit of bacon for you from master's of treatment, which is often very effective. It at breakfast. Oliver, shut that door at Mister Noah's once reduced Mr. Sowerberry to begging, as a speback, and take them bits that I've put out on the cial favor, to be allowed to say what Mrs. Sowerberry cover of the bread-pan. There's your tea - take it was most curious to hear. After a short altercation away to that box, and drink it there, and make haste, of less than three-quarters of an hour's duration, the for they'll want you to mind the shop. D'ye hear?" permission was most graciously conceded. " D'ye hear, Work'us?" said Noah Claypole. " It's only about young Twist, my dear," said Mr. "Lor, Noah!" said Charlotte," what a rum creature Sowerberry. "A very good-looking boy, that, my you are! Why don't you let the boy alone?" dear." "Let him alone!" said Noah. "Why every body " He need be, for he eats enough," observed the lets him alone enough, for the matter of that. Nei- lady. ther his father nor his mother will ever interfere with "There's an expression of melancholy in his face, him. All his relations let him have his own way my dear," resumed Mr. Sowerberry, "which is very pretty well. Eh, Charlotte? He! he! he!" interesting. He would make a delightful mute, my " Oh, you queer soul!" said Charlotte, bursting into love." a hearty laugh, in which she was joined by Noah; Mrs. Sowerberry looked up with an expression of after which they both looked scornfully at poor Oli- considerable wonderment. Mr. Sowerberry remarkver Twist, as he sat shivering on the box in the cold- ed it; and, without allowing time for any observaest corner of the room, and ate the stale pieces which tion on the good lady's part, proceeded. had been specially reserved for him. "I don't mean a regular mute to attend grown-up Noah was a charity-boy, but not a work-house or- people, my dear, but only for chilldren's practice. It phan. No chance child was he, for he could trace would be very new to have a mute in proportion, my his genealogy all the way back to his parents, who dear. You may depend upon it, it would have a sulived hard by; his mother being a washer-woman, perb effect." and his father a drunken soldier, discharged with a Mrs. Sowerberry, who had a good deal of taste in wooden leg, and a diurnal pension of twopence-half- the undertaking way, was much struck by the novpenny and an unstateable fraction. The shop-boys elty of this idea; but, as it would have been comin the neighborhood had long been in the habit of promising her dignity to have said so, under existing branding Noah, in the public streets, with the igno- circumstances, she-merely inquired, with much sharpminious epithets of "leathers," "charity," and the ness, why such an obvious suggestion had not prelike; and Noah had borne them without reply. But, sented itself to her husband's mind before? Mr. now that fortune had cast in his way a nameless or- Sowerberry rightly construed this as an acquiesphan, at whom even the meanest could point the fin- cence in his proposition; it was speedily determined, ger of scorn, he retorted on him with interest. This therefore, that Oliver should be at once initiated affords charming food for contemplation. It shows into the mysteries of the trade; and, with this view, us what a beautiful thing human nature may be made that he should accompany his master on the very to be; and how impartially the same amiable quali- next occasion of his services being required. ties are developed in the finest lord and the dirtiest The occasion was not long in coming. Half an charity-boy. hour after breakfast next morning, Mr. Bumble en 22 OLIVER TWIST. tered the shop; and supporting his cane against the ger of his being returned upon the hands of the parcounter, drew forth his large leathern pocket-book: ish should be thus effectually and legally overcome. from which he selected a small scrap of paper, which "Well," said Mr. Sowerberry, taking up his hat, he handed over to Sowerberry. "the sooner this job is done, the better. Noah, look "Aha," said the undertaker, glancing over it with after the shop. Oliver, put on your cap and come a lively countenance; " an order for a coffin, eh?" with me." Oliver obeyed, and followed his master "For a coffin first, and a porochial funeral after- on his professional mission. ward," replied Mr. Bumble, fastening the strap of They walked on for some time through the most the leathern pocket-book, which, like himself, was crowded and densely inhabited part of the town; very corpulent. and then, striking down a narrow street more dirty " Bayton," said the undertaker, looking from the and miserable than any they had yet passed through, scrap of paper to Mr. Bumble. "I never heard the paused to look for the house which was the object name before." of their search. The houses on either side were high Bumble shook his head, as he replied, "Obstinate and large, but very old, and tenanted by people of people, Mr. Sowerberry; very obstinate. Proud, too, the poorest class: as their neglected appearance I'm afraid, sir." would have sufficiently denoted, without the concur"Proud, eh?" exclaimed Mr. Sowerberry, with a rent testimony afforded by the squalid looks of the sneer. " Come, that's too much." few men and women who, with folded arms and bod"Oh, it's sickening," replied the beadle. "Anti- ies half doubled, occasionally skulked along. A great monial, Mr. Sowerberry!" many of the tenements had shop-fronts; but these "So it is," acquiesced the undertaker. were fast closed, and mouldering away; only the "We only heard of the family the night before upper rooms being inhabited. Some houses, which last," said the beadle; " and we shouldn't have had become insecure from age and decay, were preknown any thing about them, then, only a woman vented from falling into the street by huge beams who lodges in the same house made an application of wood reared against the walls, and firmly plantto the porochial committee for them to send the po- ed in the road; but even these crazy dens seemed rochial surgeon to see a woman as was very bad. to have been selected as the nightly haunts of some He had gone out to dinner; but his'prentice (which houseless wretches, for many of the rough boards is a very clever lad) sent'em some medicine in a which supplied the place of door and window were blacking-bottle, off-hand." wrenched from their positions, to afford an aperture "Ah, there's promptness," said the undertaker. wide enough for the passage of a human body. The "Promptness, indeed!" replied the beadle. "But kennel was stagnant and filthy. The very rats, what's the consequence; what's the ungrateful be- which here and there lay putrefying in its rottenhavior of these rebels, sir? Why, the husband sends ness, were hideous with famine. back word that the medicine won't suit his wife's There was neither knocker nor bell-handle at the complaint, and so she sha'n't take it-says she sha'n't open door where Oliver and his master stopped; so, take it, sir. Good, strong, wholesome medicine, as groping his way cautiously through the dark paswas given with great success to two Irish laborers sage, and bidding Oliver keep close to him and not and a coal-heaver only a week before-sent'em for be afraid, the undertaker mounted to the top of the nothing, with a blacking-bottle in - and he sends first flight of stairs. Stumbling against a door on back word that she sha'n't take it, sir!" the landing, he rapped at it with his knuckles. As the atrocity presented itself to Mr. Bumble's It was opened by a young girl of thirteen or fourmind in full force, he struck the counter sharply teen. The undertaker at once saw enough of what with his cane, and became flushed with indignation. the room contained, to know it was the apartment "Well," said the undertaker, " I ne-ver-did —" to which he had been directed. He stepped in; 01"Never did, sir!" ejaculated the beadle. "No, nor iver followed him. nobody never did; but, now she's dead, we've got to There was no fire in the room; but a man was bury her; and that's the direction; and the sooner crouching, mechanically, over the empty stove. An it's done, the better." old woman, too, had drawn a low stool to the cold Thus saying, Mr. Bumble put on his cocked hat hearth, and was sitting beside him. There were wrong side first, in a fever of parochial excitement; some ragged children in another corner; and in a and flounced out of the shop. small recess, opposite the door, there lay upon the "Why, he was so angry, Oliver, thlt he forgot ground something covered with an old blanket. 01even to ask after you!" said Mr. Sowerberry, looking iver shuddered as he cast his eyes toward the place, after the beadle as he strode down the street. and crept involuntarily closer to his master; for "Yes, sir," replied Oliver, who had carefully kept though it was covered up, the boy felt that it was a himself out of sight during the interview; and who corpse. was shaking from head to foot at the mere recollec- The man's face was thin and very pale; his hair tion of the sound of Mr. Bumble's voice. He needn't and beard were grizzly; his eyes were bloodshot. have taken the trouble to shrink from Mr. Bumble's The old woman's face was wrinkled; her two remainglance, however; for that functionary, on whom the ing teeth protruded over her under lip; and her eyes prediction of the gentleman in the white waistcoat were bright and piercing. Oliver was afraid to lookl had made a very strong impression, thought that at either her or the man. They seemed so like the now the undertaker had got Oliver upon trial the rats he had seen outside. subject was better avoided, until such time as he "Nobody shall go near her," said the man, start. should be firmly bound for seven years, and all dan- ing fiercely up, as the undertaker approached the re THANiVKLESS PA UPERISM. 23 cess. " Keep back! Damn you, keep back, if you've where Mr. Bumble had already arrived, accompanied a life to lose!" by four men from the work-house, who were to act as "Nonsense, my good man," said the undertaker, bearers. An old black cloak had been thrown over who was pretty well used to misery in all its shapes. the rags of the old woman and the man; and the bare "Nonsense!" coffin having been screwed down, was hoisted on the "I tell you," said the man, clenching his hands, shoulders of the bearers, and carried into the street. and stamping furiously on the floor-" I tell you I "Now you must put your best leg foremost, old won't have her put into the ground. She couldn't lady!" whispered Sowerberry in the old woman's ear; rest there. The worms would worry her-not eat "we are rather late; and it won't do to keep the her-she is so worn away." clergyman waiting. Move on, my men-as quick The undertaker offered no reply to this raving; as you like!" but producing a tape from his pocket, knelt down Thus directed, the bearers trotted on under their for a moment by the side of the body. light burden; and the two mourners kept as near "Ah!" said the man: bursting into tears, and sink- them as they could. Mr. Bumble and Sowerberry ing on his knees at the feet of the dead woman; walked at a good smart pace in front; and Oliver, "kneel down, kneel down-kneel round her, every whose legs were not so long as his master's, ran by one of you, and mark my words! I say she was the side. starved to death. I never knew how bad she was, There was not so great a necessity for hurrying as till the fever came upon her; and then her bones Mr. Sowerberry had anticipated, however; for when were starting through the skin. There was neither they reached the obscure corner of the church-yard in fire nor candle; she died in the dark-in the dark! which the nettles grew, and where the parish graves She couldn't even see her children's faces, though we were made, the clergyman had not arrived; and the heard her gasping out their names. I begged for her clerk, who was sitting by the vestry-room fire, seemed in the streets; and they sent me to prison. When I to think it by no means improbable that it might be came back, she was dying; and all the blood in my an hour or so before he came. So they put the bier heart has dried up, for they starved her to death. I on the brink of the grave; and the two mourners swear it before the God that saw it! They starved waited patiently in the damp clay, with a cold rain her!" He twined his hands in his hair; and, with a drizzling down, while the ragged boys whom the loud scream, rolled groveling upon the floor: his eyes spectacle had attracted into the church-yard played fixed, and the foam covering his lips. a noisy game at hide-and-seek among the tombThe terrified children cried bitterly; but the old stones, or varied their amusements by jumping backwoman, who had hitherto remained as quiet as if she ward and forward over the coffin. Mr. Sowerberry had been wholly deaf to all that passed, menaced and Bumble, being personal friends of the clerk, sat them into silence. Having unloosed the cravat of by the fire with him, and read the paper. the man who still remained extended on the ground, At length, after a lapse of something more than an she tottered toward the undertaker. hour, Mr. Bumble, and Sowerberry, and the clerk, " She was my daughter," said the old woman, nod- were seen running toward the grave. Immediately ding her head in the direction of the corpse, and afterward, the clergyman appeared, putting on his speaking with an idiotic leer, more ghastly than even surplice as he came along. Mr. Bumble then thrashthe presence of death in such a place. " Lord, Lord! ed a boy or two, to keep up appearances; and the Well, it is strange that I who gave birth to her, and reverend gentleman, having read as much of the buwas a woman then, should be alive and merry now, rial service as could be compressed into four minutes, and she lying there: so cold and stiff! Lord, Lord! gave his surplice to the clerk, and walked away again. -to think of it; it's as good as a play —as good as a " Now, Bill!" said Sowerberry to the grave-digger. play!" "Fill up!" As the wretched creature mumbled and chuckled It was no very difficult task; for the grave was so in her hideous merriment, the undertaker turned to full, that the uppermost coffin was within a few feet go away. of the surface. The grave-digger shoveled in the " Stop, stop!" said the old woman in a loud whis- earth; stamped it loosely down with his feet; shoulper. " Will she be buried to-morrow, or next day, dered his spade; and walked off, followed by the or to-night? I laid her out; and I must walk, you boys, who murmured very loud complaints at the fun know. Send me a large cloak: a good warm one: being over so soon. * for it is bitter cold. We should have cake and wine, "Come, my good fellow!" said Bumble, tapping too, before we go! Never mind; send some bread- the man on the back. " They want to shut up the only a loaf of bread and a cup of water. Shall we yard." have some bread, dear?" she said eagerly, catching The man, who had never once moved since he had at the undertaker's coat, as he once more moved to- taken his station by the grave-side, started, raised ward the door. his head, stared at the person who had addressed "Yes, yes," said the undertaker, "of course. Any him, walked forward for a few paces, and fell down thing you like!" He disengaged himself from the old in a swoon. The crazy old woman was too much ocwoman's grasp; and, drawing Oliver after him, hur- cupied in bewailing the loss of her cloak (which the ried away. undertaker had taken off) to pay him any attention; The next day (the family having been meanwhile so they threw a can of cold water over him; and relieved with a half-quartern loaf and a piece of when he came to, saw him safely out of the churchcheese, left with them by Mr. Bumble himself), Oli- yard, locked the gate, and departed on their different ver and his master returned to the miserable abode; ways. MO4i OLI VER TWIST. " Well, Oliver," said Sowerberry, as they walked Claypole: who used him far worse than before, now home, "how do you like it?" that his jealousy was roused by seeing the new boy "Pretty well, thank you, sir," replied Oliver, with promoted to the black stick and hat-band, while he, considerable hesitation. "Not very much, sir." the old one, remained stationary in the muffin-cap "Ah, you'll get used to it in time, Oliver," said and leathers. Charlotte treated him ill, because Sowerberry. "Nothing when you are used to it, my Noah did; and Mrs. Sowerberry was his decided enboy." emy, because Mr. Sowerberry was disposed to be his Oliver wondered, in his own mind, whether it had friend; so, between these three on one side, and a taken a very long time to get Mr. Sowerberry used glut of funerals on the other, Oliver was not altoto it. But he thought it better not to ask the ques- gether as comfortable as the hungry pig was when tion; and walked back to the shop, thinking over he was shut up, by mistake, in the grain department all he had seen and heard. of a brewery. And now I come to a very important passage in * Oliver's history; for I have to record an act, slight and unimportant perhaps in appearance, but which CHAPTER VI. indirectly produced a material change in all his fuTture prospects and proceedings. OLUvER, BEING GOADED Rx THER ASTONISHESHIM. One day, Oliver and Noah had descended into the OUE Io cI, AND RATHER ATONIHE IM, kitchen at the usual dinner-hour, to banquet upon a I lHE month's trial over, Oliver was formally ap- small joint of mutton-a pound and a half of the prenticed. It was a nice sickly season just at worst end of the neck —when Charlotte being called this time. In commercial phrase, coffins were look- out of the way, there ensued a brief interval of time, ing up; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver ac- which Noah Claypole, being hungry and vicious, conquired a great deal of experience. The success of Mr. sidered he could not possibly devote to a worthier Sowerberry's ingenious speculation exceeded even his purpose than aggravating and tantalizing young 01most sanguine hopes. The oldest inhabitants recol- iver Twist. lected no period at which measles had been so prev- Intent upon this innocent amusement, Noah put alent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were his feet on the table-cloth; and pulled Oliver's hair; the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, and twitched his ears; and expressed his opinion in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the in- that he was a "sneak;" and furthermore announced describable admiration and emotion of all the moth- his intention of coming to see him hanged, whenever ers in the town. As Oliver accompanied his master that desirable event should take place; and entered in most of his adult expeditions, too, in order that he upon various other topics of petty annoyance, like a might acquire that equanimity of demeanor and fill malicious and ill-conditioned charity-boy as he was. command of nerve which are essential to a finished But, none of these taunts producing the desired efundertaker, he had many opportunities of observing feet of making Oliver cry, Noah attempted to be the beautiful resignation and fortitude with which more facetious still; and in this attempt, did what some strong-minded people bear their trials and many small wits, with far greater reputations than losses. Noah, sometimes do to this day, when they want to For instance; when Sowerberry had an order for be funny. He got rather personal. the burial of some rich old lady or gentleman, who " Work'us," said Noah, "how's your mother?" was surrounded by a great number of nephews and "She's dead," replied Oliver; "don't you say any nieces, who had been perfectly inconsolable during thing about her to me!" the previous illness, and whose grief had been wholly Oliver's color rose as he said this; he breathed irrepressible even on the most public occasions, they quickly; and there was a curious working of the would be as happy among themselves as need be- mouth and nostrils, which Mr. Claypole thought quite cheerful and contented-conversing together must be the immediate precursor of a violent fit of with as much freedom and gayety, as if nothing crying. Under this impression he returned to the whatever had happened to disturb them. Husbands, charge. too, bore the loss of their wives with the most heroic "What did she die of, Work'us?" said Noah. calmness. Wives, again, put on weeds for their hus- "Of a broken heart, some of our old nurses told bands, as if, so far from grieving in the garb of sor- me," replied Oliver: more as if he were talking to row, they had made up their minds to, render it as himself than answering Noah. " I think I know becoming and attractive as possible. It was observ- what it must be to die of that!" able, too, that ladies and gentlemen who were in pas- " Tol de rol lol lol, right fol lairy, Work'us," said sions of anguish during the ceremony of interment, Noah, as a tear rolled down Oliver's cheek. " What's recovered almost as soon as they reached home, and set you a sniveling now?" became quite composed before the tea-drinking was "Not you," replied Oliver, hastily brushing the over: All this was very pleasant and improving to tear away. " Don't think it." see; and Oliver beheld it with great admiration. " Oh, not me, eh?" sneered Noah. That Oliver Twist was moved to resignation by "No, not you," replied Oliver, sharply. "There, the example of these good people, I can not, although that's enough. Don't say any thing more to me I am his biographer, undertake to affirm with any about her; you'd better not!" degree of confidence; but I can most distinctly say, "Better not!" exclaimed Noah. "Well! Better that for many months he continued meekly to sub- not! Work'us, don't be impudent. Your mother, mit to the domination and ill-treatment of Noah too! She was a nice'un, she was. Oh, Lor!" And MURDER. 25 here Noah nodded his head expressively; and curled His breast heaved; his attitude was erect; his eye uD as much of his small red nose as muscular action bright and vivid; his whole person changed, as he could collect together for the occasion. stood glaring over the cowardly tormentor -who now " Yer know, Work'us," continued Noah, embolden- lay crouching at his feet; and defied him with an ed by Oliver's silence, and speaking in a jeering tone energy he had never known before. of affected pity-of all tones the most annoying- "He'll murder me!" blubbered Noah. "Charlotte! "Yer know, Work'us, it can't be helped now; and of missis! Here's the new boy a murdering of me! course yer couldn't help it then; and I'm very sorry Help! help! Oliver's gone mad! Char-lotte!" for it; and I'm sure we all are, and pity yer very Noah's shouts were responded to by a loud scream much. But yer must know, Work'us, yer mother from Charlotte and a louder from Mrs. Sowerberry; was a regular right-down bad'un." the former of whom rushed into the kitchen by a "What did you say?" inquired Oliver, looking up side door, while the latter paused on the staircase very quickly. till she was quite certain that it was consistent with "A regular right-down bad'un, Work'us," replied the preservation of human life to come farther down. RATHER // -/,'ilj' I-:/j-/ I ill( OLIVER RATHER ASTONISIIES NOAH. Noah, coolly. "And it's a great deal better, Work'us, "Oh, you little wretch!" screamed Charlotte, seizthat she died when she did, or else she'd have been ing Oliver with her utmost force, which was about hard laboring in Bridewell, or transported, or hung; equal to that of a moderately strong man in particwhich is more likely than either, isn't it?" ularly good training. "Oh, you little un-grate-ful, Crimson with fury, Oliver started up; overthrew mur-de-rous, hor-rid villain!" And between every the chair and table; seized Noah by the throat; syllable Charlotte gave Oliver a blow with all her shook him, in the violence of his rage, till his teeth might, accompanying it with a scream for the benechattered in his head; and, collecting his whole force fit of society. into one heavy blow, felled him to the ground. Charlotte's fist was by no means a light one; but, A minute ago, the boy had looked the quiet, mild, lest it should not be effectual in calming Oliver's dejected creature that harsh treatment had made wrath, Mrs. Sowerberry plunged into the kitchen, him. But his spirit was roused at last; the cruel and assisted to hold him with one hand, while she insult to his dead mother had set his blood on fire. scratched his face with the other. In this favorable 26 OLIVER TWIST. position of affairs, Noah rose from the ground, and "Mr. Bumble! Mr. Bumble!" cried Noah, with wellpommeled him behind. affected dismay: and in tones so loud and agitated, This was rather too violent exercise to last long. that they not only caught the ear of Mr. Bumble When they were all wearied out, and could tear and himself, who happened to be hard by, but alarmed beat no longer, they dragged Oliver, struggling and him so much that he rushed into the yard without shouting, but nothing daunted, into the dust-cellar, his cocked hat-which is a very curious and remarkand there locked him up. This being done, Mrs. able circumstance: as showing that even a beadle, Sowerberry sunk into a chair, and burst into tears. acted upon by a sudden and powerful impulse, may "Bless her, she's going off!" said Charlotte. "A be afflicted with a momentary visitation of loss of glass of water, Noah, dear. Make haste!" self-possession, and forgetfulness of personal dignity. " Oh! Charlotte," said Mrs. Sowerberry: speaking " Oh, Mr. Bumble, sir!" said Noah: " Oliver, siras well as she could, through a deficiency of breath, Oliver has-" and a sufficiency of cold water, which Noah had "What? What?" interposed Mr. Bumble, with a poured over her head and shoulders. "Oh! Char- gleam of pleasure in his metallic eyes. "Not run lotte, what a mercy we have not all been murdered away; he hasn't run away, has he, Noah?" in our beds!" "No, sir, no. Not run away, sir, but he's turned "Ah! mercy indeed, ma'am," was the reply. "I wicious," replied Noah. "He tried to murder me, only hope this'll teach master not to have any more sir; and then he tried to murder Charlotte; and of these dreadful creaturs, that are born to be mur- then missis. Oh! what dreadful pain it is! Such derers and robbers from their very cradle. Poor agony, please, sir!" And here Noah writhed and Noah! he was all but killed, ma'am, when I come in." twisted his body into an extensive variety of eel" Poor fellow!" said Mrs. Sowerberry, looking pit- like positions; thereby giving Mr. Bumble to undereously on the charity-boy. stand that, from the violent and sanguinary onset Noah, whose top waistcoat -button might have of Oliver Twist, he had sustained severe internal inbeen somewhere on a level with the crown of 01- jury and damage, from which he was at that moiver's head, rubbed his eyes with the inside of his ment suffering the acutest torture. wrists while this commiseration was bestowed upon When Noah saw that the intelligence he commuhim, and performed some affecting tears and sniffs. nicated perfectly paralyzed Mr. Bumble, he imparted "What's to be done!" exclaimed Mrs. Sowerberry. additional effect thereunto, by bewailing his dread"Your master's not at home; there's not a man in ful wounds ten times louder than before; and when the house, and he'll kick that door down in ten min- he observed a gentleman in a white waistcoat crossutes." Oliver's vigorous plunges against the bit of ing the yard, he was more tragic in his lamentations timber in question rendered this occurrence highly than ever: rightly conceiving it highly expedient to probable. attract the notice, and rouse the indignation, of the "Dear, dear! I don't know, ma'am," said Charlotte, gentleman aforesaid. "unless we send for the police officers." The gentleman's notice was very soon attracted; " Or the millingtary," suggested Mr. Claypole. for he had not walked three paces, when he turned "No, no," said Mrs. Sowerberry: bethinking her- angrily round, and inquired what that young cur self of Oliver's old friend. "Run to Mr. Bumble, was howling for, and why Mr. Bumble did not favor Noah, and tell him to come here directly, and not to him with something which would render the series lose a minute; never mind your cap! Make haste! of vocular exclamations so designated an involunYou can hold a knife to that black eye, as you run tary process? along. It'll keep the swelling down." "It's a poor boy from the free-school, sir," replied Noah stopped to make no reply, but started off at Mr. Bumble, "who has been nearly murdered - all his fullest speed; and very much it astonished the but murdered, sir-by young Twist." people who were out walking, to see a charity-boy " By Jove!" exclaimed the gentleman in the white tearing through the streets pell-mell, with no cap on waistcoat, stopping short. "I knew it! I felt a his head, and a clasp-knife at his eye. strange presentiment from the very first, that that audacious young savage would come to be hung!" "'He has likewise attempted, sir, to murder the female servant," said Mr. Bumble, with a face of ashy CHAPTER VII. paleness. "And his missis," interposed Mr. Claypole. OLIVER CONTINUES RErRACTOIRY.'"And his master, too, I think you said, Noah?" NTOAH CLAYPOLE ran along the streets at his added Mr. Bumble.. swiftest pace, and paused not once for breath "No! he's out, or he would have murdered him," until he reached the work-house gate. Having rest- replied Noah. " He said he wanted to." ed here, for a minute or so, to collect a good burst of "Ah! Said he wanted to, did he, my boy?" insobs and an imposing show of tears and terror, he quired the gentleman in the white waistcoat. knocked loudly at the wicket; and presented such a "Yes, sir," replied Noah. " And please, sir, missis rueful face to the aged pauper who opened it, that wants to know whether Mr. Bumble can spare time even he, who saw nothing but rueful faces about to step up there, directly, and flog him-'cause mashim at the best of times, started back in astonish- ter's out." ment. "Certainly, my boy; certainly," said the gentle"Why, what's the matter with the boy!" said the man in the white waistcoat: smiling benignly, and old pauper. patting Noah's head, which was about three inches MISCHIEVOTUS EFFECTS OF MEAT. 27 higher than his own. "You're a good boy-a very "Ah!" said Mr. Bumble, when the lady brought good boy. Here's a penny for you. Bumble, just her eyes down to earth again; "the only thing that step up to Sowerberry's with your cane, and see can be done now, that I know of, is to leave him in what's best to be done. Don't spare him, Bumble." the cellar for a day or so, till he's a little starved ".No, I will not, sir," replied the beadle: adjusting down; and then to take him out, and keep him on the wax-end which was twisted round the bottom gruel all through his apprenticeship. He comes of of his cane, for purposes of parochial flagellation. a bad family. Excitable natures, Mrs. Sowerberry! "Tell Sowerberry not to spare him either. They'll Both the nurse and doctor said that that mother of never do any thing with him, without stripes and his made her way here, against difficulties and pain bruises," said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. that would have killed any well-disposed woman, "I'll take care, sir," replied the beadle. And the weeks before." cocked hat and cane having been, by this time, ad- At this point of Mr. Bumble's discourse, Oliver, justed to their owner's satisfaction, Mr. Bumble and just hearing enough to know that some new alluNoah Claypole betook themselves with all speed to sion was being made to his mother, recommenced the undertaker's shop. kicking, with a violence that rendered every other Here the position of affairs had not at all improved. sound inaudible. Sowerberry returned at this junctSowerberry had not yet returned, and Oliver con- ure. Oliver's offense having been explained to him, tinued to kick, with undiminished vigor, at the cellar- with such exaggerations as the ladies thought best door. The accounts of his ferocity, as related by Mrs. calculated to rouse his ire, he unlocked the cellarSowerberry and Charlotte, were of so startling a na- door in a twinkling, and dragged his rebellious apture, that Mr. Bumble judged it prudent to parley, prentice out by the collar. before opening the door. With this view he gave a Oliver's clothes had been torn in the beating he kick at the outside, by way of prelude; and then, ap- had received; his face was bruised and scratched; plying his mouth to the key-hole, said, in a deep and and his hair scattered over his forehead. The angry impressive tone: flush had not disappeared, however; and when he "' Oliver!" was pulled out of his prison, he scowled boldly on " Come; you let me out!" replied Oliver, from the Noah, and looked quite' undismayed. inside. " Now, you are a nice young fellow, ain't you?' "Do you know this here voice, Oliver?" said Mr. said Sowerberry; giving Oliver a shake, and a box Bumble. on the ear. " Yes," replied Oliver. " He called my mother names," replied Oliver. " Ain't you afraid of it, sir? Ain't you a-trembling "Well, and what if he did, you little ungrateful while I speak, sir'?" said Mr. Bumble. wretch?" said Mrs. Sowerberry. "She deserved " No!" replied Oliver, boldly. what he said, and worse." An answer so different from the one he had expect- "She didn't," said Oliver. ed to elicit, and was in the habit of receiving, stag- "She did," said Mrs. Sowerberry. gered Mr. Bumble not a little. He stepped back from "It's a lie!" said Oliver. the key-hole, drew himself up to his filll height, and Mrs. Sowerberry burst into a flood of tears. looked from one to another of the three by-standers, This flood of tears left Mr. Sowerberry no alternain mute astonishment. tive. If he had hesitated for one instant to punish " Oh, you know, Mr. Bumble, he must be mad." Oliver most severely, it must be quite clear to every said Mrs. Sowerberry. "No boy in half his senses experienced reader that he would have been accordcould venture to speak so to you." ing to all precedents in disputes of matrinmony es"It's not Madness, ma'am," replied Mr. Bumble, tablished, a brute, an unnatural husband, an insultafter a few moments of deep meditation. "It's ing creature, a base imitation of a man, and various Meat." other agreeable characters too numerous for recital "What?" exclaimed Mrs. Sowerberry. within the limits of this chapter. To do him justice, "Meat, ma'am, meat," replied Bumble, with stern he was, as far as his power went-it was not very emphasis. "You've overfed him, ma'am. You've extensive — kindly disposed toward the boy; perraised a artificial soul and spirit in him, ma'am, un- haps, because it was his interest to be so; perhaps, becoming a person of his condition: as the board, because his wife disliked him. The flood of tears, Mrs. Sowerberry, who are practical philosophers, will however, left him'no resource; so he at once gave tell you. What have paupers to do with soul or him a drubbing, which satisfied even Mrs. Sowerberspirit? It's quite enough that we let'em have live ry herself, and rendered Mr. Bumble's subsequent apbodies. If you had kept the boy on gruel, ma'am, plication of the parochial cane rather unnecessary. this would never have happened." For the rest of the day, he was shut up in the back "Dear, dear!" ejaculated Mrs. Sowerberry, piously kitchen, in company with a pump and a slice of raising her eyes to the kitchen ceiling; " this comes bread; and, at night, Mrs. Sowerberry, after making of being liberal!" various remarks outside the door, by no means comThe liberality of Mrs. Sowerberry to Oliver had plimentary to the memory of his mother, looked into consisted in a profuse bestowal upon him of all the the room, and, amidst the jeers and pointings of Noah dirty odds and ends which nobody else would eat; so and Charlotte, ordered him up stairs to his dismal there was a great deal of meekness and self-devotion bed. in her voluntarily remaining under Mr. Bumble's It was not until he was left alone in the silence heavy accusation. Of which, to do her justice, she and stillness of the gloomy workshop of the underwtas wholly innocent in thought, word, or deed. taker, that Oliver gave way to the feelings which 28 OLIVER TWIST. the day's treatment may be supposed likely to have "I heard the doctor tell them I was dying," reawakened in a mere child. He had listened to their plied the child, with a faint smile. " I am very glad taunts with a look of contempt; he had borne the to see you, dear; but don't stop, don't stop!" lash without a cry; for he felt that pride swelling "Yes, yes, I will, to say good-bye to you," replied in his heart which would have kept down a shriek Oliver. "I shall see you again, Dick. I know I to the last, though they had roasted him alive. But shall. You will be well and happy!" now, when there was none to see or hear him, he fell " I hope so," replied the child. " After I am dead, upon his knees on the floor; and, hiding his face in but not before. I know the doctor must be right, his hands, wept such tears as, God send for the cred- Oliver, because I dream so much of Heaven, and Anit of our nature, few so young may ever have cause gels, and kind faces that I never see when I am to pour out before him! awake. Kiss me," said the child, climbing up the For a long time Oliver remained motionless in low gate, and flinging his little arms round Oliver's this attitude. The candle was burning low in the neck: "Good-bye, dear! God bless you!" socket when he rose to his feet. Having gazed cau- The blessing was from a young child's lips, but it tiously round him, and listened intently, he gently was the first that Oliver had ever heard invoked undid the fastenings of the door, and looked abroad. upon his head; and through the struggles and sufIt was a cold, dark night. The stars seemed, to the ferings, and troubles and changes, of his after-life, he boy's eyes, farther from the earth than he had ever never once forgot it. seen them before; there was no wind; and the sombre shadows thrown by the trees upon the ground, looked sepulchral and death-like, from being so still. He softly reclosed the door. Having availed himself CHAPTER VIII. of the expiring light of the candle to tie up in a handkerchief the few articles of wearing apparel OLIVER WALES TO LONDON. HE ENCOUNTERS ON THE he had, sat himself down upon a bench to wait for AD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN. morning. OLIVER reached the stile at which the by-path With the first ray of light that struggled through J terminated, and once more gained the highthe crevices in the shutters, Oliver arose, and again road. It was eight o'clock now. Though he was unbarred the door. One timid look around-one nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and moment's pause of hesitation-he had closed it be- hid behind the hedges, by turns, till noon, fearing hind him, and was in the open street. that he might be pursued and overtaken. Then he He looked to the right and to the left, uncertain sat down to rest by the side of the mile-stone, and bewhither to fly. He remembered to have seen the gan to think, for the first time, where he had better wagons, as they went out, toiling up the hill. He go and try to live. took the same route; and arriving at a foot-path The stone by which he was seated bore, in large across the fields, which he knew, after some dis- characters, an intimation that it was just seventy tance, led out again into the road, struck into it, miles from that spot to London. The name awakenand walked quickly on. ed a new train of ideas in the boy's mind. London! Along this same foot-path, Oliver well remember- -that great large place! - nobody - not even Mr. ed he had trotted beside Mr. Bumble, when he first Bumble —could ever find him there! He had often carried him to the work-house from the farm. His heard the old men in the work-house, too, say that way lay directly in front of the cottage. His heart no lad of spirit need want in London; and that there beat quickly when he bethought himself of this, and were ways of living in that vast city which those he half resolved to turn back. He had come a long who had been bred up in country parts had no idea way though, and should lose a great deal of time by of. It was the very place for a homeless boy, who doing so. Besides, it was so early that there was must die in the streets unless some one helped him. very little fear of his being seen; so he walked on. As these things passed through his thoughts, he He reached the house. There was no appearance jumped upon his feet and again walked forward. of its inmates stirring at that early hour. Oliver He had diminished the distance between himself stopped, and peeped into the garden. A child was and London by full four miles more, before he recolweeding one of the little beds; as he stopped, he lected how much he must undergo ere he could hope raised his pale face and disclosed the features of one to reach his place of destination. As this consideraof his former companions. Oliver felt glad to see tion forced itself upon him, he slackened his pace a him before he went; for, though younger than him- little, and meditated upon his means of getting there. self, he had been his little friend and playmate. He had a crust of bread, a coarse shirt, and two pairs They had been beaten, and starved, and shut up t - of stockings in his bundle. He had a penny too-a gether many and many a time. gift of Sowerberry's after some funeral in which he " Hush, Dick!" said Oliver, as the boy ran to the had acquitted himself more than ordinarily well-in gate, and thrust his thin arm between the rails to his pocket. "A clean shirt," thought Oliver, "is a greet him. "Is any one up?" very comfortable thing; and so are two pairs of "Nobody but me," replied the child. darned stockings; and so is a penny; but they are "You mustn't say you saw me, Dick," said Oliver. small helps to a sixty-five miles' walk in winter"I am running away. They beat and ill-use me, time." But Oliver's thoughts, like those of most Dick; and I am going to seek my fortune some other people, although they were extremely ready long way off. I don't know where. How pale you and active to point out his difficulties, were wholly are!" at a loss to suggest any feasible mode of surmount. THE YOUNG PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. 29 ing them; so, after a good deal of thinking to no passion, that they sank deeper into Oliver's soul, particular purpose, he changed his little bundle over than all the sufferings he had ever undergone. to the other shoulder, and trudged on, Early on the seventh morning after he had left his Oliver walked twenty miles that day; and all that native place, Oliver limped slowly into the little town time tasted nothing but the crust of dry bread, and of Barnet. The window-shutters were closed; the a few draughts of water, which he begged at the cot- street was empty; not a soul had awakened to the tage-doors by the road-side. When the night came, business of the day. The sun was rising in all its he turned into a meadow; and, creeping close under splendid beauty; but the light only served to show a hay-rick, determined to lie there till morning. He the boy his own lonesomeness and desolation, as he felt frightened at first, for the wind moaned dismally sat, with bleeding feet and covered with dust, upon over the empty fields; and he was cold and hungry, a door-step. and more alone than he had ever felt before. Being By degrees the shutters were opened; the windowvery tired with his walk, however, he soon fell asleep blinds were drawn up; and people began passing to and forgot his troubles. and fro. Some few stopped to gaze at Oliver for a He felt cold and stiff when he got up next morn- moment or two, or turned round to stare at him as ing, and so hungry that he was obliged to exchange they hurried by; but none relieved him, or troubled the penny for a small loaf, in the very first village themselves to inquire how he came there. He had through which he passed. He had walked no more no heart to beg. And there he sat. than twelve miles, when night closed in again. His He had been crouching on the step for some time: feet were sore, and his legs so weak that they trem- wondering at the great number of public-houses bled beneath him. Another night passed in the (every other house in Barnet was a tavern, large or bleak, damp air, made him worse; when he set for- small), gazing listlessly at the coaches as they passed ward on his journey next morning, he could hardly through, and thinking how strange it seemed that crawl along. they could do, with ease, in a few hours, what it had He waited at the bottom of a steep hill till a stage- taken him a whole week of courage and deteruminacoach came up, and then begged of the outside pas- tion beyond his years to accomplish: when he was sengers; but there were very few who took any no- roused by observing that a boy, who had passed him tice of him; and even those told him to wait till carelessly some minutes before, had returned, and they got to the top of the hill, and then let them see was now surveying him most earnestly from the ophow far he could run for a halfpenny. Poor Oliver posite side of the way. He took little heed of this tried to keep up with the coach a little way, but was at first; but the boy remained in the same attitude unable to do it, by reason of his fatigue and sore feet. of close observation so long, that Oliver raised his When the outsides saw this, they put their half- head, and returned his steady look. Upon this, the pence back into their pockets again, declaring that boy crossed over, and, walking close up to Oliver, said, he was an idle young dog, and didn't deserve any "Hullo, my covey! What's the row?" thing; and the coach rattled away and left only a The boy who addressed this inquiry to the young cloud of dust behind. wayfarer, was about his own age: but one of the In some villages, large painted boards were fixed queerest-looking boys that Oliver had ever seen. up, warning all persons who begged within the dis- He was a snub-nosed, flat-browed, commion-faced boy trict that they would be sent to jail. This fright- enough; and as dirty a juvenile as one would wish ened Oliver very much, and made him glad to get to see; but he ha4 about him all the airs and manilout of those villages with all possible expedition. In ners of a man. He was short of his age; witj raithothers, he would stand about the inn-yards, and look er bow legs, and little, sharp, ugly eyes. IHis hat was mournfully at every one who passed: a proceeding stuck on the top of his head so lightly, that it threatwhich generally terminated in the landlady's order- ened to fall off every moment-and would have done ing one of the post-boys who were lounging about so, very often, if the wearer had not had a knack of to drive that strange boy out of the place, for she every now and then giving his head a sudden twitch, was sure he had come to steal something. If he which brought it back to its old place again. He begged at a farmer's house, ten to one but they wore a man's coat, which reached nearly to his heels. threatened to set the dog on him; and when he He had turned the cuffs back, half-way up his arm, showed his nose in a shop, they talked about the to get his hands out of the sleeves: apparently with beadle-which brought Oliver's heart into his mouth the ultimate view of thrusting them into the pockets -very often the only thing he had there for many of his corduroy trowsers; for there he kept them. hours together. He was, altogether, as roystering and swaggering a In fact, if it had not been for a good-hearted turn- young gentleman as ever stood four feet six, or somepike-man, and a benevolent old lady, Oliver's trou- thing less, in his bluchers. bles would have been shortened by the very same " Hullo, my covey! What's the row?" said this process which had put an end to his mother's; in strange young gentleman to Oliver. other words, he would most assuredly have fallen "I am very hungry and tired," replied Oliver: the dead upon the king's highway. But the turnpike- tears standing in his eyes as he spoke. "I have man gave him a meal of bread and cheese; and the walked a long way. I have been walking these old lady, who had a shipwrecked grandson wander- seven days." ing barefoot in some distant part of the earth, took " Walking for sivin days!" said the young gentlepity upon the poor orphan, and gave him what little man. "Oh, I see. Beak's order, eh? But," he addshe could afford —a d more-with such kind and ed, noticing Oliver's look of surprise, " I suppose you gentle words, and such tears of sympathy and com- don't know what a beak is, my flash com-pan-i-on." 30 OLIVER TWIST. Oliver mildly replied, that he had always heard a which the strange boy eyed him from time to time bird's mouth described by the term in question. with great attention. " My eyes, how green!" exclaimed the young gen- "Going to London?" said the strange boy, when tleman. "Why, a beak's a madgst'rate; and when Oliver had at length concluded. you walk by a beak's order, it's not straight forerd. "Yes." but always a-going up, and nivir a-coming down agin. "Got any lodgings?" Was you never on the mill?" " No." "What mill?" inquired Oliver. "Money?" " What mill! Why, the mill-the mill as takes up " No." so little room that it'll work inside a Stone Jug; and The strange boy whistled, and put his arms into his always goes better when the wind's low with people, pockets as far as the big coat sleeves would let them go. than when it's high; acos then they can't get work- "Do you live in London?" inquired Oliver. men. But come," said the young gentleman; "you "Yes, I do, when I'm at home," replied the boy. want grub, and you shall have it. I'm at low-wa- "I suppose you want some place to sleep in to-night, ter-mark myself-only one bob and a magpie; but, don't you?", il, H lULLO, MY COVEY! VIIAT'S THIE ROW?" as far as it goes, I'll fork out and stump. Up with "I do, indeed," answered Oliver. "I have not slept you on your pins. There! Now then! Morrice!" under a roof since I left the country." Assisting Oliver to rise, the young gentleman took " Don't fret your eyelids on that score," said the him to an adjacent chandler's shop, where he pur- young gentleman. "I've got to be in London tochased a sufficiency of ready-dressed ham and a half- night; and I know a'spectable old genelman as lives quartern loaf, or, as he himself expressed it, " a four- there, wot'll give you lodgings for nothink, and nevpenny bran!" the ham being kept clean and pre- er ask for the change-that is, if any genelman he served from dust by the ingenious expedient of mak- knows interduces you. And don't he know me? ing a hole in the loaf by pulling out a portion of the Oh, no! not in the least! By no means. Certainly crumb, and stuffing it therein. Taking the bread not!" under his arm, the young gentleman turned into a The young gentleman smiled, as if to intimate that small public-house, and led the way to a tap-room in the latter fragments of discourse were playfully ironthe rear of the premises. Here a pot of beer was ical; and finished the beer as he did so. brought in by direction of the mysterious youth; This unexpected offer of shelter was too tempting and Oliver, falling to at his new friend's bidding, to be resisted; especially as it was immediately folmade a long and hearty meal, during the progress of lowed up, by the assurance that the old gentleman THE ARTFUL DODGER. 31 referred to would doubtless provide Oliver with a trade of the old kitchen staircase had been broken comfortable place, without loss of time. This led away. to a more friendly and confidential dialogue; from "There's two on you," said the man, thrusting the which Oliver discovered that his friend's name was candle farther out, and shading his eyes with his Jack Dawkins, and that he was a peculiar pet and hand. "Who's the t'other one?" protege' of the elderly gentleman before mentioned. "A new pal," replied Jack Dawkins, pulling OliMr. Dawkins's appearance did not say a vast deal ver forward. in favor of the comforts which his patron's interest "Where did he come from?" obtained for those whom he took under his protec- "Greenland. Is Fagin up stairs?" tion; but, as he had a rather flighty and dissolute "Yes; he's a sortin' the wipes. Up with you!" mode of conversing, and furthermore avowed that The candle was drawn back, and the face disapamong his intimate friends he was better known by peared. the sobriquet of " The artful Dodger," Oliver conclud- Oliver, groping his way with one hand, and haved that, being of a dissipated and careless turn, the ing the other firmly grasped by his companion, asmoral precepts of his benefactor had hitherto been cended with much difficulty the dark and broken thrown away upon him. Under this impression, he stairs; which his conductor mounted with an ease secretly resolved to cultivate the good opinion of the and expedition that showed he was well acquainted old gentleman as quickly as possible; and, if he with them. He threw open the door of a back-room, found the Dodger incorrigible, as he more than half and drew Oliver in after him. suspected he should, to decline the honor of his fur- The walls and ceiling of the room were perfectly ther acquaintance. black with age and dirt. There was a deal table beAs John Dawkins objected to their entering Lon- fore the fire: upon which were a candle stuck in a don before nightfall, it was nearly eleven o'clock ginger-beer bottle, two or three pewter pots, a loaf when they reached the turnpike at Islington. They and butter, and a plate. In a frying-pan, which was crossed from the Angel into St. John's road; struck on the fire, and which was secured to the manteldown the small street which terminates at Sadler's shelf by a string, some sausages were cooking; and Wells Theatre; through Exmouth Street and Cop- standing over them, with a toasting-fork in his hand, pice Row; down the little court by the side of the was a very old, shriveled Jew, whose villainous-lookwork-house; across the classic ground which once ing and repulsive face was obscured by a quantity of bore the name of Hockley-in-the-Hole; thence into matted red hair. He was dressed in a greasy flannel Little Saffron Hill; and so into Saffron Hill the gown, with his throat bare; and seemed to be dividGreat; along which the Dodger scudded at a rapid ing his attention between the frying-pan and a pace, directing Oliver to follow close at his heels. clothes-horse, over which a great number of silk Although Oliver had enough to occupy his atten- handkerchiefs were hanging. Several rough beds, tion in keeping sight of his leader, he could not help made of old sacks, were huddled side by side on the bestowing a few hasty glances on either side of the floor. Seated round the table were four or five boys, way, as he passed along. A dirtier or more wretch- none older than the Dodger, smoking long clay pipes ed place he had never seen. The street was very and drinking spirits, with the air of middle-aged narrow and muddy, and the air was impregnated men. These all crowded about their associates as with filthy odors. There were a good many small he whispered a few words to the Jew; and then shops; but the only stock-in-trade appeared to be turned round and grinned at Oliver. So did the Jew heaps of children, who, even at that time of night, himself, toasting-fork in hand. were crawling in and out at the doors, or screaming "This is him, Fagin," said Jack Dawkius; " my from the inside. The sole places that seemed to friend Oliver Twist." prosper amidst the general blight of the place were The Jew grinned; and, making a low obeisance to the public-houses; and in them the lowest orders of Oliver, took him by the hand, and hoped he should Irish were wrangling with might and main. Cov- have the honor of his intimate acquaintance. Upon ered ways and yards, which here and there diverged this, the young gentlemen with the pipes came round from the main street, disclosed little knots of houses, him, and shook both his hands very hard-especialwhere drunken men and women were positively wal- ly the one in which he held his little bundle. One lowing in filth; and from several of the door-ways, young gentleman was very anxious to hang up his great ill-looking fellows were cautiously emerging, cap for him; and another was so obliging as to put bound, to all appearance, on no very well-disposed his hands in his pockets, in order that, as he was very or harmless errands. tired, he might not have the trouble of emptying Oliver was just considering whether he hadn't bet- them himself when he went to bed. These civilities ter run away, when they reached the bottom of the would probably have been extended much farther, hill. His conductor, catching him by the arm, push- but for a liberal exercise of the Jew's toasting-fork ed open the door of a house near Field Lane; and, on the heads and shoulders of the affectionate youths drawing him into the passage, closed it behind them. who offered them. " Now, then!" cried a voice from below, in reply to " We are very glad to see you, Oliver, very," said a whistle from the Dodger. the Jew. " Dodger, take off the sausages; and draw " Plummy and slam!" was the reply. a tub near the fire for Oliver. Ah, you're a-staring This seemed to be some watch-word or signal that at the pocket-handkerchiefs! eh, my dear! There all was right; for the light of a feeble candle gleam- are a good many of'em, ain't there? We've just ed on the wall at the remote end of the passage; looked'em out, ready for the wash; that's all, Oliand a man's face peeped out from where a balus- ver-that's all. Ha! ha! ha!" 32 OLIVER TWIST. The latter part of this speech was hailed by a bois- up, a minute longer. No, no, no! F'ine fellows! terous shout from all the hopeful pupils of the merry Fine fellows!" old gentleman; in the midst of which they went to With these, and other muttered reflections of the supper. like nature, the Jew once more deposited the watch Oliver ate his share, and the Jew then mixed him in its place of safety. At least half a dozen more a glass of hot gin and water: telling him he must were severally drawn forth from the same box, and drink it off directly, because another gentleman surveyed with equal pleasure; besides rings, broochwanted the tumbler. Oliver did as he was desired. es, bracelets, and other articles of jewelry, of such Immediately afterward he felt himself gently lifted magnificent materials, and costly workmanship, that on to one of the sacks; and then he sunk into a Oliver had no idea even of their names. deep sleep. Having replaced these trinkets, the Jew took out another, so small that it lay in the palm of his hand. There seemed to be some very minute inscription on CHAPTER IX. it; for the Jew laid it fiat upon the table, and, shading it with his hand, pored over it, long and earnestCONTSAINING FARTHEE PMARTIULAR CONCERNING TH.E ly. At length he put it down, as if despairing of PLEASANT OLD GENTLEMAN AND HIS HOPEFUL PUPILS. success, and, leaning back in his chair, muttered: IT was late next morning when Oliver awoke, from "What a fine thing capital punishment is! Dead a sound, long sleep. There was no other person men never repent; dead men never bring awkward in the room but the old Jew, who was boiling some stories to light. Ah, it's a fine thing for the trade! coffee in a saucepan for breakfast, and whistling Five of'em strung up in a row, and none left to play softly to himself as he stirred it round and round booty, or turn white-livered!" with an iron spoon. He would stop every now and As the Jew uttered these words, his bright dark then to listen when there was the least noise below; eyes, which had been staring vacantly before him, and when he had satisfied himself, he would go on, fell on Oliver's face; the boy's eyes were fixed on his whistling and stirring again, as before. in mute curiosity; and although the recognition was Although Oliver had roused himself from sleep, he only for an instant-for the briefest space of time was not thoroughly awake. There is a drowsy state, that can possibly be conceived-it was enough to between sleeping and waking, when you dream more show the old man that he had been observed. He in five minutes with your eyes half open, and your- closed the lid of the box with a loud crash; and, layself half conscious of every thing that is passing ing his hand on a bread-knife which was on the taaround you, than you would in five nights with your ble, started furiously up. He trembled very much eyes fast closed, and your senses wrapped in perfect though; for, even in his terror, Oliver could see that unconsciousness. At such times, a mortal knows the knife quivered in the air. just enough of what his mind is doing, to form some "What's that?" said the Jew. "What do you glimmering conception of its mighty powers, its watch me for? Vhy are you awake? What have bounding from earth and spurning time and space, you seen? Speak out, boy! Quick —quick! for when freed fromn the restraint of its corporeal asso- your life!" ciate. "I wasn't able to sleep any longer, sir," replied Oliver was precisely in this condition. He saw Oliver, meekly. "I am very sorry if I have disturbed the Jew with his half-closed eyes; heard his low you, sir." whistling; and recognized the sound of the spoon "You were not awake an hour ago?" said the Jew, grating against the saucepan's sides; and yet the scowling fiercely on the boy. self-same senses were mentally engaged, at the same "No! No, indeed!" replied Oliver. time, in busy action with almost every body he had "Are you sure?" cried the Jew, with a still fiercer ever known. look than before, and a threatening attitude. When the coffee was done, the Jew drew the sauce- " Upon my word I was not, sir," replied Oliver, pan to the hob. Standing, then, in an irresolute at- earnestly. " I was not, indeed, sir." titude for a few minutes, as if he did not well know " Tush, tush, my dear!" said the Jew, abruptly rehow to employ himself, he turned round and looked suming his old manner, and playing with the knife at Oliver, and called him by his name. He did not a little, before he laid it down; as if to induce the answer, and was to all appearance asleep. belief that he had caught it up in mere sport. " Of After satisfying himself upon this head, the Jew course I know that, my dear. I only tried to frighten stepped gently to the door: which he fastened. He you. You're a brave boy. Ha! ha! you're a brave then drew forth, as it seemed to Oliver, from some boy, Oliver!" The Jew rubbed his hands with a trap in the floor, a small box, which he placed care- chuckle, but glanced uneasily at the box, notwithfully on the table. His eyes glistened as he raised standing. the lid and looked in. Dragging an old chair to the " Did you see any of these pretty things, rly dear?" table, he sat down; and took from it a magnificent said the Jew, laying his hand upon it after a short gold watch, sparkling with jewels. pause. "Aha!" said the Jew, shrugging up his shoulders, " Yes, sir," replied Oliver. and distorting every feature with a hideous grin. "Ah!" said the Jew, turning rather pale. "They "Clever dogs! Clever dogs! Staunch to the last! -they're mine, Oliver; my little property. All I Never told the old parson where they were. Never have to live upon, in my old age. The folks call me peached upon old Fagin! And why should they? a miser, my dear. Only a miser; that's all." It wouldn't have loosened the knot, or kept the drop Oliver thought the old gentleman must be a de IIN THE PLEASANT OLD GENTLEMAN'S HO USE. 33 cided miser to live in such a dirty place, with so hair over his eyes, and said he'd know better by-andmany watches; but, thinking that perhaps his fond- by; upon which the old gentleman, observing Oliver's ness for the Dodger and the other boys cost him a color mounting, changed the subject by asking wheth. good deal of money, he only cast a deferential look er there had been much of a crowd at the execution at the Jew, and asked if he might get up. that morning? This made him wonder more and " Certainly, my dear, certainly," replied the old more; for it was plain from the replies of the two gentleman. " Stay. There's a pitcher of water in boys that they had both been there; and Oliver natthe corner by the door. Bring it here; and I'll give urally wondered how they could possibly have found you a basin to wash in, my dear." time to be so very industrious. Oliver got up; walked across the room; and stoop- When the breakfast was cleared away, the merry ed for an instant to raise the pitcher. When he turned old gentleman and the two boys played at a very his head, the box was gone. curious and uncommon game, which was performed He had scarcely washed himself, and made every in this way: The merry old gentleman, placing a thing tidy by emptying the basin out of the win- snuff-box in one pocket of his trowsers, a note-case dow, agreeably to the Jew's directions, when the in the other, and a watch in his waistcoat pocket, Dodger returned, accompanied by a very sprightly with a guard-chain round his neck, and sticking a young friend, whom Oliver had seen smoking on the mock -diamond pin in his shirt, buttoned his coat previous night, and who was now formally intro- tight around him, and putting his spectacle-case and duced to him as Charley Bates. The four sat down, handkerchief in his pockets, trotted up and down to breakfast on the coffee, and some hot rolls and ham the room with a stick, in imitation of the manner in which the Dodger had brought home in the crown of which old gentlemen walk about the streets any hour his hat. in the day. Sometimes he stopped at the fire-place, "Well," said the Jew, glancing slyly at Oliver, and sometimes at the door, making believe that he and addressing himself to the Dodger, "I hope was staring with all his might into shop - windows. you've been at work this morning, my dears?" At such times he would look constantly round him, "Hard," replied the Dodger. for fear of thieves, and would keep slapping all his "As Nails," added Charley Bates. pockets in turn, to see that he hadn't lost any thing, "Good boys, good boys!" said the Jew. "What in such a very funny and natural manner, that Olihave you got, Dodger?" ver laughed till the tears ran down his face. All this "A couple of pocket-books," replied that young time the two boys followed him closely about, getgentleman. ting out of his sight, so nimbly, every time he turned "Lined?" inquired the Jew, with eagerness. round, that it was impossible to follow their motions. "Pretty well," replied the Dodger, producing two At last, the Dodger trod upon his toes, or ran upon pocket-books; one green, and the other red. his boot accidentally, while Charley Bates stumbled " Not so heavy as they might be," said the Jew, up against him behind; and in that one moment they after looking at the insides carefully; "but very took from him, with the most extraordinary rapidneat and nicely made. Ingenious workman, ain't he, ity, snuff-box, note-case, watch-guard, chain, shirtOliver?" pin, pocket-handkerchief, even the spectacle-case. "Very, indeed, sir," said Oliver. At which Mr. If the old gentleman felt a hand in any one of his Charles Bates laughed uproariously; very much to pockets, he cried out where it was; and then the the amazement of Oliver, who saw nothing to laugh game began all over again. at in any thing that had passed. When this game had been played a great many "And what have you got, my dear?" said Fagin times, a couple of young ladies called to see the to Charley Bates. young gentlemen; one of whom was named Bet, and "Wipes," replied Master Bates; at the same time the other Nancy. They wore a good deal of hair, producing four pocket-handkerchiefs. not very neatly turned up behind, and were rather "Well," said the Jew, inspecting them closely; untidy about the shoes and stockings. They were "they're very good ones, very. You haven't marked not exactly pretty, perhaps; but they had a great them well, though, Charley; so the marks shall be deal of color in their faces, and looked quite stout picked out with a needle, and we'll teach Oliver how and hearty. Being remarkably free and agreeable to do it. Shall us, Oliver, eh? Ha! ha! ha!" in their manners, Oliver thought them very nice girls " If you please, sir," said Oliver. indeed. As there is no doubt they were. "You'd like to be able to make pocket - handker- These visitors stopped a long time. Spirits were chiefs as easy as Charley Bates, wouldn't you, my produced, in consequence of one of the young ladies dear?" said the Jew. complaining of a coldness in her inside; and the con"Very much, indeed, if you'll teach me, sir," replied versation took a very convivial and improving turn. Oliver. At length Charley Bates expressed his opinion that Master Bates saw something so exquisitely ludi- it was time to pad the hoof. This, it occurred to crous in this reply, that he burst into another laugh; Oliver, must be French for going out; for, directly which laugh, meeting the coffee he was drinking, afterward, the Dodger, and Charley, and the two and carrying it down some wrong channel, very near- young ladies went away together, having been kindly terminated in his premature suffocation. ly furnished by the amiable old Jew with money to "He is so jolly green!" said Charley when he re- spend. covered, as an apology to the company for his unpo- " There, my dear," said Fagin. " That's a pleasant lite behavior. life, isn't it? They have gone out for the day." The Dodger said nothing, but he smoothed Oliver's "Have they done work, sir?" inquired Oliver. C 34 OLIVER TWIST. " Yes," said the Jew; "that is, unless they should no handkerchiefs to work upon for two or three unexpectedly come across any when they are out; days, and the dinners had been rather meagre. Perand they won't neglect it, if they do, my dear, de- haps these were reasons for the old gentleman's givpend upon it. Make'em your models, my dear. ing his assent; but, whether they were or no, he told Make'em your models," tapping the fire-shovel on Oliver he might go, and placed him under the joint the hearth to add force to his words: "do every guardianship of Charley Bates and his friend the thing they bid you, and take their advice in all mat- Dodger. ters-especially the Dodger's, my dear. He'll be a The three boys sallied out; the Dodger with his great man himself, and will make you one too, if you coat-sleeves tucked up, and his hat cocked, as usual; take pattern by him.-Is my handkerchief hanging Master Bates sauntering along with his hands in his out of my pocket, my dear?" said the Jew, stopping pockets; and Oliver between them, wondering where short. they were going, and what branch of manufacture "Yes, sir," said Oliver. he would be instrfcted in first. "See if you can take it out, without my feeling The pace at which they went was such a very it, as you saw them do when we were at play this lazy, ill-looking saunter, that Oliver soon began to morning." think his companions were going to deceive the Oliver held up the bottom of the pocket with one old gentleman, by not going to work at all. The hand, as he had seen the Dodger hold it, and drew Dodger had a vicious propensity, too, of pulling the the handkerchief lightly out of it with the other. caps from the heads of small boys and tossing them "Is it gone?" cried the Jew. down areas; while Charley Bates exhibited some "Here it is, sir," said Oliver, showiing it in his very loose notions concerning the rights of property, hand. by pilfering divers apples and onions from the stalls "You're a clever boy, my dear," said the playful at the kennel sides, and thrusting them into pockold gentleman, patting Oliver on the head approv- ets which were so surprisingly capacious, that they ingly. " I never saw a sharper lad. Here's a shil- seemed to undermine his whole suit of clothes in evling for you. If you go on in this way, you'll be the ery direction. These things looked so bad that 01greatest man of the time. And now come here, and iver was on the point of declaring his intention of I'll show you how to take the marks out of the hand- seeking his way back in the best way he could; kerchiefs." when his thoughts were suddenly directed into anOliver wondered what picking the old gentleman's other channel by a very mysterious change of bepocket in play had to do with his chances of being havior on the part of the Dodger. a great man. But, thinking that the Jew, being so They were just emerging from a narrow court not much his senior, must know best, he followed him far from the open square in Clerkenwell, which is quietly to the table, and was soon deeply involved yet called, by some strange perversion of terms, "The in his new study. Green," when the Dodger made a sudden stop; and, v _ laying his finger on his lip, drew his companions back again, with the greatest caution and circumnCHAPTER X. spection. "What's the matter?" demanded Oliver. OLIVER BECOMES BETTER ACQUAINTED WITH THE CHAR- "Hush!" replied the Dolger. "Do you see that ACTERS OF HIS NEW ASSOCIATES, AND PURCHASES EX- old cove at the book-stall?" IPERIFENCE AT A IHIGIH PRICE. BEING: A SIHORT BUT,"The old gentleman over the way?" said Oliver. VERY IMPORTANT CHAPTER IN THIS HISTORY. Yes, I see'~ Yes, I see him." OR many days Oliver remained in the Jew's "He'll do," said the Dodger. J room, picking the marks out of the pocket-hand- "A prime plant," observed Master Charley Bates. kerchiefs, (of which a great number were brought Oliver looked from one to the other, with the home,) and sometimes taking part in the game al- greatest surprise; but he was not permitted to make ready described, which the two boys and the Jew any inquiries; for the two boys walked stealthily played, regularly, every morning. At length he be- across the road, and slunk close behind the old gengan to languish for fresh air, and took many occa- tleman toward whom his attention had been directsions of earnestly entreating the old gentleman to ed. Oliver walked a few paces after therm; and, not allow him to go out to work, with his two corn- knowing whether to advance or retire, stood looking panions. on in silent amazement. Oliver was rendered the more anxious to be act- The old gentleman was a very respectable-looking ively employed, by what he had seen of the stern personage, with a powdered head and gold spectamorality of the old gentleman's character. When- cles. He was dressed in a bottle-green coat with a ever the Dodger or Charley Bates came home at black velvet collar; wore white trowsers; and carnight empty-handed, he would expatiate with great ried a smart bamboo cane under his arm. He had vehemence on the misery of idle and lazy habits; and taken up a book from the stall, and there he stood, would enforce upon them the necessity of an active reading away as hard as if he were in his elbowlife, by sending them supperless to bed. On one oc- chair in his own study. It is very possible that he casion, indeed, he even went so far as to knock them fancied himself there, indeed; for it was plain, from both down a flight of stairs; but this was carrying his abstraction, that he saw not the book-stall, nor out his virtuous precepts to an unusual extent. the street, nor the boys, nor, in short, any thing At length, one morning, Oliver obtained the per- but the book itself, which he was reading straight mission he had so eagerly sought. There had been through, turning over the leaf when he got to the OUT FOR A WALK. 35 bottom of a page, beginning at the top line of the But the old gentleman was not the only person next one, and going regularly on, with the greatest who raised the hue-ancl-cry. The Dodger and Masinterest and eagerness. ter Bates, unwilling to attract public attention by What was Oliver's horror and alarm as he stood a running down the open street, had merely retired few paces off, looking on with his eyelids as wide into the very first door-way round the corner. They open as they would possibly go, to see the Dodger no sooner heard the cry, and saw Oliver running, plunge his hand into the old gentleman's pocket, than, guessing exactly how the matter stood, they and draw from thence a handkerchief! To see him issued forth with great promptitude; and, shouting hand the same to Charley Bates; and finally to be- " Stop thief!" too, joined in the pursuit like good cithold them both running away round the corner at izens. full speed! Although Oliver had been brought up by philosIn an instant the whole mystery of the handker- ophers, he was not theoretically acquainted with the chiefs, and the watches, and the jewels, and the Jew, beautiful axiom that self-preservation is the first law _-,,_,:"'STOP THIEFI rushed upon the boy's mind. He stood, for a mo- of nature. If he had been, perhaps he would have ment, with the blood so tingling through all his been prepared for this. Not being prepared, howveins from terror, that he felt as if he were in a ever, it alarmed him the more; so away he went like burning fire; then, confused and frightened, he took the wind, with the old gentleman and the two boys to his heels; and, not knowing what he did, made roaring and shouting behind him. off as fast as he could lay his feet to the ground. "Stop thief! Stop thief!" There is a magic in This was all done in a minute's space. In the the sound. The tradesman leaves his counter, and very instant when Oliver began to run, the old gen- the carman his wagon; the butcher throws down tleman, putting his hand to his pocket, and miss- his tray; the baker his basket; the milkman his ing his handkerchief, turned sharp round. Seeing pail; the errand-boy his parcels; the school-boy his the boy scudding away at such a rapid pace, he very marbles; the pavior his pick-axe; the child his batnaturally concluded him to be the depredator; and, tledoor. Away they run, pell-mell, helter-skelter, shouting "Stop thief!" with all his might, made off slap - dash: tearing, yelling, screaming, knocking after him, book in hand. down the passengers as they turn the corners, rous. 36 OLIVER TWIST. ing up the dogs, and astonishing the fowls; and tearing his jacket half off his back, in proof thereof. streets, squares, and courts, re-echo with the sound. " Come, I know you; it won't do. WVill you stand "Stop thief! Stop thief!" The cry is taken up upon your legs, you young devil?" by a hundred voices, and the crowd accumulate at Oliver, who could hardly stand, made a shift to every turning. Away they fly, splashing through raise himself on his feet, and was at once lugged the mud, and rattling along the pavements: up go along the streets by the jacket-collar at a rapid pace. the windows, out run the people, onward bear the The gentleman walked on with them by the officer's mob —a whole audience desert Punch in the very side; and as many of the crowd as could achieve the thickest of the plot, and, joining the rushing throng, feat got a little ahead, and stared back at Oliver swell the shout, and lend fresh vigor to the cry, " Stop from time to time. The boys shouted in triumph; thief! Stop thief!" and on they went. "Stop thief!" Stop thief!" There is a passion for hunting something deeply implanted in the human breast. One wretched breathless child, panting with exhaustion; terror in his looks; agony in his eyes; CHAPTER XI. large drops of perspiration streaming down his face; strains every nerve to make head upon his pursuers; TREATS or MR. FANG, THE POLICE MAGISTRATE; AND and as they follow on his track, and gain upon him FURNISHES A SLIGHT SPECIMEN OF HIS MODE OF ADevery instant, they hail his decreasing strength with MINISTERING JUSTICE. still louder shouts, and whoop and scream with joy. r HE offense had been committed within the dis"Stop thief!" Ay, stop him, for God's sake, were it I trict, and indeed in the immediate neighborhood only in mercy! of, a very notorious metropolitan police office. The Stopped at last! A clever blow. He is down crowd had only the satisfaction of accompanying O1upon the pavement; and the crowd eagerly gather iver through two or three streets, and down a place round him: each new-comer jostling and struggling called Mutton Hill, when he was led beneath a low with the others to catch a glimpse. " Stand aside!" archway, and up a dirty court, into this dispensary " Give him a little air!" "Nonsense! he don't de- of summary justice, by the back way. It was a small serve it!" "Where's the gentleman" "Here he paved yard into which they turned; and here they is, coming down the street." "Make room there for encountered a stout man with a bunch of whiskers the gentleman!" "Is this the boy, sir?" "Yes." on his face, and a bunch of keys in his hand. Oliver lay, covered with mud and dust, and bleed- "What's the matter now?" said the man carelessly. ing from the mouth, looking wildly round upon the "A young fogle-hunter," replied the man who had heap of faces that surrounded him, when the old Oliver in charge. gentleman was officiously dragged and pushed into "Are you the party that's been robbed, sir?" inthe circle by the foremost of the pursuers. quired the man with the keys. " Yes," said the gentleman, " I am afraid it is the "Yes, I am," replied the old gentleman; "but I boy." am not sure that this boy actually took the hand"Afraid!" murmured the crowd. "That's a good kerchief. I-I would rather not press the case."'un!" "Must go before the magistrate now, sir," replied "Poor fellow!" said the gentleman, "he has hurt the man. " His worship will be disengaged in half himself." a minute. Now, young gallows!" " I did that, sir," said a great lubberly fellow, step- This was an invitation for Oliver to enter through ping forward; "and preciously I cut my knuckle a door which he unlocked as he spoke, and which agin' his mouth. I stopped him, sir." led into a stone cell. Here he was searched, and, The fellow touched his hat with a grin, expecting nothing being found upon him, locked up. something for his pains; but the old gentleman, ey- This cell was in shape and size something like an ing him with an expression of dislike, looked anx- area cellar, only not so light. It was most intoleraiously round, as if he contemplated running away bly dirty; for it was Monday morning; and it had himself: which it is very possible he might have at- been tenanted by six drunken people, who had been tempted to do, and thus have afforded another chase, locked up, elsewhere, since Saturday night. But this had not a police officer (who is generally the last per- is little. In our station-houses, men and women are son to arrive in such cases) at that moment made every night confined on the most trivial chargeshis way through the crowd, and seized Oliver by the word is worth noting-in dungeons, compared the collar. with which, those in Newgate, occupied by the most "Come, get up," said the man, roughly. atrocious felons, tried, found guilty, and under sen" It wasn't me indeed, sir. Indeed, indeed, it was tence of death, are palaces. Let any one who doubts two other boys," said Oliver, clasping his hands pas- this compare the two. sionately, and looking round. " They are here some- The old gentleman looked almost as rueful as Oliwhere." ver when the key grated in the lock. He turned "Oh no, they ain't," said the officer. He meant with a sigh to the book, which had been the innocent this to be ironical, but it was true besides; for the cause of all this disturbance. Dodger and Charley Bates had filed off down the first "There is something in that boy's face," said the convenient court they came to. " Come, get up!" old gentleman to himself as he walked slowly away,' Don't hurt him," said the old gentleman, compas- tapping his chin with the cover of the book, in a sionately. thoughtful manner; "something that touches and "Oh no, I won't hurt him," replied the officer, interests me. Can he be innocent? He looked like. TAKEN INTO C USTOD Y. 37 -By-the-bye," exclaimed the old gentleman, halting I "Who are you?" said Mr. Fang. very abruptly, and staring up into the sky, " Bless The old gentleman pointed, with some surprise, to my soul! Where have I seen something like that his card. look before?" "Officer!" said Mr. Fang, tossing the card conAfter musing for some minutes, the old gentleman temptuously away with the newspaper. "Who is walked, with the same meditative face, into a back this fellow?" anteroom opening from the yard; and there, retir- "My name, sir," said the old gentleman, speaking ing into a corner, called up before his mind's eye a like a gentleman, "my name, sir, is Brownlow. Pervast amphitheatre of faces over which a dusky cur- mit me to inquire the name of the magistrate who tain had hung for many years. " No," said the old offers a gratuitous and unprovoked insult to a regentleman, shaking his head; " it must be imagina- spectable person, under the protection of the bench." tion." Saying this, Mr. Brownlow looked round the office He wandered over them again. He had called as if in search of some person who would afford him them into view, and it was not easy to replace the the required information. shroud that had so long concealed them. There were " Officer!" said Mr. Fang, throwing the paper on the faces of friends, and foes, and of many that had one side, " what's this fellow charged with?" been almost strangers peering intrusively from the "He's not charged at all, your worship," replied crowd; there were the faces of young and blooming the officer. " He appears against the boy, your worgirls that were now old women; there were faces ship." that the grave had changed and closed upon, but His worship knew this perfectly well; but it was which the mind, superior to its power, still dressed a good annoyance, and a safe one. in their old freshness and beauty, calling back the "Appears against the boy, does he?" said Fang, lustre of the eyes, the brightness of the smile, the surveying Mr. Brownlow contemptuously from head beaming of the soul through its mask of clay, and to foot. " Swear him!" whispering of beauty beyond the tomb, changed but " Before I am sworn, I must beg to say one word," to be heightened, and taken from earth only to be set said Mr. Brownlow: " and that is, that I really nevup as a light, to shed a soft and gentle glow upon er, without actual experience, could have believed-" the path to heaven. "Hold your tongue, sir," said Mr. Fang, perempBut the old gentleman could recall no one connte- torily. nance of which Oliver's features bore a trace. So, " I will not, sir!" replied the old gentleman. he heaved a sigh over the recollections he had awak- "Hold your tongue this instant, or I'll have you ened; and being, happily for himself, an absent old turned out of the office!" said Mr. Fang. " You're gentleman, buried them again in the pages of the an insolent, impertinent fellow. How dare you bully musty book. a magistrate?" He was roused by a touch on the shoulder, and a "What!" exclaimed the old gentleman, reddenrequest from the man with the keys to follow him ing. into the office. He closed his book hastily, and was "Swear this person," said Fang to the clerk. " I'll at once ushered into the imposing presence of the not hear another word. Swear him." renowned Mr. Fang. Mr. Brownlow's indignation was greatly roused; The office was a front parlor, with a paneled wall. but reflecting, perhaps, that he might only injure the Mr. Fang sat behind a bar, at the upper end; and on boy by giving vent to it, he suppressed his feelings one side the door was a sort of wooden pen in which and submitted to be sworn at once. poor little Oliver was already deposited; trembling "Now," said Fang, "what's the charge against very much at the awfulness of the scene. this boy? What have you got to say, sir?" Mr. Fang was a lean, long-backed, stiff-necked, " I was standing at a book-stall-" Mr. Brownlow middle-sized man, with no great quantity of hair, began. and what he had, growing on the back and sides of " Hold your tongue, sir," said Mr. Fang. " Policehis head. His face was stern, and much flushed. If man! Where's the policeman? Here, swear this he were really not in the habit of drinking rather policeman. Now, policeman, what is this?" more than was exactly good for him, he might have The policeman, with becoming humility, related brought an action against his countenance for Libel, how he had taken the charge; how he had searched and have recovered heavy damages.> Oliver, and found nothing on his person; and how The old gentleman bowed respectfully; and ad- that was all he knew about it. vancing to the magistrate's desk, said, suiting the "Are there any witnesses?" inquired Mr. Fang. action to the word, "That is my name and address, " None, your worship," replied the policeman. sir." He then withdrew a pace or two; and, with Mr. Fang sat silent for some minutes, and then, another polite and gentlemanly inclination of the turning round to the prosecutor, said in a towering head, waited to be questioned. passion, Now, it so happened that Mr. Fang was at that " Do you mean to state what your complaint against moment perusing a leading article in a newspaper this boy is, man, or do you. not? You have been of the morning, adverting to some recent decision of sworn. Now, if you stand there, refusing to give his, and commending him, for the three hundred and evidence, I'll punish you for disrespect to the bench; fiftieth time, to the special and particular notice of I will, by-" the Secretary of State for the Home Department. By what, or by whom, nobody knows, for the clerk He was out of temper; and he, looked up with an and jailer coughed very loud, just at the right moangry scowl. ment; and the former dropped a heavy book upon 38 OLIVER TWIST. the floor, thus preventing the word from being hastily into the office, and advanced toward the heard-accidentally, of course. bench. With many interruptions, and repeated insults, "Stop, stop! Don't take him away! For HeavMr. Brownlow contrived to state his case; observing en's sake stop a moment!" cried the new-comer, that, in the surprise of the moment, he had run after breathless with haste. the boy because he saw him running away; and ex- Although the presiding Genii in such an office as pressing his hope that, if the magistrate should be- this exercise a summary and arbitrary power over lieve him, although not actually the thief, to be con- the liberties, the good name, the character, almost neeted with thieves, he would deal as leniently with the lives, of Her Majesty's subjects, especially of the him as justice would allow. poorer class; and although, within such walls, "He has been hurt already," said the old gentle- enough fantastic tricks are daily played to make the man, in conclusion. "And I fear," he added, with angels blind with weeping; they are closed to the great energy, looking toward the bar, " I really fear public, save through the medium of the daily press.' that he is ill." Mr. Fang was consequently not a little indignant to " Oh! yes, I dare say!" said Mr. Fang, with a sneer. see an unbidden guest enter in such irreverent dis"Come, none of your tricks here, you young vaga- order. bond; they won't do. What's your name?" "What is this? Who is this? Turn this man Oliver tried to reply, but his tongue failed him. out. Clear the office!" cried Mr. Fang. He was deadly pale-; and the whole place seemed "I wvill speak," cried the man; "I will not be turning round and round. turned out. I saw it all. I keep the book-stall. I " What's your name, you hardened scoundrel?" de- demand to be sworn. I will not be put down. Mr. manded Mr. Fang. " Officer, what's his name?" Fang, you must hear me. You must not refuse, sir." This was addressed to a bluff old fellow in a striped The man was right. His manner was determined; waistcoat, who was standing by the bar. He bent and the matter was growing rather too serious to be over Oliver, and repeated the inquiry; but finding hushed up. him really incapable of understanding the question, "Swear the man," growled Mr. Fang, with a very and knowing that his not replying would only in- ill grace. "Now, man, what have you got to say?" furiate the magistrate the more, and add to the se- "This," said the man: "I saw three boys-two verity of his sentence, he hazarded a guess. others and the prisoner here-loitering on the oppo" He says his name's Tom White, your worship," site side of the way, when this gentleman was readsaid this kind-hearted thief-taker. ing. The robbery was committed by another boy. " Oh, he won't speak out, won't he?" said Fang. I saw it done; and I saw that this boy was perfect"' Very well, very well. Where does he live?" ly amazed and stupefied by it." Having by this "Where he can, your worship," replied the officer; time recovered a little breath, the worthy book-stall again pretending to receive Oliver's answer. keeper proceeded to relate, in a more coherent man"Has he any parents?" inquired Mr. Fang. ner, the exact circumstances of the robbery. " He says they died in his infancy, your worship," "Why didn't you come here before?" said Fang, replied the officer, hazarding the usual reply. after a pause. At this point of the inquiry, Oliver raised his head; "I hadn't a soul to mind the shop," replied the and, looking round with imploring eyes, murmured man. "Every body who could have helped me had a feeble prayer for a draught of water. joined in the pursuit. I could get nobody till five " Stuff and nonsense!" said Mr. Fang: "don't try minutes ago; and I have run here all the way." to make a fool of mle." "The prosecutor was reading, was he?" inquired "I think he really is ill, your worship," remon- Fang, after another pause. strated the officer. " Yes," replied the man. "The very book he has "I know better," said Mr. Fang. in his hand." "Take care of him, officer," said the old gentle- "Oh, that book, eh?" said Fang. " Is it paid for?" man, raising his hands instinctively; "he'll fall "No, it is not," replied the man, with a smile. down." " Dear me, I forgot all about it!" exclaimed the " Stand away, officer," cried Fang; " let him, if absent old gentleman, innocently. he likes." "A nice person to prefer a charge against a poor Oliver availed himself of the kind permission, and boy!" said Fang, with a comical effort to look hufell to the floor in a fainting fit. The men in the of- mane. " I consider, sir, that you have obtained posfice looked at each other, but no one dared to stir. session of that book under very suspicious and dis"I knew he was shamming," said Fang, as if this reputable circumstances; and you may think yourwere incontestable proof of the fact. "Let him lie self very fortunate that the owner of the property there; he'll soon be tired of that." declines to prosecute. Let this be a lesson to you, " How do you propose to deal with the case, sir?" my man, or the law will overtake you yet. The boy inquired the clerk in a low voice. is discharged. Clear the office." " Summarily," replied Mr. Fang. " He stands com- "D-n me!" cried the old gentleman, bursting out mitted for three months- hard labor, of course. with the rage he had kept down so long, "d-n me! Clear the office." I'll " The door was opened for this purpose, and a con- "Clear the office!" said the magistrate, " Officers, ple of men were preparing to carry the insensible do you hear? Clear the office!" boy to his cell; when an elderly man of decent but M'oor appearance, clad in an old suit of black, rushed * Or were virtually, then. GETTING BETTER. 39 The mandate was obeyed; and the indignant Mr. have been very bad-as bad as bad could be, pretty Brownlow was conveyed out, with the book in one nigh. Lie down again; there's a dear!" With those hand and the bamboo cane in the other, in a per- words, the old lady very gently placed Oliver's head feet frenzy of rage and defiance. He reached the upon the pillow; and, smoothing back his hair from yard; and his passion vanished in a moment. Little his forehead, looked so kind and lovingly in his face, Oliver Twist lay on his back on the pavement, with that he could not help placing his little withered his shirt unbuttoned, and his temples bathed with hand in hers, and drawing it round his neck. water; his face a deadly white; and a cold tremble " Save us!" said the old lady, with tears in her convulsing his whole frame. eyes, "What a grateful little dear it is! Pretty "Poor boy! poor boy!" said Mr. Brownlow, bend- creetur! What would his mother feel if she had sat irpg over him. "Call a coach, somebody, pray. Di- by him as I have, and could see him now!" rectly!" Perhaps she does see me," whispered Oliver, foldA coach was obtained, and Oliver, having been ing his hands together; " perhaps she has sat by me. carefully laid on one seat, the old gentleman got in I almost feel as if she had." and sat himself on the other. " That was the fever, my dear," said the old lady, " May I accompany you?" said the book-stall keep- mildly. er, looking in. " I suppose it was," replied Oliver, "because heav" Bless me, yes, my dear sir," said Mr. Brownlow en is a long way off; and they are too happy there, quickly. " I forgot you. Dear, dear! I have this to come down to the bedside of a poor boy. But if unhappy bookstill! Jump in. Poor fellow! There's she knew I was ill, she must have pitied me, even no time to lose." there; for she was very ill herself before she died. The book-stall keeper got into the coach; and She can't know any thing about me, though," added way they drove. Oliver, after a moment's silence. " If she had seen me hurt, it would have made her sorrowful; and her face has always looked sweet and happy, when I have dreamed of her." CHAPTER XII. The old lady made no reply to this; but wiping her tears first, and her spectacles, which lay on the N OIVER WA TKEN BETTEAND IN WHICH THARE OF THAN RRATIVE counterpane, afterward, as if they were part and REVER WAS OBEFOE. ANR IN OwL IC THE NARRATIVE parcel of those features, brought some cool stuff for REVERTS TO THE MERRY OLD GENTLEMAN AND HIS EVERTYOUTHFUL FRIENDS. MERRYOLDGENTLEMANAND Oliver to drink; and then, patting him on the cheek, told him he must lie very quiet, or he would be ill THE coach rattled away, over nearly the same again. ground as that which Oliver had traversed when So Oliver kept very still; partly because he was he first entered London in company with the Dodger; anxious to obey the kind old lady in all things; and and, turning a different way when it reached the partly, to tell the truth, because he was completely Angel at Islington, stopped at length before a neat exhausted with what he had already said. He soon house, in a quiet shady street near Pentonville. fell into a gentle doze, from which he was awakened Here a bed was prepared, without loss of time, in by the light of a candle; which, being brought near which Mr. Brownlow saw his young charge carefully the bed, showed him a gentleman with a very large and comfortably deposited; and here he was tended and loud-ticking gold watch in his hand, who felt with a kindness and solicitude that knew no bounds. his pulse, and said he was a great deal better. But, for many days, Oliver remained insensible to "You are a great deal better, are you not, my all the goodness of his new friends. The sun rose dear?" said the gentleman. and sank, and rose and sank again, and many times "Yes, thank you, sir," replied Oliver. after that; and still the boy lay stretched on his un- "Yes, I know you are," said the gentleman. easy bed, dwindling away beneath the dry and wast- "You're hungry too, ain't you?" ing heat of fever. The worm does not his work more " No, sir," answered Oliver. surely on the dead body, than does this slow creeping "Hem!" said the gentleman. "No, I know you're fire upon the living frame. not. He is not hungry, Mrs. Bedwin," said the genWeak, and thin, and pallid, he awoke at last from tieman, looking very wise. what seemed to have been a long and troubled dream. The old lady made a respectful inclination of the Feebly raising himself in the bed, with his head rest- head, which seemed to say that she thought the docing on his trembling arm, he looked anxiously around. tor was a very clever man. The doctor appeared "What room is this? Where have I been brought much of the same opinion himself. to?" said Oliver. "This is not the place I went to "You feel sleepy,, don't you, my dear?" said the sleep in." doctor. He uttered these words in a feeble voice, being "No, sir," replied Oliver. very faint and weak; but they were overheard at "No," said the doctor, with a very shrewd and once. The curtain at the bed's head was hastily satisfied look. "You are not sleepy. Nor thirsty. drawn back, and a motherly old lady, very neatly Are you?" and precisely dressed, rose, as she undrew it, from an " Yes, sir, rather thirsty," answered Oliver. arm-chair close by, in which she had been sitting at "Just as I expected, Mrs. Bedwin," said the docneedle-work. tor. "It's very natural that he should be thirsty. "Hush, my dear," said the old lady, softly. "You You may give him a little tea, ma'am, and some dry must be very quiet, or you will be ill again; and you toast without any butter. Don't keep him too warm, 40 OLIVER TWIST. ma'am; but be careful that you don't let him be too to the regulation strength, for three hundred and cold; will you have the goodness?" fifty paupers, at the lowest computation. The old lady dropped a courtesy. The doctor, af- "Are you fond of pictures, dear?" inquired the ter tasting the cool stuff, and expressing a qualified old lady, seeing that Oliver had fixed his eyes, most approval of it, hurried away, his boots creaking in intently, on a portrait which hung against the wall, a very important and wealthy manner as he went just opposite his chair. down stairs. " I don't quite know, ma'am," said Oliver, without Oliver dozed off again soon after this; when he taking his eyes from the canvas; " I have seen so few awoke, it was nearly twelve o'clock. The old lady that I hardly know. What a beautiful, mild face tenderly bade him good-night shortly afterward, and that lady's is!" left him in charge of a fat old woman who had just "Ah!" said the old lady, " painters always make come; bringing with her, in a little bundle, a small ladies out prettier than they are, or they wouldn't Prayer-book and a large night-cap. Putting the lat- get any custom, child. The man that invented the ter on her head and the former on the table, the old machine for taking likenesses might have known woman, after telling Oliver that she had come to sit that would never succeed; it's a deal too honest. up with him, drew her chair close to the fire and A deal," said the old lady, laughing very heartily at went off into a series of short naps, checkered at fre- her own acuteness. quent intervals with sundry tumblings forward, and "Is-is that a likeness, ma'am?" said Oliver. divers moans and chokings. These, however, had "Yes," said the old lady, looking up for a moment no worse effect than causing her to rub her nose from the broth; "that's a portrait." very hard, and then fall asleep again. "Whose, ma'am?" asked Oliver. And thus the night crept slowly on. Oliver lay "Why, really, my dear, I don't know," answered awake for some time, counting the little circles of the old lady, in a good-humored manner. " It's not light which the reflection of the rush-light shade a likeness of any body that you or I know, I expect. threw upon the ceiling, or tracing with his languid It seems to strike your fancy, dear." eyes the intricate pattern of the paper on the wall. "It is so very pretty," replied Oliver. The darkness and the deep stillness of the room were "Why, sure you're not afraid of it?" said the old very solemn: as they brought into the boy's mind lady; observing, in great surprise, the look of awe the thought that death had been hovering there, for with which the child regarded the painting. many days and nights, and might yet fill it with " Oh, no, no!" returned Oliver, quickly; "but the the gloom and dread of his awful presence, he turn- eyes look so sorrowful; and where I sit, they seem ed his face upon the pillow, and fervently prayed to fixed upon me. It makes my heart beat," added Heaven. Oliver in a low voice, " as if it was alive, and wanted Gradually he fell into that deep tranquil sleep to speak to me, but couldn't." which ease from recent suffering alone imparts; that "Lord save us!" exclaimed the old lady, startcalm and peaceful rest which it is pain to wake from. ing; "don't talk in that way, child. You're weak Who, if this were death, would be roused again to all and nervous after your illness. Let me wheel your the struggles and turmoils of life; to all its cares for chair round to the other side; and then you won't the present, its anxieties for the future; more than see it. There!" said the old lady, suiting the action all, its weary recollections of the past! to the word; "you don't see it now, at all events." It had been bright day for hours, when Oliver Oliver did see it in his mind's eye as distinctly as opened his eyes; he felt cheerful and happy. The if he had not altered his position; but he thought it crisis of the disease was safely past. He belonged better not to worry the kind old lady; so he smiled to the world again. gently when she looked at him; and Mrs. Bedwin, In three days' time he was able to sit in an easy- satisfied that he felt more comfortable, salted and chair, well propped up with pillows; and, as he was broke bits of toasted bread into the broth, with all still too weak to walk, Mrs. Bedwin had him carried the bustle befitting so solemn a preparation. Oliver down stairs into the little housekeeper's room, which got through it with extraordinary expedition. He belonged to her. Having him set here, by the fire- had scarcely swallowed the last spoonful, when there side, the good old lady sat herself down too; and, came a soft rap at the door. " Come in," said the old being in a state of considerable delight at seeing lady; and in walked Mr. Brownlow. him so much better, forthwith began to cry most Now, the old gentleman came in as brisk as need violently. be; but he had no sooner raised his spectacles on his "Never mind me, my dear," said the old lady. forehead, and thrust his hands behind the skirts of "I'm only having a regular good cry. There; it's his dressing-gown to take a good long look at Oliver, all over now; and I'm quite comfortable." than his countenance underwent a very great variety "You're very, very kind to me, ma'am," said Oliver. of odd contortions. Oliver looked very worn and "Well, never you mind that, my dear," said the shadowy from sickness, and made an ineffectual atold lady; " that's got nothing to do with your broth; tempt to stand up, out of respect to his benefactor, and it's full time you had it; for the doctor says Mr. which terminated in his sinking back into the chair Brownlow may come in to see you this morning, and again; and the fact is, if the truth must be told, that we must get up our best looks, because the better we Mr. Brownlow's heart, being large enough for any six look the more he'll be pleased." And with this, the ordinary old gentlemen of humane disposition, forced old lady applied herself to warming up, in a little a supply of tears into his eyes, by some hydraulic saucepan, a basinful of broth, strong enough, Oliver process which we are not sufficiently philosophical to thought, to furnish an ample dinner, when reduced be in a condition to explain. BETTER AND BETTER. 41 "Poor boy! poor boy!" said Mr. Brownlow, clear- gard for themselves; and forasmuch as the freedom ing his throat. "I'm rather hoarse this morning, of the subject and the liberty of the individual are Mrs. Bedwin. I'm afraid I have caught cold." among the first and proudest boasts of a true-hearted "I hope not, sir," said Mrs. Bedwin. " Every thing Englishman, so, I need hardly beg the reader to obyou have had has been well aired, sir." serve, that this action should tend to exalt them in "I don't know, Bedwin. I don't know," said Mr. the opinion of all public and patriotic men, in almost Brownlow; "I rather think I had a damp napkin at as great a degree as this strong proof of their anxidinner-time yesterday; but never mind that. How ety for their own preservation and safety goes to do you feel, my dear?" corroborate and confirm the little code of laws which "Very happy, sir," replied Oliver. "And very certain profound and sound-judging philosophers grateful indeed, sir, for your goodness to me." have laid down as the mainsprings of all Nature's "Good boy," said Mr. Brownlow, stoutly. " Have deeds and actions; the said philosophers very wisely you given him any nourishment, Bedwin? Any slops, reducing the good lady's proceedings to matters of eh?" maxim and theory, and, by a very neat and pretty "He has just had a basin of beautiful strong broth, compliment to her exalted wisdom and understandsir," replied Mrs. Bedwin; drawing herself up slight- ing, putting entirely out of sight any considerations ly, and laying a strong emphasis on the last word, of heart, or generous impulse and feeling. For these to intimate that between slops and broth well com- are matters totally beneath a female who is acknowlpounded there existed no affinity or connection what- edged by universal admission to be far above the nusoever. merous little foibles and weaknesses of her sex. " Ugh!" said Mr. Brownlow, with a slight shud- If I wanted any further proof of the strictly philder; "a couple of glasses of port-wine would have osophical nature of the conduct of these young gendone him a great deal more good. Wouldn't they, tlemen in their very delicate predicament, I should Tom White, eh?" at once find it in the fact (also recorded in a forego" My name is Oliver, sir," replied the little invalid: ing part of this narrative), of their quitting the purwith a look of great astonishment. suit, when the general attention was fixed upon Oli" Oliver," said Mr. Brownlow; "Oliver what? 01- ver; and making immediately for their home by the iver White, eh?" shortest possible cut. Although I do not mean to "No, sir; Twist-Oliver Twist." assert that it is usually the practice of renowned and "Queer name!" said the old gentleman. "What learned sages to shorten the road to any great conmade you tell the magistrate your name was White?" elusion (their course, indeed, being rather to length"I never told him so, sir," returned Oliver, in en the distance, by various circumlocutions and disamazement. cursive staggerings, like unto those in which drunkThis sounded so like a falsehood, that the old gen- en men under the pressure of a too mighty flow of tleman looked somewhat sternly in Oliver's face. It ideas, are prone to indulge); still, I do mean to say, was impossible to doubt him; there was truth in ev- and do say distinctly, that it is the invariable pracery one of its thin and sharpened lineaments. tice of manymighty philosophers, in carrying outtheir "Some mistake," said Mr. Brownlow. But, al- theories, to evince great wisdom and foresight in prothough his motive for looking steadily at Oliver no viding against every possible contingency which can longer existed, the old idea of the resemblance be- be supposed at all likely to affect themselves. Thus, tween his features and some familiar face came upon to do a great right, you may do a little wrong; and him so strongly, that he could not withdraw his you may take any means which the end to be atgaze. tained will justify; the amount of the right, or the " I hope you are not angry with me, sir?" said Ol- amount of the wrong, or, indeed, the distinction beiver, raising his eyes beseechingly. tween the two, being left entirely to the philosopher "No, no," replied the old gentleman. "Why! concerned, to be settled and determined by his clear, what's this? Bedwin, look there!" comprehensive, and impartial view of his own parAs he spoke, he pointed hastily to the picture ticular case. above Oliver's head, and then to the boy's face. It was not until the two boys had scoured, with There was its living copy. The eyes, the head, the great rapidity, through a most intricate maze of narmouth-every feature was the same. The expres- row streets and courts, that they ventured to halt sion was, for the instant, so precisely alike, that the beneath a low and dark archway. Having remainminutest line seemed copied with startling accuracy! ed silent here, just long enough to recover breath Oliver knew not the cause of this sudden excla- to speak, Master Bates uttered an exclamation of mation; for, not being strong enough to bear the amusement and delight; and, bursting into an unstart it gave him, he fainted'away. A weakness on controllable fit of laughter, flung himself upon a doorhis part, which affords the narrative an opportunity step, and rolled thereon in a transport of mirth. of relieving the reader from suspense, in behalf of "What's the matter?" inquired the Dodger. the two young pupils of the Merry Old Gentleman; "Ha! ha! ha!" roared Charley Bates. and of recording- "Hold your noise," remonstrated the Dodger, lookThat when the Dodger, and his accomplished friend ing cautiously round. "Do you want to be grabbed, Master Bates, joined in the hue-and-cry which was stupid?" raised at Oliver's heels, in consequence of their exe- "I can't help it," said Charley, " I can't help it! cuting an illegal conveyance of Mr. Brownlow's per- To see him splitting away at that pace, and cutting sonal property, as has been already described, they round the corners, and knocking up again the posts, were actuated by a very laudable and becoming re- and starting on again as if he was made of iron as 42 OLIVER TWIST. well as them, and me with the wipe in my pocket, The noise of footsteps on the creaking stairs, a few singing out arter him-oh, my eye!" The vivid im- minutes after the occurrence of this conversation, agination of Master Bates presented the scene before roused the merry old gentleman as he sat over the him in too strong colors. As he arrived at this apos- fire with a saveloy and a small loaf in his left hand; trophe, he again rolled upon the door-step, and laugh- a pocket-knife in his right; and a pewter pot on the ed louder than before. trivet. There was a rascally smile on his Mwhite face "What'll Fagin say?" iinquired the Dodger; tak- as he turned round, and, looking sharply out from ing advantage of the next interval of breathlessness under his thick red eyebrows, bent his ear toward on the part of his friend to propound the question. the door, and listened. " What?" repeated Charley Bates. "Why, how's this?" muttered the Jew, changing "Ah, what?" said the Dodger. countenance; "only two of'em? Where's the third? "Why, what should he say?" inquired Charley, They can't have got into trouble. Hark!" stopping rather suddenly in his merriment; for the The footsteps approached nearer; they reached Dodger's manner was impressive. "What should the landing. The door was slowly opened; and the he say'?" Dodger and Charley Bates entered, closing it behind Mr. Dawkins whistled for a couple of minutes; them. r tl//t " WHAT'S BEOOME OF THE BOY?" then, taking off his hat, scratched his head, and nod- CHAPTER XIII. ded thrice. "What do you mean?" said Charley. SOME NEW ACQUAINTANCES ARE INTRODUCED TO THE "What do you mean " said Charley. INTELLIGENT READER, CONNECTED WITH WHOM VARI"Toor rul lol loo, gammon and spinnage, the frog INTELLIGENT MATTER CONNECTED WITH WHOM AIN RIOUS PLEASANT MATTERS ARE RELATED APPERTAINING he wouldn't, and high cockolorum," said the Dodger, TO THIS HISTORY. with a slight sneer on his intellectual countenance. This was explanatory, but not satisfactory. Mas- "~ THERE'S Oliver?" said the Jew, rising with a ter Bates felt it so; and again said, "What do you VV menacing look. " Where's the boy?" mean?" The young thieves eyed their preceptor as if they The Dodger made no reply; but putting his hat were alarmed at his violence; and looked uneasily on again, and gathering the skirts of his long-tailed at each other. But they made no reply. coat under his arm, thrust his tongue into his cheek, " What's become of the boy?" said the Jew, seizslapped the bridge of his nose some half-dozen times ing the Dodger tightly by the collar, and threatenin a familiar but expressive manner, and, turning on ing him with horrid imprecations. " Speak out, or his heel, slunk down the court. Master Bates fol- I'll throttle you!" lowed with a thoughtful countenance. Mr. Fagin looked so Very much in earnest, that A NEW A CQUAINTANCE. 43 Charley Bates, who deemed it prudent in all cases twenty times in a minute, appeared to occupy himto be on the safe side, and who conceived it by no self in taking a survey of the apartment. means improbable that it might be his turn to be "What are you up to? Ill-treating the boys, you throttled second, dropped upon his knees, and raised covetous, avaricious, in-sa-ti-a-ble old fence?" said a loud, well-sustained, and continuous roar-some- the man, seating himself deliberately. "I wonder thing between a mad bull and a speaking-trumpet. they don't murder you! I would if I was them. If'"Will you speak?" thundered the Jew: shaking I'd been your'prentice, I'd have done it long ago, the Dodger so much that his keeping in the big coat and —no, I couldn't haye sold you afterward, for at all seemed perfectly miraculous. you're fit for nothing but keeping as a curiosity of " Why, the traps have got him, and that's all about ugliness in a glass bottle, and I suppose they don't it," said the Dodger, sullenly. " Come, let go o' me, blow glass bottles large enough." will you!" And, swinging himself, at one jerk, clean "Hush! hush! Mr. Sikes," said the Jew, trembling; out of the big coat, which he left in the Jew's hands, "don't speak so loud." the Dodger snatched up the toasting-fork and made a "None of your mistering," replied the ruffian; pass at the merry old gentleman's waistcoat; which, "you always mean mischief when you come that. if it had taken effect, would have let a little more You know my name: out with it! I sha'n't disgrace merriment out than could have been easily replaced. it when the time comes." The Jew stepped back in this emergency, with "Well, well, then-Bill Sikes," said the Jew, with more agility than could have been anticipated in a abject humility. " You seem out of humor, Bill." man of his apparent decrepitude; and, seizing up the "Perhaps I am," replied Sikes; "I should think pot, prepared to hurl it at his assailant's head. But you was rather out of sorts too, unless you mean as Charley Bates, at this moment, calling his attention little harm when you throw pewter pots about, as by a perfectly terrific howl, he suddenly altered its you do when you blab and-" destination, and flung it full at that young gentle- "Are you mad?" said the Jew, catching the man man. by the sleeve, and pointing toward the boys. "Why, what the blazes is in the wind now? " Mr. Sikes contented himself with tying an imagigrowled a deep voice. "Who pitched that'ere at nary knot under his left ear, and jerking his head over me? It's well it's the beer, and not the pot, as hit on the right shoulder; a piece of dumb show which me, or I'd have settled somebody. I might have the Jew appeared to understand perfectly. He then, know'd, as nobody but an infernal, rich, plundering, in cant terms, with which his whole conversation thundering old Jew could afford to throw away any was plentifully besprinkled, but which would be drink but water-and not that, unless he done the quite unintelligible if they were recorded here, deRiver Company every quarter. Wot's it all about, manded a glass of liquor. Fagin? D- me, if my neck-handkercher an't lined "And mind you don't poison it," said Mr. Sikes, with beer! Come in, you sneaking warmint! wot laying his hat upon the table. are you stopping outside for, as if you was ashamed This was said in jest; but if the speaker could of your master! Come in!" have seen the evil leer with which the Jew bit his The man who growled out these words was a pale lip as he turned round to the cupboard, he might stoutly-built fellow of about five-and-thirty, in a have thought the caution not wholly unnecessary, black velveteen coat, very soiled drab breeches, lace- or the wish (at all events) to improve upon the disup half boots, and gray cotton stockings, which in- tiller's ingenuity not very far from the old gentleclosed a bulky pair of legs, with large swelling man's merry heart. calves — the kind of legs, which in such costume, After swallowing two or three glasses of spirits, always look in an unfinished and incomplete state Mr. Sikes condescended to take some notice of the without a set of fetters to garnish them. He had a young gentlemen; which gracious act led to a conbrown hat on his head, and a dirty belcher hanlker- versation, in which the cause and manner of Oliver's chief round his neck, with the long frayed ends of capture were circumstantially detailed, with such which he smeared the beer from his face as he spoke. alterations and improvements on the truth as to He disclosed, when he had done so, a broad heavy the Dodger appeared most advisable under the circountenance with a beard of three days' growth, cumstances. and two scowling eyes; one of which displayed vari- " I'm afraid," said the Jew, " that he may say someous party-colored symptoms of having been recently thing which will get us into trouble." damaged by a blow. "That's very likely," returned Sikes, with a mali"Come in, d'ye hear?" growled this engaging ruf- cious grin. " You're blowed upon, Fagin." fian. "And I'm afraid, you see," added the Jew, speakA white shaggy dog, with his face scratched and ing as if he had not noticed the interruption; and torn in twenty different places, skulked into the regarding the other closely as he did so-" I'm afraid room. that, if the game was up with us, it might be up with "Why didn't you come in afore?" said the man. a good many more, and that it would come out rath" You're getting too proud to own me afore company, er worse for you than it would for me, my dear." are you? Lie down!" The man started, and turned round upon the Jew. This command was accompanied with a kick, But the old gentleman's shoulders were shrugged up which sent the animal to the other end of the room. to his ears; and his eyes were vacantly staring on He appeared well used to it, however; for he coiled the opposite wall. himself up in a corner very quietly, without utter- There was a long pause. Every member of the ing a sound, and, winking his very ill-looking eyes respectable coterie appeared plunged in his own re 44 OLIVER TWIST. flections; not excepting the dog, who by a certain ing recently removed into the neighborhood of Field malicious licking of his lips seemed to be meditating Lane from the remote but genteel suburb of Ratcliffe, an attack upon the legs of the first gentleman or she was not under the same apprehension of being lady he might encounter in the streets when he went recognized by any of her numerous acquaintance. out. Accordingly, with a clean white apron tied over "Somebody must find out wot's been done at the her gown, and her curl-papers tucked up under a office," said Mr. Sikes, in a much lower tone than he straw bonnet-both articles of dress being provided had taken since he came in. from the Jew's inexhaustible stock — Miss Nancy The Jew nodded assent. prepared to issue forth on her errand. - " If he hasn't peached, and is committed, there's "Stop a minute, my dear," said the Jew, producing no fear till he comes out again," said Mr. Sikes, " and a little covered basket. " Carry that in one hand. then he must be taken care on. You must get hold It looks more respectable, my dear." of him somehow." " Give her a door-key to carry in her t'other one, Again the Jew nodded. Fagin," said Sikes; " it looks real and genivine like." The prudence of this line of action, indeed, was ob- "Yes, yes, my dear, so it does," said the Jew, hangvious; but, unfortunately, there was one very strong ing a large street-door key on the forefinger of the objection to its being adopted. This was, that the young lady's right hand. "There; very good! Very Dodger, and Charley Bates, and Fagin, and Mr. Wil- good, indeed, my dear!" said the Jew, rubbing his liam Sikes, happened, one and all, to entertain a vio- hands. lent and deeply-rooted antipathy to going near a po- " Oh, my brother! My poor, dear, sweet, innocent lice-office on any ground or pretext whatever. little brother!" exclaimed Nancy, bursting into tears, How long they might have sat and looked at each and wringing the little basket and the street-door other, in a state of uncertainty not the most pleasant key in an agony of distress. " What has become of of its kind, it is difficult to guess. It is not necessa- him! Where have they taken him to! Oh, do have ry to make any guesses on the subject, however; for pity, and tell me what's been done with the dear the sudden entrance of the two young ladies whom boy, gentlemen; do, gentlemen, if you please, gentleOliver had seen on a former occasion, caused the con- men!" versation to flow afresh. Having uttered these words in a most lamentable " The very thing!" said the Jew. " Bet will go; and heart-broken tone-to the immeasurable delight won't you, my dear?" of her hearers-Miss Nancy paused, winked to the " Wheres?" inquired the young lady. company, nodded smilingly round, and disappeared.'" Only just up to the office, my dear," said the Jew, "Ah! she's a clever girl, my dears," said the Jew, coaxingly. turning round to his young friends, and shaking his It is due to the young lady to say that she did not head gravely, as if in mute admonition to them to positively affirm that she would not, but that she follow the bright example they had just beheld. merely expressed an emphatic and earnest desire to "She's a honor to her sex,?' said Mr. Sikes, filling be " blessed " if she would; a polite and delicate eva- his glass, and smiting the table with his enormous sion of the request, which shows the young lady to fist. "Here's her health, and wishing they was all have been possessed of that natural good-breeding like her!" which can not bear to inflict upon a fellow-creature While these and many other encomiums were bethe pain of a direct and pointed refusal. ing passed on the accomplished Nancy, that young The Jew's countenance fell. He turned from this lady made the best of her way to the police-office; young lady, who was gayly, not to say gorgeously whither, notwithstanding a little natural timidity attired, in a red gown, green boots, and yellow curl- consequent upon walking through the streets alone papers, to the other female. and unprotected, she arrived in perfect safety short" Nancy, my dear," said the Jew in a soothing man- ly afterward. ner, " what do you say?" Entering by the back way, she tapped softly with "That it won't do; so it's no use a-trying it on, the key at one of the cell-doors, and listened. There Fagin," replied Nancy. was no sound within; so she coughed and listened "What do you mean by that?" said Mr. Sikes, again. Still there was no reply: so she spoke. looking up in a surly manner. " Nolly, dear?" murmured Nancy, in a gentle voice, "What I say, Bill," replied the lady, collectedly. "Nolly?" "Why, you're just the very person for it," reason- There was nobody inside but a miserable shoeless ed Mr. Sikes: " nobody about here knows any thing criminal, who had been taken up for playing the of you." flute, and who, the offense against society having "And as I don't want'em to, neither," replied Nan- been clearly proved, had been very properly commitcy, in the same composed manner, "it's rather more ted by Mr. Fang to the House of Correction for one no than yes with me, Bill." month; with the appropriate and amusing remark "She'll go, Fagin," said Sikes. that since he had so much breath to spare, it would "No, she won't, Fagin," said Nancy. be more wholesomely expended on the tread-mill " Yes, she will, Fagin," said Sikes. than in a musical instrument. He made no answer; And Mr. Sikes was right. By dint of alternate being occupied in mentally bewailing the loss of the threats, promises, and bribes, the lady in question flute, which had been confiscated for the use of the was ultimately prevailed upon to undertake the county; so Nancy passed on to the next cell, and commission. She was not, indeed, withheld by the knocked there. same considerations as her agreeable friend; for, hav- " Well!" cried a faint and feeble voice. NANCY-THE PICTURE. 45 "Is there a little boy here?" inquired Nancy, with " Is he to be kidnapped to the other ken, Nancy a preliminary sob. says?" inquired the Dodger. "No," replied the voice; " God forbid!" "Yes," replied the Jew, " wherever she lays hands This was a vagrant of sixty-five, who was going to on him. Find him, find him out, that's all! I shall prison for not playing the flute; or, in other words, know what to do next; never fear." for begging in the streets, and doing nothing for his The boy murmured a reply of intelligence, and livelihood. In the next cell was another man, who hurried down stairs after his companions. was going to the same prison for hawking tin sauce- " He has not peached, so far," said the Jew, as he pans without a license; thereby doing something for pursued his occupation. "If he means to blab us his living, in defiance of the Stamp-office. among his new friends, we may stop his mouth yet." But, as neither of these criminals answered to the name of Oliver, or knew any thing about him, Nancy made straight up to the bluff officer in the striped waistcoat; and with the most piteous. wailings and CHAPTER XIV. lamentations, rendered more piteous by a prompt and efficient use of the street-door key and the little bas- COMPRISING FRTHER PARTICULARS OF OLIVER'S STAY AT MR. BROWNLOW'S, WITH THE REMARKABLE PREDICTION ket, demanded her own dear brother. v4 * a,, * a.. a ~WHICH ONE MR. GRIMWIG UTTERED CONCERNING HIM, "I haven't got him, my dear," said the old man. WHEN HE WENT OUT ON IN EREDC "Where is he?" screamed Nancy, in a distracted manner. - LIVER soon recovering frol the fainting-fit into " Why, the gentleman's got him," replied the of- t which Mr. Brownlow's abrupt exclamation had ficer. thrown him, the subject of the picture was carefully "What gentleman? Oh, gracious heavens! What avoided, both by the old gentleman and Mrs. Bedwin, gentleman?" exclaimed Nancy. in the conversation that ensued; which indeed bore In reply to this incoherent questioning, the old no reference to Oliver's history or prospects, but was man informed the deeply-affected sister that Oliver confined to such topics as might anmuse without exhad been taken ill in the office, and discharged in citing him. He was still too weak to get up to consequence of a witness having proved the robbery breakfast; but, when he came down into the houseto have been committed by another boy not in cus- keeper's room next day, his first act was to cast an tody; and that the prosecutor had carried him away, eager glance at the wall, in the hope of again lookin an insensible condition, to his own residence; of ing on the face of the beautiful lady. His expectaand concerning which, all the informant knew was, tions were disappointed, however, for the picture had that it was somewhere at Pentonville, he having been removed. heard that word mentioned in the directions to the "Ah!" said the housekeeper, watching the direccoachman. tion of Oliver's eyes. "It is gone, you see." In a dreadful state of doubt and uncertainty, the "I see it is, ma'am," replied Oliver. "Why have agonized young woman staggered to the gate, and they taken it away?" then, exchanging her faltering walk for a swift run, "It has been taken down, child, because Mr. Brownreturned, by the most devious and complicated route low said that as it seemed to worry you, perhaps it she could think of, to the domicile of the Jew. might prevent your getting well, you know," rejoined Mr. Bill Sikes no sooner heard the account of the the old lady. expedition delivered, than he very hastily called upon " Oh, no, indeed. It didn't worry me, ma'am," said the white dog, and, putting on his hat, expeditiously Oliver. "I liked to see it. I quite loved it." departed; without devoting any time to the formal- "Well, well!" said the old lady, good-humoredly; ity of wishing the company good-morning. " you get well as fast as ever you can, dear, and it "We must know where he is, my dears; he must shall be hung up again. There! I promise you be found," said the Jew, greatly excited. " Charley, that! Now, let us talk about something else." do nothing but skulk about till you bring home some This was all the information Oliver could obtaii news of him! Nancy, my dear, I must have him about the picture at that time. As the old lady had found. I trust to you, my dear-to you and the Art- been so kind to him in his illness, he endeavored to ful, for every thing! Stay, stay," added the Jew, think no more of the subject just then; so he listunlocking a drawer with a shaking hand; "there's ened attentively to a great many stories she told money, my dears. I shall shut up this shop to-night. him, about an amiable and handsome daughter of You'll know where to find me! Don't stop here a hers, who was married to an amiable and handsome minute. Not an instant, my dears!" man, and lived in the country; and about a son, who With these words, he pushed them from the room; was clerk to a merchant in the West Indies; and and carefully double-locking and barring the door who was, also, such a good young man, and wrote behind them, drew from its place of concealment the such dutiful letters home four times a year, that it box which he had unintentionally disclosed to Oliver. brought the tears into her eyes to talk about them. Then he hastily proceeded to dispose the watches and When the old lady had expatiated, a long time, on jewelry beneath his clothing. the excellences of her children, and the merits of her A rap at the door startled him in this occupation. kind good husband besides, who had been dead and "Who's there?" he cried in a shrill tone. gone, poor dear soul! just six-and-twenty years, it "Me!" replied the voice of the Dodger, through was time to have tea. After tea she began to teach the key-hole. Oliver cribbage, which he learned as quickly as she " What now?" cried the Jew, impatiently. could teach, and at which game they played, with 46 OLIVER TWIST. great interest and gravity, until it was time for the cases; because there are books of which the backs invalid to have some warm wine and water, with a and covers are by far the best parts." slice of dry toast, and then to go cozily to bed. " I suppose they are those heavy ones, sir," said They were happy days, those of Qliver's recovery. Oliver, pointing to some large quartos, with a good Every thing was so quiet, and neat, and orderly; deal of gilding about the binding. every body was kind and gentle; that after the "Not always those," said the old gentleman, pat. noise and turbulence in the midst of which he had ting Oliver on the head, and smiling as he did so; always lived, it seemed like heaven itself. He was "there are other equally heavy ones, though of a no sooner strong enough to put his clothes on prop- much smaller size. How should you like to grow urly, than Mr. Brownlow caused a complete new suit, up a clever man, and write books, eh?" and a new cap, and a new pair of shoes, to be pro- "I think I would rather read them, sir," replied vided for him. As Oliver was told that he might do Oliver. what he liked with the old clothes, he gave them to "What! wouldn't you like to be a book-wuriter?" a servant who had been very kind to him, and asked said the old gentleman. her to sell them to a Jew, and keep the money for her- Oliver considered a little while; and at last said, self. This she very readily did; and, as Oliver look- he should think it would be a much better thing to be ed out of the parlor window, and saw the Jew roll a book-seller; upon which the old gentleman laughthem up in his bag and walk away, he felt quite de- ed heartily, and declared he had said a very good lighted to think that they were safely gone, and that thing. Which Oliver felt glad to have done, though there was now no possible danger of his ever being lie by no means knew what it was. able to wear them again. They were sad rags, to "Well, well," said the old gentleman, composing tell the truth; and Oliver had never had a new suit his features. "Don't be afraid! We won't make before. an author of you, while there's an honest trade to be One evening, about a week after the affair of the learned, or brick-making to turn to." picture, as he was sitting talking to Mrs. Bedwin, "Thank you, sir," said Oliver. At the earnest there came a message down from Mr. Brownlow, that manner of his reply, the old gentleman laughed if Oliver Twist felt pretty well, he should like to see again; and said something about a curious instinct, him in his study, and talk to him a little while. which Oliver, not understanding, paid no very great " Bless us, and save us! Wash your hands, and let attention to. me part your hair nicely for you, child," said Mrs. "Now," said Mr. Brownlowv, speaking if possible in Bedwin. " Dear heart alive! If we had known he a kinder, but at the same time in a much more seriwvould have asked for you, we would have put you ous manner, than Oliver had ever known him assume a clean collar on, and made you as smart as six- yet; " I want you to pay great attention, my boy, to pence!" | what I am going to say. I shall talk to you withOliver did as the old lady bade him; and, although out any reserve; because I am sure you are as well she lamented grievously, meanwhile, that there was able to understand me as many older persons would not even time to crimp the little frill that bordered be." his shirt-collar; he looked so delicate and handsome, " " Oh, don't tell me you are going to send me away, despite that important personal advantage, that she sir, pray!" exclaimed Oliver, alarmed at the serious went so far as to say, looking at him with great com- tone of the old gentleman's commencemenlet. " Don't placency from head to foot, that she really didn't turn me out-of-doors to wander in the streets again. think it would have been possible, on the longest Let me stay here, and be a servant. Don't send me notice, to have made much difference in him for the back to the wretched place I came from. Have better. mercy upon a poor boy, sir!" Thus encouraged, Oliver tapped at the study door. "My dear child," said the old gentleman, moved by On Mr. Brownlow calling to him to come in, he found the warmth of Oliver's sudden appeal; " you need himself in a little back-room quite full of books, with not be afraid of my deserting you, unless you give fa window, looking into some pleasant little gardens. me cause." There was a table drawn up before the window, at " I never, never will, sir," interposed Oliver. which Mr. Brownlow was seated reading. When he "I hope not," rejoined the old gentleman. " I do saw Oliver, he pushed the book away from him, and not think you ever will. I have been deceived betold him to come near the table, and sit down. Oli- fore, in the objects whom I have endeavored to benver complied; marveling where the people could be efit; but I feel strongly disposed to trust you, neverfound to read such a great number of books as seem- theless; and I am more interested in your behalf ed to be written to make the world wiser. Which than I can well account for, even to myself. The is still a marvel to more experienced people than 01- persons on whom I have bestowed my dearest lovoe iver Twist, every day of their lives. lie deep in their graves; but, although the happi" There are a good many books, are there not, my ness and delight of my life lie buried there too, I boy?" said Mr. Brownlow, observing the curiosity have not made a coffin of my heart, and sealed it up with which Oliver surveyed the shelves that reach- forever on my best affections. Deep affliction has ed from the floor to the ceiling. but strengthened and refined them." "A great number, sir," replied Oliver. "I never As the old gentleman said this in a low voice — saw so many." more to himself than to his companion-and as he " You shall read them, if you behave well," said the remained silent for a short time afterward, Oliver old gentleman kindly; " and you will like that bet- sat quite still. ter than looking at the outsides-that is, in some "Well, well!" said the old gentleman at length, in MR. GRIM WIG. 47 a more cheerful tone, "I only say this because you it at a sitting-to put entirely out of the question a have a young heart; and knowing that I have suf- very thick coating of powder. fered great pain and sorrow, you will be more care- "I'll eat my head, sir," repeated Mr. Grimwig, ful, perhaps, not to wound me again. You say you striking his stick upon the ground. " Halloo! are an orphan, without a friend in the world; all what's that?" looking at Oliver, and retreating a the inquiries I have been able to make confirm this pace or two. statement. Let me hear your story; where you "This is young Oliver Twist, whom we were come from; who brought you up; and how you got speaking abCut," said Mr. Brownlow. into the company in which I found you. Speak the Oliver bowed. truth, and you shall not be friendless while I live." " You don't mean to say that's the boy who had Oliver's sobs checked his utterance for some min- the fever, I hope?" said Mr. Grimwig, recoiling a litutes; when he was on the point of beginning to re- tie more. " Wait a minute! Don't speak! Stop-" late how he had been brought up at the farm, and continued Mr. Grimwig, abruptly, losing all dread of carried to the work-house by Mr. Bumble, a peculiar- the fever in his triumph at the discovery; "that's ly impatient little double-knock was heard at the the boy who had the orange! If that's not the boy, street-door; and the servant, running up stairs, an- sir, who had the orange, and threw this bit of peel nouncedl Mr. Grimwig. upon the staircase, I'll eat my head, and his too." "Is he coming up?" inquired Mr. Brownlow. "No, no, he has not had one," said Mr. Brownlow, "Yes, sir," replied the servant. " He asked if there laughing. "Come! Put down your hat; and speak were any muffins in the house; and, when I told him to my young friend." yes, he said he had come to tea." "I feel strongly on this subject, sir," said the Mr. Brownlow smiled; and, turning to Oliver, said irritable old gentleman, drawing off his gloves. that Mr. Grimwig was an old friend of his, and lie "There's always more or less orange-peel on the must not mind his being a little rough in his man- pavement in our street; and I knoiw it's put there by ners; for he was a worthy creature at bottom, as he the surgeon's boy at the corner. A young woman had reason to know. stumbled over a bit last night, and fell against my "Shall I go down stairs, sir?" inquired Oliver. garden-railings; directly she got up I sawz her look "No," replied Mr. Brownlow, "I would rather you toward his infernal red lamp with the pantomimeremained here." light.'Don't go to him,' I called out of the winAt this moment there walked into the room, sup- dow,'Ihe's an assassin! A man-trap!' So he is. If porting himself by a thick stick, a stout old gentle- he is not-" Here the irascible old gentleman gave man, rather lame in one leg, who was dressed in a a great knock on the ground with his stick; which blue coat, striped waistcoat, nankeen breeches and was always understood by his friends to imply the gaiters, and a broad-brimmed white hat, with the customary offer, whenever it was not expressed in sides turned up with green. A very small-plaited words. Then, still keeping his stick in his hand, he shirt frill stuck out from his waistcoat; and a very sat down; and, opening a double eye-glass, which he long steel watch-chain, with nothing but a key at wore attached to a broad black ribbon, took a view the end, dangled loosely below it. The ends of his of Oliver; who, seeing that he was the object of inwhite neckerchief were twisted into a ball about the spection, colored, and bowed again. size of an orange; the variety of shapes into which "That's the boy, is it?" said Mr. Griniwig, at his countenance was twisted defy description. He length. had a manner of screwing his head on one side when "That is the boy," replied Mr. Brownlow. lie spoke, and of looking out of the corners of his " How are you, boy," said Mr. Grimwig. eyes at the same time, which irresistibly reminded "A great deal better, thank you, sir," replied Olithe beholder of a parrot. In this attitude he fixed ver. himself, the moment he made his appearance; and, Mr. Brownlow, seeming to apprehend that his sinholding out a small piece of orange-peel at arm's gular friend was about to say something disagreealength, exclaimed, in a growling, discontented voice, ble, asked Oliver to step down stairs and tell Mrs. "Look here! do you see this! Isn't it a most Bedwin they were ready for tea; which, as he did wonderful and extraordinary thing that I can't call not half like the visitor's manner, he was very happy at a man's house but I find a piece of this poor to do. surgeon's-friend on the staircase? I've been lamed "He is a nice-looking boy, is he not?" inquired with orange-peel once, and I know orange-peel will Mr. Brownlow. be my death at last. It will, sir: orange-peel will " I don't know," replied Mr. Grimwig, pettishly. be my death, or I'll be content to eat my own head, "Don't know?" sir!" "No. I don't know. I never see any difference This was the handsome offer with which Mr. Grim- in boys. I only know two sorts of boys. Mealy wig backed and confirmed nearly every assertion he boys, and beef-faced boys." made; and it was the more singular in his case, be- "And which is Oliver?" cause, even admitting, for the sake of argument, the "Mealy. I know a friend who has a beef-faced possibility of scientific improvements being ever boy-a fine boy, they call him; with a round head, brought to that pass which will enable a gentleman and red cheeks, and glaring eyes; a horrid boy; with to eat his own head in the event of his being so dis- a body and limbs that appear to be swelling out of posed, Mr. Grimwig's head was such a particularly the seams of his blue clothes; with the voice of a pilarge one, that the most sanguine man alive could lot, and the appetite of a wolf. I know him! The hardly entertain a hope of being able to get through wretch!" 48 OLIVER TWIST. "Come," said Mr. Brownlow, "these are not the "And I for his falsehood with my head!" rejoined characteristics of young Oliver Twist; so he needn't Mr. Grimwig, knocking the table also. excite your wrath." " We shall see," said Mr. Brownlow, checking his " They are not," replied Mr. Grimwig. "He may rising anger. have worse." "We will," replied Mr. Grimwig, with a provoking Here Mr. Brownlow coughed impatiently; which smile; "we will." appeared to afford Mr. Grimwig the most exquisite As fate would have it, Mrs. Bedlwin chanced to delight. bring in, at this moment, a small parcel of books, "He may have worse, I say," repeated Mr. Grim- which Mr. Brownlow had that morning purchased wig. "Where does he come from? Who is he? of the identical book-stall keeper, who has already What is he? He has had a fever. What of that? figured in this history; having laid them on the taFevers are not peculiar to good people; are they? ble, she prepared to leave the room. Bad people have fevers sometimes; haven't they, eh? " Stop the boy, Mrs. Bedwin!" said Mr. Brownlow; I knew a man who was hung in Jamaica for mur- "there is something to go back." dering his master. He had had a fever six times; " He has gone, sir," replied Mrs. Bedwin. he wasn't recommended to mercy on that account. "Call after him," said Mr. Brownlow; "it's parPooh! nonsense!" ticular. He is a poor man, and they are not paid Now, the fact was that, in the inmost recesses of for. There are some books to be taken back, too." his own heart, Mr. Grimwig was strongly disposed to The street-door was opened. Oliver ran one way, admit that Oliver's appearance and manner were un- and the girl ran another; and Mrs. Bedwin stood on usually prepossessing; but he had a strong appetite the step and screamed for the boy; but there was for contradiction, sharpened on this occasion by the no boy in sight. Oliver and the girl returned, in a finding of the orange-peel; and, inwardly determin- breathless state, to report that there were no tidings ing that no man should dictate to him whether a of him. boy was well-looking or not, he had resolved, from "Dear me, I am very sorry for that!" exclaimed the first, to oppose his friend. When Mr. Brownlow Mr. Brownlow; "I particularly wished those books admitted that on no one point of inquiry could he to be returned to-night." yet return a satisfactory answer; and that he had "Send Oliver with them," said Mr. Grimwig, with postponed any investigation into Oliver's previous an ironical smile; "he will be sure to deliver them history until he thought the boy was strong enough safely, you know." to bear it; Mr. Grimwig chuckled maliciously. And " Yes; do let me take them, if you please, sir," said he demanded, with a sneer, whether the housekeep- Oliver. "I'll run all the way, sir." er was in the habit of counting the plate at night; The old gentleman was just going to say that Olibecause, if she didn't find a table-spoon or two miss- ver should not go out on any account, when a most ing some sunshiny morning, why, he would be con- malicious cough from Mr. Grimwig determined him tent to-and so forth. that he should; and that, by his prompt discharge All this, Mr. Brownlow, although himself some- of the commission, he should prove to him the injuswhat of an impetuous gentleman, knowing his tice of his suspicions, on this head at least, at once. friend's peculiarities, bore with great good-humor. " You shall go, my dear," said the old gentleman. As Mr. Grimwig, at tea, was graciously pleased to "The books are on a chair by my table. Fetch them express his entire approval of the muffins, matters down." went on very smoothly; and Oliver, who made one Oliver, delighted to be of use, brought down the of the party, began to feel more at his ease than he books under his arm in a great bustle; and waited, had yet done in the fierce old gentleman's presence. cap in hand, to hear rwhat message he was to take. "And when are you going to hear a full, true, and "You are to say," said Mr. Brownlow, glancing particular account of the life and adventures of Oli- steadily at Grimwig; " you are to say that you have ver Twist?" asked Grimwig of Mr. Brownlow, at the brought those books back; and that you h.ave come conclusion of the meal: looking sideways at Oliver, to pay the four pound ten I owe him. This is a fiveas he resumed the subject. pound note, so you will have to bring me back ten " To-morrow morning," replied Mr. Brownlow. "I shillings change." would rather he was alone with me at the time. "I won't be ten minutes, sir," replied Oliver, eaCome up to me to-morrow morning at ten o'clock, gerly. Having buttoned up the bank-note in his my dear." jacket pocket, and placed the books carefully under " Yes, sir," replied Oliver. He answered with some his arm, he made a respectful bow, and left the room. hesitation, because he was confused by Mr. Grimwig's Mrs. Bedwin followed him to the street-door, giving looking so hard at him. him many directions about the nearest Mwhy, and the " I'll tell you what," whispered that gentleman to name of the book-seller, and the name of the street, Mr. Brownlow; " he won't come up to you to-morrow all of which Oliver said he clearly understood. Havmorning. I saw him hesitate. He is deceiving you, ing superadded many injunctions to be sure and not my good friend." take cold, the old lady at length permitted him to "I'll swear he is not," replied Mr. Brownlow, depart. warmly. "Bless his sweet face!" said the old lady, looking "If he is not," said Mr. Grimwig, " I'll-" and down after him. " I can't bear, somehow, to let him go out went the stick. of my sight." "I'll answer for that boy's truth with my life!" At this moment Oliver looked gayly round, and said Mr. Brownlow, knocking the table. nodded before he turned the corner. The old lady MUTUAL INTEREST. 49 smilingly returned his salutation, and, closing the Dogs are not generally apt to revenge injuries indoor, went back to her own room. flicted upon them by their masters; but Mr. Sikes's " Let me see; he'll be back in twenty minutes, at dog, having faults of temper in common with his the longest," said Mr. Brownlow, pulling out his owner, and laboring, perhaps, at this moment, under watch and placing it on the table. " It will be dark a powerful sense of injury, made no more ado but at by that time." once fixed his teeth in one of the half-boots. Hav. "Oh! you really expect him to come back, do ing given it a hearty shake, he retired, growling, unyou?" inquired Mr. Grimwig. der a form; just escaping the pewter measure which "Don't you?" asked Mr. Brownlow, smiling. Mr. Sikes leveled at his head. The spirit of contradiction was strong in Mr. Grim- "You would, would you?'? said Sikes, seizing the wig's breast at the moment; and it was rendered poker in one hand, and deliberately opening with stronger by his friend's confident smile. the other a large clasp-knife, which he drew from "No," he said, smiting the table with his fist, "I his pocket. "Come here, you born devil! Come do not. The boy has a new suit of clothes on his here! D'ye hear?" back, a set of valuable books under his arm, and a The dog no doubt heard, because Mr. Sikes spoke five - pound note in his pocket. He'll join his old in the very harshest key of a very harsh voice; but, friends the thieves, ahd laugh at you. If ever that appearing to entertain some unaccountable objection boy returns to this house, sir, I'll eat my head." to having his throat cut, he remained where he was, With these words he drew his chair closer to the and growled more fiercely than before: at the same table; and there the two friends sat, in silent ex- time grasping the end of the poker between his teeth, pectation, with the watch between them. and biting at it like a wild beast. It is worthy of remark, as illustrating the impor- This resistance only infuriated Mr. Sikes the more; tance we attach to our own judgments, and the pride who, dropping on his knees, began to assail the aniwith which we put forth our most rash and hasty mal most furiously. The dog jumped from right to conclusions, that, although Mr. Grimwig was not by left, and from left to right: snapping, growling, and any means a bad-hearted man, and though he would barking; the man thrust and swore, and struck and have been unfeignedly sorry to see his respected blasphemed; and the struggle was reaching a most friend duped and deceived, he really did most ear- critical point for one or other; when, the door sudnestly and strongly hope at that moment that Oli- denly opening, the dog darted out, leaving Bill Sikes ver Twist might not come back. with the poker and clasp-knife in his hands. It grew so dark, that the figures on the dial-plate There must always be two parties to a quarrel, were scarcely discernible; but there the two old gen- says the old adage. Mr. Sikes, being disappointed tlemen continue'd to sit, in silence, with the watch of the dog's participation, at once transferred his between them. share in the quarrel to the new-comer. - "What the devil do you come in between me and my dog for?" said Sikes, with a fierce gesture. CHAPTER XV. "I didn't know, my dear, I didn't know," replied Fagin, humbly; for the Jew was the new-comer. SHOWING HOW VERY FOAND "OF OLIVER TWIST THE MERRY Didn't know, you white-livered thief!" growled Sikes. "Couldn't you hear the noise?" TN the obscure parlor of a low public-house, in the " Not a sound of it, as I'm a living man, Bill," refilthiest part of Little Saffron Hill-a dark and plied the Jew. gloomy den, where a flaring gas-light burned all day " Oh no! You hear nothing, you don't," retorted in the winter-time, and where no ray of sun ever Sikes with a fierce sneer. " Sneaking in and out, so shone in the summer-there sat, brooding over a lit- as nobody hears how you come or go! I wish you tie pewter measure and a small glass, strongly im- had been the dog, Fagin, half a minute ago." pregnated with the smell of liquor, a man in a vel- "Why?" inquired the Jew, with a forced smile. veteen coat, drab shorts, half-boots, and stockings, "'Cause the Government, as cares for the lives of whom even by that dim light no experienced agent such men as you, as haven't half the pluck of curs, of police would have hesitated to recognize as Mr. let's a man kill a dog how he likes," replied Sikes, William Sikes. At his feet sat a white-coated, red- shutting up the knife with a very expressive look; eyed dog; who occupied himself, alternately, in wink- " that's why." ing at his master with both eyes at the same time, The Jew rubbed his hands; and, sitting down at and in licking a large, fresh cut on one side of his the table, affected to laugh at the pleasantry of his mouth, which appeared to be the result of some re- friend. He was obviously very ill at ease, howcent conflict. ever. "Keep quiet, you warmint! Keep quiet!" said "Grin away," said Sikes, replacing the poker, and Mr. Sikes, suddenly breaking silence. Whether his surveying him with savage contempt; "grin away. meditations were so intense as to be disturbed by You'll never have the laugh at me, though, unless it's the dog's winking, or whether his feelings were so behind a night-cap. I've got the upper hand over wrought upon by his reflections that they required you, Fagin; and, d- me, I'll keep it. There! If I all the relief derivable from kicking an unoffending go, you go; so take care of me." animal to allay them, is matter for argument and "Well, well, my dear," said the Jew, "I know all consideration. Whatever was the cause, the effect that; we-we-have a mutual interest, Bill-a muwas a kick and a curse, bestowed upon the dog si- tual interest." multaneously. " Humph!" said Sikes, as if he thought the interD 50 OLIVER TWIST. est lay rather more on the Jew's side than on his. "Ah, Nancy, dear!" said Fagin, looking up. " Well, what have you got to say to me?" Now, whether a peculiar contraction of the Jew's "It's all passed safe through the melting-pot," re- red eyebrows, and a half-closing of his deeply-set plied Fagin, "and this is your share. It's rather eyes, warned Miss Nancy that she was disposed to be more than it ought to be, my dear; but as I know too communicative, is not a matter of much imporyou'll do me a good turn another time, and —' tance. The fact is all we need care for here; and " Stow that gammon!" interposed the robber, im- the fact is, that she suddenly checked herself, and patiently. "Where is it? Hand over!" with several gracious smiles upon Mr. Sikes, turned " Yes, yes, Bill; give me time, give me time," re- the conversation to other matters. In about ten minplied the Jew, soothingly. "Here it is! All safe!" utes' time, Mr. Fagin was seized with a fit of coughAs he spoke, he drew forth an old cotton handker- ing; upon which Nancy pulled her shawl over her chief from his breast; and untying a large knot in shoulders, and declared it was time to go. Mr. Sikes, one corner, produced a small brown-paper packet. finding that he was walking a short part of her way Sikes, snatching it from him, hastily opened it, and himself, expressed his intention of accompanying proceeded to count the sovereigns it contained. her; they went away together, followed, at a little "This is all, is it?" inquired Sikes. distance, by the dog, who slunk out of a back-yard "All," replied the Jew. soon as his master was out of sight. "You haven't opened the parcel and swallowed The Jew thrust his head out of the room door when one or two as you come along, have you?" inquired Sikes had left it; looked after him as he walked up Sikes, suspiciously. "Don't put on an injured look the dark passage; shook his clenched fist; muttered at the question: you've done it many a time. Jerk a deep curse; and then, with a horrible grin, re-seatthe tinkler." ed himself at the table; where he was soon deeply These words, in plain English, conveyed an injunc- absorbed in the interesting pages of the Hue-andtion to ring the bell. It was answered by another Cry. Jew, younger than Fagin, but nearly as vile and re- Meanwhile, Oliver Twist, little dreaming that he pulsive in appearance. was within so very short a distance of the merry old Bill Sikes merely pointed to the empty measure. gentleman, was on his way to the book-stall. When The Jew, perfectly understanding the hint, retired he got into Clerkenwell, he accidentally turned down to -fill it; previously exchanging a remarkable look a by-street which was not exactly in his way; but with Fagin, who raised his eyes for an instant, as if not discovering his mistake until he had got halfin expectation of it, and shook his head in reply; so way down it, and knowing it must lead in the right slightly that the action would have been almost im- direction, he did not think it worth while to turn perceptible to an observant third person. It was back; and so marched on, as quickly as he could, lost upon Sikes, who was stooping at the moment to with the books under his arm. tie the boot-lace which the dog had torn. Possibly, He was walking along, thinking how happy and if he had observed the brief interchange of signals, contented he ought to feel; and how much he would he might have thought that it boded no good to him. give for only one look at poor little Dick, who, "Is any body here, Barney?" inquired Fagin; starved and beaten, might be weeping bitterly at speaking, now that Sikes was looking on, without that very moment; when he was startled by a young raising his eyes from the ground. woman screaming out very loud, " Oh, my dear broth"Dot a shoul," replied Barney; whose words, er!" And he had hardly looked up, to see what the whether they came from the heart or not, made matter was, when he was stopped by having a pair their way through the nose. of arms thrown tight round his neck. I" Nobody?" inquired Fagin, in a tone of surprise; " Don't!" cried Oliver, struggling. " Let go of me! which perhaps might mean that Barney was at lib- Who is it? What are you stopping me for?" erty to tell the truth. The only reply to this was a great number of loud " Dobody but Biss Dadsy," replied Barney. lamentations from the young woman who had em — "Nancy!" exclaimed Sikes. "Where? Strike me braced him; and who had a little basket and a streetblind, if I don't honor that'ere girl, for her native door key in her hand. talents." "Oh my gracious!" said the young woman,'" I've " She's bid havid a plate of boiled beef id the bar," found him! Oh! Oliver! Oliver! Oh you naughty replied Barney. boy, to make me suffer sich distress on your account! "Send her here," said Sikes, pouring out a glass Come home, dear, come. Oh, I've found him! Thank of liquor. "Send her here." gracious goodness heavins, I've found him!" With Barney looked timidly at Fagin, as if for permis- these incoherent exclamations, the young woman sion: the Jew remaining silent, and not lifting his burst into another fit of crying, and got so dreadfuleyes from the ground, he retired; and presently re- ly hysterical, that a couple of women who came up turned, ushering in Nancy; who was decorated with at the moment asked a butcher's boy with a shiny the bonnet, apron, basket, and street-door key, com- head of hair anointed with suet, who was also lookplete. ing on, whether he didn't think he had better run for " You are on the scent, are you, Nancy?" inquired the doctor. To which, the butcher's boy, who apSikes, proffering the glass. peared, of a lounging, not to say indolent disposition, "Yes, I am, Bill," replied the young lady, dispos- replied that he thought not. ing of its contents; " and tired enough of it I am, "Oh, no, no, never mind," said the young woman, too. The young brat's been ill and confined to the grasping Oliver's hand; "I'm better now. Come crib; and-" home directly, you cruel boy! Come!" HIS RECAPTURE. 51 "What's the matter, ma'am?" inquired one of the Help! help!" cried Oliver, struggling in the man's women. powerful grasp. "Oh, ma'am," replied the young woman, "he ran "Help!" repeated the man. " Yes; I'll help you, away, near a month ago, from his parents, who are you young rascal! What books are these? You've hard-working and respectable people; and went and been a-stealing'em, have you? Give'em here." joined a set of thieves and bad characters; and al- With these words, the man tore the volumes from most broke his mother's heart." his grasp, and struck him on the head. " Young wretch!" said one woman. "That's right!" cried a looker-on, from a garret" Go home, do, you little brute!" said the other. window. " That's the only way of bringing him to "' I am not," replied Oliver, greatly alarmed. "I. his senses!" don't know her. I haven't any sister, or father and "To be sure!" cried a sleepy-faced carpenter, castmother either. I'm an orphan; I live at Penton- ing an approving look at the garret-window. ville." "It'll do him good!" said the two women. -—'Ii, —~i, " YOU ARE ON TiLE SCENT, ARE YOU, NANCY?"' "Only hear him, how he braves it out!" cried the "And he shall have it, too!" rejoined the man, adyoung woman. ministering another blow, and seizing Oliver by the "Why, it's Nancy!" exclaimed Oliver; who now collar. "Come on, you young villain! HIere, Bull'ssaw her face for the first time; and started back in eye, mind him, boy! Mind him!" irrepressible astonishment. Weak with recent illness; stupefied by the blows " You see he knows me!" cried Nancy, appealing and the suddenness of the attack; terrified by the to the by-standers. "He can't help himself. Make fierce growling of the dog, and the brutality of the him come home, there's good people, or he'll kill his man; overpowered by the conviction of the by-standdear mother and father, and break my heart!" ers that he really was the hardened little wretch he "What the devil's this?" said a man, bursting out was described to be; what could one poor child do! of a beer-shop, with a white dog at his heels; " young Darkness had set in; it was a low neighborhood; no Oliver! Come home to your poor mother, you young help was near; resistance was useless. In' another dog! Come home directly." moment he was dragged into a labyrinth of dark "I don't belong to them. I don't know them. narrow courts, and was forced along them at a pace 52 OLIVER TWIST. which rendered the few cries he dared to give utter- "What's the good of telling me that; I can hear anee to, unintelligible. It was of little moment, in- it, can't I?" replied Sikes. deed, whether they were intelligible or no; for there "I wonder whether they can hear it," said Nancy. was nobody to care for them, had they been ever so "Of course they can," replied Sikes. " It was Barplain. tlemy time when I was shopped; and there warn't X i * X * * a penny trumpet in the fair as I couldn't hear the The gas-lamps were lighted; Mrs. Bedwin was squeaking on. Arter I was locked up for the night, waiting anxiously at the open door; the servant had the row and din outside made the thundering old run up the street twenty times to see if there were jail so silent, that I could almost have beat my brains any traces of Oliver; and still the two old gentlemen out against the iron plates of the door." sat, perseveringly, in the dark parlor, with the watch " Poor fellows!" said Nancy, who still had her face between them. turned toward the quarter in which the bell had. —t —- sounded. " Oh, Bill, such fine young chaps as them!" "Yes; that's all you women think of," answered CHAPTER XVI. Sikes. "Fine young chaps! Well, they're as good as dead, so it don't much matter." RELATES WHAT BECAME OF OLIVER TWIST AFTER HE With this consolation Mr. Sikes appeared to reHAD BEEN CLAIMED BY NANCY. press a rising tendency to jealousy, and, clasping HE narrow streets and courts at length termina- Oliver's wrist more firmly, told him to step out 1ted in a large open space, scattered about which again. were pens for beasts, and other indications of a cat- " Wait a minute!" said the girl, " I wouldn't hurry tle-market. Sikes slackened his pace when they by if it was you that was coming out to be hung the reached this spot, the girl being quite unable to sup- next time eight o'clock struck, Bill. I'd walk round port any longer the rapid rate at which they had and round the place till I dropped, if the snow was hitherto walked. Turning to Oliver, he roughly on the ground, and I hadn't a shawl to cover me." commanded him to take hold of Nancy's hand. "And what good would that do?" inquired the "Do you hear?" growled Sikes, as Oliver hesita- unsentimental Mr. Sikes. "Unless you could pitch ted, and looked round. over a file and twenty yards of good stout rope, you They were in a dark corner, quite out of the track might as well be walking fifty mile off, or not walkof passengers. Oliver saw but too plainly that re- ing at all, for all the good it would do me. Come sistance would be of no avail. He held out his hand, on, and don't stand preaching there." which Nancy clasped tight in hers. The girl burst into a, laugh, drew her shawl more " Give me the other," said Sikes, seizing Oliver's closely around her, and they walked away. But 01unoccupied hand. "Here, Bull's-eye!" iver felt her hand tremble, and, looking up in her The dog looked up and growled. face as they passed a gas-lamnp, saw that it had turn" See here, boy!" said Sikes, putting his other hand ed a deadly white. to Oliver's throat; "if he speaks ever so soft a word, They walked on by little-firequented and dirty hold him! D'ye mind!" ways, for a full half hour, meeting very few people, The dog growled again; and licking his lips, eyed and those appearing from their looks to hold much Oliver as if he were anxious to attach himself to his the same position in society as Mr. Sikes himself. At windpipe without delay. length they turned into a very filthy, narrow street, " He's as willing as a Christian, strike me blind if nearly full of old-clothes shops; the dog running forhe isn't!" said Sikes, regarding the animal with a ward, as if conscious that there was no further occakind of grim and ferocious approval. "Now you sion for his keeping on guard, stopped before the know what you've got to expect, master, so call away door of a shop that was closed and apparently unas quick as you like; the dog will soon stop that tenanted; the house was in a ruinous condition, and game. Get on, young'un!" on the door was nailed a board, intimating that it Bull's-eye wagged his tail in acknowledgment of was to let; which looked as if it had hung there for this unusually endearing form of speech; and, giving many years. vent to another admonitory growl for the benefit of "All right," cried Sikes, glancing cautiously about. Oliver, led the way onward. Nancy stooped below the shutters, and Oliver It was Smithfield that they were crossing, al- heard the sound of a bell. They crossed to the opthough it might have been Grosvenor Square for posite side of the street, and stood for a few moments any thing Oliver knew to the contrary. The night under a lamp. A noise, as if a sash-window were was dark and foggy. The lights in the shops could gently raised, was heard; and soon afterward the scarcely struggle through the heavy mist, which door softly opened. Mr. Sikes then seized the territhickened every moment and shrouded the streets fled boy by the collar with very little ceremony, and and houses in gloom; rendering the strange place all three were quickly inside the house. still stranger in Oliver's eyes; and making his un- The passage was perfectly dark. They waited, certainty the more dismal and depressing. while the person who had let them in chained and They had hurried on a few paces, when a deep barred the door. church-bell struck the hour. With its first stroke "Any body here?" inquired Sikes. his two conductors stopped, and turned their heads "No," replied a voice, which Oliver thought he in the direction whence the sound proceeded. had heard before. " Eight o'clock, Bill," said Nancy, when the bell " Is the old'un here?" asked the robber. ceased. "Yes," replied the voice; "and precious down in RESTORED TO PLEASANT COMPANY. 53 the mouth he has been. Won't he be glad to see The Jew started. Oliver started too, though from you? Oh, no!" a very different cause; for he hoped that the dispute The style of this reply, as well as the voice which might really end in his being taken back. delivered it, seemed familiar to Oliver's ears; but it "Come! Hand over, will you?" said Sikes. was impossible to distinguish even the form of the. "This is hardly fair, Bill; hardly fair, is it, Nanspeaker in the darkness. cy?" inquired the Jew. "Let's have a glim," said Sikes, "or we shall go "Fair or not fair," retorted Sikes, "hand over, I breaking our necks, or treading on the dog. Look tell you! Do you think Nancy and me has got nothafter your legs if you do!" ing else to do with our precious time but to spend it "Stand still a moment, and I'll get you one," re- in scouting arter, and kidnapping, every young boy plied the voice. The receding footsteps of the speak- as gets grabbed through you? Give it here, you er were heard; and, in another minute, the form of avaricious old skeleton-give it here!" Mr. John Dawkins, otherwise the artful Dodger, ap- With this gentle remonstrance, Mr. Sikes plucked peared. He bore in his right hand a tallow candle the note from between the Jew's finger and thumb; stuck in the end of a cleft stick. and looking the old man coolly in the face, folded it The young gentleman did not stop to bestow any up small, and tied it in his neckerchief. other mark of recognition upon Oliver than a humor- "That's for our share of the trouble," said Sikes; ous grin; but, turning away, beckoned the visitors "and not half enough, neither. You may keep the to follow him down a flight of stairs. They crossed books, if you're fond of reading. If you ain't, sell an empty kitchen; and, opening the door of a low,'em." earthy-smelling room, which seemed to have been " They're very pretty," said Charley Bates, who, built in a small back-yard, were received with a with sundry grimaces, had been affecting to read shout of laughter. one of the volumes in question: "beautiful writing, "Oh, my wig, my wig!" cried Master Charles isn't it, Oliver?" At sight of the dismayed look with Bates, from whose lungs the laughter had proceed- which Oliver regarded his tormentors, Master Bates, ed; "here he is! oh, cry, here he is! Oh, Fagin, who was blessed with a lively sense of the ludicrous, look at him! Fagin, do look at him! I can't bear fell into another ecstasy, more boisterous than the it; it is such a jolly game, I can't bear it. Hold me, first. somebody, while I laugh it out." " They belong to the old gentleman," said Oliver, With this irrepressible ebullition of mirth, Master wringing his hands; "to the good, kind old gentleBates laid himself flat on the floor, and kicked con- man who took me into his house, and had me nursed, vulsively for five minutes, in an ecstasy of facetious when I was near dying of the fever. Oh, pray send joy. Then jumping to his feet, he snatched the cleft them back; send him back the books and money. stick from the Dodger; and, advancing to Oliver, Keep me here all my life long; but pray, pray send viewed him round and round; while the Jew, tak- them back. He'll think I stole them; the old ladying off his night-cap, made a great number of low all of them who were so kind to me-will think I bows to the bewildered boy. The Artful, meantime, stole them. Oh, do have mercy upon me, and send who was of a rather saturnine disposition, and sel- them back!" dom gave way to merriment when it interfered with With those words, which were uttered with all business, rifled Oliver's pockets with steady assi- the energy of passionate grief, Oliver fell upon his duity. knees at the Jew's feet, and beat his hands together " Look at his togs, Fagin!" said Charley, putting in perfect desperation. the light so close to his new jacket as nearly to set "The boy's right," remarked Fagin, looking covhim on fire. "Look at his togs! Superfine cloth, ertly round, and knitting his shaggy eyebrows into and the heavy swell cut! Oh, my eye, what a game! a hard knot. "You're right, Oliver, you're right; And his books, too! Nothing but a gentleman, Fa- they will think you have stolen'em. Ha! ha!" gin!" chuckled the Jew, rubbing his hands; "it couldn't "Delighted to see you looking so well, my dear," have happened better if we had chosen our time!" said the Jew, bowing with mock humility. "The "Of course it couldn't," replied Sikes; "I know'd Artful shall give you another suit, my dear, for fear that, directly I see him coming through Clerkenwell, you should spoil that Sunday one. Why didn't you with the books under his arm. It's all right enough. write, my dear, and say you were coming? We'd They're soft-hearted psalm-singers, or they wouldn't have got something warm for supper." have taken him in at all; and they'll ask no quesAt this Master Bates roared again, so loud that tions after him, fear they should be obliged to proseFagin himself relaxed, and even the Dodger smiled; cute, and so get him lagged. He's safe enough." but as the Artful drew forth the five-pound note at Oliver had looked from one to the other, while that instant, it is doubtful whether the sally or the these words were being spoken, as if he were bewildiscovery awakened his merriment. dered, and could scarcely understand what passed; "Halloo! what's that?" inquired Sikes, stepping but when Bill Sikes concluded, he jumped suddenly forward as the Jew seized the note. " That's mine, to his feet, and tore wildly from the room, uttering Fagin." shrieks for help, which made the bare old house echo "No, no, my dear," said the Jew. "Mine, Bill, to the roof. mine. You shall have the books." " Keep back the dog, Bill!" cried Nancy, springing "If that ain't mine," said Bill Sikes, piitting on before the door, and closing it, as the Jew and his his hat with a determined air-" mine and Nancy's, two pupils darted out in pursuit. "Keep back the that is-I'll take the boy back again." dog; he'll tear the boy to pieces!" 54 OLIVER TWIST. "Serve him right!" cried Sikes, struggling to dis- fierce impulses of recklessness and despair: which engage himself from the girl's grasp. "Stand off few men like to provoke. The Jew saw that it from me, or I'll split your head against the wall!" would be hopeless to affect any further mistake re" I don't care for that, Bill, I don't care for that," garding the reality of Miss Nancy's rage; and, shrinkscreamed the girl, struggling violently with the man: ing involuntarily back a few paces, cast a glance, "the child sha'n't be torn down by the dog, unless half imploring and half cowardly, at Sikes: as if to you kill me first." hint that he was the fittest person to pursue the dia" Sha'n't he!" said Sikes, setting his teeth. "I'll logue. soon do that, if you don't keep off." Mr. Sikes, thus mutely appealed to; and possibly The housebreaker flung the girl from him to the feeling his personal pride and influence interested in farther end of the room, just as the Jew and the two the immediate reduction of Miss Nancy to reason; boys returned, dragging Oliver among them. gave utterance to about a couple of score of curses "What's the matter here?" said Fagin, looking and threats, the rapid production of which reflected rolud. great credit on the fertility of his invention. As " The girl's gone mad, I think," replied Sikes, sav- they produced no visible effect on the object against agely. whom they were discharged, however, he resorted to " No, she hasn't," said Nancy, pale and breathless more tangible arguments. from the scuffle; "no, she hasn't, Fagin; don't think "What do you mean by this?" said Sikes; backit." ing the inquiry with a very common imprecation " Then keep quiet, will you?" said the Jew, with concerning the most beautiful of human features; a threatening look. which, if it were heard above, only once out of ev"No, I won't do that, neither," replied Nancy, ery fifty thousand times that it is uttered below, speaking very loud. "Come! What do you think would render blindness as common a disorder as of that?" measles: "what do you mean by it? Burn my body! Mr. Fagin was sufficiently well acquainted with Do you know who you are, and what you arc?" the manners and customs of that particular species " Oh, yes, I know all about it," replied the girl, of humanity to which Nancy belonged to feel toler- laughing hysterically, and shaking her head from ably certain that it would be rather unsafe to pro- side to side with a poor assumption of indifference. long any conversation with her at present. With L "Well, then, keep quiet," rejoined Sikes, with a the view of diverting the attention of the company, growl like that he was accustomed to use when adhe turned to Oliver. dressing his dog, " or I'll quiet you for a good long " So you wanted to get away, my dear, (id you?" time to come." said the Jew, taking up a jagged and knotted club The girl laughed again, even less composedly than which lay in a corner of the fire-place; " eh?" before; and, darting a hasty look at Sikes, turned Oliver made no reply. But he watched the Jew's her face aside, and bit her lip till the blood came. motions, and breathed quickly. "You're a nice one," added Sikes, as he surveyed "Wanted to get assistance; called for the police, her with a contemptuous air, "to take up the hudid you?" sneered the Jew, catching the boy by the mane and gen-teel side! A pretty subject for the arm. " We'll cure you of that, my young master." child, as you call him, to make a friend of!" The Jew inflicted a smart blow on Oliver's shoul- "God Almighty help me, I am!" cried the girl pasders with the club; and was raising it for a second, sionately; " and I wish I had been struck dead in the when the girl, rushing forward, wrested it from his street, or changed places with them we passed so hand. She flung it into the fire, with a force that near to-night, before I had lent a hand in bringing brought some of the glowing coals whirling out into him here. He's a thief, a liar, a devil, all that's bad, the room. from this night forth. Isn't that enough for the old "I won't stand by and see it done, Fagin," cried wretch, without blows?" the girl. "You've got the boy, and what more would " Come, come, Sikes," said the Jew, appealing to you have? Let him be-let him be-or I shall put him in a remonstratory tone, and motioning toward that mark on some of you, that will bring me to the the boys, who were eagerly attentive to all that gallows before my time." passed; "we must have civil words-civil words, The girl stamped her foot violently on the floor as Bill." she vented this threat; and with her lips compress- "Civil words!" cried the girl, whose passion was ed, and her hands clenched, looked alternately at the frightful to see. " Civil words, you villain! Yes, Jew and the other robber: her face quite colorless you deserve'em from me. I thieved for you when I from the passion of rage into which she had gradu- was a child not half as old as this!" pointing to Olially worked herself. ver. "I have been in the same trade, and in the " Why, Nancy," said the Jew, in a soothing tone; same service, for twelve years since. Don't you know after a pause, during which he and Mr. Sikes had it? Speak out! Don't you know it?" stared at one another in a disconcerted manner; "Well, well," replied the Jew, with an attempt at " you-you're more clever than ever to-night. Ha! pacification; " and, if you have, it's your living." ha! my dear, you are acting beautifully." "Ay, it is!" returned the girl; not speaking, but "Am I?" said the girl. "Take care I don't overdo pouring out the words in one continuous and veheit. You will be the worse for it, Fagin, if I do; and ment scream. "It is my living, and the cold, wet, so I tell you in good time to keep clear of me." dirty streets are my home; and you're the wretch There is something about a roused woman: espe- that drove me to them long ago, and that'll keep me cially if she add to all her other strong passions the there, day and night, day and night, till I die!" MR. B UMBLE, THE BEADLE. 55 "I shall do you a mischief!" interposed the Jew, ing forth her dagger to preserve the one at the cost goaded by these reproaches; " a mischief worse than of the other; andjust as our expectations are wrought that, if you say much more!"' up to the highest pitch, a whistle is heard, and we The girl said nothing more; but tearing her hair are straightway transported to the great hall of the and dress in a transport of passion, made such a rush castle; where a gray-headed seneschal sings a funny at the Jew as would probably have left signal marks chorus with a funnier body of vassals, who are free of her revenge upon him, had not her wrists been of all sorts of places, from church vaults to palaces, seized by Sikes at the right moment; upon which and roam about in company, carolling perpetually. she made a few ineffectual struggles, and fainted. Such changes appear absurd; but they are not so'" She's all right now," said Sikes, laying her down unnatural as they would seem at first sight. The in a corner. "She's uncommon strong in the arms, transitions in real life from well-spread boards to when she's up in this way." death-beds, and from mourning weeds to holiday The Jew wiped his forehead, and smiled, as if it garments, are not a whit less startling; only there were a relief to have the disturbance over; but nei- we are busy actors, instead of passive lookers-on, ther he, nor Sikes, nor the dog, nor the boys, seemed which makes a vast difference. The actors in the to consider it in any other light than a common oc- mimic life of the theatre are blind to violent transicurrence incidental to business. tions and abrupt impulses of passion or feeling, "It's the worst of having to do with women," said which, presented before the eyes of mere spectators, the Jew, replacing his club; "but they're clever, and are at once condemned as outrageous and preposwe can't get on, in our line, without'em. Charley, terous. show Oliver to bed." As sudden shiftings of the scene, and rapid changes "I suppose he'd better not wear his best clothes of time and place, are not only sanctioned in books to-morrow, Fagin, had he?" inquired Charley Bates. by long usage, but are by many considered as the "Certainly not," replied the Jew, reciprocating the great art of authorship-an author's skill in his craft grin with which Charley put the question. being, by such critics, chiefly estimated with relaMaster Bates, apparently much delighted with his tion to the dilemmas in which he leaves his characcommission, took the cleft stick, and led Oliver into ters at the end of every chapter-this brief introducan adjacent kitchen, where there were two or three tion to the present one may perhaps be deemed unof the beds on which he had slept before; and here, necessary. If so, let it be considered a delicate intiwith many uncontrollable bursts of laughter, he pro- mation on the part of the historian that he is going duced the identical old suit of clothes which Oliver back to the town in which Oliver Twist was born; had so much congratulated himself upon leaving off the reader taking it for granted that there are good at Mr. Brownlow's; and the accidental display of and substantial reasons for making the journey, or which, to Fagin, by the Jew who purchased them, he would not be invited to proceed upon such an exhad been the very first clue received of his where- pedition. about. Mr. Bumble emerged at early morning from the " Pull off the smart ones," said Charley, " and I'll work-house gate, and walked with portly carriage give'em to Fagin, to take care of. What fun it is!" and commanding steps up the High Street. He was Poor Oliver unwillingly complied. Master Bates in the fuill bloom and pride of beadlehood; his cocked rolling up the new clothes under his arm, departed hat and coat were dazzling in the morning sun; he from the room, leaving Oliver in the dark, and lock- clutched his cane with the vigorous tenacity of ing the door behind him. health and power. Mr. Bumble always carried his The noise of Charley's laughter, and the voice of head high; but this morning it was higher than Miss Betsy, who opportunely arrived to throw water usual. There was an abstraction in his eye, an eleover her friend, and perform other feminine offices vation in his air, which might have warned an obfor the promotion of her recovery, might have kept servant stranger that thoughts were passing in the many people awake under more happy circumstances beadle's mind too great for utterance. than those in which Oliver was placed. But he was Mr. Bumble stopped not to converse with the sick and weary; and he soon fell sound asleep. small shop-keepers and others who spoke to him deferentially, as he passed along. He merely returned their salutations with a wave of his hand, and relaxed not in his dignified pace until he reachCHAPTER XVII. ed the farm where Mrs. Mann tended the infant paupers with parochial care. OLIVER'S DESTINY CONTINUING UNPROPITIOUS, BRINGS A pers with parochial care. GREAT MINAN TO LONDON TO INJURE HIS REPUTATION.!" said Mrs. Mann, hearin the well-known shaking at the garden-gate. " If it isn't IT is the custom on the stage, in all good murder- him at this time in the morning! Launk, Mr. Bumous melodramas, to present the tragic and the ble, only think of its being you! Well, dear me, it comic scenes, in as regular alternation, as the layers is a pleasure, this is! Come into the parlor, sir, of red and white in a side of streaky bacon. The please." hero sinks upon his straw bed, weighed down by The first sentence was addressed to Susan; and fetters and misfortunes; in the next scene, his faith- the exclamations of delight were uttered to Mr. Bumful but unconscious squire regales the audience with ble, as the good lady unlocked the garden-gate, and a comic song. We behold, with throbbing bosoms, showed him, with great attention and respect, into the heroine in the grasp of a proud and ruthless the house. baron, her virtue and her life alike in danger, draw- "Mrs. Mann," said Mr. Bumbkl —not sitting upon, 56 OLIVER TWIST. or dropping himself into a seat, as any common jack- "We are forgetting business, ma'am," said the beaana-pes would, but letting himself gradually and dle; "here is your porochial stipend for the month." slowly down into a chair-" Mrs. Mann, ma'am, good- Mr. Bumble produced some silver money rolled up morning." in a paper from his pocket-book, and requested a re"Well, and good-morning to you, sir," replied Mrs. ceipt; which Mrs. Mann wrote. Mann, with many smiles; "and hoping you find "It's very much blotted, sir," said the farmer of yourself well, sir." infants; " but it's formal enough, I dare say. Thank "So-so, Mrs. Mann," replied the beadle. "A poro- you, Mr. Bumble, sir, I am very much obliged to you, chial life is not a bed of roses, Mrs. Mann." I'm sure." "Ah, that it isn't indeed, Mr. Bumble," rejoined Mr. Bumble nodded blandly, in acknowledgment the lady. And all the infant paupers might have of Mrs. Mann's courtesy; and inquired how the chilchorused the rejoinder with great propriety, if they dren were. had heard it. " Bless their dear little hearts!" said Mrs. Mann, "A porochial life, ma'am," continued Mr. Bumble, with emotion, " they're as well as can be, the dears! striking the table with his cane, " is a life of worrit, Of course, except the two that died last week. And and vexation, and hardihood; but all public charac- little Dick." ters, as I may say, must suffer prosecution."'" Isn't that boy no better?" inquired Mr. Bumble. Mrs. Mann, not very well knowing what the beadle Mrs. Mann shook her head. meant, raised her hands with a look of sympathy, "He's a ill-conditioned, wicious, bad-disposed poand sighed. rochial child that," said Mr. Bumble angrily. " Where "-Ah! You may well sigh, Mrs. Mann!" said the is he?" beadle. "I'll bring him to you in one minute, sir," replied Finding she had done right, Mrs. Mann sighed Mrs. Mann. "Here, you Dick!" again: evidently to the satisfaction of the public After some calling, Dick was discovered. Having character, who, repressing a complacent smile by had his face put under the pump, and dried upon looking sternly at his cocked hat, said, Mrs. Mann's gown, he was led into the awful pres" Mrs. Mann, I'm a-going to London." ence of Mr. Bumble, the beadle. "Lauk, Mr. Bumble!" cried Mrs. Mann, starting The child was pale and thin; his cheeks were sunkback. en; and his eyes large and bright. The scanty par"To London, ma'am," resumed the inflexible bea- ish dress, the livery of his misery, hung loosely on his dle, "by coach. I and two paupers, Mrs. Mann! A feeble body; and his young limbs had wasted away legal action is a-coming on about a settlement; and like those of an old man. the board has appointed me - me, Mrs. Mann -- to Such was the little being who stood trembling bedepose to the matter before the Quarter-sessions at neath Mr. Bumble's glance; not daring to lift his Clerkinwell. And I very much question,? added Mr. eyes from the floor; and dreading even to hear the Bumble, drawing himself up," whether the Clerkin- beadle's voice. well Sessions will not find themselves in the wrong "Can't you look at the gentleman, you obstinate box before they have done with me." boy?" said Mrs. Mann. "Oh! you mustn't be too hard upon them, sir," The child meekly raised his eyes, and encountered said Mrs. Mann, coaxingly. those of Mr. Bumble. "The Clerkinwell Sessions have brought it upon "What's the matter with you, porochial Dick?" themselves, ma'am," replied Mr. Bumble; "and if the inquired Mr. Bumble, with well-timed jocularity. Clerkinwell Sessions find that they come off rather "Nothing, sir," replied the child, faintly. worse than they expected, the Clerkinwell Sessions " I should think not," said Mrs. Mann, who had, of have only themselves to thank." course, laughed very much at Mr. Bumble's humor. There was so much determination and depth of "You want for nothing, I'm sure." purpose about the menacing manner in which Mr. " I should like-" faltered the child. Bumble delivered himself of these words, that Mrs. "Heyday!" interposedMrs. Mann, "I suppose you're Mann appeared quite awed by them. At length she going to say that you do want for something, now? said, Why, you little wretch-" "You're going by coach, sir? I thought it was "Stop, Mrs. Mann, stop!" said the beadle, raising always usual to send them paupers in carts." his hand with a show of authority. "Like what, sir, "That's when they're ill, Mrs. Mann." said the bea- eh?" dle. "We put the sick paupers into open carts in "I should like," faltered the child, "if somebody the rainy weather. to prevent their taking cold." that can write would put a few words down for me " Oh!" said Mrs. M-nn.o on a piece of paper, and fold it up and seal it, and "The opposition coach contracts for these two, keep it for me, after I am laid in the ground." and takes them cheap," said Mr. Bumble. "They "Why, what does the boy mean?" exclaimed Mr. are both in a very low state, and we find it would Bumble. on whom the earnest manner and wan ascome two pound cheaper to move'em than to bury pect of the child had made some impression, accus-'em —that is, if we can throw'em upon another par- tomed as he was to such things. "What do you ish, which I think we shall be able to do, if they mean, sir?" don't (ie upon the road to spite us: Ha! ha! ha!" " I should like," said the child, "to leave my dear When Mr. Bumble had laughed a little while, his love to poor Oliver Twist; and to let him know how eyes again encountered the cocked hat, and he be- often I have sat by myself and cried to think of hlis came grave. wandering about in the dark nights with nobody to B UMBLE AFTER THE G UINEAS. 57 help him. And I should like to tell him," said the in something more than five minutes was on his way child, pressing his small hands together, and speak- to Pentonville; having actually, in his excitement, ing with great fervor, " that I was glad to die when left the glass of hot gin-and-water untasted. I was very young; for, perhaps, if I had lived to be " Is Mr. Brownlow at home?" inquired Mr. Bumble a man, and had grown old, my little sister, who is of the girl who opened the door. in heaven, might forget me, or be unlike me; and it To this inquiry the girl returned the not uncomwould be so much happier if we were both children mon, but rather evasive reply of, "I don't know; there together." where do you come from?" Mr. Bumble surveyed the little speaker from head Mr. Bumble no sooner uttered Oliver's name, in exto foot with indescribable astonishment; and, turn- planation of his errand, than Mrs. Bedwin, who had ing to his companion, said, " They're all in one story, been listening at the parlor-door, hastened into the Mrs. Mann. That out-dacious Oliver has demogal- passage in a breathless state. ized them all!" "Come in, come in," said the old lady: " I knew we "I couldn't have believed it, sir!" said Mrs. Mann, should hear of him. Poor dear! I knew we should. holding up her hands, and looking malignantly at I was certain of it. Bless his heart! I said so, all Dick. " I never see such a hardened little wretch!" along." " Take him away, ma'am!" said Mr. Bumble, impe- Having said this, the worthy old lady hurried back riously. "This must be stated to the board, Mrs. into the parlor again; and seating herself on a sofa, Mann." burst into tears. The girl, who was not quite so sus" I hope the gentlemen will understand that it isn't ceptible, had run up stairs meanwhile; and now remy fault, sir?" said Mrs. Mann, whimpering pathet- turned with a request that Mr. Bumble would follow ically. her immediately; which he did. "They shall understand that, ma'am; they shall He was shown into the little back study, where sat be acquainted with the true state of the case," said Mr. Brownlow and his friend Mr. Grimwig, with deMr. Bumble. " There; take him away; I can't bear canters and glasses before them. The latter gentlethe sight on him." man at once burst into the exclamation: Dick was immediately taken away and locked up "A beadle! A parish beadle, or I'll eat my head!" in the coal -cellar. Mr. Bumble shortly afterward "Pray don't interrupt just now," said Mr. Browntook himself off, to prepare for his journey. low. " Take a seat, will you?" At six o'clock next morning, Mr. Bumble-having Mr. Bumble sat himself down, quite confounded by exchanged his cocked hat for a round one, and in- the oddity of Mr. Grimwig's manner. Mr. Brownlow cased his person in a blue great-coat with a cape to moved the lamp, so as to obtain an uninterrupted it-took his place on the outside of the coach, accom- view of the beadle's countenance; and said, with a panied by the criminals whose settlement was dis- little impatience, puted; with whom, in due course of time, he arrived " Now, sir, you come in consequence of having seen in London. He experienced no other crosses on the the advertisement?" way than those which originated in the perverse be- "Yes, sir," said Mr. Bumble. havior of the two paupers, who persisted in shiver- "And you are a beadle, are you not?" inquired Mr. ung and complaining of the cold, in a manner which, Grimwig. Mr. Bumble declared, caused his teeth to chatter in " I am a porochial beadle, gentlemen," rejoined Mr. his head, and made him feel quite uncomfortable, al- Bumble, proudly. though he had a great-coat on. "Of course," observed Mr. Grimwig, asikle, to his Having disposed of these evil-minded persons for friend. " I knew he was. A beadle all over!" the night, Mr. Bumble sat himself down in the house Mr. Brownlow gently shook his head to impose siat which the coach stopped; and took a temperate lence on his friend, and resumed: dinner of steaks, oyster-sauce, and porter. Putting "Do you know where this poor boy is now?" a glass of hot gin-and-water on the chimney-piece, "No more than nobody," replied Mr. Bumble. he drew his chair to the fire; and, with sundry moral " Well, what do you know of him?" inquired the reflections on the too-prevalent sin of discontent and old gentleman. " Speak out, my friend, if you have complaining, composed himself to read the paper. any thing to say. What do you know of him?" The very first paragraph upon which Mr. Bumble's "You don't happen to know any good of him, do eye rested was the following advertisement: you?" said Mr. Grimwig, caustically; after an attentive perusal of Mr. Bumble's features. "FIVE GUINEAS REWARD. Mr. Bumble, catching at the inquiry very quickly, "Whereas a young boy, named Oliver Twist, absconded, or shook his head with portentous solemnity. was enticed, on Thursday evening last, from his home, at Pen- "You see?" said Mr. Grimwig, looking triumphtonville, and has not since been heard of. The above reward antly at Mr. Brownlow. will be paid to any person who will give such information as Mr. Brownlow looked apprehensively at Mr. Bumwill lead to the discovery of the said Oliver Twist, or tend to ble's pursed-up countenance; and throw any light upon his previous history, in which the adver- le's pursed-up countenance; and requested him to tiser is, for many reasons, warmly interested." communicate what he knew regarding Oliver, in as few words as possible. And then followed a full description of Oliver's Mr. Bumble put down his hat; unbuttoned his dress, person, appearance, and disappearance; with coat; folded his arms; inclined his head in a retrothe name and address of Mr. Brownlow at full length. spective manner'; and after a few moments' reflecMr. Bumble opened his eyes; read the advertise- tion, commenced his story. ment, slowly and carefully, three several times; and It would be tedious if given in the beadle's words, 58 OLIVER TWIST. occupying, as it did, some twenty minutes in the tell- "It can't be, sir. It can not be," said the old lady, ing; but the sum and substance of it was, That 01- energetically. iver was a foundling, born of low and vicious par- "I tell you he is," retorted the old gentleman. ents. That he had, from his birth, displayed no "What do you mean by can't be? We have just better qualities than treachery, ingratitude, and mal- heard a full account of him from his birth; and he ice. That he had terminated his brief career in the has been a thorough-paced little villain all his life." place of his birth, by making a sanguinary and cow- " I never will believe it, sir," replied the old lady, ardly attack on an unoffending lad, and running firmly. "Never!" away in the night-time from his master's house. In "You old women never believe any thing but proof of his really being the person he represented quack doctors and lying story-books," growled Mr. himself, Mr. Bumble laid upon the table the papers Grimwig. "I knew it all along. Why didn't you he had brought to town. Folding his arms again, take my advice in the beginning; you would, if he le then awaited Mr. Brownlow's observations. hadn't had a fever, I suppose, eh? He was interest"I fear it is all too true," said the old gentleman ing, wasn't he? Interesting! Bah!" And Mr. Grimlsorrowfully, after looking over the papers. "This is wig poked the fire with a flourish. "A BEADLE! A PARiISII BEADLE, OR I'LL EAT MY HEuAD." not mucn for your intelligence; but I would gladly "He was a dear, grateful, gentle child, sir," retorthave given you treble the money, if it had been fa- ed Mrs. Bedwin, indignantly. "I know what chilvorable to the boy." dren are, sir, and have done these forty years; and It is not improbable that if Mr. Bumble had been people who can't say the same, shouldn't say any possessed of this information at an earlier period of thing about them. That's my opinion!" the interview, he might have imparted a very differ- This was a hard hit at Mr. Grimwig, who was a ent coloring to his little history. It was too late to bachelor. As it extorted nothing from that gentledo it now, however; so he shook his head gravely, man but a smile, the old lady tossed her head, and and, pocketing the five guineas, withdrew. smoothed down her apron preparatory to another Mr. Brownlow paced the room to and fro for some speech, when she was stopped by Mr. Brownlow. minutes; evidently so much disturbed by the bea- "Silence!" said the old gentleman, feigning an dle's tale, that even Mr. Grimwig forbore to vex him anger he was far from feeling. "Never let me hear further. the boy's name again. I rang to tell you that. At length he stopped, and rang the bell violently. Never. Never, on any pretense, mind! You may "Mrs. Bedwin," said Mr. Brownlow, when the house- leave the room, Mrs. Bedwin. Remember! I am in keeper appeared; " that boy, Oliver, is an impostor." earnest." A LONVELY PL.ACE TO LIVE IN. 59 There were sad hearts at Mr. Brownlow's that himself with an old patched great-coat, he went out, night. and locked the room-door behind him. Oliver's heart sank within him, when he thought And so Oliver remained all that day, and for the of his good kind friends; it was well for him that he greater part of many subsequent days, seeing nocould not know what they had heard, or it might body between early morning and midnight, and left have broken outright. during the long hours to commune with his own thoughts; which, never failing to revert to his kind friends, and the opinion they must long ago have formed of him, were sad indeed. CHAPTER XVIII. After the lapse of a week or so, the Jew left the room-door unlocked; and he was at liberty to wanHOW OLIVER PASSED HIS TIME IN THE IMPROVING SO- der about the house. CIETY OF HIS REPUTABLE FRIENDS. It was a very dirty place. The rooms up stairs BOUT noon next day, when the Dodger and had great high wooden chimney-pieces and large Master Bates had gone out to pursue their cus- doors, with paneled walls and cornices to the ceiltomary avocations, Mr. Fagin took the opportunity ings; which, although they were black with neglect of reading Oliver a long lecture on the crying sin of and dust, were ornamented in various ways. From ingratitude: of which he clearly demonstrated he all of these tokens Oliver concluded that a long time had been guilty, to no ordinary extent, in willfully ago, before the old Jew was born, it hid belonged to absenting himself from the society of his anxious better people, and had perhaps been quite gay and friends; and, still more, in endeavoring to escape handsome: dismal and dreary as it looked now. from them after so much trouble and expense had Spiders had built their webs in the angles of the been incurred in his recovery. Mr. Fagin laid great walls and ceilings; and sometimes, when Oliver stress on the fact of his having taken Oliver in, and walked softly into a room, the mice would scamper cherished him, when, without his timely aid, he might across the floor and run back terrified to their holes. have perished with hunger; and he related the dis- With these exceptions, there was neither sight nor mal and affecting history of a young lad whom, in sound of any living thing; and often, when it grew his philanthropy, he had succored under parallel cir- dark, and lie was tired of wandering from room to clunstances, but who, proving unworthy of his confi- room, he would crouch in the corner of the passage dence and evincing a desire to communicate with the by the street-door, to be as near living people as he police, had unfortunately come to be hanged at the could; and would remain there, listening and countOld Bailey one morning. Mr. Fagin did not seek to ing the hours, until the Jew or the boys returned. conceal his share in the catastrophe, but lamented In all the rooms the mouldering shutters were fast with tears in his eyes that the wrong-headed and closed: the bars which held them were screwed tight treacherous behavior of the young person in ques- into the wood; the only light which was admitted tion had rendered it necessary that he should become stealing its way through round holes at the top; the victim of certain evidence for the crown: which, which made the rooms more gloomy, and filled them if it were not precisely true, was indispensably nec- with strange shadows. There was a back-garret essary for the safety of him (Mr. Fagin) and a few window with rusty bars outside, which had no shutselect friends. Mr. Fagin concluded by drawing a ter; and out of this Oliver often gazed with a melrather disagreeable picture of the discomforts of'ancholy face for hours together; but nothing was to hanging; and, with great friendliness and politeness be descried from it but a confused and crowded mass of manner, expressed his anxious hopes that he might of house-tops, blackened chimneys, and gable-ends never be obliged to submit Oliver Twist to that un Sometimes, indeed, a grizzly head might be seem pleasant operation. peering over the parapet-wall of a distant house; Little Oliver's blood ran cold, as he listened to the but it was quickly withdrawn again; and as the Jew's words, and imperfectly comprehended the dark window of Oliver's observatory was nailed down, threats conveyed in them. That it was possible even and dimmed with the rain and smoke of years, it was for justice itself to confound the innocent with the as much as he could do to make out the forms of the guilty when they were in accidental companionship, different objects beyond, without making any athe knew already; and that deeply-laid plans for the tempt to be seen or heard-which he had as much destruction of inconveniently knowing or over-com- chance of being, as if he had lived inside the ball of municative persons, had been really devised and car- St. Paul's Cathedral. ried out by the old Jew on more occasions than one, One afternoon, the Dodger and Master Bates being he thought by no means unlikely, when he recol- engaged out that evening, the first-named young lected the general nature of the altercations between gentleman took it into his head to evince some anxthat gentleman and Mr. Sikes, which seemed to bear iety regarding the decoration of his person (to do reference to some foregone conspiracy of the kind. him justice, this was by no means an habitual weakAs he glanced timidly up, and met the Jew's search- ness with him); and, with this end and aim, he coning look, he felt that his pale face and trembling descendingly commanded Oliver to assist him in his limbs were neither unnoticed nor unrelished by that toilet straightway. wary old gentleman. Oliver was but too glad to make himself usefulThe Jew, smiling hideously, patted Oliver on the too happy to have some faces, however bad, to look head, and said, that if he kept himself quiet, and ap- upon-too desirous to conciliate those about him plied himself to business, he saw they would be very when he could honestly do so-to throw any objecgood friends yet. Then, taking his hat, and covering tion in the way of this proposal. So he at once ex 60 OLIVER TWIST. pressed his readiness; and, kneeling on the floor, ceedings. "This hasn't got any thing to do with while the Dodger sat upon the table so that he could young Green here." take his foot in his lap, he applied himself to a proc- "No more it has," said Charley. "Why don't you ess which Mr. Dawkins designated as "japanning put yourself under Fagin, Oliver?" his trotter-cases." The phrase, rendered into plain "And make your fortun' out of hand?" added the English, signifieth, cleaning his boots. Dodger, with a grin. Whether it was the sense of freedom and inde- "And so be able to retire on your property, and do pendenuce which a rational animal may be supposed the gen-teel, as I mean to, in the very next leap-year to feel when he sits on a table in an easy attitude but four that ever comes, and the forty-second Tuessmoking a pipe, swinging one leg carelessly to and day in Trinity-week," said Charles Bates. fro, and having his boots cleaned all the time, with- " I don't like it," rejoined Oliver, timidly; " I wish out even the past trouble of having taken them off, they would let me go. I-I —would rather go." or the prospective misery of putting them on, to dis- " And Fagin would rather not!" rejoined Charley. turb his reflections; or whether it was the goodness Oliver knew this too well; but thinking it might of the tobacco that soothed the feelings of the Dodg- be dangerous to express his feelings more openly, he er, or the mildness of the beer that mollified his only sighed, and went on with his boot-cleaning. thoughts; he was evidently tinctured, for the nonce, "Go!" exclaimed the Dodger. "Why, where's with a spice of romance and enthusiasm, foreign to your spirit? Don't you take any pride out of yourhis general nature. He looked down on Oliver, with self? Would you go and be dependent on your a thoughtful countenance, for a brief space; and friends?" then, raising his head, and heaving a gentle sigh, " Oh, blow that!" said Master Bates, drawing two said, half in abstraction, and half to Master Bates: or three silk handkerchiefs from his pocket, and " What a pity it is he Isn't a prig!" tossing them into a cupboard, " that's too mean, "Ah!" said Master Charles Bates, " he don't know that is." what's good for him." "I couldn't do it," said the Dodger, with an air of The Dodger sighed again, and resumed his pipe, haughty disgust. as did Charley Bates. They both smoked, for some " You can leave your friends, though," said Oliver, seconds, in silence. with a half smile; "and let them be punished for " I suppose you don't even know what a prig is?" what you (lid." said the Dodger, mournfully. "That," rejoined the Dodger, with a wave of his "I think I know that," replied Oliver, looking up. pipe-" that was all out of consideration for Fagin, "It's a th-; you're one, are you not?" inquired Oli-'cause the traps know that we work together, and he ver, checking himself. might have got into trouble if we hadn't made our "I am," replied the Dodger. "I'd scorn to be lucky; that was the move, wasn't it, Charley?" any thing else." Mr. Dawkins gave his hat a fero- Master Bates nodded assent, and would have cious cock, after delivering this sentiment, and look- spoken, but the recollection of Oliver's flight came ed at Master Bates, as if to denote that he would so suddenly upon him, that the smoke he was inhalfeel obliged by his saying any thing to the con- ing got entangled with a laugh, and went up into trary. his head, and down into his throat; and brought on " am," repeated the Dodger. " So's Charley. So's a fit of coughing and stamping, about five minutes Fagin. So's Sikes. Ss Nancy. Sos Nancy. So's Bet. So we long. all are, down to the dog. And he's the downiest one "Look here!" said the Dodger, drawing forth a of the lot!" handful of shillings and halfpence. "I Here's a jolly "And the least given to peaching," added Charley life! What's the odds where it comes from? Here, Bates. catch hold; there's plenty more where they were " He wouldn't so much as bark in a witness-box, took from. You won't, won't you? Oh, you prefor fear of committing himself; no, not if you tied cious flat!" him up in one, and left him there without wittles "It's nalughty, ain't it, Oliver?" inquired Charley for a fortnight," said the Dodger. Bates. "He'll come to be scragged, won't he?" " Not a bit of it," observed Charley. "I don't know what that means," replied Oliver. "He's a rum dog. Don't he look fierce at any "Something in this way, old feller," said Charley. strange cove that laughs or sings when he's in corn- As he said it, Master Bates caught up an end of his puny!" pursued the Dodger. " Won't he growl at neckerchief, and, holding it erect in the air, dropped all, when he hears a fiddle playing! And don't he his head on his shoulder, and jerked a curious sound hate other dogs as ain't of his breed! Oh, no!" through his teeth; thereby indicating, by a lively " He's an out-and-out Christian," said Charley. pantomimic representation, that scragging and hangThis was merely intended as a tribute to the ani- ing were one and the same thing. mal's abilities, but it was an appropriate remark in "That's what it means," said Charley. " Look how another sense, if Master Bates had only known it; he stares, Jack! I never did see such prime compafor there are a good many ladies and gentlemen, ny as that'ere boy; he'll be the death of me, I know claiming to be out-and-out Christians, between he will." Master Charles Bates, having laughed whom and Mr. Sikes's dog there exist strong and heartily again, resumed his pipe with tears in his singular points of resemblance. eyes. "Well, well," said the Dodger, recurring to the "You've been brought up bad," said the Dodger, point from which they had strayed; with that mind- surveying his boots with much satisfaction when O1fulness of his profession which influenced all his pro- iver had polished them. "Fagin will make some IMPROVING AD VICE. 61 thing of you, though, or you'll be the first he ever he " wished he might be busted if he warn't as dry had that turned out unprofitable. You'd better be- as a lime-basket." gin at once; for you'll come to the trade long before "Where do you think the gentleman has come you think of it; and you're only losing time, Oliver." from, Oliver?" inquired the Jew, with a grin, as the Master Bates backed this advice with sundry mor- other boys put a bottle of spirits on the table. al admonitions of his own: which, being exhausted, " I-I-don't know, sir," replied Oliver. he and his friend Mr. Dawkins launched into a glow- "Who's that?" inquired Tom Chitling, casting a ing description of the numerous pleasures incidental contemptuous look at Oliver. to the life they led, interspersed with a variety of "A young friend of mine, my dear," replied the hints to Oliver that the best thing he could do Jew. would be to secure Fagin's favor without more de- "He's in luck, then," said the young man, with a lay, by the means which they themselves had em- meaning look at Fagin. "Never mind where I came ployed to gain it. from, young'un; you'll find your way there soon "And always put this in your pipe, Nolly," said the enough, I'll bet a crown!" Dodger, as the Jew was heard unlocking the door At this sally the boys laughed. After some more above, " if you don't take fogles and tickers —" jokes on the same subject, they exchanged a few " What's the good of talking in that way?" inter- short whispers with Fagin, and withdrew. posed Master Bates: " he don't know what you mean." After some words apart between the last comer "If you don't take pocket-handkechers and and Fagin, they drew their chairs toward the fire; watches," said the Dodger, reducing his conversation and the Jew, telling Oliver to come and sit by him, to the level of Oliver's capacity, "some other cove led the conversation to the topics most calculated to will; so that the coves that lose'em will be all the interest his hearers. These were, the great advanworse, and you'll be all the worse too, and nobody tages of the trade, the proficiency of the Dodger, the half a ha'p'orth the better, except the chaps wot amiability of Charley Bates, and the liberality of the gets them-and you've just as good a right to them Jew himself. At length these subjects displayed as they have." signs of being thoroughly exhausted; and Mr. Chit"To be sure, to be sure!" said the Jew, who had linhug did the same; for the house of correction beentered, unseen by Oliver. "It all lies in a nutshell, comes fatiguing after a week or two.. Miss Betsy my dear-in a nutshell, take the Dodger's word for accordingly withdrew; and left the party to their it. Ha! ha! ha! He understands the catechism of repose. his trade." From this day, Oliver was seldom left alone; but The old man rubbed his hands gleefully together, was placed in almost constant communication with as he corroborated the Dodger's reasoning in these the two boys, who played the old game with the terms; and chuckled with delight at his pupil's pro- Jew every day; whether for their own improvement ficiency. or Oliver's, Mr. Fagin best knew. At other times the The conversation proceeded no further at this time, old man would tell them stories of robberies he had for the Jew had returned home accompanied by Miss committed in his younger days; mixed up with so Betsy, and a gentleman whom Oliver had never seen much that was droll and curious, that Oliver could before, but who was accosted by the Dodger as Tom not help laughing heartily, and showing that he was Chitling; and who having lingered on the stairs to amused, in spite of all his better feelings. exchange a few gallantries with the lady, now made In short, the wily old Jew had the boy in his toils. his appearance. Having prepared his mind, by solitude and gloom, to Mr. Chitling was older in years than the Dodger; prefer any society to the companionship of his own having perhaps numbered eighteen winters; but sad thoughts in such a dreary place, he was now there was a degree of deference in his deportment slowly instilling into his soul the poison which he toward that young gentleman which seemed to in- hoped would blacken it, and change its hue forever. dicate that he felt himself conscious of a slight inferiority in point of genius and professional acquirements. He had small twinkling eyes, and a pockmarked face; wore a fur cap, a dark corduroy jacket, greasy fustian trowsers, and an apron. His ward- CHAPTER XIX. robe was, in truth, rather out of repair; but he excused himself to the company by stating that his IN WHICH A NOTABLE PLAN IS DISCUSSED AND DETER"time" was only out an hour before; and that, in consequence of having worn the regimentals for six IT was a chill, damp, windy night, when the Jew, weeks past, he had not been able to bestow any at- 1 buttoning his great-coat tight round his shriveled tention on his private clothes. Mr. Chitling added, body, and pulling the collar up over his ears so as with strong marks of irritation, that the new way of completely to obscure the lower part of his face, fumigating clothes up yonder was infernal unconsti- emerged from his den. He paused on the step as tutional, for it burned holes in them, and there was the door was locked and chained behind him; and no remedy against the county. The same remark he having listened while the boys made all secure, and considered to apply to the regulation mode of cut- until their retreating footsteps were no longer auditing the hair, which he held to be decidedly unlaw- ble, slunk down the street as quickly as he could. ful. Mr. Chitling wound up his observations by stat- The house to which Oliver had been conveyed ing that he had not touched a drop of any thing for was in the neighborhood of Whitechapel. The Jew forty-two mortal long hard-working days; and that stopped for an instant at the corner of the street; 62 OLIVER TWIST. and, glancing suspiciously round, crossed the road, "Quite enough, quite, thankye, Bill," replied the and struck off in the direction of Spitalfields. Jew, putting' down the glass after just setting his The mud lay thick upon the stones, and a black lips to it. mist hung over the streets; the rain fell sluggishly "What! You're afraid of our getting the better down, and every thing felt cold and clammy to the of you, are you?" inquired Sikes, fixing his eyes on touch. It seemed just the night when it befitted the Jew. "Ugh!" such a being as the Jew to be abroad. As he glided With a hoarse grunt of contempt, Mr. Sikes seized stealthily along, creeping beneath the shelter of the the glass, and threw the remainder of its contents walls and door-ways, the hideous old man seemed into the ashes, as a preparatory ceremony to filling like some loathsome reptile, engendered in the slime it again for himself, which he did at once. and darkness through which he moved; crawling The Jew glanced round the room as his companforth, by night, in search of some rich offal for a ion tossed down the second glassful; not in curiosity, meal. for he had seen it often before; but in a restless and He kept on his course, through many winding and suspicious manner habitual to him. It wvas a meanly narrow ways, until he reached Bethual Green; then, furnished apartment, with nothing but the contents turning suddenly off to the left, he soon became in- of the closet to induce the belief that its occupier volved in a maze of the mean and dirty streets which was any thing but a working-man; and with no abound in that close and densely-populated quarter. more suspicious articles displayed to view than two The Jew was evidently too familiar with the or three heavy bludgeons which stood in a corner, ground he traversed to be at all bewildered, either and a "life-preserver" that hung over the chimneyby the darkness of the night, or the intricacies of piece. the way. He hurried through several alleys and "There," said Sikes, smacking his lips. "Now I'm streets, and at length turned into one, lighted only ready." by a single lamp at the farther end. At the door "For business?" inquired the Jew. of a house in this street he knocked; having ex- "For business," replied Sikes; " so say what you've changed a few muttered words with the person who got to say." opened it, he walked up stairs. "About the crib at Chertsey, Bill?" said the Jew, A dog growled as he touched the handle of a room- lrawing his chair forward, and speaking in a very door; and a man's voice demanded who was there. low voice. " Only me, Bill; only me, my clear," said the Jew, "Yes. Wot about it?" inquired Sikes. looking in. "Ah! you know what I mean, my dear," said the "Bring in your body, then," said Sikes. "Lie Jew. "He knows what I mean, Nancy; don't he?" down, you stupid brute! Don't you know the devil "No, he don't," sneered Mr. Sikes. " Or he won't, when he's got a great-coat on?" and that's the saome thing. Speak out, andl call things Apparently, the dog had been somewhat deceived by their right names; don't sit there winking and by Mr. Fagin's outer garment; for as the Jew unbut- blinking, and talling to me in hints, as if you warn't toned it, and threw it over the back of a chair, he the very first that thought about the robbery. Wot retired to the corner from which he had risen; wag- d'ye mean?" ging his tail as he went, to show that he was as well "Hush, Bill, hush!" said the Jew, who had in vain satisfied as it was in his nature to be. attempted to stop this burst of indignation; " some" Well!" said Sikes. body will hear us, my dear-somebody will hear uS." "Well, my dear," replied the Jew. —"Ah! Nancy." "Let'em hear!" said Sikes; "I don't care." But The latter recognition was uttered with just enough as Mr. Sikes did care, on reflection, he dropped his of embarrassment to imply a doubt of its reception; voice as he said the words, and grew calmer. for Mr. Faglin and his young friend had not met since "There, there," said the Jew, coaxingly. " It was she had interfered in behalf of Oliver. All doubts only my caution, nothing more. Now, my dear, upon the subject, if he had any, were speedily re- about that crib at Chertley; when is it to be done, moved by the young lady's behavior. She took her Bill, eh? When is it to be done? Such plate, my feet off the fender, pushed back her chair, and bade dear, such plate!" said the Jew; rubbing his hands, Fagin draw up his, without saying more about it: and elevating his eyebrows in a rapture of anticifor it was a cold night, and no mistake. pation. "It is cold, Nancy dear," said the Jew, as he warm- "Not at all," replied Sikes, coldly. ed his skinny hands over the fire. " It seems to go "Not to be done at all!" echoed the Jew, leaning right through one," aided the old man, touching his back in his chair. side. "No, not at all," rejoined Sikes. "At least it can't " It must be a piercer, if it finds its way through be a put-up job, as we expected." your heart," said Mr. Sikes. "Give him something "Then it hasn't been properly gone about," said to drink, Nancy. Burn my body, make haste! It's the Jew, turning pale with anger. "Don't tell me!" enough to turn a man ill, to see his lean old carcass "But I will tell you," retorted Sikes. "Who are shivering in that way, like a ugly ghost just rose you that's not to be told? I tell you that Toby from the grave." Crackit has been hanging about the place for a fortNancy quickly brought a bottle from a cupboard, night, and he can't get one of the servants into a in which there were many: which, to judge from the line." diversity of their appearance, were filled with several " Do you mean to tell me, Bill," said the Jew, softkinds of liquids. Sikes, pouring out a glass of bran- ening as the other grew heated, " that neither of the dy, bade the Jew drink it off. two men in the house can be got over?" ;B USINAESS AFOOT. 63 "Yes, I do mean to tell you so," replied Sikes. " Never mind wot it is!' replied Sikes. "I want "The old lady has had'em these twenty year; (l a boy, and he musn't be a big un. Lord!" said Mr. if you were to give'em five hundred pound, tfhcy Sikes, reflectively, "if I'd only got that young boy wouldn't be in it." of Ned, the chimbley-sweeper's! He kept him small "But do you mean to say, my dear," remonstrated on purpose, and let him out by the job. But the fathe Jew, "that the women can't be got over?" ther gets lagged; and then the Juvenile Delinquent, "Not a bit of it," replied Sikes. Society comes and takes the boy away from a trade "Not by flash Toby Crackit?" said the Je-wv, in- where he was arning money, teaches him to read and credulously. "' Think what women are, Bill." write, and in time makes a'prentice of him. And so "No; not even by flash Toby Crackit," replied they go on," said Mr. Sikes, his wrath rising -with the Sikes. "He says he's worn sham whiskers, and a recollection of his wrongs, "so they go on; and, if canary waistcoat, the whole blessed time he's been they'd got money enough (which it's a Providence loitering down there, and it's all of no use." they haven't), we shouldn't have half a dozen boys "He should have tried mustaches and a pair of left in the whole trade, in a year or two." military trowsers, my dear," said the Jew. " No more vwe should," acquiesced the Jew, who "So he did," rejoined Sikes, " and they warn't of had been considering during this speech, and had no more use than the other plant." only caught the last sentence. "Bill [' The Jew looked blank at this information. After "What now?" inquired Sikes. ruminating for some minutes with his chin sunk on The Jew nodded his head toward Nancy, who was his breast, he raised his head and said, with a deep still gazing at the fire; and intimated by a sign that sigh, that if flash Toby Crackit reported aright, he he would have told her to leave the room. Sikes feared the game was up. shrugged his shoulders impatiently, as if he thought "And yet," said the old man, dropping his hands the precaution unnecessary; but complied, nevertheon his knees, " it's a sad thing, my dear, to lose so less, by requesting MAiss Nancy to fetch him a jug of much when we had set our hearts upon it." beer. " So it is," said Mr. Sikes. " Worse luck!" "You don't want any beer," said Nancy, folding A long silence ensued; during which the Jew was her arms, and retaining her seat very composedly. plunged in deep thought, with his face wrinkled "I tell you I do," replied Sikes. into an expression of villainy perfectly demoniacal. "Nonsense!" rejoined the girl, coolly. " Go on, FaSikes eyed him furtively from time to time. Nancy, gin. I know what he's going to say, Bill; he needn't apparently fearful of irritating the house-breaker, sat mind me." with her eyes fixed upon the fire, as if she had been The Jew still hesitated. Sikes looked from one to deaf to all that passed. the other in someo sruprise. "Fagin," said Sikes, abruptly breaking the still- "Why, you don't mind the old girl, do you, Faness that prevailed; "is it worth fifty shiners extra, gin?" he asked at length. "You've known her long if it's safely done from the outside?" enough to trust her, or the Devil's in it. She ain't " Yes," said the Jew, as suddenly rousing himself. one to blab. Are you, Nancy?" "Is it a bargain?" inquired Sikes. "I should think not!" replied the young lady: "Yes, my dear, yes," rejoined the Jew; his eyes drawing her chair up to the table, and putting her glistening, and every muscle in his face working elbows upon it. with the excitement that the inquiry had awakened. "No, no, my dear, I know you're not," said the "Then," said Sikes, thrusting aside the Jew's Jew; " but-" and again the old man paused. hand, with some disdain, "let it come off as soon as "But wet?" inquired Sikes. you like. Toby and me were over the garden-wall "I didn't know whether she mightn't p'r'aps be the night afore last, sounding the panels of the door out of sorts, you know, my dear, as she was the other and shutters. The crib's barred up at night like a night," replied the Jew. jail; but there's one part we can crack safe and At this confession Miss Nancy burst into a loud softly." laugh; and, swallowing a glass of brandy, shook her "Which is that, Bill?" asked the Jew, eagerly. head with an air of defiance, and burst into sundry "Why," whispered Sikes, " as you cross the lawn —-" exclamations of "Keep the game a-going!" "Never "Yes," said the Jew, bending his head forward, say die!" and the like. These seemed to have the with his eyes almost starting out of it. effect of reassuring both gentlemen; for the Jew " Umph!" cried Sikes, stopping short, as the girl, nodded his head with a satisfied air, and resumed his scarcely moving her head, looked suddenly round, seat: as did Mr. Sikes likewise. and pointed for an instant to the Jew's face. " Nev- "Now, Fagin," said Nancy, with a laug'h, "tell Bill er mind which part it is. You can't do it without at once about Oliver!" me, I know; but it's best to be on the safe side when "Ha! you're a clever one, my dear; the sharpest one deals with you." girl I ever saw!" said the Jew, patting her on the "As you like, my dear, as you like," replied the neck. "It was about Oliver I was going to speak, Jew. "Is there no help wanted but yours and sure enough. Ha! ha! ha!" Toby's?" "What about him'?" demanded Sikes. "None," said Sikes. "'Cept a centre - bit and a " He's the boy for you, my dear," replied the Jew, boy. The first we've both got; the second you must in a hoarse whisper, laying his finger on the side of find us." his nose, and grinning frightfully. "A boy!" exclaimed the Jew. " Oh! then it's a " He!" exclaimed Sikes. panel, eh?" " Have him, Bill!" said Nancy. " I would, if I was 64 OLIVER TWIST. in your place. He mayn't be so much up as any of "Ours!" said Sikes. "Yours, you mean." the others; but that's not what you want, if he's only "Perhaps I do, my dear," said the Jew with a shrill to open a door for you. Depend upon it he's a safe chuckle. " Mine, if you like, Bill." one, Bill." "And wot," said Sikes, scowling fiercely on his "I know he is," rejoined Fagin. "He's been in agreeable friend, "wot makes you take so much good training these last few weeks, and it's time he pains about one chalk-faced kid, when you know began to work for his bread. Besides, the others are there are fifty boys snoozing about Common Garden all too big." every night, as you rmight pick and choose from?" "Well, he is just the size I want," said Mr. Sikes, "Because they're of no use to me, my dear," reruminating. plied the Jew, with some confusion, "not worth the "And will do every thing you want, Bill, my dear," taking. Their looks convict'em when they get into interposed the Jew; "he can't help himself. That trouble, and I lose'em all. With this boy, properly is, if you frighten him enough." mainaged, my dears, I could do what I couldn't with "Frighten him!" echoed Sikes. "It'll be no sham twenty of them. Besides," said the Jew, recovering _~~i j:I:; x, (i, T// "THE BOY WAS LYING, FAST ASLEEP, ON A RUDE BED UPON THE FLOOIR. frightening, mind you. If there's any thing queer his self-possession, "he has us now if he could only about him when we once get into the work; in for give us leg-bail again; and he must be in the same a penny, in for a pound. You won't see him alive boat with us. Never mind how he came there; it's again, Fagin. Think of that before you send him. quite enough for my power over him that he was in M'lark my words!" said the robber, poising a crow- a robbery; that's all I want. Now, how much betbar, which he had drawn from under the bedstead. ter this is than being obliged to put the poor leetle "I've thought of it all," said the Jew, with energy. boy out of the way-which would be dangerous, and "Icve-I've had my eye upon him, my dears, close- we should lose by it besides." close. Once let him feel-that he is one of us-once "When is it to be done?" asked Nancy, stopping fill his mind with the idea that he has been a thief- some turbulent exclamation on the part of Mr. Sikes, and he's ours! Ours for his life. Oho! It couldn't expressive of the disgust with which he received Fahave come about better!" The old man crossed his gin's affectation of humanity. arms upon his breast, and, drawinghis headand shoul- "Ah, to be sure," said the Jew; "when is it to be ders into a heap, literally hugged himself for joy. done, Bill?" ~~~~~~~~~~~i-3~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ds!~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~P IN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~i Utj~~~~~~~~~~~ H Ilii~~q~\ ii ii 1; ji.!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bl abuthi he w oc gt nt hewok;i fr ivusle-bi aai; n a penny, in for a po-und. You won't see him alive boat with us. Never mind how he came there; it's~~~~~~.-'.' — agin a n.Tin o ha bfreyo en hm qie nog fr ypoeroerhi ha h asi I 9 how much bet-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~f'~~ TNYr ywrs"sidterbepiig rw obr;thtsalIwn.Nw bar wic h hd daw fomuner hebestad tr tisisthn ein oliedtoputth porletl 11I'ethuhtofi al" ad heJwwtheery.by u o hewa-hihwol b dneru, n THE VERY BOY FOR THE PURPOSE. 65 "I planned with Toby, the night arter to-morrow," to his gloomy abode: where the Dodger was sitting rejoined Sikes in a surly voice, " if he heerd nothing up, impatiently awaiting his return. from me to the contrairy." "Is Oliver abed? I want to speak to him," was "Good," said the Jew; " there's no moon." his first remark as they descended the stairs. "No," rejoined Sikes. " Hours ago," replied the Dodger, throwing open a "It's all arranged about bringing off the swag, is door. " Here he is." it?" asked the Jew. The boy was lying, fast asleep, on a rude bed upon Sikes nodded. the floor; so pale with anxiety, and sadness, and the "And about-" closeness of his prison, that he looked like death; " Oh, ah, it's all planned," rejoined Sikes, inter- not death as it shows in shroud and coffin,"but in the rupting him. "N ever mind particulars. You'd bet- guise it wears when life has just departed; when a ter bring the boy here to-morrow night. I shall get young and gentle spirit has, but an instant, fled to off the stones an hour arter daybreak. Then you I-Heaven, and the gross air of the world has not had hold your tongue, and keep the melting-pot ready, time to breathe upon the changing dust it hallowed. and that's all you'll have to do." "Not now," said the Jew, tiurning softly away. After some discussion, in which all three took an " To-morrow. To-morrow." active part, it was decided that Nancy should repair to the Jew's next evening when the night had set in, and bring Oliver away with her; Fagin craftily observing that, if he evinced any disinclination to CHAPTER XX. the task, he would be more willing to accompany WHEREIN OLIVER IS DELIVERED OVmE1 TO MR. WVILLIX~I the girl who had so recently interfered in his behalf, than any body else. It was also solemnly arranged that poor Oliver should, for the purposes of the con- -THEN Oliver awoke in the morning, he was a templated expedition, be unreservedly consigned to good deal surprised to find that a new pair of the care and custody of Mr. William Sikes; and filr- shoes, with strong thick soles, had been placed at his ther, that the said Sikes should deal with him as he bedside, and that his old shoes had been removed. thought fit; and should not be held responsible by At first he was pleased with the discovery, hoping the Jew for any mischance or evil that might befall it might be the forerunner of his release; but such him, or any punishment with which it might be nec- thoughts were quickly dispelled, on his sitting down essary to visit him: it being understood that, to ren- to breakfast along with the Jew, who told him, in a der the compact in this respect binding, any repre- tone and manner which increased his alarm, that he sentations made by Mr. Sikes on his return should was to be taken to the residence of Bill Sikes that be required to be confirmed and corroborated, in all night. important particulars, by the testimony of flash Toby "To-to-stop there, sir?" asked Oliver, anxiously. Crackit. "No, no, my dear. Not to stop there," replied the These preliminaries adjusted, Mr. Sikes proceeded Jew. "We shouldn't like to lose you. Don't be to drink brandy at a furious rate, and to flourish the afraid, Oliver, you shall come back to us again. Ha! crowbar in an alarming manner; yelling forth, at ha! ha! We won't be so cruel as to send you away, the same time, most unmusical snatches of song, min- my clear. Oh no, no!" gled with wild execrations. At length, in a fit of The old man, who was stooping over the fire toast — professional enthusiasm, he insisted upon producing ing a piece of bread, looked round as he bantered his box of house-breaking tools: which he had no Oliver thus; and chuckled as if to show that he sooner stumbled in with, and opened for the purpose knew he would still be very glad to get away if he of explaining the nature and properties of the vari- could. ous implements it contained, and the peculiar beau- "I suppose," said the Jew, fixing his eyes on Olities of their construction, than he fell over the box ver, "you want to know what you're going to Bill's upon the floor, and went to sleep where he fell. for-eh, my dear?" "Good-night, Nancy," said the Jew, muffling him- Oliver colored, involuntarily, to find that the old self up as before. thief had been reading his thoughts; but boldly " Good-night." said, Yes, he did want to know. Their eyes met, and the Jew scrutinized her nar- "Why1 do you think?" inquired Fagin, parrying rowly. There was no flinching about the girl. She the question. was as true and earnest in the matter as Toby Crack- "Indeed I don't know, sir," replied Oliver. it himself could be. "Bah!" said the Jew, turning away with a disapThe Jew again bade her good-night, and, bestow- pointed countenance from a close perusal of the boy's ing a sly kick upon the prostrate form of Mr. Sikes face. "Wait till Bill tells you, then." while her back was turned, groped down stairs. The Jew seemed much vexed by Oliver's not ex"Always the way," muttered the Jew to himself pressing any greater curiosity on the subject; but as he turned homeward. " The worst of these wornm- the truth is, that although Oliver felt very anxious, en is, that a very little thing serves to call up some he was too much confused by the earnest cunning long-forgotten feeling; and the best of them is, that of Fagin's looks, and his own speculations, to make it never lasts. Ha! ha! The man against the child, any further inquiries just then. He had no other for a bag of gold!" opportunity, for the Jew remained very surly and siBeguiling the time with these pleasant reflections, lent till night; when he prepared to go abroad. Mr. Fagin wended his way, through mud and mire, "You may burn a candle," said the Jew, putting E 66 OLIVEi TWIST. one upon the table. "And here's a book for you to By degrees he grew more calm, and besought, in a read, till they come to fetch you. Good-night!" low and broken voice, that he might be rescued from "Good-night!" replied Oliver, softly. his present dangers; and that if any aid were to be The Jew walked to the door, looking over his raised up for a poor outcast boy who had never shoulder at the boy as he went. Suddenly stopping, known the love of friends or kindred, it might come he called him by his name. to him now, when, desolate and deserted, he stood Oliver looked up; the Jew, pointing to the candle, alone in the midst of wickedness and guilt. motioned him to light it. He did so; and, as he He had concluded his prayer, but still remained placed the candlestick upon the table, saw that the with his head buried in his hands, when a rustling Jew was gazing fixedly at him, with lowering and noise aroused him. contracted brows, from the dark end of the room. "What's that!" he cried, starting up, and catch"Take heed, Oliver! take heed!" said the old man, ing sight of a figure standing by the door. " Who's shaking his right hand before him in a warning there?" manner. "He's a rough man, and thinks nothing "Me. Only me," replied a tremulous voice. of blood when his own is up. Whatever falls out, Oliver raised the candle above his head, and looksay nothing; and do what he bids you. Mind!" ed toward the door. It was Nancy. Placing a strong emphasis on the last word, he suf- "Put down the light," said the girl, turning away fered his features gradually to resolve themselves her head. "It hurts my eyes." into a ghastly grin, and, nodcding his head, left the Oliver saw that she was very pale, and gently inroom. quired if she were ill. The girl threw herself into Oliver leaned his head upon his hand when the a chair with her back toward him, and wrung her old man disappeared, and pondered, with a trembling hands, but made no reply. heart, on the words lie had just heard. The more "God forgive me!" she cried, after a while, "'I he thought of the Jew's admonition, the more he was never thought of this." at a loss to divine its real purpose and meaning. He "Has any thing happened?" asked Oliver. "Can could think of no bad object to be attained by send- I help you? I will if I can. I will, indeed." ing him to Sikes which would not be equally well She rocked herself to and fro, caught her throat, answered by his remaining with Fagin; and after and, uttering a gurgling sound, gasped for breath. meditating for a long time, concluded that he had " Nancy!" cried Oliver, " what is it?" been selected to perform some ordinary menial of- The girl beat her hands upon her knees, and her flees for the house-breaker, until another boy, better feet upon the ground; and, suddenly stopping, dhew suited for his purpose, could be engaged. He was her shawl close round her, and shivered with cold. too well accustomed to suffering, and had suffered Oliver stirred the fire. Drawing her chair close too much where he was, to bewail the prospect of to it, she sat there for a little time, without speakchange very severely. He remained lost in thought ing; but at length she raised her head, and looked for some minutes; and then, with a heavy sigh, snuff — round. ed the candle, and, taking up the book which the Jew "I don't know what comes over me sometimes," had left with him, began to read. said she, affecting to busy herself in arranging her He turned over the leaves. Carelessly at first; dress; "it's this damp, dirty room, I think. Now, but lighting on a passage which attracted his atten- Nolly, dear, are you ready?" tion, he soon became intent upon the volume. It "Aim I to go with you?" asked Oliver. was a history of the lives and trials of great crimi- "Yes, I have come from Bill," replied the girl. nals, and the pages were soiled and thumbed with "You are to go with me." use. Here he read of dreadfiul crimes that made the " What for?" asked Oliver, recoiling. blood run cold; of secret murders that had been "What for?" echoed the girl, raising her eyes, and committed by the lonely wayside; of bodies hidden averting them again the moment they encountered from the eye of man in deep pits and wells, which the boy's face. "OlOh! For no harm." would not keep them down, deep as they were, but " I don't believe it," said Oliver, who had watched had yielded them up at last after many years, and her closely. so maddened the murderers with the sight, that in "Have it your own way," rejoined the girl, affecttheir horror they had confessed their guilt, and yell- ing to laugh. " For no good, then." ed for the gibbet to end their agony. Here, too, he Oliver could see that he had some power over the read of men who, lying in their beds at dead of night, girl's better feelings, and, for an instant, thought of had been tempted (so they said) and led on, by their appealing to her compassion for his helpless state. own bad thoughts, to such dreadful bloodshed as it But then the thought darted across his mind that it made the flesh creep and the limbs quail to think was barely eleven o'clock, and that many people of. The terrible descriptions were so real and vivid, were still in the streets, of whom surely some might that the sallow pages seemed to turn red with gore, be found to give credence to his tale. As the reflecand the words upon them to be sounded in his ears tion occurred to him, he stepped forward, and said, as if they were whispered, in hollow murmurs, by the somewhat hastily, that he was ready. spirits of the dead. Neither his brief consideration nor its purport was In a paroxysm of fear, the boy closed the book lost on his companion. She eyed him narrowly and thrust it from him. Then, falling upon his while he spoke, and cast upon him a look of intelliknees, he prayed Heaven to spare him from such gence which sufficiently showed that she guessed deeds; and rather to will that he should die at once, what had been passing in his thoughts. than be reserved for crimes so fearful and appalling. "Hush!" said the girl, stooping over him, and .MR. SIKES READS OLIVER A LECTURE. 67 pointing to the door as she looked cautiously round. "Yes, here he is," replied Nancy. "You can't help yourself. I have tried hard for "Did he come quiet?" inquired Sikes. you, but all to no purpose. You are hedged round "Like a lamb," rejoined Nancy. and round. If ever you are to get loose from here, "I'm glad to hear it," said Sikes, looking grimly at this is not the time." Oliver; " for the sake of his young carcass: as would Struck by the energy of her manner, Oliver looked otherways have suffered for it. Come here, young up in her face with great surprise. She seemed to'un; and let me read you a lectur', which is as well speak the truth; her countenance was white and ag- got over at once." itated, and she trembled with very earnestness. Thus addressing his new pupil, Mr. Sik6s pulled " I have saved you from being ill-used once, and I off Oliver's cap and threw it into a corner; and then, will again, and I do now," continued the girl, aloud; taking him by the shoulder, sat himself down by the "for those who would have fetched you, if I had not, table, and stood the boy in front of him. would have been far more rough than me. I have "Now, first: do you know wot this is?" inquired promised for your being quiet and silent; if you are Sikes, taking up a pocket-pistol which lay on the not, you will only do harm to yourself and me too, table. and perhaps be my death. See here! I have borne all Oliver replied in the affirmative. this for you already, as true as God sees me show it." "Well, then, look here," continued Sikes. "This She pointed hastily to some livid bruises on her is powder; that'ere's a bullet; and this is a little neck and arms, and continued, with great rapidity: bit of a old hat for waddin'." " Remember this! And don't let me suffer more Oliver murmured his comprehension of the differfor you, just now. If I could help you, I would; but ent bodies referred to; and Mr. Sikes proceeded to I have not the power. They don't mean to harm load the pistol, with great nicety and deliberation. you; whatever they make you do is no fault of "Now it's loaded," said Mr. Sikes, when he had yours. Hush! Every word from you is a blow for finished. me. Give me your hand. Make haste! Your " Yes, I see it is, sir," replied Oliver. hand!" "Well," said the robber, grasping Oliver's wrist, She caught the hand which Oliver instinctively and putting the barrel so close to his temple thatplaced in hers, and, blowing out the light, drew him they touched; at which moment the boy could not after her up the stairs. The door was opened quick- repress a start; "if you speak a word when you're ly by some one shrouded in the darkness, and was as out o' doors with me, except when I speak to you, quickly closed when they had passed out. A hack- that loading will be in your head without notice. ney-cabriolet was in waiting; with the same vehe- So, if you do make up your mind to speak without mence which she had exhibited in addressing Oli- leave, say your prayers first." ver, the girl pulled him in with her, and drew the cur- Having bestowed a scowl upon the object of this tains close. The driver wanted no directions, but warning, to increase its effect, Mr. Sikes continued. lashed his horse into full speed without the delay of "As near as I know, there isn't any body as would an instant. be asking very partickler arter you, if you was disThe girl still held Oliver fast by the hand, and posed of; so I needn't take this devil-and-all of continued to pour into his ear the warnings and as- trouble to explain matters to you, if it warn't for surances she had already imparted. All was so your own good. D'ye hear me?" quick and hurried, that he had scarcely time to rec- "; The short and the long of what you mean," said ollect where he was, or how he came there, when the Nancy — speaking very emphatically, and slightly carriage stopped at the house to which the Jew's frowning at Oliver as if to bespeak his serious attensteps had been directed on the previous evening. tion to her words-" is, that if you're crossed by him For one brief moment, Oliver cast a hurried glance in this job you have on hand, you'll prevent his ever along the empty street, and a cry for help hung upon telling tales afteiward by shooting him through the his lips. But the girl's voice was in his ear, beseech- head, and will take your chance of swinging for it, ing him in such tones of agony to remember her, as you do for a great many other things in the way that he had not the heart to utter it. While he hes- of business, every month of your life." itated the opportunity was gone; he was already in "That's it!" observed Mr. Sikes, approvingly; the house, and the door was shut. "women can always put things in fewest words."This way," said the girl, releasing her hold for Except when it's blowing up, and then they lengththe first time. " Bill!" ens it out. And now that he's thoroughly up to it, "Halloo!" replied Sikes, appearing at the head of let's have some supper, and get a snooze before startthe stairs, with a candle. "Oh! That's the time of ing." day I Come on!" In pursuance of this request, Nancy quickly laid This was a very strong expression of approbation, the cloth; disappearing for a few minutes, she presan uncommonly hearty welcome, from a person of ently returned with a pot of porter and a dish of Mr. Sikes's temperament. Nancy, appearing much sheep's heads; which gave occasion to several pleasgratified thereby, saluted him cordially. ant witticisms on the part of Mr. Sikes, founded upon "Bull's- eye's gone home with Tom," observed the singular coincidence of "jemmies" being a cant Sikes, as he lighted them up. "He'd have been in name common to them, and also to an ingenious imthe way." plement much used in his profession. Indeed, the "That's right," rejoined Nancy. worthy gentleman, stimulated perhaps by the imme"So you've got the kid," said Sikes, when they had diate prospect of being on active service, was in great all reached the room, closing the door as he spoke. spirits and good-humor; in proof whereof, it may beo 68 OLIVER TWIST. here remarked, that he humorously drank all the By the time they had turned into the Bethnal beer at a draught, and did not utter, on a rough Green Road, the day had fairly begun to break. calculation, more than four-score oaths during the Many of the lamps were already extinguished; a whole progress of the meal. few country wagons were slowly toiling on toward Supper being ended-it may easily be conceived London; now and then a stage-coach, covered with that Oliver had no great appetite for it-Mr. Sikes mud, rattled briskly by: the driver bestowing, as he disposed of a couple of glasses of spirits-and-water, passed, an admonitory lash upon the heavy wagoner and threw himself on the bed; ordering Nancy, with who, by keeping on the wrong side of the road, had many imprecations in case of failure, to call him endangered his arriving at the office a quarter of a at five precisely. Oliver stretched himself in his minute after his time. The public-houses, with gasclothes, by command of the same authority, on a lights burning inside, were already open. By demattress upon the floor; and the girl, mending the grees, other shops began to be unclosed, and a few fire, sat before it, in readiness to arouse them at the scattered people were met with. Then came stragappointed time. gling groups of laborers going to their work: then, For a long time Oliver lay awake, thinking it not men and women with fish-baskets on their heads; impossible that Nancy might seek that opportunity donkey-carts laden with vegetables; chaise-carts fillof whispering some further advice; but the girl sat ed with live-stock or whole carcasses of meat; milkbrooding over the fire, without moving, save now women with pails; an unbroken concourse of people, and then to trim the light. Weary with watching trudging out with various supplies to the eastern andl anxiety, he at length fell asleep. suburbs of the town. As they approached the City, When he awoke, the table was covered with tea- the noise and traffic gradually increased; when they things, and Sikes was thrusting various articles into threaded the streets between Shoreditch and Smiththe pockets of his great-coat, which hung over the field, it had swelled into a roar of sound and bustle. back of a chair. Nancy was busily engaged in pre- It was as light as it was likely to be till night came paring breakfast. It was not yet daylight; for the on again, and the busy morning of half the London candle was still burning, and it was quite dark out- population had begun. side. A sharp rain, too, was beating against the win- Turning down Sun Street and Crown Street, and dow-panes; and the sky looked black and cloudy. crossing Finsbury Square, Mr. Sikes struck, by way "Now, then!" growled Sikes, as Oliver started up; of Chiswell Street, into Barbican; thence into Long " half-past five! Look sharp, or you'll get no break- Lane, and so into Smithfield; from which latter fast; for it's late as it is." place arose a tumult of discordant sounds that filled Oliver was not long in making his toilet; having Oliver Twist with amazement. taken some breakfast, he replied to a surly inquiry It was market-morning. The ground was coverfrom Sikes, by saying that he was quite ready. ed, nearly ankle-deep, with filth and mire; a thick Nancy scarcely looking at the boy, threw himn a steam, perpetually rising from the reeking bodies of handkerchief to tie round his throat; Sikes gave the cattle, and mingling with the fog, which seemed him a large rough cape to button over his shoulders. to rest upon the chimney-tops, hung heavily above. Thus attired, he gave his hand to the robber, who, All the pens in the centre of the large area, and as merely pausing to show him with a menacing ges- many temporary pens as could be crowded into the ture that he had that same pistol in a side-pocket of vacant space, were filled with sheep; tied up to posts his great-coat, clasped it firmly in his, and, exchang- by the gutter side were long lines of beasts and oxen, ing a farewell with Nancy, led him away. three or four deep. Countrymen, butchers, drovers, Oliver turned, for an instant, when they reached hawkers, boys, thieves, idlers, and vagabonds of every the door, in the hope of meeting a look from the girl. low grade, were mingled together in a mass; the But she had resumed her old seat in front of the fire, whistling of drovers, the barking of dogs, the belancl sat perfectly motionless before it. lowing and plunging of oxen, the bleating of sheep, the grunting and squeaking of pigs, the cries of hawkers, the shouts, oaths, and quarreling on all sides; the ringing of bells and roar of voices, that CHAPTER XXI. issued from every public-house; the crowding, pushing, driving, beating, whooping, and yelling; the hideous and discordant din that resounded from every IT was a cheerless morning when they got into the corner of the market; and the unwashed, unshaven, street; blowing and raining hard, and the clouds squalid, and dirty figures constantly running to and looking dull and stormy. The night had been very fro, and bursting in and out of the throng, rendered wet: large pools of water had collected in the road, it a stunning and bewildering scene, which quite and the kennels were overflowing. There was a confounded the senses. faint glimmering of the coming day in the sky; but Mr. Sikes, dragging Oliver after him, elbowed his it rather aggravated than relieved the gloom of the way through the thickest of the crowd, and bestowscene: the sombre light only serving to pale that ed very little attention on the numerous sights and which the street lamps afforded, without shedding sounds which so astonished the boy. He nodded, any warmer or brighter tints upon the wet house-tops twice or thrice, to a passing friend; and, resisting as and dreary streets. There appeared to be nobody many invitations to take a morning dram, pressed stirring in that quarter of the town; the windows steadily onward, until they were clear of the turmoil, of the houses were all closely shut; and the streets I and had made their way through Hosier Lane into through which they passed were noiseless and empty. \ Holburn. ON THE ROAD OUT OF TO WXN. 69 "Now, young un!" said Sikes, looking up at the which were seated several rough men in smock-frocks, clock of St. Andrew's Church, "hard upon seven! drinking and smoking. They took no notice of Oliyou must step out. Come, don't lag behind already, ver, and very little of Sikes; and, as Sikes took very Lazy-legs!" little notice of them, he and his young comrade sat Mr. Sikes accompanied this speech with a jerk at in a corner by themselves, without being much trouhis little companion's wrist. Oliver, quickening his bled by their company. pace into a kind of trot, between a fast walk and a They had some cold meat for dinner, and sat so run, kept up with the rapid strides of the house- long after it, while Mr. Sikes indulged himself with breaker as well as he could. three or four pipes, that Oliver began to feel quite They held their course at this rate, until they had certain they were not going any farther. Being passed Hyde Park corner, and were on their way to much tired with the walk, and getting up so early, Kensington; when Sikes relaxed his pace, until an he dozed a little at first; then, quite overpowered by empty cart, which was at some little distance behind, fatigue and the fumes of the tobacco, fell asleep. came up. Seeing " Hounslow " written on it, he ask- It was quite dark when he was awakened by a ed the driver with as much civility as he could as- push from Sikes. Rousing himself sufficiently to sit sume, if he would give them a lift as far as Isleworth. up and look about him, he found that worthy in close "Jump up," said the man. " Is that your boy?" fellowship and communication with a laboring-mlan,l "Yes; he's my boy," replied Sikes, looking hard at over a pint of ale. Oliver, and putting his hand abstractedly into the "' So you're going on to Lower Halliford, are you?" pocket where the pistol was. inquired Sikes. " Your father walks rather too quick for you, don't "Yes, I am," replied the man, who seemed a little he, my man?" inquired the driver; seeing that Oliver the worse-or better, as the case might be-for drinkwas out of breath. ing; "and not slow about it, neither. My horse hasn't " Not a bit of it," replied Sikes, interposing. " He's got a load behind him going back, as he had coming used to it. Here, take hold of my hand, Ned. In with up in the mornin'; and he won't be long a-doing of you!" it. Here's luck to him.n Ecod! he's a good un!" Thus addressing Oliver, he helped him into the "Could you give my boy and me a lift as far as cart; and the driver, pointing to a heap of sacks, there?" demanded Sikes, pushing the ale toward his told him to lie down there and rest himself. new friend. As they passedlthe different mile-stones, Oliver won- " If you're going directly, I can," replied the man, dered, more and more, where his companion meant looking out of the pot. "Are you going to Hallito take him. Kensington, Hammersmith, Chiswick, ford?" Kew Bridge, Brentford, were all passed; and yet they "Going on to Shepperton," replied Sikes. went on as steadily as if they had only just begun "I'm your man, as far as I go," replied the other. their journey. At length they came to a public- "Is all paid, Becky?" house called the Coach and Horses; a little way be- "Yes, the other gentleman's paid," replied the girl. yond which, another road appeared to turn off. And "I say!" said the man, with tipsy gravity; "that -here the cart stopped. won't do, you know." Sikes dismounted with great precipitation, holding "Why not?" rejoined Sikes. " You're a-going to Oliver by the hand all the while; and, lifting him accommodate us, and wot's to prevent my standing down directly, bestowed a furious look upon him, treat for a pint or so, in return?" and rapped the side-pocket with his fist in a signifi- The stranger reflected lupon this argument with a cant manner. very profound face; having done so, he seized Sikes " Good-bye, boy," said the man. by the hand, and declared he was a real good fellow. "He's sulky," replied Sikes, giving him a shake; To which Mr. Sikes replied, he was joking; as, if he "he's sulky. A young dog! Don't mind him." had been sober, there would have been strong reason "Not I!" rejoined the other, getting into his cart. to suppose he was. "It's a fine day, after all." And he drove away. After the exchange of a few more compliments, Sikes waited until he had fairly gone; and then they bade the company good-night, and went out; telling Oliver he might look about him if he wanted, the girl gathering up the pots and glasses as they once again led him onward on his journey. did so, and lounging out to the door, with her hands They turned round to the left, a short way past full, to see the party start. the public-house; and then, taking a right-hand The horse, whose health had been drunk in his abN road, walked on for a long time; passing many large sence, was standing outside, ready harnessed to the gardens and gentlemen's houses on both sides of the cart. Oliver and Sikes got in without any further way, and stopping for nothing but a little beer until ceremony; and the man to whom he belonged, haythey reached a town. Here, against the wall of a ing lingered for a minute or two "to bear him up," house, Oliver saw written up in pretty large letters, and to defy the hostler and the world to produce his " Hampton." They lingered about in the fields for equal, mounted also. Then the hostler was told to some hours. At length they came back into the give the horse his head; and, his head being given town; and, turning into an old public-house with a him, he made a very unpleasant use of it-tossing it defaced sign-board, ordered some dinner by the kitch- into the air with great disdain, and running into the en fire. parlor windows over the way: after performing those The kitchen was an old, low-roofed room; with feats, and supporting himself for a'short time on his a great beam across the middle of the ceiling, and hind-legs, he started off at great speed, and rattled benches, with high backs to them, by the fire; on out of the town right gallantly. 70 OLIVER TWIST. The night was very dark. A damp mist rose from the bridge, then turned suddenly down a bank upon the river and the marshy ground about, and spread the left. itself over the dreary fields. It was piercing cold, "The water!" thought Oliver, turning sick with too; all was gloomy and black. Not a word was fear. "He has brought me to this lonely place to spoken; for the driver had grown sleepy, and Sikes murder me!" was in no mood to lead him into conversation. Oli- He was about to throw himself on the ground, and ver sat huddled together in a corner of the cart, be- make one struggle for his young life, when he saw wildered with alarm and apprehension; and figuring that they stood before a solitary house, all ruinous strange objects in the gaunt trees, whose branches and decayed. There was a window on each side of waved grimly to and fro, as if in some fantastic joy the dilapidated entrance, and one story above, but at the desolation of the scene. no light was visible. The house was dark, dismanAs they passed Sunbury Church, the clock struck tled; and, to all appearance, uninhabited. seven. There was a light in the ferry-house win- Sikes, with Oliver's hand still in his, softly apdow opposite, which streamed across the road, and proached the low porch and raised the latch. The threw into more sombre shadow a dark yew-tree door yielded to the pressure, and they passed in towith graves beneath it. There was a dull sound of gether. tree stirred gently in the night wicnd. It seemed like quiet music for the repose of the dead. THE BURGLARY. Sunbury was passed through, and they came again " [ ALLOO!" cried a loud, hoarse voice, as soon as into the lonely road. Two or three miles more, and 11 they set foot in the passage. the cart stopped. Sikes alighted, took Oliver by the "Don't make such a row," said Sihes, bolting the hand, and they once again walked on. door. "Show a glim, Toby." They turned into no house at Shepperton, as the "Aha! my pal!" cried the same voice. "A glim, weary boy had expected; but still kept walking on, Barney, a glim! Show the gentleman in, Barney; in mud and darkness, through gloomy lanes and over wake up, first, if convenient." cold open wastes, until they came within sight of the The speaker appeared to throw a boot-jack, or lights of a town at no great distance. On looking some such article, at the person he addressed, to rouse intently forward, Oliver saw that the water was just him from his slumbers; for the noise of a wooden below them, and that they were coming to the foot body, falling violently, was heard; and then an inof a bridge. listinct muttering, as of a man between asleep and Silkes kept straight on until they were close upon llawake. .MR. TOBY CRA CKIT. 71 "Do you hear?" cried the same voice. "There's and drawing a sto6l to the fire, sat with his aching Bill Sikes in the passage, with nobody to do the civil head upon his hands, scarcely knowing where he to him; and you sleeping there, as if you took lau- was, or what was passing around him. danum with your meals, and nothing stronger. Are "Here," said Toby, as the young Jew placed some you any fresher now, or do you want the iron candle- fragments of food and a bottle upon the table, " Sucstick to wake you thoroughly?" cess to the crack!" He rose to honor the toast, and, A pair of slipshod feet shuffled, hastily, across the carefully depositing his empty pipe in a corner, adbare floor of the room, as this interrogatory was put, vanced to the table, filled a glass with spirits, and and there issued, from a door on the right hand, first, drank off its contents. Mr. Sikes did the same. a feeble candle; and next, the form of the same in- "A drain for the boy," said Toby, half filling a dividual who has been heretofore described as labor- wine-glass. " Down with it, Innocence." ing under the infirmity of speaking through his nose, "Indeed," said Oliver, looking piteously up into and officiating as waiter at the public-house on Saf- the man's face, "indeed, I —" fron Hill. "Down with it!" echoed Toby. "Do you think I "Bister Sikes!" exclaimed Barney, with real or don't know what's good for you? Tell him to drink counterfeit joy; " cub id, sir; cub id." it, Bill." "Here! you get on first," said Sikes, putting Oli- "He had better!" said Sikes, clapping his hand ver in front of him. "Quicker! or I shall tread upon his pocket. "Burn my body, if he isn't more upon your heels." trouble than a whole family of Dodgers! Drink it, Muttering a curse upon his tardiness, Sikes push- you perwerse imp! drink it!" ed Oliver before him; and they entered a low dark Frightened by the menacing gestures of the two room, with a smoky fire, two or three broken chairs, men, Oliver hastily swallowed the contents of the a table, and a very old couch, on which, with his glass, and immediately fell into a violent fit of coughlegs much higher than his head, a man was reposing ing, which delighted Toby Crackit and Barney, and at full length, smoking a long clay pipe. He was even drew a smile from the surly Mr. Sikes. dressed in a snmartly-cut snuff-colored coat, with This done, and Sikes having satisfied his appetite large brass buttons; an orange neckerchief; a coarse, (Oliver could eat nothing but a small crust of bread staring, shawl-pattern waistcoat; and drab breeches. which they made him swallow), the two men laid Mr. Crackit (for he it was) had no very great quarn- themselves down on chairs for a short nap. Oliver tity of hair, either upon his head or face; but what retained his stool by the fire; Barney, wrapped in a he had was of a reddish dye, and tortured into long blanket, stretched himself on the floor, close outside corkscrew curls, through whichhe occasionally thrust the fender. * some very dirty fingers, ornamented with large comn- They slept, or appeared to sleep, for some time; mon rings. He was a trifle above the middle size, nobody stirring but Barney, who rose once or twice and apparently rather weak in the legs; but this to throw coals upon the fire. Oliver fell into a heavy circumstance by no means detracted from his own doze, imagining himself straying along the gloomy admiration of his top-boots, which he contemplated, lanes, or wandering about the dark church-yard, or in their elevated situation, with lively satisfaction. retracing some one or other of the scenes of the past "Bill, my boy!" said this figure, turning his head day, when he was roused by Toby Crackit jumping toward the door, "I'm glad to see you. I was al- up and declaring it was half-past one. most afraid you'd given it up; in which case I In an instant the other two were on their legs, should have made a personal wentur. Halloo!" and all were actively engaged in busy preparation. Uttering this exclamation in a tone of great sur- Sikes and his companion enveloped their necks and prise, as his eye rested on Oliver, Mr. Toby Crackit chins in large dark shawls, and drew on their greatbrought himself into a sitting posture, and demand- coats; Barney, opening a cupboard, brought forth ed who that was. several articles, which he hastily crammed into the "The boy. Only the boy!" replied Sikes, draw- pockets. ing a chair toward the fire. "Barkers for me, Barney," said Toby Crackit. " Wud of Bister Fagid's lads," exclaimed Barney, "Here they are," replied Barney, producing a pair with a grin. of pistols. " You loaded them yourself." " Fagin's, eh!" exclaimed Toby, looking at Oliver. "All right!" replied Toby, stowing them away. "Wot an inwalable boy that'll make for the old "The persuaders?" ladies' pockets in chapels! His mug is a fortun' to " I've got'em," replied Sikes. him." " Crape, keys, centre-bits, darkies-nothing forgot. " There-there's enough of that," interposed Sikes, ten?" inquired Toby, fastening a small crowbar to a impatiently; and stooping over his recumbent friend, loop inside the skirt of his coat. he whispered a few words in his ear, at which Mr. "All right," rejoinedhis companion. "Bring them Crackit laughed immensely, and honored Oliver with bits of timber, Barney. That's the time of day!" a long stare of astonishment. With these words, he took a thick stick from Bar"Now," said Sikes, as he resumed his seat, "if ney's hands, who, having delivered another to Toby, you'll give us something to eat and drink while busied himself in fastening on Oliver's cape. we're waiting, you'll put some heart in us; or in me, "Now then!" said Sikes, holding out his hand. at all events. Sit down by the fire, younker, and Oliver, who was completely stupefied by the unrest yourself; for you'll have to go out with us again wonted exercise, and the air, and the drink which had to-night, though not very far off." been forced upon him, put his hand mechanically into Oliver looked at Sikes, in mute and timid wonder; that which Sikes extended for that purpose. 72 OLIVER TWIST.; "Take his other hand, Toby," said Sikes. "Look now, I'll engage. I've seen older hands of his age out, Barney." took the same way for a minute or two on a cold The man went to the door, and returned to an- night." nounce that all was quiet. The two robbers issued Sikes, invoking terrific imprecations upon Fagin's forth, with Oliver between them. Barney, having head for sending Oliver on such an errand, plied the made all fast, rolled himself up as before, and was crowbar vigorously, but with little noise. After soon asleep again. some delay, and some assistance from Toby, the It was now intensely dark. The fog was much shutter to which he had referred swung open on its heavier than it had been in the early part of the hinges. night; and the atmosphere was so damp, that, al- It was a little lattice window, about five feet and though no rain fell, Oliver's hair and eyebrows, a half above the ground, at the back of the house, within a few minutes after leaving the house, had which belonged to a scullery, or small brewingbecome stiff with the half-frozen moisture that was place, at the end of the passage. The aperture was floating about. They crossed the bridge, and kept so small, that the inmates had probably not thought on toward the lights which he had seen before. it worth while to defend it more securely; but it They were at no great distance off; and, as they was large enough to admit a boy of Oliver's size, walked pretty briskly, they soon arrived at Chert- nevertheless. A very brief exercise of Mr. Sikes's sey. art sufficed to overcome the fastening of the lattice, "Slap through the town," whispered Sikes; and it soon stood wide open also. "there'll be nobody in the way to-night to see us." "Now listen, you young limb!" whispered Sikes, Toby acquiesced; and they hurried through the drawing a dark-lantern from his pocket, and throwmain street of the little town, which at that late ing the glare full on Oliver's face; "I'm a-going to hour was wholly deserted. A dim light shone at in- put you through there. Take this light; go softly tervals from some bedroom window; and the hoarse up the steps straight afore you, and along the little barking of dogs occasionally broke the silence of the hall, to the street-door; unfasten it, and let us in." night. But there was nobody abroad. They had "There's a bolt at the top you won't be able to cleared the town, as the church-bell struck two. reach," interposed Toby. " Stand upon one of the Quickening their pace, they turned up a road hall chairs. There are three there, Bill, with a jolly ulpon the left hand. After walking about a quarter large blue unicorn and gold pitchfork on'em, which of a mile, they stopped before a detached house sur- is the old lady's arms." rounded by a wall, to the top of which, Toby Crack- "Keep quiet, can't you?" replied Sikes, with a it, scarcely pausing to take breath, climbed in a threatening look. "The room-door is open, is it?" twinkling. "Wide," replied Toby, after peeping in to satisfy "The boy next," said Toby. " Hoist him up; I'll himself. "The game of that is, that they always catch hold of him." leave it open with a catch, so that the dog, who's Before Oliver had time to look round, Sikes had got a bed in here, may walk up and down the pascaught him under the arms; and in three or four sage when he feels wakeful. Ha! ha! Barney'ticed seconds he and Toby were lying on the grass on the him away to-night. So neat!" other side. Sikes followed directly. And they stole Although Mr. Crackit spoke in a scarcely audible cautiously toward the house. whisper, and laughed without noise, Sikes imperiousAnd now, for the first time, Oliver, well-nigh mad ly commanded him to be silent, and to get to work. with grief and terror, saw that house-breaking and Toby complied, by first producing his lantern, and robbery, if not murder, were the objects of the expe- placing it on the ground; then by planting himself dition. He clasped his hands together, and invol- firmly with his head against the wall beneath the untarily uttered a subdued exclamation of horror. window, and his hands upon his knees, so as to make A mist came before his eyes; the cold sweat stood a step of his back. This was no sooner done, than upon his ashy face; his limbs failed him, and he Sikes, mounting upon him, put Oliver gently through sank upon his knees. the window with his feet first; and, without leaving "Get up!" murmured Sikes, trembling with rage, hold of his collar, planted him safely on the floor inand drawing the pistol from his pocket; "get up, side. or I'll strew your brains upon the grass!" "Take this lantern," said Sikes, looking into the "Oh! for God's sake let me go!" cried Oliver; room. "Y You see the stairs afore you?" "let me run away and die in the fields. I will nev- Oliver, more dead than alive, gasped out, " Yes." er come near London; never, never! Oh! pray Sikes, pointing to the street-door with the pistolhave mercy on me, and do not make me steal! For barrel, briefly advised him to take notice that he was the love of all the bright angels that rest in heav- within shot all the way; and that if he faltered, he en, have mercy upon me!" would fall dead that instant. The man to whom this appeal was made swore a " It's done in a minute," said Sikes, in the samo dreadful oath, and had cocked the pistol, when Toby, low whisper. "Directly I leave go of you, do your striking it from his grasp, placed his hand upon the work. Hark!" boy's mouth and dragged him to the house. " What's that?" whispered the other man. "Hush!" cried the man; "it won't answer here. They listened intently. Say another word, and I'll do your business myself "Nothing," said Sikes, releasing his hold of Oliwith a crack on the head. That makes no noise, ver. "'Now!" and is quite as certain, and more genteel. Here, In the short time he had had to collect his senses, Bill, wrench the shutter open. He's game enough the boy had firmly resolved that, whether he died in MRS. CORNEY. 73 the attempt or not, he would make one effort to dart CHAPTER XXIII. up stairs from the hall and alarm the family. Filled with this idea, he advanced at once, but stealthily. WEICH CONTAINS THE SUBSTANCE OF A PLEASANT CON" Come back!" suddenly cried Sikes, aloud-" back! VER5ATION BETWEEN MR. BUMBLE AND A LADY; AND back!" SHOWS THAT EVEN A BEADLE MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE ON Scared by the sudden breaking of the dead still- SOME POINTS. ness of the place, and by a loud cry which followed THE night was bitter cold. The snow lay on the it, Oliver let his lantern fall, and knew not whether _ ground, frozen into a hard thick crust, so that to advance or fly. only the heaps that had drifted into by-ways and The cry was repeated-a light appeared-a vision corners were affected by the sharp wind that howled of two terrified, half-dressed men at the top of the abroad; which, as if expending increased fury on stairs swam before his eyes-a flash-a loud noise- such prey as it found, caught it savagely up in clouds, a smoke-a crash somewhere, but where he knew and, whirling it into a thousand misty eddies, scatnot-and he staggered back. tered it in air. Bleak, dark, and piercing cold, it was DIRECTLY I LEAVE GO OF YOU, DO YOUR WORK. HARK!' Sikes had disappeared for an instant; but he was a night for the well-housed and fed to draw rounmd up again, and had him by the collar before the smoke the bright fire and thank God they were at home; had cleared away. He fired his own pistol after the and for the homeless, starving wretch to lay him men, who were already retreating, and dragged the down and die. Many hunger-worn outcasts close boy up. their eyes in our bare streets at such times, who, let "Clasp your arm tighter," said Sikes, as he drew their crimes have been what they may, can hardly him through the window. " Give me a shawl here. open them in a more bitter world. They've hit him. Quick! How the boy bleeds!" Such were the aspect of out-of-door affairs, when Then came the loud ringing of a bell, mingled with Mrs. Corney, the matron of the work-house to which the noise of fire-arms, and the shouts of men, and the our readers have been already introduced as the sensation of being carried over uneven ground at a birthplace of Oliver Twist, sat herself down before rapid pace. And then the noises grew confused in a cheerful fire in her own little room, and glanced, the distance; and a cold deadly feeling crept over with no small degree of complacency, at a small the boy's heart; and he saw or heard no more. round table, on which stood a tray of corresponding 74 OLIVER TWIST. size, furnished with all necessary materials for the blessed afternoon; and yet them paupers are not most grateful meal that matrons enjoy. In fact, contented." Mrs. Corney was about to solace herself with a cup "Of course not. When would they be, Mr. Bumof tea. As she glanced from the table to the fire- ble?" said the matron, sipping her tea. place, where the smallest of all possible kettles was "When, indeed, ma'am!" rejoined Mr. Bumble. singing a small song in a small voice, her inward sat- "Why here's one man that, in consideration of his isfaction evidently increased-so much so, indeed, wife and large family, has a quartern loaf and a that Mrs. Corney smiled. good pound of cheese, full weight. Is he grateful, " Well!" said the matron, leaning her elbow on the ma'am? Is he grateful? Not a copper farthing's table, and looking reflectively at the fire; " I'm sure worth of it! What does he do, ma'am, but ask for we have all on us a great deal to be grateful for! A a few coals; if it's only a pocket-handkerchief full, great deal, if we did but know it. Ah!" he says! Coals! What would he do with coals? Mrs. Corney shook her head mournfully, as if de- Toast his cheese with'em, and then come back for ploring the mental blindness of those paupers who more. That's the way with these people, ma'am; did not know it; and thrusting a silver spoon (pri- give'em a apron -ful of coals to-day, and they'll vate property) into the inmost recesses of a two- come back for another the day after to-morrow, as ounce tin tea-caddy, proceeded to make the tea. brazen as alabaster!" How slight a thing will disturb the equanimity of The matron expressed her entire concurrence in our frail minds! The black tea-pot, being very this intelligible simile; and the beadle went on. small and easily filled, ran over while Mrs. Corney "I never," said Mr. Bumble, "see any thing like was moralizing, and the water slightly scalded Mrs. the pitch it's got to. The day afore yesterday, a Corney's hand. man-you have been a married woman, ma'am, and "Drat the pot!" said the worthy matron, setting I may mention it to you-a man, with hardly a rag it down very hastily on the hob: "a little stupid upon his back (here Mrs. Corney looked at the floor), thing, that only holds a couple of cups! What use goes to our overseer's door when he has got company is it of to any body! Except," said Mrs. Corney, coming to dinner; and says, he must be relieved, Mrs. pausing, " except to a poor desolate creature like me. Corney. As he wouldn't go away, and shocked the Oh dear!" company very much, our overseer sent him out a With these words, the matron dropped into her pound of potatoes and half a pint of oatmeal.' My chair, and, once more resting her elbow on the table, heart!' says the ungrateful villain,'what's the use thought of her solitary fate. The small tea-pot, and of this to me? You might as well give me a pair of the single cup, had awakened in her mind sad recol- iron spectacles!'' Very good,' says our overseer, taklections of Mr. Corney (who had not been dead more ing'em away again,'you won't get any thing else than five-and-twenty years); and she was overpow- here.''Then I'll die in the streets!' says the vaered. grant.' Oh no, you won't,' says our overseer." "I Ahall never get another!" said Mrs. Corney, pet- "Ha! ha! That was very good! So like Mr. tishly; " I shall never get another-like him!" Grannett, wasn't it?" interposed the matron. " Well, Whether this remark bore reference to the hus- Mr. Bumble?" band, or the tea-pot, is uncertain. It might have "Well, ma'am," rejoined the beadle, "he went been the latter; for Mrs. Corney looked at it as she away; and he did die in the streets. There's a obspoke; and took it up afterward. She had just stinate pauper for you!" tasted her first cup, when she was disturbed by a "It beats any thing I could have believed," obsoft tap at the room-door. served the matron, emphatically. " But don't you " Oh, come in with you!" said Mrs. Corney, sharply. think out-of-door relief a very bad thing, any way, " Some of the old women dying, I suppose. They al- Mr. Bumble? You're a gentleman of experience, and ways die when I'm at meals. Don't stand there let- ought to know. Come." ting the cold air in, don't. What's amiss now, eh?" "Mrs. Corney," said the beadle, smiling as men "Nothing, ma'am, nothing," replied a man's voice. smile who are conscious of superior information, "Dear me!" exclaimed the matron, in a much "out-of-door relief, properly managed-properly sweeter tone, "is that Mr. Bumble?" managed, ma'am-is the porochial safeguard. The "At your service, ma'am," said Mr. Bumble, who great principle of out-of-door relief is, to give the had been stopping outside to rub his shoes clean, paupers exactly what they don't want; and then and to shake the snow off his coat; and who now they get tired of coming." made his appearance, bearing the cocked hat in one " Dear me!" exclaimed Mrs. Corney. " Well, that hand and a bundle in the other. "Shall I shut the is a good one, too!" door, ma'am?" "Yes. Betwixt you and me, ma'am," returned Mr. The lady modestly hesitated to reply, lest there Bumble, "that's the great principle; and that's the should be any impropriety in holding an interview reason why, if you look at any cases that get into with Mr. Bumble with closed doors. Mr. Bumble them owdacious newspapers, you'll always observe taking advantage of the hesitation, and being very that sick families have been relieved with slices of cold himself, shut it without permission. cheese. That's the rule now, Mrs. Corney, all over "Hard weather, Mr. Bumble," said the matron. the country. But, however," said the beadle, stop"Hard, indeed, ma'am," replied the beadle. "Anti- ping to unpack his bundle, " these are official secrets, porochial weather this, ma'am. We have given away, ma'am; not to be spoken of; except, as I may say, Mrs. Corney, we have given away a matter of twenty among the porochial officers, such as ourselves. This quartern loaves and a cheese and a half, this very is the port-wine, ma'am, that the board ordered for MRS. CORNXEY AND MR. BUMBLE. 75 the infirmary; real, fresh, genuine port-wine; only "Then you're a cruel man," said the matron vivaout of the cask this forenoon; clear as a bell, and ciously, as she held out her hand for the beadle's no sediment!" cup; "and a very hard-hearted man besides." Having held the first bottle up to the light, and "Hard-hearted, ma'am?"said Mr. Bumble. "Hard?" shaken it well to test its excellence, Mr. Bumble Mr. Bumble resigned his cup without another word; placed them both on the top of a chest of drawers; squeezed Mrs. Corney's little finger as she took it; folded the handkerchief in which they had been and inflicting two open-handed slaps upon his laced wrapped; put it carefully in his pocket; and took waistcoat, gave a mighty sigh, and hitched his chair up his hat, as if to go. a very little morsel farther from the fire. " You'll have a very cold walk, Mr. Bumble," said It was a round table; and as Mrs. Corney and Mr. the matron. Bumble had been sitting opposite each other, with "It blows, ma'am," replied Mr. Bumble, turning up no great space between them, and fronting the fire, his coat-collar, " enough to cut one's ears off." it will be seen that Mr. Bumble, in receding from The matron looked from the little kettle to the the fire, and still keeping at the table, increased the beadle, who was moving toward the door; and as distance between himself and Mrs. Corney; which the beadle coughed, preparatory to bidding her proceeding some prudent readers will doubtless be good-night, bashfillly inquired whether-whether he disposed to admire, and to consider an act of great wouldn't take a cup of tea? heroism on Mr. Bumble's part: he being in some sort Mr. Bumble instantaneously turned back his collar tempted by time, place, and opportunity, to give utagain; laid his hat and stick upon a chair; and drew terance to certain soft nothings, which, however well another chair up to the table. As he slowly seated they may become the lips of the light and thoughthimself, he looked at the lady. She fixed her eyes less, do seem immeasurably beneath the dignity of upon the little tea-pot. Mr. Bumble coughed again, the judges of the land, members of Parliament, minanrd slightly smiled. isters of state, lord mayors, and other great public Mrs. Corney rose to get another cup and saucer functionaries, but more particularly beneath the from the closet. As she sat down, her eyes once stateliness and gravity of a beadle, who (as is well again encountered those of the gallant beadle: she known) should be the sternest and most inflexible colored, and applied herself to the task of making among them all. his tea. Again Mr. Bumble coughed-louder this Whatever were Mr. Bumble's intentions, however time than he had coughed yet. (and no doubt they were of the best), it unfortu" Sweet, Mr. Bumble?" inquired the matron, tak- nately happened, as has been twice before remarked, ing up the sugar-basin. that the table was a round one; consequently Mr. "Very sweet inIdeed, ma'am," replied Mr. Bumble. Bumble, moving his chair by little and little, soon I-e fixed his eyes on Mrs. Corney as he said this; and began to diminish the distance between himself and if ever a beadle looked tender, Mr. Bumble was that the matron; and, continuing to travel round the outbeadle at that moment. er edge of the circle, brought his chair, in time, close The tea was made and handed in silence. Mr. to that in which the matron was seated. Indeed, the Bumble, having spread a handkerchief over his knees two chairs touched; and when they did so, Mr. Bumto prevent the crumbs from sullying the splendor of ble stopped. his shorts, began to eat and drink; varying these Now, if the matron had moved her chair to the amusements, occasionally, by fetching a deep sigh; right, she would have been scorched by the fire; which, however, had no injurious effect upon his ap- and if to the left, she must have fallen into Mr. petite, but, on the contrary, rather seemed to facili- Bumble's arms; so (being a discreet matron, and no tate his operations in the tea-and-toast department. doubt foreseeing these consequences at a glance) she "You have a cat, ma'am, I see," said Mr. Bumble, remained where she was, and handed Mr. Bumble anglancing at one who, in the centre of her family, was other cup of tea. basking before the fire; " and kittens too, I declare!" " Hardl-hearted, Mrs. Corney?" said Mr. Bumble, "I amn so fond of them, Mr. Bumble, you can't stirring his tea, and looking up into the matron's think," replied the matron. "They're so happy, so face; " are you hard-hearted, Mrs. Corney?" frolicsome, and so cheerful, that they are quite com- "Dear me!" exclaimed the matron, " what a very panions for me." curious question from a single man! What can you " Very nice animals, ma'am," replied Mr. Bumble, want to know for, Mr. Bumble?" approvingly; "so very domestic." The beadle drank his tea to the last drop; finished "Oh, yes!" rejoined the matron with enthusiasm; a piece of toast; whisked the crumbs off his knees; "so fond of their home too, that its quite a pleasure, wiped his lips; and deliberately kissed the matron. I'm sure." "' Mr. Bumble!" cried that discreet lady in a whis" Mrs. C6rney, ma'am," said Mr. Bumble, slowly, and per; for the fright was so great, that she had quite marking the time with his tea-spoon, " I mean to say lost her voice; "Mr. Bumble, I shall scream!" Mr. this, ma'am; that any cat, or kitten, that could live Bumble made no reply; but in a slow and dignified with you, ma'am, and not be fond of its home, must manner put his arms round the matron's waist. be a ass, ma'am." As the lady had stated her intention of screaming, " Oh, Mr. Bumble!" remonstrated Mrs. Corney. of course she would have screamed at this additional "It's of no use disguising facts, ma'am, "said Mr. boldness, but that the exertion was rendered unnecBumble, slowly flourishing the tea-spoon with a kind essary by a hasty knocking at the door: which was of amorous dignity which made him doubly impress- no sooner heard, than Mr. Bumble darted, with much ive; " I would drown it myself with pleasure." agility, to the wine bottles, and began dusting them 76 OLIVER TWIST. with great violence, while the matron sharply de- life. So calm, so peaceful, do they grow again, that manded who was there. It is worthy of remark, as those who knew them in their happy childhood, a curious physical instance of the efficacy of a sud- kneel by the coffin's side in awe, and see the Angel den surprise in counteracting the effects of extreme even upon earth. fear, that her voice had quite recovered all its official The old crone tottered along the passages, and up asperity. the stairs, muttering some indistinct answers to the "If you please, mistress," said a withered old fe- chidings of her companion. Being at length commale pauper, hideously ugly, putting her head in at pelled to pause for breath, she gave the light into the door, "Old Sally is a-going fast." her hand, and remained behind to follow as she " Well, what's that to me?" angrily demanded the might; while the more nimble superior made her matron. "I can't keep her alive, can I?" way to the room where the sick woman lay. " No, no, mistress," replied the old woman, "no- It was a bare garret-room, with a dim light burnbody can; she's far beyond the reach of help. I've ing at the farther end. There was another old womseen a many people die- little babes and great an watching by the bed; the parish apothecary's apstrong men - and I know when death's a-coming prentice was standing by the fire, making a toothwell enough. But she's troubled in her mind; and pick out of a quill. when the fits are not on her-and that's not often, "Cold night, Mrs. Corney," said this young gentlefor she is dying very hard — she says she has got man, as the matron entered. something to tell which you must hear. She'll never "Very cold, indeed, sir," replied the mistress, in die quiet till you come, mistress." her most civil tones, and dropping a courtesy as she At this intelligence, the worthy Mrs. Corney mut- spoke. tered a variety of invectives against old women who "You should get better coals out of your contractcouldn't even die without purposely annoying their ors," said the apothecary's deputy, breaking a lump betters; and muffling herself in a thick shawl which on the top of the fire with the rusty poker; " these she hastily caught up, briefly requested Mr. Bumble are not at all the sort of thing for a cold night." to stay till she came back, lest any thing particular " They're the board's choosing, sir," returned the should occur. Bidding the messenger walk fast, and matron. " The least they could do would be to keep not be all night hobbling up the stairs, she followed us pretty warm; for our places are hard enough." her from the room with a very ill grace, scolding all The conversation was here interrupted by a moan the way. from the sick woman. Mr. Bumble's conduct on being left to himself was " Oh!" said the young man, turning his face torather inexplicable. He opened the closet, counted ward the bed, as if he had previously quite forgotten the tea-spoons, weighed the sugar-tongs, closely in- the patient, "it's all U P there, Mrs. Corney." spected a silver milk-pot to ascertain that it was of "It is, is it, sir?" asked the matron. the genuine metal, and, having satisfied his curiosity "If she lasts a couple of hours, I shall be suron these points, put on his cocked hat corner-wise, prised," said the apothecary's apprentice, intent and danced with much gravity four distinct times upon the tooth-pick's point. "It's a break-up of the round the table. Having gone through this very system altogether. Is she dozing, old lady?" extraordinary performance, he took off the cocked The attendant stooped over the bed, to ascertain, hat again, and, spreading himself before the fire with and nodded in the affirmative. his back toward it, seemed to be mentally engaged "Then perhaps she'll go off in that way, if you in taking an exact inventory of the furniture. don't make a rowr," said the young man. " Put the light on the floor. She won't see it there." The attendant did as she was told, shaking her head meanwhile, to intimate that the woman would CHAPTER XXIV not die so easily; having done so, she resnmed her seat by the side of the other nurse, who had by this TREATS OF A VERBY Foo SUBJECT. BUT IS A SHORT time returned. The mistress, with an expression of ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS impatience, wrapped herself in her shawl, and sat at the foot of the bel. IT was no unfit messenger of death who had dis- The apothecary's apprentice, having completed turbed the quiet of the matron's room. Her body the manufacture of the tooth-pick, planted himself was bent by age; her limbs trembled with palsy; in front of the fire, and made good use of it for ten her face, distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled minutes or so: when apparently growing rather dull, more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil he wished Mrs. Corney joy of her job, and took himthan the work of Nature's hand. self off on tiptoe. Alas! how few of Nature's faces are left alone, to WAhen they had sat in silence for some time, the gladden us with their beauty! The cares, and sor- two old women rose from the bed, and, crouching rows, and hungerings, of the world, change them as over the fire, held out their withered hands to catch they change hearts; and it is only when those pas- the heat. The flame threw a ghastly light on their sions sleep, and have lost their hold forever, that the shriveled faces, and made their ugliness appear tertroubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven's surface rible, as, in this position, they began to converse in clear. It is a common thing for the countenances a low voice. of the dead, even in that fixed and rigid state, to "Did she say any more, Auny dear, while I was subside into the long-forgotten expression of sleep- gone?" inquired the messenger. ing infancy, and settle into the very look of early "Not a word," replied the other. "She plucked A DEATH-BED CONFESSION. 77 and tore at her arms for a little time; but I held her The two old crones, chiming in together, began hands, and she soon dropped off. She hasn't much pouring out many piteous lamentations that the poor strength in her, so I easily kept her quiet. I ain't dear was too far gone to know her best friends; and so weak for an old woman, although I am on parish were uttering sundry protestations that they would allowance; no, no!" never leave her, when the superior pushed them from " Did she drink the hot wine the doctor said she the room, closed the door, and returned to the bedwas to have?" demanded the first. side. On being excluded, the old ladies changed "I tried to get it down," rejoined the other. "But their tone, and cried through the key-hole that old her teeth were tight set, and she clenched the mug Sally was drunk; which, indeed, was not unlikely; so hard that it was as much as I could do to get it since, in addition to a moderate dose of opium preback again. So I drank it; and it did me good." scribed by the apothecary, she was laboring under Looking cautiously round, to ascertain that they the effects of a final taste of gin-and-water which were not overheard, the two hags cowered nearer to had been privily administered, in the openness of the fire, and chuckled heartily. their hearts, by the worthy old ladies themselves. "I mind the time," said the first speaker, "when "Now listen to me," said the dying woman aloud, she would have done the same, and made rare fun of as if making a great effort to revive one latent spark it afterward." of energy. " In this very room-in this very bed"Ay, that she would," rejoined the other; "she I once nursed a pretty young creetur that was had a merry heart. A many, many beautiful corpses brought into the house with her feet cut and bruised she laid out, as nice and neat as wax-work. My old with walking, and all soiled with dust and blood. eyes have seen them-ay, and those old hands touch- She gave birth to a boy, and died. Let me thinked them too; for I have helped her scores of times." what was the year again?" Stretching forth her trembling fingers as she spoke, " Never mind the year," said the impatient audithe old creature shook them exultingly before her tor; "what about her?" face, and fumbling in her pocket, brought out an old "Ay," murmured the sick woman, relapsing into time-discolored tin snuff-box, from which she shook her former drowsy state, "what about he? —what a few grains into the outstretched palm of her com- about-I know!" she cried, jumping fiercely up; her panion, and a few more into her own. While they face flushed, and her eyes starting from her headwere thus employed, the matron, who had been im- " I robbed her, so I did! She wasn't cold -I tell patiently watching until the dying woman should you she wasn't cold, when I stole it!" awaken from her stupor, joined them by the fire, and "Stole what, for God's sake?" cried the matron, sharply asked how long she was to wait?" with a gesture as if she would call for help. "Not long, mistress," replied the second woman, "It!" replied the woman, laying her hand over looking up into her face. "We have none of us long the other's mouth. " The only thing she had. She to wait for Death. Patience, patience! He'll be here wanted clothes to keep her warm, and food to eat; soon enough for us all." but she had kept it safe, and had it in her bosom. "Hold your tongue, you doting idiot!' said the It was gold, I tell you! Rich gold, that might have matron, sternly. "You, Martha, tell me; has she saved her life!" been in this way before?" " Gold!" echoed the matron, bending eagerly over " Often," answered the first woman. the woman as she fell back. " Go on, go on-,-yes" But will never be again," added the second one; what of it? Who was the mother? When was it?" "that is, she'll never wake again but once-and " She charged me to keep it safe," replied the wommind, mistress, that won't be for long!" an with a groan, " and trusted me as the only woman " Long or short," said the matron, snappishly, "she about her. I stole it in my heart when she first won't find me here when she does wake; take care, showed it me hanging round her neck; and the both of you, how you worry me again for nothing. child's death, perhaps, is on me besides! They would It's no part of my duty to see all the old women in have treated him better if they had known it all!" the house die, and I won't-that's more. Mind that, "Known what?" asked the other. "Speak!" you impudent old harridans! If you make a fool of " The boy grew so like his mother," said the womme again, I'll soon cure you, I warrant you!" an, rambling on, and not heeding the question, She was bouncing away, when a cry from the two "that I could never forget it when I saw his face. women, who had turned toward the bed, caused her Poor girl! poor girl! She was so young, too! Such to look round. The patient had raised herself up- a gentle lamb! Wait; there's more to tell. I have right, and was stretching her arms toward them. not told you all, have I?" "Who's that?" she cried, in a hollow voice. "No, no," replied the matron, inclining her head to "Hush, hush!" said one of the women, stooping catch the words, as they came more faintly from the over her. "Lie down, lie down!" dying woman. " Be quick, or it may be too late!" " I'll never lie down again alive!" said the woman, " The mother," said the woman, making a more struggling. "I will tell her! Come here! Nearer! violent effort than before; "the mother, when the Let me whisper in your ear." pains of death first came upon her, whispered in my She clutched the matron by the arm, and forcing her ear that if her baby was born alive, and thrived, the into a chair by the bedside, was about to speak, when, day might come when it would not feel so much dislooking round, she caught sight of the two old women graced to hear its poor young mother named.'And bending forward in the attitude of eager listeners. oh, kind Heaven!' she said, folding her thin hands "Turn them away," said the woman, drowsily; together,'whether it be boy or girl, raise up some "make haste! make haste!" friends for it in this troubled world, and take pity 78 OLIVER TWIST. upon a lonely, desolate child, abandoned to its mer- ceived in extremely good part; merely requesting cy!,' his friend to be " blowed," or to insert his head in a "The boy's name?" demanded the matron. sack, or replying with some other neatly-turned wit"They called him Oliver," replied the woman, fee- ticism of a similar kind, the happy application of bly. " The gold I stole was-" which excited considerable admiration in the mind " Yes, yes-what?" cried the other. of Mr. Chitling. It was remarkable that the latter She was bending eagerly over the woman to hear gentleman and his partner invariably lost; and that her reply; but drew back, instinctively, as she once the circumstance, so far from angering Master Bates, again rose, slowly and stiffly, into a sitting posture; appeared to afford him the highest amusement, inasthen, clutching the coverlid with both hands, mut- much as he laughed most uproariously at the end of tered some indistinct sounds in her throat, and fell every deal, and protested that he had never seen such lifeless on the bed. a jolly game in all his born days. X X' Xle Xe ii M " That's two doubles and the rub," said Mr. Chit"Stone dead!" said one of the old women, hurry- ling, with a very long face, as he drew half a crown ing in as soon as the door was opened. from his waistcoat-pocket. " I never see such a fel"And nothing to tell, after all," rejoined the mat- ler as you, Jack; you win every thing. Even when ron, walking carelessly away. we've good cards, Charley and I can't make nothing The two crones, to all appearance too busily oc- of'em." cupied in the preparations for their dreadful duties Either the matter or the manner of this remark, to make any reply, were left alone, hovering about which was made very ruefully, delighted Charley the body. Bates so much, that his consequent shout of laugh+,-~ —- ter roused the Jew from his reverie, and induced him to inquire what was the matter. CHAPTER XXV. "Matter, Fagin!" cried Charley. "I wish you had watched the play. Tommy Chitling hasn't won WHEREIN THIS HISTORY REVERTS TO MR. FAGIN AND a point; and I went partners with him against the Artful and dum."`W HILE these things were passing in the country "Ay, ay!" said the Jew, with a grin, which suffiwork-house, Mr. Fagin sat in the old den-the ciently demonstrated that he was at no loss to unsame from which Oliver had been removed by the derstand the reason. " Try'em again, Tom; try'em girl-brooding over a dull, smoky fire. He held a again." pair of bellows upon his knee, with which he had ap- "No more of it for me, thankee, Fagin," replied parently been endeavoring to rouse it into more cheer- Mr. Chitling; "I've had enough. That'ere Dodger ful action; but he had fallen into deep thought; and has such a run of luck that there's no standing again' with his arms folded on them, and his chin resting him." on his thumbs, fixed his eyes abstractedly on the " Ha! ha! my dear," replied the Jew, " you must rusty bars. get up very early in the morning to win against the At a table behind him sat the Artftll Dodger, Mas- Dodger." ter Charles Bates, and Mr. Chitling, all intent upon "Morning!" said Charley Bates; "you must put a game of whist; the Artful taking dummy against your boots on over-night, and have a telescope at Master Bates and Mr. Chitling. The countenance of each eye, and a opera-glass between your shoulders, the first-named gentleman, peculiarly intelligent at if you want to come over him." all times, acquired great additional interest from his Mr. Dawkins received these handsome compliments close observance of the game, and his attentive pe- with much philosophy, and offered to cut any gentlerusal of Mr. Chitling's hand; upon which, from time man in company, for the first picture-card, at a shilto time, as occasion served, he bestowed a variety of ling a time. Nobody accepting the challenge, and earnest glances: wisely regulating his own play by his pipe being by this time smoked out, he proceeded the result of his observations upon his neighbor's to amuse himself by sketching a ground-plan of Newcards. It being a cold night, the Dodger wore his gate on the table with the piece of chalk which had hat, as, indeed, was often his custom within doors. served him in lieu of counters; whistling meantime, He also sustained a clay pipe between his teeth, with peculiar shrillness. which he only removed for a brief space when he "How precious dull you are, Tommy!" said the deemed it necessary to apply for refreshment to a Dodger, stopping short when there had been a long quart pot upon the table, which stood ready filled silence, and addressing Mr. Chitling. " What do you with gin-and-water for the accommodation of the think he's thinking of, Fagin?" company. " How should I know, my dear?" replied the Jew, Master Bates was also attentive to the play; but looking round as he plied the bellows. "About his being of a more excitable nature than his accom- losses, maybe; or the little retirement in the counplished friend, it was observable that he more fre- try that he's just left, eh? Ha! ha! Is that it, my quently applied himself to the gin-and-water, and dear?" moreover indulged in many jests and irrelevant re- " Not a bit of it," replied the Dodger, stopping the marks, all highly unbecoming a scientific rubber. subject of discourse as Mr. Chitling was about to reIndeed, the Artful, presuming upon their close at- ply. "What do you say, Charley?" tachment, more than once took occasion to reason " I should say," replied Master Bates, with a grin, gravely with his companion upon these improprie- "that he was uncommon sweet upon Betsy. See ties: all of which remonstrances Master Bates re- how he's a-blushing! Oh, my eye! here's a merry THE DODGER AND FAGIN. 79 go-rounder! Tommy Chitling's in love! Oh, Fagin, the wall, where he stood panting for breath, while Fagin! what a spree!" Mr. Chitling looked on in intense dismay. Thoroughly overpowered with the notion of Mr. " Hark!" cried the Dodger at this moment, I heard Chitling being the victim of the tender passion, Mas- the tinkler." Catching up the light, he crept softly ter Bates threw himself back in his chair with such up stairs. violence that he lost his balance and pitched over The bell was rung again, with some impatience, upon the floor; where (the accident abating nothing while the party were in darkness. After a short of his merriment) he lay at full length until his pause, the Dodger reappeared, and whispered Fagin laugh was over, when he resumed his former posi- mysteriously. tion, and began another laugh. " What!" cried the Jew, "alone?" " Never mind him, my dear," said the Jew, wink- The Dodger nodded in the affirmative, and shading at Mr. Dawkins, and giving Master Bates a re- ing the flame of the candle with his hand, gave proving tap with the nozzle of the bellows. " Bet- Charley Bates a private intimation, in dumb show, sy's a fine girl. Stick up to her, Tom. Stick up to that he had better not be funny just then. Having her." performed this friendly office, he fixed his eyes on "What I mean to say, Fagin," replied Mr. Chitling, the Jew's face, and awaited his directions. very red in the face, "is, that that isn't any thing to The old man bit his yellow fingers, and meditated any body here." for some seconds; his face working with agitation "No more it is," replied the Jew; " Charley will the while, as if he dreaded something, and feared to talk. Don't mind him, my dear; don't mind him. know the worst. At length he raised his head. Betsy's a fine girl. Do as she bids you, Tom, and "Where is he?" he asked. you'll make your fortune." The Dodger pointed to the floor above, and made " So I do do as she bids me," replied Mr. Chitling; a gesture, as if to leave the room. "I shouldn't have been milled, if it hadn't been for "Yes," said the Jew, answering the mute inquiry; her advice. But it turned out a good job for you; "bring him down. Hush! Quiet, Charley! Gendidn't it, Fagin? And what's six weeks of it? It tly, Tom! Scarce, scarce!" must come, some time or another, and why not in This brief direction to Charley Bates, and his rethe winter-time. when you don't want to go out cent antagonist, was softly and immediately obeyed. a-walking so much; eh, Fagin?" There was no sound of their whereabout when the "Ah, to be sure, my dear," replied the Jew. Dodger descended the stairs, bearing the light in " You wouldn't mind it again, Tom, would you," his hand, and followed by a man in a coarse smockasked the Dodger, winking upon Charley. and the frock; who, after casting a hurried glance round Jew, " if Bet was all right?" the room, pulled off a large wrapper which had con"I mean to say that I shouldn't," replied Tom, cealed the lower portion of his face, and disclosed, angrily. "There now. Ah! Who'll say as much all haggard, unwashed, and unshorn, the features of as that, I should like to know; eh, Fagin?" flash Toby Crackit. " Nobody, my dear," replied the Jew; " not a soul, "How are you, Faguey?" said this worthy, noldTom. I don't know one of'em that would do it be- ding to the Jew. "Pop that shawl away in my sides you; not one of'em, my dear." castor, Dodger, so that I may know where to find it " I might have got clear off, if I'd split upon her; when I cut; that's the time of day! You'll be a mightn't I, Fagin?" angrily pursued the poor half- fine young cracksman afore the old file now." witted dupe. "A word from me would have done With these words he pulled up the smock-frock, it; wouldn't it, Fagin'?" and, winding it round his middle, drew a chair to " To be sure it would, my dear," replied the Jew. the fire, and placed his feet upon the hob. "But I didn't blab it; did I, Fagin?" demanded "See there, Faguey," he said, pointing disconsoTom, pouring question upon question with great lately to his top-boots; "not a drop of Day and Marvolubility. tin since, you know when; not a bubble of blacking, "No, no, to be sure," replied the Jew, "you were by Jove! But don't look at me in that way, man. too stout-hearted for that. A deal too stout, my All in good time. I can't talk about business till dear!" I've eat and drank; so produce the sustainance, and "Perhaps I was," rejoined Tom, looking round; let's have a quiet fill-out for the first time these " and if I was, what's to laugh at in that; eh, Fa- three days!" gin?" The Jew motioned to the Dodger to place what eatThe Jew, perceiving that Mr. Chitling was con- ables there were upon the table; and, seating himsiderably roused, hastened to assure him that no- self opposite the house-breaker, waited his leisure. body was laughing; and to prove the gravity of the To judge from appearances, Toby was by no means company, appealed to Master Bates, the principal of- in a hurry to open the conversation. At first, the fender. But, unfortunately, Charley, in opening his Jew contented himself with patiently watching his mouth to reply that he was never more serious in countenance, as if to gain from its expression some his life, was unable to prevent the escape of such a clue to the intelligence he brought; but in vain. violent roar, that the abused Mr. Chitling, without He looked tired and worn, but there was the same any preliminary ceremonies, rushed across the room complacent repose upon his features that they aland aimed a blow at the offender; who, being skill- ways wore; and through dirt, and beard, and whisful in evading pursuit, ducked to avoid it, and chose ker, there still shone, unimpaired, the self-satisfied his time so well that it lighted on the chest of the smirk of flash Toby Crackit. Then the Jew, in an merry old gentleman. and caused him to stagger to agony of impatience, watched every morsel he put 80 OLIVER TWIST. into his mouth; pacing up and down the room, Near to the spot on which Snow Hill and Holborn meanwhile, in irrepressible excitement. It was all Hill meet, there opens, upon the right hand as you of no use. Toby continued to eat, with the utmost come out of the City, a narrow and dismal alley leadoutward indifference, until he could eat no more; ing to Saffron Hill. In its filthy shops are exposed then, ordering the Dodger out, he closed the door, for sale huge bunches of second-hand silk handkermixed a glass of spirits-and-water, and composed chiefs, of all sizes and patterns; for here reside the himself for talking. traders who purchase them from pickpockets. Hun"First and foremost, Faguey-" said Toby. dreds of these handkerchiefs hang dangling from "Yes, yes!" interposed the Jew, drawing up his pegs outside the windows or flaunting from the doorchair. posts; and the shelves within are piled with them. Mr. Crackit stopped to take a draught of spirits- Confined as the limits of Field Lane are, it has its and-water, and to declare that the gin was excellent; barber, its coffee-shop, its beer-shop, and its fried-fish then, placing his feet against the low mantel-piece, warehouse. It is'a commercial colony of itself: the so as to bring his boots to about the level of his eye, emporium of petty larceny: visited at early mornhe quietly resumed. ing, and setting-in of dusk, by silent merchants, who "First and foremost, Faguey," said.the house- traffic in dark back-parlors, and who go as strangely breaker, "how's Bill?" as they come. Here the clothesman, the shoe-vamp" What!" screamed the Jew, starting from his seat. er, and the rag-merchant, display their goods as sign"Why, you don't mean to say-" began Toby, boards to the petty thief; here stores of old iron and turning pale. bones, and heaps of mildewy fragments of woolen" Mean!" cried the Jew, stamping furiously on the stuff and linen, rust and rot in the grimy cellars. ground. "Where are they —Sikes and the boy? It was into this place that the Jew turned. He Where are they? Where have they been? Where was well known to the sallow denizens of the lane; are they hiding? Why have they not been here'?" for such of them as were on the look-out to buy or " The crack failed," said Toby, faintly. sell, nodded familiarly as he passed along. He re" I know it," replied the Jew, tearing a newspaper plied to their salutations in the same way; but befrom his pocket, and pointing to it. "What more?" stowed no closer recognition nntil he reached the "They fired and hit the boy. We cut over the farther end of the alley, when he stopped to address fields at the back with him between us —straight as a salesman of small stature, who had squeezed as the crow flies -through hedge and ditch. They much of his person into a child's chair as the chair gave chase. Damme! the whole country was awake, would hold, and was smoking a pipe at his wareand the dogs upon us." house door. "The boy?" " Why, the sight of you, Mr. Fagin, would cure the " Bill had him on his back, and scudded like the hoptalmy!" said this respectable trader, in acknowlwind. We stopped to take him between us; his edgment of the Jew's inquiry after his health. head hung down, and he was cold. They were close "The neighborhood was a little too hot, Lively," upon our heels; every man for himself, and each said Fagin, elevating his eyebrows, and crossing his from the gallows! We parted company, and left hands upon his shoulders. the youngster lying in a ditch. Alive or dead, that's "Well, I've heerd that complaint of it once or all I know about him." twice before," replied the trader; "but it soon cools The Jew stopped to hear no more; but uttering a down again; don't you find it so?" loud yell, and twining his hands in his hair, rushed Fagin nodded in the affirmative. Pointing in the from the room and from the house. direction of Saffron Hill, he inquired whether any one was up yonder to-night. "At the Cripples?" inquired the man. The Jew nodded. CHAPTER XXVI. " Let me see," pursued the merchant, reflecting. "Yes, there's some half dozen of'em gone in, that I IN WHICH A MYSTERIOUS CHARACTER APPEARS UPON THE knows. I don't think your friend's there." SCENE; AND MANY THINGS INSEPARABLE FROM THIS 1"Sikes is not, I suppose?" inquired the Jew, with HISTORY ARE DONE AND PERFORMED. a disappointed countenance. THE old man had gained the street corner before "Non istwentus, as the lawyers say," replied the lithe began to recover the effect of Toby Crackit's tle man, shaking his head, and looking amazingly intelligence. He had relaxed nothing of his unusual sly. "Have you got any thing in my line to-night?" speed; but was still pressing onward, in the same "Nothing to-night," said the Jew, turning away. wild and disordered manner, when the sudden dash- "Are you going up to The Cripples, Fagin?" cried ing past of a carriage, and a boisterous cry from the the little man, calling after him. " Stop! I don't foot-passengers, who saw his danger, drove him back mind if I have a drop there with you." upon the pavement. Avoiding as much as possible But as the Jew, looking back, waved his hand to all the main streets, and skulking only through the intimate that he preferred being alone, and, more, by-ways and alleys, he at length emerged on Snow over, as the little man could not very easily disen, Hill. Here he walked even faster than before; nor gage himself from the chair, the sign of The Cripples did he linger until he had again turned into a court; was for a time bereft of the advantage of Mr. Livewhen, as if conscious that he was now in his proper ly's presence. By the time he had got upon his legs element, he fell into his usual shuffling pace, and the Jew had disappeared; so Mr. Lively, after inef. seemed to breathe more freely. fectually standing on tiptoe, in the hope of catch. FA GIN AMONG HIS DEVOTED SERVANTS. 81 ing sight of him, again forced himself into the little others but young women, and none past the prime chair, and, exchanging a shake of the head with a of life; formed the darkest and saddest portion of lady in the opposite shop, in which doubt and mis- this dreary picture. trust were plainly mingled, resumed his pipe with a Fagin, troubled by no grave emotions, looked eagrave demeanor. gerly from face to face while these proceedings were The Three Cripples, or rather The Cripples, which in progress, but apparently without meeting that of was the sign by which the establishment was famil- which he was in search. Succeeding at length in iarly known to its patrons, was the public-house in catching the eye of the man who occupied the chair, which Mr. Sikes and his dog have already figured. he beckoned to him slightly, and left the room as Merely making a sign to a man at the bar, Fagin quietly as lie had entered it. walked straight up stairs, and opening the door of a " What can I do for you, Mr. Fagin?" inquired the room, and softly insinuating himself into the chain- man, as he followed him out to the landing. " Won't ber, looked anxiously about-shading his eyes with you join us? They'll be delighted, every one of'em." his hand, as if in search of some particular person. The Jew shook his head impatiently, and said, in a The room was illuminated by two gas-lights; the whisper, " Is he here?" glare of which was prevented, by the barred shut- " No," replied the man. ters and closely-drawn curtains of faded red, from "And no news of Barney?" inquired Fagin. being visible outside. The ceiling was blackened, "None," replied the landlord of The Cripples; for to prevent its color from being injured by the flar- it was he. " He won't stir till it's all safe. Depend nlug of the lamps; and the place was so full of dense on it, they're on the scent down there; and that if tobacco smoke, that at first it was scarcely possible he moved, he'd blow upon the thing at once. He's to discern any thing more. By degrees, however, as all right enough, Barney is, else I should have heard some of it cleared away through the open door, an of him. I'll pound it, that Barney's managing propassemblage of heads, as confused as the noises that i erly. Let him alone for that!" greeted the ear, might be made out; and as the eye "Will he be here to-night?" asked the Jew, laying grew more accustomed to the scene, the spectator the same emphasis on the pronoun as before. gradually became aware of the presence of a numer- "Monks, do you mean?" inquired the landlord, ous company, male and female, crowded round a hesitating. long table, at the upper end of which sat a chair- " Hush!" said the Jew. "Yes." man, with a hammer of office in his hand; while a " Certain," replied the man, drawing a gold watch professional gentleman, with a bluish nose, and his from his fob; " I expected him here before now. If face tied up for the benefit of a toothache, presided you'll wait ten minutes, he'll be-" at a jingling piano in a remote corner. "No, no," said the Jew, hastily; as though, howAs Fagin stepped softly in, the professional gen- ever desirous he might be to see the person in questleman, running over the keys by way of prelude, tion, he was nevertheless relieved by his absence. occasioned a general cry of order for a song; which " Tell him I came here to see him; and that he must having subsided, a young lady proceeded to enter- come to me to-night. No, say to-morrow. As he is tain the company with a ballad in four verses, be- not here, to-morrow will be time enough." tween each of which the accompanyist played the " Good!" said the man. " Nothing more I" melody all through, as loud as he could. When this "Not a word now," said the Jew, descending the was over, the chairman gave a sentiment, after which stairs. the professional gentlemen on the chairman's right " I say," said the other, looking over the rails, and and left volunteered a duet, and sang it with great speaking in a hoarse whisper; "'what a time this applause. would be for a sell! I've got Phil Barker here, so It was curious to observe some faces which stood drunk that a boy might take him." out prominently from among the group. There was "Aha!!. But it's not Phil Barker's time," said the the chairman himself (the landlord of the house), a Jew, looking up. " Phil has something more to do coarse, rough, heavy-built fellow, who, while the before we can afford to part with him; so go back songs were proceeding, rolled his eyes hither and to the company, my dear, and tell them to lead merthither, and, seeming to give himself up to joviality, ry lives-while they last. Ha! ha! ha!" had an eye for every thing that was done, and an The landlord reciprocated the old man's laugh, ear for every thing that was said-and sharp ones, and returned to his guests. The Jew was no sooner too. Near him were the singers, receiving with pro- alone, than his countenance resumed its former exfessional indifference the compliments of the com- pression of anxiety and thought. After a brief repany, and applying themselves, in turn, to a dozen flection, he called a hack cabriolet, and bade the proffered glasses of spirits-and-water, tendered by man drive toward Bethnal Green. He dismissed their more boisterous admirers, whose countenances, him within some quarter of a mile of Mr. Sikes's expressive of almost every vice, in almost every residence, and performed the short remainder of the grade, irresistibly attracted the attention by their distance on foot. very repulsiveness. Cunning, ferocity, and drunk- "Now," muttered the Jew, as he knocked at the enness in all its stages, were there in their strongest door, "if there is any deep play here, I shall have it aspects; and women, some with the last lingering out of you, my girl, cunning as you are." tinge of their early freshness almost fading as you She was in her room, the woman said. Fagin crept looked; others with every mark and stamp of their softly up stairs, and entered it without any previous sex utterly beaten out, and presenting but one loath- ceremony. The girl was alone; lying with her head some blank of profligacy and crime; some mere girls, upon the table, and her hair straggling over it. F 82 OLIVER TWIST. " She has been drinking," thought the Jew, coolly, Panting for breath, the old man stammered for a "or perhaps she is only miserable." word; and in that instant checked the torrent of his The old man turned to close the door as he made wrath, and changed his whole demeanor. A moment this reflection; the noise thus occasioned roused the before, his clenched hands had grasped the air, his girl. She eyed his crafty face narrowly as she in- eyes had dilated, and his face grown livid with pasquired whether there was any news, and as she list- sion; but now he shrunk into a chair, and, cowering ened to his recital of Toby Crackit's story. When together, trembled with the apprehension of having it was concluded, she sank into her former attitude, himself disclosed some hidden villainy. After a but spoke not a word. She pushed the candle imr- short silence, he ventured to look round at his compatiently away; and once or twice, as she feverish- panion. He appeared somewhat reassured, on bely changed her position, shuffled her feet upon the holding her in the same listless attitude from which ground; but this was all. he had first roused her. During the silence, the Jew looked restlessly about "Nancy, dear!" croaked the Jew in his usual voice. the room, as if to assure himself that there were no "Did you mind me, dear?" appearances of Sikes having covertly returned. Ap- " Don't worry me now, Fagin!" replied the girl, parently satisfied with his inspection, he coughed raising her head languidly. " If Bill has not done twice or thrice, and made as many efforts to open a it this time, he will another. He has done many a conversation; but the girl heeded him no more than good job for you, and will do many more when he if he had been made of stone. At length he made can; and when he can't he won't; so no more about another attempt; and rubbing his hands together, that." said, in his most conciliatory tone, "Regarding this boy, my dear W" said the Jew, rub"And where should you think Bill was now, my bing the palms of his hands nervously together. dear?" " The boy must take his chance with the rest," inThe girl moaned out some half intelligible reply terrupted Nancy, hastily; " and I say again, I hope that she could not tell; and seemed, from the smoth- he is dead, and out of harm's way, and out of yours ered noise that escaped her, to be crying. -that is, if Bill comes to no harm. And if Toby "And the boy, too," said the Jew, straining his got clear off, Bill's pretty sure to be safe; for Bill's eyes to catch a glimpse of her face. " Poor leetle worth two of Toby any time." child! Left in a ditch, Nance; only think!" "And about what I was saying, my dear?" ob"The child!" said the girl, suddenly looking up, served the Jew, keeping his glistening eye steadily "is better where he is than among us; and if no upon her. harm comes to Bill from it, I hope he lies dead in the "You must say it all over again, if it's any thing ditch, and that his young bones may rot there." you want me to do," rejoined Nancy; "and if it is, "What!" cried the Jew, in amazement. you had better wait till to-morrow. You put me up "Ay, I do," returned the girl, meeting his gaze. for a minute; but now I'm stupid again." "I shall be glad to have him away from my eyes, Fagin put several other questions, all with the and to know that the worst is over. I can't bear same drift of ascertaining whether the girl had profto have him about me. The sight of him turns me ited by his unguarded hints; but she answered them against myself, and all of you." so readily, and was withal so utterly unmoved by his "Pooh!" said the Jew, scornfully. "You're drunk." searching looks, that his original impression of her "Am Il?" cried the girl, bitterly. "It's no fault being more than a trifle in liquor was confirmed. of yours, if I am not! You'd never have me any Nancy, indeed, was not exempt from a failing which thing else, if you had your will, except now; —the was very common among the Jew's female pupils; humor doesn't suit you, doesn't it?" and in which, in their tenderer years, they were rath"No!" rejoined the Jew, furiously. "It does not." er encouraged than checked. Her disordered ap" Change it, then!" responded the girl, with a pearance, and a wholesale perfume of Geneva which laugh. pervaded the apartment, afforded strong confirmato" Change it!" exclaimed the Jew, exasperated be- ry evidence of the justice of the Jew's supposition; yond all bounds by his companion's unexpected ob- and when, after indulging in the temporary display stinacy, and the vexation of the night. "I WILL of violence above described, she subsided, first into change it! Listen to me, you drab! Listen to me, dullness, and afterward into a compound of feelings, who with six words can strangle Sikes as surely as under the influence of which she shed tears one minif I had his bull's throat between my fingers now. ute, and in the next gave utterance to various exIf he comes back, and leaves the boy behind him-if clamations of "Never say die!" and divers calculahe gets off free, and, dead or alive, fails to restore him tions as to what might be the amount of the odds so to me-murder him yourself if you would have him long as a lady or gentleman was happy, Mr. Fagin, escape Jack Ketch. And do it the moment he sets who had had considerable experience of such matters foot in this room, or, mind me, it will be too late!" in his time, saw, with great satisfaction, that she was " What is all this?" cried the girl, involuntarily. very far gone indeed. "What is it?" pursued Fagin, mad with rage. Having eased his mind by this discovery; and " When the boy's worth hundreds of pounds to me, having accomplished his twofold object of imparting am I to lose what chance threw me in the way of to the girl what he had that night heard, and of asgetting safely, through the whims of a drunken gang certaining with his own eyes that Sikes had not rethat I could whistle away the lives of? And me turned, Mr. Fagin again turned his face homeward, bound, too, to a born devil that only wants the will, leaving his young friend asleep, with her head upon and has the power to, to-" the table. FA GIN AND HIS VISITOR. 83 It was within an hour of midnight. The weather remarking that he had better say what he had got being dark and piercing cold, he had no great temp- to say under cover; for his blood was chilled with tation to loiter. The sharp wind that scoured the standing about so long, and the wind blew through streets seemed to have cleared them of passengers, him. as of dust and mud, for few people were abroad, and Fagin looked as if he could have willingly excused they were to all appearance hastening fast home. himself from taking home a visitor at that unseasonIt blew from the right quarter for the Jew, however, able hour; and, indeed, muttered something about and straight before it he went, trembling, and shiv- having no fire; but his companion repeating his reering, as every fresh gust drove him rudely on his quest in a peremptory manner, he unlocked the door, way. and requested him to close it softly, while he got a He had reached the corner of his own street, and light. was already fumbling in his pocket for the door-key, "It's as dark as the grave," said the man, groping when a dark figure emerged from a projecting en- forward a few steps. "Make haste!" trance which lay in deep shadow, and, crossing the "Shut the door," whispered Fagin, from the end toad, glided up to him unperceived. of the passage. As he spoke, it closed with a loud "Fagin!" whispered a voice close to his ear. noise. I FAGIN!' WIISPERED A VOICE CLOSE TO HIS EAR." "Ah!" said the Jew, turning quickly round, " is " That wasn't my doing," said the other man, feelthat " ing his way. "The wind blew it to, or it shut of its "Yes!" interrupted the stranger. "I have been own accord, one or the other. Look sharp with the lingering here these two hours. Where the devil light, or I shall knock my brains out against somehave you been?" thing in this confounded hole." "On your business, my dear," replied the Jew, Fagin stealthily descended the kitchen stairs. Afglancing uneasily at his companion, and slackening ter a short absence, he returned with a lighted canhis pace as he spoke. " On your business, all night." dle, and the intelligence that Toby Crackit was asleep " Oh, of course," said the stranger, with a sneer. in the back room below, and that the boys were in the "Well; and what's come of it?" front one. Beckoning the man to follow him, he led "Nothing good," said the Jew. the way up stairs. " Nothing bad, I hope?" said the stranger, stopping "We can say the few words we've got to say in short and turning a startled look on his companion. here, my dear," said the Jew, throwing open a door The Jew shook his head, and was about to reply, on the first floor; " and as there are holes in the shutwhen the stranger, interrupting him, motioned to the ters, and we never show lights to our neighbors, we'll house, before which they had by this time arrived; set the candle on the stairs. There!" 84 OLIVER TWIST. With those words, the Jew, stooping down, placed "Throttle the girl!" said Monks, impatiently. the candle on an upper flight of stairs exactly oppo- "Why, we can't afford to do that just now, my site to the room-door. This done, he led the way dear," replied the Jew, smiling; "and, besides, that into the apartment; which was destitute of all mov- sort of thing is not in our way; or, one of these days, ables save a broken arm-chair, and an old couch or I might be glad to have it done. I know what these sofa, without covering, which stood behind the door. girls are, Monks, well. As soon as the boy begins to Upon this piece of furniture the stranger sat himself harden, she'll care no more for him than for a block with the air of a weary man; and the Jew, drawing of wood. You want him made a thief. If he is alive, up the arm-chair opposite, they sat face to face. It I can make him one from this time; and if-if —" was not quite dark; the door was partially open, said the Jew, drawing nearer to the other-" it's not and the candle outside threw a feeble reflection on likely, mind-but if the worst comes to the worst, the opposite wall. and he is dead-" They conversed for some time in whispers. Though " It's no fault of mine if he is!" interposed the othnothing of the conversation was distinguishable be- er man, with a look of terror, and clasping the Jew's yond a few disjointed words here and there, a listen- arm with trembling hands. "Mind that, Fagin! I er might easily have perceived that Fagin appeared had no hand in it. Any thing but his death, I told to be defending himself against some remarks of the you from the first. I won't shed blood; it's always stranger, and that the latter was in a state of con- found out, and haunts a man besides. If they shot siderable irritation. They might have been talking him dead, I was not the cause; do you hear me? thus for a quarter of an hour or more, when Monks- Fire this infernal den! What's that?" by which name the Jew had designated the strange "What!" cried the Jew, grasping the coward round man several times in the course of their colloquy- the body with both arms, as he sprung to his feet. said, raising his voice a little, "I Where?" "I tell you again, it was badly planned. Why not " Yonder!" replied the man, glaring at the oppohave kept him here among the rest, and made a sneak- site wall. "The shadow! I saw the shadow of a ing, sniveling pickpocket of him at once?" woman, in a cloak and bonnet, pass along the wain"Only hear him!" exclaimed the Jew, shrugging scot like a breath!" his shoulders. The Jew released his hold, and they rushed tu"Why, do you mean to say you couldn't have multuously from the room. The candle, wasted by done it if you had chosen?" demanded Monks, stern- the draught, was standing where it had been placed. ly. " Haven't you done it with other boys scores of It showed them only the empty staircase and their times? If you had had patience for a twelvemonth own white faces. They listened intently: a proat most, couldn't you have got him convicted, and found silence reigned throughout the house. sent safely out of the kingdom-perhaps for life?" "It's your fancy," said the Jew, taking up the "Whose turn would that have served, my dear?" light and turning to his companion. inquired the Jew, humbly. "I'll swear I saw it!" replied Monks, trembling. "Mine," replied Monks. "It was bending forward when I saw it first; and "But not mine," said the Jew, submissively. " He when I spoke it darted away." might have become of use to me. When there are The Jew glanced contemptuously at the pale face two parties to a bargain, it is only reasonable that of his associate, and telling him he could follow if he the interests of both should be consulted; is it, my pleased, ascended the stairs. They looked into all good friend?" the rooms; they were cold, bare, and empty. They "What then?" demanded Monks. descended into the passage, and thence into the cel"I saw it was not easy to train him to the busi- lars below. The green damp hung upon the low ness," replied the Jew; " he was not like other boys walls; the tracks of the snail and slug glistened in in the same circumstances." the light of the candle; but all was still as death. "Curse him, no!" muttered the man, "or he would " What do you think, now?" said the Jew, when have been a thief long ago." they had regained the passage. " Besides ourselves, "I had no hold upon him to make him worse," there's not a creature in the house except Toby and pursued the Jew, anxiously watching the counte- the boys; and they're safe enough. See here!" nance of his companion. " His hand was not in. I As a proof of the fact, the Jew drew forth two had nothing to frighten him with; which we always keys from his pocket; and explained, that when he must have in the beginning, or we labor in vain. first went down stairs he had locked them in, to preWhat could I do? Send him out with the Dodger vent any intrusion on the conference. and Charley? We had enough of that at first, my This accumulated testimony effectually staggered dear; I trembled for us all." Mr. Monks. His protestations had gradually become "That was not my doing," observed Monks. less and less vehement as they proceeded in their "No, no, my dear!" renewed the Jew. "And I don't search without making any discovery; and now he quarrel with it now; because, if it had never hap- gave vent to several very grim laughs, and conpened, you might never have clapped eyes upon the fessed it could only have been his excited imaginaboy to notice him, and so led to the discovery that tion. He declined any renewal of the conversation, it was him you were looking for. Well! I got him however, for that night, suddenly remembering that back for you by means of the girl; and then she be- it was past one o'clock. And so the amiable couple gins to favor him." parted. BUMBLE FURTHER ALLAYS HIS CURIOSITY. 85 CHAPTER XXVII. shaken, gave forth a pleasant sound, as of the chinking of coin, Mr. Bumble returned with a stately walk WHTOIE FOR TE UNPOLTENEAY OFT ACFORMER CHSAPTERL, to the fire-place; and, resuming his old attitude, said, WHICH DESERTED A LADY MOST UNCEREMONIOUSLY. with a grave and determined air, " I'll do it!" He AS it would be by no means seemly in a humble followed up this remarkable declaration, by shaking author to keep so mighty a personage as a bea- his head in a waggish manner for ten minutes, as dle waiting, with his back to the fire, and the skirts though he were remonstrating with himself for beof his coat gathered up under his arms, until such ing such a pleasant dog; and then he took a view time as it might suit his pleasure to relieve him; and of his legs in profile, with much seeming pleasure as it would still less become his station or his gal- and interest. lantry to involve in the same neglect a lady on whom He was still placidly engaged in this latter survey, that beadle had looked with an eye of tenderness and when Mrs. Corney, hurrying into the room, threw heraffection, and in whose ear he had whispered sweet self, in a breathless state, on a chair by the fireside, words, which, coming from such a quarter, might and covering her eyes with one hand, placed the othwell thrill the bosom of maid or matron of whatso- er over her heart, and gasped for breath. ever degree; the historian whose pen traces these " Mrs. Corney," said Mr. Bumble, stooping over the words-trusting that he knows his place, and that matron, " what is this, ma'am? Has any thing haphe entertains a becoming reverence for those upon pened, ma'am? Pray answer me. I'm on-on-" earth to whom high and important authority is del- Mr. Bumble, in his alarm, could not immediately egated —hastens to pay them that respect which think of the word "tenter-hooks," so he said "broken their position demands, and to treat them with all bottles." that duteous ceremony which their exalted rank, " Oh, Mr. Bumble!" cried the lady, "I have been and (by consequence) great virtues, imperatively so dreadfully put out!" claim at his hands. Toward this end, indeed, he had "Put out, ma'am!" exclaimed Mr. Bumble; " who purposed to introduce, in this place, a dissertation has dared to-? I know!" said Mr. Bumble, checktouching the divine right of beadles, and elucidative ing himself, with native majesty, "this is them wiof the position that a beadle can do no wrong; which cious paupers!" could not fail to have been both pleasurable and "It's dreadful to think of!" said the lady, shudprofitable to the right-minded reader, but which dering. he is unfortunately compelled, by want of time and "Then don't think of it, ma'am," rejoined Mr. space, to postpone to some more convenient and fit- Bumble. ting opportunity; on the arrival of which, he will "I can't help it," whimpered the lady. be prepared to show, that a beadle properly consti- "Then take something, ma'am," said Mr. Bumble, tuted-that is to say, a parochial beadle, attached to soothingly. "A little of the wine?" a parochial work-house, and attending in his official "Not for the world!" replied Mrs. Corney. " I capacity the parochial church-is, in right and virtue couldn't-oh! The top shelf in the right-hand corof his office, possessed of all the excellences and best ner - oh!" Uttering these words, the good lady qualities of humanity; and that to none of those pointed, distractedly, to the cupboard, and underexcellences can mere companies' beadles, or court-of- went a convulsion from internal spasms. Mr. Bumlaw beadles, or even chapel-of-ease beadles (save the ble rushed to the closet; and, snatching a pint greenlast, and they in a very lowly and inferior degree), glass bottle from the shelf thus incoherently indilay the remotest sustainable claim. cated, filled a tea-cup with its contents, and held it Mr. Bumble had re - counted the tea - spoons, re- to the lady's lips. weighed the sugar-tongs, made a closer inspection "I'm better now," said Mrs. Corney, falling back, of the milk-pot, and ascertained to a nicety the ex- after drinking half of it. act condition of the furniture, down to the very Mr. Bumble raised his eyes piously to the ceiling horse-hair seats of the chairs; and had repeated each in thankfulness; and, bringing them down again to process full half a dozen times, before he began to the brim of the cup, lifted it to his nose. think that it was time for Mrs. Corney to return. "Peppermint," exclaimed Mrs. Corney, in a faint Thinking begets thinking: as there were no sounds voice, smiling gently on the beadle as she spoke. of Mrs. Corney's approach, it occurred to Mr. Bumble "Try it! There's a little-a little something else that it would be an innocent and virtuous way of in it." spending the time, if he were further to allay his Mr. Bumble tasted the medicine with a doubtful curiosity by a cursory glance at the interior of Mrs. look; smacked his lips; took another taste; and put Corney's chest of drawers. the cup down empty. Having listened at the key-hole, to assure himself " It's very comforting," said Mrs. Corney. that nobody was approaching the chamber, Mr. Bum- "Very much so, indeed, ma'am," said the beadle. ble, beginning at the bottom, proceeded to make him- As he spoke, he drew a chair beside the matron, and self acquainted with the contents of the three long tenderly inquired what had happened to distress her. drawers; which, being filled with various garments "Nothing," replied Mrs. Corney. "I am a foolish, of good fashion and texture, carefully preserved be- excitable, weak creetur." tween two layers of old newspapers, speckled with "Not weak, ma'am," retorted Mr. Bumble, drawing dried lavender, seemed to yield him exceeding sat- his chair a little closer. "Are you a weak crectur, isfaction. Arriving, in course of time, at the right- Mrs. Corney?" hand corner drawer (in which was the key), and be- "We Are all weak creeturs," said 1Irs. Corney, layholding therein a small padlocked box, which, being ing down a general principle. OLIVER TWIST. "So we are," said the beadle. "And candles," replied Mrs. Corney, slightly reNothing was said, on either side, for a minute or turning the pressure. two afterward. By the expiration of that time, Mr. "Coals, candles, and house-rent free," said Mr. Bumble had illustrated the position by removing his Bumble. "Oh, Mrs. Corney, what a angel you are!" left arm from the back of Mrs. Corney's chair, where The lady was not proof against this burst of feelit had previously rested, to Mrs. Corney's apron- ing. She sank into Mr. Bumble's arms; and that string, round which it gradually became entwined. gentleman, in his agitation, imprinted a passionate "We are all weak creeturs," said Mr. Bumble. kiss upon her chaste nose. Mrs. Corney sighed. "Such porochial perfection!" exclaimed Mr. Bum" Don't sigh, Mrs. Corney," said Mr. Bumble. ble, rapturously. " You know that Mr. Slout is worse "I can't help it," said Mrs. Corney. And she sigh- to-night, my fascinator?" ed again. "Yes," replied Mrs. Corney, bashfully. "This is a very comfortable room, ma'am," said "He can't live a week, the doctor says," pursued P05-:i-m-M a,,i ~' 4"' )ON'T SIGHI, MRS. CaO NEY],' SAID MR. BUMBLE.": Mr. Bumble, looking round. "Another room, and Mr. Bumble. "He is the master of this establishthis, ma'am, would be a complete thing." ment; his death will cause a wacancy: that wacan" It would be too much for one," murmured the lady. cy must be filled up. Oh, Mrs. Corney, what a pros"But not for two, ma'am," rejoined Mr. Bumble, in pect this opens! What a opportunity for a jining of soft accents. "Eh, Mrs. Corney?" hearts and housekeepings!" Mrs. Cormley drooped her head when the beadle Mrs. Corney sobbed. said this; the beadle drooped his, to get a view of " The little word?" said Mr. Bumble, bending over Mrs. Corney's face. Mrs. Corney, with great propri- the bashful beauty. "The one little, little, little ety, turned her head away, and released her hand to word, my blessed Corney?" get at her pocket-handkerchief; but insensibly re- "Ye-ye-yes!" sighed out the matron. placed it in that of Mr. Bumble. "One more," pursued the beadle; " compose your "The board allow you coals, don't they, Mrs. Cor- darling feelings for only one more. When is it to ney?" inquired the beadle, affectionately pressing her come off?" hand. Mrs. Corney twice essayed to speak, and twice fail MR. CLAYPOLE AND THE OYSTERS. 87 ed. At length summoning up courage, she threw The cloth was laid for supper; the table was covher arms round Mr. Bumble's neck, and said it might ered with bread-and-butter, plates and glasses, a porbe as soon as ever he pleased, and that he was "a ter-pot, and a wine-bottle. At the upper end of irresistible duck." the table Mr. Noah Claypole lolled negligently in an Matters being thus amicably and satisfactorily ar- easy-chair, with his legs thrown over one of the ranged, the contract was solemnly ratified in anoth- arms, an open clasp-knife in one hand, and a mass of er tea-cupful of the peppermint mixture; which was buttered bread in the other. Close beside him stood rendered the more necessary by the flutter and agi- Charlotte, opening oysters from a barrel, which Mr. tation of the lady's spirits. While it was being dis- Claypole condescended to swallow with remarkable posed of, she acquainted Mr. Bumble with the old avidity. A more than ordinary redness in the rewoman's decease. gion of the young gentleman's nose, and a kind of "Very good," said that gentleman, sipping his pep- fixed wink in his right eye, denoted that he was in a permint; "I'll call at Sowerberry's as I go home, and slight degree intoxicated; these symptoms were contell him to send to-morrow morning. Was it that firmed by the intense relish with which he took his as frightened you, love?" oysters, for which nothing but a strong appreciation "It wasn't any thing particular, dear," said the of their cooling properties, in cases of internal fever, lady, evasively. could have sufficiently accounted. "It must have been something, love," urged Mr. " Here's a delicious fat one, Noah, dear!" said CharBumble. " Won't you tell your own B. " lotte; " try him, do; only this one." "Not now," rejoined the lady; "one of these days. "What a delicious thing is a oyster!" remarked After we're married, dear." Mr. Claypole, after he had swallowed it. "What a "After we're married!" exclaimed Mr. Bumble. pity it is, a number of'em should ever make you feel " It wasn't any impudence from any of them male uncomfortable; isn't it, Charlotte?" paupers as-" "It's quite a cruelty," said Charlotte. "No, no, love!" interposed the lady, hastily. "So it is," acquiesced Mr. Claypole. "A'n't yer " If I thought it was," continued Mr. Bumble; " if fond of oysters?" I thought as any one of'em had dared to lift his wul- "Not overmuch," replied Charlotte. "I like to gar eyes to that lovely countenance-" see you eat'em, Noah dear, better than eating'em "They wouldn't have dared to do it, love," re- myself." sponded the lady.' Lor'!" said Noah, reflectively; "how queer!" "They had better not!" said Mr. Bumble, clenching "Have another," said Charlotte. " Here's one with his fist. " Let me see any man, porochial or extra- such a beautiful, delicate beard!" porochial, as would presume to do it; and I can tell " I can't manage any more," said Noah. f' I'm very him that he wouldn't do it a second time!" sorry. Come here, Charlotte, and I'll kiss yer." Unembellished by any violence of gesticulation, "What!" said Mr. Bumble, bursting into the room. this might have seemed no very high compliment to "Say that again, sir." the lady's charms; but, as Mr. Bumble accompanied Charlotte uttered a scream, and hid her face in her the threat with many warlike gestures, she was much apron. Mr. Claypole, without making any further touched with this proof of his devotion, and pro- change in his position than suffering his legs to tested, with great admiration, that he was indeed a reach the ground, gazed at the beadle in drunken dove. terror. The dove then turned up his coat-collar, and put " Say it again, you wile, owdacious fellow!" said on his cocked hat; and, having exchanged a long Mr. Bumble. " How dare you mention such a thing, and affectionate embrace with his future partner, sir? And how dare you encourage him, you insolent once again braved the cold wind of the night, mere- minx? Kiss her!" exclaimed Mr. Bumble, in strong ly pausing, for a few minutes, in the male paupers' indignation. "Faugh!" ward, to abuse them a little, with the view of satis- "I didn't mean to do it!" said Noah, blubbering. fying himself that he could fill the office of work- "She's always a-kissing of me, whether I like it or house master with needful acerbity. Assured of his not." qualifications, Mr. Bumble left the building with a "Oh, Noah!" cried Charlotte, reproachfully. light heart, and bright visions of his future promo- "Yer are; yer know yer are!" retorted Noah. tion, which served to occupy his mind until he reach- "She's always a-doing of it, Mr. Bumble, sir; she ed the shop of the undertaker. chucks me under the chin, please, sir; and makes all Now Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry having gone out to manner of love!" tea and supper, and Noah Claypole not being at any " Silence!" cried Mr. Bumble sternly. " Take yourtime disposed to take upon himself a greater amount self down stairs, ma'am. Noah, you shut up the of physical exertion than is necessary to a conven- shop; say another word till your master comes home ient performance of the two functions of eating and at your peril; and, when he does come home, tell drinking, the shop was not closed, although it was him that Mr. Bumble said he was to send a old wompast the usual hour of shutting up. Mr. Bumble an's shell after breakfast to-morrow morning. Do tapped with his cane on the counter several times; you hear, sir? Kissing!" cried Mr. Bumble, holding but, attracting no attention, and beholding a light up his hands. " The sin and wickedness of the lowshining through the glass-window of the little par- er orders in this porochial district is frightful! If lor at the back of the shop, he made bold to peep in Parliament don't take their abominable courses unand see what was going forward; and when he saw der consideration, this country's ruined, and the charwhat was going forward, he was not a little surprised. acter of the peasantry gone forever!" With these 88 OLIVER TWIST. words, the beadle srode, with a lofty and gloomy command. Three men, who had by this time adair, from the indertaker's premises. vanced some distance into the field, stopped to take And now that we have accompanied him so far on counsel together. his road home, and have made all necessary prepara- " My advice, or, leastways, I should say, my orders, tions for the old woman's funeral, let us set on foot is," said the fattest man of the party, " that we'mea few inquiries after young Oliver Twist, and ascer- diately go home again." tain whether he be still lying in the ditch where "I am agreeable to any thing which is agreeable Toby Crackit left him. to Mr. Giles," said a shorter man; who was by no means of a slim figure, and who was very pale in the face, and very polite; as frightened men frequently are. CHAPTER XXVIII. "I shouldn't wish to appear ill-mannered, gentlemen," said the third, who had called the dogs back; LOOKS AFTER OLIVER, AND PROCEEDS WITrI HIS ADVEN- "r. Giles ought to know." U Mr. Giles ought to know." TURES. "Certainly," replied the shorter man; " and what"XATOLVES tear your throats!" muttered Sikes, ever Mr. Giles says, it isn't our place to contradict ~ grinding his teeth. "I wish I was among him. No, no, I know my sitiwation! Thank my some of you; you'd howl the hoarser for it." stars, I know my sitiwation." To tell the truth, the As Sikes growled forth this imprecation, with the little man did seem to know his situation, and to most desperate ferocity that his desperate nature know perfectly well that it was by no means a dewas capable of, he rested the body of the wounded sirable one; for his teeth chattered in his head as he boy across his bended knee, and turned his head, for spoke. an instant, to look back at his pursuers. "' You are afraid, Brittles," said Mr. Giles. There was little to be made out, in the mist and "I a'n't," said Brittles. darkness; but the loud shouting of men vibrated "You are," said Giles. through the air, and the barking of the neighboring " You're a falsehood, Mr. Giles," said Brittles. dogs, roused by the sound of the alarm-bell, resound- " You're a lie, Brittles," said Mr. Giles. ed in every direction. Now these four retorts arose from Mr. Giles's taunt; " Stop, you white-livered hound!" cried the robber, and Mr. Giles's taunt had arisen from his indignation shouting after Toby Crackit, who, making the best at having the responsibility of going home again use of his long legs, was already ahead. " Stop!" imposed upon himself under cover of a compliment. The repetition of the word brought Toby to a dead The third man brought the dispute to a close, most stand-still. For he was not quite satisfied that he philosophically. was beyond the range of pistol-shot; and Sikes was "I'll tell you what it is, gentlemen," said he, in no mood to be played with. " we're all afraid." " Bear a hand with the boy," cuied Sikes, beckon- "Speak for yourself, sir," said Mr. Giles, who was ing furiously to his confederate. " Come back!" the palest of the party. Toby made a show of returning; but ventured, in "So I do," replied the man. "It's natural and a low voice, broken for want of breath, to intimate proper to be afraid, under such circumstances. I considerable reluctance as he came slowly along. am." " Quicker!" cried Sikes, laying the boy in a dry " So am I," said Brittles; "only there's no call to ditch at his feet, and drawing the pistol from his tell a man he is, so bounceably." pocket. " Don't play booty with me!" These frank admissions softened Mr. Giles, who at At this moment the noise grew louder. Sikes, once owned that he was afraid; upon which they again looking round, could discern that the men who all three faced about, and ran back again with the had given chase were already climbing the gate of completest unanimity, until Mr. Giles (who had the the field in which he stood; and that a couple of shortest wind of the party, and was encumbered dogs were some paces in advance of them. with a pitchfork) most handsomely insisted on stop" It's all up, Bill!" cried Toby; " drop the kid, and ping, to make an apology for his hastiness of speech. show'em your heels." With this parting advice, "But it's wonderful," said Mr. Giles, when he had Mr. Crackit, preferring the chance of being shot by explained," what a man will do when his blood is his friend to the certainty of being taken by his ene- up. I should have committed murder-I know I mies, fairly turned tail, and darted off at full speed. should-if we'd caught one of them rascals." Sikes clenched his teeth; took one look around; As the other two were impressed with a similar threw over the prostrate form of Oliver the cape in presentiment; and as their blood, like his, had all which he had been hurriedly muffled; ran along the gone down again; some speculation ensued upon the front of the hedge, as if to distract the attention of cause of this sudden change in their temperament. those behind from the spot where the boy lay; " I know what it was," said Mr. Giles; " it was the paused for a second before another hedge which met gate." it at right angles; and, whirling his pistol high into " I shouldn't wonder if it was," exclaimed Brittles, the air, cleared it at a bound, and was gone. catching at the idea. "Ho, ho, there!" cried a tremulous voice in the " You may depend upon it," said Giles, "that that rear. "Pincher! Neptune! Come here, come here!" gate stopped the flow of the excitement. I felt all The dogs, who, in common with their masters, mine suddenly going away as I was climbing over seemed to have no particular relish for the sport in it." which they were engaged, readily answered to the By a remarkable coincidence, the other two had OLIVER'S HELPLESS CONDITION. 89 been visited with the same unpleasant sensation at drooping languidly on his breast, went stumbling that precise moment. It was quite obvious, there- onward, he knew not whither. fore, that it was the gate; especially as there was no And now, hosts of bewildering and confused ideas doubt regarding the time at which the change had came crowding on his mind. He seemed to be still taken place, because all three remembered that they walking between Sikes and Crackit, who were anhad come in sight of the robbers at the instant of its grily disputing-for the very words they said soundoccurrence. ed in his ears; and when he caught his own attenThis dialogue was held between the two men who tion, as it were, by making some violent effort to had surprised the burglars, and a traveling tinker save himself from falling, he found that he was talkwho had been sleeping in an out-house, and who had ing to them. Then he was alone with Sikes, plodbeen roused, together with his two mongrel curs, to ding on as on the previous day; and as shadowy join in the pursuit. Mr. Giles acted in the double people passed them, he felt the robber's grasp upon capacity of butler and steward to the old lady of the his wrist. Suddenly, he started back at the report mansion; Brittles was a lad-of-all-work, who, hav- of fire-arms; there rose into the air loud cries and ing entered her service a mere child, was treated as shouts; lights gleamed before his eyes; all was noise a promising young boy still, though he was some- and tumult, and some unseen hand bore him hurriedthing past thirty. ly away. Through all these rapid visions, there ran Encouraging each other with such converse as an undefined, uneasy consciousness of pain, which this; but, keeping very close together, notwithstand- wearied and tormented him incessantly. ing, and looking apprehensively round, whenever a Thus he staggered on, creeping almost mechanicfresh gust rattled through the boughs, the three ally, between the bars of gates, or through hedgemen hurried back to a tree, behind which they had gaps, as they came in his way, until he reached a left their lantern, lest its light should inform the road. Here the rain began to fall so heavily, that it thieves in what direction to fire. Catching up the roused him. light, they made the best of their way home at a He looked about, and saw that at no great distance good round trot; and long after their dusky forms there was a house, which perhaps he could reach. had ceased to be discernible, the light might have Pitying his condition, they might have compassion been seen twinkling and dancing in the distance, on him; and if they did not, it would be better, he like some exhalation of the damp and gloomy atmos- thought, to die near human beings than in the lonephere through which it was swiftly borne. ly open fields. He summoned up all his strength for The air grew colder as day came slowly on; and one last trial, and bent his faltering steps toward it. the mist rolled along the ground like a dense cloud As he drew nearer to this house, a feeling came of smoke. The grass was wet; the pathways and over him that he had seen it before. He rememberlow places were all mire and water; the damp ed nothing of its details; but the shape and aspect breath of an unwholesome wind went languidly by, of the building seemed familiar to him. with a hollow moaning. Still, Oliver lay motionless That garden wall! On the grass inside, he had and insensible on the spot where Sikes had left him. fallen on his knees last night, and prayed the two Morning drew on apace. The air became more men's mercy. It was the very house they had atsharp and piercing, as its first dull hue-the death tempted to rob. of night, rather than the birth of day-glimmered Oliver felt such fear come over him when he recfaintly in the sky. The objects which had looked ognized the place, that, for the instant, he forgot dim and terrible in the darkness grew more and the agony of his wound, and thought only of flight. more defined, and gradually resolved into their fa- Flight! He could scarcely stand; and if he were in miliar shapes. The rain came down, thick and fast, full possession of all the best powers of his slight and and pattered noisily among the leafless bushes. But youthful frame, whither could he fly? He pushed Oliver felt it not, as it beat against him; for he still against the garden-gate; it was unlocked, and lay stretched, helpless and unconscious, on his bed of swung open on its hinges. He tottered across the clay. lawn; climbed the steps; knocked faintly at the At length, a low cry of pain broke the stillness that door; and, his whole strength failing him, sunk prevailed; and uttering it, the boy awoke. His left down against one of the pillars of the little portico. arm, rudely bandaged in a shawl, hung heavy and It happened that about this time, Mr. Giles, Brituseless at his side: the bandage was saturated with tiles, and the tinker, were recruiting themselves, after blood. He was so weak, that he could scarcely raise the fatigues and terrors of the night, with tea and himself into a sitting posture; when he had done so, sundries, in the kitchen. Not that it was Mr. Giles's he looked feebly round for help, and groaned with habit to admit to too great familiarity the humbler pain. Trembling in every joint, from cold and ex- servants: toward whom it was rather his wont to haustion, he made an effort to stand upright; but, deport himself with a lofty affability, which, while shuddering from head to foot, fell prostrate on the it gratified, could not fail to remind them of his suground. perior position in society. But death, fires, and burAfter a short return of the stupor in which he had glary, make all men equals; so Mr. Giles sat with his been so long plunged, Oliver, urged by a creeping legs stretched out before the kitchen fender, leaning sickness at his heart, which seemed to warn him his left arm on the table, while, with his right, he that, if he lay there, he must surely die, got upon illustrated a circumstantial and minute account of his feet, and essayed to walk. His head was dizzy, the robbery, to which his hearers (but especially the and he staggered to and fro like a drunken man. cook and house-maid, who were of the party) listened But he kept up, nevertheless. and, with his head with breathless interest. 90 OLIVER T WIST. " It was about half-past two," said Mr. Giles, " or lently, in common with the rest of the company, and I wouldn't swear that it mightn't have been a little hurried back to his chair. The cook and house-maid nearer three, when I woke up, and, turning round in screamed. my bed, as it might be so (here Mr. Giles turned " It was a knock," said Mr. Giles, assuming perfect round in his chair, and pulled the corner of the ta- serenity. "Open the door, somebody." ble-cloth over him to imitate bed-clothes), I fancied Nobody moved. I heerd a noise." " It seems a strange sort of a thing, a knock cornAt this point of the narrative the cook turned pale, ing at such a time in the morning," said Mr. Giles, and asked the house-maid to shut the door: who ask- surveying the pale faces which surrounded him, and ed Brittles, who asked the tinker, who pretended not looking very blank himself; "but the door must be to hear. opened. Do you hear, somebody v" "-Heerd a noise," continued Mr. Giles. "I says, Mr. Giles, as he spoke, looked at Brittles; but that at first,'This is illusion;' and was composing my- young man, being naturally modest, probably conself off to sleep, when I heerd the noise again, dis- sidered himself nobody, and so held that the inquiry tinct." could not have any application to him; at all events, "What sort of a noise?" asked the cook. he tendered no reply. Mr. Giles directed an appeal"A kind of a busting noise," replied Mr. Giles, ing glance at the tinker; but he had suddenly fallen looking round him. asleep. The women were out of the question. " More like the noise of powdering a iron bar on a "If Brittles would rather open the door in the nutmeg-grater," suggested Brittles. presence of witnesses," said Mr. Giles, after a short " It was, when you heerd it, sir," rejoined Mr. Giles; silence, " I amn ready to make one." "but at this time it had a busting sound. I turned " So am I," said the tinker, waking -up as suddenly down the clothes," continued Giles, rolling back the as he had fallen asleep. table-cloth, "sat up in bed, and listened." Brittles capitulated on these terms; and the parThe cook and house-maid simultaneously ejacu- ty being somewhat reassured by the discovery (made lated "Lor!" and drew their chairs closer together. on throwing open the shutters) that it was now "I heerd it now, quite apparent," resumed Mr. broad day, took their way up stairs, with the dogs Giles. "' Somebody,' I says,'is forcing of a door, or in front. The two women, who were afraid to stay window; what's to be done? I'll call up that poor below, brought up the rear. By the advice of Mr. lad, Brittles, and save him from being murdered in Giles, they all talked very loud, to warn any evilhis bed; or his throat,' I says,'may be cut from his disposed person outside that they were strong il right ear to his left, without his ever knowing it.'/" numbers; and by a master-stroke of policy, origiHere all eyes were turned upon Brittles, who fixed nating in the brain of the same ingenious gentlehis upon the speaker, and stared at him with his man, the dogs' tails were well pinched, in the hall, mouth wide open, and his face expressive of the most to make them bark savagely. unmitigated horror. These precautions having been taken, Mr. Giles "I tossed off the clothes," said Giles, throwing held on fast by the tinker's arm (to prevent his runaway the table-cloth, and looking very hard at the ning away, as he pleasantly said), and gave the word cook and house-maid, "got softly out of bed, drew of command to open the door. Brittles obeyed; the on a pair of-" group, peeping timorously over each other's shoul"Ladies present, Mr. Giles," murmured the tinker. ders, beheld no more formidable object than poor "-Of shoes, sir," said Giles, turning upon him, little Oliver Twist, speechless and exhausted, who and laying great emphasis on the word; " seized the raised his heavy eyes and mutely solicited their comloaded pistol that always goes up stairs with the passion. plate-basket; and walked on tiptoes to his room. "A boy!" exclaimed Mr. Giles, valiantly pushing'Brittles,' I says, when I had woke him,'don't be the tinker into the background. " What's the matfrightenedl!'" ter with the- Eli? Why-Brittles-look here" So you did," observed Brittles, in a low voice. don't you know?" "' We're dead men, I think, Brittles,' I says," con- Brittles, who had got behind the door to open it, tinned Giles; "'but don't be frightened."'" no sooner saw Oliver, than he uttered a loud cry. "Was he frightened?" asked the cook. Mr. Giles, seizing the boy by one leg and one arm "Not a bit of it," replied Mr. Giles. " He was as (fortunately not the broken limb) lugged him firm-ah! pretty near as firm as I was." straight into the hall, and deposited him at full "I should have died at once, I'm sure, if it had length on the floor thereof. been me," observed the house-maid. "Here he is!" bawled Giles, calling, in a state of " You're a woman," retorted Brittles, plucking up great excitement, up the staircase; "here's one of a little. the thieves, ma'am! Here's a thief, miss! Wound"Brittles is right," said Mr. Giles, nodding his ed, miss! I shot him, miss; and Brittles held the head, approvingly; "from a woman nothing else light." was to be expected. We, being men, took a dark "-In a lantern, miss," cried Brittles, applying lantern that was standing on Brittles's hob, and one hand to the side of his mouth, so that his voice groped our way down stairs in the pitch dark-as mI ight travel the better. might be so." The two women-servants ran up stairs to carry Mr. Giles had risen from his seat, and taken two the intelligence that Mr. Giles had captured a robsteps with his eyes shut, to accompany his descrip- ber; and the tinker busied himself in endeavoring tion with appropriate action, when he started vio- to restore Oliver, lest he should (lie before he could THE DOCTOR ARRIVES. 91 be hanged. In the midst of all this noise and com- the old style pleasantly than to impair its effect, she motion there was heard a sweet female voice, which sat, in a stately manner, with her hands folded on quelled it in an instant. the table before her. Her eyes (and age had dimmed "Giles!" whispered the voice from the stairhead. but little of their brightness) were attentively fixed "I'm here, miss," replied Mr. Giles. "Don't be upon her young companion. frightened, miss; I ain't much injured. He didn't The younger lady was in the lovely bloom and make a very desperate resistance, miss! I was soon spring-time of womanhood; at that age when, if too many for him." ever angels be for God's good purposes enthroned "Hush!" replied the young lady; "you frighten in mortal forms, they may be, without impiety, supmy aunt as much as the thieves did. Is the poor posed to abide in such as hers. creature much hurt?" She was not past seventeen. Cast in so slight "Wounded desperate, miss," replied Giles, with in- and exquisite a mould; so mild and gentle; so pure describable complacency. and beautiful; that earth seemed not her element, "'He looks as if he was a-going, miss," bawled nor its rough creatures her fit companions. The Brittles, in the same manner as before. " Wouldn't very intelligence that shone in her deep blue eye, you like to come and look at him, miss, in case he and was stamped upon her noble head, seemed scarceshould?" ly of her age, or of the world; and yet the changing "Hush, pray; there's a good man!" rejoined the expression of sweetness and good-humor, the thoulady. " Wait quietly only one instant, while I speak sand lights that played about the face, and left no to aunt." shadow there; above all, the smile, the cheerful, With a footstep as soft and gentle as the voice, happy smile, were made for Home, and fireside peace the speaker tripped away. She soon returned, with and happiness. the direction that the wounded person was to be She was busily engaged in the little offices of the carried carefully up stairs to Mr. Giles's room; and table. Chancing to raise her eyes as the elder lady that Brittles was to saddle the pony and betake him- was regarding her, she playfully put back her hair, self instantly to Chertsey; from which place he was which was simply braided on her forehead, and to dispatch, with all speed, a constable and doctor. threw into her beaming look such an expression of " But won't you take one look at him first, miss?" affection and artless loveliness, that blessed spirits asked Mr. Giles, with as much pride as if Oliver were might have smiled to look upon her. some bird of rare plumage that he had skillfully " And Brittles has been gone upward of an hour, brought down. "Not one little peep, miss?" has he?" asked the old lady, after a pause. "Not now, for the world," replied the young lady. "An hour and twelve minutes, ma'am," replied Mr. "Poor fellow! Oh! treat him kindly, Giles, for my Giles, referring to a silver watch, which he drew forth sake!" by a black ribbon. The old servant looked up at the speaker, as she "He is always slow," remarked the old lady. turned away, with a glance as proud and admiring "Brittles always was a slow boy, ma'am," replied as if she had been his own child. Then, bending the attendant. And seeing, by-the-bye, that Brittles over Oliver, he helped to carry him up stairs, with had been a slow boy for upward of thirty years, there the care and solicitude of a woman. appeared no great probability of his ever being a fast one. - "He gets worse instead of better, I think," said the elder lady. CHAPTER XXIX. " It is very inexcusable in him if he stops to play with any other boys," said the young lady, smiling. TEHAS AN HIRoUCSETO ACCOUNT o O THE INM.TES or Mr. Giles was apparently considering the proprieTHE HOUSE TO WHICH OLIVER RESORTED. ty of indulging in a respectful smile himself, when a IN a handsome room, though its furniture had gig drove up to the garden-gate, out of which there rather the air of old-fashioned comfort than of jumped a fat gentleman, who ran straight up to the modern elegance, there sat two ladies at a well- door; and who, getting quickly into the house by spread breakfast-table. Mr. Giles, dressed with scru- some mysterious process, burst into the' room, and pulous care in a full suit of black, was in attendance nearly overturned Mr. Giles and the breakfast-table upon them. He had taken his station some half-way together. between the sideboard and the breakfast-table; and, "I never heard of such a thing!" exclaimed the with his body drawn up to its full height, his head fat gentleman. "My dear Mrs. Maylie -bless my thrown back, and inclined the merest trifle on one soul-in the silence of night, too-I never heard of side, his left leg advanced, and his right hand thrust such a thing!" into his waistcoat, while his left hung down by his With these expressions of condolence, the fat genside, grasping a waiter, looked like one who labored tleman shook hands with both ladies, and, drawing uunder a very agreeable sense of his own merits and up a chair, inquired how they found themselves. importance. " You ought to be dead, positively dead with the Of the two ladies, one was well advanced in years; frght," said the fat gentleman. "Why didn't you but the high-backed oaken chair in which she sat send? Bless me, my man should have come in a was not more upright than she. Dressed with the minute; and so would I; and my assistant would utmost nicety and precision, in a quaint mixture of have been delighted; or any body, I'm sure, under by-gone costume, with some slight concessions to such circumstances. Dear, dear! So unexpected! the prevailing taste, which rather served to point In the silence of night, too!" 92 OLIVER TWIST. The doctor seemed especially troubled by the fact stowed upon his bravery, that he could not, for the of the robbery having been unexpected, and at- life of him, help postponing the explanation for a tempted in the night-time; as if it were the estab- few delicious minutes; during which he had flourlished custom of gentlemen in the house-breaking ished in the very zenith of a brief reputation for unway to transact business at noon, and to make an daunted courage. appointment, by post, a day or two previous. "Rose wished to see the man," said Mrs. Maylie, "And you, Miss Rose," said the doctor, turning to "but I wouldn't hear of it." the young lady, " I-" "Humph!" rejoined the doctor. "There is noth" Oh! very much so, indeed," said Rose, interrupt- ing very alarming in his appearance. Have you ing him; "but there is a poor creature up stairs any objection to see him in my presence?" whom aunt wishes you to see." "If it be necessary," replied the old lady, " cer" Ah! to be sure," replied the doctor, " so there is. tainly not." That was your handiwork, Giles, I understand." "Then I think it is necessary," said the doctor; Mr. Giles, who had been feverishly putting the "at all events, I am quite sure that you would deeptea-cups to rights, blushed very red, and said that ly regret not having done so if you postponed it. he had had that honor. He is perfectly quiet and comfortable now. Allow "Honor, eh?" said the doctor; "well, I don't me-Miss Rose, will you permit me? Not the slightknow; perhaps it's as honorable to hit a thief in a est fear, I pledge you my honor!" back kitchen as to hit your man at twelve paces. Fancy that he fired in the air, and you've fought a duel, Giles." Mr. Giles, who thought this light treatment of the CHAPTER XXX. matter an unjust attempt at diminishing his glory, answered respectfully, that it was not for the like RELATES WHAT OLIVERS NEW THOUGHT OF of him to judge about that; but he rather thought it was no joke to the opposite party. IATITH many loquacious assurances that they "Gad, that's true!" said the doctor. "Where is V would be agreeably surprised in the aspect of he? Show me the way. I'll look in again, as I the criminal, the doctor drew the young lady's arm come down, Mrs. Maylie. That's the little window through one of his; and offering his dlisengaged that he got in at, eh? Well, I couldn't have be- hand to Mrs. Maylie, led them, with much ceremony lieved it!" and stateliness, up stairs. Talking all the way, he followed Mr. Giles up "Now," said the doctor, in a whisper, as he softly stairs; and while he is going up stairs, the reader turned the handle of the bedroom-door, "let us hear may be informed that Mr. Losberne, a surgeon in what you think of him. He has not been shaved the neighborhood, known through a circuit of ten very recently, but he don't look at all ferocious, notmiles round as " the doctor," had grown fat, more withstanding. Stop, though! Let me first see that from good humor than from good living; and was he is in visiting-order." as kind and hearty, and withal as eccentric an old Stepping before them, he looked into the room. bachelor, as will be found in five times that space Motioning them to advance, he closed the door when by any explorer alive. they had entered, and gently drew back the curThe doctor was absent much longer than either tains of the bed. Upon it, in lieu of the dogged, he or the ladies had anticipated. A large flat box black-visaged ruffian they had expected to behold, was fetched out of the gig; and a bedroom bell was there lay a mere child: worn with pain and exhausrung very often; and the servants ran up and down tion, and sunk into a deep sleep. His wounded arm, stairs perpetually; from which tokens it was justly bound and splintered up, was crossed upon his breast; concluded that something important was going on his head reclined upon the other arm, which was half above. At length he returned; and in reply to an hidden by his long hair, as it streamed over the pillow. anxious inquiry after his patient, looked very mys- The honest gentleman held the curtain in his terious, and closed the door carefully. hand, and looked on for a minute or so in silence. " This is a very extraordinary thing, Mrs. Maylie," While he was watching the patient thus, the younger said the doctor, standing with his back to the door, lady glided softly past, and seating herself in a chair as if to keep it shut. by the bedside, gathered Oliver's hair from his face. "He is not in danger, I hope?" said the old lady. As she stooped over him, her tears fell upon his fore"Why, that would not be an extraordinary thing, head. under the circumstances," replied the doctor; The boy stirred, and smiled in his sleep, as though "though I don't think he is. Have you seen this these marks of pity and compassion had awakened thief?" some pleasant dream of a love and affection he had "No," rejoined the old lady. never known. Thus, a strain of gentle music, or the "Nor heard any thing about him?" rippling of water in a silent place, or the odor of a "No." flower, or the mention of a familiar word, will some"I beg your pardon, ma'am," interposed Mr. Giles; times call up sudden dim remembrances of scenes "but I was going to tell you about him when Doctor that never were, in this life; which vanish like a Losberne came in." breath; which some brief memory of a happier exThe fact was, that Mr. Giles had not, at first, been istence, long gone by, would seem to have awakened; able to bring his mind to the avowal that he had which no voluntary exertion of the mind can ever only shot a boy. Such commendations had been be — recall. THE DOCTOR PRESCRIBES. 93 "What can this mean?" exclaimed the elder lady. cept yourself, Miss Rose. I only hope, for the sake "This poor child can never have been the pupil of of the rising male sex generally, that you may be robbers!" found in as vulnerable and soft-hearted a mood by "Vice," sighed the surgeon, replacing the curtain, the first eligible young fellow who appeals to your "takes up her abode in many temples; and who can compassion; and I wish I were a young fellow, that say that a fair outside shall not enshrine her?" I might avail myself on the spot of such a favora"But at so early an age!" urged Rose. ble opportunity for doing so as the present." "My dear young lady," rejoined the surgeon, You are as great a boy as poor Brittles himself," mournfully shaking his head; "crime, like death, is returned Rose, blushing. not confined to the old and withered alone. The "Well," said the doctor, laughing heartily, "that youngest and fairest are too often its chosen vic- is no very difficult matter. But to return to this tims." boy. The great point of our agreement is yet to "But can you-oh! can you really believe that come. He will wake in an hour or so, I dare say; this delicate boy has been the voluntary associate of and although I have told that thick-headed constathe worst outcasts of society?" said Rose. ble fellow down stairs that he mustn't be moved or The surgeon shook his head, in a manner which spoken to, on peril of his life, I think we may conintimated that he feared it was very possible; and verse with him without danger. Now I make this observing that they might disturb the patient, led stipulation-that I shall examine him in your presthe way into an adjoining apartment. ence, and that if, from what he says, we judge, and I " But even if he has been wicked," pursued Rose, can show to the satisfaction of your cool reason, that "think how young he is; think that he may never he is a real and thorough bad one (which is more have known a mother's love, or the comfort of a than possible), he shall be left to his fate, without home; that ill-usage and blows, or the want of bread, any further interference on my part, at all events." may have driven him to herd with men who have "Oh no, aunt!" entreated Rose. forced him to guilt. Aunt, clear aunt, for mercy's "Oh yes, aunt!" said the doctor. "Is it a barsake, think of this, before you let them drag this gain?" sick child to a prison, which in any case must be the "He can not be hardened in vice," said Rose. " It grave of all his chances of amendment. Oh! as you is impossible." love me, and know that I have never felt the want "Very good," retorted the doctor; "then so much of parents in your goodness and affection, but that the more reason for acceding to my proposition." I might have done so, and might have been equally Finally the treaty was entered into; and the parhelpless and unprotected with this poor child, have ties thereunto sat down to wait, with some impapity upon him before it is too late!" tience, until Oliver should awake. "My dear love," said the elder lady, as she folded The patience of the two ladies was destined to unthe weeping girl to her bosom, "do you think I dergo a longer trial than Mr. Losberne had led them would harm a hair of his head?" to expect; for hour after hour passed on, and still "Oh, no!" replied Rose, eagerly. Oliver slumbered heavily. It was evening, indeed, "No, surely," said the old lady; "my days are before the kind-hearted doctor brought them the indrawing to their close; and may mercy be shown to telligence that he was at length sufficiently restored me as I show it to others! What can I do to save to be spoken to. The boy was very ill, he said, and him, sir?" weak from the loss of blood; but his mind was so " Let me think, ma'am," said the doctor; "let me troubled with anxiety to disclose something, that he think." deemed it better to give him the opportunity, than Mr. Losberne thrust his hands into his pockets, to insist upon his remaining quiet until next mornand took several turns up and down the room; often ing, which he should otherwise have done. stopping, and balancing himself on his toes, and The conference was a long one. Oliver told them frowning frightfully. After various exclamations all his simple history, and was often compelled to of "I've got it now," and "no, I haven't," and as stop, by pain and want of strength. It was a solmany renewals of the walking and frowning, he at emn thing to hear, in the darkened room, the feeble length made a dead halt, and spoke as follows: voice of the sick child recounting a weary catalogue " I think if you give me a full and unlimited com- of evils and calamities which hard men had brought mission to bully Giles, and that little boy Brittles, I upon him. Oh! if when we oppress and grind our can manage it. Giles is a faithful fellow and an old fellow-creatures, we bestowed but one thought on servant, I know; but you can make it up to him in the dark evidences of human error, which, like dense a thousand ways, and reward him for being such a and heavy clouds, are rising, slowly, it is true, but good shot besides. You don't object to that?" not less surely, to Heaven, to pour their after-ven" "Unless there is some other way of preserving the geance on our heads; if we heard but one instant, child," replied Mrs. Maylie. in imagination, the deep testimony of dead men's "There is no other," said the doctor. "No other, voices, which no power can stifle, and no pride shut take my word for it." out; where would be the injury and injustice, the " Then my aunt invests you with full power," said suffering, misery, cruelty, and wrong, that each day's Rose, smiling through her tears; "but pray don't be life brings with it! harder upon the poor fellows than is indispensably Oliver's pillow was smoothed by gentle hands that necessary." night; and loveliness and virtue watched him as he " You seem to think," retorted the doctor, " that slept. He felt calm and happy, and could have died every body is disposed to be hard-hearted to-day, ex- without a murmur. 94 OLIVER TWIST. The momentous interview was no sooner concluded, The constable looked as wise as he could, and took and Oliver composed to rest again, than the doctor, up his staff of office, which had been reclining indoafter wiping his eyes, and condemning them for be- lently in the chimney-corner. ing weak all at once, betook himself down stairs to "It's a simple question of identity, you will obopen upon Mr. Giles. And finding nobody about serve," said the doctor. the parlors, it occurred to him that he could perhaps "That's what it is, sir," replied the constable, originate the proceedings with better effect in the coughing with great violence; for he had finished kitchen; so into the kitchen he went. his ale in a hurry, and some of it had gone the wrong There were assembled, in that lower house of the way. domestic Parliament, the women-servants, Mr. Brit- "Here's a house broken into," said the doctor, ties, Mr. Giles, the tinker (who had received a special "and a couple of men catch one moment's glimpse invitation to regale himself for the remainder of the of a boy, in the midst of gunpowder-smoke, and in day, in consideration of his services), and the consta- all the distraction of alarm and darkness. Here's a ble. The latter gentleman had a large staff, a large boy comes to that very same house next morning, head, large features, and large half-boots; and he and because he happens to have his arm tied up, looked as if he had been taking a proportionate al- these men lay violent hands upon him-by doing lowance of ale-as indeed he had. which, they place his life in great danger- and The adventures of the previous night were still swear he is the thief. Now the question is, whether under discussion; for Mr. Giles was expatiating upon these men are justified by the fact; if not, in what his presence of mind, when the doctor entered; Mr. situation do they place themselves?" Brittles, with a mug of ale in his hand, was corrob- The constable nodded profoundly. He said, if orating every thing, before his superior said it. that wasn't law, he would be glad to know what "Sit still!" said the doctor, waving his hand. was. " Thank you, sir," said Mr. Giles. " Misses wished "I ask you again," thundered the doctor, "are some ale to be given out, sir; and as I felt no ways you, on your solemn oaths, able to identify that inclined for my own little room, sir, and was disposed boy?2 for company, I am taking mine among'emr here." Brittles looked doubtfillly at Mr. Giles; Mr. Giles Brittles headed a low murmur, by which the la- looked doubtfully at Brittles; the constable put his dies and gentlemen generally were understood to ex- hand behind his ear to catch the reply; the two press the gratification they derived from Mr. Giles's women and the tinker leaned forward to listen; the condescension. Mr. Giles. looked round with a pat- doctor glanced keenly round; when a ring was heard ronizing air, as much as to say that, so long as they at the gate, and at the same moment the sound of behaved properly, he would never desert them. wheels. " How is the patient to-night, sir?" asked Giles. " It's the runners!" cried Brittles, to all appearance "So-so;" returned the doctor. "I am afraid you much relieved. have got yourself into a scrape there, Mr. Giles." "The what?" exclaimed the doctor, aghast, in his "I hope you don't mean to say, sir," said Mr. turn. Giles, trembling, "that he's going to die. If I "The Bow Street officers, sir," replied Brittles, thought it, I should never be happy again. I wouldn't taking up a candle; "me and Mr. Giles sent for'emn cut a boy off-no, not even Brittles here-not for all this morning." the plate in the county, sir." " What?" cried the doctor. " That's not the point," said the doctor, mysterious- "Yes," replied Brittles; "I sent a message up by ly. " Mr. Giles, are you a Protestant?" the coachman, and I only wonder they weren't here "Yes, sir, I hope so," faltered Mr. Giles, who had before, sir." turned very pale. "You did, did you? Then confound your-slow "And what are you, boy?" said the doctor, turning coaches down here; that's all," said the doctor, walksharply upon Brittles. ing away. "Lord bless me, sir!" replied Brittles, starting riolently; "I'm-the same as Mr. Giles, sir." "Then tell me this," said the doctor, "both of CHAPTER XXXI. you, both of you! Are you going to take upon your- INVOLVES A cuITICAt POSITION. selves to swear that that boy up stairs is the boy that was put through the little window last night? " THO'S that?" inquired Brittles, opening the Out with it! Come! We are prepared for you!" door a little way with the chain up, and peepThe doctor, who was universally considered one ing out, shading the candle with his hand. of the best-tempered creatures on earth, made this "Open the door," replied a man outside; " it's the demand in such a dreadful tone of anger, that Giles officers from Bow Street as was sent to to-day." and Brittles, who were considerably muddled by ale Much comforted by this assurance, Brittles opened and excitement, stared at each other in a state of the door to its full width and confronted a portly stupefaction. man in a great-coat, who walked in without saying " Pay attention to the reply, constable, will you?" any thing more, and wiped his shoes on the mat as said the doctor, shaking his forefinger with great coolly as if he lived there. solemnity of manner, and tapping the bridge of his "Just send somebody out to relieve my mate, will nose with it, to bespeak the exercise of that worthy's you, young man?" said the officer; " he's in the gig, utmost acuteness. " Something may come of this a-minding the prad. Have you got a coach-'us here before long." that you, could put it up in for five or ten minutes?" THE BOW STREET OFFICERS. 95 Brittles replying in the affirmative, and pointing several muscular affections of the limbs, and forced out the building, the portly man stepped back to the the head of his stick into his mouth, with some emgarden-gate and helped his companion to put up the barrassment. gig, while Brittles lighted them, in a state of great "Now, with regard to this here robbery, master," admiration. This done, they returned to the house, said Blathers. " What are the circumstances?" and, being shown into a parlor, took off their great- Mr. Losberne, who appeared desirous of gaining coats and hats, and showed like what they were. time, recounted them at great length, and with much The man who had knocked at the door was a stout circumlocution. Messrs. Blathers and Duff looked personage of middle height, aged about fifty, with very knowing meanwhile, and occasionally exshiny black hair cropped pretty close, half-whiskers, changed a nod. a round face, and sharp eyes. The other was a red- "I can't say for certain till I see the work, of headed, bony man in top-boots, with a rather ill-fa- course," said Blathers; "but my opinion at once is vored countenance, and a turned-up, sinister-look- -I don't mind committing myself to that extenting nose. that this wasn't done by a yokel-eh, Duff l" "Tell your governor that Blathers and Duff is here, "Certainly not," replied Duff. -' "..':' ~II[I/"'' ii i[ii~71jll This/,,11,.... 1ddress1edi"/!i toi Mlr.i no Thslie r h will youa? saidr the stouter man, smoothin down "And translating the word yokel for the benefit his hair, and laying a pair of handcuffs oul the table. of the, ladies, I apprehend your meaning to be, that "Oh! good-evening, master. Can I have a word or this attempt was not made by a countryman t" said " This is the lady of the house,' said Mr. Losberne, servants are a-talking on?" said Blathers. motioning toward Mrs. Maylie." "1Nothing at all," replied the doctor. "Ole of the Mr. Blathers made a bow. Being desired to sit frightened servants chose to take it into his head down, he put his hat on the floor, and, taking a chair, that he had something to do with this attempt to motioned Duff to do the samle. The latter gentle- break into the house; but it's nonsense, sheer abman, who did not appear quite so much accustomed surdity." to good society, or quite so inch at his ease in it " ery easy disposed oth if it is" remarked Duff. Thisne of the two of seated himself, after undergoing I "Wservhat he says is quite correct," observed Blathone of the two —seated himself, after undergoing "WThat he says is qluite correct," observed Blath 96 OLIVER TWIST. ers, nodding his head in a confirmatory way, and panion of thieves for some time past; he has been playing carelessly with the handcuffs as if they were carried to a police-office on a charge of picking a a pair of castanets. "Who is the boy? What ac- gentleman's pocket; he has been taken away forcicount does he give of himself? Where did he come bly from that gentleman's house to a place which he from? He didn't drop out of the clouds, did he, can not describe or point out, and of the situation of master?" which he has not the remotest idea. He is brought "Of course not," replied the doctor, with a nerv- down to Chertsey by men who seem to have taken ous glance at the two ladies. "I know his whole a violent fancy to him, whether he will or no, and is history; but we can talk about that presently. You put through a window to rob a house; and then, would like first to see the place where the thieves just at the very moment when he is going to alarm made their attempt, I suppose?" the inmates, and so do the very thing that would set "Certainly," rejoined Mr. Blathers. "We had him all to rights, there rushes into the way a blunbetter inspect the premises first, and examine the dering dog of a half-bred butler and shoots him! As servants arterward. That's the usual way of doing if on purpose to prevent his doing any good for himbusiness." self! Don't you see all this?" Lights were then procured; and Messrs. Blathers "I see it, of course," replied Rose, smiling at the and Duff, attended by the native constable, Brittles, doctor's impetuosity; "but still I do not see any Giles, and every body else, in short, went into the lit- thing in it to criminate the poor child." tle room at the end of the passage and looked out at " No," replied the doctor; "of course not! Bless the window, and afterward went round by way of the bright eyes of your sex! They never see, wheththe lawn and looked in at the window; and after er for good or bad, more than one side of any questhat, had a candle handed out to inspect the shutter tion; and that is always the one which first presents with; and after that, a lantern to trace the footsteps itself to them." with; and after that, a pitchfork to poke the bushes Having given vent to this result of experience, the with. This done, amidst the breathless interest of doctor put his hands into his pockets, and walked up all beholders, they came in again; and Mr. Giles and down the room with even greater rapidity than and Brittles were put through a melodramatic repre- before. sentation of their share in the previous night's ad- "The more I think of it," said the doctor, "the ventures, which they performed some six times over, more I see that it will occasion endless trouble and contradicting each other in not more than one im- difficulty if we put these men in possession of the portant respect the first time, and in not more than boy's real story. I am certain it will not be bea dozen the last.. This consummation being arrived lieved; and even if they can do nothing to him in at, Blathers and Duff cleared the room and held a the end, still the dragging it forward, and giving long council together, compared with which, for se- publicity to all the doubts that will be cast upon it, crecy and solemnity, a consultation of great doctors must interfere materially with your benevolent plan on the knottiest point in medicine would be mere of rescuing him from misery." child's play. "Oh! what is to be done?" cried Rose. "Dear, Meanwhile, the doctor walked up and down the dear! why did they send for these people?" next room in a very uneasy state, and Mrs. Maylie " Why, indeed!" exclaimed Mrs. Maylie. " I would and Rose looked on with anxious faces. not have had them here for the world." " Upon my word," he said, making a halt after a "All I know is," said Mr. Losberne, at last sitting great number of very rapid turns, "I hardly know down with a kind of desperate calmness, " that we what to do." must try and carry it off with a bold face. The ob"Surely," said Rose, "the poor child's story, faith- ject is a good one, and that must be our excuse. fully repeated to these men, will be sufficient to ex- The boy has strong symptoms of fever upon him, and onerate him." is in no condition to be talked to any more; that's " I doubt it, my dear young lady," said the doctor, one comfort. We must make the best of it; and if shaking his head. " I don't think it would exoner- bad be the best, it is no fault of ours. Come in!" ate him, either with them or with legal functionaries "Well, master," said Blathers, entering the room, of a higher grade. What is he, after all, they would followed by his colleague, and making the door fast say? A runaway. Judged by mere worldly con- before he said any more. "This warn't a put-up siderations and probabilities, his story is a very thing." doubtful one." "And what the devil's a put-up thing?" demanded "You believe it, surely?" interrupted Rose. the doctor, impatiently. "I believe it, strange as it is; and perhaps I may "We call it a put-up robbery, ladies," said Blathbe an old fool for doing so," rejoined the doctor; ers, turning to them, as if he pitied their ignorance, "but I don't think it is exactly the tale for a prac- but had a contempt for the doctor's, " when the servticed police officer, nevertheless." ants is in it." "Why not?" demanded Rose. "Nobody suspected them in this case," said Mrs. "Because, my pretty cross-examiner," replied the Maylie. doctor, " because, viewed with their eyes, there are " Wery likely not, ma'am," replied Blathers; " but many ugly points about it; he can only prove the they might have been in it, for all that." parts that look ill, and none of those that look well. "More likely on that wery account," said Duff. Confound the fellows, they will have the why and "We find it was a town hand," said Blathers, conthe wherefore, and will take nothing for granted. tinning his report; "for the style of work is firstOn his own showing, you see, he has been the com- rate." SPYERS AIND CHICKWEED. 97 "Wery pretty indeed it is," remarked Duff, in an wery quick about it. But Conkey was quick, too; under-tone. for he was woke by the noise, and darting out of " There was two of'em in it," continued Blathers; bed, he fired a blunderbuss arter him, and roused the " and they had a boy with'em; that's plain from the neighborhood. They set up a hue-and-cry directly, size of the window. That's all to be said at present. and when they came to look about'em, found that We'll see this lad that you've got up stairs at once, Conkey had hit the robber; for there was traces of if you please." blood all the way to some palings a good distance " Perhaps they will take something to drink, first, off; and there they lost'em. However, he had made Mrs. Maylie?" said the doctor, his face brightening off with the blunt; and, consequently, the name of as if some new thought had occurred to him. Mr. Chickweed, licensed witler, appeared in the Ga"Oh! to be sure!" exclaimed Rose, eagerly. " You zette among the other bankrupts; and all manner of shall have it immediately, if you will." benefits and subscriptions, and I don't know what "Why, thank you, miss!" said Blathers, drawing all, was got up for the poor man, who was in a wery his coat-sleeve across his mouth; "it's dry work, low state of mind about his loss, and went up and this sort of duty. Any thing that's handy, miss; down the streets, for three or four days, a pulling don't put yourself out of the way on our accounts." his hair off in such a desperate manner that many "What shall it be?" asked the doctor, following people was afraid he might be going to make away the young lady to the sideboard. with himself. One day he come up to the office, all "A little drop of spirits, master, if it's all the in a hurry, and had a private interview with the same," replied Blathers. "I t's a cold ride from Lon- magistrate, who, after a deal of talk, rings the bell, don, ma'am; and I always find that spirits comes and orders Jem Spyers in (Jem was a active officer), home warmer to the feelings." and tells him to go and assist Mr. Chickweed in apThis interesting communication was addressed to prehending the man as robbed his house.'I see Mrs. Maylie,. who received it very graciously. While him, Spyers,' said Chickweed,'pass my house yesit was being conveyed to her, the doctor slipped out terday morning.''Why didn't you up, and collar of the room. him?' says Spyers.'I was so struck all of a heap, "Ah!" said Mr. Blathers; not holding his wine- that you might have fractured my skull with a toothglass by the stem, but grasping the bottom between pick,' says the poor man;'but we're sure to have the thumb and forefinger of his left hand, and plac- him; for between ten and eleven o'clock at night he ing it in front of his chest; "I have seen a good passed again.' Spyers no sooner heard this than he many pieces of business like this in my time, ladies." put some clean linen and a comb in his pocket, in " That 3rack down in the back lane at Edmonton, case he should have to stop a day or two; and away Blathers," said Mr. Duff, assisting his colleague's he goes, and sets himself down at one of the publicmemory. house windows behind the little red curtain, with " That was something in this way, warn't it?" re- his hat on, all ready to bolt out at a moment's nojoined Mr. Blathers; "that was done by Conkey tice. He was smoking his pipe here, late at night, Chickweed, that was." when all of a sudden Chickweed roars out' Here he "You always gave that to him," replied Duff. "It is! Stop thief! Murder!' Jem Spyers dashes out; was the Family Pet, I tell you. Conkey hadn't any and there he sees Chickweed, a-tearing down the more to do with it than I had." street full cry. Away goes Spyers; on goes Chick" Get out!" retorted Mr. Blathers; " I know better. weed; round turns the people; every body roars out, Do you mind that time when Conkey was robbed of' Thieves!' and Chickweed himself keeps on shouting, his money, though? What a start that was! Bet- all the time, like mad. Spyers loses sight of him a ter than any novel-book I ever see!" minute as he turns a corner; shoots round; sees a lit"What was that?" inquired Rose: anxious to en- tle crowd; dives in;' Which is the man?' D- me!' courage any symptoms of good-humor in the unwel- says Chickweed,' I've lost him again!' It was a recome visitors. markable occurrence, but he warn't to be seen no"It was a robbery, miss, that hardly any body where, so they went back to the public-house. Next would have been down upon," said Blathers. "This morning, Spyers took his old place, and looked out here Conkey Chickweed-" from behind the curtain for a tall man with a black "Conkey means Nosey, ma'am," interposed Duff. patch over his eye, till his own two eyes ached again. "Of course the lady knows that, don't she?" de- At last he couldn't help shutting'em, to ease'em a manded Mr. Blathers. "Always interrupting, you minute; and the very moment he did so, he hears are, partner! This here Conkey Chickweed, miss, Chickweed a-roaring out,'Here he is!' Off he starts kept a public-house over Battlebridge way, and he once more, with Chickweed half way down the street had a cellar, where a good many young lords went ahead of him; and after twice as long a run as the to see cock-fighting, and badger-drawing, and that; yesterday's one, the man's lost again! This was and a wery intellectual manner the sports was con- done, once or twice more, till one-half the neighbors ducted in, for I've seen'em off'en. He warn't one of gave out that Mr. Chickweed had been robbed by the family at that time; and one night he was rob- the devil, who was playing tricks with him arterbed of three hundred and twenty-seven guineas in a ward; and the other half, that poor Mr. Chickweed canvas bag, that was stole out of his bedroom in the had gone mad with grief." dead of night, by a tall man with a black patch over "What did Jem Spyers say?" inquired the doctor; his eye, who had concealed himself under the bed, who had returned to the room shortly after the coinand after committing the robbery, jumped slap out mencement of the story. of window, which was only a story high. He was "Jem Spyers," resumed the officer, "for a long G 98 OLIVER TWIST. time said nothing at all, and listened to every thing "Has this man been a-drinking, sir?" inquired without seeming to, which showed he understood his Blathers, turning to the doctor. business. But, one morning, he walked into the bar, " What a precious muddle-headed chap you are!" and taking out his snuff-box, says,' Chickweed, I've said Duff, addressing Mr. Giles, with supreme confound out who done this here robbery.'' Have you?' tempt. said Chickweed.'Oh, my dear Spyers, only let me Mr. Losberne had been feeling the patient's pulse have wengeance, and I shall die contented! Oh, my during this short dialogue; but he now rose from the dear Spyers, where is the villain!'' Come!' said Spy- chair by the bedside, and remarked, that if the offiers, offering him a pinch of snuff,' none of that gam- cers had any doubts upon the subject, they would mon! You did it yourself.' So he had; and a good perhaps like to step into the next room, and have bit of money he had made by it, too; and nobody Brittles before them. would never have found it out, if he hadn't been so Acting upon this suggestion, they adjourned to a precious anxious to keep up appearances," said Mr. neighboring apartment, where Mr. Brittles, being Blathers, putting down his wine-glass, and clinking called in, involved himself and his respected superior the handcuffs together. in such a wonderful maze of fresh contradictions and "Very curious, indeed," observed the doctor. impossibilities as tended to throw no particular light " Now, if you please, you can walk up stairs." on any thing but the fact of his own strong mysti"If you please, sir," returned Mr. Blathers. Close- fication; except, indeed, his declarations that he ly following Mr. Losberne, the two officers ascended shouldn't know the real boy if he were put before to Oliver's bedroom; Mr. Giles preceding the party him that instant; that he had only taken Oliver to with a lighted candle. be he, because Mr. Giles had said he was; and that Oliver had been dozing; but looked worse, and Mr. Giles had, five minutes previously, admitted in was more feverish than he had appeared yet. Being the kitchen that he began to be very much afraid he assisted by the doctor, he managed to sit up in bed had been a little too hasty. for a minute or so; and looked at the strangers with- Among other ingenious surmises, the question was out at all understanding what was going forward- then raised, whether Mr. Giles had really hit any in fact, without seeming to recollect where he was, body; and upon examination of the fellow pistol to or what had been passing. that which he had fired, it turned out to have no "This," said Mr. Losberne, speaking softly, but more destructive loading than gunpowder and brown with great vehemence notwithstanding, " this is the paper: a discovery which made a considerable imlad, who, being accidentally wounded by a spring- pression on every body but the doctor, who had drawn gun in some boyish trespass on Mr. What-d'ye-call- the ball about ten minutes before. Upon no one, howhim's grounds at the back here, comes to the house ever, did it make a greater impression than on Mr. for assistance this morning, and is immediately laid Giles himself; who, after laboring, for some hours, hold of and maltreated by that ingenious gentleman under the fear of having mortally wounded a fellowwith the candle in his hand, who has placed his life creature, eagerly caught at this new idea, and favored in considerable danger, as I can professionally cer- it to the utmost. Finally, the officers, without troutify." bling themselves very much about Oliver, left the Messrs. Blathers and Duff looked at Mr. Giles, as he Chertsey constable in the house, and took up their was thus recommended to their notice. The bewil- rest for that night in the town, promising to return dered butler gazed from them toward Oliver, and next morning. from Oliver toward Mr. Losberne, with a most ludi- With the next morning, there came a rumor that crous mixture of fear and perplexity. two men and a boy were in the cage at Kingston, "You don't mean to deny that, I suppose?" said who had been apprehended overnight under suspithe doctor, laying Oliver gently down again. cious circumstances; andto Kingston Messrs. Blathers "It was all done for the —for the best, sir," an- and Duff journeyed accordingly. The suspicious cirswered Giles. " I am sure I thought it was the boy, cumstances, however, resolving themselves, on invesor I wouldn't have meddled with him. I am not of tigation, into the one fact, that they had been disan inhuman disposition, sir." covered sleeping under a hay-stack; which, although "Thought it was what boy?" inquired the senior a great crime, is only punishable by imprisonment, officer. and is, in the merciful eye of the English law, and its "The house-breaker's boy, sir!" replied Giles. comprehensive love of all the king's subjects, held to "They-they certainly had a boy." be no satisfactory proof, in the absence of all other " Well? Do you think so now?" inquired Blath- evidence, that the sleeper, or sleepers, have committed ers. burglary accompanied with violence, and have there" Think what, now?" replied Giles, looking vacant- fore rendered themselves liable to the punishment of ly at his questioner. death; Messrs. Blathers and Duff came back again, " Think it's the same boy, Stupid-head?" rejoined as wise as they went. Blathers, impatiently. In short, after some more examination, and a great "I don't know; I really don't know," said Giles, deal more conversation, a neighboring magistrate with a rueful countenance. "I couldn't swear to was readily induced to take the joint bail of Mrs. him." Maylie and Mr. Losberne for Oliver's appearance if "What do you think?" asked Mr. Blathers. lie should ever be called upon; and Blathers and "I don't know what to think," replied poor Giles. Duff, being rewarded with a couple of guineas, re" I don't think it is the boy; indeed, I'm almost cer- turned to town with divided opinions on the subject tain that it isn't. You know it can't be." of their expedition: the latter gentleman, on a ma. A FALSE ALARM. 99 ture consideration of all the circumstances, inclining imagine. Do you understand me?" she inquired, to the belief that the burglarious attempt had origi- watching Oliver's thoughtful face. nated with the Family Pet; and the former being "Oh yes, ma'am, yes!" replied Oliver, eagerly; "but equally disposed to concede the full merit of it to the I was thinking that I am ungrateful now." great Mr. Conkey Chickweed. " To whom?" inquired the young lady. Meanwhile, Oliver gradually throve and prospered " To the kind gentleman and the dear old nurse under the united care of Mrs. Maylie, Rose, and the who took so much care of me before," rejoined Olikind-hearted Mr. Losberne. If fervent prayers, gush- ver. " If they knew how happy I am, they would ing from hearts overcharged with gratitude, be heard be pleased, I am sure." in heaven-and if they be not, what prayers are!- "I am sure they would," rejoined Oliver's benethe blessings which the orphan child called down factress; "and Mr. Losberne has already been kind upon them sunk into their souls, diffusing peace and enough to promise that when you are well enough happiness. to bear the journey, he will carry you to see them." " Has he, ma'am?" cried Oliver, his face brighten-_ - ing with pleasure. "I don't know what I shall do for joy when I see their kind faces once again." CHAPTER XXXII. In a short time Oliver was sufficiently recovered to undergo the fatigue of this expedition. One mornOF THE HAPPY LIFE OLIVER BEGAN TO LEAD WITH HIS.n OF THE SBPPP L KIND FRIENDS. O LE~I ing he and Mr. Losberne set out, accordingly, in a littie carriage which belonged to Mrs. Maylie. When O LIVER'S ailings were neither slight nor few. In they came to Chertsey Bridge, Oliver turned very 0 addition to the pain and delay attendant on a pale, and uttered a loud exclamation. broken limb, his exposure to the wet and cold had " What's the matter with the boy?" cried the docbrought on fever and ague; which hung about him tor; as usual, all in a bustle. " Do you see any thing for many weeks, and reduced him sadly. But at -hear any thing-feel any thing-eh?" length he began, by slow degrees, to get better, and' That, sir," cried Oliver, pointing out of the carto be able to say, sometimes, in a few tearful words, riage window. "That house!" how deeply he felt the goodness of the two sweet la- "Yes; well, what of it? Stop, coachman. Pull dies, and how ardently he hoped that when he grew up here," cried the doctor. " What of the house, my strong and well again, he could do something to man; eh?" show his gratitude: only something which would let " The thieves-the house they took me to!" whisthem see the love and duty with which his breast pered Oliver. was full; something, however slight, which would "The devil it is!" cried the doctor. "Halloo, prove to them that their gentle kindness had not there! let me out!" been cast away; but that the poor boy whom their But, before the coachman could dismonnt from his charity had rescued from misery or death was eager box, he had tumbled out of the coach by solne means to serve them with his whole heart and soul. or other; and, running down to the deserted tene"Poor fellow!" said Rose, when Oliver had been ment, began kicking at the door like a madman. one day feebly endeavoring to utter the words of "Halloo!" said a little ugly humpbacked man, thankfulness that rose to his pale lips; "you shall opening the door so suddenly that the doctor, fromn have many opportunities of serving us, if you will. the very impetus of his last kick, nearly fell forward We are going into the country, and my aunt intends into the passage. " What's the matter here?" that you shall accompany us. The quiet place, the "Matter!" exclaimed the other, collaring him, withpure air, and all the pleasures and beauties of spring, out a moment's reflection. "A good deal. Robbery will restore you in a few days. We will employ you is the matter." in a hundred ways, when you can bear the trouble." "There'll be murder the matter, too," replied the "The trouble!" cried Oliver. "Oh! dear lady, if humpbacked man, coolly, " if you don't take your I could but work for you; if I could only give you hands off. Do you hear me?" pleasure by watering your flowers, or watching your "I bear you," said the doctor, giving his captive birds, or running up and down the whole day long, a hearty shake. "Where's — confound the fellow, to make you happy; what would I give to do it!" what's his rascally name? —Sikes; that's it. Where's " You shall give nothing at all," said Miss Maylie, Sikes, you thief?" smiling; "for, as I told you before, we shall employ The humpbacked man stared, as if in excess cf you in a hundred ways; and if you only take half amazement and indignation; then twisting himself the trouble to please us that you promise now, you dexterously from the doctor's grasp, growled forth a will make me very happy indeed." volley of horrid oaths, and retired into the house. "Happy, ma'am!" cried Oliver; "how kind of you Before he could shut the door, however, the doctor to say so!" had passed into the parlor without a word of parley. "You will make me happier than I can tell you," He looked anxiously round; not an article of filrnireplied the young lady. "To think that my dear ture; not a vestige of any thing, animate or inanigood aunt should have been the means of rescuing mate-not even the position of the cupboards, anany one from such sad misery as you have described swered Oliver's description. to us, would be an unspeakable pleasure to me; but "Now!" said the humpbacked man, who had watchto know that the object of her goodness and com- ed him keenly, "what do you mean by coming into passion was sincerely grateful and attached in con- my house in this violent way? Do you want to sequence, would delight me more than you can well rob me, or to murder me? Which is it?" 100 OLIVER TWIST. "Did you ever know a man come out to do either As Oliver knew the name of the street in which in a chariot and pair, you ridiculous old vampire?" Mr. Brownlow resided, they were enabled to drive said the irritable doctor. straight thither. When the coach turned into it, his' What do you want, then?" demanded the hunch- heart beat so violently that he could scarcely draw back. "Will you take yourself off before I do you his breath. a mischief? Curse you!" "Now, my boy, which house is it?" inquired Mr. "As soon as I think proper," said Mr. Losberne, Losberne. looking into the other parlor; which, like the first, "That! That!" replied Oliver, pointing eagerly bore no resemblance whatever to Oliver's account out of the window. " The white house. Oh! make of it. " I shall find you out some day, my friend." haste! Pray, make haste! I feel as if I should die; "Will you?" sneered the ill-favored cripple. "If it makes me tremble so." you ever want me, I'm here. I haven't lived here " Come, come!" said the good doctor, patting him mad and all alone for five-and-twenty years, to be on the shoulder. "You will see them directly, and scared by you. You shall pay for this; you shall they will be overjoyed to find you safe and well." pay for this." And so saying, the misshapen little "Oh, I hope so!" cried Oliver. "They were so demon set up a yell, and danced upon the ground as good to me; so very, very good to me!" if wild with rage. The coach rolled on. It stopped. No; that was " Stupid enough, this!" muttered the doctor to him- the wrong house; the next door. It went on a few self; "the boy must have made a mistake. Here! paces, and stopped again. Oliver looked up at the Put that in your pocket, and shut yourself up again." windows, with tears of happy expectation coursing With these words he flung the hunchback a piece of down his face. money, and returned to the carriage. Alas! the white house was empty, and there was The man followed to the chariot door, uttering the a bill in the window —" To Let." wildest imprecations and curses all the way; but as " Knock at the next door," cried Mr. Losberne, takMr. Losberne turned to speak to the driver, he looked ing Oliver's arm in his. "What has become of Mr. into the carriage, and eyed Oliver for an instant with Brownlow, who used to live in the adjoining house, a glance so sharp and fierce, and at the same time so do you know?" furious and vindictive, that, waking or sleeping, he The servant did not know, but would go and incould not forget it for months afterward. He con- quire. She presently returned, and said that Mr. tinued to utter the most fearful imprecations, until Brownlow had sold off his goods and gone to the the driver had resumed his seat; and when they were West Indies six weeks before. Oliver clasped his once more on their way, they could see him some dis- hands, and sank feebly backward. tance behind, beating his feet upon the ground and " Has his housekeeper gone, too?" inquired Mr. tearing his hair, in transports of real or pretended rage. Losberne, after a moment's pause. " I am an ass!" said the doctor, after a long silence. " Yes, sir," replied the servant. " The old gentle"Did you know that before, Oliver?" man, the housekeeper, and a gentleman who was a "' No, sir." friend of Mr. Brownlow's, all went together." "Then don't forget it another time." "Then turn toward home again," said Mr. Los"An ass," said the doctor again, after a further si- berne to the driver; "and don't stop to bait the lence of some minutes. " Even if it had been the horses till you get out of this confounded London!" right place, and the right fellows had been there, "The book-stall keeper, sir??' said Oliver. "I what could I have done single-handed'? And if I know the way there. See him, pray, sir! Do see hlad had assistance, I see no good that I should have him!" done, except leading to my own exposure, and an " My poor boy, this is disappointment enough for unavoidable statement of the manner in which I one day," said the doctor. "Quite enough for both have hushed up this business. That would have of us. If we go to the book-stall keeper's, we shall served me right, though. I am always involving certainly find that he is dead, or has set his house on myself in some scrape or other by acting on impulse. fire, or run away. No; home again straight!" And It might have done me good." in obedience to the doctor's impulse home they went. Now the fact was, that the excellent doctor had This bitter disappointment caused Oliver much never acted upon any thing but impulse all through sorrow and grief, even in the midst of his happiness; his life, and it was no bad compliment to the nature for he had pleased himself, many times during his of the impulses which governed him, that, so far from illness, with thinking of all that Mr. Brownlow and being involved in any peculiar troubles or misfor- Mrs. Bedwin would say to him, and what delight it tunes, he had the warmest respect and esteem of all would be to tell them how many long days and who knew him. If the truth must be told, he was a nights he had passed in reflecting on what they had little out of temper for a minute or two, at being done for him, and in bewailing his cruel separation disappointed in procuring corroborative evidence of from them. The hope of eventually clearing himOliver's story, on the very first occasion on which he self with them, too, and explaining how he had been had a chance of obtaining any. He soon came round forced away, had buoyed him up, and sustained him, again, however; and finding that Oliver's replies to under many of his recent trials; and now, the idea his questions were still as straightforward and con- that they should have gone so far, and carried with sistent, and still delivered with as much apparent them the belief that he was an impostor and a robsincerity and truth as they had ever been, he made ber-a belief which might remain uncontradicted to up his mind to attach full credence to them, from his dying day-was almost more than he could bear. that time forth. The circumstance occasioned no alteration, how THE BEAUTIES OF AN INLAND VILLAGE. 101 ever, in the behavior of his benefactors. After an- nor care; no languishing in a wretched prison, or other fortnight, when the fine warm weather had associating with wretched men; nothing but pleasfairly begun, and every tree and flower was putting ant and happy thoughts. Every morning he went forth its young leaves and rich blossoms, they made to a white-headed old gentleman, who lived near the preparations for quitting the house at Chertsey for little church, who taught him to read better, and to some months. Sending the plate, which had so ex- write; and who spoke so kindly, and took such pains, cited Fagin's cupidity, to the banker's; and leaving that Oliver could never try enough to please him. Giles and another servant in care of the house, they Then he would walk with Mrs. Maylie and Rose, and departed to a cottage at some distance in the coun- hear them talk of books; or perhaps sit near them try, and took Oliver with them. in some shady place, and listen while the young Who can describe the pleasure and delight, the lady read, which he could have done until it grew peace of mind and soft tranquillity, the sickly boy too dark to see the letters. Then he had his own felt in the balmy air, and among the green hills and lesson for the next day to prepare; and at this he rich woods of an inland village! Who can tell how would work hard, in a little room which looked into scenes of peace and quietude sink into the minds the garden, till evening came slowly on, when the of pain-worn dwellers in close and noisy places, ladies would walk out again, and he with them; listand carry their own freshness deep into their jaded ening with such pleasure to all they said; and so hearts! Men who have lived in crowded, pent-up happy, if they wanted a flower, that he could climb streets, through lives of toil, and who have never to reach, or had forgotten any thing he could run to wished for change; men, to whom custom has indeed fetch; that he could never be quick enough about been second nature, and who have come almost to it. When it became quite dark, and they returned love each brick and stone that formed the narrow home, the young lady would sit down to the piano, boundaries of their daily walks; even they, with the and play some pleasant air, or sing, in a low and genhand of death upon them, have been known to yearn tie voice, some old song which it pleased her aunt to at last for one short glimpse of Nature's face; and, hear. There would be no candles lighted at such carried far from the scenes of their old pains and times as these; and Oliver would sit by one of the pleasures, have seemed to pass at once into a new windows, listening to the sweet music in a perfect state of being. Crawling forth from day to day, to rapture. some green sunny spot, they have had such memories And when Sunday came, how differently the day wakened up within them by the sight of sky, and was spent, from any way in which he had ever spent hill and plain, and glistening water, that a foretaste it yet! and how happily too; like all the other days of heaven itself has soothed their quick decline, and in that most happy time! There was the little church they have sunk into their tombs as peacefully as the in the morning, with the green leaves fluttering at sun, whose setting they watched from their lonely the windows; the birds singing without; and the chamber window but a few hours before, faded from sweet-smelling air stealing in at the low porch, and their dim and feeble sight! The memories which filling the homely building with its fragrance. The peaceful country scenes call up are not of this world, poor people were so neat and clean, and knelt so revnor of its thoughts and hopes. Their gentle in- erently in prayer, that it seemed a pleasure, not a fluence may teach us how to weave fresh garlands tedious duty, their assembling there together; and for the graves of those we loved-may purify our though the singing might be rude, it was real, and thoughts, and bear down before it old enmity and sounded more musical (to Oliver's ears at least) than hatred; but beneath all this there lingers, in the any he had ever heard in church before. Then there least reflective mind, a vague and half-formed con- were the walks as usual, and many calls at the clean sciousness of having held such feelings long before, houses of the laboring men; and at night Oliver in some remote and distant time, which calls up sol- read a chapter or two from the Bible, which he had emn thoughts of distant times to come, dud bends been studying all the week, and in the performance down pride and worldliness beneath it. of which duty he felt more proud and pleased than It was a lovely spot to which they repaired. Oli- if he had been the clergyman himself. ver, whose days had been spent among squalid crowds, In the morning Oliver would be afoot by six and in the midst of noise and brawling, seemed to o'clock, roaming the fields, and plundering the enter on a new existence there. The rose and hon- hedges far and wide for nosegays of wild flowers, eysuckle clung to the cottage walls; the ivy crept with which he would return laden home; and which round the trunks of the trees; and the garden-flow- it took great care and consideration to arrange, to ers perfumed the air with delicious odors. Hard by the best advantage, for the embellishment of the was a little church-yard; not crowded with tall un- breakfast-table. There was fresh groundsel, too, for sightly grave-stones, but full of humble mounds, cov- Miss Maylie's birds, with which Oliver, who had been ered with fresh turf and moss: beneath which the studying the subject under the able tuition of the old people of the village lay at rest. Oliver often village clerk, would decorate the cages in the most wandered here; and, thinking of the wretched grave approved taste. When the birds were made all spruce in which his mother lay, would sometimes sit him and smart for the day, there was usually some little down and sob unseen; but when he raised his eyes commission of charity to execute in the village; or, to the deep sky overhead, he would cease to think failing that, there was rare cricket-playing, someof her as lying in the ground, and would weep for times, on the green; or, failing that, there was alher, sadly, but without pain. ways something to do in the garden, or about the It was a happy time. The days were peaceful and plants, to which Oliver (who had studied this science serene; the nights brought with them neither fear also, under the same master, who was a gardener by 102 OLIVER TWIST. trade), applied himself with hearty good-will, until and health; and stretching forth their green arms Miss Rose made her appearance: when there were a over the thirsty ground, converted open and naked thousand commendations to be bestowed on all he spots into choice nooks, where was a deep and pleashad done. ant shade from which to look upon the wide prosSo three months glided away; three months which, pect, steeped in sunshine, which lay stretched bein the life of the most blessed and favored of mor- yond. The earth had donned her mantle of brighttals, might have been unmingled happiness, and est green, and shed her richest perfumes abroad. It which, in Oliver's, were true felicity. With the pur- was the prime and vigor of the year; all things were est and most amiable generosity on one side; and glad and flourishing. the truest, warmest, soul-felt gratitude on the other; Still, the same quiet life went on at the little cotit is no wonder that, by the end of that short time, tage, and the same cheerful serenity prevailed among Oliver Twist had become completely domesticated its inmates. Oliver had long since grown stout and " WHEN IT BECAME QUITE DARK, AND THEY RETURNED HOME, THE YOUNG LADY WOULD SIT DOWN TO THE PIANO AND PLAY SOME PLEASANT AIR." with the old lady and her niece, and that the fer- healthy; but health or sickness made no difference vent attachment of his young and sensitive heart in his warm feelings to those about him, though they was repaid by their pride in, and attachment to, do in the feelings of a great many people. He was himself. still the same gentle, attached, affectionate creature _ - that he had been when pain and suffering had wasted his strength, and when he was dependent for CHAPTER XXXIII. every slight attention and comfort on those who tended him. WHEREIN THE HAPPINESS OF OLIVER AND HIS FRIENDS One beautiful night they had taken a longer walk EXPERIENCES A SUI)DEN. CHECK. than was customary with them; for the day had SPRING flew swiftly by, and summer came. If been unusually warm, and there was a brilliant the village had been beautiful at first, it was moon, and a light wind had sprung up, which was now in the fill glow and luxuriance of its richness. unusually refreshing. Rose had been in high spirThe great trees, which had looked shrunken and bare its, too, and they had walked on, in merry converin the earlier months, had now burst into strong life sation, until they had far exceeded their ordinary A REAL ALARM. 103 bounds. Mrs. Maylie being fatigued, they returned "What?" inquired Oliver. more slowly home. The young lady, merely throw- "The heavy blow," said the old lady, "of losing ing off her simple bonnet, sat down to the piano as the dear girl who has so long been my comfort and usual. After running abstractedly over the keys happiness." for a few minutes, she fell into a low and very sol- " Oh! God forbid!" exclaimed Oliver, hastily. emn air; and as she played it, they heard a sound as "Amen to that, my child!" said the old lady, if she were weeping. wringing her hands. "Rose, my dear!" said the elder lady. "Surely there is no danger of any thing so dreadRose made no reply, but played a little quicker, as ful?" said Oliver. "Two hours ago she was quite though the words had roused her from some painful well." thoughts. " She is very ill now," rejoined Mrs. Maylie; " and " Rose, my love!" cried Mrs. Maylie, rising hastily, will be worse, I am sure. My dear, dear Rose! Oh, and bending over her. "What is this? In tears! what should I do without her?" My dear child, what distresses you?" She gave way to such great grief, that Oliver, "Nothing, aunt; nothing," replied the young lady. suppressing his own emotion, ventured to remon"I don't know what it is; I can't describe it; but I strate with her, and to beg earnestly that, for the feel —" sake of the dear young lady herself, she would be "Not ill, my love?" interposed Mrs. Maylie. more calm. "No, no! Oh, not ill!" replied Rose, shuddering "And consider, ma'am," said Oliver, as the tears as though some deadly chillness were passing over forced themselves into his eyes, despite of his efforts her while she spoke; "I shall be better presently. to the contrary — " oh! consider how youihg and Close the window, pray!" good she is, and what pleasure and comfort she Oliver hastened to comply with her request. The gives to all about her. I am sure-certain-quite young lady, making an effort to recover her cheer- certain-that, for your sake, who are so good yourfulness, strove to play some livelier tune; but her self; and for her own; and for the sake of all she fingers dropped powerless on the keys. Covering makes so happy; she will not die. Heaven will her face with her hands, she sank upon a sofa, and never let her die so young." g-ave vent to the tears which she was now unable to "Hush!" said Mrs. Maylie, laying her hand on repress. Oliver's head. "You think like a child, poor boy. "My child!" said the elderly lady, folding her But you teach me my duty, notwithstanding. I had arms about her, " I never saw you so before." forgotten it for a moment, Oliver, but I hope I may "I would not alarm you if I could avoid it," re- be pardoned, for I am old, and have seen enough of joined Rose; " but indeed I have tried very hard, illness and death to know the agony of separation and can not help this. I fear I am ill, aunt." from the objects of our love. I have seen enough, She was, indeed; for, when candies were brought, too, to know that it is not always the youngest and they saw that in the very short time which had best who are spared to those that love them; but elapsed since their return home, the hue of her coun- this should give us comfort in our sorrow; for Heavtenance had changed to a marble whiteness. Its ex- en is just; and such things teach us, impressively, pression had lost nothing of its beauty, but it was that there is a brighter world than this; and that changed; and there was an anxious, haggard look the passage to it is speedy. God's will be done! I about the gentle face, which it had never worn be- love her; and He knows how well!" fore. Another minute, and it was suffused with a Oliver was surprised to see that as Mrs. Maylie crimson flush, and a heavy wildness came over the said these words, she checked her lamentations as soft blue eye. Again this disappeared, like the shad- though by one effort; and drawing herself up as she ow thrown by a passing cloud; and she was once spoke, became composed and firm. He was still more deadly pale. more astonished to find that this firmness lasted; Oliver, who watched the old lady anxiously, ob- and that, under all the care and watching which enserved that she was alarmed by these appearances; sued, Mrs. Maylie was ever ready and collected: perand so, in truth, was he; but seeing that she affected forming all the duties which devolved upon her, to make light of them, he endeavored to do the same, steadily, and, to all external appearances, even cheerand they so far succeeded that, when Rose was per- fully. But he was young, and did not know what suaded by her aunt to retire for the night, she was strong minds are capable of, under trying circumin better spirits, and appeared even in better health; stances. How should he, when their possessors so assuring them that she felt certain she should rise in seldom know themselves? the morning quite well. An anxious night ensued. When morning came, " I hope," said Oliver, when Mrs. Maylie returned, Mrs. Maylie's predictions were but too well verified. "that nothing is the matter? She don't look well Rose was in the first stage of a high and dangerous to-night, but-" fever. The old lady motioned to him not to speak; and " We must be active, Oliver, and not give way to sitting herself down in a dark corner of the room, useless grief," said Mrs. Maylie, laying her finger on remained silent for some time. At length she said, her lip, as she looked steadily into his face; "this in a trembling voice: letter must be sent, with all possible expedition, to "I hope not, Oliver. I have been very happy Mr. Losberne. It must be carried to the marketwith h6r for some years-too happy, perhaps. It town, which is not more than four miles off by the may be time that I should meet with some misfor- foot-path across the fields, and thence dispatched, by tune; but I hope it is not this." an express on horseback, straight to Chertsey. The 104 OLIVER TWIST. people at the inn will undertake to do this; and I wrapped in a cloak, who was at that moment comcan trust to you to see it done, I know." ing out of the inn door. Oliver could niake no reply, but looked his anx- "Hah!" cried the man, fixing his eyes on Oliver, iety to be gone at once. and suddenly recoiling. "What the devil's this?" "Here is another letter," said Mrs. Maylie, pausing "I beg your pardon, sir," said Oliver; "I was in to reflect; " but whether to send it now, or wait un- a great hurry to get home, and didn't see you were til I see how Rose goes on, I scarcely know. I would coming." not forward it unless I feared the worst." " Death!" muttered the man to himself, glaring at "Is it for Chertsey, too, ma'am?" inquired Oliver, the boy with his large dark eyes. " Who would impatient to execute his commission, and holding out have thought it! Grind him to ashes! He'd start his trembling hand for the letter. up from a stone coffin, to come in my way!" "No," replied the old lady, giving it to him me- "I am sorry," stammered Oliver, confused by the chanically. Oliver glanced at it, and saw that it strange man's wild look. "I hope I have not hurt was directed to Harry Maylie, Esquire, at some great you!" lord's house in the country; where, he could not "1 Rot you!" murmured the man, in a horrible pasmake out. sion, between his clenched teeth; " if I had only had "Shall it go, ma'am?" asked Oliver, looking up, the courage to say the word, I might have been free impatiently. of you in a night. Curses on your head, and black "I think not," replied Mrs. Maylie, taking it back. death on your heart, you imp! What are you doing "I will wait until to-morrow." here?" With these words she gave Oliver her purse, and The man shook his fist as he uttered these words he started off, without more delay, at the greatest incoherently. He advanced toward Oliver, as if speed he could muster. with the intention of aiming a blow at him, but fell Swiftly he ran across the fields, and down the lit- violently on the ground, writhing and foaming, in a tle lanes which sometimes divided them; now al- fit. most hidden by the high corn on either side, and Oliver gazed, for a moment, at the struggles of the now emerging on an open field, where the mowers madman (for such he supposed him to be), and then and hay-makers were busy at their work; nor did darted into the house for help. Having seen him he stop once, save now and then, for a few seconds, safely carried into the hotel, he turned his face to recover breath, until he came, in a great heat, and homeward, running as fast as he could, to make up covered with dust, on the little market-place of the for lost time, and recalling with a great deal of asmarket-town. tonishment and some fear the extraordinary behavHere he paused and looked about for the inn. ior of the person from whom he had just parted. There were a white bank, and a red brewery, and a The circumstance did not dwell in his recollection yellow towh-hall; and in one corner there was a long, however; for when he reached the cottage, large house, with all the wood about it painted there was enough to occupy his mind, and to drive all green. before which was the sign of " The George." considerations of self completely from his memory. To this he hastened, as soon as it caught his eye. Rose Maylie had rapidly grown worse; before midHe spoke to a postboy who was dozing under the night she was delirious. A medical practitioner, gate-way; and who, after hearing what he wanted, who resided on the spot, was in constant attendance referred him to the hostler; who, after hearing all upon her; and after first seeing the patient, he had he had to say again, referred him to the landlord, taken Mrs. Maylie aside, and pronounced her disorwho was a tall gentleman in a blue neckcloth, a der to be one of a most alarming nat'ure. " In fact," white hat, drab breeches, and boots with tops to he said, " it would be little short of a miracle if she match, leaning against a pump by the stable-door, recovered." picking his teeth with a silver tooth-pick. How often did Oliver start from his bed that night, This gentleman walked with much deliberation and stealing out, with noiseless footstep, to the stairinto the bar to make out the bill, which took a long case, listen for the slightest sound from the sicktime making out; and after it was ready and paid, chamber! How often did a tremble shake his frame, a horse had to be saddled, and a man to be dressed, and cold drops of terror start upon his brow, when a which took up ten good minutes more. Meanwhile sudden trampling of feet caused him to fear that Oliver was in such a desperate state of impatience something too dreadful to think of lhad even then and anxiety, that he felt as if-he could have jumped occurred! And what had been the fervency of all upon the horse himself, and galloped away, full tear, the prayers he had ever uttered, compared with to the next stage. At length all was ready, and the those he poured forth now, in the agony and paslittle parcel having been handed up, with many in- sion of his supplication for the life and health of junctions and entreaties for its speedy delivery, the the gentle creature who was tottering on the deep man set spurs to his horse, and rattling over the grave's verge! uneven paving of the market-place, was out of the Oh! the suspense, the fearfill, acute suspense, of town, and galloping along the turnpike-road, in a standing idly by while the life of one we dearly couple of minutes. love is trembling in the balance! Oh! the racking As it was something to feel certain that assist- thoughts that crowd upon the mind, and make the ance was sent for, and that no time had been lost, heart beat violently, and the breath come thick, by Oliver hurried up the inn-yard with a somewhat the force of the images they conjure up before it; lighter heart. He was turning out of the gate-way the desperate anxiety to be doing something to relieve when he accidentally stumbled against a tall man the pain, or lessen the danger, which we have no FLOWERS FOR THE SICK-CHAMBER. 105 power to alleviate; the sinking of soul and spirit, When he reached home Mrs. Maylie was sitting in which the sad remembrance of our helplessness pro- the little parlor. Oliver's heart sank at sight of duces; what tortures can equal these; what reflec- her; for she had never left the bedside of her niece, tions or endeavors can, in the full tide and fever of and he trembled to think what change could have the time, allay them! driven her away. He learned that she had fallen Morning came; and the little cottage was lonely into a deep sleep, from which she would waken, and still. People spoke in whispers; anxious faces either to recovery and life, or to bid them farewell appeared at the gate, from time to time; women and and die. children went away in tears. All the livelong day, They sat, listening, and afraid to speak for hours. and for hours after it had grown dark, Oliver paced The untasted meal was removed, with looks which softly up and down the garden, raising his eyes showed that their thoughts were elsewhere, they every instant to the sick-chamber, and shuddering watched the sun as he sank lower and lower, and to see the darkened window, looking as if death lay at length cast over sky and earth those brilliant stretched inside. Late at night Mr. Losberne ar- hues which herald his departure. Their quick ears rived. " It is hard," said the good doctor, turning caught the sound of an approaching footstep. They away as he spoke; "so young; so much beloved; both involuntarily darted to the door, as Mr. Losbut there is very little hope." berne entered. Another morning. The sun shone brightly-as "What of Rose?" cried the old lady. "Tell me at brightly as if it looked upon no misery or care; and, once! I can bear it; any thing but suspense! Oh, with every leaf and flower in full bloom about her; tell me! in the name of Heaven!" with life and health, and sounds and sights of joy, " You must compose yourself," said the doctor, supsurrounding her on every side, the fair young crea- porting her. " Be calm, my dear ma'am, pray." ture lay, wasting fast. Oliver crept away to the old "Let me go, in God's name! My dear child! She church-yard, and sitting down on one of the green is dead! She is dying!" mounds, wept and prayed for her in silence. "No!" cried the doctor, passionately. "As He is There was such peace and beauty in the scene; so good and merciful, she will live to bless us all for much of brightness and mirth in the sunny land- years to come." scape; such blithesome music in the songs of the The lady fell upon her knees, and tried to fold her summer birds; such freedom in the rapid flight of hands together; but the energy which had supportthe rook, careering overhead; so much of life and ed her so long, fled up to Heaven with her first joyousness in all; that, when the boy raised his thanksgiving; and she sank into the friendly arms aching eyes and looked about, the thought instinct- which were extended to receive her. ively occurred to him, that this was not a time for death; that Rose could surely never die when humbler things were all so glad and gay; that graves were for cold and cheerless winter; not for sunlight CHAPTER XXXIV. and fragrance. He almost thought that shrouds were for the old and shrunken; and that they never CONTAINS SOME INTRODUCTOY PARTICULARS RELATIVE wrapped the young and graceful form in their ghast- TO YOUNG GENTLEMAN WHO NOW ARRIVES UPON TOE ly folds. SCENE, AND A NEW ADVENTURE WHICI HAPPENED TO A knell from the church-bell broke harshly on OLIVER. these youthful thoughts. Another! Again! It was -T was almost too much happiness to bear. Oliver tolling for the funeral service. A group of humble felt stunned and stupefied by the unexpected inmourners entered the gate, wearing white favors, for telligence; he could not weep, or speak, or rest. He the corpse was young. They stood uncovered by had scarcely the power of understanding any thing a grave; and there was a mother-a mother once that had passed, until, after a, long ramble in the — among the weeping train. But the sun shone. quiet evening air, a burst of tears came to his relief, brightly, and the birds sang on. and he seemed to awaken, all at once, to a full sense Oliver turned homeward, thinking on the many of the joyful change that had occurred, and the alkindnesses he had received from the young lady, most insupportable load of anguish which had been and wishing that the time could come over again, taken from his breast. that he might never cease showing her how grateful The night was fast closing in when he returned and attached he was. He had no cause for self- homeward, laden with flowers which he had culled, reproach on the score of neglect or want of thought, with peculiar care, for the adornment of the sickfor he had been devoted to her service; and yet a chamber. As he walked briskly along the road, hundred little occasions rose up before him on he heard behind him the noise of some vehicle, apwhich he fancied he might have been more zealous proaching at a furious pace. Looking round, he saw and more earnest, and wished he had been. We that it was a post-chaise, driven at great speed; and need be careful how we deal with those about us, as the horses were galloping, and the road was narwhen every death carries to some small circle of row, he stood leaning against a gate until it should survivors thoughts of so much omitted, and so lit- have passed him. tle done-of so many things forgotten, and so many As it dashed on, Oliver caught a glimpse of a man more which might have been repaired! There is no in a white night-cap, whose face seemed familiar to remorse so deep as that which is unavailing; if we him, although his view was so brief that he could would be spared its tortures, let us remember this in not identify the person. In another second or two, time. the night-cap was thrust out of the chaise-window, 103 OLIVER TWIST. and a stentorian voice bellowed to the driver to The tears stood in Oliver's eyes as he recalled the stop; which he did, as soon as he could pull up his scene which was the beginning of so much happihorses. Then the night-cap once again appeared, ness; and the gentleman turned his face away, and and the same voice called Oliver by his name. remained silent for some minutes. Oliver thought "Here!" cried the voice. "Oliver, what's the news he heard him sob more than once; but he feared to Miss Rose! Master O-li-ver!" interrupt him by any fresh remark-for he could "Is it you, Giles?" cried Oliver, rumning up to the well guess what his feelings were —and so stood chaise-door. apart, feigning to be occupied with his nosegay. Giles popped out his night-cap again, preparatory All this time Mr. Giles, with the white night-cap to making some reply, when he was suddenly pulled on, had been sitting on the steps of the chaise, supback by a young gentleman who occupied the other porting an elbow on each knee, and wiping his eyes corner of the chaise, and who eagerly demanded what with a blue cotton pocket-handkerchief dotted with was the news. white spots. That the honest fellow had not been "In a word!" cried the gentleman, "better or feigning emotion, was abundantly demonstrated by worse?" the very red eyes with which he regarded the young "Better-much better!" replied Oliver, hastily. gentleman when he turned round and addressed him. "LOOKING ROUND, HIE SAW THAT IT WAS A POST-cHAISE, DRIVEN AT GREAT 6PEED." "ThankHeaven!" exclaimedthe gentleman. "You "I think you had better go on to my mother's in are sure?" the chaise, Giles," said he. "I would rather walk "Quite, sir," replied Oliver. "The change took slowly on, so as to gain a little time before I see her. place only a few hours ago; and Mr. Losberne says You can say I am coming." that all danger is at an end." "I beg your pardon, Mr. Harry," said Giles, giving The gentleman said not another word, but, open- a final polish to his ruffled countenance with the ing the chaise-door, leaped out, and taking Oliver handkerchief; "but if you would leave the postboy hurriedly by the arm, led him aside. to say that, I should be very much obliged to you. "You are quite certain? There is no possibility of It wouldn't be proper for the maids to see me in this any mistake on your part, my boy, is there?" demanded state, sir; I should never have any more authority the gentleman, in a tremulous voice. "Do not deceive with them if they did." me, by awakening hopes that are not to be fulfilled." "Well," rejoined Harry Maylie, smiling, " you can "I would not for the world, sir," replied Oliver. do as you like. Let him go on with the luggage, if "Indeed you may believe me. Mr. Losberne's words you wish it, and do you follow with us. Only first were, that she would live to bless us all for many exchange that night-cap for some more appropriate years to come. I heard him say so." covering, or we shall be taken for madmen." AN AVOWAL OF LOVE. 107 Mr. Giles, reminded of his unbecoming costume, "Mother," said the young man, impatiently, "he snatched off and pocketed his night-cap, and substi- would be a selfish brute, unworthy alike of the name tuted a hat, of grave and sober shape, which he took of man and of the woman you describe, who acted out of the chaise. This done, the postboy drove off; thus." Giles, Mr. Maylie, and Oliver, followed at their leisure. " You think so now, Harry," replied his mother. As they walked along, Oliver glanced from time to "And ever will!" said the young man. "The time with much interest and curiosity at the new- mental agony I have suffered, during the last two comer. He seemed about five-and-twenty years of days, wrings from me the avowal to you of a passion age, and was of the middle height; his countenance which, as you well know, is not one of yesterday, nor was frank and handsome, and his demeanor easy one I have lightly formed. On Rose, sweet, gentle and prepossessing. Notwithstanding the difference girl! my heart is set as firmly as ever heart of nian between youth and age, he bore so strong a likeness was set on woman. I have no thought, no view, no to the old lady, that Oliver would have had no great hope in life, beyond her; and if you oppose me in difficulty in imagining their relationship, if he had this great stake, you take my peace and happiness not already spoken of her as his mother. in your hands, and cast them to the wind. Mother, Mrs. Maylie was anxiously waiting to receive her think better of this and of me, and do not disreson when he reached the cottage. The meeting did gard the happiness of which you seem to think so not take place without great emotion on both sides. little." "Mother!" whispered the young man; "why did "Harry," said Mrs. Maylie, "it is because I think you not write before?" so much of warm and sensitive hearts, that I would "I did," replied Mrs. Maylie; " but, on reflection, I spare them from being wounded. But we have said determined to keep back the letter until I had heard enough, and more than enough, on this matter, just Mr. Losberne's opinion." now." "But why," said the young man, "why run the "Let it rest with Rose, then," interposed Harry. chance of that occurring which so nearly happened? "You will not press these overstrained opinions of If Rose had-I can not utter that word now-if this yours so far as to throw any obstacle in my way?" illness had terminated differently, how could you "I will not," rejoined Mrs. Maylie; "but I would ever have forgiven yourself! How could I ever have you consider- " have known happiness again!" "I hare considered!" was the impatient reply; " If that had been the case, Harry," said Mrs. May- "mother, I have considered years and years. I have lie, " I fear your happiness would have been effectual- considered ever since I have been capable of serious ly blighted, and that your arrival here, a day sooner reflection. My feelings remain unchanged, as they or a day later, would have been of very, very little ever will; and why should I suffer the pain of a deimport." lay in giving them vent, which can be productive of "And who can wonder if it be so, mother?" rejoined no earthly good? No! Before I leave this place, the young man; " or why should I say if?-it is-it Rose shall hear me." is-you know it, mother-you must know it!" "She shall," said Mrs. Maylie. "I know that she deserves the best and purest "There is something in your manner which would love the heart of man can offer," said Mrs. Maylie; almost imply that she will hear me coldly, mother," "I know that the devotion and affection of her na- said the young man. ture require no ordinary return, but one that shall "Not coldly," rejoined the old lady; " far from it." be deep and lasting. If I did not feel this, and "How then?" urged the young man. "She has know, besides, that a changed behavior in one she formed no other attachment?" loved would break her heart, I should not feel my "No, indeed," replied his mother; "you have, or I task so difficult of performance, or have to encounter mistake, too strong a hold on her affections already. so many struggles in my own bosom, when I take What I would say," resumed the old lady, stopping what seems to me to be the strict line of duty." her son as lie was about to speak, " is this. Before "This is unkind, mother," said Harry. " Do you you stake your all on this chance-before you suffer still suppose that I am a boy ignorant of my own yourself to be carried to the highest point of hopemind, and mistaking the impulses of my own soul?" reflect for a few moments, my dear child, on Rose's " I think, my dear son," returned Mrs. Maylie, lay- history, and consider what effect the knowledge of ing her hand upon his shoulder," that youth has her doubtful birth may have on her decision; demany generous impulses which do not last; and that voted as she is to us, with all the intensity of her among them are some which, being gratified, become noble mind, and with that perfect sacrifice of self only the more fleeting. Above all, I think," said the which, in all matters, great or trifling, has always lady, fixing her eyes on her son's face, "that if an been her characteristic." enthusiastic, ardent, and ambitious man marry a "What do you mean?" wife on whose name there is a stain, which, though -" That I leave you to discover," replied Mrs. Mayit originate in no fault of hers, may be visited by lie. "I must go back to her. God bless you!" cold and sordid people upon her, and upon his chil- "I shall see you again, to-night?" said the young dren also; and, in exact proportion to his success in man, eagerly/. the world, be cast in his teeth, and made the subject "By-and-by," replied the lady; "when I leavt of sneers against him; lie may, no matter how gen- Rose." erous and good his nature, one day repent of the con- "You will tell her I am here?" said Harry. nection he formed in early life. And she may have " Of course," replied Mrs. Maylie. the pain of knowing that he does so." "And say how anxious I have been, and how much 108 OLI VER TWIST. I have suffered, and how I long to see her. You will might have been at first, he was not proof against not refuse to do this, mother?" the worthy gentleman's good-humor, which display"No," said the old lady; " I will tell her all." ed itself in a great variety of sallies and professional And pressing her son's hand affectionately, she has- recollections, and an abundance of small jokes, which tened from the room. struck Oliver as being the drollest things he had Mr. Losberne and Oliver had remained at another ever heard, and caused him to laugh proportionateend of the apartment while this hurried conversa- ly, to the evident satisfaction of the doctor, who tion was proceeding. The former now held out his laughed immoderately at himself, and made Harry hand to Harry Maylie, and hearty salutations were laugh almost as heartily by the very force of sympaexchanged between them. The doctor then com- thy. So they were as pleasant a party as, under the municated, in reply to multifarious questions from circumstances, they could well have been, and it was his young friend, a precise account of his patient's late before they retired, with light and thankful situation, which was quite as consolatory and full of hearts, to take that rest of which, after the doubt promise as Oliver's statement had encouraged him to and suspense they had recently undergone, they stood hope; and to the whole of which Mr. Giles, who af- much in need. fected to be busy about the luggage, listened with Oliver rose next morning in better heart, and went greedy ears. about his usual early occupations with more hope " Have you shot any thing particular lately, Giles"' and pleasure than he had known for many days. inquired the doctor, when he had concluded. The birds were once more hung out to sing in their " Nothing particular, sir," replied Mr. Giles, color- old places, and the sweetest wild flowers that could ing up to the eyes. be found were once more gathered to gladden Rose "Nor catching any thieves, nor identifying any with their beauty. The melancholy which had housebreakers?" said the doctor. seemed to the sad eyes of the anxious boy to hang, "None at all, sir," replied Mr. Giles, with much for days past, over every object, beautiful as all were, gravity. was dispelled by magic. The dew seemed to sparkle " Well," said the doctor, "I am sorry to hear it, more brightly on the green leaves, the air to rustle because you do that sort of thing admirably. Pray among them with a sweeter music, and the sky itself how is Brittles?" to look more blue and bright. Such is the influence " The boy is very well, sir," said Mr. Giles, recov- which the condition of our own thoughts exercises, ering his usual tone of patronage, " and sends his re- even over the appearance of external objects. Men spectful duty, sir." who look on nature and their fellow-men, and cry "That's well," said the doctor. " Seeing you here that all is dark and gloomy, are in the right; but reminds me, Mr. Giles, that on the day before that the sombre colors are reflections from their own on which I was called away so hurriedly, I executed, jaundiced eyes and hearts. The real hues are deliat the'request of your good mistress, a small com- cate, and need a clearer vision. mission in your favor. Just step into this corner a It is worthy of remark, and Oliver did not fail to moment, will you?" note it at the time, that his morning expeditions Mr. Giles walked into the corner with much im- were no longer made alone. Harry Maylie, after the portance and some wonder, and was honored with a very first morning when he met Oliver coming laden short whispering conference with the doctor, on the home, was seized with such a passion for flowers, termination of which he made a great many bows, and displayed such a taste in their arrangement, and retired with steps of unusual stateliness. The as left his young companion far behind. If Oliver subject-matter of this conference was not disclosed were behindhand in these respects, however, he knew in the parlor, but the kitchen was speedily enlight- where the best were to be found; and morning afened concerning it, for Mr. Giles walked straight ter morning they scoured the country together, and thither, and, having called for a mug of ale, an- brought home the fairest that blossomed. The winnounced, with an air of majesty, which was highly dow of the young lady's chamber was opened now, effective, that it had pleased his mistress, in consid- for she loved to feel the rich summer air stream in eration of his gallant behavior on the occasion of and revive her with its freshness, but there always that attempted robbery, to deposit, in the local sav- stood in water, just inside the lattice, one particular ings bank, the sum of five-and-twenty pounds for little bunch, which was made up with great care evhis sole use and benefit. At this the two women- ery morning. Oliver could not help noticing that servants lifted up their hands and eyes, and supposed the withered flowers were never thrown away, althat Mr. Giles would begin to be quite proud now; though the little vase was regularly replenished; whereunto Mr. Giles, pulling out his shirt-frill, re- nor could he help observing that, whenever the docplied, "No, no;" and that if they observed that he tor came into the garden, he invariably cast his eyes was at all haughty to his inferiors, he would thank up to that particular corner, and nodded his head them to tell him so. And then he made a great most expressively as he set forth on his morning's many other remarks, no less illustrative of his hu- walk. Pending these observations, the days were mility, which were received with equal favor and flying by, and Rose was rapidly recovering. applause, and were, withal, as original and as much Nor did Oliver's time hang heavily on his hands, to the purpose as the remarks of great men common- although the young lady had not yet left her chamly are. ber, and there were no evening walks, save now and Above stairs the remainder of the evening passed then for a short distance with Mrs. Maylie. He apcheerfully away; for the doctor was in high spirits, plied himself with redoubled assiduity to the instrucand however fatigued or thoughtful Harry Maylie tions of the white-headed old gentleman, and labored OLIVER SLEEP- WAKING. 109 so hard that his quick progress surprised even him- The man seemed to say this with such dreadful self. It was while he was engaged in this pursuit hatred, that Oliver awoke with the fear, and started that he was greatly startled and distressed by a most up. unexpected occurrence. Good Heaven! what was that which sent the blood The little room in which he was accustomed to sit tingling to his heart, and deprived him of his voice, when busy at his books was on the ground-floor at and of power to move! There-there-at the winthe back of the house. It was quite a cottage-room, dow-close before him-so close that he could have with a lattice-window, around which were clusters almost touched him before he started back, with his of jessamine and honeysuckle that crept over the eyes peering into the room, and meeting his, there casement and filled the place with their delicious stood the Jew! And beside him, white with rage or perfume. It looked into a garden, whence a wicket- fear, or both, were the scowling features of the very gate opened into a small paddock; all beyond was man who had accosted him in the inn-yard. fine meadow-land and wood. There was no other It was but an instant, a glance, a flash, before his dwelling near in that direction, and the prospect it eyes; and they were gone. But they had recognized commanded was very extensive. him, and he them; and their look was as firmly imOne beautiful evening, when the first shades of pressed upon his memory as if it had been deeply twilight were beginning to settle upon the earth, carved in stone, and set before him from his birth. Oliver sat at this window intent upon his books. He stood transfixed for a moment; then, leaping He had been poring over them for some time, and as from the window into the garden, called loudly for the day had been uncommonly sultry, and he had help. exerted himself a great deal, it is no disparagement. to the authors, whoever they may have been, to say that gradually and by slow degrees he fell asleep. CHAPTER XXXV. There is a kind of sleep that steals upon us sometimes, which, while it holds the body prisoner, does CONTAINING THE UN FACTORY ESULT OF OLIVERnot free the mind from a sense of things about it and ADVENTURE, AND A CONVERSATION OF SOME IMPORTANCE BETWEEN HARRY MAYLIE AND ROSE. enable it to ramble at its pleasure. So far as an overpowering heaviness, a prostration of strength, ITHEN the inmates of the house, attracted by and an utter inability to control our thoughts or Oliver's cries, hurried to the spot from which power of motion can be called sleep, this is it; and they proceeded, they found him, pale and agitated, yet we have a consciousness of all that is going on pointing in the direction of the meadows behind the about us, and, if we dream at such a time, words house, and scarcely able to articulate the words, which are really spoken, or sounds which really ex- "The Jew! the Jew!" ist at the moment, accommodate themselves with Mr. Giles was at a loss to comprehend what this surprising readiness to our visions, until reality and outcry meant; but Harry Maylie, whose perceptions imagination become so strangely blended that it is were something quicker, and who had heard Oliver's afterward almost matter of impossibility to separate history from his mother, understood it at once. the two. Nor is this the most striking phenome- " What direction did he take?" he asked, catching non incidental to such a state. It is an undoubted up a heavy stick. which was standing in a corner. fact, that although our senses of touch and sight be "That," replied Oliver, pointing out the course for the time dead, yet our sleeping thoughts and the the man had taken; " I missed them in an instant." visionary scenes that pass before us, will be influ- "Then they are in the ditch!" said Harry. "Folenced, and materially influenced, by the mere silent low! And keep as near me as you can." So saying, presence of some external object which may not have he sprang over the hedge, and darted off with a speed been near us when we closed our eyes, and of whose which rendered it matter of exceeding difficulty for vicinity we have had no waking consciousness. the others to keep near him. Oliver knew perfectly well that he was in his own Giles followed as well as he could, and Oliver follittle room; that his books were lying on the table lowed too; and in the course of a minute or two, Mr. before him; that the sweet air was stirring among Losberne, who had been out walking, and just then the creeping plants outside. And yet he was asleep. returned, tumbled over the hedge after them, and Suddenly the scene changed; the air became close picking himself up with more agility than he could and confined; and he thought, with a glow of terror, have been supposed to possess, struck into the same that he was in the Jew's house again. There sat the course at no contemptible speed, shouting all the hideous old man, in his accustomed corner, pointing while most prodigiously to know what was the matat him, and whispering to another man, with his face ter. averted, who sat beside him. On they all went; nor stopped they once to breathe " Hush, my dear!" he thought he heard the Jew until the leader, striking off into an angle of the field say; "it is he, sure enough. Come away." indicated by Oliver, began to search narrowly the "He!" the other man seemed to answer; "could ditch and hedge adjoining, which afforded time for I mistake him, think you? If a crowd of ghosts were the remainder of the party to come up, and for Olito put themselves into his exact shape, and he stood ver to communicate to Mr. Losberne the circumamong them, there is something that would tell me stances that had led to so vigorous a pursuit. how to point him out. If you buried him fifty feet The search was all in vain. There were not even deep, and took me across his grave, I fancy I should the traces of recent footsteps to be seen. They know, if there wasn't a mark above it, that he lay stood now on the summit of a little hill commanding buried there!" the open fields in every direction for three or four 110 OLIVER TWIST. miles. There was the village in the hollow on the But although this happy change had a visible efleft; but, in order to gain that, after pursuing the fect on the little circle, and although cheerful voices track Oliver had pointed out, the men must have and merry laughter were once more heard in the cotmade a circuit of open ground, which it was impos- tage, there was at times an unwonted restraint upon sible they could have accomplished in so short a some there, even upon Rose herself, which Oliver time. A thick wood skirted the meadow-land in an- could not fail to remark. Mrs. Maylie and her son other direction, but they could not have gained that were often closeted together for a long time; and covert for the same reason. more than once Rose appeared with traces of tears "It must have been a dream, Oliver," said Harry upon her face. After Mr. Losberne had fixed a day Maylie. for his departure to Chertsey these symptoms in"Oh no, indeed, sir!" replied Oliver, shuddering creased; and it became evident that something was at the very recollection of the old wretch's counte- in progress which affected the peace of the young nance; " I saw him too plainly for that. I saw them lady, and of somebody else besides. both as plainly as I see you now." At length, one morning, when Rose was alone in "Who was the other?" inquired Harry and Mr. the breakfast-parlor, Harry Maylie entered; and, Losberne together. with some hesitation, begged permission to speak "The very same man I told you of, who came so with her for a few moments. suddenly upon me at the inn," said Oliver. "We " A few-a very few-will suffice, Rose," said the had our eyes fixed full upon each other; and I could young man, drawing his chair toward her. " What swear to him." I shall have to say has already presented itself to " They took this way?" demanded Harry: " are your mind; the most cherished hopes of my heart are you sure?" not unknown to you, though from my lips you have "As I am that the men were at the window," re- not yet heard them stated." plied Oliver, pointing down as he spoke to the hedge Rose had been very pale from the moment of his which divided the cottage garden from the meadow. entrance, but that might have been the effect of her s" The tall man leaped over just there; and the Jew, recent illness. She merely bowed, and, bending running a few paces to the right, crept through that over some plants that stood near, waited in silence gap." for him to proceed. The two gentlemen watched Oliver's earnest face "I-I — ought to have left here before," said as he spoke, and, looking from him to each other, Harry. seemed to feel satisfied of the accuracy of what he "You should, indeed," replied Rose. "Forgive me said. Still in no direction were there any appear- for saying so, but I wish you had." ances of the trampling of men in hurried flight. The "I was brought here by the most dreadfull and grass was long, but it was trodden down nowhere, agonizing of all apprehensions," said the young man: save where their own feet had crushed it. The sides "the fear of losing the one dear being on whom my and brinks of the ditches were of damp clay; but in every wish and hope are fixed. You had been dyno one place could they discern the print of men's ing — trembling between earth and heaven. We shoes, or the slightest mark which would indicate that know that when the young, the beautiful, and good any feet had pressed the ground for hours before. are visited with sickness, their pure spirits insensibly "This is strange!" said Harry. turn toward their bright home of lasting rest; we "Strange?" echoed the doctor. "Blathers and know, Heaven help us! that the best and fairest of Duff themselves could make nothing of it!" our kind too often fade in blooming." Notwithstanding the evidently useless nature of There were tears in the eyes of the gentle girl as their search, they did not desist until the coming on these words were spoken; and when one fell upon of night rendered its further prosecution hopeless; the flower over which she bent, and glistened brightand even then they gave it up with reluctance. ly in its cup, making it more beautifll, it seemed as Giles was dispatched to the different ale-houses in though the outpouring of her fresh young heart the village, furnished with the best description Oli- claimed kindred naturally with the loveliest things ver could give of the appearance and dress of the in nature. strangers. Of these the Jew was, at all events, suf- " A creature," continued the young man, passionficiently remarkable to be remembered, supposing he ately —" a creature as fair and innocent of guile as had been seen drinking or loitering about; but Giles one of God's own angels, fluttered between life and returned without any intelligence calculated to dis- death. Oh! who could hope, when the distant pel or lessen the mystery. world to which she was akin half opened to her On the next day fresh search was made, and the view, that she would return to the sorrow and cainquiries renewed, but with no better success. On lamity of this! Rose, Rose, to know that you were the day following, Oliver and Mr. Maylie repaired to passing away like some soft shadow which a light the market-town, in the hope of seeing or hearing from above casts upon the earth; to have no hope something of the men there; but this effort was that you would be spared to those who linger here; equally fruitless. After a few days the affair began hardly to know a reason why you should be; to feel to be forgotten, as most affairs are, when wonder, that you belonged to that bright sphere whither so having no fresh food to support it, dies away of it- many of the fairest and the best have winged their self. early flight; and yet to pray, amidst all these conMeanwhile Rose was rapidly recovering. She had solations, that you might be restored to those who left her room; was able to go out; and, mixing once loved you-these were distractions almost too great more with the family, carried joy into the hearts of all. to bear. They were mine, by day and night; and A LOVE SCENE. 111 with them came such a rushing torrent of fears, and your hand, as in redemption of some old mute conapprehensions, and selfish regrets, lest you should tract that had been sealed between us! That time die, and never know how devotedly I loved you, as has not arrived; but here, with no fame won, and no almost bore down sense and reason in its course. young vision realized, I offer you the heart so long You recovered. Day by day, and almost hour by your own, and stake my all upon the words with hour, some drop of health came back, and, mingling which you greet the offer." with the spent and feeble stream of life which cir- "Your behavior has ever been kind and noble," culated languidly within you, swelled it again to a said Rose, mastering the emotions by which she was high and rushing tide. I have watched you change agitated. "As you believe that I am not insensible almost from death to life with eyes that turned blind or ungrateful, so hear my answer." with their eagerness and deep affection. Do not tell "It is, that I may endeavor to deserve you; it is, me that you wish I had lost this; for it has softened dear Rose?" my heart to all mankind." "It is," replied Rose, "that you must endeavor to / I/filil /1 //l//IlI ~lljjltlIR~illll /l~'~l''K ~ ~ - "A FEW-A VERY FEW-WILL SUFFIOE, ROSE," SAID THE YOUNG MAN, DRAWING HIS CHAIR TOWARD HER. "I did not mean that," said Rose, weeping; "I forget me; not as your old and dearly-attached comonly wish you had left here, that you might have panion, for that would wound me deeply, but as the turned to high and noble pursuits again; to pursuits object of your love. Look into the world; think well worthy of you." how many hearts you would be proud to gain are "There is no pursuit more worthy of me, more there. Confide some other passion to me, if you worthy of the highest nature that exists, than the will; I will be the truest, warmest, and most faithstruggle to win such a heart as yours," said the young ful friend you have." man, taking her hand. "Rose, my own dear Rose! There was a pause, during which Rose, who had For years-for years-I have loved you; hoping to covered her face with one hand, gave free vent to win my way to fame, and then come proudly home her tears. Harry still retained the other. and tell you it had been pursued only for you to "And your reasons, Rose," he said at length, in a share; thinking, in my day-dreams, how I would re- low voice; " your reasons for this decision?" mind you, in that happy moment, of the many silent "You have a right to know them," rejoined Rose. tokens I had given of a boy's attachment, and claim "You can say nothing to alter my resolution. It is 1~12 OLIVER TWIST. a duty that I must perform. I owe it alike to oth- is," retorted Harry, "it will shed a gleam of happiers and to myself." ness upon my lonely way, and light the path before "To yourself?" me. It is not an idle thing to do so much, by the ut"Yes, Harry. I owe it to myself, that I, a friend- terance of a few brief words, for one who loves you less, portionless girl, with a blight upon my name, beyond all else. Oh, Rose! in the name of my arshould not give your friends reason to suspect that I dent and enduring attachment; in the name of all I had sordidly yielded to your first passion, and fast- have suffered for you, and all you doom me to underened myself, a clog, on all your hopes and projects. go, answer me this one question!" I owe it to you and yours, to prevent you from op- " Then, if your lot had been differently cast," reposing, in the warmth of your generous nature, this joined Rose; " if you had been even a little, but not great obstacle to your progress in the world." so far, above me; if I could have been a help and "If your inclinations chime with your sense of comfort to you in any humble scene of peace and reduty-" Harry began. tirement, and not a blot and drawback in ambitious " They do not," replied Rose, coloring deeply. and distinguished crowds, I should have been spared "Then you return my love?" said Harry. "Say this trial. I have every reason to be happy, -very but that, dear Rose; say but that, and soften the happy, now; but then, Harry, I own I should have bitterness of this hard disappointment!" been happier." "If I could have done so, without doing heavy Busy recollections of old hopes, cherished as a girl wrong to him I loved," rejoined Rose, "I could long ago, crowded into the mind of Rose while makhave-" ing this avowal; but they brought tears with them, " Have received this declaration very differently," as old hopes will when they come back withered; said Harry. " Do not conceal that from me, at least, and they relieved her. Rose." "I can not help this weakness, and it makes my "I could," said Rose. "Stay!" she added, disen- purpose stronger," said Rose, extending her hand. gaging her hand, "why should we prolong this pain- "I must leave you now, indeed." ful interview? Most painful to me, and yet produc- " I ask one promise," said Harry. " Once, and only tive of lasting happiness, notwithstanding; for it once more-say within a year, but it may be much will be happiness to know that I once held the high sooner-I may speak to you again on this subject for place in your regard which I now occupy, and every the last time." triumph you achieve in life will animate me with " Not to press me to alter my right determination," new fortitude and firmness. Farewell, Harry! As replied Rose, with a melancholy smile; "it will be we have met to-day, we meet no more; but in oth- useless." er relations than those in which this conversation " No," said Harry; "to hear you repeat it, if you would have placed us, we may be long and happily will-finally repeat it! I will lay at your feet whatentwined; and may every blessing that the prayers ever of station or fortune I may possess; and if you of a true and earnest heart can call down from the still adhere to your present resolution, will not seek, source of all truth and sincerity cheer and prosper by word or act, to change it." you!" " Then let it be so," rejoined Rose; "it is but one "Another word, Rose," said Harry. " Your reason pang the more, and by that time I may be enabled to in your own words. From your own lips let me bear it better." hear it!" She extended her hand again. But the young man "The prospect before you," answered Rose, firmly, caught her to his bosom, and imprinting one kiss on "is a brilliant one. All the honors to which great her beautiful forehead, hurried from the room. talents and powerful connections can help men in public life are in store for you. But those connections are proud; and I will neither mingle with such as may hold in scorn the mother who gave me CHAPTER XXXVI. life, nor bring disgrace or failure on the son of her who has so well supplied that mother's place. In a IS A VERY SHORT ONE, AND MAY APPEAR OF NO GREAT word," said the young lady, turning away, as her IMPORTANCE IN ITS PLACE; BUT IT SHOULD BE READ temporary firmness forsook her, "there is a stain NOTWITHSTANDING, AS A SEQUEL TO THE LAST, AND A KEY TO ONE THAT WILL FOLLOW WHEN ITS TIME ARupon my name which the world visits on innocent heads. I will carry it into no blood but my own; and the reproach shall rest alone on me." "AND so you are resolved to be my traveling com"One word more, Rose. Dearest Rose, one more!" J panion this morning, eh?" said the doctor, as cried Harry, throwing himself before her. " If I had Harry Maylie joined him and Oliver at the breakfastbeen less-less fortunate, the world would call it- table. "Why, you are not in the same mind or inif some obscure and peaceful life had been my des- tention two half hours together!" tiny-if I had been poor, sick, helpless-would you " You will tell me a different tale one of these have turned from me then? Or has my probable days," said Harry, coloring, without any perceptible advancement to riches and honor given this scruple reason. birth?" " I hope I may have good cause to do so," replied "Do not press me to reply," answered Rose. "The Mr. Losberne; "though I confess I don't think I question does not arise, and never will. It is unfair, shall. But yesterday morning you had made up almost unkind, to urge it." I your mind, in a great hurry, to stay here, and to ac"If your answer be what I almost dare to hope it company your mother, like a dutiful son, to the sea HARRY MAYLIE AND OLIVER. 113 side. Before noon you announce that you are going Oliverj quite elated and honored by a sense of his to do me the honor of accompanying me as far as I importance, faithfully promised to be secret and exgo, on your road to London. And at night you urge plicit in his communications. Mr. Maylie took leave me, with great mystery, to start before the ladies are of him, with many assurances of his regard and prostirring; the consequence of which is, that young tection. Oliver here is pinned down to his breakfast, when The doctor was in the chaise; Giles (who it had he ought to be ranging the meadows after botanical been arranged, should be left behind) held the door phenomena of all kinds. Too bad, isn't it, Oliver I" open in his hand, and the women-servants were in " I should have been very sorry not to have been the garden, looking on. Harry cast one slight glance at home when you and Mr. Maylie went away, sir," at the latticed window, and jumped into the carrejoined Oliver. riage. " That's a fine fellow!" said the doctor; " you shall "Drive on!" he cried, "hard, fast, full gallop! come and see me when you return. But, to speak Nothing short of flying will keep pace with me toseriously, Harry, has any communication from the day." great nobs produced this sudden anxiety on your "Halloo!" cried the doctor, letting down the front part to be gone?" glass in a great hurry, and shouting to the postilion; "The great nobs," replied Harry, " under which "something very short of flying will keep pace with designation, I presume, you include my most stately nme. Do you hear?" uncle, have not communicated with me at all since I Jingling and clattering, till distance rendered its have been here; nor, at this time of the year, is it noise inaudible, and its rapid progress only perceptllikely that any thing would occur to render necessa- ble to the eye, the vehicle wound its way along the ry my immediate attendance among them." road, almost hidden in a cloud of dust: now wholly "Well," said the doctor, "you are a queer fellow. disappearing, and now becoming visible again, as inBut of course they will get you into Parliament at tervening objects, or the intricacies of the way, perthe election before Christmas, and these sudden mitted. It was not until even the dusty cloud was shiftings and changes are no bad preparation for po- no longer to be seen that the gazers dispersed. litical life. There's something in that. Good train- And there was one looker-on, who remained with ing is always desirable, whether the race be for place, eyes fixed upon the spot where the carriage had discup, or sweepstakes." appeared long after it was many miles away; for, Harry Maylie looked as if he could have followed behind the white curtain which had shrouded her up this short dialogue by one or two remarks that from view when Harry raised his eyes toward the would have staggered the doctor not a little; but he window, sat Rose herself. contented himself with saying, "We shall see," and " He seems in high spirits and happy," she said, at pursued the subject no further. The post-chaise length. " I feared for a time he might be otherwise. drove up to the door shortly afterward; and Giles I was mistaken. I am very, very glad." coming in for the luggage, the good doctor bustled Tears are signs of gladness as well as grief; but out, to see it packed. those which coursed down Rose's face as she sat pen"Oliver," said Harry Maylie, in a low voice, "let sively at the window, still gazing in the same direcme speak a word with you." tion, seemed to tell more of sorrow than of joy. Oliver walked into the window-recess to which Mr. Maylie beckoned him; much surprised at the mixture of sadness and boisterous spirits which his whole behavior displayed. CHAPTER XXXVII. " You can write well now?" said Harry, laying his ~hand upon his arm. ~IN WHICH THE READER MAY PERCEIVE A CONTRAST NOT haId hpop so, sir," repliedOliver.UNCOMMON IN MATRIMONIAL CASES. "I hope so, sir," replied Oliver. "I shall not be at home again, perhaps, for some ]/R. BUMBLE sat in the work-house parlor, with time; I wish you would write to me-say once a VLe his eyes moodily fixed on the cheerless grate, fortnight, every alternate Monday, to the General whence, as it was summer-time, no brighter gleam Post-office in London. Will you?" proceeded than the reflection of certain sickly rays " Oh! certainly, sir; I shall be proud to do it," ex- of the sun, which were sent back from its cold and claimed Oliver, greatly delighted with the commis- shining surface. A paper fly-cage dangled from the sion. ceiling, to which he occasionally raised his eyes in "I should like to know how-how my mother and gloomy thought; and, as the heedless insects hovMiss Maylie are," said the young man; " and you ered round the gaudy net-work, Mr. Bumble would can fill up a sheet by telling me what walks you heave a deep sigh, while a more gloomy shadow take, and what you talk about, and whether she- overspread his countenance. Mr. Bumble was medthey, I mean-seem happy and quite well. You un- itating; it might be that the insects brought to derstand me?" mind some painful passage in his own past life. "Oh! quite, sir, quite," replied Oliver. Nor was Mr. Bumble's gloom the only thing calcu"I would rather you did not mention it to them," lated to awaken a pleasing melancholy in the bosom said Harry, hurrying over his words; "because it of a spectator. There were not wanting other apmight make my mother anxious to write to me often- pearances, and those closely connected with his own er, and it is a trouble and worry to her. Let it be a person, which announced that a great change had secret between you and me; and mind you tell me taken place in the position of his affairs. The laced every thing! I depend upon you." coat and the cocked hat, where were they? He still H 114 OLI VER TWIST. wore knee-breeches, and dark cotton stockings on his ma'am," rejoined Mr. Bumble; " and although I was nether limbs; but they were not the breeches. The not snoring, I shall snore, gape, sneeze, laugh, or cry, coat was wide-skirted; and in that respect like the as the humor strikes me; such being my prerogacoat, but, oh, how different! The mighty cocked hat tive." was replaced by a modest round one. Mr. Bumble " Your prerogative!" sneered Mrs. Bumble, with was no longer a beadle. ineffable contempt. There are some promotions in life, which, inde- "I said the word, ma'am," said Mr. Bumble. "The pendent of the more substantial rewards they offer, prerogative of a man is to command." acquire peculiar value and dignity from the coats "And what's the prerogative of a woman, in the and waistcoats connected with them. A field-mar- name of Goodness?" cried the relict of Mr. Corney shal has his uniform; a bishop his silk apron; a deceased. counselor his silk gown; a beadle his cocked hat. "To obey, ma'am," thundered Mr. Bumble. "Your Strip the bishop of his apron, or the beadle of his late unfortunate husband should have taught it you; hat and lace, what are they? Men. Mere men. and then, perhaps, he might have been alive now. I Dignity, and even holiness too, sometimes, are more wish he was, poor man!" questions of coat and waistcoat than some people Mrs. Bumble seeing at a glance that the decisive imagine. moment had now arrived, and that a blow struck for Mr. Bumble had married Mrs. Corney, and was the mastership on one side or other must necessarily master of the work- house. Another beadle had be final and conclusive, no sooner heard this allusion come into power. On him the cocked hat, gold- to the dead and gone than she dropped into a chair, laced coat, and staff had all three descended. and with a loud scream that Mr. Bumble was a hard"And to-morrow two months it was done!" said hearted brute, fell into a paroxysm of tears. Mr. Bumble, with a sigh. " It seems a age." But tears were not the things to find their way to Mr. Bumble might have meant that he had con- Mr. Bumble's soul; his heart was water-proof. Like centrated a whole existence of happiness into the washable beaver hats that improve with rain, his short space of eight weeks; but the sigh-there was nerves were rendered stouter and more vigorous by a vast deal of meaning in the sigh. showers of tears, which, being tokens of weakness, " I sold myself," said Mr. Bumble, pursuing the and so far tacit admissions of his own power, pleased same train of reflection, "for six tea-spoons, a pair and exalted him. He eyed his good lady with looks of sugar-tongs, and a milk-pot, with a small quan- of great satisfaction, and begged, in an encouraging tity of second-hand furniture, and twenty pound in manner, that she should cry her hardest: the exermoney. I went very reasonable. Cheap, dirt cheap!" cise being looked upon by the faculty as strongly " Cheap!" cried a shrill voice in Mr. Bumble's ear: conducive to health. "you would have been dear at any price; and dear "It opens the lungs, washes the countenance, exenough I paid for you, Lord above knows that!" ercises the eyes, and softens down the temper," said Mr. Bumble turned, and encountered the face of Mr. Bumble. "So cry away." his interesting consort, who, imperfectly compre- As he discharged himself of this pleasantry, Mr. hending the few words she had overheard of his Bumble took his hat from a peg, and putting it on, complaint, had hazarded the foregoing remark at a rather rakishly, on one side, as a man might who felt venture. he had asserted his superiority in a becoming man"Mrs. Bumble, ma'am!" said Mr. Bumble, with ner, thrust his hands into his pockets, and sauntered sentimental sternness. toward the'door, with much ease and waggishness'" Well!" cried the lady. depicted in his whole appearance. "Have the goodness to look at me," said Mr. Bum- Now, Mrs. Corney that was had tried the tears, ble, fixing his eyes upon her. (" If she stands such a because they were less troublesome than a manual eye as that," said Mr. Bumble to himself, " she can assault; but she was quite prepared to make trial stand any thing. It is a eye I never knew to fail of the latter mode of proceeding, as Mr. Bumble was with paupers. If it fails with her, my power is not long in discovering. gone.") The first proof he experienced of the fact was conWhether an exceedingly small expansion of eye veyed in a hollow sound, immediately succeeded by be sufficient to quell paupers, who, being lightly fed, the sudden flying off of his hat to the opposite end are in no very high condition, or whether the late of the room. This preliminary proceeding laying Mrs. Corney was particularly proof against eagle bare his head, the expert lady, clasping him tightly glances, are matters of opinion. The matter of fact round the throat with one hand, inflicted a shower is, that the matron was in no way overpowered by of blows (dealt with singular vigor and dexterity) Mr. Bumble's scowl, but, on the contrary, treated it upon it with the other. This done, she created a with great disdain, and even raised a laugh thereat little variety by scratching his face and tearing his which sounded as though it were genuine. hair; and having, by this time, inflicted as much On hearing this most unexpected sound, Mr. Bum- punishment as she deemed necessary for the offense, ble looked, first incredulous, and afterward amazed. she pushed him over a chair, which was luckily well He then relapsed into his former state, nor did he situated for the purpose, and defied him to talk about rouse himself until his attention was again awakened his prerogative again, if he dared. by the voice of his partner. " Get up!" said Mrs. Bumble, in a voice of com"Are you going to sit snoring there all day?" in- mand. "And take yourself away from here, unless quired Mrs. Bumble. you want me to do something desperate." " I am going to sit here as long as I think proper, Mr. Bumble rose with a very rueful countenance, THE MIGHTY FALLEN. 115 wondering much what something desperate might great deal too fond of poking your nose into things be. Picking up his hat, he looked toward the door. that don't concern you, making every body in the "Are you going?" demanded Mrs. Bumble. house laugh the moment your back is turned, and "Certainly, my dear, certainly," rejoined Mr. Bum- making yourself look like a fool every hour in the ble, making a quicker motion toward the door. "I day. Be off; come!" didn't intend to —I'm going, my dear! You are so Mr. Bumble, seeing with excruciating feelings the very violent, that really I-" delight of the two old paupers, who were tittering At this instant Mrs. Bumble stepped hastily for- together most rapturously, hesitated for an ilhstant. ward to replace the carpet, which had been kicked Mrs. Bumble, whose patience brooked no delay, up in the scuffle. Mr. Bumble immediately darted caught up a bowl of soap-suds, and motioning him out of the room, without bestowing another thought toward the door, ordered him instantly to depart, on on his unfinished sentence, leaving the late Mrs. Cor- pain of receiving the contents upon his portly person. ney in full possession of the field. What could Mr. Bumble do? He looked dejectMr. Bumble was fairly taken by surprise, and fair- edly round, and slunk away; and, as he reached the ly beaten. He had a decided propensity for bully- door, the titterings of the paupers broke into a shrill ing; derived no inconsiderable pleasure from the chuckle of irrepressible delight. It wanted but this. exercise of petty cruelty; and, consequently, was (it He was degraded in their eyes; he had lost caste is needless to say) a coward. This is by no means and station before the very paupers; he had fallen a disparagement to his character; for many official from all the height and pomp of beadleship to the personages, who are held in high respect and admi- lowest depth of the most snubbed hen-peckery. ration, are the victims of similar infirmities. The "All in two months!" said Mr. Bumble, filled with remark is made, indeed, rather in his favor than oth- dismal thoughts. " Two months! No more than erwise, and with a view of impressing the reader two months ago, I was not only my own master, but with a just sense of his qualifications for office. every body else's, so far as the porochial work-house But the measure of his degradation was not yet was concerned, and now!-" full. After making a tour of the house, and think- It was too much. Mr. Bumble boxed the ears of ing, for the first time, that the poor-laws really were the boy who opened the gate for him (for he had too hard on people; and that men who ran away reached the portal in his reverie), and walked disfrom their wives, leaving them chargeable to the tractedly into the street. parish, ought, in justice, to be visited with no pun- He walked up one street, and down another, until ishment at all, but rather rewarded as meritorious exercise had abated the first passion of his grief; individuals who had suffered much; Mr. Bumble and then the revulsion of feeling made him thirsty~ came to a room where some of the female paupers He passed a great many public-houses, but at length were usually employed in washing the parish linen; paused before one in a by-way, whose parlor, as he whence the sound of voices in conversation now pro- gathered from a hasty peep over the blinds, was deceeded. serted, save by one solitary customer. It began to "Hem!" said Mr. Bumble, summoning lip all his rain heavily at the moment. This, determined him. native dignity. "These women at least shall con- Mr. Bumble stepped in, and, ordering something to tinue to respect the prerogative. Halloo! halloo drink as he passed the bar, entered the apartment there! What do you mean by this noise, you hus- into which he had looked from the street. sies?" The man who was seated there was tall and dark, With these words, Mr. Bumble opened the door, and wore a large cloak. He had the air of a stranger, and walked in with a very fierce and angry manner; and seemed, by a certain haggardness in his look, as which was at once exchanged for a most humiliated well as by the dusty soils on his dress, to have travand cowering air, as his eyes unexpectedly rested on eled some distance. He eyed Bumble askance as he the form of his lady wife. entered, but scarcely deigned to nod his head in ac"My dear," said Mr. Bumble, " I didn't know you knowledgment of his salutation. were here." Mr. Bumble had quite dignity enough for two: "Didn't know I was here!" repeated Mrs. Bumble. supposing even that the stranger had been more fa"What do you do here?" miliar; so he drank his gin-and-water in silence, and " I thought they were talking rather too much to read the paper with great show of pomp and circumbe doing their work properly, my dear," replied Mr. stance. Bumble, glancing distractedly at a couple of old It so happened, however, as it will happen very women at the wash-tub, who were comparing notes often when men fall into company under such cirof admiration at the work-house master's humility. cumstances, that Mr. Bumble felt every now and then " You thought they were talking too much?" said a powerful inducement, which he could not resist, to MIrs. Bumble. "What business is it of yours?" steal a look at the stranger; and that whenever he " Why, my dear-" urged Mr. Bumble, submit- did so, he withdrew his eyes, in some confusion, to sively. find that the stranger was at that moment stealing "What business is it of yours?" demanded Mrs. a look at him. Mr. Bumble's awkwardness was enBumble again. hanced by the very remarkable expression of the " It's very true, you're matron here, my dear," sub- stranger's eye, which was keen and bright, but shadmitted Mr. Bumble; "but I thought you mightn't be owed by a scowl of distrust and suspicion, unlike in the way just then." any thing he had ever observed before, and repulsive " I'll tell you what, Mr. Bumble," returned his lady, to behold. "we don't want any of your interference. You're a When they had encountered each other's glance 116 OLIVER TWIST. several times in this way, the stranger, in a harsh, looking keenly into Mr. Bumble's eyes as he raised deep voice, broke silence. them in astonishment at the question. " Don't scru"Were you looking for me,'; he said, "when you ple to answer freely, man. I know you pretty well, peered in at the window?" you see." "Not that I am aware of, unless you're Mr. -" "I suppose, a married man," replied Mr. Bumble, Here Mr. Bumnble stopped short; for he was curious shading his eyes with his hand, and surveying the to know the stranger's name, and thought, in his im- stranger from head to foot in evident perplexity, " is patien6e, he might supply the blank. not more averse to turning an honest penny when he "I see you were not," said the stranger, an ex- can, than a single one. Porochial officers are not so pression of quiet sarcasm playing about his mouth; well paid that they can afford to refuse any little "or you would have known my name. You don't extra fee, when it comes to them in a civil and prop-' know it. I would recommend you not to ask for it." er manner." "I meant no harm, young man," observed Mr. The stranger smiled, and nodded his head again; Bumble, majestically. as much as to say, he had not mistaken his man; "And have clone none," said the stranger. then rang the bell.; WERE YOU LOOKING FOR MIE, HE SAID,;WHEN YOU PEERED IN AT TIlE WINDOW? Another silence succeeded this short dialogue, "Fill this glass again," he said, handing Mr. Bumwhich was again broken by the stranger. ble's empty tumbler to the landlord. "Let it be "I have seen you before, I think?" said he. "You strong and hot. You like it so, I suppose?" were differently dressed at that time, and I only "Not too strong," replied Mr. Bumble, with a delipassed you in the street, but I should know you cate cough. again. You were beadle here once, were you not?" "You understand what that means, landlord!" " I was," said Mr. Bumble, in some surprise-" po- said the stranger, dryly. rochial beadle." The host smiled, disappeared, and shortly after"Just so,'rejoinedtheother, nodding his head. "It ward returned with a steaming jorum, of which the was in that character I saw you. What are you now?" first gulp brought the water into Mr. Bumble's eyes. "Master of the work-house," rejoined Mr. Bumble, "Now listen to me," said the stranger, after closslowly and impressively, to check any undue famil- ing the door and window. "I came down to this iarity the stranger might otherwise assume. "Mas- place to-day to find you out; and; by one of those ter of the work-house, young man!" chances which the devil throws in the way of his "You have the same eye to your own interest that friends sometimes, you walked into the very room I you always had, I doubt not?" resumed the stranger, was sitting in while you were uppermost in my mind. MR. AND MRS. BUMBLE. 117 I want some information from you. I don't ask you old Sally's death, which the occurrences of that day to give it for nothing, slight as it is. Put up that, had given him good reason to recollect, as the occato begin with." sion on which he had proposed to Mrs. Corney; and As he spoke, he pushed a couple of sovereigns although that lady had never confided to him the across the table to his companion carefully, as though disclosure of which she had been the solitary witness, unwilling that the chinking of money should be heard he had heard enough to know that it related to somewithout. When Mr. Bumble had scrupulously ex- thing that had occurred in the old woman's attendamined the coins, to see that they were genuine, and ance, as work-house nurse, upon the young mother had put them up, with much satisfaction, in his of Oliver Twist. Hastily calling this circumstance waistcoat-pocket, he went on: to mind, he informed the stranger, with an air of "Carry your memory back-let me see-twelve mystery, that one woman had been closeted with the years, last winter." old harridan shortly before she died; and that she " It's a long time," said Mr. Bumble. " Very good. could, as he had reason to believe, throw some light I've done it." on the subject of his inquiry. " The scene, the work-house." " How can I find her?" said the stranger, thrown " Good!" off his guard; and plainly showing that all his fears "And the time, night." (whatever they were) were aroused afresh by the in" Yes." telligence. "And the place, the crazy hole, wherever it was, " Only through me," rejoined Mr. Bumble. in which miserable drabs brought forth the life and "When?" cried the stranger, hastily. health so often denied to themselves-gave birth to "To-morrow," rejoined Bumble. puling children for the parish to rear; and hid their "At nine in the evening," said the stranger, proshame, rot'em, in the grave." ducing a scrap of paper, and writing down upon it " The lying-in room, I suppose?" said Mr. Bumble, an obscure address by the water-side, in characters not quite following the stranger's excited descrip- that betrayed his agitation; " at nine in the evening tion. bring her to me there. I needn't tell you to be se"Yes," said the stranger. "A boy was born cret. It's your interest." there." With these words, he led the way to the door, after " A many boys," observed Mr. Bumble, shaking his stopping to pay for the liquor that had been drunk. head despondingly. Shortly remarking that their roads were different, "A murrain on the young devils!" cried the he departed, without more ceremony than an emstranger; "I speak of one; a meek-looking, pale- phatic repetition of the hour of appointment for the faced boy, who was apprenticed down here to a cof- following night. fin-maker —I wish he had made his coffin, and screwed On glancing at the address, the parochial functionhis body in it-and who afterward ran away to Lon- ary observed that it contained no name. The strandon, as it was supposed." ger had not gone far, so he made after him to ask it. "Why, you mean Oliver! Young Twist!" said "What do you want?" cried the man, turning Mr. Bumble; "I remember him, of course. There quickly round, as Bumble touched him on the arm. wasn't a obstinater young rascal-" "Following me?" " It's not of him I want to hear; I've heard enough " Only to ask a question," said the other, pointing of him," said the stranger, stopping Mr. Bumble in to the scrap of paper. "What name am I to ask for?" the outset of a tirade on the subject of poor Oliver's " Monks!" rejoined the man; and strode hastily vices. "It's of a woman; the hag that nursed his away. mother. Where is she?" " Where is she?" said Mr. Bumble, whom the ginand-water had rendered facetious. "It would be CHAPTER XXXVIII. hard to tell. There's no midwifery there, whichever place she's gone to; so I suppose she's out of AND MRS. BUMBLE AND MR. MONKS AT THEIR NOCTURemployment, any way." " What do you mean?" demanded the stranger, NAL INTERVIEW. sternly. TT was a dull, close, overcast summer evening. " That she died last winter," rejoined Mr. Bumble. I The clouds, which had been threatening all day, The man looked fixedly at him when he had given spread out in a dense and sluggish mass of vapor, this information; and although he did not withdraw already yielded large drops of rain, and seemed to his eyes for some time afterward, his gaze gradually presage a violent thunder-storm, when Mr. and Mrs. became vacant and abstracted, and he seemed lost Bumble, turning out of the main street of the town, in thought. For some time he appeared doubtful directed their course toward a scattered little colony whether he ought to be relieved or disappointed by of ruinous houses, distant from it some mile and a the intelligence; but at length he breathed more half, or thereabout, and erected on a low unwholefreely, and, withdrawing his eyes, observed that it some swamp bordering upon the river. was no great matter. With that he rose, as if to They were both wrapped in old and shabby outer depart. garments, which might, perhaps, serve the double But Mr. Bumble was cunning enough; and he at purpose of protecting their persons from the rain once saw that an opportunity was opened for the and sheltering them from observation. The husband lucrative disposal of some secret in the possession of carried a lantern, from which, however, no light yet his better half. He well remembered the night of shone, and trudged on a few paces in front, as though 118 OLIVER TWIST. -the way being dirty-to give his wife the benefit "Come in!" he cried, impatiently, stamping his of treading in his heavy foot-prints. They went on foot upon the ground. " Don't keep me here!" in profound silence; every now and then Mr. Bum- The woman, who had hesitated at first, walked ble relaxed his pace, and turned his head as if to boldly in, without any other invitation. Mr. Bummake sure that his helpmate was following; then ble, who was ashamed or afraid to lag behind, foldiscovering that she was close at his heels, he mend- lowed; obviously very ill at ease, and with scarcely ed his rate of walking, and proceeded, at a considera- any of that remarkable dignity which was usually ble increase of speed, toward their place of destination. his chief characteristic. This was far from being a place of doubtful char- "What the devil made you stand lingering there acter; for it had long been known as the residence in the wet?" said Monks, turning round and addressof none but low ruffians, who, under various pre- ing Bumble, after he had bolted the door behind tenses of living by their labor, subsisted chiefly on them. plunder and crime. It was a collection of mere hov- " We-we were only cooling ourselves," stammerels, some hastily built with loose bricks, others of ed Bumble, looking apprehensively about him. old worm-eaten ship-timber, jumbled together with- " Cooling yourselves!" retorted Monks. "Not all out any attempt at order or arrangement, and plant- the rain that ever fell, or ever will fall, will put as ed, for the most part, within a few feet of the river's much of hell's fire out as a man can carry about bank. A few leaky boats drawn up on the mud, and with him. You won't cool yourselves so easily; don't made fast to the dwarf wall which skirted it; and think it!" here and there an oar or coil of rope, appeared, at With this agreeable speech, Monks turned short first, to indicate that the inhabitants of these miser- upon the matron, and bent his gaze upon her, till able cottages pursued some avocation on the river; even she, who was not easily cowed, was fain to but a glance at the shattered and useless condition withdraw her eyes, and turn them toward the ground. of the articles thus displayed would have led a pass- " This is the woman, is it?" demanded Monks. er-by, without much difficulty, to the conjecture that " Hem! That is the woman," replied Mr. Bumble, they were disposed there rather for the preservation mindful of his wife's caution. of appearances than with any view to their being "You think women never can keep secrets, I supactually employed. pose?" said the matron, interposing, and returning, In the heart of this cluster of huts, and skirting as she spoke, the searching look of Monks. the river, which its upper stories overhung, stood a "I know they will always keep one till it's found large building, formerly used as a manufactory of out," said Monks. some kind. It had, in its day, probably filrnished "And what may that be?" asked the matron. employment to the inhabitants of the surrounding "The loss of their own good name," replied Monks. tenements. But it had long since gone to ruin. The "So, by the same rule, if a woman's a party to a serat, the worm, and the action of the damp, had weak- cret that might hang or transport her, I'm not afraid ened and rotted the piles on which it stood; and a of her telling it to any body; not I! Do you underconsiderable portion of the building had already sunk stand, mistress?" down into the water; while the remainder, tottering " No," rejoined the matron, slightly coloring as she and-bending over the dark stream, seemed to wait spoke. a favorable opportunity of following its old compan- "Of course you don't!" said Monks. " How should ion, and involving itself in the same fate. you?" It was before this ruinous building that the wor- Bestowing something half-way between a smile thy couple paused, as the first peal of distant thun- and a frown upon his two companions, and again der reverberated in the air, and the rain commenced beckoning them to follow him, the man hastened pouring violently down. across the apartment, which was of considerable ex"The place should be somewhere here," said Bum- tent, but low in the roof. He was preparing to asble, consulting a scrap of paper he held in his hand. cend a steep staircase, or rather ladder, leading to "Halloo there!" cried a voice from above. another floor of warehouses above, when a bright Following the sound, Mr. Bumble raised his head, flash of lightning streamed down the aperture, and and descried a man looking out of a door, breast- a peal of thunder followed, which shook the crazy high, on the second story. building to its centre. "Stand still a minute," cried the voice; " I'll be "Hear it!" he cried, shrinking back. " Hear it! with you directly." With which the head disap- Rolling and crashing on as if it echoed through a peared, and the door closed. thousand caverns where the devils were hiding from " Is that the man?" asked Mr. Bumble's good lady. it. I hate the sound!" Mr. Bumble nodded in the affirmative. He remained silent for a few moments; and then, "Then mind what I told you," said the matron; removing his hands suddenly from his face, showed, "and be careful to say as little as you can, or you'll to the unspeakable discomposure of Mr. Bumble, that betray us at once." it was much distorted and discolored. Mr. Bumble, who had eyed the building with very "These fits come over me, now and then," said rueful looks, was apparently about to express some Monks, observing his alarm; "and thunder somedoubts relative to the advisability of proceeding any times brings them on. Don't mind me now; it's all farther with the enterprise just then, when he was over for this once." prevented by the appearance of Monks, who opened Thus speaking, he led the way up the ladder; and a small door, near which they stood, and beckoned hastily closing the window-shutter of the room into them inward. which it led, lowered a lantern which hung at the MRS. B UMBLE MAN"AGES THE CONFERENCE. 119 end of a rope and pulley passed through one of the "You can easily take it away again," replied the heavy beams in the ceiling; and which cast a dim matron. "I am but a woman, alone here, and unlight upon an old table and three chairs that were protected." placed beneath it. "Not alone, my dear, nor unprotected neither," "Now," said Monks, when they had all three seat- submitted Mr. Bumble, in a voice tremulous with ed themselves, "the sooner we come to our business, fear: "I am here, my dear. And besides," said Mr. the better for all. The woman knows what it is, Bumble, his teeth chattering as he spoke, "Mr. Monks does she?" is too much of a gentleman to attempt any violence The question was addressed to Bumble; but his on porochial persons. Mr. Monks is aware that I wife anticipated the reply, by intimating that'she am not a young man, my dear, and also that I am a was perfectly acquainted with it. little run to seed, as I may say; but he has heerd-I " He is right in saying that you were with this hag say I have no doubt Mr. Monks has heerd, my dearthe night she died; andthat she told you something-" that I am a very determined officer, with very un"About the mother of the boy you named," replied common strength, if I'm once roused. I only want the matron, interrupting him. "Yes." a little rousing; that's all." "6The first question is, of what nature was her As Mr. Bumble spoke, he made a melancholy feint communication?" said Monks. of grasping his lantern with fierce determination, "That's the second," observed the woman, with and plainly showed, by the alarmed expression of evmuch deliberation. "The first is, what may the ery feature, that he did want a little rousing, and not communication be worth?" a little, prior to making any very warlike demonstra"Who the devil can tell that, without knowing of tion-unless, indeed, against paupers, or other perwhat kind it is?" asked Monks. son or persons trained down for the 1purpose. "Nobody better than you, I am persuaded," an- "You are a fool," said Mrs. Bunmble, in reply; "and swered Mrs. Bumble; who did not want for spirit, as had better hold your tongue." her yoke-fellow could abundantly testify. " He had better have cut it out, before he came, if "Humph!" said Monks significantly, and with a he can't speak in a lower tone," said Monks, grimly. look of eager inquiry; " there may be money's worth "So! He's your husband, eh?" to get, eh?" "He my husband!" tittered the matron, parrying "Perhaps there may," was the composed reply. the question. "Something that was taken from her," said Monks. "I thought as much, when you came in," rejoined "Something that she wore. Something that-" Monks, marking the angry glance which the lady "You had better bid," interrupted Mrs. Bumble. darted at her spouse as she spoke. "So much the "I have heard enough, already, to assure me that better; I have less hesitation in dealing with two you are the man I ought to talk to." people, when I find that there's only one will beMr. Bumble, who had not yet been admitted by tween them. I'm in earnest. See here!" his better half into any greater share of the secret He thrust his hand into a side-pocket; and prothan he had originally possessed, listened to this dia- ducing a canvas bag, told out twenty-five sovereigns logue with outstretched neck and distended eyes; on the table, and pushed them over to the woman. which he directed toward his wife and Monks, by "Now," he said, " gather them up; and when this turns, in undisguised astonishment; increased, if cursed peal of thunder, which I feel is coming up possible, when the latter sternly demanded what to break over the house-top, is gone, let's hear ycur sum was required for the disclosure. story." "What's it worth to you?" asked the woman, as The thunder, which seemed in fact much nearer, collectedly as before. and to shiver and break almost over their heads, " It may be nothing; it may be twenty pounds," having subsided, Monks, raising his face from the replied Monks. "Speak out, and let me know which." table, bent forward to listen to what the woman "Add five pounds to the sum you have named; should say. The faces of the three nearly touched, give me five-and-twenty pounds in gold," said the as the two men leaned over the small table in their woman, " and I'll tell you all I know. Not before." eagerness to hear, and the woman also leaned for"Five-and-twenty pounds!" exclaimed Monks, ward to render her whisper audible. The sickly drawing back. rays of the suspended lantern falling directly upon "I spoke as plainly as I could," replied Mrs. Bum- them, aggravated the paleness and anxiety of their ble. " It's not a large sum, either." countenances, which; encircled by the deepest gloom " Not a large sum for a paltry secret that may be and darkness, looked ghastly in the extreme. nothing when it's told!" cried Monks, impatiently; "When this woman, that we called old Sally, died," " and which has been lying dead for twelve years the matron began, " she and I were alone." past or more!" "Was there no one by?" asked Monks, in the same " Such matters keep well, and, like good wine, oft- hollow whisper; "no sick wretch or idiot in some en double their value in course of time," answered other bed? No one who could hear, and might, by the matron, still preserving the resolute indifference possibility, understand?" she had assumed. "As to lying dead, there are those " Not a soul," replied the woman; " we were alone. who will lie dead for twelve thousand years to come, I stood alone beside the body when death came over or twelve million, for any thing you or I know, who it." will tell strange tales at last!" "Good!" said Monks, regarding her attentively. "What if I pay it for nothing?" asked Monks, hes- "Go on." itating. "She spoke of a young creature," resumed the 120 OLIVER TWIST. matron, "who had brought a child into the world Mr. Bumble drew a long breath, as if he were glad some years before; not merely in the same room, but to find that the story was over, and no mention in the same bed, in which she then lay dying." made of taking the five-and-twenty pounds back "Ay?" said Monks, with quivering lip, and glan- again; and now he took courage to wipe off the percing over his shoulder. "Blood! How things come spiration which had been trickling over his nose unabout!" checked during the whole of the previous dialogue. "The child was the one you named to him last "I know nothing of the story beyond what I can night," said the matron, nodding carelessly toward guess at," said his wife, addressing Monks, after a her husband; " the mother this nurse had robbed." short silence, " and I want to know nothing; for it's " In life?" asked Monks. safer not. But I may ask you two questions, may I?" "In death," replied the woman, with something "You may ask," said Monks, with some show of like a shudder. "She stole from the corpse, when it surprise; " but whether I answer or not is another had hardly turned to one, that which the dead moth- question." er had prayed her, with her last breath, to keep for "- -Which makes three," observed Mr. Bumble, the infant's sake." essaying a stroke of facetiousness. " She sold it?" cried Monks, with desperate eager- " Is that what you expected to get from me?" deness; "did she sell it? Where? When? To whom? manded the matron. How long before?" " It is," replied Monks. "The other question?" "As she told me, with great difficulty, that she " What you propose to do with it? Can it be used had done this," said the matron, "she fell back and against me?" died." "Never," rejoined Monks, " nor against me either. "Without saying more?" cried Monks, in a voice See here! But don't move a step forward, or your which, from its very suppression, seemed only the life is not worth a bulrush." more furious. "It's a lie! I'll not be played with. With these words, he suddenly wheeled the table She said more. I'll tear the life out of you both, but aside, and pulling an iron ring in the boarding, I'll know what it was." threw bhck a large trap-door which opened close at " She didn't utter another word," said the woman, Mr. Bumble's feet, and caused that gentleman to reto all appearance unmoved (as Mr. Bumble was very tire several paces backward with great precipitation. far from being) by the strange man's violence; " but "Look down," said Monks, lowering the lantern she clutched my gown violently with one hand, which into the gulf. "Don't fear me. I could have let was partly closed; and when I saw that she was you down, quietly enough, when you were seated dead, and so removed the hand by force, I found it over it, if that had been my game." clasped a scrap of dirty paper." Thus encouraged, the matron drew near to the "Which contained-" interposed Monks, stretch- brink; and even Mr. Bumble himself, impelled by ing forward. curiosity, ventured to do the same. The turbid "Nothing," replied the woman; "it was a pawn- water, swollen by the heavy rain, was rushing rapidbroker's duplicate." ly on below; and all other sounds were lost in the " For what?" demanded Monks. noise of its plashing and eddying against the green " In good time I'll tell you," said the woman. "I and slimy piles. There had once been a water-mill judge that she had kept the trinket for some time, beneath; the tide, foaming and chafing round the in the hope of turning it to better account, and then few rotten stakes and fragments of machinery that had pawned it; and had saved or scraped together yet remained, seemed to dart onward, with a new money to pay the pawnbroker's interest year by year, impulse, when freed from the obstacles which had and prevent its running out; so that if any thing unavailingly attempted to stem its headlong course. came of it, it could still be redeemed. Nothing had "If you flung a man's body down there, where come of it; and, as I tell you, she died with the scrap would it be to-morrow morning?" said Monks, of paper, all worn and tattered, in her hand. The swinging the lantern to and fro in the dark well. time was out in two days; I thought something "Twelve miles down the river, and cut to pieces might one day come of it too, and so redeemed the besides," replied Bumble, recoiling at the thought. pledge." Monks drew the little packet from his breast, "Where is it now?" asked Monks, quickly. where he had hurriedly thrust it, and tying it to a "There," replied the woman. And, as if glad to leaden weight, which had formed a part of some be relieved of it, she hastily threw upon the table a pulley and was lying on the floor, dropped it into small kid bag scarcely large enough for a French the stream. It fell straight, and true as a die, clove watch, which Monks pouncing upon, tore open with the water with a scarcely audible splash, and was trembling hands. It contained a little gold locket, gone. in which were two locks of hair and a plain gold The three, looking into each other's faces, seemed wedding-ring. to breathe more freely. " It has the word'Agnes' engraved on the in- "There!" said Monks, closing the trap-door, which side," said the woman. " There is a blank left for fell heavily back into its former position. " If the the surname; and then follows the date, which is sea ever gives up its dead, as books say it will, it within a year before the child was born. I found will keep its gold and silver to itself, and that trash out that." among it. We have nothing more to say, and may "And this is all?" said Monks, after a close and break up our pleasant party." eager scrutiny of the contents of the little packet. " By all means," observed Mr. Bumble, with great "All," replied the woman. alacrity. MR. SIXES AND HIS NURSE. 121 "You'll keep a quiet tongue in your head, will furniture, and total absence of comfort, together you?" said Monks, with a threatening look. I'm not with the disappearance of all such small movables afraid of your wife." as spare clothes and linen, bespoke a state of ex" You may depend upon me, young man," answered treme poverty, while the meagre and attenuated Mr. Bumble, bowing himself gradually toward the condition of Mr. Sikes himself would have fully conladder with excessive politeness. " On every body's firmed these symptoms, if they had stood in any need account, young man; on my own, you know, Mr. of corroboration. Monks." The house-breaker was lying on the bed, wrapped " I am glad, for your sake, to hear it," remarked in his white great-coat, by way of dressing-gown, and Monks. " Light your lantern, and get away from displaying a set of features in no degree improved here as fast as you can." by the cadaverous hue of illness, and the addition It was fortunate that the conversation terminated of a soiled night-cap, and a stiff black beard of a at this point, or Mr. Bumble, who had bowed himself week's growth. The dog sat at the bedside, now to within six inches of the ladder, would infallibly eying his master with a wistful look, and now prickhave pitched headlong into the room below. He ing his ears and uttering a low growl as some noise lighted his lantern from that which Monks had de- in the street, or in the lower part of the house, attached from the rope and now carried in his hand; tracted his attention. Seated by the window, busiand, making no effort to prolong the discourse, de- ly engaged in patching an old waistcoat which formscended in silence, followed by his wife. Monks ed a portion of the robber's ordinary dress, was a febrought up the rear, after pausing on the steps to male, so pale and reduced with watching and prisatisfy himself that there were no other sounds to be vation, that there would have been considerable difheard than the beating of the rain without, and the ficulty in recognizing her as the same Nancy who rushing of the water. has already figured in this tale, but for the voice in They traversed the lower room slowly, and with which she replied to Mr. Sikes's question. caution, for Monks started at every shadow; and "Not long gone seven," said the girl. "How do Mr. Bumble, holding his lantern a foot above the you feel to-night, Bill?" ground, walked not only with remarkable care, but "As weak as water," replied Mr. Sikes, with an with a marvelously light step for a gentleman of his imprecation on his eyes and limbs. " Here, lend us figure, looking nervously about him for hidden trap- a hand, and let me get off this thundering bed, anydoors. The gate at which they had entered was how." softly unfastened and opened by Monks; merely ex- Illness had not improved Mr. Sikes's temper; for, changing a nod with their mysterious acquaintance, as the girl raised him up and led him to a chair, he the married couple emerged into the wet and dark- muttered various curses on her awkwardness, and ness outside. struck her. They were no sooner gone than Monks, who ap- "Whining, are you?" said Sikes. "Come? don't peared to entertain an invincible repugnance to be- stand sniveling there. If you can't do any thing ing left alone, called to a boy who had been hidden better than that, cut off altogether. D'ye hear me?" somewhere below. Bidding him go first and bear "I hear you," replied the girl, turning her face the light, he returned to the chamber he had just aside, and forcing a laugh. " What fancy have you quitted. got in your head now?" - _ "Oh! you've thought better of it, have you?" growled Sikes, marking the tear which trembled in CHAPTER XXXIX. her eye. "All the better for you, you have." " Why, you don't mean to say you'd be hard upon INTRODUCES SOME RESPECTABLE CHARACTERS WITH to-night, Bill," said the girl, laying her hand upon WHOM THE READER IS ALREADY ACQUAINTED, AND his shoulder. SHOWS HOW MONKS AND THE JEW LAID THEIR "No!" cried Mr. Sikes. "Why not?" wORTHY IIEADS TOGETHER. "Such a number of nights," said the girl, with a ON the evening following that upon which the touch of woman's tenderness which communicated three worthies mentioned in the last chapter something like sweetness of tone even to her voice, disposed of their little matter of business as therein " such a number of nights as I've been patient with narrated, Mr. William Sikes, awakening from a nap, you, nursing and caring for you, as if you'd been a drowsily growled forth an inquiry what time of child; and this the first that I've seen you like night it was. yourself-you wouldn't have served me as you did The room in which Mr. Sikes propounded this just now, if you'd thought of that, would you? question was not one of those he had tenanted pre- Come, come; say you wouldn't." vious to the Chertsey expedition, although it was in "Well, then," rejoined Mr. Sikes, "I wouldn't. the same quarter of the town, and was situated at Why, damme, now the girl's whining again!" no great distance from his former lodgings. It was " It's nothing," said the girl, throwing herself into not, in appearance, so desirable a habitation as his a chair. "Don't you seem to mind me. It'll soon old quarters, being a mean and badly-furnished be over." apartment, of very limited size, lighted only by one "What'll be over?" demanded Mr. Sikes, in a saysmall window in the shelving roof, and abutting on age voice. "What foolery are you up to now again? a close and dirty lane. Nor were there wanting oth- Get up and bustle about, and don't come over me er indications of the good gentleman's having gone with your woman's nonsense." down in the world of late; for a great scarcity of At any other time this remonstrance, and the tone 122 OL I VER TWIST. in which it was delivered, would have had the de- Uttering this last panegyric, Master Bates prosired effect; but the girl being really weak and ex- duced from one of his extensive pockets a full-sized hausted, dropped her head over the back of the wine-bottle, carefully corked, while Mr. Dawkins, at chair and fainted, before Mr. Sikes could get out a the same instant, poured out a wine-glassful of raw few of the appropriate oaths with which, on similar spirits from the bottle he carried, which the invalid occasions, he was accustomed to garnish his threats. tossed down his throat without a moment's hesitaNot knowing very well what to do, in this uncom- tion. mon emergency-for Miss Nancy's hysterics were "Ah!" said Fagin, rubbing his hands with great usually of that violent kind which the patient fights satisfaction. " You'll do, Bill; you'll do now." and struggles out of without much assistance-Mr. " Do!" exclaimed Mr. Sikes; " I might have been Sikes tried a little blasphemy; and finding that done for twenty times over afore you'd have done mode of treatment wholly ineffectual, called for as- any thing to help me. What do you mean by leavsistance. ing a man in this state three weeks and more, you "What's the matter here, my dear?" said Fagin, false-hearted wagabond?" looking in. " Only hear him, boys!" said Fagin, shrugging his "Lend a hand to the girl, can't you?" replied shoulders. "And us come to bring him all these Sikes, impatiently. "Don't stand chattering and beau-ti-ful things." grinning at me!" "The things is well enough in their way," obWith an exclamation of surprise, Fagin hastened served Mr. Sikes, a little soothed, as he glanced over to the girl's assistance, while Mr. John Dawkins (oth- the table; " but what have you got to say for yourerwise the Artful Dodger), who had followed his self, why you should leave me here down in the venerable friend into the room, hastily deposited on mouth, health, blunt, and every thing else, and take the floor a bundle with which he was laden; and, no more notice of me all this mortal time than if I snatching a bottle from the grasp of Master Charles was that'ere dog?-Drive him down, Charley!" Bates, who came close at his heels, uncorked it in a "I never see such a jolly dog as that!" cried Mastwinkling with his teeth, and poured a portion of ter Bates, doing as he was desired. " Smelling the its contents down the patient's throat, previously grub like a old lady a-going to market! He'd make taking a taste himself, to prevent mistakes. his fortun on the stage, that dog would, and rewive "Give her a whiff of fresh air with the bellows, the drayma besides." Charley," said Mr. Dawkins, "and you slap her "Hold your din!" cried Sikes, as the dog retreated hands, Fagin, while Bill undoes the petticuts." under the bed, still growling angrily. "What have These united restoratives, administered with great you got to say for yourself, you withered old fence, energy — especially that department consigned to eh?" Master Bates, who appeared to consider his share in "I was away from London a week and more, my the proceedings a piece of unexampled pleasantry- dear, on a plant," replied the Jew. were not long in producing the desired effect. The "And what about the other fortnight?" demanded girl gradually recovered her senses; and, staggering Sikes. " What about the other fortnight that you've to a chair by the bedside, hid her face upon the pil- left me lying here, like a sick rat in his hole?" low, leaving Mr. Sikes to confront the new-comers in "I couldn't help it, Bill. I can't go into a long some astonishment at their unlooked-for appearance. explanation before company; but I couldn't help it, " Why, what evil wind has blowed you here?" he upon my honor." asked Fagin. " Upon your what?" growled Sikes, with excessive " No evil wind at all, my dear, for evil winds blow disgust. "Here! Cut me off a piece of that pie, nobody any good; and I've brought something good one of you boys, to take the taste of that out of my with me, that you'll be glad to see. Dodger, my mouth, or it'll choke me dead." dear, open the bundle, and give Bill the little trifles "Don't be out of temper, my dear," urged Fagin, that we spent all our money on this morning." submissively. "I have never forgot you, Bill, never In compliance with Mr. Fagin's request, the Artful once." untied his bundle, which was of large size and form- " No! I'll pound it that you han't," replied Sikes, ed of an old table-cloth, and handed the articles it with a bitter grin. " You've been scheming and contained, one by one, to Charley Bates, who placed plotting away every hour that I have laid shivering them on the table, with various encomiums on their and burning here; and Bill was to do this, and Bill rarity and excellence. was to do that, and Bill was to do it all, dirt cheap, " Sitch a rabbit-pie, Bill!" exclaimed that young as soon as he got well, and was quite poor enough gentleman, disclosing to view a huge pasty; " sitch for your work. If it hadn't been for the girl, I might delicate creeturs, with sitch tender limbs, Bill, that have died." the wery bones melt in your mouth and there's no "There now, Bill," remonstrated Fagin, eagerly occasion to pick'em; half a pound of seven-and-six- catching at the word. " If it hadn't been for the penny green, so precious strong that if you mix it girl! Who but poor ould Fagin was the means of with boiling water, it'll go nigh to blow the lid of your having such a handy girl about you?" the tea-pot off; a pound and a half of moist sugar " He says true enough there," said Nancy, coming that the niggers didn't work at all at, afore they got hastily forward. "Let him be; let him be." it up to sitch a pitch of goodness-oh no! Two half- Nancy's appearance gave a new turn to the conquartern brans; pound of best fresh; piece of double versation; for the boys, receiving a sly wink from Glo'ster; and, to wind up all, some ofthe richest sort the wary old Jew, began to ply her with liquor, of you ever lushed!" which, however, she took very sparingly; while Fat MR. CHITLING'S OPINION OF MR. CRACKIT..t23 gin, assuming an unusual flow of spirits, gradually with so much elegance and gentility, that Mr. Chitbrought Mr. Sikes into a better temper, by affecting ling, bestowing numerous admiring glances on his to regard his threats as a little pleasant banter, and, legs and boots till they were out of sight, assured moreover, by laughing very heartily at one or two the company that he considered his acquaintance rough jokes, which, after repeated applications to cheap at fifteen sixpences an interview, and that he the spirit-bottle, he condescended to make. didn't value his losses the snap of his little finger. "It's all very well," said Mr. Sikes; "but I must "Wot a rum chap you are, Tom!" said Master have some blunt from you to-night." Bates, highly amused by this declaration. "I haven't a piece of coiin about me," replied the "Not a bit of it," replied Mr. Chitling. "Am I, Jew. Fagin?" "Then you've got lots at home," retorted Sikes; "A very clever fellow, my dear," said Fagin, pat" and I must have some from there." ting him on the shoulder, and winking to his other "Lots!" cried Fagin, holding up his hands. "I pupils. haven't so much as would-" "And Mr. Crackit is a heavy swell; ain't he, Fa"I don't know how much you've got, and I dare gin?" asked Tom. say you hardly know yourself, as it would take a " No doubt at all of that, my dear." pretty long time to count it," said Sikes, "but I "And it is a creditable thing to have his acquaintmust have some to-night; and that's flat." ance; ain't it, Fagin?" pursued Tom. "Well, well," said Fagin, with a sigh, "I'll send "Very much so, indeed, my dear. They're only the Artful round presently.". jealous, Tom, because he won't give it to them." " You won't do nothing of the kind," rejoined Mr. " Ah!" cried Tom, triumphantly, " that's where it Sikes. " The Artful's a deal too artful, and would is! He has cleaned me out. But I can go and earn forget to come, or lose his way, or get dodged by some more when I like; can't I, Fagin?" traps, and so be perwented, or any thing for an ex- "To be sure you can, and the sooner you go the cuse, if you put him up to it. Nancy shall go to the better, Tom; so make up your loss at once, and ken and fetch it, to make all sure; and I'll lie down don't lose any more time. Dodger! Charley! It's and have a snooze while she's gone." time you were on the lay. Come! It's near ten, After a great deal of haggling and squabbling, Fa- and nothing done yet." gin beat down the amount of the required advance In obedience to this hint, the boys, nodding to from five pounds to three pounds four-and-sixpence, Nancy, took up their hats and left the room; the protesting, with many solemn asseverations, that that Dodger and his vivacious friend indulging, as they would only leave him eighteen-pence to keep house went, in many witticisms at the expense of Mr. Chitwith; Mr. Sikes sullenly remarking that if he couldn't ling; in whose conduct, it is but justice to say, there get any more he must be content with that, Nancy was nothing very conspicuous or peculiar, inasmuch prepared to accompany him home, while the Dodger as there are a great number of spirited young bloods and Master Bates put the eatables in the cupboard. upon town who pay a much higher price than Mr. The Jew then, taking leave of his affectionate friend, Chitling for being seen in good society, and a great returned homeward, attended by Nancy and the boys: number of fine gentlemen (composing the good soMr. Sikes, meanwhile, flinging himself on the bed, ciety aforesaid) who establish their reputation upon and composing himself to sleep away the time until very much the same footing as flash Toby Crackit. the young lady's return. " Now," said Fagin, when they had left the room, In due course they arrived at Fagin's abode, where "I'll go and get you that cash, Nancy. This is only they found Toby Crackit and Mr. Chitling intent the key of a little cupboard where I keep a few odd upon their fifteenth game at cribbage, which it is things the boys get, my dear. I never lock up my scarcely necessary to say the latter gentleman lost, money, for I've got none to lock up, my dear-ha! and with it, his fifteenth and last sixpence, much to ha! ha!-none to lock up. It's a poor trade, Nancy, the amusement of his young friends. Mr. Crackit, and no thanks; but I'm fond of seeing the young apparently somewhat ashamed at being found relax- people about me, and I bear it all, I bear it all. ing himself with a gentleman so much his inferior in Hush!" he said, hastily concealing the key in his station and mental endowments, yawned, and inquir- breast; " who's that? Listen!" ing after Sikes, took up his hat to go. The girl, who was sitting at the table with her "Has nobody been, Toby?" asked Fagin. arms folded, appeared in no way interested in the "Not a living leg," answered Mr. Crackit, pulling arrival, or to care whether the person, whoever he up his collar; "it's been as dull as swipes. You was, came or went, until the murmur of a man's ought to stand something handsome, Fagin, to rec- voice reached her ears. The instant she caught the ompense me for keeping house so long. Damme, I'm sound, she tore off her bonnet and shawl with the as flat as a juryman; and should have gone to sleep rapidity of lightning, and thrust them under the taas fast as Newgate, if I hadn't had the good natur' ble. The Jew, turning round immediately afterto amuse this youngster. Horrid dull, I'm blessed ward, she muttered a complaint of the heat in a tone if I ain't!" of languor that contrasted very remarkably with the With these and other ejaculations of the same extreme haste and violence of this action, which, kind, Mr. Toby Crackit swept up his winnings, and however, had been unobserved by Fagin, who had crammed them into his waistcoat-pocket with a his back toward her at the time. haughty air, as though such small pieces of silver "Bah!" he whispered, as though nettled by the were wholly beneath the consideration of a man of interruption; "it's the man I expected before; he's his figure; this done, he swaggered out of the room coming down stairs. Not a word about the money 124 OLI VER TWIST. while he's here, Nance. He won't stop long. Not more conversation, merely interchanging a'"goodten minutes, my dear." night." Laying his skinny forefinger upon his lip, the Jew When the girl got into the open street she sat carried a candle to the door, as a man's step was down upon a door-step, and seemed for a few moheard upon the stairs without. He reached it at ments wholly bewildered, and unable to pursue her the same moment as the visitor, who, coming hastily way. Suddenly she arose; and hurrying on in a into the room, was close upon the girl before he ob- direction quite opposite to that in which Sikes was served her. awaiting her return, quickened her pace, until it It was Monks. gradually resolved into a violent run. After com"Only one of my young people," said Fagin, ob- pletely exhausting herself, she stopped to take serving that Monks drew back on beholding a stran- breath; and, as if suddenly recollecting herself, and ger. " Don't move, Nancy." deploring her inability to do something she was bent The girl drew closer to the table, and glancing at upon, wrung her hands and burst into tears. Monks with an air of careless levity, withdrew her It might be that her tears relieved her, or that she eyes; but as he turned his toward Fagin, she stole felt the full hopelessness of her condition; but she another look, so keen and searching, and full of pur- turned back, and hurrying with nearly as great rapose, that if there had been any by-stander to ob- pidity in the contrary direction, partly to recover serve the change, he could hardly have believed the lost time, and partly to keep pace with the violent two looks to have proceeded from the same person. current of her own thoughts, soon reached the dwell" Any news?" inquired Fagin. ing where she had left the house-breaker. " Great." If she betrayed any agitation when she presented "And-and-good?" asked Fagin, hesitating as herself to Mr. Sikes, he did not observe it; for merethough he feared to vex the other man by being too ly inquiring if she had brought the money, and resanguine. ceiving a reply in the affirmative, he uttered a growl "' Not bad, any way," replied Monks, with a smile. of satisfaction, and replacing his head upon the pil"I have been prompt enough this time. Let me low, resumed the slumbers which her arrival had inhave a word with you." terrupted. The girl drew closer to the table, and made no of- It was fortunate for her that the possession of fer to leave the room, although she could see that money occasioned him so much employment next Monks was pointing to her. The Jew, perhaps fear- day in the way of eating and drinking, and withal ing she might say something aloud about the mon- had so beneficial an effect in smoothing down the asey if he endeavored to get rid of her, pointed up- perities of his temper, that he had neither time nor ward, and took Monks out of the room. inclination to be very critical upon her behavior and "Not that infernal hole we were in before," she deportment. That she had all the abstracted and could hear the man say as they went up stairs. Fa- nervous manner of one who is on the eve of some gin laughed; and making some reply which did not bold and hazardous step which it has required no reach her, seemed, by the creaking of the boards, to common struggle to resolve upon, would have been lead his companion to the second story. obvious to the lynx-eyed Fagin, who would most Before the sound of their footsteps had ceased to probably have taken the alarm at once; but Mr. echo through the house, the girl had slipped off her Sikes lacking the niceties of discrimination, and beshoes; and drawing her gown loosely over her head, ing troubled with no more subtle misgivings than and muffling her arms in it, stood at the door, listen- those which resolve themselves into a dogged roughing with breathless interest. The moment the noise ness of behavior toward every body; and being, furceased, she glided from the room, ascended the stairs thermore, in an unusually amiable condition, as has with incredible softness and silence, and was lost in been already observed, saw nothing unusual in her the gloom above. demeanor, and, indeed, troubled himself so little The room remained deserted for a quarter of an about her, that, had her agitation been far more perhour or more; the girl glided back with the same ceptible than it was, it would have been very ununearthly tread; and, immediately afterward, the likely to have awakened his suspicions. two men were heard descending. Monks went at As that day closed in, the girl's excitement inonce into the street, and the Jew crawled up stairs creased; and, when night came on, and she sat by, again for the money. When he returned, the girl watching until the house-breaker should drink himwas adjusting her shawl and bonnet, as if preparing self asleep, there was an unusual paleness in her to be gone. cheek, and a fire in her eye, that even Sikes observed " Why, Nance," exclaimed the Jew, starting back with astonishment. as he put down the candle," how pale you are!" Mr. Sikes being weak from the fever, was lying in " Pale!" echoed the girl, shading her eyes with her bed, taking hot water with his gin to render it less hands, as if to look steadily at him. inflammatory, and had pushed his glass toward Nan"Quite horrible! What have you been doing to cy to be replenished for the third or fourth time, yourself?" when these symptoms first struck him. "Nothing that I know of, except sitting in this " Why, burn my body!" said the man, raising himclose place for I don't know how long and all," re- self on his hands as he stared the girl in the face. plied the girl, carelessly. " Come! Let me get back; "You look like a corpse come to life again. What's that's a dear." the matter?" With a sigh for every piece of money, Fagin told " Matter!" replied the girl. " Nothing. What do the amount into her hand. They parted without you look at me so hard for?" A COMPOSING DRA UGHT. 125 "What foolery is this?" demanded Sikes, grasping "Now," said the robber,'come and sit aside her by the arm and shaking her roughly. " What is of me, and put on your own face, or I'll alter it it? What do you mean? What are you thinking of?" so that you won't know it again when you do want "Of many things, Bill," replied the girl, shivering, it." and, as she did so, pressing her hands upon her eyes. The girl obeyed. Sikes, locking her hand in his, "But, Lord! What odds in that?" fell back upon the pillow, turning his eyes upon her The tone of forced gayety in which the last words face. They closed, opened again, closed once more, were spoken seemed to produce a deeper impression again opened. He shifted his position restlessly, and on Sikes than the wild and rigid look which had after dozing again and again for two or three minpreceded them. utes, and as often springing up with a look of terror "I tell you wot it is," said Sikes; " if you haven't and gazing vacantly about him, was suddenly strickcaught the fever, and got it comin' on now, there's en, as it were, while in the very attitude of rising, something more than usual in the wind, and some- into a deep and heavy sleep. The grasp of his hand "4THEN, STOOPING SOFTLY OVER THE BED, SHE KISSED TIlE ROBBER'S LIPS." thing dangerous too. You're not a-going to- No, relaxed, the upraised arm fell languidly by his side, damme! you wouldn't do that!" and he lay like one in a profound trance. "Do what?" asked the girl. "The laudanum has taken effect at last," murmur"There ain't," said Sikes, fixing his eyes upon her, ed the girl, as she rose from the bedside. " I may be and muttering the words to himself; "there ain't too late, even now." a stauncher-hearted gal going, or I'd have cut her She hastily dressed herself in her bonnet and throat three months ago. She's got the fever com- shawl, looking fearfully round from time to time, as ing on; that's it." if, despite the sleeping draught, she expected every Fortifying himself with this assurance, Sikes moment to feel the pressure of Sikes's heavy hand drained the glass to the bottom, and then, with upon her shoulder; then, stooping softly over the many grumbling oaths, called for his physic. The bed, she kissed the robber's lips, and then opening girl jumped up with great alacrity, poured it quick- and closing the room-door with noiseless touch, hburly out, but with her back toward him, and held the ried from the house. vessel to his lips, while he drank off the contents. A watchman was crying half-past nine, down a 126 OLI VER TWIST. dark passage through which she had to pass in gain- "What's the good?" replied the man. "You don't ing the main thoroughfare. suppose the young lady will see such as her, do you?" "Has it long gone the half hour?" asked the girl. This allusion to Nancy's doubtful character raised "It'll strike the hour in another quarter," said the a vast quantity of chaste wrath in the bosoms of four man, raising his lantern to her face. house-maids, who remarked with great fervor that "And I can not get there in less than an hour or the creature was a disgrace to her sex, and strongmore," muttered Nancy, brushing swiftly past him, ly advocated her being thrown ruthlessly into the and gliding rapidly down the street. kennel. Many of the shops were already closing in the "Do what you like with me," said the girl, tur'nback lanes and avenues through which she tracked ing to the men again; "but do what I ask you first, her way in making from Spitalfields toward the West- and I ask you to give this message for God Almighty's End of London. The clock struck ten, increasing sake." her impatience. She tore along the narrow pave- The soft-hearted cook added his intercession, and ment, elbowing the passengers from side to side, the result was that the man who had first appeared and darting almost under the horses' heads; crossed undertook its delivery. crowded streets, where clusters of persons were ea- " What's it to be?" said the man, with one foot on gerly watching their opportunity to do the like. the stairs. " The woman is mad!" said the people, turning to " That a young woman earnestly asks to speak to look after her as she rushed away. Miss Maylie alone," said Nancy; "and that if the When she reached the more wealthy quarter of lady will only hear the first word she has to say, she the town, the streets were comparatively deserted; will know whether to hear her business, or to have and here her headlong progress excited a still great- her turned out-of-doors as an impostor." er curiosity in the stragglers whom she hurried past. "I say," said the man, " you're coming it strong." Some quickened their pace behind, as though to see "You give the message," said the girl, firmly, " and whither she was hastening at such an unusual rate, let me hear the answer." and a few made head upon her, and looked back, The man ran up stairs. Nancy remained, pale and surprised at her undiminished speed; but they fell almost breathless, listening with quivering lip to off one by one, and when she neared her place of des- the very audible expressions of scorn, of which the tination she was alone. chaste house-maids were very prolific, and of which It was a family hotel in a quiet but handsome they became still more so when the man returned street near Hyde Park. As the brilliant light of the and said the young woman was to walk up stairs. lamp which burned before its door guided her to the " It's no good being proper in this world," said the spot, the clock struck eleven. She had loitered for first house-maid. a few paces as though irresolute, and making up her " Brass can do better than the gold what has stood mind to advance, but the sound determined her, and the fire," said the second. she stepped into the hall. The porter's seat was va- The third contented herself with wondering "what cant. She looked round with an air of incertitude, ladies was made of;" and the fourth took the first in and advanced toward the stairs. a quartette of " Shameful!" with which the Dianas "Now, young woman!" said a smartly-dressed fe- concluded. male, looking out from a door behind her, "who do Regardless of all this, for she had weightier matyou want here?" ters at heart, Nancy followed the man, with trem"A lady who is stopping in this house," answered bling limbs, to a small antechamber lighted by a the girl. lamp from the ceiling. Here he left her, and retired. "A lady!" was the reply, accompanied with a scornful look. "What lady?" " Miss Maylie," said Nancy. The young woman, who had by this time noted CJIAPTER XL. her appearance, replied only by a look of virtuous disdain, and summoned a man to answer her. To A STRANGE INTERVIEW, WHICH IS A SEQUEL TO THE LAST him Nancy repeated her request. "What name am I to say?" asked the waiter. THE girl's life had been squandered in the streets, "It's of no use saying any," replied Nancy. 3 and among the most noisome of the stews and "Nor business?" said the man. dens of London, but there was something of the "No, nor that neither," rejoined the girl. " I must woman's original nature left in her still; and when see the lady." she heard a light step approaching the door opposite "Come!" said the man, pushing her toward the to that by which she had entered, and thought of the'door. " None of this. Take yourself off." wide contrast which the small room would in anoth"I shall be carried out, if I go!" said the girl, vio- er moment contain, she felt burdened with the sense lently; " and I can make that a job that two of you of her own deep shame, and shrunk as though she won't like to do. Isn't there any body here," she could scarcely bear the presence of her with whom said, looking round, "that will see a simple message she had sought this interview. carried for a poor wretch like me?" But struggling with these better feelings was pride This appeal produced an effect on a good-tempered- -the vice of the lowest and most debased creatures faced man-cook, who with some other of the servants no less than of the high and self-assured. The miswas looking on, and who stepped forward to interfere. erable. companion of thieves and ruffians, the fallen " Take it up for her, Joe, can't you?" said this person. outcast of low haunts, the associate of the scourings TWO SISTER-WOMAlEN. 127 of the jails and hulks, living within the shadow of would pity me, indeed. But I have stolen away the gallows itself —-even this degraded being felt too from those who would surely murder me if they proud to betray a feeble gleam of the womanly feel- knew I had been here to tell you what I have overing which she thought a weakness, but which alone heard. Do you know a man named Monks?" connected her with that humanity of which her wast- "No," said Rose. ing life had obliterated so many, many traces when a " He knows you," replied the girl; " and knew you very child. were here, for it was by hearing him tell the place She raised her eyes sufficiently to observe that the that I found you out." figure which presented itself was that of a slight and "I never heard the name," said Rose. beautiful girl; then, bending them on the ground, "Then he goes by some other among us," rejoined she tossed her head with affected carelessness as she the girl, " which I more than thought before. Some said: time ago, and soon after Oliver was put into your " It's a hard matter to get to see you, lady. If I house on the night of the robbery, I-suspecting had taken offense and gone away, as many would this man-listened to a conversation held between have done, you'd have been sorry for it one day, and him and Fagin in the dark. I found out, from what not without reason either." I heard, that Monks-the man I asked you about, "I am very sorry if any one has behaved harshly you know —" to you," replied Rose. " Do not think of that. Tell "Yes," said Rose, " I understand." me why you wished to see me. I am the person you " —That Monks," pursued the girl, " had seen him inquired for." accidentally with two of our boys on the day we first The kind tone of this answer, the sweet voice, the lost him, and had known him directly to be the same gentle manner, the absence of any accent of haugh- child that he was watching for, though I couldn't tiness or displeasure, took the girl completely by sur- make out why. A bargain was struck with Fagin, prise, and she burst into tears. that if Oliver was got back he should have a certain "Oh, lady! lady!" she said, clasping her hands pas- sum; and he was to have more for making him a sionately before her face, " if there was more like you, thief, which this Monks wanted for some purpose of there would be fewer like me; there would-there his own." would!"," For what purpose?" asked Rose. " Sit down," said Rose, earnestly. "If you are in "He caught sight of my shadow on the wall as I poverty or affliction, I shall be truly glad to relieve listened, in the hope of finding out," said the girl; you, if I can-I shall, indeed. Sit down." "and there are not many people besides me that "Let me stand, lady," said the girl, still'weping, could have got out of their way in time to escape " and do not speak to me so kindly till you know me discovery. But I did; and I saw him no more till better. It is growing late. Is-is-that door shut?" last night." "Yes," said Rose, recoiling a few steps, as if to "And what occurred then?" be nearer assistance in case she should require it. "I'll tell you, lady. Last night he came again. "Why?" Again they went up stairs, and I, wrapping myself "Because," said the girl, "I am about to put my up so that my shadow should not betray me, again life, and the lives of others, in your hands. I am the listened at the door. The first words I heard Monks girl that dragged little Oliver back to old Fagin's on say were these:' So the only proofs of the boy's the night he went out from the house in Pentonville." identity lie at the bottom of the river, and the old " You!" said Rose Maylie. hag that received them from the mother is rotting " I, lady!" replied the girl. "I am the infamous in her coffin.' They laughed, and talked of his suecreature you have heard of, that lives among the cess in doing this; and Monks, talking on about the thieves, and that never, from the first moment I boy, and getting very wild, said that though he had can recollect my eyes and senses opening on London got the young devil's money safely now, he'd rather streets, have known any better life, or kinder words have had it the other way; for what a game it than they have given me, so help me God! Do not would have been to have brought dowll the boast mind shrinking openly from me, lady. I am young- of the father's will by driving him through every er than you would think, to look at me, but I am jail in town, and then hauling him up for some capwell used to it. The poorest women fall back as I ital felony which Fagin could easily manage, after make my way along the crowded pavement." having made a good profit of him beside." "What dreadful things are these!" said Rose, in- "What is all this?" said Rose. voluntarily falling from her strange companion. " The truth, lady, though it comes fron my lips," " Thank Heaven upon your knees, dear lady," cried replied the girl. "Then, he said, with oaths comthe girl, "that you had friends to care for and keep mon enough in my ears, but strange to yours, that if you in your childhood, and that you were never in he could gratify his hatred by taking the boy's life the midst of cold and hunger, and riot and drunken- without bringing his own neck in danger, he would; ness, and-and-something worse than all-as I but, as he couldn't, he'd be upon the watch to meet have been from my cradle. I may use the word, for him at every turn in life; and if he took advantage the alley and the gutter were mine, as they will be of his birth and history, he might harm him yet. my death-bed."'In short, Fagin,' he says,' Jew as you are, you never "I pity you!" said Rose, in a broken voice. "It laid such snares as I'll contrive for my young brothwrings my heart to hear you!" er Oliver." " Heaven bless you for your goodness!" rejoined "His brother!" exclaimed Rose. the girl. "If you knew what I am sometimes, you " Those were his words," said Nancy, glancing un 128 OLIVER TWIST. easily round, as she had scarcely ceased to do since with hundreds of others as bad and wretched as myshe began to speak, for a vision of Sikes haunted her self. I must go back. Whether it is God's wrath perpetually. "And more. When he spoke of you for the wrong I have done, I do not know; but I am and the other lady, and said it seemed contrived by drawn back to him, through every suffering and illHeaven, or the devil, against him, that Oliver should usage; and I should be, I believe, if I knew that I come into your hands, he laughed, and said there was to die by his hand at last." was some comfort in that too, for how many thou- " What am I to do?" said Rose. "I should not sands and hundreds of thousands of pounds would let you depart from me thus." you not give, if you had them, to know who your " You should, lady, and I know you will," rejoined two-legged spaniel was." the girl, rising. "You will not stop my going, be" You do not mean," said Rose, turning very pale, cause I have trusted in your goodness, and forced "to tell me that this was said in earnest?" no promise from you, as I might have done." "He spoke in hard and angry earnest, if a man ever "Of what use, then, is the communication you did," replied the girl, shaking her head. "He is an have made?" said Rose. " This mystery must be inearnest man when his hatred is up. I know many vestigated, or how will its disclosure to me benefit who do worse things; but I'd rather listen to them Oliver, whom you are anxious to serve?" all a dozen times than to that Monks once. It is "You must have some kind gentleman about you growing late, and I have to reach home without sus- that -will hear it as a secret and advise you what to picion of having been on such an errand as this. I do," rejoined the girl. must get back quickly." "But where can I find you again when it is nec"But what can I do?" said Rose. "To what use essary?" asked Rose. " I do not seek to know where can I turn this communication without you? Back! these dreadful people live, but where will you be Why do you wish to return to companions you paint walking or passing at any settled period from this in such terrible colors? If you repeat this informa- time?" tion to a gentleman whom I can summon in an in- " Will you promise me that you will have my sestant from the next room, you can be consigned to cret strictly kept, and come alone, or with the only some place of safety without half an hour's delay." other person that knows it, and that I shall not be "I wish to go back," said the girl. "I must go watched or followed?" asked the girl. back, because-how can I tell such things to an in- "I promise you solemnly," answered Rose. nocent lady like you?-because among the men I "Every Sunday night from eleven until the clock have told you of there is one-the most desperate strikes twelve," said the girl, without hesitation, " I among them all-that I can't leave; no, not even to will walk on London Bridge, if I am alive." be saved from the life I am leading now." "Stay another moment," interposed Rose, as the " Your having interfered in this dear boy's behalf girl moved hurriedly toward the door. " Think once before," said Rose; "your coming here, at so great a again on your own condition, and the opportunity risk, to tell me what you have heard; your manner, you have of escaping from it. You have a claim on which convinces me of the truth of what you say; me, not only as the voluntary bearer of this intelliyour evident contrition, and sense of shame; all lead gence, but as a woman lost almost beyond redempme to believe that you might be yet reclaimed. Oh!" tion. Will you return to this gang of robbers, and said the earnest girl, folding her hands as the tears to this man, when a word can save you? What fascoursed down her face, " do not turn a deaf ear to cination is it that can take you back and make you the entreaties of one of your own sex; the first-the cling to wickedness and misery? Oh! is there no first, I do believe, who ever appealed to you in the chord in your heart that I can touch? Is there voice of pity and compassion. Do hear my words, nothing left to which I can appeal against this terand let me save you yet for better things." rible infatuation?" "Lady," cried the girl, sinking on her knees, " dear, "When ladies as young, and good, and beautifiul sweet, angel lady, you are the first that ever blessed as you are," replied the girl, steadily, "give away me with such words as these; and if I had heard your hearts, love will carry you all lengths —even them years ago, they might have turned me from a such as you, who have home, friends, other admirers, life of sin and sorrow; but it is too late, it is too every thing to fill them. When such as I, who have late!" no certain roof but the coffin-lid, and no friend in " It is never too late," said Rose, " for penitence and sickness or death but the hospital nurse, set our rotatonement." ten hearts on any man, and let him fill the place "It is!" cried the girl, writhing in the agony of her that has been a blank through all our wretched mind; "I can not leave him now! I could not be lives, who can hope to cure us? Pity us, lady-pity his death." us for having only one feeling of the woman left, "Why should you be?" asked Rose. and for having that turned by a heavy judgment "Nothing could save him," cried the girl. " If I from a comfort and a pride, into a new means of vitold others what I have told you, and led to their olence and suffering." being taken, he would be sure to die. He is the "You will," said Rose, after a pause, "take some boldest, and has been so cruel!" money from me, which may enable you to live with"Is it possible," cried Rose, "that for such a man out dishonesty-at all events, until we meet again?" as this you can resign every future hope, and the "Not a penny," replied the girl, waving her hand. certainty of immediate rescue? It is madness." "Do not close your heart against all my efforts to "I don't know what it is," answered the girl; "I help you," said Rose, stepping gently forward. "I only know that it is so, and not with me alone, but wish to serve you, indeed." HOW TO ACT NOW? 129 "You would serve me best, lady," replied the girl, herself next day, she arrived at the desperate conwringing her hands, "if you could take my life at elusion of consulting Harry. once; for I have felt more grief to think of what I " If it be painful to him," she thought, "to come am to-night than I ever did before, and it would be back here, how painful it will be to me! But persomething not to die in the hell in which I have haps he will not come; he may write, or he may lived. God bless you, sweet lady, and send as much come himself, and studiously abstain from meeting happiness on your head as I have brought shame on me-he did when he went away. I hardly thought mine!" he would; but it was better for us both." And here Thus speaking, and sobbing aloud, the unhappy Rose dropped the pen and turned away, as though creature turned away; while Rose Maylie, overpow- the very paper which was to be her messenger should ered by this extraordinary interview, which had more not see her weep. the resemblance of a rapid dream than an actual oc- She had taken up the same pen and laid it down currence, sank into a chair, and endeavored to collect again fifty times, and had considered and reconsidher wandering thoughts. ered the first line of her letter without writing the first word, when Oliver, who had been walking in the streets, with Mr. Giles for a body-guard, entered the room in such breathless haste and violent agitaCHAPTER XLI. tion, as seemed to betoken some new cause of alarm. " What makes you look so fiurried?" asked Rose, CONTAINING FRESH DISCOVERIES, AND SHOWING THAT "What makes you look so flurried" asked Rose, SURPRISES, LIKE MISFORTUNES, SELDOM COME ALONE. advancing to meet him. SUjRPRISES, LIK MIFO E, S"I hardly know how; I feel as if I should be IER situation was, indeed, one of no common tri- choked," replied the boy. "Oh dear! To think al and difficulty. While she felt the most ea- that I should see him at last, and you should be able ger and burning desire to penetrate the mystery in to know that I have told you all the truth!" which Oliver's history was enveloped, she could not "I never thought you had told us any thing but but hold sacred the confidence which the miserable the truth," said Rose, soothing him. "But what is woman with whom she had just conversed had re- this? —of whom do you speak?" posed in her, as a young and guileless girl. Her "I have seen the gentleman," replied Oliver, scarcewords and manner had touched Rose Maylie's heart; ly able to articulate, "the gentleman who was so and, mingled with her love for her young charge, and good to me-Mr. Brownlow, that we have so often scarcely less intense, in its truth and fervor, was her talked about." fond wish to win the outcast back to repentance and "Where?" asked Rose. hope. " Getting out of a coach," replied Oliver, shedding They purposed remaining in London only three tears of delight, "and going into a house. I didn't days, prior to departing for some weeks to a distant speak to him-I couldn't speak to him, for he didn't part of the coast. It was now midnight of the first see me, and I trembled so that I was not able to go day. What course of action could she determine up to him. But Giles asked, for me, whether he upon which could be adopted in eight-and-forty lived there, and they said he did. Look here," said hours? Or how could she postpone the journey Oliver, opening a scrap of paper, "here it is; here's without exciting suspicion? where he lives —I'm going there directly! Oh, dear Mr. Losberne was with them, and would be for the me, dear me! What shall I do when I come to see next two days; but Rose was too well acquainted him and hear him speak again!" with the excellent gentleman's impetuosity, and fore- With her attention not a little distracted by these saw too clearly the wrath with which, in the first and a great many other incoherent exclamations of explosion of his indignation, he would regard the in- joy, Rose read the address, which was Craven Street, strument of Oliver's recapture, to trust him with the in the Strand. She very soon determined upon turnsecret, when her representations in the girl's behalf ing the discovery to account. could be seconded by no experienced person. These "Quick!" she said. "Tell them to fetch a hackwere all reasons for the greatest caution and most ney-coach, and be ready to go with me. I will take circumspect behavior in communicating it to Mrs. you there directly, without a minute's loss of time. Maylie, whose first impulse would infallibly be to I will only tell my aunt that we are going out for hold a conference with the worthy doctor on the an hour, and be ready as soon as you are." subject. As to resorting to any legal adviser, even Oliver needed no prompting to dispatch, and in if she had known how to do so, it was scarcely to be little more than five minutes they were on their way thought of for the same reasons. Once the thought to Craven Street. When they arrived there, Rose occurred to her of seeking assistance from Harry; left Oliver in the coach, under pretense of preparing but this awakened the recollection of their last part- the old gentleman to receive him; and sending up ing, and it seemed unworthy of her to call him back, her card by the servant, requested to see Mr. Brownwhen- the tears rose to her eyes as she pursued low on very pressing business. The servant soon rethis train of reflection-he might have by this time turned to beg that she would walk up stairs; and learned to forget her, and to be happier away. following him into an upper room, Miss Maylie was Disturbed by these different reflections; inclining presented to an elderly gentleman of benevolent apnow to one course and then to another, and again pearance, in a bottle-green coat; at no great disrecoiling from all, as each successive consideration tance from whom was seated another old gentleman, presented itself to her mind, Rose passed a sleepless in nankeen breeches and gaiters, who did not look and anxious night. After more communing with particularly benevolent, and who was sitting with I 130 OLIVER TWIST. his hands clasped on the top of a thick stick, and Oliver is not twelve years old at least, I don't see his chin propped thereupon. the application of that remark." "Dear me!" said the gentleman in the bottle-green "Do not heed my friend, Miss Maylie," said Mr. coat, hastily rising with great politeness, " I beg your Brownlow; "he does not mean what he says." pardon, young lady-I imagined it was some impor- "Yes he does," growled Mr. Grimwig. tunate person who-I beg you will excuse me. Be "No, he does not," said Mr. Brownlow, obviously seated, pray." rising in wrath as he spoke. "Mr. Browvulow, I believe, sir?" said Rose, glan- "He'll eat his head, if he doesn't," growled Mr. cing from the other gentleman to the one who had Grimwig. spoken. " He would deserve to have it knocked off, if he " That is my name," said the old gentleman. "This does," said Mr. Brownlow. is my friend, Mr. Grimwig. Grimwig, will you leave "And he'd uncommonly like to see any man offer us for a few minutes?" to do it," responded Mr. Grimwig, knocking his stick "I believe," interposed Miss Maylie, "that at this upon the floor. period of our interview I need not give that gentle- Having gone thus far, the two old gentlemen sevman the trouble of going away. If I am correctly erally took snuff, and afterward shook hands, accordinformed, he is cognizant of the business on which I ing to their invariable custom. wish to speak to you." " Now, Miss Maylie," said Mr. Brownlow, " to return Mr- Brownlow inclined his head. Mr. Grimwig, to the subject in which your humanity is so much inwho had made one very stiff bow, and risen from his terested. Will you let me know what intelligence chair, made another very stiff bow, and dropped into you have of this poor child; allowing me to premise it again. that I exhausted every means in my power of dis" I shall surprise you very much, I have no doubt," covering him, and that since I have been absent said Rose, naturally embarrassed; " but you once from this country, my first impression that he had showed great benevolence and goodness to a very imposed upon me, and had been persuaded by his dear young friend of mine, and I am sure you will former associates to rob me, has been considerably take an interest in hearing of him again." shaken." "Indeed!" said Mr. Brownlow. Rose, who had had time to collect her thoughts, " Oliver Twist you knew him as," replied Rose. at once related, in a few natural words, all that had The words no sooner escaped her lips, than Mr. befallen Oliver since he left Mr. Brownlow's house; Grimwig, who had been affecting to dip into a large reserving Nancy's information for that gentleman's book that lay on the table, upset it with a great private ear, and concluding with the assurance that crash, and faZlling back in his chair, discharged from his only sorrow for some months past had been the his features every expression but one of unmitigated not being able to meet with his former benefactor wonder, and indulged in a prolonged and vacant and friend. stare; then, as -if ashamed of having betrayed so "Thank God!" said the old gentleman. "This is much emotion, he jerked himself, as it were, by a. great happiness to me, great happiness. But you convulsion into his former attitude, and looking out have not told me where he is now, Miss Maylie. You straight before him, emitted a long deep whistle, must pardon my finding fault with you-but why which seemed at last not to be discharged on empty not have brought him?" air, but to die away in the innermost recesses of his "He is waiting in a coach at the door," replied stomach. Rose. Mr. Brownlow was no less surprised, although his "At this door!" cried the old gentleman. With astonishment was not expressed in the same eccen- which he hurried out of the room, down the stairs, tric manner. He drew his chair nearer to Miss May- up the coach-steps, and into the coach, without anlie's; and said, other word. "Do me the favor, my dear young lady, to leave When the room-door closed behind him, Mr. Grimentirely out of the question that goodness and benev- wig lifted up his head, and converting one of the olence of which you speak, and of which nobody else hind legs of his chair into a pivot, described three knows any thing; and if you have it in your power distinct circles with the assistance of his stick and to produce any evidence which will alter the unfa- the table, sitting in it all the time. After performvorable opinion I was once induced to entertain of ing this evolution, he rose and limped as fast as he that poor child, in Heaven's name put me in posses- could up and down the room at least a dozen times, sion of it." and then stopping suddenly before Rose, kissed her "A bad one! I'll eat my head if he is not a bad without the slightest preface. one!" growled Mr. Grimwig, speaking by some ven- " Hush!" he said, as the young lady rose in some triloquial power, without moving a muscle of his alarm at this unusual proceeding. " Don't be afraid. face. I'm old enough to be your grandfather. You're a " He is a child of a noble nature and a warm heart," sweet girl. I like you. Here they are!" said Rose, coloring; "and that Power which has In fact, as he threw himself at one dexterous dive thought fit to try him beyond his years has planted into his former seat, Mr. Brownlow returned, acconlin his breast affections and feelings which would do panied by Oliver, whom Mr. Grimwig received very honor to many who have numbered his days six graciously; and if the gratification of that moment times over." had been the only reward for all her anxiety and care "I'm only sixty-one," said Mr. Grimwig, with the in Oliver's behalf, Rose Maylie would have been well same rigid face. "And, as the devil's in it if this repaid. MR. BROWNLOW'S HEAD FOR THINKING. 131 "There is somebody else who should not be for- "Then what the devil is to be done?" said the imgotten, by-the-bye," said Mr. Brownlow, ringing the petuous doctor, when they had rejoined the two labell. " Send Mrs. Bedwin here, if you please." dies. "Are we to pass a vote of thanks to all these The old housekeeper answered the summons with vagabonds, male and female, and beg them to accept all dispatch; and dropping a courtesy at the door, a hundred pounds or so apiece, as a trifling mark of waited for orders. our esteem, and some slight acknowledgment of their "Why, you get blinder every day, Bedwin," said kindness to Oliver?" Mr. Brownlow, rather testily. " Not exactly that," rejoined Mr. Brownlow, laugh"XWell, that I do, sir," replied the old lady. "Peo- ing, "but we must proceed gently and with great ple's eyes, at my time of life, don't improve with age, care." sir." " Gentleness and care!" exclaimed the doctor. "I could have told you that," rejoined Mr. Brown- "I'd send them, one and all, to-" low; "but put on your glasses, and see if you can't "Never mind where," interposed Mr. Brownlow. find out what you were wanted for, will you?" "But reflect whether sending them anywhere is likeThe old lady began to rummage in her pocket for ly to attain the object we have in view." her spectacles. But Oliver's patience was not proof " What object?" asked the doctor. against this new trial; and yielding to his first im- "Simply the discovery of Oliver's parentage, and pulse, he sprang into her arms. regaining for him the inheritance of which, if this "God be good to me!" cried the old lady, embra- story be true, he has been fraudulently deprived." cing him; " it is my innocent boy!" " Ah!" said Mr. Losberne, cooling himself with his " My dear old nurse!" cried Oliver. pocket-handkerchief; "I almost forgot that." " He would come back-I knew he wouldc," said "You see," pursued Mr. Brownlow, " placing this the old lady, holding him in her arms. " How well poor girl entirely out of the question, and supposing he looks, and how like a gentleman's son he is dressed it were possible to bring these scoundrels to justice again! Where have you been this'long, long while 0? without compromising her safety, what good should Ah! the same sweet face, but not so pale; the same we bring about?" soft eye, but not so sad. I have never forgotten them " Hanging a few of them, at least, in all probabilor his quiet smile, but have seen them every day, side ity," suggested the doctor, "and transporting the by side with those of my own dear children, dead and rest." gone since I was a lightsome young creature." Run- "Very good," replied Mr. Brownlow, smiling; "but ning on thus, and now holding Oliver from her to no doubt they will bring that about for themselves mark how he had grown, now clasping him to her in the fullness of time; and if we step in to forestall and passing her fingers fondly through his hair, the them, it seems to me that we shall be performing a good soul laughed and wept upon his neck by turns. very Quixotic act, in direct opposition to our own inLeaving her and Oliver to compare notes at lei- terest-or at least to Oliver's, which is the same sure, Mr. Brownlow led the way into another room, thing." and there heard from Rose a full narration of her " How?" inquired the doctor. interview with Nancy, which occasioned him no lit- "Thus. It is quite clear that we shall have extie surprise and perplexity. Rose also explained treme difficulty in getting to the bottom of this mysher reasons for not confiding in her friend Mr. Los- tery, unless we can bring this man, Monks, upon his berne in the first instance. The old gentleman con- knees. That can only be done by stratagem, and by sidered that she had acted prudently, and readily un- catching him when he is not surrounded by these dertook to hold solemn conference with the worthy people. For, suppose he were apprehended, we have doctor himself. To afford him an early opportunity no proof against him. He is not even (so far as we for the execution of this design, it was arranged that know, or as the facts appear to us) concerned with he should call at the hotel at eight o'clock that even- the gang in any of their robberies. If he were not ing, and that in the mean time Mrs. Maylie should be discharged, it is very unlikely that he could receive cautiously informed of all that had occurred. These any further punishment than being committed to preliminaries adjusted, Rose and Oliver returned prison as a rogue and vagabond; and of course ever home. afterward his mouth would be so obstinately closed Rose had by no means overrated the measure of that he might as well, for our purposes, be deaf, dumb, the good doctor's wrath. Nancy's history was no blind, and an idiot." sooner unfolded to him, than he poured forth a "Then," said the doctor, impetuously, "I put it to shower of mingled threats and execrations, threat- you again, whether you think it reasonable that this ened to make her the first victim of the combined in- promise to the girl should be considered binding; a genuity of Messrs. Blathers and Duff, and actually promise made with the best and kindest intentions, put on his hat preparatory to sallying forth to ob- but:eally —" tain the assistance of those worthies. And doubt- " Do not discuss the point, my dear young lady, less he would, in this first outbreak, have carried the pray," said Mr. Brownlow, interrupting Rose as she intention into effect without a moment's considera- was about to speak. " The promise shall be kept. tion of the consequences, if he had not been restrain- I don't think it will, in the slightest degree, interfere ed in part by corresponding violence on the side of with our proceedings. But before we can resolve Mr. Brownlow, who was himself of an irascible tem- upon any precise course of action, it will be necessaperament, and partly by such arguments and repre- ry to see the girl, to ascertain from her whether she sentations as seemed best calculated to dissuade him will point out this Monks, on the understanding that from his hot-brained purpose. he is to be dealt with by us, and not by the law; or, 132 OLIVER TWIST. if she will not or can not do that, to procure from CHAPTER XLII. her such an account of his haunts and description of his person as will enable us to identify him. She AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF OLIVER'S, EXHIBITING DEI can not be seen until next Sunday night; this is CIDED MARES OF GENIUS, BECOMESA PUBLIC CHARACTER IN THE METROPOLIS. Tuesday. I would suggest that in the mean time we remain perfectly quiet, and keep these matters secret -PON the night when Nancy, having lulled Mr. even from Oliver himself." U Sikes to sleep, hurried on her self-imposed misAlthough Mr. Losberne received with many wry sion to Rose Maylie, there advanced toward London faces a proposal involving a delay of five whole days, by the Great North Road two persons, upon whom it he was fain to admit that no better course occurred is expedient that this history should bestow some atto him just then; and as both Rose and Mrs. Maylie tention. sided very strongly with Mr. Brownlow, that gentle- They were a man and woman; or perhaps they man's proposition was carried unanimously. would be better described as a male and female: for "I should like," he said, "to call in the aid of my the former was one of those long-limbed, knockfriend Grimwig. He is a strange creature, but a kneed, shambling, bony people, to whom it is diffishrewd one, and might prove of material assistance cult to assign any precise age-looking as they do, to us; I should say that he was bred a lawyer, and when they are yet boys, like undergrown men, and quitted the Bar in disgust because he had only one when they are almost men, like overgrown boys. brief and a motion of course, in twenty years, though The woman was young, but of a robust and hardy whether that is a recommendation or not, you must make, as she need have been to bear the weight of determine for yourselves." the heavy bundle which was strapped to her back. " I have no objection to your calling in your friend Her companion was not incumbered with much lugif I may call in mine," said the doctor. gage, as there merely dangled from a stick which he "We must put it to the vote," replied Mr. Brown- carried over his shoulder a small parcel wrapped in a lowv, " who may he be?" common handkerchief, and apparently light enough. " That lady's son, and this young lady's-very old This circumstance, added to the length of his legs, friend," said the doctor, motioning toward Mrs. May- which were of unusual extent, enabled him with lie, and concluding with an expressive glance at her much ease to keep some half dozen paces in advance niece. of his companion, to whom he occasionally turned Rose blushed deeply, but she did not make any with an impatient jerk of the head, as if reproaching audible objection to this motion (possibly she felt in her tardiness, and urging her to greater exertion. a hopeless minority); and Harry Maylie andMr. Grim- Thus they had toiled along the dusty road, taking wig were accordingly added to the committee. little heed of any object within sight, save when "We stay in town, of course," said Mrs. Maylie, they stepped aside to allow a wider passage for the "while there remains the slightest prospect of pros- mail-coaches which were whirling out of town, unecuting this inquiry with a chance of success. I will til they passed through Highgate archway; when spare neither trouble nor expense in behalf of the ob- the foremost traveler stopped and called impatiently ject in which we are all so deeply interested, and I to his companion. am content to remain here, if it be for twelve months, " Come on, can't yer? What a lazybones yer are, so long as you assure me that any hope remains." Charlotte!" "Good!" rejoined Mr. Brownlow. "And as I see "It's a heavy load, I can tell you," said the female, on the faces about me a disposition to inquire how it coming up, almost breathless with fatigue. happened that I was not in the way to corroborate "Heavy! What are yer talking about What Oliver's tale, and had so suddenly left the kingdom, are yer made for?" rejoined the male traveler, changlet me stipulate that I shall be asked no questions ing his own little bundle as he spoke, to the other until such time as I may deem it expedient to fore- shoulder. "Oh, there yer are, resting again! Well, stall them by telling my own story. Believe me, I if yer ain't enough to tire any body's patience out, I make this request with good reason, for I might oth- don't know what is!" erwise excite hopes destined never to be realized, and "Is it much farther?" asked the woman, resting only increase difficulties and disappointments already herself against a bank, and looking up with the per, quite numerous enough. Come! Supper has been spiration streaming from her face. announced, and young Oliver, who is all alone in the " Much farther! Yer as good as there," said the next room, will have begun to think by this time that long-legged tramper, pointing out before him. " Look we have wearied of his company, and entered into there! Those are the lights of London." some dark conspiracy to thrust him forth upon the "They're a good two mile off, at least," said the world." woman, despondingly. With these words, the old gentleman gave his hand "Never mind whether they're two mile off, or to Mrs. Maylie, and escorted her into the supper-room. twenty," said Noah Claypole, for he it was; "but Mr. Losberne followed, leading Rose, and the council get up and come on, or I'll kick yer, and so I give was, for the present, effectually broken up. yer notice." As Noah's red nose grew redder with anger, and as he crossed the road while speaking, as if fully prepared to put his threat into execution, the woman rose without any further remark, and trudged onward by his side. " Where do you mean to stop for the night, Noah?" MR. CLAYPOLE AND LADY. 133 she asked, after they had walked a few hundred "I took it for you, Noah, dear," rejoined Charlotte. yards. "Did I keep it?" asked Mr. Claypole. " How should I know?" replied Noah, whose tem- "No; you trusted in me, and let me carry it, like per had been considerably impaired by walking. a dear, and so you are," said the lady, chucking him "Near, I hope," said Charlotte. under the chin, and drawing her arm through his. "No, not near," replied Mr. Claypole. "There! This was indeed the case; but as it was not Mr. Not near; so don't think it." Claypole's habit to repose a blind and foolish confi"Why not?" dence in any body, it should be observed, in justice "When I tell yer that I don't mean to do a thing, to that gentleman, that he had trusted Charlotte to that's enough, without any why or because either," this extent, in order that, if they were pursued, the replied Mr. Claypole, with dignity. money might be found on her; which would leave "Well, you needn't be so cross," said his com- him an opportunity of asserting his innocence of any panion. theft, and would greatly facilitate his chances of es"A pretty thing it would be, wouldn't it, to go and cape. Of course he entered, at this juncture, into no stop at the very first public-house outside the town, explanation of his motives, and they walked on very so that Sowerberry, if he come up after us, might lovingly together. I,, F-7)__ -7, "4LOOK THERE! THOSE ARE THE LIGHTS OF LONDON." poke in his old nose, and have us taken back in a In pursuance of this cautious plan, Mr. Claypolo cart with handcuffs on," said Mr. Claypole, in a jeer- went on, without halting, until he arrived at the ing tone. "No! I shall go and lose myself among Angel at Islington, where he wisely judged, from the narrowest streets I can find, and not stop till we the crowd of passengers and number of vehicles, that come to the very out-of-the-wayest house I can set London began in earnest. Just pausing to observe eyes on.'Cod, yer may thank yer stars I've got a which appeared the most crowded streets, and conhead; for if we hadn't gone at first the wrong road sequently the most to be avoided, he crossed into a purpose, and come back across country, yer'd have Saint John's Road, and was soon deep in the obscubeen locked up hard and fast a week ago, my lady. rity of the intricate and dirty ways, which, lying beAnd serve yer right for being a fool." tween Gray's Inn Lane and Smithfield, render that "I know I ain't as cunning as you are," replied part of the town one of the lowest and worst that Charlotte; " but don't put all the blame on me, and improvement has left in the midst of London. say I should have been locked up. You would have Through these streets Noah Claypole walked, dragbeen if I had been, any way." ging Charlotte after him; now stepping into the ken" Yer took the money from the till, yer know yer nel to embrace at a glance the whole external chardid," said Mr. Claypole. acter of some small public - house, now jogging or 134 OLIVER TWIST. again, as some fancied appearance induced him to "Strangers!" repeated the old man, in a whisper. believe it too public for his purpose. At length lie "Ah! Ad rub uds too," added Barney. "Frob stopped in front of one more humble in appearance the cuttry, but subthig in your way, or I'b bistaked." and more dirty than any he had yet seen; and, hav- Fagin appeared to receive this communication with ing crossed over and surveyed it from the opposite great interest. Mounting a stool, he cautiously appavement, graciously announced his intention of put- plied his eye to the pane of glass, from which secret ting up for the night. post he could see Mr. Claypole taking cold beef from "So give us the bundle," said Noah, unstrapping the dish and porter from the pot, and administering it from the woman's shoulders, and slinging it over homeopathic doses of both to Charlotte, who sat pahis own, "and don't yer speak except when yer tiently by, eating and drinking at his pleasure. spoke to. What's the name of the house-t-h-r- "Aha!" he whispered, looking round to Barney, three what?" "I like that fellow's looks. He'd be of use to us; "Cripples," said Charlotte. he knows how to train the girl already. Don't make "Three Cripples," repeated Noah, "and a very as much noise as a mouse, my dear, and let me hear good sign too. Now, then! Keep close at my heels,'em talk-let me hear'em." and come along." With these injunctions, he pushed He again applied his eye to the glass, and turning the rattling door with his shoulder, and entered the his ear to the partition, listened attentively, with a house, followed by his companion. subtle and eager look upon his face that might have There was nobody in the bar but a young Jew, appertained to some old goblin. who, with his two elbows on the counter, was read- "So I mean to be a gentleman," said Mr. Claypole, ing a dirty newspaper. He stared very hard at Noah, kicking out his legs, and continuing a conversation and Noah stared very hard at him. the commencement of which Fagin had arrived too If Noah had been attired in his charity-boy's dress, late to hear. "No more jolly old coffins, Charlotte, there might have been some reason for the Jew open- but a gentleman's life for me; and, if yer like, yer ing his eyes so wide; but as he had discarded the coat shall be a lady." andbadge, and wore a short smock-frock over his leath- "I should like that well enough, dear," replied ers, there seemed no particular reason for his appear- Charlotte; " but tills ain't to be emptied every day, ance exciting so much attention in a public-house. and people to get clear off after it." "Is this the Three Cripples?" asked Noah. "Tills be blowed!" said Mr. Claypole; "there's " That is the dabe of this ouse," replied the Jew. more things besides tills to be emptied." "A gentleman we met on the road, coming up "What do you mean?" asked his companion. from the country, recommended us here," said Noah, " Pockets, women's ridicules, houses, mail-coaches, nudging Charlotte, perhaps to call her attention to banks!" said Mr. Claypole, rising with the porter. this most ingenious device for attracting respect, " But you can't do all that, dear," said Charlotte. and perhaps to warn her to betray no surprise. " We " I shall look out to get into company with them want to sleep here to-night." as can," replied Noah. " They'll be able to make us " I'b dot certaid you cad," said Barney, who was the useful someway or another. Why, you yourself are attendant sprite; "but I'll idquire." worth fifty women; I never see such a precious sly " Show us the tap, and give us a bit of cold meat and deceitful creetur as yer can be when I let yer." and a drop of beer while yer inquiring, will yer?" " Lor, how nice it is to hear you say so!" exclaimsaid Noah. ed Charlotte, imprinting a kiss upon his ugly face. Barney complied by ushering them into a small "There, that'll do; don't yer be too affectionate, back-room, and setting the required viands before in case I'm cross with yer," said Noah, disengaging them; having done which, he informed the travelers himself with great gravity. "I should like to be that they could be lodged that night, and left the the captain of some band, and have the whopping amiable couple to their refreshment. of'em, and follering rem about, unbeknown to themNow, this back-room was immediately behind the selves. That would suit me, if there was good profbar, and some steps lower, so that any person con- it; and if we could only get in with some gentlenected with the house undrawing a small curtain, men of this sort, I say it would be cheap at that which concealed a single pane of glass fixed in the twenty-pound note you've got-especially as we wall of the last-named apartment about five feet don't very well know how to get rid of it ourfrom its flooring, could not only look down upon any selves." guests in the back-room without any great hazard After expressing this opinion, Mr. Claypole look4 of being observed (the glass being in a dark angle of ed into the porter-pot with an aspect of deep wisthe wall, between which and a large upright beam dom; and having well shaken its contents, nodded the observer had to thrust himself), but could, by condescendingly to Charlotte, and took a draught, applying his ear to the partition, ascertain with wherewith he appeared greatly refreshed. He was tolerable distinctness their subject of conversation. meditating another, when the sudden opening of the The landlord of the house had not withdrawn his door and the appearance of a stranger interrupted eye from this place of espial for five minutes, and him. Barney had only just returned from making the com- The stranger was Mr. Fagin. And very amiable munication above related, when Fagin, in the course he looked, and a very low bow he made as he adof his evening's business, came into the bar to inquire vanced, and, setting himself down at the nearest taafter some of his young pupils. ble, ordered something to drink of the grinning Bar"Hush!" said Barney: "stradegers id the next ney. roob." "A pleasant night, sir, but cool for the time of AN OPENING PRESENTS ITSELF. 135 year," said Fagin, rubbing his hands. "From the "What advantage would it be to me to be any country, I see, sir?" thing else?" inquired Fagin, shrugging his shoul"How do yer see that?" asked Noah Claypole. ders. "Here! Let me have a word with you out"We have not so much dust as that in London," side." replied Fagin, pointing from Noah's shoes to those "There's no occasion to trouble ourselves to of his companion, and from them to the two bundles. move," said Noah, getting his legs by gradual degrees " Yer a sharp feller," said Noah. " Ha! ha! only abroad again. "She'll take the luggage up stairs hear that, Charlotte!" the while. Charlotte, see to them bundles!" " Why, one need be sharp in this town, my dear," This mandate, which had been delivered with replied the Jew, sinking his voice to a confidential great majesty, was obeyed without the slightest dewhisper; " and that's the truth." mur; and Charlotte nade the best of her way off Fagin followed up this remark by striking the with the packages while Noah held the door open side of his nose with his right forefinger —a gesture and watched her out. which Noah attempted to imitate, though not with " She's kept tolerably well under, ain't she?" he complete success, in consequence of his own nose not asked, as he resumed his seat, in the tone of a keeper being large enough for the purpose. However, Mr. who has tamed some wild animal. Fagin seemed to interpret the endeavor as express- " Quite perfect," rejoined Fagin, clapping him on ing a perfect coincidence with his opinion, and put the shoulder. "You're a genius, my dear." about the liquor which Barney re-appeared with in "Why, I suppose if I wasn't I shouldn't be here," a very friendly manner. replied Noah. " But, I say, she'll be back if yer lose " Good stuff that," observed Mr. Claypole, smack- time." ing his lips. " Now, what do you think?" said Fagin. " If you " Dear!" said Fagin. "A man need be always was to like my friend, could you do better than join emptying a till, or a pocket, or a woman's reticule, him?" or a house, or a mail-coach, or a bank, if he drinks it " Is he in a good way of business; that's where it regularly." is!" responded Noah, winking one of his little eyes. Mr. Claypole no sooner heard this extract from his "The top of the tree; employs a power of hands; own remarks than he fell back in his chair, and has the very best society in the profession." looked from the Jew to Charlotte with a counte- "Regular town-maders?" asked Mr. Claypole. nance of ashy paleness and excessive terror. "Not a countryman among'em; and I don't think "Don't mind me, my dear," said Fagin, drawing he'd take you, even on my recommendation, if he his chair closer. " Ha! ha! it was lucky it was only didn't run rather short of assistants just now," reme that heard you by chance. It was very lucky it plied Fagin. was only me." " Should I have to hand over?" said Noah, slapping "I didn't take it," stammered Noah, no longer his breeches-pocket. stretching out his legs like an independent gentle- "It couldn't possibly be done without," replied man, but coiling them up as well as he could under Fagin, in a most decided manner. his chair; "it was all her doing; yer've got it now, " Twenty pound, though-it's a lot of money!" Charlotte, yer know yer have." " Not when it's in a note you can't get rid of," re" No matter who's got it, or who did it, my dear!" torted Fagin. "Number and date taken, I suppose? replied Fagin, glancing, nevertheless, with a hawk's Payment stopped at the bank? Ah! It's not worth eye at the girl and the two bundles. " I'm in that much to him. It'll have to go abroad, and he way myself, and I like you for it." couldn't sell it for a great deal in the market." "In what way?" asked Mr. Claypole, a little re- "When could I see him?" asked Noah, doubtfully. covering. " To-morrow morning." "In that way of business," rejoined Fagin; "and "Where?" so are the people of the house. You've hit the right "Here?" nail upon the head, and are as safe here as you could " Um!" said Noah. " What's the wages?" be. There is not a safer place in all this town than "Live like a gentleman-board and lodging, pipes is The Cripples-that is, when I like to make it so. and spirits free-half of all you earn, and half of all And I have taken a fancy to you and the young the young woman earns," replied Mr. Fagin. woman; so I've said the word, and you may make Whether Noah Claypole, whose rapacity was none your minds easy." of the least comprehensive, would have acceded Noah Claypole's mind might have been at ease af- even to these glowing terms, had he been a perfectly ter this assurance, but his body certainly was not; free agent, is very doubtful; but as he recollected for he shuffled and writhed about into various un- that, in the event of his refusal, it was in the power couth positions, eying his new friend meanwhile of his new acquaintance to give him up to justice with mingled fear and suspicion. immediately (and more unlikely things had come to "I'll tell you more," said Fagin, after he had reas- pass), he gradually relented, and said he thought sured the girl by dint of friendly nods and muttered that would suit him. encouragements. "I have got a friend that I think "But, yer see," observed Noah, "as she will be can gratify your darling wish, and put you in the able to do a good deal, I should like to take someright way, where you can take whatever department thing very light." of the business you think will suit you best at first, "A little fancy work?" suggested Fagin. and be taught all the others." "Ah! something of that sort," replied Noah. " Yer speak as if yer were in earnest," replied Noah. "What do you think would suit me, now? Some 136 OLIVER TWIST. thing not too trying for the strength, and not very telling the truth for once. "Good-night! Gooddangerous, you know. That's the sort of thing!" night!" "I heard you talk of something in the spy way With many adieus and good wishes, Mr. Fagin upon the others, my dear," said Fagin. " My friend went his way. Noah Claypole, bespeaking his good wants somebody who would do that well, very lady's attention, proceeded to enlighten her relative much." to the arrangement he had made with all that haugh"Why, I did mention that, and I shouldn't mind tiness and air of superiority becoming, not only a turning my hand to it sometimes," rejoined Mr. Clay- member of the sterner sex, but a gentleman who appole, slowly; "but it wouldn't pay by itself, you preciated the dignity of a special appointment on the know." kinchin lay in London and its vicinity. "That's true!" observed the Jew, ruminating, or pretending to ruminate. " No, it might not." " What do you think, then?" asked Noah, anxiously regarding him. "Something in the sneaking way, CHAPTER XLIII. where it was pretty sure work, and not much more risk than being, at home.WHEREIN IS SHOWN nOW THE ARTFUL DODGER GOT risk than being at home." INTO TROUBLE. " What do you think of the old ladies?" asked Fagin. " There's a good deal of money made in snatch- " A ND so it was you that was your own friend, ing their bags and parcels and running round the i- was it?" asked Mr. Claypole, otherwise Bolter, corner." when, by virtue of the compact entered into between "Don't they holler out a good deal, and scratch them, he had removed next day to Fagin's house, sometimes?" asked Noah, shaking his head. " I "'Cod, I thought as much last night!" don't think that would answer my purpose. Ain't "Every man's his own friend, my dear," replied there any other line open?" Fagin, with his most insinuating grin. " He hasn't "Stop!" said Fagin, laying his hand on Noah's as good an one as himself anywhere." knee. "The kinchin lay." "Except sometimes," replied Morris Bolter, assum"What's that?" demanded Mr. Claypole. ing the air of a man of the world. " Some people "The kinchins, my dear," said Fagin, "is the are nobody's enemies but their own, yer know." young children that's sent on errands by their moth- "Don't believe that," said Fagin. " WVhen a man's ers with sixpences and shillings; and the lay is just his own enemy, it's only because he's too much his to take their money away-they've always got it own friend; not because he's careful for every body ready in their hands-then knock'em into the ken- but himself. Pooh! pooh! There ain't such a nel, and walk off very slow, as if there were nothing thing in nature." else the matter but a child fallen down and hurt it- "There oughtn't to be, if there is," replied Mr. self. Ha! ha! ha!" Bolter. " Ha! ha!" roared Mr. Claypole, kicking up his " That stands to reason. Some conjurers say that legs in an ecstasy. " Lord, that's the very thing!" number three is the magic number, and some say. " To be sure it is," replied Fagin; "and you can number seven. It's neither, my friend, neither. It's have a few good beats chalked out in Camden Town, number one." and Battle Bridge, and neighborhoods like that, where "Ha! ha!" cried Mr. Bolter. " Number one forthey're always going errands; and you can upset as ever!" many kinchins as you want, any hour in the day. "In a little community like ours, my dear," said Ha! ha! ha!" Fagin, who felt it necessary to qualify this position, With this, Fagin poked Mr. Claypole in the side, "we have a general number one; that is, you can't and they joined in a burst of laughter both long and consider yourself as number one, without considerloud. ing me too as the same, and all the other young peo"Well, that's all right!" said Noah, when he had ple." recovered himself, and Charlotte had returned. "Oh, the devil!" exclaimed Mr. Bolter. "What time to-morrow shall we say?" "You see," pursued Fagin, affecting to disregard "Will ten do?" asked Fagin, adding, as Mr. Clay- this interruption, " we are so mixed up together, and pole nodded assent, "What name shall I tell my identified in our interests, that it must be so. For good friend?" instance, it's your object to take care of number one "Mr. Bolter," replied Noah, who had prepatrel him- -meaning yourself." self for such an emergency. "Mr. Morris Bolter. "Certainly," replied Mr. Bolter. " Yer about right This is Mrs. Bolter." there." "Mrs. Bolter's humble servant," said Fagin, bow- "Well! You can't take care of yourself, number ing with grotesque politeness. " I hope I shall know one, without taking care of me, number one." her better very shortly." "Number two, you mean," said Mr. Bolter, who "Do you hear the gentleman, Charlotte?" thun- was largely endowed with the quality of selfishness. dered Mr. Claypole. "No, I don't!" retorted Fagin. "I'm of the same " Yes, Noah dear!" responded Mrs. Bolter, extend- importance to you, as you are to yourself." ing her hand. " I say," interrupted Mr. Bolter, " yer a very nice " She calls me Noah, as a sort of fond way of talk- man, and I'm very fond of yer; but we ain't quite ing," said Mr. Morris Bolter, late Claypole, turning so thick together as all that comes to." to Fagin. " You understand?" " Only think," said Fagin, shrugging his shoulders " Oh yes, I understand-perfectly," replied Fagin, and stretching out his hands, "only consider. You've THE POST OF HONOR IS A NEWGATE STATION. 137 done what's a very pretty thing, and what I love you " If they don't get any fresh evidence, it'll only be a for doing; but what at the same time would put the summary conviction, and we shall have him back cravat round your throat, that's so very easily tied again after six weeks or so; but if they do, it's a case and so very difficult to unloose-in plain English, of lagging. They know what a clever lad he is, he'll the halter!" be a lifer. They'll make the Artfuil nothing less than Mr. Bolter put his hand to his neckerchief, as if he a lifer." felt it inconveniently tight, and murmured an assent, "What do yer mean by lagging and a lifer?" dequalified in tone but not in substance. manded Mr. Bolter. " What's the good of talking " The gallows," continued Fagin, " the gallows, my in that way to me; why don't yer speak so as I can dear, is an ugly finger-post, which points out a very understand yer?" short and sharp turning that has stopped many a Fagin was about to translate these mysterious exbold fellow's career on the broad highway. To keep pressions into the vulgar tongue; and, being interin the easy road, and keep it at a distance, is object preted, Mr. Bolter would have been informed that number one with you." they represented that combination of words, "trans" Of course it is," replied Mr. Bolter. " What do portation for life," when the dialogue was cut short yer talk about such things for?" by the entry of Master Bates, with his hands in his " Only to show you my meaning clearly," said the breeches-pockets, and his face twisted into a lock of Jew, raising his eyebrows. " To be able to do that, semi-comical woe. you depend upon me. To keep my little business all " It's all up, Fagin," said Charley, when he and his snug, I depend upon you. The first is your number new companion had been made known to each other. one, the second my number one. The more you value " What do you mean?" your number one, the more careful you must be of "They've found the gentleman as owns the box; mine; so we come at last to what I told you at first two or three more's a-coming to'dentify him; and -that a regard for number one holds us all together, the Artful's booked for a passage out," replied Master and must do so, unless we would all go to pieces in Bates. "I must have a full suit of mourning, Fagin, company." and a hat-band, to wisit him in afore he sets out "That's true%" rejoined Mr. Bolter, thoughtfully. upon his travels. To think of Jack Dawkins-lum." Oh! yer a cunning old codger." my Jack-the Dodger-the Artful Dodger-going Mr. Fagin saw, with delight, that this tribute to abroad for a common twopenny-half-penny sneezehis powers was no mere compliment, but that he had box! I never thought he'd a done it under a gold really impressed his recruit with a sense of his wily watch, chain, and seals, at the lowest. Oh, why genius, which it was most important that he should didn't he rob some rich old gentleman of all his walentertain in the outset of their acquaintance. To ables, and go out as a gentleman, and not like a comstrengthen an impression so desirable and useful, he mon prig, without no honor nor glory!" followed up the blow by acquainting him, in some With this expression of feeling for his unfortunate detail, with the magnitude and extent of his opera- friend, Master Bates sat himself on the nearest chair tions, blending truth and fiction together, as best with an aspect of chagrin and despondency. served his purpose, and bringing both to bear with "What do you talk about his having neither honso much art that Mr. Bolter's respect visibly in- or nor glory for!" exclaimed Fagin, darting an angry creased, and became tempered, at the same time, look at his pupil. "Wasn't he always top-sawyer with a degree of wholesome fear which it was high- among you all? Is there one of you that could touch ly desirable to awaken. him or come near him on any scent! Eh?" "It's this mutual trust we have in each other "Not one," replied Master Bates, in a voice renderthat consoles me under heavy losses," said Fagin. ed husky by regret; " not one." "My best hand was taken from me yesterday morn- " Then what do you talk of?" replied Fagin, angriing." ly; "what are you blubbering for?" "You don't mean to say he died?" cried Mr. "'Cause it isn't on the rec-ord, is it?" said Charley, Bolter. chafed into perfect defiance of his venerable friend "No, no," replied Fagin, "not so bad as that. by the current of his regrets; "'cause it can't, come Not quite so bad." out in the'dictment;'cause nobody will never know " What; I suppose he was-" half of what he was. How will he stand in the New" Wanted," interposed Fagin. " Yes, he was want- gate Calendar? P'raps not be there at all. Oh, my ed." eye, my eye, wot a blow it is!" "Very particular?" inquired Mr. Bolter. "Ha! ha!" cried Fagin, extending his right hand, " No," replied Fagin, "not very. He was charged and turning to Mr. Bolter in a fit of chuckling which with attempting to pick a pocket, and they found a shook him as though he had the palsy; " see what a silver snuff-box on him-his own, my dear, his own, pride they take in their profession, my dear. Ain't for he took snuff himself, and was very fond of it. it beautifill?" They remanded him till to-day, for they thought Mr. Bolter nodded assent; and Fagin, after conthey knew the owner. Ah! he was worth fifty templating the grief of Charley Bates for some secboxes, and I'd give the price of as many to have him onds with evident satisfaction, stepped up to that back. You should have known the Dodger, my young gentleman and patted him on the shoulder. dear; you should have known the Dodger." "Never mind, Charley," said Fagin, soothingly; " Well, but I shall know him, I hope; don't yer "it'll come out, it'll be sure to come out. They'll all think so?" said Mr. Bolter. know what a clever fellow he was; he'll show it him"I'm doubtful about it," replied Fagin, with a sigh. self, and not disgrace his old pals and teachers. Think 138 OLIVER TWIST. how young he is too! What a distinction, Charley, disgust. " The cutting away when there's any thing to be lagged at his time of life!" wrong, and the eating all the wittles when there's "Well, it is a honor, that is!" said Charley, a little every thing right; is that his branch?" consoled. "Never mind," retorted Mr. Bolter; " and don't "He shall have all he wants," continued the Jew. yer take liberties with yer superiors, little boy, or "He shall be kept in the Stone Jug, Charley, like a yer'll find yerself in the wrong shop." gentleman. Like a gentleman! With his beer ev- Master Bates laughed so vehemently at this magery day, and money in his pocket to pitch and toss nificent threat, that it was some time before Fagin with, if he can't spend it." could interpose, and represent to Mr. Bolter that he "No, shall he, though?" cried Charley Bates. incurred no possible danger in visiting the police-of"Ay, that he shall," replied Fagin, " and we'll have fice; that, inasmuch as no account of the little affair a big-wig, Charley-one that's got the greatest gift in which he had been engaged, nor any description of the gab-to carry on his defense; and he shall of his person, had yet been forwarded to the metropmake a speech for himself too, if he likes; and we'll olis, it was very probable that he wasnot even susread it all in the papers —'Artful Dodger-shrieks pected of having resorted to it for shelter; and that of laughter-here the court was convulsed'-eh, if he were properly disguised, it would be as safe a Charley, eh?" spot for him to visit as any in London, inasmuch as "Ha! ha!" laughed Master Bates, "what a lark it would be, of all places, the very last to which he that would be, wouldn't it, Fagin? I say, how the could be supposed likely to resort of his own free Artful would bother'em, wouldn't he?" will. "Would!" cried Fagin. " He shall-he will!" Persuaded in part by these representations, but "Ah, to be sure, so he will," repeated Charley, rub- overborne in a much greater degree by his fear of bing his hands. Fagin, Mr. Bolter at length consented, with a very "I think I see him now!" cried the Jew, bending bad grace, to undertake the expedition. By Fagin's his eyes upon his pupil. directions, he immediately substituted for his own "So do I!" cried Charley Bates. "Ha! ha! ha! attire a wagoner's frock, velveteen breeches, and so do I! I see it all afore me, upon my soul I do, Fa- leather leggings, all of which articles the Jew had gin. What a game! What a regular game! All at hand. He was likewise furnished with a felt hat the big-wigs trying to look solemn, and Jack Daw- well garnished with turnpike tickets, and a carter's kins addressing of'em as intimate and comfortable whip. Thus equipped, he was to saunter into the as if he was the judge's own son making a speech a:- office, as some country fellow from Covent Garden ter dinner-ha! ha! ha!" market might be supposed to do for the gratification In fact, Mr. Fagin had so well humored his young of his curiosity; and as he was as awkward, ungainfriend's eccentric disposition, that Master Bates, who ly, and raw-boned a fellow as need be, Mr. Fagin had had at first been disposed to consider the imprisoned no fear but that he would look the part to perfection. Dodger rather in the light of a victim, now looked These arrangements completed, he was informed upon him as the chief actor in a scene of most un- of the necessary signs and tokens by which to recogcommon and exquisite humor, and felt quite impa- nize the Artful Dodger, and was conveyed by Master tient for the arrival of the time when his old com- Bates through dark and winding ways to within a panion should have so favorable an opportunity of very short distance of Bow Street. Having described displaying his abilities. the precise situation of the office, and accompanied "We must know how he gets on to-day, by some it with copious directions how he was to walk straight handy means or other," said Fagin. " Let me think." up the passage, and when he got into the yard take "Shall I go?" asked Charley. the door up the steps on the right-hand side, and "Not for the world," replied Fagin. "Are you pull off his hat as he went into the room, Charley mad, my dear, stark mad, that you'd walk into the Bates bade him hurry on alone, and promised to bide very place where- No, Charley, no. One is enough his return on the spot of their parting. to lose at a time." Noah Claypole, or Morris Bolter, as the reader "You don't mean to go yourself, I suppose?" said pleases, punctually followed the directions he had Charley, with a humorous leer. received, which-Master Bates being pretty well ac-" That wouldn't quite fit," replied Fagin, shaking quainted with the locality-were so exact that he his head. was enabled to gain the magisterial presence with" Then why don't you send this new cove?" asked out asking any question, or meeting with any interMaster Bates, laying his hand on Noah's arm. "No- ruption by the way. He found himselfjostled among body knows him." a crowd of people, chiefly women, who were huddled "Why, if he didn't mind-" observed Fagin. together in a dirty, frowsy room, at the upper end of "Mind!" interposed Charley. " What should he which was a raised platform railed off from the rest, have to mind?" with a dock for the prisoners on the left hand against " Really nothing, my dear," said Fagin, turning to the wall, a box for the witnesses in the middle, and Mr. Bolter," really nothing." a desk for the magistrates on the right; the awful "Oh, I dare say about that, yer know," observed locality last' named being screened off by a partition Noah, backing toward the door, and shaking his which concealed the bench from the common gaze, head with a kind of sober alarm. "No, no —none and left the vulgar to imagine (if they could) the of that. It's not in my department, that ain't." full majesty of justice. "Wot department has he got, Fagin?" inquired There were only a couple of women in the dock, Master Bates, surveying Noah's lank form with much who were nodding to their admiring friends, while MIR. BOLTER DISGUISED. 139 the clerk read some depositions to a couple of police- the jailer. "He has been pretty well everywhere men and a man in plain clothes who leaned over the else. I know him well, your worship." table. A jailer stood reclining against the dock-rail, "Oh! you know me, do you?" cried the Artful, tapping his nose listlessly with a large key, except making a note of the statement. "Wery good. when he repressed an undue tendency to conversa- That's a case of deformation of character, any way." tion among the idlers by proclaiming silence, or look- Here there was another laugh, and another cry of ed sternly up to bid some woman " Take that baby silence. out," when the gravity of justice was disturbed by "Now, then, where are the witnesses?" said the feeble cries, half-smothered in the mother's shawl, clerk. from some meagre infant. The room smelled close "Ah! that's right," added the Dodger. "Where and unwholesome; the walls were dirt-discolored, are they? I should like to see'em." and the ceiling blackened. There was an old smoky This wish was immediately gratified, for a policebust over the mantel-shelf, and a dusty clock above man stepped forward who had seen the prisoner atthe dock-the only thing present that seemed to go tempt the pocket of an unknown gentleman in a on as it ought; for depravity, or poverty, or an ha- crowd, and, indeed, take a handkerchief therefrom, bitual acquaintance with both, had left a taint on all which, being a very old one, he deliberately put the animate matter, hardly less unpleasant than the back again, after trying it on his own countenance. thick, greasy scum on every inanimate object that For this reason he took the Dodger into custody as frowned upon it. soon as he could get near him, and the said Dodger, Noah looked eagerly about him for the Dodger; being searched, had upon his person a silver snuffbut although there were several women who would box, with the owner's name engraved upon the lid. have done very well for that distinguished charac- This gentleman had been discovered on reference to ter's mother or sister, and more than one man who the Court Guide; and being then and there present, might be supposed to bear a strong resemblance to swore that the snuff-box was his, and that he had his father, nobody at all answering the description missed it on the previous day, the moment he had given him of Mr. Dawkins was to be seen. He wait- disengaged himself from the crowd before referred ed in a state of much suspense and uncertainty until to. He had also remarked a young gentleman in the women, being committed for trial, went flaunt- the throng particularly active in making his way ing out, and then was quickly relieved by the ap- about, and that young gentleman was the prisoner pearance of another prisoner who he felt at once before him. could be no other than the object of his visit. " Have you any thing to ask this witness, boy?" It was indeed Mr. Dawkins, who, shuffling into the said the magistrate. office with the big coat sleeves tucked up as usual, "I wouldn't abase myself by descending to hold his left hand in his pocket, and his hat in his right no conversation with him," replied the Dodger. hand, preceded the jailer with a rolling gait alto- " Have you any thing to say at all?" gether indescribable, and, taking his place in the " Do you hear his worship ask if you've any thing dock, requested, in an audible voice, to know what to say?" inquired the jailer, nudging the silent Dodghe was placed in that'ere disgraceful sitivation for. er with his elbow. " Hold your tongue, will you?" said the jailer. " I beg your pardon," said the Dodger, looking up " I'm an Englishman, ain't I?" rejoined the Dodger. with an air of abstraction. "Did you redress your"Where are my priwileges?" self to me, my man?" "' You'll get your privileges soon enough," retorted "I never see such an out-and-out young waga. the jailer, "and pepper with'em." bond, your worship," observed the officer, with a "We'll see wot the Secretary of State for the grin. "Do you mean to say any thing, you young Home Affairs has got to say to the beaks, if I don't," shaver?" replied Mr. Dawkins. " Now then! wot is this here " No," replied the Dodger, "not here, for this ain't business? I shall thank the madg'strates to dispose the shop for justice; besides which, my attorney is of this here little affair, and not to keep me while a-breakfasting this morning with the Wice-president they read the paper, for I've got an appointment of the House of Commons; but I shall have somewith a genelman in the City; and as I'm a man of thing to say elsewhere, and so will he, and so will my word, and wery punctual in business matters, a wery numerous and'spectable circle of acquainthe'll go away if I ain't there to my time, and then ance as'll make them beaks wish they'd never been pr'aps there won't be an action for damage against born, or that they'd got their footmen to hang'ell them as kep me away. Oh no, certainly not!" up to their own hat-pegs'afore they let'em come out At this point, the Dodger, with a show of being this morning to try it on upon me. I'll-" very particular with a view to proceedings to be had "There! He's fully committed!" interposed th4 thereafter, desired the jailer to communicate "the clerk. " Take him away." names of them two files as was on the bench;" "Come on," said the jailer. which so tickled the spectators that they laughed "Oh, ah! I'll come on," replied the Dodger, brushalmost as heartily as Master Bates could have done ing his hat with the palm of his hand. "Ah! (to if he had heard the request. the Bench) it's no use your looking frightened; I "Silence there!" cried the jailer. won't show you no mercy, not a ha'porth of it. " What is this?" inquired one of the magistrates. You'll pay for this, my fine fellers. I wouldn't be " A pick-pocketing case, your worship." you for something. I wouldn't go free, now, if you " Has the boy ever been here before?" was to fall down on your knees and ask me. Here, " He ought to have been a many times," replied carry me off to prison! Take me away!" 140 OLIVER TWIST. With these last words, the Dodger suffered him- bered that both the crafty Jew and the brutal Sikes self to be led off by the collar, threatening, till he had confided to her schemes which had been hidden got into the yard, to make a parliamentary business from all others, in the full confidence that she was of it, and then grinning in the officer's face with great trustworthy, and beyond the reach of their suspicion. glee and self-approval. Vile as those schemes were, desperate as were their Having seen him locked up by himself in a little originators, and bitter as were her feelings toward Facell, Noah made the best of his way back to where gin, who had led her, step by step, deeper and deeper he had left Master Bates. After waiting here some down into an abyss of crime and misery whence was time, he was joined by that young gentleman, who no escape, still there were times when, even toward had prudently abstained from showing himself until him, she felt some relenting lest her disclosure should he had looked carefully abroad from a snug retreat bring him within the iron grasp he had so long and ascertained that his new friend had not been fol- eluded, and he should fall at last-richly as he merlowed by any impertinent person. ited such a fate-by her hand. lil:_:-:-:::::: -: I i I i I! -~ —'-~ ~. __~ —~-: "WIHAT IS TIIS?" IiNQUIRED ONE OF TIIE MAGISTRATES.-"-A PICOK-POCKETING CASE, YOUR WORSHIP." The two hastened back together, to bear to Mr. Fa- But these were the mere wanderings of a mind ungin the animating news that the Dodger was doing able wholly to detach itself from old companions and full justice to his bringing up, and establishing for associations, though enabled to fix itself steadily on himself a glorious reputation. one object, and resolved not to be turned aside by any consideration. Her fears for Sikes would have been more powerful inducements to recoil while there CHAPTER XLIV. was yet time, but she had stipulated that her secret should be rigidly kept; she had dropped no clue THE TIME ARRIVES FOR NANCY TO REDEEM HER PLEDGE which could lead to his discovery; she had refused, TO ROSE MAYLIE. SHE FAILS. even for his sake, a refuge from all the guilt and VDEPT as she was in all the arts of cunning and wretchedness that encompassed her-and what more dissimulation, the girl Nancy could not wholly could she do! She was resolved. conceal the effect which the knowledge of the step Though all her mental struggles terminated in this she had taken wrought upon her mind. She remem- conclusion, they forced themselves upon her again THE HEY TURNED ON NANCY. 141 and again, and left their traces too. She grew pale "Then I do," said Sikes, more in the spirit of oband thin, even within a few days. At times she took stinacy than because he had any real objection to no heed of what was passing before her, or no part the girl going where she listed. "Nowhere. Sit in conversations where once she would have been the down." loudest. At other times she laughed without merri- "I'm not well. I told you that before," rejoined ment, and was noisy without cause or meaning. At the girl. " I want a breath of air." others-often within a moment afterward-she sat " Put your head out of the winder," replied Sikes. silent and dejected, brooding with her head upon "There's not enough there," said the girl. "I her hands, while the very effort by which she roused want it in the street." herself told, more forcibly than even these indica- "Then you won't have it," replied Sikes. With tions, that she was ill at ease, and that her thoughts which assurance he rose, locked the door, took the were occupied with matters very different and dis- key out, and pulling her bonnet from her head, flung tant from those in course of discussion by her com- it up to the top of an old press. panions. "There!" said the robber. "Now stop quietly It was Sunday night, and the bell of the nearest where you are, will you?" church struck the hour. Sikes and the Jew were "It's not such a matter as a bonnet would keep talking, but they paused to listen. The girl looked me," said the girl, turning very pale. "What do you up from the low seat on which she crouched and list- mean, Bill? Do you know what you're doing?" ened too. Eleven. " Know what I'm- Oh!" cried Sikes, turning to "An hour this side of midnight," said Sikes, rais- Fagin, "she's out of her senses, you know, or she ing the blind to look out, and returning to his seat. daren't talk to me in that way." " Dark and heavy it is too. A good night for busi- "You'll drive me on to something desperate," mutness this." tered the girl, placing both hands upon her breast as "Ah!" replied Fagin. "What a pity, Bill, my though to keep down by force some violent outbreak. dear, that there's none quite ready to be done." " Let me go, will you-this minute-this instant!" "You're right for once," replied Sikes, gruffly. "No!" said Sikes. " It is a pity, for I'm in the humor too." " Tell him to let me go, Fagin. He had better. Fagin sighed, and shook his head despondingly. It'll be better for him. Do you hear me?" cried "We must make up for lost time when we've got Nancy, stamping her foot upon the ground. things into a good train. That's all I know," said "Hear you!" repeated Sikes, turning round in his Sikes. chair to confront her. "Ay! And if I hear you for " That's the way to talk, my dear," replied Fagin, half a minute longer, the dog shall have such a grip venturing to pat him pun the shoulder. " It does me on your throat as'll tear some of that screaming voice good to hear you." out. Wot has come over you, you jade? Wot is it?" " Does you good, does it!" cried Sikes. "Well, so " Let me go," said the girl with great earnestness; be it." then sitting herself down on the floor before the "Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Fagin, as if he were re- door, she said, "Bill, let me go; you don't know lieved by even this concession. "You're like your- what you are doing. You don't, indeed. For only self to-night, Bill! Quite like yourself." one hour-do —do!" " I don't feel like myself when you lay that with- " Cut my limbs off one by one," cried Sikes, seizered old claw on my shoulder, so take it away," said ing her roughly by the arm, "if I don't think the Sikes, casting off the Jew's hand. girl's stark raving mad. Get up!" "It makes you nervous, Bill-reminds you of be- "Not till you let me go-not till you let me going nabbed, does it?" said Fagin, determined not to never-never!" screamed the girl. Sikes looked on be offended. for a minute, watching his opportunity, and sudden"Reminds me of being nabbed by the devil," re- ly pinioning her hands, dragged her, struggling and turned Sikes. " There never was another man with wrestling with him by the way, into a small room adsuch a face as yours, unless it was your father, and joining, where he sat himself on a bench, and, thrustI suppose he is singeing his grizzled red beard by ing her into a chair, held her down by force. She this time, unless you came straight from the old'un struggled and implored by turns until twelve o'clock without any father at all betwixt you; which I had struck, and then, wearied and exhausted, ceased shouldn't wonder at a bit." to contest the point any further. With a caution, Fagin offered no reply to this compliment; but, backed by many oaths, to make no more efforts to pulling Sikes by the sleeve, pointed his finger toward go out that night, Sikes left her to recover at leisure Nancy, who had taken advantage of the foregoing and rejoined Fagin. conversation to put on her bonnet, and was now "Whew!" said the house-breaker, wiping the perleaving the room. spiration from his face. "' Wot a precious strange "Halloo!" cried Sikes. " Nance! Where's the gal gal that is!" going to at this time of night?" " You may say that, Bill," replied Fagin, thought" Not far." fully. "You may say that." "What answer's that?" returned Sikes. "Where " Wot did she take it into her head to go out toare you going?" night for, do you think?" asked Sikes. "Come; " I say, not far." you should know her better than me. Wot does it "And I say, where?" retorted Sikes. "Do you mean?" hear me?" "Obstinacy; woman's obstinacy, I suppose, my "I don't know where," replied the girl. dear." 142 OLIVER TWIST. "Well, I suppose it is," growled Sikes. "I thought on hers, but said good-night again in a steady voice, I had tamed her, but she's as bad as ever." and, answering his parting look with a nod of intelli"Worse," said Fagin, thoughtfully. "I never gence, closed the door between them. knew her like this, for such a little cause." Fagin walked toward his own home, intent upon "Nor I," said Sikes. "I think she's got a touch the thoughts that were working within his brain. of that fever ill her blood yet, and it won't come out He had conceived the idea-not from what had just — elh?" passed, though that had tended to confirm him, but "Like enough." slowly and by degrees-that Nancy, wearied of the "I'll let her a little blood, without troubling the house-breaker's brutality, had conceived an attachdoctor, if she's took that way again," said Sikes. ment for some new friend. Her altered manner, her Fagin nodded an expressive approval of this mode repeated absences from home alone, her comparative of treatment. indifference to the interests of the gang for which " She was hanging about me all day, and night she had once been so zealous, and, added to these, her too, when I was stretched on my back; and you, like desperate impatience to leave home that night at a a black-hearted wolf as you are, kept yourself aloof," particular hour, all favored the supposition, and rensaid Sikes. "We was very poor too, all the time, and dered it, to him at least, almost matter of certainty. I think, one way or other, it's worried and fretted The object of this new liking was not among his her; and that being shut up here so long has made myrmidons. He would be a valuable acquisition her restless-eh?" with such an assistant as Nancy, and must (thus Fa" That's it, my dear," replied the Jew, in a whisper. gin argued) be secured without delay. "Hush!" There was another and a darker object to be gainAs he uttered these words, the girl herself appear- ed. Sikes knew too much, and his ruffian taunts ed and resumed her former seat. Her eyes were had not galled Fagin the less because the wounds swollen and red; she rocked herself to and fro, toss- were hidden. The girl must know well that, if she ed her head, and, after a little time, burst out laugh- shook him off, she could never be safe from his fury, ing. and that it would be surely wreaked-to the maim"Why, now she's on the other tack!" exclaimed ing of limbs, or perhaps the loss of life-on the obSikes, turning a look of excessive surprise on his ject of her more recent fancy. "With a little percompanion. suasion," thought Fagin, "what more likely than Fagin nodded to him to take no further notice that she would consent to poison him? Women just then, and in a few minutes the girl subsided have done such things, and worse, to secure the same into her accustomed demeanor. Whispering Sikes object before now. There would be the dangerous that there was no fear of her relapsing, Fagin took villain, the man I hate, gone; another secured in his up his hat and bade him good-night. He paused place; and my influence over the girl, with a knowlwhen he reached the room-door, and, looking round, edge of this crime to back it, unlimited." asked if somebody would light him down the dark These things passed through the mind of Fagin stairs. during the short time he sat alone in the house-break" Light him down," said Sikes, who was filling his er's room; and with them uppermost in his thoughts, pipe. "It's a pity he should break his neck him- he had taken the opportunity afterward afforded self, and disappoint the sight-seers. Show him a him of sounding the girl in the broken hints he light." threw out at parting. There was no expression of Nancy followed the old man down stairs with a surprise, no assumption of an inability to understand candle. When they reached the passage, he laid his his meaning. The girl clearly comprehended it. Her finger on his lip, and drawing close to the girl, said, glance at parting showed that. in a whisper, But perhaps she would recoil from a plot to take "What is it, Nancy, dear?" the life of Sikes, and that was one of the chief ends "What do you mean?" replied the girl, in the to be attained. "How," thought Fagin, as he crept same tone. homeward, " can I increase my influence with her? " The reason of all this," replied Fagin. " If he" what new power can I acquire?" -he pointed with his skinny forefinger up the stairs Such brains are fertile in expedients. If, without " is so hard with you (he's a brute, Nance, a brute- extracting a confession from herself, he laid a watch, beast), why don't you-" discovered the object of her altered regard, and threat" Well?" said the girl, as Fagin paused, with his ened to reveal the whole history to Sikes (of whom mouth almost touching her ear, and his eyes looking she stood in no common fear) unless she entered into into hers. his designs, could he not secure her compliance? "No matter just now. We'll talk of this again. "I can," said Fagin, almost aloud. " She durst You have a friend in me, Nance-a staunch friendcl. not refuse me then. Not for her life, not for her life! I have the means at hand, quiet and close. If you I have it all. The means are ready, and shall be set want revenge on those that treat you like a dog- to work. I shall have you yet?" like a dog! worse than his dog, for he humors him He cast back a dark look, and a threatening mosometimes-come to me. I say, come to me. He is tion of the hand, toward the spot where he had left the mere hound of a day, but you know me of old, the bolder villain; and went on his way, busying Nance." his bony hands in the folds of his tattered garment, " I know you well," replied the girl, without man- which he wrenched tightly in his grasp, as though ifesting the least emotion. " Good-night." there were a hated enemy crushed with every moShe shrank back, as Fagin offered to lay his hand tion of his fingers. BOLTER AGAIN INV REQTUEST. 143 CHAPTER XLV. to remember the street, if it is a street, or the house, if it is a house; and to bring me back all the inNOAH CLAYPOLE IS EMPLOYED BY FAGIN ON A SECRET formation you can." MISSION. What'll yer give me?" asked Noah, setting down THE old man was up betimes next morning, and his cup and looking his employer eagerly in the face. waited impatiently for the appearance of his "If you do it well, a pound, my dear. One new associate, who, after a delay that seemed inter- pound," said Fagin, wishing to interest him in the minable, at length presented himself, and commenced scent as much as possible. "And that's what I neva voracious assault on the breakfast. er gave yet for any job of work where there wasn't "Bolter," said Fagin, drawing up a chair and seat- valuable consideration to be gained." ing himself opposite Morris Bolter. "Who is she?" inquired Noah. "Well, here I am," returned Noah. "What's the "One of us." matter? Don't yer ask me to do any thing till I "Oh Lor!" cried Noah, curling up his nose. " Yer have done eating. That's a great fault in this place. doubtful of her, are yer?" Yer never get time enough over yer meals." "She has found out some new friends, my dear, " You can talk as you eat, can't you?" said. Fagin, and I must know who they are," replied Fagin. cursing his dear young friend's greediness from the " I see," said Noah, "Just to have the pleasure very bottom of his heart. of knowing them, if they're respectable people-eh? "Oh yes, I can talk. I get on better when I Ha! ha! ha! I'm your man." talk," said Noah, cutting a monstrous slice of bread. "I knew you would be," cried Fagin, elated by "Where's Charlotte?" the success of his proposal. " Out," said Fagin. " I sent her out this morning "Of course, of course," replied Noah. " Where is with the other young woman, because I wanted us she? Where am I to wait for her? Where am I to go?" to be alone." "All that, my dear, you shall hear from me. I'll "Oh!" said Noah. "I wish yer'd ordered her to point her out at the proper time," said Fagin. " You make some buttered toast first. Well, talk away. keep ready, and leave the rest to me." Yer won't interrupt me." That night, and the next, and the next again, the There seemed, indeed, no great fear of any thing spy sat booted and equipped in his carter's dress, interrupting him, as he had evidently sat down with ready to turn out at a word from Fagin. Six nights a determination to do a great deal of business. passed-six long weary nights-and on each Fagin " You did well yesterday, my dear," said Fagin. came home with a disappointed face, and briefly in"Beautiful! Six shillings and ninepence half-pen- timated that it was not yet time. On the seventh ny on the very first day! The kinchin lay will be he returned earlier, and with an'exultation he could a fortune to you." not conceal. It was Sunday. "Don't you forget to add three pint-pots and a "She goes abroad to-night," said Fagin, " and on milk-can," said Mr. Bolter. the right errand, I'm sure; for she has been alone all "No, no, my dear. The pint-pots were great day, and the man she is afraid of will not be back strokes of genius; but the milk-can was a perfect much before day-break. Come with me. Quick!" masterpiece." Noah started up without saying a word; for the "Pretty well, I think, for a beginner," remarked Jew was in a state of such intense excitement that Mr. Bolter, complacently. " The pots I took off airy it infected him. They left the house stealthily, and, railings, and the milk-can was standing by itself hurrying through a labyrinth of streets, arrived at outside a public-house. I thought it might get length before a public-house, which Noah recognized rusty with the rain, or catch cold, yer know-eh? as the same in which he had slept on the night of Ha! ha!!" his arrival in London. Fagin affected to laugh very heartily; and Mr. It was past eleven o'clock, and the door was closed. Bolter having had. his laugh out, took a series of It opened softly on its hinges as Fagin gave a low large bites, which finished his first hunk of bread- whistle. They entered without noise, and the door and-butter, and assisted himself to a second. was closed behind them. "I want you, Bolter," said Fagin, leaning over Scarcely venturing to whisper, but substituting the table, " to do a piece of work for me, my dear, dumb show for words, Fagin and the young Jew who that needs great care and caution." had admitted them pointed out the pane of glass to " I say,".rejoined Bolter, " don't yer go shoving Noah, and signed to him to climb up and observe the me into danger, or sending me to any more o' yer person in the adjoining room. police-offices. That don't suit me, that don't; and " Is that the woman?" he asked, scarcely above his so I tell yer." breath. "There's not the smallest danger in it —not the Fagin nodded yes. very smallest," said the Jew; " it's only to dodge a " I can't see her face well," whispered Noah. " She woman." is looking down, and the candle is behind her." "An old woman?" demanded Mr. Bolter. "Stay there," whispered Fagin. He signed to Bar"A young one," replied Fagin. ney, who withdrew. In an instant the lad entered " I can do that pretty well, I know," said Bolter. the room adjoining, and, under pretense of snuffing " I was a regular cunning sneak when I was at the candle, moved it in the required, position, and, school. What am I to dodge her for? Not to —" speaking to the girl, caused her to raise her face. "Not to do any thing, but to tell me where she "I see her now," cried the spy. goes, who she sees, and, if possible, what she says; "Plainly?" 144 OLIVER TWIST. " I should know her among a thousand." was that of a woman, who looked eagerly about her He hastily descended as the room-door opened, and as though in quest of some expected object; the other the girl came out. Fagin drew him behind a small figure was that of a man, who slunk along in the partition which was curtained off, and they held their deepest shadow he could find, and, at some distance, breaths as she passed within a few feet of their place accommodated his pace to hers-stopping when ihe of concealment and emerged by the door at which stopped, and, as she moved again, creeping stealthily they had entered. on, but never allowing himself, in the ardor of his " Hist!" cried the lad who held the door. " Dow!" pursuit, to gain upon her footsteps. Thus they crossNoah exchanged a look with Fagin, and darted out. ed the bridge, from the Middlesex to the Surrey shore, "To the left," whispered the lad: "take the left when the woman, apparently disappointed in her had, and keep od the other side." anxious scrutiny of the foot-passengers, turned back. He did so; and, by the light of the lamps, saw the The movement was sudden; but he who watched girl's retreating figure, already at some distance be- her was not thrown off his guard by it; for, shrinkfore him. He advanced as near as he considered pru- ing into one of the recesses which surmount the piers dent, and kept on the opposite side of the street, the of the bridge, and leaning over the parapet, the betWH'IEN SHE WAS ABOUT THE SAME DISTANOE IN ADkVANOE AS SHE HAD BEEN BEFORE, HE SLIPPED QUIETLY DOWN, AND FOLLOWED HER AGAIN." better to observe her motions. She looked nervous- ter to conceal his figure, he suffered her to pass on ly round twice or thrice, and once stopped to let two the opposite pavement. When she was about the men who were following close behind her pass on. same distance in advance as she had been before, he She seemed to gather courage as she advanced, and slipped qhietly down, and followed her again. At to walk with a steadier and firmer step. The spy nearly the centre of the bridge she stopped. The preserved the same relative distance between them, man stopped too. and followed, with his eye upon her. It was a very dark night. The day had been unfavorable, and at that hour and place there were few people stirring. Such as there were hurried quickly past, very possibly without seeing, but certainly withCIAPTER XLVI. out noticing, either the woman or the man who kept her in view. Their appearance was not calculated to attract the importunate regards of such of LonHE church clocks chimed three quarters past elev- don's destitute population as chanced to take their en, as two figures emerged on London Bridge. way over the bridge that night in search of some One, which advanced with a swift and rapid step, cold arch or doorless hovel wherein to lay their THE SPY UNDER THE WALL. 145 heads; they stood there in silence, neither speaking ty certain that they would come no lower, and that nor spoken to by any one who passed. even if he could not hear what was said, he could A mist hung over the river, deepening the red glare follow them again with safety. of the fires that burned upon the small craft moored So tardily stole the time in this lonely place, and off the different wharves, and rendering darker and so eager was the spy to penetrate the motives of an more indistinct the murky buildings on the banks. interview so different from what he had been led to The old smoke-stained store-houses on either side rose expect, that he more than once gave the matter up heavy and dull from the dense mass of roofs and ga- for lost, and persuaded himself either that they had bles, and frowned sternly upon water too black to stopped far above, or had resorted to some entirely reflect even their lumbering shapes. The tower of different spot to hold their mysterious conversation. old Saint Saviour's Church, and the spire of Saint He was on the point of emerging from his hidingMagnus, so long the giant-warders of the ancient place and regaining the road above, when he heard bridge, were visible in the gloom; but the forest the sound of footsteps, and directly afterward of of shipping below bridge, and the thickly scattered voices almost close at his ear. spires of churches above, were nearly all hidden He drew himself straight upright against the wall, from the sight. and, scarcely breathing, listened attentively. The girl had taken a few restless turns to and fro, " This is far enough," said a voice, which was eviclosely watched meanwhile by her hidden observer, dently that of the gentleman. " I will not suffer the when the heavy bell of St. Paul's tolled for the death young lady to go any farther. Many people would of another day. Midnight had come upon the crowd- have distrusted you too much to have come even so ed city. The palace, the night-cellar, the jail, the far, but you see I am willing to humor you." mad-house; the chambers of birth and dea-th, of health " To humor me!" cried the voice of the girl whom and sickness, the rigid face of the corpse and the calm he had followed. " You're considerate, indeed, sir. sleep of the child-midnight was upon them all. To humor me! WVell, well, it's no matter." The hour had not struck two minutes, when a " Why, for what," said the gentleman, in a kinder young lady, accompanied by a gray-haired gentle- tone, "for what purpose can you have brought us to man, alighted from a hackney-carriage within a short this strange place? Why not have let me speak to distance of the bridge, and, having dismissed the ve- you above there, where it is light, and there is somehicle, walked straight toward it. They had scarcely thing stirring, instead of bringing us to this dark set foot upon its pavement, when the girl started, and dismal hole?" and immediately made toward them. " I told you before," replied Nancy, " that I was They walked onward, looking about them with the afraid to speak to you there. I don't know why it air of persons who entertained some very slight esx- is," said the girl, shuddering, " but I have such a pectation which had little chance of being realized, fear and dread upon me to-night that I can hardly when they were suddenly joined by this new associ- stand." ate. They halted with an exclamation of surprise, "A fear of what?" asked the gentleman, who seembut suppressed it immediately; for a man in the ed to pity her. garments of a countryman came close up-brushed "I scarcely know of what," replied the girl. " I against them, indeed-at that precise moment. wish I did. Horrible thoughts of death, and shrouds " Not here," said Nancy, hurriedly, " I am afraid to with blood upon them, and a fear that has made me speak to you here. Come away-out of the public burn as if I was on fire, have been upon me all day. road-down the steps yonder!" I was reading a book to-night, to while the time As she uttered these words, and indicated with away, and the same things came into the print." her hand the direction in which she wished them to "Imagination," said the gentleman, soothing her. proceed, the countryman looked round, and roughly "No imagination," replied the girl, in a hoarse asking what they took up the whole pavement for, voice. "I'll swear I saw'coffin' written in every passed on. page of the book in large black letters-ay, and they The steps to which the girl had pointed were those carried one close to me in the streets to-night." which, on the Surrey bank, and on the same side of " There is nothing unusual in that," said the genthe bridge as Saint Saviour's Church, form a landing- tleman. " They have passed me often." stairs from the river. To this spot the man bearing "Real ones," rejoined the girl. " This was not." the appearance of a countryman hastened unobserved, There was something so uncommon in her manner, and after a moment's survey of the place, he began that the flesh of the concealed listener crept as he to descend. heard the girl utter these words, and the blood chillThese stairs are a part of the bridge; they consist ed within him. He had never experienced a greater of three flights. Just below the end of the second, relief than in hearing the sweet voice of the young going down, the stone wall on the left terminates in lady as she begged her to be calm, and not allow heran ornamental pilaster facing toward the Thames. self to become the prey of such fearful fancies. At this point the lower steps widen, so that a person "Speak to her kindly," said the young lady to her turning that angle of the wall is necessarily unseen companion. "Poor creature! She seems to need it." by any others on the stairs who chance to be above "Your haughty religious people would have held him, if only a step. The countryman looked hasti- their heads up to see me as I am to-night, and ly round when he reached this point; and as there preached of flames and vengeance," cried the girl. seemed no better place of concealment, and, the tide " Oh, dear lady, why ar'n't those who claim to be being out, there was plenty of room, he slipped aside, God's own folks as gentle and as kind to us poor with his back to the pilaster, and there waited, pret- wretches as you, who, having youth, and beauty, and K 146 OLIVER TWVIST. all that they have lost, might be a little proud, in- been the point he had been aiming to attain, "put stead of so much humbler?" Monks into my hands, and leave him to me to deal "Ah!" said the gentleman. "A Turk turns his with." face, after washing it well, to the East, when he says " What if he turns against the others?" his prayers; these good people, after giving their "I promise you that in that case, if the truth is faces such a rub against the World as to take the I forced from him, there the matter will rest; there smiles off, turn with no less regularity to the darkest must be circumstances in Oliver's little history side of Heaven. Between the Mussulman and the which it would be painful to drag before the public Pharisee, commend me to the first!" eye, and, if the truth is once elicited, they shall go These words appeared to be addressed to the young scot free." lady, and were perhaps uttered with the view of af- "And if it is not?" suggested the girl. fording Nancy time to recover herself. The gentle- "Then," pursued the gentleman, " this Fagin shall man shortly afterward addressed himself to her. not be brought to justice without your consent. In "You were not here last Sunday night," he said. such a case I could show you reasons, I think, which "I couldn't come," replied Nancy; " I was kept by would induce you to yield it." force." "Have I the lady's promise for that?" asked the " By whom?" girl. "Him that I told the young lady of before." "You have," replied Rose. " My true and faithful "You were not suspected of holding any commu- pledge." nication with any body on the subject which has "Monks would never learn how you knew what brought us here to-night, I hope?" asked the old you do?" said the girl, after a short pause. gentleman. "Never," replied the gentleman. "The intelli"No," replied the girl, shaking her head. "It's gence should be so brought to bear upon him that not very easy for me to leave him unless he knows he could never even guess." why; I couldn't have seen the lady when I did, but "I have been a liar, and among liars from a little that I gave him a drink of laudanum before I came child," said the girl, after another interval of silence, away." "but I will take your words." " Did he awake before you returned?" inquired the After receiving an assurance from both that she gentleman. might safely do so, she proceeded, in a voice so low "No; and neither he nor any of them suspect me." that it was often difficult for the listener to discover "Good," said the gentleman. "Now listen to me." even the purport of what she said, to describe, by "I am ready," replied the girl, as he paused for a name and situation, the public-house whence she moment. had been followed that night. From the manner in "This young lady," the gentleman began," has which she occasionally paused, it appeared as if the communicated to me, and to some other friends who gentleman were making some hasty notes of the incan be safely trusted, what you told her nearly a formation she communicated. When she had thorfortnight since. I confess to you that I had doubts oughly explained the localities of the place, the best at first whether you were to be implicitly relied position from which to watch it without exciting obupon, but now I firmly believe you are." servation, and the night and hour on which Monks "I am," said the girl, earnestly. was most in the habit of frequenting it, she seemed "I repeat that I firmly believe it. To prove to to consider for a few moments, for the purpose of reyou that I am disposed to trust you, I tell you, with- calling his features and appearance more forcibly to out reserve, that we propose to extort the secret, her recollection. whatever it may be, from the fears of this man " He is tall," said the girl, " and a strongly made Monks. But if-if-" said the gentleman, " he can man, but not stout; he has a lurking walk; and, as not be secured, or, if secured, can not be acted upon he walks, constantly looks over his shoulder, first on as we wish, you must deliver up the Jew." one side, and then on the other. Don't forget that, "Fagin!" cried the girl, recoiling. for his eyes are sunk in his head so much deeper "That man must be delivered up by you," said the than any other man's that you might almost tell gentleman. him by that alone. His face is dark, like his hair "I will not do it! I will never do it!" replied the and eyes; and, although he can't be more than six girl. " Devil that he is, and worse than devil as he or eight and twenty, withered and haggard. His has been to me, I will never do that." lips are often discolored and disfigured with the " You will not?" said the gentleman, who seemed marks of teeth; for he has desperate fits, and somefully prepared for this answer. times even bites his hands and covers them with "Never!" returned the girl. wounds-why did you start?" said the girl, stopping "Tell me why?" suddenly. " For one reason," rejoined the girl, firmly, " for one The gentleman replied, in a hurried manner, that reason, that the lady knows and will stand by me in- he was not conscious of having done so, and begged I know she will, for I have her promise; and for this her to proceed. other reason besides, that, bad life as he has led, I " Part of this," said the girl, "I've drawn out from have led a bad life too: there are many of us who other people at the house I tell you of, for I have only have kept the same courses together, and I'll not seen him twice, and both times he was covered up in turn upon them, who might-any of them-have a large cloak. I think that's all I can give you to turned upon me, but didn't, bad as they are." know him by. - Stay, though," she added. " Upon "Then," said the gentleman, quickly, as if this had his throat, so high that you can see a part of it be THE SPY MAAKES OFF WITH NEWS. 147 low his neckerchief when he turns his face, there my whole life. Let us part. I shall be watched or iS —" seen. Go! Go! If I have done you any service, all "A broad red mark, like a burn or scald," cried the I ask is, that you leave me, and let me go my way gentleman.. alone." " How's this?" said the girl. "You know him!" " It is useless," said the gentleman, with a sigh. The young lady uttered a cry of surprise, and for a "We compromise her safety, perhaps, by staying few moments they were so still that the listener could here. We may have detained her longer than she distinctly hear them breathe. expected already." " I think I do," said the gentleman, breaking si- "Yes, yes," urged the girl. "You have." lence. "I should by your description. We shall "What," cried the young lady, "can be the end see. Many people are singularly like each other. of this poor creature's life!" It may not be the same." "What!" repeated the girl. "Look before you, As he expressed himself to this effect with assumed lady. Look at that dark water. How many times carelessness, he took a step or two nearer the con- do you read of such as I who spring into the tide, cealed spy, as the latter could tell from the distinct- and leave no living thing to care for or bewail them. ness with which he heard him mutter, " It must be It may be years hence, or it may be only months, but he!" I shall come to that at last." "Now," he said, returning, so it seemed by the "Do not speak thus, pray," returned the young sound, to the spot where he had stood before, " you lady, sobbing. have given us most valuable assistance, young worn- "It will never reach your ears, dear lady, and an, and I wish you to be the better for it. What God forbid such horrors should!" replied the girl. can I do to serve you?" " Good-night, good-night!" " Nothing," replied Nancy. The gentleman turned away. "You will not persist in saying that," rejoined the "This purse," cried the young lady. "Take it gentleman, with a voice and emphasis of kindness for my sake, that you may have some resource in an that might have touched a much harder and more hour of need and trouble!" obdurate heart. "Think now. Tell me." " No!" replied the girl. " I have not done this for "Nothing, sir," rejoined the girl, weeping. "You money. Let me have that to think of. And yetcan do nothing to help me. I am past all hope, in- give me something that you have worn: I should deed." like to have something-no, no, not a ring-your " You put yourself beyond its pale," said the gen- gloves or handkerchief-any thing that I can keep, tleman. "The past has been a dreary waste with as having belonged to you, sweet lady. There. you, of youthful energies misspent, and such price- Bless you! God bless you! Good-night, goodless treasures lavished, as the Creator bestows but night!" once and never grants again, but, for the future, you The violent agitation of the girl, and the appremay hope. I do not say that it is in our power to hension of some discovery which would subject her offer you peace of heart and mind, for that must to ill-usage and violence, seemed to determine the come as you seek it; but a quiet asylum, either in gentleman to leave her as she requested. The England, or, if you fear to remain here, in some for- sounds of retreating footsteps were audible, and the eign country, it is not only within the compass of voices ceased. our ability but our most anxious wish to secure you. The two figures of the young lady and her cornBefore the dawn of morning, before this river wakes panion soon afterward appeared upon the bridge. to the first glimpse of daylight, you shall be placed They stopped at the summit of the stairs. as entirely beyond the reach of your former asso- "Hark!" cried the young lady, listening. "Did ciates, and leave as utter an absence of all trace be- she call? I thought I heard her voice." hind you, as if you were to disappear from the earth " No, my love," replied Mr. Brownlow, looking sadthis moment. Come! I would not have you go back ly back. " She has not moved, and will not till we to exchange one word with any old companion, or are gone." take one look at any old haunt, or breathe the very Rose Maylie lingered, but the old gentleman drew air which is pestilence and death to you. Quit them her arm through his, and led her, with gentle force, all, while there is time and opportunity!" away. As they disappeared, the girl sunk down "She will be persuaded now," cried the young lady. nearly at her full length upon one of the stone " She hesitates, I am sure." stairs, and vented the anguish of her heart in bitter "I fear not, my dear," said the gentleman. tears. "No, sir, I do not," replied the girl, after a short After a time she arose, and with feeble and totterstruggle. "I am chained to my old life. I loathe ing steps ascended to the street. The astonished and hate it now, but I can not leave it. I must listener remained motionless on his post for some have gone too far to turn back-and yet I don't minutes afterward, and having ascertained, with know; for if you had spoken to me so some time many cautious glances round him, that he was again ago, I should have laughed it off. But," she said, alone, crept slowly from his hiding-place, and returnlooking hastily round, "this fear comes over me ed stealthily and in the shade of the wall, in the again. I must go home." same manner as he had descended. "Home!" repeated the young lady, with great Peeping out more than once, when he reached the stress upon the word. top, to make sure that he was unobserved, Noah Clay"Home, lady," rejoined the girl. "To such a pole darted away at his utmost speed, and made for home as I have raised for myself with the work of the Jew's house as fast as his legs would carry him. 148 OLIVER TWIST. CHAPTER XLVII. Fagin raised his right hand and shook his trembling forefinger in the air; but his passion was so rFAxT A L C ONSE r~ Q UE ~ NCE S. great that the power of speech was for the moment TT was nearly two hours before day-break-that gone. time which in the autumn of the year may be "Damme!" said Sikes, feeling in his breast with a truly called the dead of night, when the streets are look of alarm. "He's gone mad. I must look to silent and deserted, when even sounds appear to myself here." slumber, and profligacy and riot have staggered'"No, no," rejoined Fagin, finding his voice. "It's home to dream; it was at this still and silent hour not-you're not the person, Bill. I've no-no fault that Fagin sat watching in his old lair, with face so to find with you." distorted and pale, and eyes so red and bloodshot, "Oh, you haven't, haven't you?" said Sikes, lookthat he looked less like a man than like some hid- ing sternly at him, and ostentatiously passing a piseous phantom moist from the grave, and worried by tol into a more convenient pocket. " That's luckyan evil spirit. for one of us. Which one that is, don't matter." He sat crouching over a cold hearth, wrapped in "I've got that to tell you, Bill," said Fagin, drawan old torn coverlet, with his face turned toward a ing his chair nearer, "will make you worse than me." wasting candle that stood upon a table by his side. "Ay?" returned the robber, with an incredulous His right hand was raised to his lips, and as, absorb- air. " Tell away! Look sharp, or Nance will think ed in thought, he bit his long black nails, he dis- I'm lost." closed among his toothless gums a few such fangs as "Lost!" cried Fagin. "She has pretty well setshould have been a dog's or rat's. tled that in her own mind already." Stretched upon a mattress on the floor lay Noah Sikes looked with an aspect of great perplexity Claypole, fast asleep. Toward him the old man into the Jew's face, and reading no satisfactory exsometimes directed his eyes for an instant, and then planation of the riddle there, clenched his coat-colbrought them back again to the candle, which with lar in his huge hand and shook him soundly. a long-burnt wick drooping almost double, and hot "Speak, will you!" he said; " or, if you don't, it grease falling down in clots upon the table, plainly shall be for want of breath. Open your mouth and showed that his thoughts were busy elsewhere. say wot you've got to say in plain words. Out with Indeed they were. Mortification at the overthrow it, you thundering old cur-out with it!" of his notable scheme; hatred of the girl who had "Suppose that lad that's lying there-" Fagin bedared to palter with strangers; an utter distrust of gan. the sincerity of her refusal to yield him up; bitter Sikes turned round to where Noah was sleeping, disappointment at the loss of his revenge on Sikes; as if he had not previously observed him. " Well!" the fear of detection, and ruin, and death; and a he said, resuming his former position. fierce and deadly rage kindled by all; these were " Suppose that lad," pursued Fagin, "was to peach the -passionate considerations which, following close -to blow upon us all-first seeking out the right upon each other with rapid and ceaseless whirl, shot folks for the purpose, and then having a meeting through the brain of Fagin, as every evil thought with'em in the street to paint our likenesses, deand blackest purpose lay working at his heart. scribe every mark that they might know us by, and He sat without changing his attitude in the least, the crib where we might be most easily taken. Supor appearing to take the smallest heed of time, until pose he was to do all this, and besides, to blow upon his quick ear seemed to be attracted by a footstep in a plant we've all been in more or less-of his own the street. fancy; not grabbed, trapped, tried, earwigged by "At last," he muttered, wiping his dry and fever- the parson and brought to it on bread-and-watered mouth. "At last!" but of his own fancy; to please his own taste; stealThe bell rang gently as he spoke. He crept up ing out at nights to find those most interested against stairs to the door, and presently returned accompa- us, and peaching to them. ~ Do you hear me?" cried nied by a man muffled to the chin, who carried a the Jew, his eyes flashing with rage. "Suppose he bundle under one arm. Sitting down and throwing did all this, what then?" back his outer coat, the man displayed the burly "What then!" replied Sikes, with a tremendous frame of Sikes. oath. " If he was left alive till I came, I'd grind his " There!" he said, laying the bundle on the table. skull under the iron heel of my boot into as many "Take care of that, and do the most you can with it. grains as there are hairs upon his head." It's been trouble enough to get; I thought I should "What if I did it!" cried Fagin, almost in a yell. have been here three hours ago." "I, that know so much, and could hang so many beFagin laid his hand upon the bundle, and locking sides myself!" it in the cupboard, sat down again without speaking. " I don't know," replied Sikes, clenching his teeth But he did not take his eyes off the robber for an in- and turning white at the mere suggestion. "I'd do stant during this action; and now that they sat over something in the jail that'ud get me put in irons; against each other, face to face, he looked fixedly at and if I was tried along with you, I'd fall upon you him, with his lips quivering so violently, and his face with them in the open court, and beat your brains so altered by the emotions which had mastered him, out afore the people. I should have such strength," that the house-breaker involuntarily drew back his muttered the robber, poising his brawny arm, "that chair, and surveyed him with a look of real affright. I could smash your head as if a loaded wagon had " Wot now?" cried Sikes. "Wot do you look at gone over it." a man so for?" " Yo u would?" GOADING THE WILD BEAST. 149 "Would I!" said the house-breaker. " Try me." "Hell's fire!" cried Sikes, breaking fiercely from "If it was Charley, or the Dodger, or Bet, or-" the Jew. " Let me go!" "I don't care who," replied Sikes, impatiently. Flinging the old man from him, he rushed from the "Whoever it was, I'd serve them the same." room, and darted, wildly and furiously, up the stairs. Fagin looked hard at the robber; and, motioning "Bill, Bill!" cried Fagin, following him hastily. him to be silent, stooped over the bed upon the floor "A word. Only a word." and shook the sleeper to rouse him. Sikes leaned The word would not have been exchanged, but forward in his chair, looking on with his hands upon that the house-breaker was unable to open the door, his knees, as if wondering much what all this ques- on which he was expending fruitless oaths and viotioning and preparation was to end in. lence, when the Jew came panting up. " Bolter, Bolter! Poor lad!" said Fagin, looking "Let me out!" said Sikes. " Don't speak to me; up with an expression of devilish anticipation, and it's not safe. Let me out, I say!" speaking slowly and with marked emphasis. " He's "Hear me speak a word," rejoined Fagin, laying tired-tired with watching for her so long-watch- his hand upon the lock. " You won't be —" ing for her, Bill." "Well," replied the other. "Wot d'ye mean?" asked Sikes, drawing back. "You won't be-too-violent, Bill?" Fagin made no answer, but bending over the sleep- The day was breaking, and there was light enough er again, hauled him into a sitting posture. When for the men to see each other's faces. They exhis assumed name had been repeated several times, changed one brief glance; there was a fire in the eyes Noah rubbed his eyes, and, giving a heavy yawn, of both which could not be mistaken. looked sleepily about him. " I mean," said Fagin, showing that he felt all dis"Tell me that again-once again, just for him to guise was now useless, "not too violent for safety. hear," said the Jew, pointing to Sikes as he spoke. Be crafty, Bill, and not too bold." " Tell yer what?" asked the sleepy Noah, shaking Sikes made no reply; but, pulling open the door himself pettishly. of which Fagin had turned the lock, dashed into the " That about-NANCY," said Fagin, clutching Sikes silent streets. by the wrist, as if to prevent his leaving the house Without one pause, or moment's consideration; before he had heard enough. "You followed her?" without once turning his head to the right or left, or "Yes." raising his eyes to the sky, or lowering them to the "To London Bridge?" ground, but looking straight before him with savage "Yes." resolution, his teeth so tightly compressed that the " Where she met two people?" strained jaw seemed starting through his skin, the "So she did." robber held on his headlong course, nor muttered a "A gentleman and lady that she had gone to of word, nor relaxed a muscle, until he reached his own her own accord before, who asked her to give up all door. He opened it softly with a key, strode lightly her pals, and Monks first, which she did-and to de- up the stairs, and, entering his own room, doublescribe him, which she did-and to tell her what house locked the door, and lifting a heavy table against it, it was that we meet at, and go to, which she did- drew back the curtain of the bed. and where it could be best watched from, which she The girl was lying, half-dressed, upon it. He had did-and what time the people went there, which she roused her from her sleep, for she raised herself with did. She did all this. She told it all, every word, a hurried and startled look. without a threat, without a murmur-she did-did "Get up!" said the man. she not?" cried Fagin, half mad with fury. "It is you, Bill!" said the girl, with an expression "All right," replied Noah, scratching his head. of pleasure at his return. "That's just what it was!" "It is," was the reply. " Get up!" " What did they say about last Sunday?" There was a candle burning, but the man hastily "About last Sunday?" replied Noah, considering. drew it from the candlestick and hurled it under the "Why I told yer that before." grate. Seeing the faint light of early day without, "Again. Tell it again!" cried Fagin, tightening the girl rose to undraw the curtain. his grasp on Sikes, and brandishing his other hand "Let it be,'9 said Sikes, thrusting his hand before aloft, as the foam flew from his lips. her. "There's light enough for wot I've got to do." "They asked her," said Noah, who, as he grew "Bill," said the girl, in the low voice of alarm, more wakeful, seemed to have a dawning perception "why do you look like that at me?" who Sik3s was, " they asked her why she didn't come The robber sat regarding her for a few seconds iast Sunday, as she promised. She said she couldn't." with dilated nostrils and heaving breast; and then, "Why-why? Tell him that." grasping her by the head and throat, dragged her "Because she was forcibly kept at home by Bill, into the middle of the room, and looking once toward the man she had told them of before, replied Noah. the door, placed his heavy hand upon her mouth. "What more of him?" cried Fagin. "What more "Bill! Bill!" gasped the girl, wrestling with the of the man she had told them of before? Tell him strength of mortal fear-" I-I won't scream or cry that, tell him that." -not once-hear me-speak to me-tell me what I "Why, that she couldn't very easily get out-of- have done." doors unless he knew where she was going to," said "You know, you she-devil!" returned the robber, Noah; "and so the first time she went to see the lady, suppressing his breath. "You were watched toshe-ha! ha! ha! it made me laugh when she said night; every word you said was heard." it, that it did-she gave him a drink of laudanum!" " Then spare my life for the love of Heaven, as I 150 OLI VER TWIST. spared yours," rejoined the girl, clinging to him. toward him, than to see them glaring upward, as "Bill, dear Bill, you can not have the heart to kill if watching the reflection of the pool of gore that me! Oh! think of all I have given up, only this one quivered and danced in the sunlight on the ceiling. night, for you. You shall have time to think, and He had plucked it off again. And there was the save yourself this crime; I will not loose my hold, body —mere flesh and blood, no more-but such you can not throw me off. Bill, Bill, for dear God's flesh, and so much blood! sake, for your own, for mine, stop before you spill my He struck a light, kindled the fire, and thrust the blood! I have been true to you, upon my guilty club into it. There was hair upon the end, which soul I have!" blazed and shrunk into a light cinder, and, caught by The man struggled violently to release his arms; the air, whirled up the chimney. Even that frightbut those of the girl were clasped round his, and, tear ened him, sturdy as he was; but he held the weapon her as he would, he could not tear them away. till it broke, and then piled it on the coals to burn "Bill," cried the girl, striving to lay her head upon away, and smoulder into ashes. He washed himself, his breast, "the gentleman and that dear lady told and rubbed his clothes; there were spots that would me to-night of a home in some foreign country where not be removed, but he cut the pieces out, and burned I could end my days in solitude and peace. Let me them. How those stains were dispersed about the see them again, and beg them on my knees to show room! The very feet of the dog were bloody. the same mercy and goodness to you; and let us both All this time he had never once turned his back leave this dreadful place, and, far apart, lead better upon the corpse; no, not for a moment. Such prepalives, and forget how we have lived, except in prayers, rations completed, he moved backward toward the and never see each other more. It is never too late door, dragging the dog with him, lest he should soil to repent. They told me so-I feel it now; but we his feet anew and carry out new evidences of the must have time —a little, little time!" crime into the streets. He shut the door softly, The house-breaker freed one arm, and grasped his locked it, took the key, and left the house. pistol. The certainty of immediate detection if he He crossed over, and glanced up at the window, fired, flashed across his mind even in the midst of to be sure that nothing was visible from the outside. his fury, and he beat it twice, with all the force he There was the curtain still drawn, which she would could summon, upon the upturned face that almost have opened to admit the light she never saw again. touched his own. It lay nearly under there. He knew that. God. how She staggered and fell, nearly blinded with the the sun poured down upon the very spot! blood that rained down from a deep gash in her The glance was instantaneous. It was a relief to forehead; but raising herself with difficulty on her have got free of the room. He whistled on the dog, knees, drew from her bosom a white handkerchief- and walked rapidly away. Rose Maylie's own-and holding it up, in her folded He went through Islington; strode up the hill at hands, as high toward heaven as her feeble strength Highgate on which stands the stone in honor of would allow, breathed one prayer for mercy to her Whittington; turned down to Highgate Hill, unMaker. steady of purpose, and uncertain where to go; struck It was a ghastly figure to look upon. The mur- off to the right again almost as soon as he began to derer staggering backward to the wall, and shutting descend it; and taking the foot-path across the fields, out the sight with his hand, seized a heavy club and skirted Caen Wood, and so came out on Hampstead struck her down. Heath. Traversing the hollow by the Vale of Health, he mounted the opposite bank, and, crossing the road which joins the villages of Hampstead and Highgate, CHAPTER XLVIII. made along the remaining portion of the Heath to the fields at North End, in one of which he laid himself THE rFLIGHT OF' SIKES. down under a hedge and slept. OF all bad deeds that, under cover of the dark- Soon he was up again and away-not far into the ness, had been committed within wide London's country, but back toward London by the high-roadbounds since night hung over it, that was the worst. then back again-then over another part of the same Of all the horrors that rose with an ill scent upon the ground as he already traversed-then wandering up morning air, that was the foulest and most cruel. and down in fields, and lying on ditches' brinks to The sun -the bright sun, that brings back, not rest, and starting up to make for some other spot and light alone, but new life, and hope, and freshness to do the same, and ramble on again. man-burst upon the crowded city in clear and ra- Where could he go that was near and not too pubdiant glory. Through costly-colored glass and pa- lie, to get some meat and drink? Hendon. That per -mended window, through cathedral dome and was a good place, not far off, and out of most peorotten crevice, it shed its equal ray. It lighted up ple's way. Thither he directed his steps-running the room where the murdered woman lay. It did. sometimes, and sometimes, with a strange perveraiHe tried to shut it out, but it would stream in. If ty, loitering at a snail's pace, or stopping altogether the sight had been a ghastly one in the dull morn- and idly breaking the hedges with his stick. But ing, what was it now, in all that brilliant light! when he got there, all the people he met-the very He had not moved; he had been afraid to stir. children at the doors-seemed to view him with susThere had been a moan and motion of the hand, and, picion. Back he turned again, without the courage with terror added to rage, he had struck and struck to purchase bit or drop, though he had tasted no food again. Once he threw a rug over it; but it was for many hours; and once more he lingered on the worse to fancy the eyes, and imagine them moving Heath, uncertain where to go. THE PEDDLER OF ALL WARES. 151 He wandered over miles and miles of ground, and There was nothing to attract attention or excite still came back to the old place. Morning and noon alarm in this. The robber, after paying his reckonhad passed, and the day was on the wane, and still ing, sat silent and unnoticed in his corner, and had he rambled to and fro, and up and down, and round almost dropped asleep, when he was half wakened and round, and still lingered about the same spot. by the noisy entrance of a new-comer. At last he got away, and shaped his course for Hat- This was an antic fellow, half peddler and half field. mountebank, who traveled about the country on It was nine o'clock at night, when the man, quite foot to vend hones, strops, razors, wash-balls, hartired out, and the dog, limping and lame from the ness-paste, medicine for dogs and horses, cheap perunaccustomed exercise, turned down the hill by the fumery, cosmetics, and such-like wares, which he church of the quiet village, and plodding along the carried in a case slung to his back. His entrance little street, crept into a small public-house, whose was the signal for various homely jokes with the scanty light had guided them to the spot. There countrymen, which slackened not until he had made was a fire in the tap-room, and some country-labor- his supper, and opened his box of treasures, when he HE MIOVED BACKWARD TOWARD TIlE DOOR, DRAGGING THE DOG WITH HnIn." ers were drinking before it. They made room for ingeniously contrived to unite business with amusethe stranger, but he sat down in the farthest corner, ment. and ate and drank alone, or rather with his dog, to "And what be that stoof? Good to eat, Harry?" whom he cast a morsel of food from time to time. asked a grinning countryman, pointiing lo some comThe conversation of the men assembled here turn- position-cakes in one corner. ed upon the neighboring land and farmers; and when "This," said the fellow, producing one, " this is the those topics were exhausted, upon the age of some infallible and invaluable composition for removing old man who had been buried on the previous Sun- all sorts of stain, rust, dirt, mildew, spick, speck, spot, day; the young men present considering him very or spatter, from silk, satin, linen, cambric, cloth, crape, old, and the old men present declaring him to have stuff, carpet, merino, muslin, bombazine, or woolen been quite young-not older, one white-haired grand- stuff. Wine-stains, fruit-stains, beer-stains, waterfather said, than he was-with ten or fifteen year of stains, paint-stains, pitch-stains, any stains, all come life in him at least-if he had taken care; if he had out at one rub with the infallible and invaluable taken care. composition. If. a lady stains her honor, she has only 152 OLIVER TWIST. need to swallow one cake, and she's cured at once — "Was it, sir?" rejoined the guard, touching his for it's poison. If a gentleman wants to prove this, hat. " Man or woman, pray, sir?" he has only need to bolt one little square, and he has "A woman," replied the gentleman. "It is supput it beyond question-for it's quite as satisfacto- posed- " ry as a pistol-bullet, and a great deal nastier in the "Now, Ben!" cried the coachman, impatiently. flavor, consequently the more credit in taking it. "D- that'ere bag," said the guard; "are you One penny a square. With all these virtues, one gone to sleep in there?" penny a square!" "Coming!" cried the officer-keeper, running out. There were two buyers directly, and more of the " Coming!" growled the guard. "Ah, and so's the listeners plainly hesitated. The vender observing young ooman of property that's going to take a fanthis, increased in loquacity. cy to me, but I don't know when. Here, give hold. "It's all bought up as fast as it can be made," All ri-ight!" said the fellow. " There are fourteen water-mills, The horn sounded a few cheerful notes, and the six steam-engines, and a galvanic battery, always coach was gone. a-working upon it, and they can't make it fast enough, Sikes remained standing in the street, apparently though the men work so hard that they die off, and unmoved by what he had just heard, and agitated the widows is pensioned directly, with twenty pound by no stronger feeling than a doubt where to go. At a year for each of the children, and a premium of length he went back again, and took the road which fifty for twins. One penny a square! Two half- leads from Hatfield to St. Albans. pence is all the same, and four farthings is received He went on doggedly; but as he left the town bewith joy. One penny a square! Wine-stains, fruit- hind him, and plunged into the solitude and darkstains, beer-stains, water-stains, paint-stains, pitch- ness of the road, he felt a dread and awe creeping stains, mud-stains, blood-stains! Here is a stain upon him which shook him to the core. Every obupon the hat of a gentleman in company that I'll ject before him, substance or shadow, still or moving, take clean out before he can order me a pint of ale." took the semblance of some fearful thing; but these "Haah!" cried Sikes, starting up. "Give that fears were nothing compared to the sense that hauntback!" ed him of that morning's ghastly figure following at "I'll take it clean out, sir," replied the man, wink- his heels. He could trace its shadow in the gloom, ing to the company, "before you can come across supply the smallest item of the outline, and note how the room to get it. Gentlemen all, observe the dark stiff and solemn it seemed to stalk alone. He could stain upon this gentleman's hat, no wider than a shil- hear its garments rustling in the leaves, and every ling, but thicker than a half-crown. Whether it is breath of wind came laden with that last low cry. a wine-stain, fruit-stain, beer-stain, water-stain, If he stopped, it did the same. If he ran, it followed paint-stain, pitch-stain, mud-stain, or blood-stain —" — not running too; that would have been a relief: The man got no farther, for Sikes, with a hideous but like a corpse endowed with the mere machinery imprecation, overthrew the table, and, tearing the hat of life, and borne on one slow, melancholy wind from him, burst out of the house. that never rose or fell. With the same perversity of feeling and irresolu- At times he turned, with desperate determination, tion that had fastened upon him, despite himself, all resolved to beat this phantom off, though it should day, the murderer, finding that he was not followed, look him dead; but the hair rose on his head, and and that they most probably considered him some his blood stood still, for it had turned with him, and drunken, sullen fellow, turned back up the town, was behind him then. He had kept it before him and getting out of the glare of the lamps of a stage- that morning, but it was behind now-always. He coach that was standing in the street, was walking leaned his back against a bank, and felt that it stood past, when he recognized the mail from London, and above him, visibly out against the cold night-sky. saw that it was standing at the little post-office. He threw himself upon the road-on his back upon He almost knew what was to come; but he crossed the road. At his head it stood, silent, erect, and still over, and listened. -a living grave-stone, with its epitaph in blood. The guard was standing at the door, waiting for Let no man talk of murderers escaping justice, and the letter-bag. A man, dressed like a gamekeeper, hint that Providence must sleep. There were twencame up at the moment, and he handed him a basket ty score of violent deaths in one long minute of that which lay ready on the pavement. agony of fear. " That's for your people," said the guard. " Now, There was a shed in a field he passed that offered look alive in there, will you! D- that'ere bag, it shelter for the night. Before the door were three warn't ready night afore last; this won't do, you tall poplar trees, which made it very dark within; know!" and the wind moaned through them with a dismal "Any thing new up in town, Ben?" asked the wail. He could not walk on till daylight came again; gamekeeper, drawing back to the window-shutters, and here he stretched himself close to the wall-to the better to admire the horses. undergo new torture. "No, nothing that I knows on," replied the man, For now a vision came before him, as constant pulling on his gloves. " Corn's up a little. I heerd and more terrible than that from which he had estalk of a murder, too, down Spitalfields way, but I caped. Those widely-staring eyes, so lustreless and don't reckon much upon it." so glassy, that he had better borne to see them than " Oh, that's quite true," said a gentleman inside, think upon them, appeared in the midst of the darkwho was looking out of the window. "And a dread- ness, light in themselves, but giving light to nothing. ful murder it was." There were but two, but they were everywhere. If THE CURSE OF CAIN. 153 he shut out the sight, there came the room with ev- This mad excitement over, there returned, with ery well-known object-some, indeed, that he would tenfold force, the dreadful consciousness of his crime. have forgotten if he had gone over its contents from He looked suspiciously about him, for the men were memory-each in its accustomed place. The body conversing in groups, and he feared to be the subject was in its place, and its eyes were as he saw them of their talk. The dog obeyed the significant beck when he stole away. He got up and rushed into the of his finger, and they drew off, stealthily, together. field without. The figure was behind him. He re- He passed near an engine where some men were entered the shed, and shrunk down once more. The seated, and they called to him to share in their reeyes were there, before he had lain himself along. freshment. He took some bread and meat; and, as And here he remained in such terror as none but he drank a draught of beer, heard the firemen, who he can know, trembling in every limb, and the cold were from London, talking about the murder. " He sweat starting from every pore, when suddenly there has gone to Birmingham, they say," said one; " but arose upon the night-wind the noise of distant shout- they'll have him yet, for the scouts are out, and by ing and the roar of voices mingled in alarm and won- to-morrow night there'll be a cry all through the der. Any sound of men in that lonely place, even country." though it conveyed a real cause of alarm, was some- He hurried off, and walked till he almost dropped thing to him. He regained his strength and energy upon the ground; then lay down in a lane, and had at the prospect of personal danger; and springing to a long, but broken and uneasy sleep. He wandered his feet, rushed into the open air. on again, irresolute and undecided, and oppressed The broad sky seemed on fire. Rising into the air with the fear of another solitary night. with showers of sparks, and rolling one above the Suddenly, he took the desperate resolution of goother, were sheets of flame, lighting the atmosphere ing back to London. for miles round, and driving clouds of smoke in the " There's somebody to speak to there, at all events," direction where he stood. The shouts grew louder he thought. "A good hiding-place, too. They'll as new voices swelled the roar, and he could hear never expect to nab me there, after this country the cry of fire, mingled with the ringing of an alarm- scent. Why can't I lie by for a week or so, and, bell, the fall of heavy bodies, and the crackling of forcing blunt from Fagin, get abroad to France? flames as they twined round some new obstacle, and Damine, I'll risk it." shot aloft as though refreshed by food. The noise He acted upon this impulse without delay, and increased as he looked. There were people there- choosing the least frequented roads, began his jourmen and women-light, bustle. It was like new ney back, resolved to lie concealed within a short life to him. He darted onward-straight, headlong distance of the metropolis, and, entering it at dusk -dashing through brier and brake, and leaping gate by a circuitous route, to proceed straight to that and fence as madly as his dog, who careered with part of it which he had fixed on for his destinaloud and sounding bark before him. tion. He came upon the spot. There were half-dressed The dog, though. If any descriptions of him were figures tearing to and fro, some endeavoring to drag out, it would not be forgotten that the dog was missthe frightened horses from the stables, others driv- ing, and had probably gone with him. This might ing the cattle from the yard and out-houses, and oth- lead to his apprehension as he passed along the ers coming laden from the burning pile, amidst a streets. He resolved to drown him, and walked on, shower of falling sparks and the tumbling down of looking about for a pond, picking up a heavy stone red-hot beams. The apertures, where doors and win- and tying it to his handkerchief as he went. dows stood an hour ago, disclosed a mass of raging The animal looked up into his master's face while fire; walls rocked and crumbled into the burning these preparations were making: whether his inwell; the molten lead and iron poured down, white- stinct apprehended something of their purpose, or hot, upon the ground. Women and children shrieked, the robber's sidelong look at him was sterner than and men encouraged each other with noisy shouts ordinary, he skulked a little farther in the rear than and cheers. The clanking of the engine-pumps, and usual, and cowered as he came more slowly along. the spirting and hissing of the water as it fell upon When his master halted at the brink of a pool, and the blazing wood, added to the tremendous roar. looked round to call him, he stopped outright. He shouted, too, till he was hoarse; and flying from " Do you hear me call? Come here!" cried Sikes. memory and himself, plunged into the thickest of The animal came up from the very force of habthe throng. it; but as Sikes stooped to attach the handkerchief Hither and thither he dived that night - now to his throat, he uttered a low growl and started working at the pumps, and now hurrying through back. the smoke and flame, but never ceasing to engage " Come back!" said the robber. himself wherever noise and men were thickest. Up The dog wagged his tail, but moved not. Sikes and down the ladders, upon the roofs of buildings, made a running noose and called him again. over floors that quaked and trembled with his weight, The dog advanced, retreated, paused an instant, under the lee of falling bricks and stones, in every turned, and scoured away at his hardest speed. part of that great fire, was he; but he bore a charmed The man whistled again and again, and sat down life, and had neither scratch nor bruise, nor weari- and waited in the expectation that he would return. ness nor thought, till morning dawned again, and But no dog appeared, and at length he resumed his only smoke and blackened ruins remained. journey. 154 OLIVER TWIST. CHAPTER XLIX. Still the man hesitated. "I have not the inclination to parley," said Mr. MONKS AND MR. BROWNLOW AT LENGTH MEET. THEIR Browniow and as I advocate the dearest interests CONVERSATION, AND THE INTELLIGENCE THAT INTERof others, I have not the right." RUPTS IT. UTS IT. "Is there-" demanded Monks, with a faltering THE twilight was beginning to close in, when Mr. tongue-" is there-no middle course?" Brownlow alighted from a hackney-coach at his " None." own door, and knocked softly. The door being open- Monks looked at the old gentleman with an anxed, a sturdy man got out of the coach and stationed ious eye; but reading in his countenance nothing but himself on one side of the steps, while another man, severity and determination, walked into the room, who had been seated on the box, dismounted too, and, shrugging his shoulders, sat down. and stood upon the other side. At a sign from Mr. "Lock the door on the outside," said Mr. BrownBrownlow they helped out a third man, and taking low to the attendants, " and come when I ring." him between them, hurried him into the house. This The men obeyed, and the two were left alone toman was Monks. gether. They walked in the same manner up the stairs, " This is pretty treatment, sir," said Monks, throwwithout speaking; and Mr. Brownlow, preceding ing down his hat and cloak, "from my father's oldthem, led the way into a back-room. At the door of est friend." this apartment Monks, who had ascended with ev- "It is because I was your father's oldest friend, ident reluctance, stopped. The two men looked to young man," returned Mr. Brownlow; " it is because the old gentleman as if for instructions. the hopes and wishes of young and happy years were "He knows the alternative," said Mr. Brownlow. bound up with him and that fair creature of his " If he hesitates or moves a finger but as you bid blood and kindred who rejoined her God in youth, him, drag him into the street, call for the aid of the and left me here a solitary, lonely man; it is because police, and impeach him as a felon in my name." he knelt with me beside his only sister's death-bed " How dare you say this of me?" asked Monks. when he was yet a boy, on the morning that would "How dare you urge me to it, young man?" re- -but Heaven willed otherwise-have made her my plied Mr. Brownlow, confronting him with a steady young wife; it is because my seared heart clung to look. "Are you mad enough to leave this house? him, from that time forth, through all his trials and Unhand him. There, sir. You are free to go, and errors, till he died; it is because old recollections we to follow. But I warn you, by all I hold most and associations filled my heart, and even the sight solemn and most sacred, that the instant you set of you brings with it old thoughts of him; it is befoot in the street, that instant will I have you appre- cause of all these things that I am moved to treat hended on a charge of fraud and robbery. I am res- you gently now- yes, Edward Leeford, even now olute and immovable. If you are determined to be - and blush for your unworthiness who bear the the same, your blood be upon your own head!" name." " By what authority am I kidnapped in the street, "What has the name to do with it?" asked the and brought here by these dogs?" asked Monks, look- other, after contemplating, half in silence, and half ing from one to the other of the men who stood be- in dogged wonder, the agitation of his companion. side him. "What is the name to me?" " By mine," replied Mr. Brownlow. "Those per- "Nothing," replied Mr. Brownlow; "nothing to sons are indemnified by me. If you complain of be- you. But it was hers, and, even at this distance of ing deprived of your liberty-you had power and time, brings back to me, an old man, the glow and opportunity to retrieve it as you came along, but thrill which I once' felt, only to hear it repeated by you deemed it advisable to remain quiet —I say a stranger. I am very glad you have changed itagain, throw yourself for protection on the law. I very-very." will appeal to the law too; but when you have gone "This is all mighty fine," said Monks (to retain too far to recede, do not sue to me for leniency, when his assumel designation), after a long silence, during the power will have passed into other hands; and do which he had jerked himself in sullen defiance to not say I plunged you down the gulf into which you and fro, and Mr. Brownlow had sat shading his face rushed yourself." with his hand. "But what do you want with me?" Monks was plainly disconcerted, and alarmed be- " You have a brother," said Mr. Brownlow, rousing sides. He hesitated. himself-" a brother, the whisper of whose name in "You will decide quickly," said Mr. Brownlow, your ear when I came behind you in the street was, with perfect firmness and composure. " If you wish in itself, almost enough to make you accompany me me to prefer my charges publicly, and consign you hither, in wonder and alarm." to a punishment the extent of which, although I can, " I have no brother," replied Monks. " You know with a shudder, foresee, I can not control-once more, I was an only child. Why do you talk to me of I say, you know the way. If not, and you appeal brothers? You know that, as well as I." to my forbearance and the mercy of those you have "Attend to what I do know, and you may not," deeply injured, seat yourself, without a word, in that said Mr. Brownlow. I shall interest you by-and-by. chair. It has waited for you two whole days." I know that of the wretched marriage into which Monks muttered some unintelligible words, but family pride, and the most sordid and narrowest of all wavered still. ambition, forced your unhappy father when a mere "You will be prompt," said Mr. Brownlow. "A boy, you were the sole and most unnatural issue." word from me, and the alternative has gone forever." " I don't care for hard names," interrupted Monks, MR. BROWNLOW TELLS A TALE. 155 with a jeering laugh. "You know the fact, and "Your tale is of the longest," observed Monks, that's enough for me." moving restlessly in his chair. "But I also know," pursued the old gentleman, "It is a true tale of grief and trial and sorrow, "the misery, the slow torture, the protracted an- young man," returned Mr. Brownlow; "and such guish, of that ill-assorted union. I know how list- tales usually are: if it were one of unmixed joy and lessly and wearily each of that wretched pair drag- happiness, it would be very brief. At length one of ged on their heavy chain through a world that was those rich relations, to strengthen whose interest and poisoned to them both. I know how cold formalities importance your father had been sacrificed, as others were succeeded by open taunts; how indifference are often-it is no uncommon case-died, and, to regave place to dislike, dislike to hate, and hate to pair the misery he had been instrumental in occasionloathing, until at last they wrenched the clanking ing, left him his panacea for all griefs-Money. It bond asunder, and retiring a wide space apart, car- was necessary that he should immediately repair to ried each a galling fragment, of which nothing but Rome, whither this man had sped for health, and death could break the rivets, to hide it in new so- where he had died, leaving his affairs in great confuciety beneath the gayest looks they could'assume. sion. He went, was seized with mortal illness there; Your mother succeeded-she forgot it soon. But it was followed the moment the intelligence reached rusted and cankered at your father's heart for years." Paris by your mother, who carried you with her; he "Well, they were separated," said Monks; " and died the day after her arrival, leaving no will —-no what of that?" will-so that the whole property fell to her and you." " When they had been separated for some time," At this part of the recital, Monks held his breath returned Mr. Brownlow, " and your mother, wholly and listened with a face of intense eagerness, though given up to continental frivolities, had utterly for- his eyes were not directed toward the speaker. As gotten the young husband, ten good years her junior, Mr. Brownlow paused, he changed his position with who, with prospects blighted, lingered on at home, the air of one who has experienced a sudden relief, he fell among new friends. This circumstance, at and wiped his hot face and hands. least, you know already." "Before he went abroad, and as he passed through " Not I," said Monks, turning away his eyes and London on his way," said Mr. Brownlow, slowly, and beating his foot upon the ground, as a man who is fixing his eyes upon the other's face, "he came to determined to deny every thing. "Not I." me." "Your manner, no less than your actions, assures "I never heard of that," interrupted Monks, in a me that you have never forgotten it, or ceased to tone intended to appear incredulous, but savoring think of it with bitterness," returned Mr. Brownlow. more of disagreeable surprise. "I speak of fifteen years ago, when you were not "He came to me, and left with me, among some more than eleven years old, and your father but one- other things, a picture-a portrait painted by himand-thirty-for he was, I repeat, a boy when his fa- self-a likeness of this poor girl-which he did not ther ordered him to marry. Must I go back to events wish to leave behind, and could not carry forward on which cast a shade upon the memory of your parent, his hasty journey. He was worn, by anxiety and reor will you spare it, and disclose to me the truth?" morse, almost to a shadow; talked in a wild, dis"I have nothing to disclose," rejoined Monks. tracted way of ruin and dishonor worked by himself;i " You must talk on if you will." confided to me his intention to convert his whole "These new friends, then," said Mr. Brownlow, property, at any loss, into money, and, having set" were a naval officer, retired from active service, tled on his wife and you a portion of his recent acwhose wife had died some half a year before, and left quisition, to fly the country-I guessed too well he him with two children-there had been more, but, would not fly alone —and never see it more. Even of all their family, happily but two survived. They from me, his old and early friend, whose strong atwere both daughters; one a beautiful creature of tachment had taken root in the earth that covered nineteen, and the other a mere child of two or three one most clear to both-even from me he withheld years old." any more particular confession, promising to write " What's this to me?" asked Monks. and tell me all, and after that to see me once again " They resided," said Mr. Brownlow, without seem- for the last time on earth. Alas! That was the last ing to hear the interruption, " in a part of the coun- time. I had no letter, and I never saw him more. try to which your father in his wandering had re- "I went," said Mr. Brownlow, after a short pause; paired, and where he had taken up his abode. Ac- "I went, when all was over, to the scene of his-I quaintance, intimacy, friendship, fast followed on will. use the term the world would freely use, for each other. Your father was gifted as few men are. worldly harshness or favor are now alike to him-of He had his sister's soul and person. As the old offi- his guilty love, resolved that if my fears were realcer knew him more and more, he grew to love him. ized, that erring child should find one heart and I would that it had ended there. His daughter did home to shelter and compassionate her. The family the same." had left that part a week before; they had called in The old gentleman paused-Mcnks was biting his such trifling debts as were outstanding, discharged lips, with his eyes fixed upon the floor. Seeing this, them, and left the place by night. Why, or whither, he immediately resumed: none can tell." "The end of a year found him contracted, sol- Monks drew his breath yet more freely, and looked emnly contracted, to that daughter-the object of round with a smile of triumph. the first, true, ardent, only passion of a guileless "When your brother," said Mr. Brownlow, drawgirl." ing nearer to the other's chair-" when your broth 156 OLIVER TWIST. er - a feeble, ragged, neglected child — was cast in the river, and the old hag that received them from the my way by a stronger hand than chance, and res- mother is rotting in her coffin.' Unworthy son, coward, cued by me from a life of vice and infamy-" liar-you, who hold your councils with thieves and "What?" cried Monks. murderers in dark rooms at night-you, whose plots " By me," said Mr. Brownlow. " I told you I should and wiles have brought a violent death upon the interest you before long. I say by me-I see that your head of one worth millions such as you-you, who cunning associate suppressed my name, although, for from your cradle were gall and bitterness to your own aught he knew, it would be quite strange to your ears. father's heart, and in whom all evil passions, vice, When he was rescued by me, then, and lay recover- and profligacy festered, till they found a vent in a ing from sickness in my house, his strong resemblance hideous disease which has made your face an index to this picture I have spoken of struck me with as- even to your mind-you, Edward Leeford, do you tonishment. Even when I first saw him in all his still brave me!" dirt and misery, there was a lingering expression in " No, no, no!" returned the coward, overwhelmed his face that came upon me like a glimpse of some by these accumulated charges. old friend flashing on one in a vivid dream. I need "Every word!" cried the old gentleman, "every not tell you he was snared away before I knew his word that has passed between you and this detested history-" villain is known to me. Shadows on the wall have "Why not?" asked Monks, hastily. caught your whispers, and brought them to my ear; "Because you know it well." the sight of the persecuted child has turned vice it"I!" self, and given it the courage and almost the attri"Denial to me is vain," replied Mr. Brownlow. butes of virtue. Murder has been done, to which " I shall show you that I know more than that." you were morally if not really a party." "You-you-can't prove any thing against me," "No, no," interposed Monks. "I-I- know nothstammered Monks. " I defy you to do it!" ing of that; I was going to inquire the truth of the "We shall see," returned the old gentleman, with story when you overtook me. I didn't know the a searching glance. "I lost the boy, and no efforts cause. I thought it was a common quarrel." of mine could recover him. Your mother being dead, " It was the partial disclosure of your secrets," reI knew that you alone could solve the mystery if plied Mr. Brownlow. "Will you disclose the whole?" any body could; and as when I had last heard of "Yes, I will." you you were on your own estate in the West Indies - "Set your hand to a statement of truth and facts, -whither, as you well know, you retired upon your and repeat it before witnesses?" mother's death to escape the consequences of vicious "That I promise too." courses here-I made the voyage. You had left it "Remain quietly here until such a document is months before, and were supposed to be in London; drawn up, and proceed with me to such a place as I but no one could tell where. I returned. Your agents may deem most advisible, for the purpose of attesthad no clue to your residence. You came and went, ing it?" they said, as strangely as you had ever done-some- "If you insist upon that, I'll do that also," replied times for days together and sometimes not for months Monks. -keeping, to all appearance, the same low haunts, "You must do more than that," said Mr. Brownand mingling with the same infamous herd who low. "Make restitution to an innocent and unofhad been your associates when a fierce, ungovern- fending child; for such he is, although the offspring able boy. I wearied them with new applications. I of a guilty and most miserable love. You have not paced the streets by night and day, but, until two forgotten the provisions of the will. Carry them hours ago, all my efforts were fruitless, and I never into execution so far as your brother is concerned, saw you for an instant." and then go where you please. In this world you "And now you do see me," said Monks, rising bold- need meet no more." ly, "what then? Fraud and robbery are high-sound- While Monks was pacing up and down, meditating ing words-justified, you think, by a fancied resem- with dark and evil looks on this proposal and the blance in some young imp to an idle daub of a dead possibilities of evading it-torn by his fears on the man's. Brother! you don't even know that a child one hand and his hatred on the other-the door was was born of this maudlin pair; you don't even know hurriedly unlocked, and a gentleman (Mr. Losberne) that." entered the room in violent agitation. " I did not," replied Mr. Brownlow, rising too; " but "The man will be taken," he cried. " He will be within the last fortnight I have learned it all. You taken to-night." have a brother: you know it and him. There was a " The murderer?" asked Mr. Brownlow. will, which your mother destroyed, leaving the secret " Yes, yes," replied the other. " His dog has been and the gain to you at her own death. It contained seen lurking about some old haunt, and there seems a reference to some child likely to be the result of little doubt that his master either is, or will be, there, this sad connection, which child was born, and acci- under cover of the darkness. Spies are hovering dentally encountered by you, when your suspicions about in every direction. I have spoken to the men were first awakened by his resemblance to his father. who are charged with his capture, and they tell me You repaired to the place of his birth. There exist- he can not escape. A reward of a hundred pounds ed proofs-proofs long suppressed-of his birth and is proclaimed by Government to-night." parentage. Those proofs were destroyed by you, and "I will give fifty more," said Mr. Brownlow, " and now, in your own words to your accomplice the Jew, proclaim it with my own lips upon the spot, if I can'the only proofs of the boy's identity lie at the bottom of reach it. Where is Mr. Maylie?" JACOB'S ISLAND-FOLLY DITCH. 157 "Harry? As soon as he had seen your friend here, ing, at length, in streets remoter and less frequented safe in a coach with you, he hurried off to where he than those through which he has passed, he walks heard this," replied the doctor, " and, mounting his beneath tottering house-fronts projecting over the horse, sallied forth to join the first party at some pavement, dismantled walls that seem to totter as place in the outskirts agreed upon between them." he passes, chimneys half crushed, half hesitating to " Fagin?" said Mr. Brownlow; "what of him?" fall, windows guarded by rusty iron bars that time "When I last heard, he had not been taken, but and dirt have almost eaten away, and every imagihe will be, or is, by this time. They're sure of him." nable sign of desolation and neglect. "Have you made up your mind?" asked Mr. Brown- In such a neighborhood, beyond Dockhead, in the low. in a low voice, of Monks. borough of Southwark, stands Jacob's Island, sur"Yes," he replied. "You-you-will be secret rounded by a muddy ditch, six or eight feet deep with me?" and fifteen or twenty wide when the tide is in, once " I will. Remain here till I return. It is your called Mill Pond, but known in the days of this stoonly hope of safety." ry as Folly Ditch. It is a creek or inlet from the They left the room, and the door was again locked. Thames, and can always be filled at high water by "What have you done?" asked the doctor, in a opening the sluices at the Lead Mills, from which it whisper. took its old name. At such times a stranger, look"All that I could hope to do, and even more. ing from one of the wooden bridges thrown across it Coupling the poor girl's intelligence with my previ- at Mill Lane, will see the inhabitants of the houses ous knowledge, and the result of our good friend's on either side lowering from their backdoors and inquiries on the spot, I left him no loop-hole of es- windows, buckets, pails, domestic utensils of all cape, and laid bare the whole villainy which by kinds, in which to haul the water up; and when his these lights became plain as day. Write and ap- eye is turned from these operations to the houses point the evening after to-morrow, at seven, for the themselves, his utmost astonishment will be excited meeting. We shall be down there a few hours be- by the scene before him. Crazy wooden galleries fore, but shall require rest, especially the young lady, common to the backs of half a dozen houses, with who may have greater need of firmness than either holes from which to look upon the slime beneath; you or I can quite foresee just now. But my blood windows, broken and patched, with poles thrust out, boils to avenge this poor murdered creattre. Which on which to dry the linen that is never there; rooms way have they taken?" so small, so filthy, so confined, that the air would "Drive straight to the office and you will be in seem too tainted even for the dirt and squalor which time," replied Mr. Losberne. " I will remain here." they shelter; wooden chambers thrusting themselves The two gentlemen hastily separated, each in a out above the mud, and threatening to fall into itfever of excitement wholly uncontrollable. as some have done; dirt-besmeared walls and decaying foundations; every repulsive lineament of poverty, every loathsome indication of filth, rot, and garbage; all these ornament the banks of Folly Ditch. CHAPTER L. In Jacob's Island the warehouses are roofless and empty; the walls are crumbling down; the windows are windows no more; the doors are falling into the NEAR to that part of the Thames on which the streets; the chimneys are blackened, but they yield church at Rotherhithe abuts, where the build- no smoke. Thirty or forty years ago, before losses ings on the bunks are dirtiest and the vessels on the and chancery suits came upon it, it was a thriving river blackest with the dust of colliers and the smoke place; but now it is a desolate island indcleed. The of close-built low-roofed houses, there exists the houses have no owners; they are broken open and filthiest, the strangest, the most esxtraordinary of the entered upon by those who have the courage; and many localities that are hidden in London, wholly there they live and there they die. They must have unknown, even by name, to the great mass of its in- powerful motives for a secret residence, or be reduced habitants. to a destitute condition indeed, who seek a refuge in To reach this place the visitor has to penetrate Jacob's Island. through a maze of close, narrow, and muddy streets, In an upper room of one of these houses-a dethronged by the roughest and poorest of water-side tached house of fair size, ruinous in other respects, people, and devoted to the traffic they may be sup- but strongly defended at door and window, of which posed to occasion. The cheapest and least delicate house the back commanded the ditch in manner alprovisions are heaped in the shops; the coarsest and ready described-there were assembled three men, commonest articles of wearing apparel dangle at the who, regarding each other every now and then with salesman's door, and stream from the house parapet looks expressive of perplexity and expectation, sat and windows. Jostling with unemployed laborers for some time in profound and gloomy silence. One of the lowest class, ballast-heavers, coal-whippers, of these was Toby Crackit, another Mr. Chitling, and brazen women, ragged children, and the raff and ref- the third a robber of fifty years, whose nose had been use of the river, he makes his way with difficulty almost beaten in, in some old scuffle, and whose face along, assailed by offensive sights and smells from bore a frightful scar which might probably be traced the narrow alleys which branch off on the right and to the same occasion. This man was a returned left, and deafened by the clash of ponderous wagons transport, and his name was Kags. that bear great piles of merchandise from the stacks " I wish," said Toby, turning to Mr. Chitling, "that of warehouses that rise from every corner. Arriv- you had picked out some other crib when the two 158 OLIVER TWIST. old ones got too warm, and had not come here, my The horror-stricken witness of this scene pressed fine feller." his hands upon his ears, and with his eyes closed got "Why didn't you, blunderhead?" said Kags. up and paced violently to and fro, like one distracted. "Well, I thought you'd have been a little more While he was thus engaged, and the two men sat glad to see me than this," replied Mr. Chitling, with by in silence with their eyes fixed upon the floor, a a melancholy air. pattering noise was heard upon the stairs, and Sikes's "Why look'e, young gentleman,"said Toby, "when dog bounded into the room. They ran to the wina man keeps himself so very ex-clusive as I have dow, down stairs, and into the street. The dog had done, and by that means has a snug house over his jumped in at an open window; he made no attempt head, with nobody a-prying and smelling about it, to follow them, nor was his master to be seen. it's rather a startling thing to have the honor of a "What's the meaning of this?" said Toby, when wisit from a young gentleman (however respectable they had returned. "He can't be coming here. Iand pleasant a person he may be to play cards with I-hope not." at conweniency) circumstanced as you are." " If he was coming here, he'd have come with the "Especially when the exclusive young man has dog," said Kags, stooping down to examine the anigot a friend stopping with him that's arrived sooner mal, who lay panting on the floor. "Here! Give than was expected from foreign parts, and is too us some water for him; he has run himself faint." modest to want to be presented to the Judges on his " He's drunk it all up, every drop," said Chitling, return," added Mr. Kags. after watching the dog for some time in silence. There was a short silence, after which Toby Crack- "Covered with mud-lame - half blind - he must it, seeming to abandon as hopeless any further effort have come a long way." to maintain his usual devil-may-care swagger, turn- " Where can he have come from!" exclaimed Toby. ed to Chitling and said, "He's been to the other kens of course, and finding "When was Fagin took, then?" them filled with strangers, come on here, where he's "Just at dinner-time-two o'clock this afternoon. been many a time and often. But where can he Charley and I made our lucky up the wash'us chim- have come from first, and how comes he here alone ney, and Bolter got into the empty water-butt, head without the other!" downward; but his legs were so precious long that "He!"-(none of them called the murderer by his they stuck out at the top, and so they took him too." old name)-" he can't have made away with himself. "And Bet?" What do you think?" said Chitling. "Poor Bet! She went to see the Body, to speak Toby shook his head. to who it was," replied Chitling, his countenance "If he hadl," said Kags, " the dog'ud want to lead falling more and more, "and went off mad, scream- us away to where he did it. No. I think he's got ing and raving, and beating her head against the out of the country, and left the dog behind. He boards; so they put a strait-weskut on her and took must have given him the slip somehow, or he wouldn't her to the hospital-and there she is." be so easy." "Wot's come of young Bates?" demanded Kags. This solution, appearing the most probable one, "He hung about, not to come over here afore dark; was adopted as the right; and the dog creeping unbut he'll be here soon," replied Chitling. "There's der a chair, coiled himself up to sleep, without more nowhere else to go to now, for the people at The notice from any body. Cripples are all in custody, and the bar of the ken- It being now dark, the shutter was closed, and a I went up there and see it with my own eyes-is candle lighted and placed upon the table. The terfilled with traps." rible events of the last two days had made a deep "This is a smash!" observed Toby, biting his lips. impression on all three, increased by the danger and " There's more than one will go with this." uncertainty of their own position. They drew their "The Sessions are on," said Kags. " If they get chairs closer together, starting at every sound. They the inquest over, and Bolter turns king's evidence- spoke little, and that in whispers, and were as silent as of course he will, from what he's said already- and awe-stricken as if the remains of the murdered they can prove Fagin an accessory befiore the fact, woman lay in the next room. and get the trial on on Friday, and he'll swing in six They had sat thus some time, when suddenly was days from this, by G-!" heard a hurried knocking at the door below. "You should have heard the people groan," said "Young Bates," said Kags, looking angrily round, Chitling; "the officers fought like devils, or they'd to check the fear he felt himself. have torn him away. He was down once, but they The knocking came again. No, it wasn't he. He made a ring round him, and fought their way along. never knocked like that. You should have seen how he looked about him, all Crackit went to the window, and, shaking all over. muddy and bleeding, and clung to them as if they drew in his head. There was no need to tell them were his dearest friends. I can see'em now, not who it was; his pale face was enough. The dog, able to stand upright with the pressing of the mob, too, was on the alert in an instant, and ran whining and dragging him along among'em; I can see the to the door. people jumping up, one behind another, and snarl- "We must let him in," he said, taking up the ing with their teeth and making at him like wild candle. beasts; I can see the blood upon his hair and beard, " Isn't there any help for it?" asked the other man and hear the cries with which the women worked in a hoarse voice. themselves into the centre of the crowd at the street "None. He must come in." corner, and swore they'd tear his heart out!" "Don't leave us in the dark," said Kags, taking SIKES AND THE BOY CHARLEY. 159 down a candle from the chimney-piece, and lighting clenched fist, and becoming more and more excited it, with such a trembling hand that the knocking as he spoke. "Witness you three-I'm not afraid was twice repeated before he had finished. of him-if they come here after him, I'll give him Crackit went down to the door, and returned fol- np; I will. I tell you out at once. He may kill lowed by a man with the lower part of his face me for it if he likes, or if he dares, but if I'm here buried in a handkerchief and another tied over his I'll give him up. I'd give him up if he was to be head under his hat. He drew them slowly off. boiled alive. Murder! Help! If there's the pluck Blanched face, sunken eyes, hollow cheeks, beard of of a man among you three, you'll help me. Murder! three days' growth, wasted flesh, short thick breath; Help! Down with him!" it was the very ghost of Sikes. Pouring out these cries, and accompanying them He laid his hand upon a chair which stood in the with violent gesticulation, the boy actually threw middle of the room, but, shuddering as he was about himself, single-handed, upon the strong man, and in to drop into it, and seeming to glance over his shoul- the intensity of his energy and the suddenness of his der, dragged it back close to the wall-as close as it surprise, brought him heavily to the ground. would go-ground it against it-and sat down. The three spectators seemed quite stupefied. They Not a word had been exchanged. He looked from offered no inteference, and the boy and man rolled one to another in silence. If an eye were furtively on the ground together; the former, heedless of the raised and met his, it was instantly averted. When blows that showered upon him, wrenching his hands his hollow voice broke silence, they all three started. tighter and tighter in the garments about the murThey seemed never to have heard its tones before. derer's breast, and never ceasing to call for help "How came that dog here?" he asked. with all his might. "Alone. Three hours ago." The contest, however, was too unequal to last " To-night's paper says that Fagin's taken. Is it long. Sikes had him down, and his knee was on his true, or a lie?" throat, when Crackit pulled him back with a look " True." of alarm, and pointed to the window. There were They were silent again. lights gleaming below, voices in loud and earnest "D- you all!" said Sikes, passing his hand across conversation, the tramp of hurried footsteps-endhis forehead. "Have you nothing to say to me?" less they seemed in number-crossing the nearest There was an uneasy movement among them, but wooden bridge. One man on horseback seemed to nobody spoke. be among the crowd; for there was the noise of " You that keep this house," said Sikes, turning hoofs rattling on the uneven pavement. The gleam his face to Crackit, " do you mean to sell me, or to of lights increased; the footsteps came more thickly let me lie here till this hunt is over?" and noisily on. Then came a loud knocking at the " You may stop here, if you think it safe," returned door, and then a hoarse murmur from such a multithe person addressed, after some hesitation. tude of angry voices as would have made the boldSikes carried his eyes slowly up the wall behind est quail. him, rather trying to turn his head than actually "Help!" shrieked the boy, in a voice that rent the doing it, and said, "Is-it-the body-is it buried?", air. " He's here! Break down the door!" They shook their heads. "In the king's name," cried the voices without; " Why isn't it?" he retorted, with the same glance and the the hoarse cry arose again, but louder. behind him. "Wot do they keep such ugly things "Break down the door!" screamed the boy. "I above the ground for? —Tho's that knocking?" tell you they'll never open it! Run straight to the Crackit intimated, by a motion of his hand as he room where the light is. Break down the door!" left the room, that there was nothing to fear; and Strokes thick and heavy rattled upon the door directly came back with Charley Bates behind him. and lower window-shutters as he ceased to speak, Sikes sat opposite the door, so that the moment the and a loud huzzah burst from the crowd, giving the boy entered the room he encountered his figure. listener, for the first time, some adequate idea of its "Toby," said the boy, falling back, as Sikes turned immense extent. his eyes toward him, "why didn't you tell me this " Open the door of some place where I can lock this down stairs?" screeching hell-babe!" cried Sikes, fiercely, running There had been something so tremendous in the to and fro, and dragging the boy now as easily as if shrinking off of the three, that the wretched man he were an empty sack. "That door. Quick!" was willing to propitiate even this lad. According- He flung him in, bolted it, and turned the key. "Is ly he nodded, and made as though he would shake the down stairs door fast?" hands with him. "Double-locked and chained," replied Crackit, "Let me go into some other room," said the boy, who, with the other two men, still remained quite retreating still farther. helpless and bewildered. "Charley!" said Sikes, stepping forward. "Don't "The panels-are they strong?" you-don't you know me?" "Lined with sheet-iron." " Don't come nearer me," answered the boy, still " And the windows too?" retreating, and looking, with horror in his eyes, upon "Yes, and the windows." the murderer's face. "You monster!" " D- you!" cried the desperate ruffian, throwing The man stopped half-way, and they looked at up the sash and menacing the crowd. "Do your each other; but Sikes's eyes sunk gradually to the worst! I'll cheat you yet!" ground. Of all the terrific yells that ever fell on mortal "Witness you three," cried the boy, shaking his ears, none could exceed the cry of the infuriated 160 OLIVER TWIST. throng. Some shouted to those who were nearest room where the boy was locked, and that was too to set the house on fire; others roared to the officers small even for the passage of his body. But, from to shoot him dead. Among them all, none showed this aperture, he had never ceased to call on those such fury as the man on horseback, who, throwing without to guard the back; and thus, when the murhimself out of the saddle, and bursting through the derer emerged at last on the house-top by the door crowd as if he were parting water, cried, beneath in the roof, a loud shout proclaimed the fact to those the window, in a voice that rose above all others, in front, who immediately began to pour round, press"Twenty guineas to the man who brings a ladder!" ing upon each other in one unbroken stream. The nearest voices took up the cry, and hundreds He planted a board, which he had carried up with echoed it. Some called for ladders, some for sledge- him for the purpose, so firmly against the door that hammers; some ran with torches to and fro as if to it must be matter of great difficulty to open it from seek them, and still came back and roared again; the inside.; and creeping over the tiles, looked over some spent their breath in impotent curses and exe- the low parapet. crations; some pressed forward with the ecstasy of The water was out, and the ditch a bed of mud. madmen, and thus impeded the progress of those be- The crowd had been hushed during these few molow; some among the boldest attempted to climb ments,watching his motions and doubtful of his pur"BAND CREEPING OVER THE TILES, LOOKED OVER THE LOW PARAPET." up by the water-spout and crevices in the wall; and pose, but the instant they perceived it and knew it all waved to and fro, in the darkness beneath, like a was defeated they raised a cry of triumphant exefield of corn moved by an angry wind, and joined cration to which all their previous shouting had from time to time in one loud furious roar. been whispers. Again and again it rose. Those "The tide," cried the murderer, as he staggered who were at too great a distance to know its meanback into the room, and shut the faces out, " the tide ing took up the sound; it echoed and re-echoed; it was in as I came up. Give me a rope, a long rope. seemed as though the whole city had poured its popThey're all in front. I may drop into the Folly Ditch, ulation out to curse him. and clear off that way. Give me a rope, or I shall On pressed the people from the front-on, on, on, do three more murders and kill myself." in a strong struggling current of angry faces, with The panic-stricken men pointed to where such ar- here and there a glaring torch to light them up, and ticles were kept; the murderer, hastily selecting the show them out in all their wrath and passion. The longest and strongest cord, hurried up to the house- houses on the opposite side of the ditch had been entop. tered by the mob; sashes were thrown up, or torn All the windows in the rear of the house had been bodily out; there were tiers and tiers of faces in evlong ago bricked up, except one small trap in the ery window, and cluster upon cluster of people cling OLIVER REVISITS HIS BIRTHPLACE. 161 ing to every house-top. Each little bridge (and there balance and tumbled over the parapet. The noose were three in sight) bent beneath the weight of the was on his neck. It ran up with his weight tight as crowd upon it. Still the current poured on to find a bow-string, and swift as the arrow it speeds. He some nook or hole from which to vent their shouts, fell for five-and-thirty feet. There was a sudden and only for an instant see the wretch. jerk, a terrific convulsion of the limbs; and there he " They have him now!" cried a man on the nearest hung, with the open knife clinched in his stiffening bridge. " Hurrah!" hand. The crowd grew light with uncovered heads; and The old chimney quivered with the shock, but again the shout uprose. stood it bravely. The murderer swung lifeless "I will give fifty pounds," cried an old gentleman against the wall; and the boy, thrusting aside the from the same quarter, "to the man who takes him dangling body which obscured his view, called to alive. I will remain here till he comes to ask me the people to come and take him out, for God's sake. for it." A dog which had lain concealed till now ran backThere was another roar. At this moment the ward and forward on the parapet with a dismal howl, word was passed among the crowd that the door and collecting himself for a spring, jumped for the was forced at last, and that he who had first called dead man's shoulders. Missing his aim, he fell into for the ladder had mounted into the room. The the ditch, turning completely over as he went, and stream abruptly turned as this intelligence ran from striking his head against a stone, dashed out his mouth to mouth; and the people at the windows, brains. seeing those upon the bridges pouring back, quitted their stations, and, running into the street, joined the concourse that now thronged pell-mell to the spot they had left, each man crushing and striving with CHAPTER LI. his neighbor, and all panting with impatience to get near the door, and look upon the criminal as the of- AFFORDING AN EXPLANATION OF MORE MYSTERIES THAN ficers brought him out. The cries and shrieks of ONE, AND COMPREHENDING A PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE WITH NO WORD OF SETTLEMENT OR PIN-MONEY. those who were pressed almost to suffocation, or trampled down and trodden under foot in the con- THE events narrated in the last chapter were yet fusion, were dreadful; the narrow ways were com- 1 but two days old when Oliver found himself, at pletely blocked up; and at this time, between the three o'clock in the afternoon, in a traveling-carriage rush of some to regain the space in front of the rolling fast toward his native town. Mrs. Maylie, house, and the unavailing struggles of others to ex- and Rose, and Mrs. Bedwin, and the good doctor, tricate themselves from the mass, the immediate at- were with him; and Mr. Brownlow followed in a tention was distracted from the murderer, although post-chaise, accompanied by one other person, whose the universal eagerness for his capture was, if possi- name had not been mentioned. ble, increased. They had not talked much upon the way; for 01The man had shrunk down, thoroughly quelled by iver was in a flutter of agitation and uncertainty the ferocity of the crowd and the impossibility of which deprived him of the power of collecting his escape; but seeing this sudden change with no less thoughts, and almost of speech, and appeared to rapidity than it had occurred, he sprang upon his have scarcely less effect on his companions, who feet, determined to make one last effort for his life shared it in at least an equal degree. He and the by dropping into the ditch, and, at the risk of being two ladies had been very carefully made acquainted stifled, endeavoring to creep away in the darkness by Mr. Brownlow with the nature of the admissions and confusion. which had been forced from Monks; and although Roused into new strength and energy, and stimu- they knew that the object of their present journey lated by the noise within the house, which announced was to complete the work which had been so well that an entrance had really been effected, he set his begun, still the whole matter was enveloped in foot against the stack of chimneys, fastened one end enough of doubt and mystery to leave them in enof the rope tightly and firmly round it, and with the durance of the most intense suspense. other made a strong running noose, by the aid of his The same kind friend had, with Mr. Losberne's ashands and teeth, almost in a second. He could let sistance, cautiously stopped all channels of commuhimself down by the cord to within a less distance nication through which they could receive intelliof the ground than his own height, and had his knife gence of the dreadful occurrences that had so recentready in his hand to cut it then and drop. ly taken place. " It was quite true," he said, " that At the very instant when he brought the loop over they must know them before long, but it might be at his head previous to slipping it beneath his armpits, a better time than the present, and it could not be at and when the old gentleman before mentioned (who a worse." So they traveled on in silence, each busied had chlung so tight to the railing of the bridge as to with reflections on the object which had brought resist the force of the crowd, and retain his position) them together, and no one disposed to give utterance earnestly warned those about him that the man was to the thoughts which crowded upon all. about to lower himself down-at that very instant But if Oliver, under these influences, had remained the murderer, looking behind him on the roof, threw silent while they journeyed toward his birthplace his arms above his head and uttered a yell of terror. by a road he had never seen, how the whole current "The eyes again!" he cried, in an unearthly of his recollections ran back to old times, and what a screech. crowd of emotions were wakened up in his breast, Staggering as if struck by lightning, he lost his when they turned into that which he had traversed L 162 OLIVER TWIST. on foot-a poor houseless, wandering boy, without a first half hour was over, the same silence and confriend to help him, or a roof to shelter his head. straint prevailed that had marked their journey " See there, there! cried Oliver, eagerly clasping down. Mr. Brownlow did not join them at dinner, the hand of Rose, and pointing out at the carriage but remained in a separate room. The two other window; " that's the stile I came over; there are the gentlemen hurried in and out with anxious faces, hedges I crept behind, for fear any one should over- and during the short intervals when they were prestake me and force me back! Yonder is the path ent conversed apart. Once Mrs. Maylie was called across the fields, leading to the old house where I away, and, after being absent for nearly an hour, rewas a little child! Oh Dick, Dick, my dear old friend, turned with eyes swollen with weeping. All these if I could only see you now!" things made Rose and Oliver, who were not in any " You will see him soon," replied Rose, gently tak- new secrets, nervous and uncomfortable. They sat ing his folded hands between her own. "You shall wondering, in silence; or, if they exchanged a few tell him how happy you are, and how rich you have words, spoke in whispers, as if they were afraid to grown, and that in all your happiness you have none hear the sound of their own voices. so great as the coming back to make him happy too." At length, when nine o'clock had come, and they "Yes, yes," said Oliver, " and we'll-we'll take him began to think they were to hear no more that night, away from here, and have him clothed and taught, Mr. Losberne and Mr. Grimwig entered the room, foland send him to some quiet country place where he lowed by Mr. Brownlow and a man whom Oliver almay grow strong and well-shall we?" most shrieked with surprise to see; for they told him Rose nodded "yes;" for the boy was smiling it was his brother, and it was the same man he had through such happy tears that she could not speak. met at the market-town, and seen looking in with " You will be kind and good to him, for you are to Fagin at the window of his little room. Monks cast every one," said Oliver. "It will make you cry, I a look of hate, which, even then, he could not dissemknow, to hear what he can tell; but never mind, ble, at the astonished boy, and sat down near the never mind; it will be all over, and you will smile door. Mr. Brownlow, who had papers in his hand, again-I know that too-to think how changed he walked to a table near which Rose and Oliver were is; you did the same with me. He said' God bless seated. you' to me when I ran away," cried the boy, with a " This is a painful task," said he, "but these decburst of affectionate emotion, "and I will say' God larations, which have been signed in London before bless you' now, and show him how I love him for it!" many gentlemen, must be in substance repeated here. As they approached the town, and at length drove I would have spared you the degradation, but we through its narrow streets, it became matter of n&o must hear them from your own lips before we part, small difficulty to restrain the boy within reasonable and you know why." bounds. There was Sowerberry's, the undertaker's, "Go on," said the person addressed, turning away just as it used to be, only smaller and less imposing his face. "Quick. I have almost done enough, I in appearance than he remembered it-there were think. Don't keep me here." all the well-known shops and houses, with almost ev- "This child," said Mr. Brownlow, drawing Oliver ery one of which he had some slight incident con- to him, and laying his hand upon his head, " is your nected-there was Gamfield's cart, the very cart he half-brother; the illegitimate son of your father, my used to have, standing at the old public-house door- dear friend Edwin Leeford, by poor young Agnes there was the work-house, the dreary prison of his Fleming, who died in giving him birth." youthful days, with its dismal windows frowning on "Yes," said Monks, scowling at the trembling boy, the street-there was the same lean porter standing the beating of whose heart he might have heard. at the gate, at sight of whom Oliver involuntarily "That is their bastard child." shrunk back, and then laughed at himself for being "The term you use," said Mr. Brownlow, sternly, so foolish, then cried, then laughed again-there were "is a reproach to those who long since passed bescores of faces at the doors and windows that he knew yond the feeble censure of the world. It reflects quite well-there was nearly every thing as if he disgrace on no one living, except you who use it. had left it but yesterday, and all his recent life had Let that pass. He was born in this town." been but a happy dream. " In the work-house of this town," was the sullen But it was pure, earnest, joyful reality. They reply. "You have the story there." He pointed imdrove straight to the door of the chief hotel (which patiently to the papers as he spoke. Oliver used to stare up at with awe, and think a "I must have it here, too," said Mr. Brownlow, mighty palace, but which had somehow fallen off in looking round upon the listeners. grandeur and size); and here was Mr. Grimwig all "Listen then! You!" returned Monks. "His faready to receive them, kissing the young lady, and ther being taken ill at Rome, was joined by his wife, the old one too, when they got out of the coach, as if my mother, from whom he had been long separated, he were the grandfather of the whole party, all smiles who went from Paris and took me with her-to look and kindness, and not offering to eat his head-no, after his property, for what I know, for she had no not once; not even when he contradicted a very oldI great affection for him, nor he for her. He knew postboy about the nearest road to London, and main- nothing of us, for his senses were gone, and he slumtained he knew it best, though he had only come that bered on till next day, when he died. Among the way once, and that time fast asleep. There was din- papers in his desk were two, dated on the night his ner prepared, and there were bedrooms ready, and illness first came on, directed to yourself —" he adevery thing was arranged as if by magic. dressed himself to Mr. Brownlow —" and inclosed in Notwithstanding all this, when the hurry of the a few short lines to you, with an intimation on the BEL UCTANT ADMISSIONS. 163 cover of the package that it was not to be forwarded on the night when he returned home, assured that till after he was dead. One of these papers was a she had destroyed herself to hide her shame and his, letter to this girl Agnes; the other a will." that his old heart broke. "What of the letter?" asked Mr. Brownlow. There was a short silence here, until Mr. Brown"The letter?-A sheet of paper crossed and cross- low took up the thread of the narrative. ed again, with a penitent confession, and prayers to "Years after this," he said, "this mall's-Edward God to help her. He had palmed a tale on the girl Leeford's — mother came to me. He had left her that some secret mystery-to be explained one day when only eighteen; robbed her of jewels and mon-prevented his marrying her just then; and so she ey; gambled, squandered, forged, and fled to Lonhad gone on, trusting patiently to him, until she don, where for two years he had associated with the trusted too far, and lost what none could ever give lowest outcasts. She was sinking under a painful her back. She was at that time within a few months and incurable disease, and wished to recover him beof her confinement. He told her all he had meant fore she died. Inquiries were set on foot, and strict to do to hide her shame if he had lived, and prayed searches made. They were unavailing for a long her, if he died, not to curse his memory, or think the time, but ultimately successful; and he went back consequences of their sin would be visited on her or with her to France." their young child; for all the guilt was his. He re- "There she died," said Monks, "after a lingering minded her of the day he had given her the little illness; and on her death-bed she bequeathed these locket and the ring with her Christian name en- secrets to me, together with her unquenchable and graved upon it, and a blank left for that which he deadly hatred of-all whom they involved-though hoped one day to have bestowed upon her-prayed she need not have left me that, for I had inherited her yet to keep it, and wear it next her heart, as she it long before. She would not believe that the girl had done before-and then ran on wildly in the same had destroyed herself and the child too, but was words, over and over again, as if he had gone dis- filled with the impression that a male child had been tracted. I believe he had." born, and was alive. I swore to her, if ever it cross"The will," said Mr. Brownlow, as Oliver's tears ed my path, to hunt it down; never to let it rest; to fell fast. pursue it with the bitterest and most unrelenting Monks was silent. animosity; to vent upon it the hatred that I deeply "The will," said Mr. Brownlow, speaking for him, felt, and to spit upon the empty vaunt of that insult"was in the same spirit as the letter. He talked of ing will by dragging it, if I could, to the very galmiseries which his wife had brought upon him; of lows-foot. She was right. He came in my way at the rebellious disposition, vice, malice, and prema- last. I began well; and, but for babbling drabs, I ture bad passions of you, his only son, who had been would have finished as I began!" trained to hate him; and left you and your mother As the villain folded his arms tight together, and each an annuity of eight hundred pounds. The bulk muttered curses on himself in the impotence of bafof his property he divided into two equal pcortions- fled malice, Mr. Brownlow turned to the terrified one for Agnes Fleming, and the other for their child, group beside him, and explained that the Jew, who if it should be born alive and ever come of age. If it had been his old accomplice and confidant, had a were a girl, it was to inherit the money uncondition- large reward for keeping Oliver ensnared, of which ally; but if a boy, only on the stipulation that in his some part was to be given up in the event of his beminority he should never have stained his name with ing rescued, and that a dispute on this head had led any public act of dishonor, meanness, cowardice, or to their visit to the country house for the purpose of wrong. He did this, he said, to mark his confidence identifying him. in the mother, and his conviction-only strengthen- " The locket and ring?" said Mr. Brownlow, turned by approaching death-that the child would share ing to Monks. her gentle heart and noble nature. If he were dis- " I bought them from the man and woman I told appointed in this expectation, then the money was you of, who stole them from the nurse, who stole to come to you; for then, and not till then, when them from the corpse," answered Monks, without both children were equal, would he recognize your raising his eyes. " You know what became of them." prior claim upon his purse, who had none upon his Mr. Brownlow merely nodded to Mr. Grimwig, who, heart, but had, from an infant, repulsed him with disappearing with great alacrity, shortly returned, coldness and aversion. pushing in Mrs. Bumble, and dragging her unwilling "My mother," said Monks, in a louder tone, "did consort after him. what a woman should have done. She burned this " Do my hi's deceive me!" cried Mr. Bumble, with will. The letter never reached its destination; but ill-feigned enthusiasm, "or is that little Oliver? Oh that and other proofs she kept, in case they ever Ol-i-ver, if you know'd how I've been a-grieving for tried to lie away the blot. The girl's father had the you —" truth from her with every aggravation that her vio- "Hold your tongue, fool!" murmured Mrs. Bumble. lent hate-I love her for it now-could add. Goad- "Isn't natur natur, Mrs. Bumble?" remonstrated ed by shame and dishonor, he fled with his children the work-house master. "Can't I be supposed to into a remote corner of Wales, changing his very feel-I as brought him up porochially-when I see name, that his friends might never know of his re- him a setting here among ladies and gentlemen of treat; and here, no great while afterward, he was the very affablest description! I always loved that found dead in his bed. The girl had left her home, boy as if he'd been my-my-my own grandfather," in secret, some weeks before; he had searched for said Mr. Bumble, halting for an appropriate comparher, on foot, in every town and village near; it was ison. " Master Oliver, my dear, you remember the 164 OLIVER TWIST. blessed gentleman in the white waistcoat? Ah! he "It was all Mrs. Bumble. She iwould'do it," urged went to heaven last week, in a oak coffin with plated Mr. Bumble, first looking round to ascertain that his handles, Oliver." partner had left the room. "Come, sir," said Mr. Grimwig, tartly; " suppress "That is no excuse," replied Mr. Brownlow.'"You your feelings." were present on the occasion of the destruction of " I will do my endeavors, sir," replied Mr. Bumble. these trinkets, and indeed are the more guilty of the "How do you do, sir? I hope you are very well." two, in the eye of the law; for the law supposes that This salutation was addressed to Mr. Brownlow, your wife acts under your direction." who had stepped up to within a short distance of the "If the law supposes that," said Mr. Bumble, respectable couple. He inquired, as he pointed to squeezing his hat emphatically in both hands, " the Monks: law is a ass —a idiot. If that's the eye of the law, "Do you know that person?" the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law a No," replied Mrs. Bumble, flatly. is, that his eye may be opened by experience-by ex" Perhaps you don't?" said Mr. Brownlow, address- perience." ing her spouse. Laying great stress on the repetition of these two "I never saw him in all my life," said Mr. Bum- words, Mr. Bumble fixed his hat on very tight, and, ble. putting his hands in his pockets, followed his help"Nor sold him any thing, perhaps?" mate down stairs. "No," replied Mrs. Bumble. " Young lady," said Mr. Brownlow, turning to Rose, Z' You never had, perhaps, a certain gold locket "give me your hand. Do not tremble. You need and ring?" said Mr. Brownlow. not fear to hear the few remaining words we have to " Certainly not," replied the matron. "Why are say." we brought here to answer to such nonsense as this'?" "If they have-I do not know how they can, but Again Mr. Brownlow nodded to Mr. Grimwig; and if they have-any reference to me," said Rose, " pray again that gentleman limped away with extraordi- let me hear them at some other time. I have not nary readiness. But not again did he return with a strength or spirits now." stout man and his wife; for this time he led in two "Nay," returned the old gentleman, drawing her palsied women, who shook and tottered as they arm through his; "you have more fortitude than walked. this, I am sure. Do you know this young lady, sir?" "You shut the door the night old Sally died," said "Yes," replied Monks. the foremost one, raising her shriveled hand, " but "I never saw you before," said Rose, faintly. you couldn't shut out the sound, nor stop the chinks." "I have seen you often," returned Monks. "No, no," said the other, looking round her and "The father of the unhappy Agnes had two daughwagging her toothless jaws. " No, no, no." ters," said Mr. Brownlow. " What was the fate of "We heard her try to tell you what she'd done, the other-the child?" and saw you take a paper from her hand, and watch- "The child," replied Monks; " when her father ed you too, next day, to the pawnbroker's shop," said died in a strange place, in a strange name, without a the first. letter, book, or scrap of paper that yielded the faint-' Yes," added the second, "and it was a'locket est clue by which his friends or relatives could be and gold ring.' We found out that, and saw it given traced-the child was taken by some wretched cotyou. We were by. Oh! we were by." tagers, who reared it as their own." "And we know more than that," resumed the first, "Go on," said Mr. Brownlow, signing to Mrs. May" for she told us often, long ago, that the young moth- lie to approach. " Go on!" er had told her that, feeling she should never get "You couldn't find the spot to which these people over it, she was on her way, at the time she was tak- had repaired," said Monks; " but where friendship en ill, to die near the grave of the father of the child." fails, hatred will often force a way. My mother "Would you like to see the pawnbroker himself?" found it, after a year of cunning search-ay, and asked Mr. Grimwig, with a motion toward the door. found the child." " No," replied the woman; "if he "-she pointed "She took it, did she?" to Monks-" has been coward enough to confess, as I "No. The people were poor and began to sicken see he has, and you have sounded all these hags till -at least the man did-of their fine humanity; so you have found the right ones, I have nothing more she left it with them, giving them a small present of to say. I did sell them, and they're where you'll money which would not last long, and promising never get them. What then?" more, which she never meant to send. She didn't "Nothing," replied Mr. Brownlow, "except that it quite rely, however, on their discontent and poverty remains for us to take care that neither of you is em- for the chili's unhappiness, but told the history of ployed in a situation of trust again. You may leave her sister's shame, with such alterations as suited the room." her; bade them take good heed of the child, for she " I hope," said Mr. Bumble, looking about him with came of bad blood; and told them she was illegitigreat ruefulness, as Mr. Grilmwig disappeared with mate, and sure to go wrong at one time or other. the two old women — "I hope that this unfortunate The circumstances countenanced all this; the people little circumstance will not deprive me of my poro- believed it; and there the child dragged on an exchial office?" istence, miserable enough even to satisfy us, until a "Indeed it will," replied Mr. Brownlow. "You widow lady, residing then at Chester, saw the girl may make up your mind to that, and think yourself by chance, pitied her, and took her home. There was well off besides." some cursed spell, I think, against us; for in spite of OLIVER FINDS A NEW.RELATION. 165 all our efforts she remained there and was happy. I Joy and grief were mingled in the cup; but there lost sight of her two or three years ago, and saw her were no bitter tears: for even grief itself arose so no more until a few months back." softened, and clothed in such sweet and tender rec" Do you see her now?" ollections, that it became a solemn pleasure, and lost "Yes. Leaning on your arm." all character of pain. "But not the less my niece," cried Mrs. Maylie, They were a long, long time alone. A soft tap at folding the fainting girl in her arms; "not the less the door at length announced that some one was my dearest child. I would not lose her now for all without. Oliver opened it, glided away, and gave the treasures of the world. My sweet companion, place to Harry Maylie. my own dear girl!" "I know it all," he said, taking a seat beside the " The only friend I ever had," cried Rose, clinging lovely girl.'" Dear Rose, I know it all." to her. "The kindest, best of friends. My heart "I am not here by accident," he added, after a will burst. I can not bear all this!" lengthened silence; "nor have I heard all this to" You have borne more, and have been through night, for I knew it yesterday-only yesterday. Do "no YOU NOW Ti ll si" L II I happiness on every one she knew," said bMrs. Maylie, promise?" Rose!" fortune I might possess at your feet; and if you still',ll,,~,,;;/!!!~,/,, which were exchanged in the long close embrace be- self, by no word or act, to seek to change it.' \" D O)O YOU JKNOW THIS IOb'N(G LADY, 8110?" alt the best orphand gentlest creature that ever shed you guess t hat I have come o remind meyou of a happiness on every one she knewinfluence me now, said Ros. Maylie, promise"If I ever?" embracing her tenderly. "1 Come, come, my love, re- " Stay," said Rose. "1 You do know all." member who this is who waits to clasp you in his "All. You gave me leave, at any time within a arms, poor child! See here —look, look, my dear!" year, to renew the subject of our last discourse." " Not aunt," cried Oliver, throwing his arms about "! 1 did." her neck; "I'll never call her aunt —sister, my own "Not to press you to alter your determination," dear sister, that something taught my heart to love pursued the young man, " but to hear you repeat it, so dearly from the first! Rose! dear, darling if you would. I was to lay whatever of station or Rose!" fortune I might possess at your feet; and if you still Let the tears which fell, and the broken words adhered to your former determination, r pledged mywhich were exchanged in the long close embrace be- self, by no word or act, to seek to change it." tween the orphans, be sacred. A father, sister, and "The same reasons which influenced me then will mother were gained and lost in that one moment. influence me now," said Rose, firmly. "If I ever 166 OLI VER TWIST. owed a strict and rigid duty to her whose goodness Maylie had been observed to set it, originally, in a saved me from a life of indigence and suffering, when dark room adjoining; but the best authorities conshould I ever feel it as I should to-night? It is a sider this downright scandal, he being young and a struggle," said Rose, "but one I am proud to make; clergyman. it is a pang, but one my heart shall bear." " Oliver, my child," said Mrs. Maylie, " where have "The disclosure of to-night —" Harry began. you been, and why do you look so sad? There are "The disclosure of to-night," replied Rose, softly, tears stealing down your face at this moment. What "leaves me in the same position, with reference to is the matter?" you, as that in which I stood before." It is a world of disappointment -often to the " You harden your heart against me, Rose," urged hopes we most cherish, and hopes that do our nature her lover. the greatest honor. " Oh, Harry, Harry," said the young lady, bursting Poor Dick was dead! into tears, "I wish I could, and spare myself this pain." " Then why inflict it on yourself?" said Harry, taking her hand. " Think, dear Rose, think what you CHAPTER LII. have heard to-night." "And what have I heard! What have I heard!" cried Rose. "That a sense of his deep disgrace so m[HE court was paved from floor to roof with huworked upon my own father that he shunned all- T man faces. Inquisitive and eager eyes peered there, we have said enough, Harry, we have said from every inch of space. From the rail before the enough." dock, away into the sharpest angle of the smallest "Not yet, not yet," said the young man, detaining corner in the galleries, all looks were fixed upon one her as she rose. " My hopes, my wishes, prospects, man —Fagin. Before him and behind-above, befeelings-every thought in life except my love for low, on the right and on the left —-he seemed to you-have undergone a change. I offer you, now, stand surrounded by a firmament all bright with no distinction among a bustling crowd; no mingling gleaming eyes. with a world of malice and detraction, where the He stood there, in all this glare of living light, blood is called into honest cheeks by aught but real with one hand resting on the wooden slab before disgrace and shame; but a home-a heart and home him, the other held to his ear, and his head thrust -yes, dearest Rose; and those, and those alone, are forward to enable him to catch with greater disall I have to offer." tinctness every word that fell from the presiding "What do you mean?" she faltered. judge, who was delivering his charge to the jury. "I mean but thi —that when I left you last, I left At times he turned his eyes sharply upon them, to you with a firm determination to level all fancied observe the effect of the slightest feather-weight in barriers between yourself and me; resolved that if his favor; and when the points against him were my world could not be yours, I would make yours stated with terrible distinctness, looked toward his mine; that no pride of birth should curl the lip at counsel, in mute appeal that he would, even then, you, for I would turn from it. This I have done. urge something in his behalf. Beyond these maniThose who have shrunk from me because of this, festations of anxiety, he stirred not hand or foot. have shrunk from you, and proved you so far right. He had scarcely moved since the trial began; and Such power and patronage, such relatives of influence now that the judge ceased to speak, he still remainand rank, as smiled upon me then, look coldly now; ed in the same strained attitude of close attention, but there are smiling fields and waving trees in En- with his gaze bent on him, as though he listened gland's richest county; and by one village church- still. mine, Rose, my own!-there stands a rustic dwelling A slight bustle in the court recalled him to himwhich you can make me prouder of than all the self. Looking round, he saw that the jurymen had hopes I have renounced, measured a thousand-fold. turned together, to consider of their verdict. As his This is my rank and station now, and here I lay it eyes wandered to the gallery, he could see the people down!" rising above each other to see his face, some hastily.* f f* * X * applying their glasses to their eyes, and others whis"It's a trying thing waiting supper for lovers," pering their neighbors with looks expressive of absaid Mr. Grimwig, waking up, and pulling his pock- horrence. A few there were who seemed unmindful et-handkerchief from over his head. of him, and looked only to the jury, in impatient Truth to tell, the supper had been waiting a most wonder how they could delay. But in no one face unreasonable time. Neither Mrs. Maylie, nor Harry, -not even among the women, of whom there were nor Rose (who all came in together), could offer a many there -could he read the faintest sympathy word in extenuation. with himself, or any feeling but one of all-absorbing "I had serious thoughts of eating my head to- interest that he should be condemned. night," said Mr. Grimwig, "for I began to think I As he saw all this in one bewildered glance, the should get nothing else. I'll take the liberty, if death-like stillness came again, and looking back, he you'll allow me, of saluting the bride that is to be." saw that the jurymen had turned toward the judge. Mr. Grimwig lost no time in carrying this notice Hush! into effect upon the blushing girl; and the example They only sought permission to retire. being contagious, was followed both by the doctor He looked wistfully into their faces, one by one, and Mr. Brownlow: some people affirm that Harry when they passed out, as though to see which way WANDERING MIND AND IMPRISONED BODY. 167 the greater number leaned; but that was fruitless. hanging down, and his eyes staring out before him, The jailer touched him on the shoulder. He follow- when the jailer put his hand upon his arm, and becked mechanically to the end of the dock, and sat down oned him away. He gazed stupidly about him for on a chair. The man pointed it out, or he would not an instant, and obeyed. have seen it. They led him through a paved room under the He looked up into the gallery again. Some of the court, where some prisoners were waiting till their people were eating, and some fanning themselves turns came, and others were talking to their friends, with handkerchiefs; for the crowded place was very who crowded round a grate which looked into the hot. There was one young man sketching his face open yard. There was nobody there to speak to in a little note-book. He wondered whether it was him; but, as he passed, the prisoners fell back to renlike, and looked on when the artist broke his pencil- der him more visible to the people who were clingpoint and made another with his knife, as any idle ing to the bars; and they assailed him with opprospectator might have done. brious names, and screeched and hissed. He shook In the same way, when he turned his eyes toward his fist, and would have spat upon them; but his the judge, his mind began to busy itself with the conductors hurried him on, through a gloomy pasfashion of his dress, and what it cost, and how he sage lighted by a few dim lamps, into the interior of put it on. There was an old fat gentleman on the the prison. bench, too, who had gone out some half an hour Here he was searched, that he might not have before, and now come back. He wondered within about him the means of anticipating the law; this himself whether this man had been to get his dinner, ceremony performed, they led him to one of the conwhat he had had, and where he had had it; and pur- demned cells, and left him there-alone. sued this train of careless thought until some new He sat down on a stone bench opposite the door, object caught his eye and roused another. which served for seat and bedstead; and casting his Not that, all this time, his mind was for an instant blood-shot eyes upon the ground, tried to collect his free from one oppressive, overwhelming sense of the thoughts. After a while he began to remember a grave that opened at his feet: it was ever present to few disjointed fragments of what the judge had said, him, but in a vague and general way, and he could though it had seemed to him at the time that he not fix his thoughts upon it. Thus, even while he could not hear a word. These gradually fell into trembled, and turned burning hot at the idea of their proper places, and by degrees suggested more; speedy death, he fell to counting the iron spikes be- so that in a little time he had the whole, almost as fore him, and wondering how the head of one had it was delivered. To be hanged by the neck till he been broken off, and whether they would mend it, or was dead-that was the end. To be hanged by the leave it as it was. Then he thought of all the hor- neck till he was dead. rors of the gallows and the scaffold-and stopped to As it came on very dark, he began to think of all watch a man sprinkling the floor to cool it - and the men he had known who had died upon the scafthen went on to think again. fold-some of them through his means. They rose At length there was a cry of silence, and a breath- up in such quick succession that he could hardly less look from all toward the door. The jury re- count them. He had seen some of them die-and turned, And passed him close. He could glean noth- had joked, too, because they died with prayers upon ing from their faces; they might as well have been their lips. With what a rattling noise the drop of stone. Perfect stillness ensued-not a rustle-not went down! and how suddenly they changed from a breath-Guilty. strong and vigorous men to dangling heaps of The building rang with a tremendous shout, and clothes! another, and another, and then it echoed loud groans, Some of them might have inhabited that very cell that gathered strength as they swelled out, like an- -sat upon that very spot. It was very dark; why gry thunder. It was a peal of joy from the populace didn't they bring a light? The cell had been built outside, greeting the news that he would die on for many years. Scores of men must have passed Monday. their last hours there. It was like sitting in a vault The noise subsided, and he was asked if he had strewn with dead bodies -the cap, the noose, the any thing to say why sentence of death should not pinioned arms, the faces that he knew, even beneath be passed upon him. He had resumed his listening that hideous veil.-Light! light! attitude, and looked intently at his questioner while At length, when his hands were raw with beating the demand was made; but it was twice repeated against the heavy door and walls, two men appeared, before he seemed to hear it, and then he only mut- one bearing a candle, which he thrust into an iron tered that he was an old man-an old man-an old candlestick fixed against the wall, the other dragging man-and so, dropping into a whisper, was silent in a mattress on which to pass the night; for the again. prisoner was to be left alone no more. The judge assumed the black cap, and the prisoner Then came night - dark, dismal, silent night. still stood with the same air and gesture. A woman Other watchers are glad to hear the church-clocks in the gallery uttered some exclamation, called forth strike, for they tell of life and coming day. To him by this dread solemnity; he looked hastily up as if they brought despair. The boom of every iron bell angry at the interruption, and bent forward yet more came laden with the one deep, hollow sound-Death. attentively. The address was solemn and impress- What availed the noise and bustle of cheerful mornive, the sentence fearful to hear. But he stood like ing, which penetrated even there, to him? It was a marble figure. without the motion of a nerve. His another form of knell, with mockery added to the haggard face was still thrust forward, his under-jaw warning. ~~16~~~~~~8 ~OLIt 7 WV.7'WiT. The day passed off. Day? There was no day; his head wasr. bandaged with af linen cloth. His red it was gone as soon as comen -and night came on. hair hung down upon his bloodless face; his beard again s nighlt so long, and yet so short; long in its was torn, and twisted. into knots; his eyes shone dieadfLal silncee and short in its fleeting hours. At -w ith a terrible light, his unwasfhed flesh crackled one time he raved and blasphemed; and at alnother with the ftver that burned him Upo Eight --—.nine — honwled and tore his hair, Venerablle men of his orwn ten. If it was not a trick to frighteni him-, and those persuasion htad come to pray beside him, but he had were the real fLio-us treading on each othera's heels, driven them away with curses. Theyl renewed their where would he be when. ithey came otnmd again! charitble efforts, and he beat them off. Ele-ven! Another strucl'bebrLe the voice of the Saturday ntight. He had only one night more to previous hour had. ceased -to vibrate~ At eight, he'live. And as he thoruht of this, the day broke — would be the only moirner in his own ftuel ral trlaim Sunda y. at eleven — It was not until the night of this last awful dayI Those ireadhifl walls of Ne ate t whiuch have hidthat a withering sense of his helpless, desperate state den so much.i misery and such unispeaekable axnlguish, camne in its full intensity upon his blighted soul; not not only from the eyes but, too often, and too long, that he hhada ever held any defined or positive hope of faomn the thoughts of men; never hIeld so dread a' liE SA3T OiOWN ON iA STONE.BENeOi OPPOSITE THE IDi001O" meirey, but that he had never been able to consider spect.acle as that. The few who lingered as they more than the dim probability of dying so soon.. He passed, and wondered what -the man m was doing who had spoken little to either of the two men who re- was to be hanged to-morrow, would htave slept, but lieved each other in their attendance upon him; and ill that night if they could have seen him. they, for their parts, made no effort to rouse his at- From early in the evening until nearly midnight tention. He had sat there, awake, but dreaming. little groups of two and three presented themselves Now, he started up every minute, and with gasping at the lodge-gate, and incitdred, with anxious fiaces, mouth atnd burning skin hurried to and fro, in such wvhethe-r any reprieve had been received. These bea paroxysm of fear and wrath that even they —used ing answered in the negative, comninuncatied the wrelto such sights-recoiled frout him with horror. He come intelligence to clusters in the street, who pointgrew so terrible, at last, in all the tortures of Itis evil ed out to one tnother the door from which he must conscience, that one man could. -not bear to sit there, come out, and shsowed where the scaffold would'be eying himn alone; anld so the two kept watch together. bui.t, and, walking wxithi -unwilling steps away, tu rn He cowered down upon his stone bed, and thought ed. back to conijure up the scene. By degrees they of the past. He had been -wounded witlh some lis- fell off one by one; and for an hour, in the de:ad of siles from thle rowd on the day of his captture, and inight, the street \as left. to solitaude lanid. (Larkness. CLOSING IN. 169 The space before the prison was cleared, and a the attitude of listening he had assumed upon his few strong barriers, painted black, had been already trial. "An old man, my lord; a very old, old man!" thrown across the road to break the pressure of the " Here," said the turnkey, laying his hand upon expected crowd, when Mr. Brownlow and Oliver ap- his breast to keep him down, "here's somebody wants peared at the wicket, and presented an order of ad- to see you, to ask you some questions, I suppose. Famission to the prisoner, signed by one of the sheriffs. gin, Fagin! Are you a man?" They were immediately admitted into the lodge. "I sha'n't be one long," he replied, looking up "Is the young gentleman to come too, sir?" said with a face retaining no human expression but rage the man whose duty it was to conduct them. "It's and terror. "Strike them all dead! What right not a sight for children, sir." have they to butcher me?" " It is not, indeed, my friend," rejoined Mr. Brown- As he spoke he caught sight of Oliver and Mr. low; " but my business with this man is intimately Brownlow. Shrinking to the farthest corner of the connected with him; and as this child has seen him seat, he demanded to know what they wanted there. in the full career of his success and villainy, I think "Steady," said the turnkey, still holding him it as well-even at the cost of some pain and fear- down. " Now, sir, tell him what you want. Quick, that he should see him now." - you please, for he grows worse as the time gets on." These few words had been said apart, so as to be "You have some papers," said Mr. Brownlow, adinaudible to Oliver. The man touched his hat, and vancing, " which were placed in your hands, for betglancing at Oliver with some curiosity, opened an- ter security, by a man called Monks." other gate opposite to that by which they had en- " It's all a lie together," replied Fagin. " I haven't tered, and led them on through dark and winding one-not one." ways toward the cells. "For the love of God," said Mr. Brownlow, solemn"This," said the man, stopping in a gloomy pas- ly, "do not say that now, upon the very verge of sage where a couple of workmen were making some death; but tell me where they are. You know that preparations in profound silence-" this is the place Sikes is dead, that Monks has confessed, that there he passes through. If you step this way, you can is no hope of any further gain. Where are those see the door he goes out at." papers?" He led them into a stone kitchen, fitted with cop- " Oliver," cried Fagin, beckoning to him. " Here, pers for dressing the prison food, and pointed to a here! Let me whisper to you." door. There was an open grating above it through "I am not afraid," said Oliver, in a low voice, as which came the sound of men's voices, mingled with he relinquished Mr. Brownlow's hand. the noise of hammering and the throwing down of "The papers," said Fagin, drawing Oliver toward boards. They were putting up the scaffold. him, " are in a canvas bag, in a hole a little way up From this place they passed through several strong the chimney in the top front-room. I want to talk gates, opened by other turnkeys from the inner side, to you, my dear. I want to talk to you." and, having entered an open yard, ascended a flight "Yes, yes," returned Oliver. " Let me say a prayer. of narrow steps and came into a passage with a row Do! Let me say one prayer. Say only one upon of strong doors on the left hand. Motioning them to your knees with me, and we will talk till morning." remain where they were, the turnkey knocked at one " Outside, outside," replied Fagin, pushing the boy of these with his bunch of keys. The two attend- before him toward the door, and looking vacantly ants, after a little whispering, came out into the pas- over his head. " Say I've gone to sleep-they'll besage, stretching themselves as if glad of the tempo- lieve you. You can get me out, if you take me so. rary relief, and motioned the visitors to follow the Now then, now then!" jailer into the cell. They did so. " Oh! God forgive this wretched man!" cried the The condemned criminal was seated on his bed, boy, with a burst of tears. rocking himself from side to side, with a countenance " That's right, that's right," said Fagin. " That'll more like that of a snared beast than the face of a help us on. This door first. If I shake and tremble man. His mind was evidently wandering to his old as we pass the gallows, don't you mind, but hurry life, for he continued to mutter, without appearing on. Now, now, now!" conscious of their presence, otherwise than as a part "Have you nothing else to ask him, sir?" inquired of his vision: the turnkey. "Good boy, Charley — well done," he mumbled. " No other question," replied Mr. Brownlow. " If "Oliver too, ha! ha! ha! Oliver too - quite the I hoped we could recall him to a sense of his posigentleman now-quite the-take that boy away to tion-" bed!" "Nothing will do that, sir," replied the man, shakThe jailer took the disengaged hand of Oliver, and, ing his head. " You had better leave him." whispering him not to be alarmed, looked on with- The door of the cell opened, and the attendants out speaking. 1 returned. " Take him away to bed!" cried Fagin. "Do you "Press on, press on!" cried Fagin. "Softly, but hear me, some of you? He has been the-the-some- not so slow. Faster, faster!" how the cause of all this. It's worth the money to The men laid hands upon him, and, disengaging bring him up to it-Bolter's throat, Bill; never mind Oliver from his grasp, held him back. He struggled the girl - Bolter's throat, as deep as you can cut. with the power of desperation for an instant; and Saw his head off!" then sent up cry upon cry that penetrated even those "Fagin," said the jailer. massive walls, and rang in their ears until they "That's me!" cried the Jew, falling instantly into reached the open yard. 170 OLIVER TWIST. It was some time before they left the prison. 01- discontented, if his temperament had admitted of iver nearly swooned after this frightful scene, and such a feeling, and would have turned quite peevish, was so weak that for an hour or more he had not if he had known how. For two or three months he the strength to walk. contented himself with hinting that he feared the Day was dawning when they again emerged. A air began to disagree with him; then, finding that great multitude had already assembled; the win- the place really no longer was, to him, what it had dows were filled with people, smoking and playing been, he settled his business on his assistant, took a cards to beguile the time; the crowd were pushing, bachelor's cottage outside the village of which his quarreling, joking. Every thing told of life and ani- young friend was pastor, and instantaneously recovmation but one dark cluster of objects in the centre ered. Here he took to gardening, planting, fishing, of all -the black stage, the cross-beam, the rope, carpentering, and various other pursuits of a similar and all the hideous apparatus of death. kind- all undertaken with his characteristic impetuosity. In each and all he has since become famous throughout the neighborhood as a most profound authority. Before his removal he had managed to contract a CHAPTER LIII. strong friendship for Mr. Grimwig, which that eccentric gentleman cordially reciprocated. He is accordAND L.ST. ingly visited by Mr. Grimwig a great many times in THE fortunes of those who have figured in this the course of the year. On all such occasions Mr. tale are nearly closed. The little that remains Grimwig plants, fishes, and carpenters with great to their historian to relate is told in few and simple ardor; doing every thing in a very singular and unwords. precedented manner, but always maintaining, with Before three months had passed Rose Fleming and his favorite asseveration, that his mode is the right Harry Maylie were married in the village church one. On Sundays he never fails to criticise the serwhich was henceforth to be the scene of the young mon to the young clergyman's face, always informclergyman's labors; on the same day they entered ing Mr. Losberne, in strict confidence, afterward, that into possession of their new and happy home. he considers it an excellent performance, but deems Mrs. Maylie took up her abode with her son and it as well not to say so. It is a standing and very daughter-in-law, to enjoy, during the tranquil re- favorite joke for Mr. Brownlow to rally him on his mainder of her days, the greatest felicity that age old prophecy concerning Oliver, and to remind him and worth can know-the contemplation of the hap- of the night on which they sat with the watch bepiness of those on whom the warmest affections and tween them, waiting his return; but Mr. Grimwig tenderest cares of a well-spent life have been unceas- contends that he was right in the main, and, in proof ingly bestowed. thereof, remarks that Oliver did not come back after It appeared, on full and careful investigation, that all; which always calls forth a laugh on his side, and if the wreck of property remaining in the custody increases his good-humor. of Monks (which had never prospered either in his Mr. Noah Claypole, receiving a free pardon from hands or in those of his mother) were equally di- the Crown in consequence of being admitted apvided between himself and Oliver, it would yield to prover against Fagin, and considering his profession each little more than three thousand pounds. By not altogether as safe an one as he could wish, was, for the provisions of his father's will Oliver would have some little time, at a loss for the means of a livelibeen entitled to the whole; but Mr. Brownlow, un- hood not burdened with too much work. After some willing to deprive the eldest son of the opportunity consideration, he went into business as an Informer, of retrieving his former vices and pursuing an honest in which calling he realizes a genteel subsistence. career, proposed this mode of distribution, to which His plan is, to walk out once a week during churchhis young charge joyfully acceded. time, attended by Charlotte, in respectable attire. Monks, still bearing that assumed name, retired The lady faints away at the doors of charitable pubwith his portion to a distant part of the New World, licans, and the gentleman being accommodated with where, having quickly squandered it, he once more threepenny-worth of brandy to restore her, lays an fell into his old courses, and, after undergoing a long information next day, and pockets half the penalty. confinement for some fresh act of fraud and knavery, Sometimes Mr. Claypole faints himself, but the result at length sunk under an attack of his old disorder, is the same. and died in prison. As far from home died the chief Mr. and Mrs. Bumble, deprived of their situations, remaining members of his friend Fagin's gang. were gradually reduced to great indigence and mrisMr. Brownlow adopted Oliver as his son. Remov- cry, and finally became paupers in that very same ing with him and the old housekeeper to within a work-house in which they had once lorded it over mile of the parsonage-house, where his dear friends others. Mr. Bumble has been heard to say that, in resided, he gratified the only remaining wish of Oli- this reverse and degradation, he has not even spirver's warm and earnest heart, and thus linked to- its to be thankful for being separated from his gether a little society whose condition approached wife. as nearly to one of perfect happiness as can ever be As to Mr. Giles and Brittles, they still remain in known in this changing world. their old posts, although the former is bald and the Soon after the marriage of the young people the last-named boy quite gray. They sleep at the parworthy doctor returned to Chertsey, where, bereft of sonage, but divide their attentions so equally among the presence of his old friends, he would have been its inmates, and Oliver and Mr. Brownlow, and Mr. SUPP RLEMENT AR. 171 Losberne, that to this day the villagers have never summon before me, once again, those joyous little been able to discover to which establishment they, faces that clustered round her knee, and listen to properly belong. their merry prattle; I would recall the tones of that Master Charles Bates, appalled by Sikes's crime, clear laugh, and conjure up the sympathizing tear fell into a train of reflection whether an honest life that glistened in the soft blue eye. These, and a was not, after all, the best. Arriving at the conclu- thousand looks and smiles, and turns of thought and sion that it certainly was, he turned his back upon speech-I would fain recall them every one. the scenes of the past, resolved to amend it in some How Mr. Brownlow went on, from day to day, fillnew sphere of action. He struggled hard, and suf- ing the mind of his adopted child with stores of fered much, for some time, but, having a contented knowledge, and becoming attached to him more and disposition and a good purpose, succeeded in the more as his nature developed itself and showed the end; and, from being a farmer's drudge, and a car- thriving seeds of all he wished him to become-how rier's lad, he is now the merriest young grazier in all he traced in him new traits of his early friend, that Northamptonshire. awakened in his own bosom old remembrances, melAnd now the hand that traces these words falters, ancholy and yet sweet and soothing-how the two as it approaches the conclusion of its task, and orphans, tried by adversity, remembered its lessons would weave, for a little longer space, the thread of in mercy to others, and mutual love, and fervent these adventures. thanks to Him who had protected and preserved I would fain linger yet with a few of those among them-these are all matters which need not to be whom I have so long moved, and share their hap- told. I have said that they were truly happy; and piness by endeavoring to depict it. I would show without strong affection and humanity of heart, and Rose Maylie in all the bloom and grace of early gratitude to that Being whose code is Mercy, and womanhood, shedding on her secluded path in life whose great attribute is Benevolence to all things soft and gentle light, that fell on all who trod it that breathe, happiness can never be attained. with her, and shone into their hearts. I would paint Within the altar of the old village church there her the life and joy of the fireside circle and the stands a white marble tablet, which bears as yet lively summer group; I would follow her through but one word —"AGNES.1" There is no coffin in that the sultry fields at noon, and hear the low tones tomb; and may it be many, many years, before anof her sweet voice in the moonlit evening walk; I other name is placed above it! But if the spirits of would watch her in all her goodness and charity the Dead ever come back to earth to visit spots halabroad, and the smiling, untiring discharge of do- lowed by the love-the love beyond the grave-of mestic duties at home; I would paint her and her those whom they knew in life, I believe that the dead sister's child happy in their love for one anoth- shade of Agnes sometimes hovers round that solemn er, and passing whole hours together in picturing nook. I believe it none the less because that nook the friends whom they had so sadly lost; I would is in a church, and she was weak and erring. THE END,