THE UNIVEJ^I#tr OF ILLINOIS library: SZ-S D55ert ■ I *7 imWERSnVP!-. aturbam^',:u,. bocks rAL.Kj ? turn uiis book on or bef >est Date stamped be irge is made on al^ i\ty of w Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates https://archive.org/details/adventuresofoliv00dick_1 GADSHILL EDITION. The Works of Charles Dickens In Thirty-four Volumes. With Introdu^^^^tons, General Essay, and Notes BT Andrew Lang. VOL. III. OLIVER TWIST. I I Printed from the Edition that tvas carefully corrected by the Author in 1867 and 1868 . The Adventures OP OLIVER TWIST By CHARLES DICKENS WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY ANDREW LANG In One Volume WITH THE ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS LONDON: CHAPMAN & HALL, Ln. NEW YORK : CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS ) INTKODUCTION. / Sir Walter Besant, a novelist of undoubted experience, has remarked : It would be to me, and I believe to everybody, utterly impossible to write two novels at the same time {The City Refuge^ vol. i. p. vi. : 1896). Hard as the feat seems, it was certainly achieved by Scott, by Lever, and, in Oliver Twisty by Dickens. The history of Oliver Twist is, indeed, curious in itself, and a perpetual warning to suc- cessful young authors. Mr. Forster writes : ^‘It was not until the fourth or fifth number of Tickwick (in the latter Sam Weller made his first appearance) that its importance began to be understood by ‘the trade,’ and, on the eve of the issue of its sixth number, the 22nd August, 1836, Dickens had signed an agreement with Mr. Bentley to undertake the editorship of a monthly magazine, to be started the following January, to which he was to supply a serial story ; and soon after he had agreed with the same publisher to write two other tales, the first at a specified early date ; the expressed remunerations in each case being certainly inadequate to the claims of a writer of any marked popularity.” Thus the first half of Oliver Twist was being witten VI INTRODUCTION. exactly at the same time as the last half of Pickzaick^ Dickens ^‘not being even by a week in advance of the printer with either.’’ Different men have different methods. Some could not send a novel to the press for periodical publication before all of it lay before them in manuscript. Others, like Scott and Dickens, have found their powers heightened by the insist- ence of the press. There is no use in scolding at improvisers, after Mr. Carlyle’s manner in his essay on Sir Walter. The merits of care and elaborate diligence, as in the examples of Flaubert, Mr. Stevenson, or Charlotte Bronte, are con- spicuous, but Waverley and Oliver Txmst are likely to live as long as Madame Bovary^ Prince Otto^ or Villette. It is vain to lecture to authors, who will find out their own methods. But Dickens must have put a strain even on his vigour, by writing two novels at once, and by editing Mr. Bentley’s magazine, while, after Pickwick^ new labours under his agree- ment encroached on the time and energy demanded by Oliver. He worked simultaneously at the anonymous Sketches of Young Gentlemen^ the Life Gi'imaldi^ and a pamphlet on Sunday, under Three Heads.” As if acting on Scott’s advice, he struck while the iron was hot, and his labours, being almost entirely imaginative, were more exhausting than Scott’s casual reviews and antiquarianisms. Again, the death of Mary Hogarth interrupted Oliver^ no less than it inter- rupted Pickwick^ and Dickens was also vexed by tracasseries with publishers and by the sense of bondage to an agreement. Nicholas Nickleby had to be commenced, and a horrid shadow of an ine^dtable Barnahy Budge was looming up. “He had a sense lething hanging over him like a hideous night- mare,” ^ Forster. He worked after dinner, and late at nigl irious practice. Moreover, Oliver^ according INTRODUCTIOxX. Vll to Dickens, was ’ ^ iJising immense profits to its publishers,’' while he obtair liy “a paltry, wretched, miserable sum, not equal lo s every day paid for a novel that sells fifteen hundred copies at most.” ^‘The slavery and drudgery of another work on the same journeyman terms” oppressed him ; he was struggling in old toils, and wasting his energies in the very height and freshness of his fame, and the best part of his life, to fill the pockets of others.” Early in 1839, Oliver having run his course, Dickens resigned the magazine, and, in June, 1840, the agreement about Barnahy Budge was rescinded, Dickens paying £2250 for the copyright, and remainder of Oliver. Sic VOS non vobis nid^catis aves ! Dickens made his distressing agreement before Pickwick had attained its full bloom. He mortgaged a noble part of him- self and his future: he stands as a warning to successful beginners, and we can never tell how much better even than they are his early works would have been, had he estimated himself and his value with more confidence. Dickens’s own account of his initial idea in Oliver is ‘Ho sho^v^tEe principle of (rood surviving thr ough eve ry adverse circumstance.” His purpose was 7iot to make his thieves attractive, like Macheath, Dick Turpin, and Jack Sheppard. “ What charms,” he asks, “ has the everyday existence of a thief for the young and ill-disposed, what allurements for the niost jolter-headcjd of juveniles.^” Dickens might have known boys better. The present writer, when aged twelve, was within an inch (as he well remembers) of faking the fogle of . an elderly gentleman as he walked down Hanover Street in Edinburgh ! So much temptation there was to a false following of Mr. Charley Bates. Reflecting that, if I were detected, the worthy Beak might hesitate to accept my Vlll INTRODUCTION. excuse of Vart pour Vart^ and my stateme^nt that I coveted not the fogle, but the opportunity of distinction as a follower of Mr. Bates, I abstained ; nor do I regret it. The worthy Beak might have been a man devoid of literary enthusiasm. Still, there was a practical proof of the “allurements for jolter-headed juveniles.*’’ Thackeray, in Catherine^ criticised the virtues of Nancy as far from plausible, and he wrote Catherine (as Dickens wrote ^Oliver) to display the real psychology of the criminal, including Dickens with “Bulwig” among the mawkish. Yet Dickens’s aim was “ t o show the c rime in its u nattractive and repulsive truth.” As to the character and coi ^uct of Nancy, he wrote, “ I t is t rue ; ” and Thackeray, in the Preface to Pendennis^ has touchingly confessed that he never did know a convict, and felt some diffidence in treating of that class. So Thackeray being commonly an enthusiastic admirer of Dickens, his objections to Nancy may be estimated by each reader for himself. Tfee^iri’^ poetic diction, in talk with Rose Maylie, may be censured, but Scott has justly observeR”'tTial"~^ssion, Tn” persons even of poor Nancy’s circumstances, occasionally rises to eloquence. The hysterical i^iolence of the girl is accurately indicated, and to call her “mawkish,” on the whole, would indeed be “ superfine.” Whether Dickens intended the contrast with the genial caricature of Pickwick^ or not, he was wisely inspired in leaving his broad-blown English fun out of his second novel. There could be no charge of self-imitation, or of harping on / a single string. Caricature, of course, there is: Mr. Bumble and Noah Claypole are esse ntially exag gerated. But only Charley Bates and the Dodger recall the humour of Pickwick *^s best, and the eccentricities of Mr. Grimwig “do not ’niulate.” The merits of the novel mainly appear in 1 INTRODUCTION. IX the thieves’ quarters : Sikes, Fagin, Nancy, the Three Cripples with its^cietyTand the dog, are all admirable and absolutely oilgihal. Many of Dickens’s mannerisms, such as his animismy liis personifications of lifeless beings, do not appear. Nor does he overdo his descriptions, and that character (later too great a favourite) who is always round the corner, always ^Murking for a spring,” is absent. The social satire, like all social satire, Js mainly negative. We see what is wrong, but we are not told what right action should take its place. There are na constructive i deas. Of course, the w eakness of the novel is its plot. T here is a greatly exaggerate d -use-of-coineidettces^.- That Mr. Brownlow should casually be acquainted with Monks, and his history, is a strain on credulity. The girl who will not marry because of a blot on her maternal scut- cheon is as old a figure as the interesting foundling, and the recognition ” is a stock device of the Greek and Roman stage. The character and conduct of Mon ks m ay be explained by his" epileptic constitution, but he is, at best, painfully melo- d ramatic and unconvincing. About the love affair, Mr. Walter Bagehot, forty years ago, said at least as much, in the way of critical blame, as was necessary. Dickens’s strength lay neither in the construction of plots, nor in the conduct of love affairs. Again, the innocence and the eleg ant langu age of Oliver himself may be explained by heredity, or max ,b^ i^egard ed as mere conventk ms.> like the blank verse talked by ^ kings on the stage, while Falstaff speaks plain prose. The hags in the workho use, with their talk about laying out bodies, are manifestly an unconscious reminiscence of the hags ^ and their conversation in The Bride of Lammermuir. With these drawbacks, the novel has the tragic chara cteristic of purifying the passions through pity and t error^ however we are to undeir^' ' at famous saying of Aristotle. Dickens X INTRODUCTION. most appositely answered some I'eviewers by a quotation from Tom Jones ; “the young critics of the age, the clerks, appren- tices, etc., called it low^ and fell a-groaning.*’ The book appeared in three volumes in October, 1838. Cruikshank’s designs may satisfy admirers of Cruikshank. That artist told an American interviewer how his illustrations suggested the story. To put it mildly, this tale was “a hallucination of memory.” Cruikshank’s idea of Oliver, with his preternaturally long nose, prejudices the reader unjustly against a boy who, of the two sorts of boys as classified by Mr. Grimwig, is undeniably “mealy.” In later works, ^ Dickens shines in his boys ; Oliver is of another and more sentimental type. Oliver Txmst needs but two or three notes. We do not know why the Dodger used “Morrice” as a synonym for “ make haste,” but Dickens here usually explains the little thieves^ slang that he permits himself to use. He had none of the pedantry of realism, and his thieves are understood to be obscene and blasphemous without examples in the manner of Zola. On one point Henry Kingsley descried a puzzle. Why was Fagin hanged ? As an “ accessory before the fact ” of Nancy’s murder, is the reply; but the crime could not easily have been brought home, except by poetical justice. ANDREW LANG. PKEF ACE. Once 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^ 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. 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, for ever skulking uneasily through the dirtiest paths of life, with the great bla^.k ghastly gallows closing up their PREFACE. xii 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 BeggaFs 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 pur- chased, 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 anything in the play but a flow^ery and pleasant road, conducting an honourable 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 po verful novel of Paul Clifford, which cannot be fairly considered as having, or as being intended to have, any bearing on this part of the subject, one way or other. PREFACE. xni What manner of life is that which is described in these pages, as the everyday 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 : aerry-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 and freedom with which ‘‘ the road ’’ has been time out of mind invested. The cold wet shelterless midnight streets of London ; the foul and frowsy 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 cannot 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; 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 DodgeFs coat, or one scrap of curl-paper in Nancy'^s dishevelled 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. XIV PREFACE. 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 breathf-.— with some inconsistency, as I venture to think — that 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, I am sure. It is useless to discuss whether the conduct and character of the girl seems natural or unnatural, ])robable or improbable, right 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 Iter blood-stained head upon the robber’s breast, there is not a word exaggerated or over- wrought. 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; rc is a contradiction, an anomaly, an apparent impossibility ; but it PREFACE. XV is a truth. I am glad to have had it doubted, for iu 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. Jacobis 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. CONTENTS -V CHAPTER I. PAGE Treats of the Place where Oliver Twist was Born ; and of the Circumstances attending his Birth 1 CHAPTER II. Treats of Oliver Twist’s Growth, Education, and Board . . 5 CHAPTER III. Relates how Oliver Twist was very near getting a Place, which would not have been a Sinecure . ' 17 CHAPTER IV. Oliver, being offered another Place, makes his first Entry into Public Life 27 CHAPTER Y. Oliver mingles with new Associates. Going to a Funeral for the first Time, he forms an unfavourable Notion of his Master’s Business .......... 35 CHAPTER VI. Oliver, being goaded by the Taunts of Noah, rouses into Action, and rather astonishes him ....... 48 xviii CONTENTS. CHAPTER VII. Oliver continues refractory CHAPTER YIIL Oliver walks to London. He encounters on the Road a Stranire sort of young Gentleman ....... CHAPTER IX. Containing further Particulars concerning the pleasant old Gentle- man, and his hopeful Pupils CHAPTER X. Oliver becomes better acquainted with the Characters of his new Associates ; and purchases Experience at a high Price. Being a short, but very important Chapter, in this History CHAPTER XI. Treats of Mr. Fang the Police Magistrate ; and furnishes a slight Specimen of his Mode of administering Justice CHAPTER XII. In which Oliver is taken better Care of, than he ever was before. And in v/hich the Narrative reverts to the merry old Gentle- man and his youthful Friends CHAPTER XIII. Some new Acquaintances are introduced to the intelligent Reader ; connected with whom various pleasant Matters are related, appertaining to this History . . . .. CHAPTER XIV. Comprising further Particulars of Oliver’s Stay at Mr. Brownlow’s. With the remarkable Prediction which one Mr. Grimwig uttered concerning him, when he went out on an Errand CHAPTER XV. Showing how very fond of Oliver Twist, the merry old Jew and Miss Nancy were PAGE 54 G2 72 80 86 95 106 115 127 CONTENTS. XIX CHAPTER XVI. PAGE Relates what became of Oliver Twist after he had been claimed by Nancy 135 CHAPTER XVII. Oliver’s Destiny continuing unpropitious^ brings a Great Man to London to injure his Reputation . . . . . . 146 CHAPTER XVIII. How Oliver passed his Time, in the improving Society of his reputable Friends . 157 CHAPTER XIX. Ill which a notable Plan is discussed and determined on . . 167 CHAPTER XX. Wherein Oliver is delivered over to Mr. William Sikes . . .178 CHAPTER XXI. The Expedition 187 CHAPTER XXII. . The Burglary . 194 CHAPTER XXIII. Which contains the Substance of a pleasant Conversation between Mr. Bumble and a Lady ; and shows that even a Beadle may I be susceptible on some Points 202 CHAPTER XXIV. Treats of a very poor Subject. But is a short one ; and may be found of Importance in this History . . . . .211 CHAPTER XXV. wiierein this History reverts to Mr. Fagin and Company . 218 XX CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVI. In which a mysterious Character appears upon the Scene ; and many Things, inseparable from this History, are done and performed CHAPTER XXVII. Atones for the Unpoliteness of a former Chapter ; which deserted a Lady, most unceremoniously CHAPTER XXVIII. Looks after Oliver, and proceeds with his Adventures . CHAPTER XXIX. Has an introductory Account of the Inmates of the House to which Oliver resorted CHAPTER XXX. Relates what Oliver’s new Visitors thought of him CHAPTER XXXI. Involves a critical Position . CHAPTER XXXII. Of the hapi^y Life Oliver began to lead with his kind Friends CHAPTER XXXIII. Wherein the Happiness of Oliver and his Friends experiences sudden Check CHAPTER XXXIV. Contains some introductory Particulars relative to a you Gentleman who now arrives upon the Scene ; and a n Adventure which happened to Oliver .... CHAPTER XXXV. Containing the unsatisfactory Result of Oliver’s Adventure ; a a Conversation of some Importance between Harry May and Rose . ........ PAOR 225 239 248 259 264 CONTENTS. XXI CHAPTER XXXVI. PAGIE Is a very short one, and may appear of no great Importance in its Place. But it should be read notwithstanding, as a Sequel to the last, and a Key to one that will follow when its Time arrives 32G CHAPTER XXXVII. In which the Reader may perceive a Contrast, not uncommon in matrimonial Cases 330 CHAPTER XXXVIII. Containing an Account of what passed between Mr. and Mrs. Bumble, and Mr. Monks, at their nocturnal Interview . . 342 CHAPTER XXXIX. Introduces some respectable Characters with whom the Reader is already acquainted, and shows how Monks and the Jew laid their worthy Heads together 354 CHAPTER XL. A strange Interview, which is a Sequel to the last Chapter . .371 CHAPTER XLI. Containing fresh Discoveries, and showing that Surprises, like Misfortunes, seldom come alone ... . . 379 CHAPTER XLII. An old Acquaintance of Oliver’s, exhibiting decided Marks of Genius, becomes a public Character in the Metropolis . . 390 CHAPTER XLIIL Wherein is shown how the Artful Dodger got into Trouble . . 402 CHAPTER XLIV. The Time arrives for Nancy to redeem her Pledge to Rose Maylie. She fails 414 XXll CONTENTS CHAPTER XLV. PAGE Noah Claypole is employed by Fagin on a secret Mission . . 422 CHAPTER XLVI. The Appointment kept 42G CHAPTER XLVII. Fatal Consequences 437 CHAPTER XLYIII. The Flight of Sikes 445 CHAPTER XLIX. Monks and Mr. Brownlow at length meet. Their Conversation, and the Intelligence that interrupts it . . . . . 456 CHAPTER L. The Pursuit and Escape 467 CHAPTER LI. Affording an Explanation of more Mysteries than one, and com- prehending a Proposal of Marriage with no Word of Settle- ment or Pin-money ........ 480 CHAPTER LII. Fagin’s Last Night alive 495 CHAPTER LIII. And Last 505 LIST OF ILLUSTEATKpNS. PAGE Oliver claimed by his affectionate Friends . Frontispiece Oliver asking for more 16 Oliver escapes being bound to a Sweep 26 Oliver plucks up a Spirit 52 Oliver introduced to the respectable old Gentleman . . 70 Oliver amazed at the Dodger’s mode of “going to Work” 82 Oliver recovering from Fever 100 Oliver’s Reception by Fagin and the Boys .... 140 Master Bates explains a professional Technicality . . 162 The Burglary 200 Mr. Bumble and Mrs. Corney taking Tea .... 206 Mr. Claypole as he appeared when his Master was out . 246 Oliver at Mrs. Maylie’s Door 256 Oliver waited on by Bow Street Runners .... 282 Monks and the Jew 316 Mr. Bumble degraded in the Eyes of the Paupers . . 336 The Evidence destroyed ........ 352 Mr Fagin and his Pupil recovering Nancy .... 356 The Jew and Morris both begin to understand each other 396 The Meeting .... 430 Sikes attempting to destroy his Dog 454 The Last Chance . 478 Fagin in the Condemned Cell ....... 502 Rose Maylie and Oliver ........ 508 OLIVER TWIST. CHAPTER L TREATS OF THE PLACE WHERE OLIVER TWIST WAS BORN, AND OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING HIS BIRTH. Among other public buildings in a certain town, which for many reasons it will be prudent to refrain from mentioning, and to which I will assign no fictitious name, there is one anciently common to most towns, great or small : to wit, a workhouse; and in this workhouse was born; on a day and date which I need not trouble myself to repeat, inasmuch as it can be of no possible consequence to the reader, in this stage of the business at all events; the item of mortality whose name is prefixed to the head of this chapter. For a long time after it was ushered into this world of sorrow and trouble, by the parish surgeon, it remained a matter of considerable doubt whether the child would survive to bear any name at all ; in which case it is somewhat more than probable that these memoirs would never have appeared; or, if they had, that being comprised within a couple of pages, they would have possessed the inestimable merit of being the most concise and faithful specimen of biography, extant in the literature of any age or country. Although I am not disposed to maintain that the being bom in a workhouse, is in itself the most fortunate and enviable OLIVER TWIST. circumstance that can possibly befall a human being, I do mean to say that in this particular instance, it was the best thing for Oliver Twist that could by possibility have occurred. The fact is, that there was considerable difficulty in inducing Oliver to take upon himself the office of respiration, — a troublesome practice, but one which custom has rendered necessary to our easy existence; and for some time he lay gasping on a little flock mattress, rather unequally poised between this world and the next : the balance being decidedly in favour of the latter. Now, if, during this brief period, Oliver had been surrounded by careful grandmothers, anxious aunts, experienced nurses, and doctors of profound wisdom, he would most inevitably and indubitably have been killed in no time. There being nobody by, however, but a pauper old woman, who was rendered rather misty by an unwonted allowance of beer ; and a parish surgeon who did such matters by contract ; Oliver and Nature fought out the point between them. The result was, that, after a few struggles, Oliver breathed, sneezed, and proceeded to advertise to the inmates of the workhouse the fact of a new burden having been imposed upon the parish, by setting up as loud a cry as could reasonably have been expected from a male infant who had not been possessed of that very useful appendage, a voice, for a much longer space of time than three minutes and a quarter. As Oliver gave this fir'^^ oroof of the free and proper action of his lungs, the r k coverlet which was carelessly flung over the ’ d, rustled ; the pale face of a young wom^' oly from the pillow; and a faint voice .ated the words, ‘‘Let me see the chfl’ *iad been sitting with his face turned towards ^xvTing the palms of his hands a warm and a rub .ely. As the young woman spoke, he rose^ and .vancing to the bed’s head, said, with more kindness than might have been expected of him *. THE YOUNG MOTHER DIES- 3 ^^Oh, you must not talk about dying yet.'^’ Lor ble ss her dear heart, no ! interposed the nurse, hastily depositing in her pocket a green glass bottle, the contents of which she had been tasting in a corner with evident satisfac- tion. ‘^Lor bless her dear heart, when she has lived as long as I have, sir, and had thirteen children of her own, and all on ’em dead except two, and them in the wurkus with me, shell know better than to take on in that way, bless her dear heart ! Think what it is to be a mother, there’s a dear young lamb, do.” Apparently this consolatory perspective of a mother’s pros- pects failed in producing its due effect. The patient shook her head, and stretched out her hand towards the child. The surgeon deposited it in her arms. She imprinted her cold white lips passionately on its forehead ; passed her hands over her face ; gazed wildly round ; shuddered ; fell back — and died. They ehafed her breast, hands, and temples; but the blood had stopped for ever. They talked of hope and comfort. They had been strangers too long. “ It’s all over, Mrs. Thingummy ! ” said the surgeon at last. Ah, poor dear, so it is ! ” said the nurse, picking up the cork of the green bottle, which had fallen out on the pillow, as she stooped to take up the child. Poor dear ! ” ‘^You needn’t mind sending up to me, if the child cries, nurse,” said the surgeon, putting on his gloves with great deliberation. “ It’s very likely it will be troublesome. Give it a little gruel if it is.” He put on his hat, and, pausing . by the bed-side on his way to the door, added, She was a good-looking girl, too ; where did she come from ? ” ^^She was brought here last night,” replied the old woman, by the overseer’s order. She was found lying in the street. She had walked some distance, for her shoes were worn to pieces; but where she came from, or where she was going to, nobody knows.” The surgeon leaned over the body, and raised the left hand. 4 OLIVER TWIST. no V ii^ g-niig, ind the 1 bottle, eeded to 3SS, young vhich had e been the The old story,’’ he said, shaking his head I see. Ah ! Good night ! ” The medical gentleman walked away to din nurse, having once more applied herself to the sat down on a low chair before the fire, anc dress the infant. What an excellent example of the power Oliver Twist was ! Wrapped in the blar hitherto formed his only covering, he mighi child of a nobleman or a beggar; it would have been hard for the haughtiest stranger to have assigned him his proper station in society. But now that he was enveloped in the old calico robes which had grown yellow in the same service, he was badged and ticketed, and fell into his place at once • — a parish child — the orphan of a workhouse — the humble, ^ half-starved drudge — to be cuffed and buffeted through the world — despised by all, and pitied by none. Oliver cried lustily. If he could have known that he was an orphan, left to the tender mercies of churchwardens and overseers, perhaps he would have cried the louder. CHAPTER II. TREATS OF OLIVER TWISt’s GROWTH, EDUCATION, AND BOARD. For the next eight or ten months, Oliver was the victim of a systematic course of treachery and deception. He was brought up by hand. The hungry and destitute situation of the infant orphan was duly reported by the workhouse authorities to the parish authorities. The parish authorities inquired with dignity of the workhouse authorities, whether there was no female then domiciled in ‘^the house” who was in a situation to impart to Oliver Twist, the consolation and nourishment of which he stood in need. The workhouse authorities replied with humility, that there was not. Upon this, the parish authorities magnanimously and humanely resolved, that Oliver should be ‘^farmed,” or, in other words, that he should be despatched to a branch-workhouse some three miles oflF, where twenty or thirty other juvenile offenders against the poor-laws, rolled about the floor all day, without the inconvenience of too much food or too much clothing, under the parental superintendence of an elderly female, who received the culprits at and for the consideration of sevenpence-halfpenny per small head per week. Sevenpence- halfpenny’s worth per week is a good round diet for a child; a great deal may be got for sevenpence-halfpenny, quite enough to overload its stomach, and make it uncom- fortable. The elderly female was a woman of wisdom and experience; she knew what was good for children; and she 6 OLIVER TWIST. had a very accurate perception of what was good for herself. S>o, she appropriated the greater part of the weekly stipend to her o,vn use, and consigned the rising parochial generation to even a shorter allowance than was originally provided for them. Thereby finding in the lowest depth a deeper still; and proving herself a very great experimental philosopher. Everybody knows the story of another experimental philosopher who had a great theory about a horse being able to live without eating, and who demonstrated it so well, that he got his own horse down to a straw a day, and would unquestionably have rendered him a very spirited and rampacious animal on nothing at all, if he had not died, four-and-twenty hours before he was to have had his first comfortable bait of air. Unfortunately for the experimental philosophy of the female to whose protecting care Oliver Twist was delivered over, a similar result usually attended the operation of her system ; for at the very moment when a child had contrived to exist upon the smallest possible portion of the weakest possible food, it did perversely happen in eight and a half cases out of ten, either that it sickened from want and cold, or fell into the fire from neglect, or got half-smothered by accident; in any one of which cases, the miserable little being was usually summoned into another world, and there gathered to the fathers it had never known in this. Occasionally, when there was some more than usually interesting inquest upon a parish child who had been over- looked in turning up a bedstead, or inadvertently scalded to death when there happened to be a washing — though the latter accident was very scarce, anything approaching to a washing being of rare occurrence in the farm — the jury would take it into their heads to ask troublesome questions, or the parishioners would rebelliously affix their signatures to a remonstrance. But these impertinences were speedily checked by the evidence of the surgeon, and the testimony of the beadle; the former of whom had always opened the body STARVATION OF THE HERO. and found nothing inside (which was very probable indeed), and the latter of whom invariably swore whatever the parish wanted; which was very self-devotional. Besides, the board made periodical pilgrimages to the farm, and always sent the beadle the day before, to say they were going. The children were neat and clean to behold, when they went; and what more would the people have ! It cannot be expected that this system of farming would produce any very extraordinary or luxuriant crop. Oliver Twist’s ninth birth-day found him a pale thin child, some- what diminutive in stature, and decidedly small in circumfer- ence. But nature or inheritance had implanted a good sturdy spirit in Oliver’s breast. It had had plenty of room to expand, thanks to the spare diet of the establishment; and perhaps to this circumstance may be attributed his having any ninth birth-day at all. Be this as it may, however, it was his ninth birth-day; and he was keeping it in the coal-cellar with a select party of two other young gentlemen, who, after participating with him in a sound thrashing, had been locked up for atrociously presuming to be hungry, when Mrs. Mann, the good lady of the house, was unexpectedly startled by the apparition of Mr. Bumble, the beadle, striving to undo the wicket of the garden-gate. ‘‘ Goodness gracious ! Is that you, Mr. Bumble, sir ? ” said Mrs. Mann, thrusting her head out of the window in well-affected ecstasies of joy. “(Susan, take Oliver and them two brats up stairs, and wash ’em directly.) My heart alive ! Mr. Bumble, how glad I am to see you, sure-ly ! ” • Now, Mr. Bumble was a fat man, and a choleric ; so, instead of responding to this open-hearted salutation in a kindred spirit, he gave the little wicket a tremendous shake, and then bestowed upon it a kick which could have emanated from no leg but a beadle’s. “Lor, only think,” said Mrs. Mann, running out, — for the three boys had been removed by this time, — “only think of that ! That I should have forgotten that the gate was bolted OLIVER TWIST. on the inside, on account of them dear children ! Walk in, sir; walk in, pray, Mr. Bumble, do, sir."’ Although this invitation was accompanied with a curtsey that might have softened the heart of a churchwarden, it by no means mollified the beadle. ^^Do you think this respectful or proper conduct, Mrs. Mann,” inquired Mr. Bumble, grasping his cane, ^‘to keep the parish officers a waiting at your garden-gate, when they come here upon porochial business connected with the porochial orphans ? Are you aweer, Mrs. Mann, that you are, as I may say, a porochial delegate, and a stipendiary ? ” ^‘Fm sure, Mr. Bumble, that I was only a telling one or two of the dear children as is so fond of you, that it was you a coming,” replied Mrs. Mann with great humility. Mr. Bumble had a great idea of his oratorical powers and his importance. He had displayed the one, and vindicated the other. He relaxed. Well, well, Mrs. Mann,” he replied in a calmer tone ; ^‘it may be as you say; it may be. Lead the way in, Mrs. Mann, for I come on business, and have something to say.” Mrs. Mann ushered the beadle into a small parlour with a brick floor; placed a seat for him; and officiously deposited his cocked hat and cane on the table before him. Mr. Bumble wiped from his forehead the perspiration which his walk had engendered, glanced complacently at the cocked hat, and smiled. Yes, he smiled. Beadles are but men ; and Mr. Bumble smiled. ‘^Now don’t you be offended at what Fm a going to say,” observed Mrs. Mann, with captivating sweetness. ‘^You’ve had a long walk, you know, or I wouldn’t mention it. Now, will you take a little drop of somethink, Mr. Bumble?” ‘^Not a drop. Not a drop,” said Mr. Bumble, waving his right hand in a dignified, but placid manner. ‘^I think you will,” said Mrs. Mann, who had noticed the tone of the refusal, and the gesture that had accompanied it. THE BEADLE ON BUSINESS. 9 ‘^Just a leetle drop, with a little cold water, and a lump of sugar.’’ Mr. Bumble coughed. ‘‘Now, just a leetle drop,” said Mrs. Mann persuasively. “ What is it ? ” inquired the beadle. “Why, it’s what I’m obliged to keep a little of in the house to put into the blessed infants’ Daffy, when they ain’t well, Mr. Bumble,” replied Mrs. Mann as she opened a corner cupboard, and took down a bottle and glass. “It’s gin. I’ll not deceive you, Mr. B. It’s gin.” “Do you give the children Daffy, Mrs. Mann?” inquired Bumble, following with his eyes the interesting process of mixing. “Ah, bless ’em, that I do, dear as it is,” replied the nurse. “ I couldn’t see ’em suffer before my very eyes, you know, sir.” “ No ; ” said Mr. Bumble approvingly ; “ no, you could not. You are a humane woman, Mrs. Mann.” (Here she set down the glass.) “ I shall take a early opportunity of mentioning it to the board, Mrs. Mann.” (He drew it towards him.) “ You feel as a mother, Mrs. Mann.” (He stirred the gin-and- water.) “I — I drink your health with cheerfulness, Mrs. Mann ; ” and he swallowed half of it. “And now about business,” said the beadle, taking out a leathern pocket-book. “The child that was half-baptized Oliver Twist, is nine year old to-day.” “ Bless him ! ” interposed Mrs. Mann, inflaming her left eye with the corner of her apron. “And notwithstanding a offered reward of ten pound, which was afterwards increased to twenty pound. Notwith- standing the most superlative, and, I may say, supernat’ral exertions on the part of this parish,” said Bumble, “we have never been able to discover who is his father, or what was his mother’s settlement, name, or con — dition.” Mrs. Mann raised her hands in astonishment; but added, after a moment’s reflection, “How comes he to have any name at all, then ? ” 10 OLIVER TWIST. The beadle drew himself up with great pride, and said, ‘a inwent “ Yor .mble ! ” “ I Aim. We name our fondlings in alphabetical ord" last was a S,— Swubble, I named him. This was 0 ^t, I named him. The next one as comes will be md the next Vilkins. I have got names ready made end of the alphabet, and all the way through it again, 1 we come to Z.’’ ‘Why, youVe quite a litemry character, sir ! said Mrs. Mann. “Well, well,’** said the beadle, evidently gratified with the compliment; “perhaps I may be. Perhaps I may be, Mrs. Mann.” He finished the gin-and-water, and added, “Oliver being now too old to remain here, the board have determined to have him back into the house. I have come out myself to take him there. So let me see him at once.” “ ril fetch him directly,” said Mrs. Mann, leaving the room for that purpose. Oliver, having had by this time as much of the outer coat of dirt which encrusted his face and hands, removed, as could be scrubbed off in one washing, was led into the room by his benevolent protectress. “ Make a bow to the gentleman, Oliver,” said Mrs. Mann. Oliver made a bow, which was divided between the beadle on the chair, and the cocked-hat on the table. “Will you go along with me, Oliver said Mr. Bumble, in a majestic voice. Oliver was about to say that he would go along with any- body with great readiness, when, glancing upward, he caught sight of Mrs. Mann, who had got behind the beadle’s chair, and was shaking her fist at him with a furious countenance. He took the hint at once, for the fist had been too often impressed upon his body not to be deeply impressed upon his recollection. “ Will she go with me ? ” inquired poor Oliver. “No, she can’t,” replied Mr. Bumble. “But she’ll come and see you sometimes.” THE HERO QUITS MRS. MANN’S. 11 This was no very great consolation to the child. Young as he was, however, he had sense enough to make a feint of feeling great regret at going away. It was no very difficult matter for the boy to call tears into his eyes. Hunger and recent ill-usage are great assistants if you want to cry ; and Oliver cried very naturally indeed. Mrs. Mann gave him a thousand embraces, and, what Oliver wanted a great deal more a piece of bread and butter, lest he should seem too hungr when he got to the workhouse. With the slice of bread i his hand, and the little brown-cloth parish cap on his head, Oliver was then led away by Mr. Bumble from the wretched home where one kind word or look had never lighted the gloom of his infant years. And yet he burst into an agony of childish grief, as the cottage-gate closed after him. Wretched as were the little companions in misery he was leaving behind, th^y were the only friends he had ever known; and a sense of his loneliness in the great wide world, sank into the child’s heart for the first time. Mr. Bumble walked on with long strides; little Oliver, firmly grasping his gold-laced cuff, trotted beside him, inquiring at the end of every quarter of a mile whether they were nearly there.” To these interrogations Mr. Bumble returned very brief and snappish replies ; for the temporary blandness which gin-and-water awakens in some bosoms had by this time evaporated ; and he was once again a beadle. Oliver had not been within the walls of the workhouse a quarter of an hour, and had scarcely completed the demolition of a second slice of bread, when Mr. Bumble, who had handed him over to the care of an old woman, returned ; and, telling him it was a board night, informed him that the board had said he was to appear before it forthwith. Not having a very clearly defined notion of what a live board was, Oliver was rather astounded by this intelligence, and was not quite certa' ' '}ther he ought to laugh or cry. He had no time to tl hout the matter, however; for Mr. Bumble gave bin p on the head, with his cane, to OLIVER IWIST. ) ,ke him up : and another on the back to make him lively : i bidding him follow, conducted him into a large white- hed room, where eight or ten fat gentlemen were sitting ad a table. At the top of the table, seated in an arm- r rr.ther higher than the rest, was a particularly fat leman with a very round, red face. 3ow to the board,*” said Bumble. Oliver brushed away Sr three tears that were lingering in his eyes ; and seeing )ard but the table, fortunately bowed to that. What’s your name, boy ? ” said the gentleman in the high air. Oliver was frightened at the sight of so many gentlemen, which made him tremble : and the beadle gave him another tap behind, which made him cry. These two causes made him answer in a very low and hesitating voice; whereupon a gentleman in a white waistcoat said he was a fool. Which was a capital way of raising his spirits, and putting him quite at his ease. Boy,” said the gentleman in the high chair, listen to me. You know you’re an orphan, I suppose.^” What’s that, sir?” inquired poor Oliver. The boy is a fool — I thought he was,” said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. ^‘Hush !” said the gentleman who had spoken first. You know you’ve got no father or mother, and that you were brought up by the parish, don'^t you ? ‘‘Yes, sir,” replied Oliver, weeping bitterly. “What are you crying for?” inquired the gentleman in the white waistcoat. And to be sure it was very extraordinary. What could the boy be crying for? “ I hope you say your prayers every night,” said another gentleman in a gruff voice; “and pray for the people who feed you, and take care of you — like a Christian.” “ Yes, sir,” stammered the boy. The gentleman who spoke last was unconsciously right. It would have been very like a Christian, and a marvellously good Christian, too, if Oliver BEFORE THE BOARD. 13 ^ had prayed for the people who fed and took care of him. But he hadn’t, because nobody had taught him. ^^Well! You have come here to be educated, and taught i a useful trade,” said the red-faced gentleman in the high " chair. So you’ll begin to pick oakum to-morrow morning at six o’clock,” added the surly one in the white waistcoat. , I For the combination of both these blessings in the one I simple process of picking oakum, Oliver bowed low by the i direction of the beadle, and was then hurried away to a large I ward: where, on a rough, hard bed, he sobbed himself to i sleep. / What a noble illustration of the tender laws of : England ! They let the paupers go to sleep Q I Poor Oliver! He little thought, as he lay sleeping in \ happy unconsciousness of all around him, that the board had that very day arrived at a decision which would exercise the ! most material influence over all his future fortunes. But they had. And this was it ; The members of this board were very sage, deep, philosophical men ; and when they came to turn their attention to the workhouse, they found out at once, what ordinary folks would never have discovered — the poor people liked it ! It was a regular place of public entertainment for the poorer classes; a tavern where there was nothing to pay ; a public breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper all the year round; a brick and mortar elysium, where it was all play and no work. Oho ! ” said the board, looking very knowing; “we are the fellows to set this to rights ; we’ll stop it all, in no time.” So, they establisl^ the rule, that all poor people should hav^ the alternative (for they would compel nobody, not they), of being starved by „a gradual process in the house, or by a quick one out of it. With this view, they contracted with the water-works to lay on an unlimited supply of water ; and with a corn-factor to supply periodically small quantities of oatmeal ; and issued three meals of thin gruel a day, with an qniop twice a weekj and half a roll on Sundays^ They made 14 OLIVER TWIST. a great many other wise and humane regulations, having reference to the ladies, which it is not necessary to repeat; kindly undertook to divorce poor married people, in conse- quence of the great expense of a suit in Doctors’ Commons ; and, instead of compelling a man to support his family, as they had theretofore done, took his family away from him, and made him a bachelor ! There is no saying how many appli- cants for relief, under these last two heads, might have started up in all classes of society, if it had not been coupled with the workhouse; btit the board were long-headed men, and had provided for this difficulty. The relief was inseparable from the workhouse and the gruel; and that frightened people. For the first six months after Oliver Twist was removed, the system was in full operation. It was rather expensive at first, in consequence of the increase in the undertaker s bill, and the necessity of taking in the clothes of all the paupers, which fluttered loosely on their wasted, shrunken forms, after a week or two’s gruel. But the number of workhouse in- mates got thin as well as the paupers; and the board were in ecstasies. The room in which the boys were fed, was a large stone hall, with a copper at one end: out of which the master^ dressed in an apron for the purpose, and assisted by one or two women, ladled the gruel at meal-times. Of this festive composition each boy had one porringer, and no more — except on occasions of great public rejoicing, when he had two ounces and a quarter of bread besides. The ’ ^ never wanted washing. The boys polished them with spoons till they shone again; and when they had pei i this operation (which never took very long, the sj, being nearly as large as the bowls), they would sit sta it the copper, with such eager eyes, as if they could ha\ oured the very bricks of which it was composed; employ hem- selves, meanwhile, in sucking their fingers most ai jsly, with the view of catching up any stray splashes of 4 that OLIVER ASKS FOR MORE. 15 might have been cast thereon. Boys have generally excellent appetites. Oliver Twist and his companions suffered the tortures of slow starvation for three months : at last they got so voracious and wild with hunger, that one boy, who was tall for his age, and hadn’t been used to that sort of thing (for his father had kept a small cook-shop), hinted darkly to his companions, that unless he had another basin of gruel per diem^ he was afraid he might some night happen to eat the boy who slept next him, who happened to be a weakly youth of tender age. He had a wild, hungry eye ; and they implicitly believed him. A council was held ; lots were cast who should walk up to the master after supper that evening, and ask for more ; and it fell to Oliver Twist. The evening arrived; the boys took their places. The master, in his cook’s uniform, stationed himself at the copper ; his pauper assistants ranged themselves behind him ; the gruel was served out; and a long grace was said over the short commons. The gruel disappeared; the boys whispered each other, and winked at Oliver ; while his next neighbours nudged him. Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table ; and advancing to the master, basin and spoon in hand, said : somewhat alarmed at his own temerity : Please, sir, I want some more.” The master was a fat, healthy man ; but he turned very pale. He gazed in stupefied astonishment on the small rebel for some seconds, and then clung for support to the copper. The assistants were paralysed with wonder; the boys with fear. What ! ” said the master at length, in a faint voice. Please, sir,” replied Oliver, want some more.” The master aimed a blow at Oliver’s head with the ladle; pinioned him in his arms ; and shrieked aloud for the beadle. The board were sitting in solemn conclave, when Mr. Bumble rushed into the room in great excitement, and addressing the gentleman in the high chair, said. 16 OLIVER TWIST. Mr. Limbkins, I beg your pardon, sir ! Oliver Twist has asked for more ! There was a general start. Horror was depicted on every countenance. ‘^For moreT'' said Mr. Limbkins. “Compose yourself, Bumble, and answer me distinctly. Do I understand that he asked for more, after he had eaten the supper allotted by the dietary.^” “He did, sir,^’ replied Bumble. “That boy will be hung,’’ said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. “I know that boy will be hung.” Nobody controverted the prophetic gentleman's opinion. An animated discussion took place. Oliver was ordered into instant confinement; and a bill was next morning pasted on the outside of the gate, oftering a reward of five pounds to anybody who would take Oliver Twist off the hands of the parish. In other words, five pounds and Oliver Twist were offered to any man or woman who wanted an apprentice to any trade, business, or calling. “ I never was more convinced of anything in my life,” said the gentleman in the white waistcoat, as he knocked at the gate and read the bill next morning: “I never was more convinced of anything in my life, than I am that that boy will come to be hung.” As I purpose to show in the sequel whether the white- waistcoated gentleman was right or not, I should perhaps mar the interest of this narrative (supposing it to possess any at all), if I ventured to hint just yet, whether the life of Oliver Twist had this violent termination or no. i A RIGHT PLEASANT TRADE. 19 of soot with which the little cart was laden ; so, without noticing the word of command, he jogged onward. Mr. Gamfield growled a fierce imprecation on the donkey generally, But ftiore particularly on his eyes ; and, running after him, bestowed a blow on his head, which would inevitably have beaten in any skull but a donkey’s. Then, catching hold of the bridle, he gave his jaw a sharp wrench, by way of gentle reminder that he was not his own master; and by these means turned him round. He then gave him another blow on the head, just to stun him till he came back again. Having completed these arrangements, he walked up to the gate, to read the bill. The gentleman with the white waistcoat was standing at the gate with his hands behind him, after having delivered himself of some profound sentiments in the board-room. Having witnessed the little dispute between Mr. Gamfield and the donkey, he smiled joyously when that person came up to read the bill, for he saw at once that Mr. Gamfield was exactly the sort of master Oliver Twist wanted. Mr. Gamfield smiled, too, as he perused the document ; for five pounds was just the sum he had been wishing for;* and, as to the boy with which it was encumbered, Mr. Gamfield, knowing what the dietary of the workhouse was, Vv^ell knew he would be a nice small pattern, just the very thing for register stoves. So, he spelt the bill through again, from beginning to end; and then, touching his fur cap in token of humility, accosted the gentleman in the white waistcoat. “ This here boy, sir, wot the parish wants to ’prentis,” said Mr. Gamfield. ‘^Ay, my man,” said the gentleman in the white waistcoat, with a condescending smile. What of him ? ” ^^If the parish vould like him to learn a right pleasant trade, in a good ’spectable chimbley-sweepin’ bisness,” said Mr. Gamfield, “ I wants a ’prentis, and I am ready to take him.” ^^Walk in,” said the gentleman in the white waistcoat.' 20 OLIVER TWIST. Mr. Gamfield having lingered behind, to give the donkey another blow on the head, and another wrench of the jaw, as a caution not to run away in his absence, followed the gentleman with the white waistcoat into the room where Oliver had first seen him. “It’s a nasty trade,” said Mr. Limbkins, when Gamfield had again stated his wish. “Young boys have been smothered in chimneys before now,” said another gentleman. “That’s acause they damped the straw afore they lit it in the chimbley to make ’em come down agin,” said Gamfield; “ that’s all smoke, and no blaze ; vereas smoke ain’t o’ no use at all in making a boy come down, for it only sinds him to sleep, and that’s wot he likes. Boys is wery obstinit, and wery lazy, gen’lmen, and there’s nothink like a good hot blaze to make ’em come down vith a run. It’s humane too, gen’lmen, acause, even if they’ve stuck in the chimbley, roasting their feet makes ’em struggle to hextricate theirselves.” The gentleman in the white waistcoat appeared very much amused by this explanation; but his mirth was speedily checked by a look from Mr. Limbkins. The board then proceeded to converse among themselves for a few minutes, but in so low a tone, that the words “ saving of expenditure,” “looked well in the accounts,” “have a printed report pub- lished,” were alone audible. These only chanced to be heard, indeed, on account of their being very frequently repeated with great emphasis. At length the whispering ceased; and the members of the board, having resumed their seats and their solemnity, Mr. Limbkins said : “We have considered your proposition, and we don’t approve of it.” “Not at all,” said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. “Decidedly not,” added the other members. As Mr. Gamfield did happen to labour under the slight imputation of having bruised three or four boys to death ALMOST APPRENTICED. 21 already, it occurred to him that the board had, perhaps, in some unaccountable freak, taken it into their heads that this extraneous circumstance ought to influence their proceedings. It was very unlike their general mode of doing business, if they had ; but still, as he had no particular wish to revive the rumour, he twisted his cap in his hands, and walked slowly from the table. ‘^So you won't let me have him, gen'lmen.^" said ]VIi\ Gamfield, pausing near the door. “No," replied Mr. Limbkins; “at least, as it's a nasty business, we think you ought to take something less than the premium we offered." Mr. Gamfield's countenance brightened, as, with a quick step, he returned to the table, and said, “ What'll you give, gen'lmen ? Come ! Don't be too hard on a poor man. What'll you give ? " “I should say, three pound ten was plenty," said Mr. Limbkins. “Ten shillings too much," said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. “Come!" said Gamfield; “say four pound, gen'lmen. Say four pound, and you've got rid on him for good and all. There!" “Three pound ten," repeated Mr. Limbkins, firmly. “ Come ! I'll split the difference, gen'lmen," urged Gamfield. “Three pound fifteen." “ Not a farthing more," was the firm reply of Mr. Limbkins. “ You're desperate hard upon me, gen'lmen," said Gamfield, wavering. “ Pooh ! pooh ! nonsense ! " said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. “ He'd be cheap with nothing at all, as a premium. Take him, you silly fellow ! He's just the boy for you. He wants the stick, now and then : it'll do him good; and his board needn't come very expensive, for he hasn't been over-fed since he was bom. Ha ! ha ! ha ! " Mr. Gamfield gave an arch look at the faces round the OLIVER TWIST. 00 table, and, observing a smile. on all of them, gradually broke into a smile himself. The bargain was made. Mr. Bumble was at once instructed that Oliver Twist and his indentures were to be conveyed before the magistrate, for signature and approval, that very afternoon. In pursuance of this determination, little Oliver, to his excessive astonishment, was released from bondage, and ordered to put himself into a clean shirt. He had hardly achieved this very unusual gymnastic performance, when Mr. Bumble brought him, with his own hands, a basin of gruel, and the holiday allowance of two ounces and a quarter of bread. At this tremendous sight, Oliver began to cry very piteously: thinking, not unnaturally, that the board must have determined to kill him for some useful purpose, or they never would have begun to fatten him up in that way. Don’t make your eyes red, Oliver, but eat your food and be thankful,” said Mr. Bumble, in a tone of impressive pom- posity. ^‘You’re a going to be made a ’prentice of, Oliver.” . “ A ’prentice, sir ! ” said the child, trembling. ‘^Yes, Oliver,” said Mr. Bumble. ^^The kind and blessed gentlemen which is so many parents to you, Oliver, when you have none of your own : are a going to ’prentice you : and to set you up in life, and make a man of you : although the expense to the parish is three pound ten ! — three pound ten, Oliver ! — seventy shillins — one hundred and forty sixpences ! — and all for a naughty oi’phan which nobody can’t love.” As Mr. Bumble paused to take breath, after delivering this address in an awful voice, the tears rolled down the poor child’s face, and he sobbed bitterly. Come,” said Mr. Bumble, somewhat less pompously, for it was gratifying to his feelings to observe the effect his eloquence had produced ; ‘‘ Come, Oliver ! Wipe your eyes with the cuffs of your jacket, and don’t cry into your gruel ; that’s a very foolish action, Oliver.” It certainly was, for there was quite enough water in it already. 23 BUT NOT QUITE. On their way to the magistrate, Mr, Bumble instructed Oliver ^:hat all he would have to do, would be to look very happy, and say, when the gentleman asked him if he wanted to be apprenticed, that he should like it very much indeed ; both of which injunctions Oliver promised to obey : the rather as Mr. Bumble threw in a gentle hint, that if he failed in either particular, there was no telling what would be done to him. When they arrived at the office, he was shut up in a little room by himself, and admonished by Mr. Bumble to stay there, until he came back to fetch him. There the boy remained, with a palpitating heart, for half an hour. At the expiration of which time Mr. Bumble thrust in his head, unadorned with the cocked hat, and said aloud : “Now, Oliver, my dear, come to the gentleman.*’*’ As Mr. Bumble said this, he put on a grim and threatening look, and added, in a low voice, “ Mind what I told you, you young rascal ! ’*’ Oliver stared innocently in Mr. Bumble’s face at this some- what contradictory style of address; but that gentleman prevented his offering any remark thereupon, by leading him at once into an adjoining room : the door of which was open. It was a large room, with a great window. Behind a desk, sat two old gentlemen with powdered heads : one of whom was reading the newspaper; while the other was perusing, with the aid of a pair of tortoise-shell spectacles, a small piece of parchment which lay before him. Mr. Limbkins was standing in front of the desk on one side ; and Mr. Gamfield, with a partially washed face, on the other; while two or three bluff-looking men, in top-boots, were lounging about. The old gentleman with the spectacles gradually dozed off, over the little bit of parchment ; and there was a short pause, after Oliver had been stationed by Mr. Bumble in front of the desk. “ This is the boy, your worship,*” said Mr. Bumble. The old gentleman who was reading the newspaper raised his head for a moment, and pulled the other old gentleman 24 OLIVER TWIST. by the sleeve; whereupon, the last-mentioned old ge man woke up. Oh, is this the boy ? ’’ said the old gentleman. “This is him, sir,’’ replied Mr. Bumble. “Bow the magistrate, my dear.” Oliver roused himself, and made his best obeisan He had been wondering, with his eyes fixed on the magistrates’ powder, whether all boards were born with that white stuff on their heads, and were boards from thenceforth on that account. “Well,” said the old gentleman, “I suppose he’s fond of chimney-sweeping ? ” “ He doats on it, your worship,” replied Bumble ; giving Oliver a sly pinch, to intimate that he had better not say he didn’t. “And he will be a sweep, will he?” inquired the old gentleman. “If we was to bind him to any other trade to-morrow, he’d run away simultaneous, your worship,” replied Bumble. “ And this man that’s to be his master — ^you, sir — ^you’ll ■ treat him well, and feed him, and do all that sort of thing, w ill you ? ” said the old gentleman. “ When I says I will, I means I will,” replied Mr. Gamfield doggedly. “ You’re a rough speaker, my friend, but you look an honest, open-hearted man,” said the old gentleman : turning his spectacles in the direction of the candidate for Oliver’s premium, whose villanous countenance was a regular stamped receipt for cruelty. But the magistrate was half blind and half childish, so he couldn’t reasonably be expected to discern what other people did. “I hope I am, sir,” said Mr. Gamfield, with an ugly leer. “I have no doubt you are, my friend,” replied the old gentleman : fixing his spectacles more firmly on his nose, and looking about him for the inkstand. It was the critical moment of Oliver’s fate. If the inkstand OLIVER OVERCOME BY KINDNESS. 25 had been where the old gentleman thought it was, he would have dipped his pen into it, and signed the indentures, and t^liver would have been straightway hurried off* But, as it cihaiced to be immediately under his nose, it followed, as a ma ter of course, that he looked all over his desk for it, without finding it ; and happening in the course of his search to look straight before him, his gaze encountered the pale and terrified face of Oliver Twist : who, despite all the admonitory looks and pinches of Bumble, was regarding the repulsive countenance of his future master, with a mingled expression of horror and fear, too palpable to be mistaken, even by a half-blind magistrate. The old gentleman stopped, laid down his pen, and looked from Oliver to Mr. Limbkins ; who attempted to take snuff* with a cheerful and unconcerned aspect. My boy ! said the old gentleman, leaning over the desk. Oliver started at the sound. He might be excused for doing so : for the words were kindly said ; and strange sounds frighten one. He trembled violently, and burst into tears. My boy ! said the old gentleman, you look pale and alarmed. What is the matter ? “Stand a little away from him. Beadle,"’ said the other magistrate : laying aside the paper, and leaning forward with an expression of interest. “Now, boy, tell us what’s the matter: don’t be afraid.” Oliver fell on his knees, and claj^ping his hands together, prayed that they would order him back to the dark room — that they would starve him — beat him — kill him if they pleased — rather than send him away with that dreadful man. “ Well ! ” said Mr. Bumble, raising his hands and eyes with most impressive solemnity, “ W ell ! of all the artful and designing orphans that ever I see, Oliver, you are one of the most bare-facedest.” “ Hold your tongue. Beadle,” said the second old gentle- man, when Mr. Bumble had given vent to this compound adjective. ^6 OLIVER TWIST. beg your worship'^s pardon,’’’ said Mr. Bum cred?:- lous of his having heard ^aright. ^^Did your w( ; j)eak to me ? ” Yes. Hold your tongue.” Mr. Bumble was stupefied with astonishment. Xxjdle ordered to hold his tongue ! A moral revolution ! The old gentleman in the tortoise-shell specta )oked at his companion, he nodded significantly. «We refuse to sanction these indentures,” sai • old gentleman : tossing aside the piece of parchment as )oke. I hope,” stammered Mr. Limbkins : I hope Lxt magis- trates will not form the opinion that the authorities have been guilty of any improper conduct, on the unsupported testimony of a mere child.” The magistrates are not called upon to pronounce any opinion on the matter,” said the second old gentleman sharply. Take the boy back to the workhouse, and treat him kindly. He seems to want it.” That same evening, the gentleman in the white waistcoat most positively and decidedly affirmed, not only that Oliver would be hung, but that he would be drawn and quartered into the bargain. Mr. Bumble shook his head with gloomy mystery, and said he wished he might come to good; where- unto Mr. Gamfield replied, that he wished he might come to him; which, although he agreed with the beadle in most matters, would seem to be a wish of a totally opposite description. The next morning, the public were once more informed that Oliver Twist was again To Let, and that five pounds would be paid to anybody who would take possession of him. CHAPTER IV. OLIVER, BEING OFFERED ANOTHER PLACE, MAKES HIS FIRST ENTRY INTO PUBLIC IJFE. In great families, when an advantageous place cannot be obtained, either in possession, reversion, remainder, or expec- tancy, for the young man who is growing up, it is a very general custom to send him to sea. The board, in imitation of so wise and salutary an example, took counsel together on the expediency of shipping off Oliver Twist, in some small trading vessel bound to a good unhealthy port. This suggested itself as the very best thing that could possibly be done with him : the probability being, that the skipper would flog him to death, in a playful mood, some day after dinner, or would knock his brains out with an iron bar ; both pastimes being, as is pretty generally known, very favourite and common recreations among gentlemen of that class. The more the case presented itself to the board, in this point of view, the more manifold the advantages of the step appeared ; so, they came to the conclusion that the only way of providing for Oliver effectually, was to send him to sea without delay. Mr. Bumble had been despatched to make various preliminary inquiries, with the view of finding out some captain or other who wanted a cabin-boy without any friends; and was re- turning to the workhouse to communicate the result of his mission; when he encountered at the gate, no less a person than Mr. Sowerberry, the parochial undertaker. 28 OLIVER TWIST. iNIr. SowerbeiTy was a tall, gaunt, large-jointed man, attired in a suit of threadbare black, with darned cotton stockings of the same colour, and shoes to answer. His features were not naturally intended to wear a smiling aspect, but he was in general rather given to professional jocosity. His step was elastic, and his face betokened inward pleasantry, as he advanced to Mr. Bumble, and shook him cordially by the hand. “I have taken the measure of the two women that died last night, Mr. Bumble,” said the undertaker. ‘^You’ll make your fortune, Mr. Sowerberry,” said the beadle, as he thrust his thumb and forefinger into the proffered snuff-box of the undertaker : which was an ingenious little model of a patent coffin. ‘^I say you’ll make your fortune, Mr. Sowerberry,” repeated Mr. Bumble, tapping the undertaker on the shoulder, in a friendly manner, with his cane. Think so.^” said the undertaker in a tone which half admitted and half disputed the probability of the event. The prices allowed by the board are very small, Mr. Bumble.” So are the coffins,” replied the beadle : wth precisely as near an approach to a laugh as a great official ought to indulge in. Mr. Sowerberry was much tickled at this : as of course he ought to be; and laughed a long time without cessation. ‘‘Well, well, Mr. Bumble,” he said at length, “there’s no denying that, since the new system of feeding has come in, the coffins are something narrower and more shallow than they 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.” “ Well, well,” said Mr. Bumble, “ every trade has its draw- backs. A fair profit is, of course, allowable.” “ Of course, of course,” replied the undertaker ; “ and if I don’t get a profit upon this or that particular article, why, I make it up in the long-run, you see — he ! he ! he ! ” ANOTHER PLACE OFFERS. 29 Just so,’’ said Mr. Bumble. Though I must say,” continued the undertaker, resuming the current of observations which the beadle had interrupted : though I must say, Mr. Bumble, that I have to contend against one very great disadvantage : which is, that all the stout people go off the quickest. The people who have been better off*, and have paid rates for many years, are the first to sink when they come into the house ; and let me tell you, Mr. Bumble, that three or four inches over one’s calculation makes a great hole in one’s profits; especially when one has a family to provide for, sir.” As Mr. Sowerberry said this, with the becoming indignation of an ill-used man ; and as Mr. Bumble felt that it rather tended to convey a reflection on the honour of the parish ; the latter gentleman thought it advisable to change the subject. Oliver Twist being uppermost in his mind, he made him his theme. By the bye,” said Mr. Bumble, “ you don’t know anybody who wants a boy, do you ? A porochial ’prentis, who is at present a deadweight; a millstone, as I may say; round the porochial throat ? Liberal terms, Mr. Sowerberry, liberal terms ! ” As Mr. Bumble spoke, he raised his cane to the bill above him, and gave three distinct raps upon the words five pounds : ” which were printed thereon in Roman capitals of gigantic size. Gadso ! ” said the undertaker : taking Mr. Bumble by the gilt-edged lappel of his official coat; ‘Hhat’s just the very thing I wanted to speak to you about. You know — dear me, what a very elegant button this is, Mr. Bumble ! I never noticed it before.” Yes, I think it is rather pretty,” said the beadle, glancing proudly downwards at the large brass buttons which embellished his coat. ^^The die is the same as the porochial seal — the Good Samaritan healing the sick and bruised man. The board presented it to me on New-year’s morning, Mr. Sower- berry. I put it on, I remember, for the first time, to attend 30 OLIVER TWIST. th st on that reduced tradesman, who died in a doorway iiight.*’’ . recollect,” said the undertaker. ^‘The jury brought it ^ Died from exposure to the cold, and v/ant of the common lecessaries of life,‘‘ didn'^t they ? ” Mr. Bumble nodded. “And they made it a special verdict, I think,” said the undertaker, “by adding some words to the effect, that if the relieving officer had ” “ Tush ! Foolery ! ” interposed the beadle. “ If the board attended to all the nonsense that ignorant jurymen talk, they’^d have enough to do.” “Very true,” said the undertaker; “they would indeed.” “Juries,” said Mr. Bumble, grasping his cane tightly, as was his wont when working into a passion : “juries is ineddi- cated, vulgar, grovelling wretches.” “ So they are,” said the undertaker. “They haven’t no more philosophy nor political economy about ’em than that,” said the beadle, snapping his fingers contemptuousl)^ “No more they have,” acquiesced the undertaker. “ I despise ’em,” said the beadle, growing very red in the face. “ So do I,” rejoined the undertaker. “ And I only wish we’d a jury of the independent sort, in the fiouse for a week or two,” said the beadle; “the rules and regulations of the board v/ould soon bring their spirit down for ’em.” “Let ’em alone for that,” replied the undertaker. So saying, he smiled, approvingly : to calm the rising wrath of the indignant parish officer. Mr. Bumble lifted off* his cocked hat; took a handkerchief from the inside of the crown; wiped from his forehead the perspiration which his rage had engendered ; fixed the cocked hat on again; and, turning to the undertaker, said in a calmer voice : TAKEN UPON LIKING. ‘‘ Well ; what about the boy ? ’’ Oh ! replied the undertaker ; why, you know, Mr. Bumble, I pay a good deal towards the poor'^s rates.**’ Hem ! ” said Mr. Bumble. Well .? ” ^^Well,” replied the undertaker, ^‘1 was thinking that if I pay so much towards ’em, I’ve a right to get as much out of ’em as I can, Mr. Bumble ; and so — and so — I think I’ll take the boy myself.” Mr. Bumble grasped the undertaker by the arm, and led him into the building. Mr. Sowerberry was closeted with the board for five minutes; and it was arranged that Oliver should go to him that evening ^^upon liking” — a phrase which means, in the case of a parish apprentice, that if the master find, upon a short trial, that he can get enough work out of a boy without putting too much food into him, he shall have him for a term of years, to do what he likes with. When little Oliver was taken before “the gentlemen” that evening; and informed that he was to go, that night, as general house-lad to a coffin-maker’s; and that if he com- plained of his situation, or ever came back to the parish again, he would be sent to sea, there to be drowned, or knocked on the head, as the case might be, he evinced so little emotion, that they by common consent pronounced him a hardened young rascal, and ordered Mr. Bumble to remove him forth- with. Now, although it was very natural that the board, of all people in the world, should feel in a great state of virtuous astonishment and horror at the smallest tokens of want of feeling on the part of anybody, they were rather out, in this particular instance. The simple fact was, that Oliver, instead of possessing too little feeling, possessed rather too much; and was in a fair way of being reduced, for life, to a state of brutal stupidity and sullenness by the ill usage he had received. He heard the news of his destination, in perfect silence; and, having had his luggage put into his hand — which was not very .difficult to carry, inasmuch as it was all OLIVER TWIST. comprised within the limits of a brown paper parcel, about half a foot square by three inches deep — he pulled his cap over his eyes; and once more attaching himself to Mr. Bumble'^s coat cuff, was led away by that dignitary to a new scene of suffering. For some time, Mr. Bumble drew Oliver along, without notice or remark ; for the beadle carried his head very erect, as a beadle always should : and, it being a windy day, little Oliver was completely enshrouded by the skirts of Mr. Bumble's coat as they blew open, and disclosed to great advantage his flapped waistcoat and drab plush knee-breeches. As they drew near to their destination, however, Mr. Bumble thought it expedient to look down, and see that the boy was in good order for inspection by his new master : which he accordingly did, with a fit and becoming air of gracious patronage. Oliver ! " said Mr. Bumble. ‘^Yes, sir," replied Oliver, in a low, tremulous voice. “ Pull that cap off your eyes, and hold up your head, sir." Although Oliver did as he was desired, at once ; and passed the back of his unoccupied hand briskly across his eyes, he left a tear in them when he looked up at his conductor. As Mr. Bumble gazed sternly upon him, it rolled down his cheek. It was followed by another, and another. The child made a strong effort, but it was an unsuccessful one. With- drawing his other hand from Mr. Bumble's, he covered his face with both; and wept until the tears sprung out from between his chin and bony fingers. “ Well ! " exclaimed Mr. Bumble, stopping short, and dart- ing at his little charge a look of intense malignity. ^^Well! Of all the ungratefullest, and worst-disposed boys as ever I see, Oliver, you are the " ‘^No, no, sir," sobbed Oliver, clinging to the hand which held the well-known cane; ^^no, no, sir; I will be good indeed ; indeed, indeed I will, sir ! I am a very little boy, sir; and it is so — so — " ^^So what.^" inquired Mr. Bumble in amazement. HIS NEW HOME. 33 “ So lonely, sir ! So very lonely ! ’’ cried the child. Every- body hates me. Oh ! sir, don’t, don’t pray be cross to me ! ” The child beat his hand upon his heart; and looked in his companion’s face, with tears of real agony. Mr. Bumble regarded Oliver’s piteous and helpless look, with some astonishment, for a few seconds; hemmed three or four times in a husky manner ; and, after muttering some- thing about “that troublesome cough,” bade Oliver dry his eyes and be a good boy. Then once more taking his hand, he walked on with him in silence. The undertaker, who had just put up the shutters of his shop, was making some entries in his day-book by the light of a most appropriate dismal candle, when Mr. Bumble entered. “ Aha ! ” said the undertaker : looking up from the book, and pausing in the middle of a word ; “ is that you, Bumble ? ” “ No one else, Mr. Sowerberry,” replied the beadle. “ Here ! I’ve brought the boy.” Oliver made a bow. “ Oh ! that’s the boy, is it ? ” said the undertaker : raising the candle above his head, to get a better view of Oliver. “Mrs. Sowerberry, will you have the goodness to come here a moment, my dear.^” Mrs. Sowerberry emerged from a little room behind the shop, and presented the form of a short, thin, squeezed-up woman, with a vixenish countenance. “My dear,” said Mr. Sowerberry, deferentially, “this is the boy from the workhouse that I told you of.” Oliver bowed again. “ Dear me ! ” said the undertaker’s wife, “ he’s very small.” “ Why, he is rather small,” replied Mr. Bumble : looking at Oliver as if it were his fault that he was no bigger; “he is small. There’s no denying it. But he’ll grow, Mrs. Sower- berry — She’ll grow.” “ Ah ! I dare say he will,” replied the lady pettishly, “on our victuals and our drink. I see no saving in parish children, not I ; for they always cost more to keep, than theyVe worth. However, men always think they know best. D /' ■ 34 OLIVER TWIST There ! Get down stairs, little bag o" bones/’ With this, the undertaker’s wife opened a side door, and pushed Oliver down a steep flight of staii’s into a stone cell, damp and dark : forming the ante-room to the coal-cellar, and denomi- nated kitchen : ” wherein sat a slatternly girl, in shoes down at heel, and blue worsted stockings very much out of repair. “ Here, Charlotte,” said Mrs. Sowerberry, who had followed Oliver down, “give this boy some of the cold bits that were put by for Trip. He hasn’t come home since the morning, so he may go without ’em. I dare say the boy isn’t too dainty to eat ’em, — are you, boy ? ” Oliver, whose eyes had glistened at the mention of meat, and who was trembling with eagerness to devour it. replied in the negative; and a plateful of coarse broken victuals was set before him. I wish some well-fed philosopher, whose meat and drink turn to gall within him ; whose blood is ice, whose heart is iron ; could have seen Oliver Twist clutching at the dainty viands that the dog had * neglected. I wish he could have witnessed the horrible avidity with which Oliver tore the bits asunder with all the ferocity of famine. There is only one thing I should like better; and that would be to see the Philosopher making the same sort of meal himself, with the same relish. Well,” said the undertaker’s wife, when Oliver had finished his supper: which she had regarded in silent horror, and with fearful auguries of his future appetite : “ have you done ? ” There being nothing eatable within his reach, Oliver replied in the affirmative. “ Then come with me,” said Mrs. Sowerberry : taking up a dim and dirty lamp, and leading the way up stairs ; “ your bed’s under the counter. You don’t mind sleeping among the coffins, I suppose? But it doesn’t much matter whether you do or don’t, for you can’t sleep anywhere else. Come; don’t keep me here all night ! ” Oliver lingered no longer, but meekly followed his new mistress. CHAPTER V. OLIVER MINGLES WITH NEW ASSOCIATES. GOING TO A FUNERAL FOR THE FIRST TIME, HE FORMS AN UNFAVOURABLE NOTION OF HIS mastery's business. Oliver, being left to himself in the undertaker'^s shop, set the lamp down on a workman'^s bench, and gazed timidly about him with a feeling of aw^e and dread, which many people a good deal older than he, will be at no loss to under- stand. An unfinished coffin on black tressels, which stood in the middle of the shop, looked so gloomy and death-like that a cold tremble came over him, every time his eyes wandered in the direction of the dismal object: from which he almost expected to see some frightful form slowly rear its head, to drive him mad with terror. Against the wall were ranged, in regular array, a long row of elm boards cut into the same shape : looking in the dim light, like high-shouldered ghosts with their hands in their breeches-pockets. Coffin- plates, elm-chips, bright-headed nails, and shreds of black cloth, lay scattered on the floor; and the wall behind the counter was ornamented with a lively representation of two mutes in very stiff neckcloths, on duty at a large private door, with a hearse drawn by four black steeds, approaching in the distance. The shop v/as close and hot. The atmo- sphere seemed tainted with the smell of coffins. The recess beneath the counter in which his flock mattress was thrust, looked like a grave. OLIVIER TWIST. Nor were these the oiJy dismal feelings which depressed Oliver. He was alone in a strange place ; and we all know how chilled and desolate the best of us will sometimes feel in such a situation. Tne boy had no friends to care for, or to care for him. The regret of no recent separation was fresh in his mind; the absence of no loved and well-remembered face sank heavily into his heart. But his heart was heavy, notwithstanding; and he wished, as he crept into his narrow bed, that that were his coffin, and that he could be lain in a calm and lasting sleep in the church-yard ground, with the tall grass waving gently above his head, and the sound of the old deep bell to soothe him in his sleep. Oliver was awakened in the morning, by a loud kicking at the outside of the shop-door: which, before he could huddle on his clothes, was repeated, in an angiy and impetuous manner, about twenty-five times. When he began to undo the chain, the legs desisted, and a voice began. Open the door, will yer ? ” cried the voice which belonged to the legs which had kicked at the door. I will, directly, sir,’’ replied Oliver : undoing the chain, and turning the key. “I suppose yer the new boy, ain’t yer.^” said the voice through the key-hole. ‘‘Yes, sir,” replied Oliver. “How old are yer.^^” inquired the voice. “Ten, sir,” replied Oliver. “ Then I’ll whop yer when I get in,” said the voice ; “ you just see if I don’t, that’s all, my work’us brat!” and having made this obliging promise, the voice began to whistle. Oliver had been too often subjected to the process to which the very expressive monosyllable just recorded bears reference, to entertain the smallest doubt that the owner o'* voice, whoever he might be, would redeem his pledge, n onour- ably. He drew back the bolts with a tremblir id, and opened the door. For a second or two, Oliver glanced up th et, and MR. NOAH CLAYPOLE. 37 down the street, and over the way : impressed with the belief that the unknown, who had addressed him through the key- hole, had walked a few paces off, to warm himself ; for nobody did he see but a big charity-boy, sitting on a post in front of the house, eating a slice of bread and butter ; which he cut into wedges, the size of his mouth, with a clasp knife, and then consumed with great dexterity. “ I beg your pardon, sir,*’’ said Oliver at length : seeing that no other visitor made his appearance; ‘^did you knock ? ’’’’ I kicked,” replied the charity-boy. Did you want a coffin, sir ? ” inquired Oliver, innocently. At this the charity-boy looked monstrous fierce; and said that Oliver would want one before long, if he cut jokes with his superiors in that way. ^^Yer don’t know who I am, I suppose, Work’us.^” said the charity-boy, in continuation : descending from the top of the post, meanwhile, with edifying gravity. ‘^No, sir,” rejoined Oliver. ‘^Pm J ester Noah C lavpole>” said the charity-boy, ‘^and you’re under me. Take down the shutters, yer idle young ruffian ! ” With this, Mr. Claypole administered a kick to Oliver, and entered the shop with a dignified air, which did him 'great credit. It is difficult for a large-headed, small- eyed youth, of lumbering make and heavy countenance, to look dignified under any circumstances ; but it is more especially so, when superadded to these personal attractions are a red nose and yellow smalls. Oliver, having taken down the shutters, and broken a pane of glass in his efforts to stagger away beneath the weight of the first one to a small court at the side of the house in which they were kept during the day, was graciously assisted by Noah : who having oled him with the assurance that ^‘he’d catch it,” condt ^d to help him. Mr. Sowerberry came down soon after. *'tly afterwards, Mrs. Sowerberry appeared? Oliver havin ught it,” in fulfilment of Noah’s 38 OLIVER TWIST. prediction, followed that young gentleman down the stairs to breakfast. Come near the fire, Noah,*’’ said Charlotte. I saved a nice little bit of bacon for you from master’s breakfast. Oliver, shut that door at Mister Noah’s back, and take them bits that I’ve put out on the cover of the bread-pan. There’s your tea; take it away to that box, and drink it there, and make haste, for they’ll want you to mind the shop. D’ye hear ? ” “ D’ye hear, W ork’us ? ” said Noah Claypole. “ Lor, Noah ! ” said Charlotte, what a rum creature you are ! Why don’t you let the boy alone?” Let him alone ! ” said Noah. Why ^everybody lets him alone enough, for the matter of that. Neither his father nor his mother will ever interfere with him. All his relations let him have his own way pretty well. Eh, Charlotte ? He ! he! he!” Oh, you queer soul ! ” said Charlotte, bursting into a hearty laugh, in which she was joined by Noah; after which they both looked scornfully at poor Oliver Twist, as he sat shivering on the box in the coldest corner of the room, and ate the stale pieces which had been specially reserved for him. Noah was a charity-boy, but not a workhouse orphan. No chance-child was he, for he could trace his genealogy all the way back to his parents, who lived hard by; his mother being a washerwoman, and his father a drunken soldier, discharged with a wooden leg, and a diurnal pension of twopence-halfpenny and an unstateable iraction. The shop- boys in the neighbourhood had long been in the habit of branding Noah, in the public streets, with the ignominious epithets of ‘^leathers,” charity,” and the like; and Noah had borne them without reply. But, now that fortune had cast in his way a nameless orphan, at whom even the meanest could point the finger of scorn, he retorted on him with interest. This affords charming food for contemplation. It shows us what a beautiful thing human nature may be made A SHORT ALTERCATION, 39 to be; and how impartially the same amiable qualities are developed in the finest lord and the dirtiest charity-boy. Oliver had been sojourning at the undertaker'^s some three, weeks or a month. Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry — the shop! being shut up — were taking their supper in the little back-' parlour, when Mr. Sowerberry, after several deferential glances at his wife, said, ‘^My dear — ’’ He was going to say more; but, Mrs. Sowerberry looking up, with a peculiarly unpropitious aspect, he stopped short. “Well,’’ said Mrs. Sowerberry, sharply. “Nothing, my dear, nothing,” said Mr. Sowerberry. “ Ugh, you brute ! ” said Mrs. Sowerberry. “Not at all, my dear,” said Mr. Sowerberry humbly. “I thought you didn’t want to hear, my dear. I was only going to say ” “ Oh, don’t tell me what you were going to say,” interposed Mvs. Sowerberry. “I am nobody; don’t consult me, pray. I don’t want to intrude upon your secrets.” As Mrs. Sower- berry said this, she gave an hysterical laugh, which threatened violent consequences. “But, my dear,” said Sowerberry, “I want to ask your advice.” “No, no, don’t ask mine,” replied Mrs. Sowerberry, in an affecting manner: “ask somebody else’s.” Here, there was another hysterical laugh, which frightened Mr. Sowerberry very much. This is a very common and much-approved matrimonial course of treatment, which is often very effective. It at once reduced Mr. Sowerberry to begging, as a special favour, to be allowed to say what Mrs. Sowerberry was most curious to hear. After a short altercation of less than three quarters of an hour’s duration, the permission was most graciously conceded. “It’s only about young Twist, my dear,” said Mr. Sower- berry. “ A very-good-looking boy, that, my dear.” “ He need be, for he eats enough,” observed 40 OLIVER TWIST. u rr] There's an expression of melancholy in his face, my dear,"’ resumed Mr. Sowerberry, which is very interesting. He would make a delightful mute, my love."" Mrs. Sowerberry looked up with an expression of con- siderable wonderment. Mr. Sowerberry remarked it; and, without allowing time for any observation on the good lady"s part, proceeded. don't mean a regular mute to attend grown-up people, my dear, but only for children’s practice. It would be very new to have a mute in proportion, my dear. You may depend upon it, it would have a superb effect."" Mrs. Sowerberry, who had a good deal of taste in the undertaking way, was much struck by tbe novelty of this idea; but, as it would have been compromising her dignity to have said so, under existing circumstances, she merely inquired, with much sharpness, why such an obvious suggestion had not presented itself to her husband's mind before ? Mr. Sowerbeny rightly construed this, as an acquiescence in ^is proposition ; it was speedily determined, therefore, that Oliver should be at once initiated into the mysteries of the trade; and, with this view, that he should accompany his master on the very next occasion of his services being required. The occasion was not long in coming. Half an hour after breakfast next morning, Mr. Bumble entered the shop; and supporting his cane against the counter, drew forth his large leathern pocket-book : from which he selected a small scrap of paper, which he handed over to Sowerbeiry. Aha ! "" said the undertaker. glancing over it with a lively countenance ; an order for a coffin, eh ? "" ‘^For a coffin first, and a porochial funeral afterM^ards,"’ replied Mr. Bumble, fastening the strap of the leathern pocket-book : which, like himself, was very corpulent. ^‘Bayton,"" said the undertaker, looking from the scrap of paper to Mr. Bumble. ^^I never heard the name before."" Bumble shook his head, as he replied, Obstinate people, y ; very obstinate. Proud, too, Pm afraid, sir."" MR. BUMBLE INDIGNANT. 41 I Proud, eh:/"'’ exclaimed Mr. Sowerberry with a sneer. ‘^Come, that’s tio much.” ‘^Oh, it’s sickening,” replied the beadle. Antimonial, Mr. Sowerberry ! ” So it is,” acquiesced the undertaker. ‘‘We only heard of the family the night before last,” said the beadle ; “ and we shouldn’t have known anything about them, then, only a woman who lodges in the same house made an application to the porochial committee for them to send the porochial surgeon to see a woman as was very bad. He had gone out to dinner; but his ’prentice (which is a very clever lad) sent ’em some medicine in a blacking-bottle, off-hand.” “Ah, there’s promptness,” said the undertaker. “ Promptness, indeed ! ” replied the beadle. “ But what’s the consequence; what’s the ungrateful behaviour of these rebels, sir.^ Why, the husband sends back word that the medicine won’t suit his wife’s complaint, and so she shan’t take it — says she shan’t take it, sir! Good, strong, whole- some medicine, as was given with great success to two Irish labourers and a coalheaver, only a week before — sent ’em for nothing, with a blackin’-bottle in, — and he sends back word that she shan’t take it, sir ! ” As the atrocity presented itself to Mr. Bumble’s mind in full force, he struck the counter sharply with his cane, and became flushed with indignation. “Well,” said the undertaker, “I ne — ver — did ” “ Never did, sir ! ” ejaculated the beadle. “ No, nor nobody never did; but, now she’s dead, we’ve got to bury her; and that’s the direction ; and the sooner it’s done, the better.” I Thus saying, Mr. Bumble put on his cocked hat wrong side first, in a fever of parochial excitement; and flounced •' out of the shop. “ Why, he was so angry, Oliver, that he forgot even to ask after you ! ” said Mr. Sowerberry, looking after the beadle as he strode down the street. 42 OLIVER TWIST. “Yes, sir,’*^ replied Oliver, who had carefully kept himself out of sight, during the interview; and who was shaking from head to foot at the mere recollectior^ of the sound of Mr. Bumble'^s voice. He needn’t have taken the trouble to shrink from Mr. Bumble’s glance, however; for that func- tionary, on whom the prediction of the gentleman in the white waistcoat had made a very strong impression, thought that now the undertaker had got Oliver upon trial the subject was better avoided, until such time as he should be firmly bound for seven years, and all danger of his being returned upon the hands of the parish should be thus effectually and legally overcome. “Well,” said Mr. Sowerberry, taking up his hat, “the sooner this job is done, the better. Noah, look after the shop. Oliver, put on your cap, and come with me.” Oliver obeyed, and followed his master on his professional mission. They walked on, for some time, through the most crowded and densely inhabited part of the town ; and then, striking down a narrow street more dirty and miserable than any they had yet passed through, paused to look for the house which was the object of their search. The houses on either side were high and large, but very old, and tenanted by people of the poorest class: as their neglected appearance would have sufficiently denoted, without the concurrent testimony afforded by the squalid looks of the few men and women who, with folded arms and bodies half doubled, occasionally skulked along. A great many of the tenements had shop-fronts; but these were fast closed, and mouldering away ; only the upper rooms being inhabited. Some houses which had become insecure from age and decay, were prevented from falling into the street, by huge beams of wood reared against the walls, and firmly planted in the road ; but even these crazy dens seemed to have been selected as the nightly haunts of some houseless wretches, for many of the rough boards which supplied the place of dc d window, were wrenched from their positions^ to affb aperture wide THANKI. 5RISM. enough for the passage i stagnant and filthy. T1 lay putrefying in its roth There was neither ki door where Oliver and way cautiously through keep close to him and nc to the top of the first door on the landing, he It was opened by s The undertaker at one tained, to know it was directed. He stepped There was no fire in mechanically, over the < drawn a low stool to him. There were son and in a small recess, ground, something c shuddered as he cast ■ involuntarily closer tc up, the boy felt that The man’s face wai were grizzly ; his eye was wrinkled; her 1 3ody. The kennel wa which here and there lideous with famine. »ell-handle at the open :opped ; so, groping his iage, and bidding Oliver the undertaker mounted :s. Stumbling against a with his knuckles, of thirteen or foui'teen. h of what the room con- mt to which he had been llowed him. )ut a man was crouching. An old woman, too, had :th, and was sitting beside . dldren in another comer; 3 door, there lay upon the an old blanket. Oliver vards the place, and crept for though it was covered pse. ry pale ; his hair and beard hot. The old woman’s face y teeth protmded over her piercing. Oliver They seemed aright and under lip; and her eyes was afraid to look at either her or the man, so like the rats he had seen outside. Nobody shall go near her,” said the man, starting fiercely up, as the undertaker approached the recess. ^^Keep back! Damn you, keep back, if you’ve a life to lose ! ” ‘^Nonsense, my good man,” said the undertaker, who was pretty well used to misery in all its shapes. Nonsense ! ” I tell you,” said the man : clenching his hands, and stamping furiously on the floor, — tell you I won’t have her put into the ground. She couldn’t rest there. The OLIVER TWIST. ills would worry her — not eat her — she is so worn The undertaker offered no reply to this raving; but pro- ducing a tape from his pocket, knelt down for a moment by the side of the body. Ah ! said the man : bursting into tears, and sinking on his knees at the feet of the dead woman ; kneel down, kneel down — kneel round her, every one of you, and mark my words ! I say she was starved to death. I never knew how bad she was, till the fever came upon her; and then her oones were starting through the skin. There was neither fire nor candle ; she died in the dark — in the dark ! She couldn^’t even see her children^’s faces, though we heard her gasping out their names. I begged for her in the streets : and they sent me to prison. When I came back, she was dying; and all the blood in my heart has dried up, for they starved her to death. I swear it before the God that saw it ! They starved her ! He twined his hands in his hair ; and, with a loud scream, rolled grovelling upon the floor : his eyes fixed, and the foam covering his lips. The terrified children cried bitterly; but the old woman, who had hitherto remained as quiet as if she had been wholly deaf to all that passed, menaced them into silence. Havine: imloosed the cravat of ’.he man who still remained ” I extended on the ground, she tottered towards the undertaker. ‘^She was my daughter,’*’ said the old woman, nodding her head in the direction of the corpse; and speaking with an idiotic leer, more ghastly than even the presence of death in such a place. ^^Lord, Lord! '" is stran^re that I who gave birth to her, and was a alive and merry now, and she lying t Lord, Lord ! — to think of it ; it’s i good as a play ! ” As the wretched creature mumbled hideous merriment, the undertaker turne Stop, stop ! ” smd the old woman \n then, should be so cold and stiff! d as a play — as buckled in her :o away, loud whisper. A PAUPER FUNERAL. 45 she be buried to-morrow, or next day, or to-night.^ I laid her out; and I must walk, you know. Send me a large cloak: a good warm one: for it is bitter cold. We should have cake and wine, too, before we go ! Never mind ; send some bread — only a loaf of bread and a cup of water. Shall we have some bread, dear ? ’’ she said eagerly : catching at the undertaker'^s coat, as he once more moved towards the door. ‘‘Yes, yes,’’ said the undertaker, “of course. Anything you like ! ” He disengaged himself from the old woman’s grasp ; and, drawing Oliver after him, hurried away. The next day, (the family having been meanwhile relieved with a half-quartern loaf and a piece of cheese, left with them by Mr. Bumble himself,) Oliver and his master returned to the miserable abode; where Mr. Bumble had already arrived, accompanied by four men from the workhouse, who were to act as bearers. An old black cloak had been thrown over the rags of the old woman and the man ; and the bare coffin having been screwed down, was hoisted on the shoulders of the bearers, and carried into the street. “ Now, you must put your best leg foremost, old lady ! ” whispered Sowerberry in the old woman’s ear ; “ we are rather late ; and it won’t do, to keep the clergyman waiting. Move on, my men, — as quick as you like ! ” Thus directed, the bearers trotted on under their light burden ; and the two mourners kept as near them, as they could. Mr. Bumble and Sowerberry walked at a good smart pace in front; and Oliver, whose legs were not so long as his master’s, ran by the side. There was not so great a necessity for hurrying as Mr. Sowerberry had anticipated, however; for when they reached the obscure corner of the churchyard in which the nettles grew, and where the parish graves were made, the clergyman had not arrived ; and the clerk, who was sitting by the vestry-room fire, seemed to think it by no means improbable that it might be an hour or so, before he came. So, they put the bier on the brink of the grave ; and the two mourners 46 OLIVER TWIST. waited patiently in the damp clay, with a cold rain drizzling down, while the ragged boys whom the spectacle had attracted into the churchyard played a noisy game at hide-and-seek among the tombstones, or varied their amusements by jumping backwards and forwards over the coffin. Mr. Sowerberry and Bumble, being personal friends of the clerk, sat by the fire with him, and read the paper. At length, after a lapse of something more than an hour, Mr. Bumble, and Sowerberry, and the clerk, were seen running towards the grave. Immediately afterwards, the clergyman appeared : putting on his surplice as he came along. Mr. Bumble then thrashed a boy or two, to keep up appearances ; and the reverend gentleman, having read as much of the burial service as could be compressed into four minutes, gave his surplice to the clerk, and walked away again. Now, Bill ! ” said Sowerberry to the grave-digger. Fill up!^ It was no very difficult task ; for the grave was so full, that the uppermost coffin was within a few feet of the surface. The grave-digger shovelled in the earth; stamped it loosely down with his feet: shouldered his spade; and walked off, followed by the boys, who murmured very loud complaints at the fun being over so soon. Come, my good fellow ! ’’ said Bumble, tapping the man on the back. ‘^They want to shut up the yard."’ The man, who had never once moved, since he had taken his station by the grave side, started, raised his head, stared at the person who had addressed him, walked forward for a few paces ; and fell down in a swoon. The crazy old woman was too much occupied in bewailing the loss of her cloak (which the undertaker had taken off), to pay him any atten- tion ; so they threw a can of cold water over him ; and when he came to, saw him safely out of the churchyard, locked the gate, and departed on their different ways. ‘‘Well, Oliver,” said Sowerberry, as they walked home, “ how do you like it ? ” NOTHING LIKE USE. 4 “ Pretty well, thank you, sir,’’ replied Oliver, with consider- able hesitation. ^‘Not very much, sir.” Ah, you’ll get used to it in time, Oliver,” said Sowerberry. ‘"Nothing when you are used to it, my boy.” Oliver wondered, in his own mind, whether it had taken a very long time to get Mr. Sowerberry used to it. But he thought it better not to ask the question ; and walked back to the shop ; thinking over all he had seen and heard. CHAPTER VI. OLIVER, BEING GOADED BY THE TAUNTS OF NOAH, ROUSES INTO ACTION, AND RATHER ASTONISHES HIM. The month’s trial over, Oliver was formally apprenticed. It was a nice sickly season just at this time. In commercial phrase, coffins were looking up ; and, in the course of a few weeks, Oliver acquired a great deal of experience. The success of Mr. Sowerberry’s ingenious speculation, exceeded even his* most sanguine hopes. The oldest inhabitants recollected no period at which measles had been so prevalent, or so fatal to infant existence; and many were the mournful processions which little Oliver headed, in a hat-band reaching down to his knees, to the indescribable admiration and emotion of all the mothers in the town. As Oliver accompanied his master in most of his adult expeditions, too, in order that he might acquire that equanimity of demeanour and full command of nerve which are essential to a finished undertaker, he had many opportunities of observing the beautiful resignation and fortitude with which some strong-minded people bear their trials and losses. For instance ; when Sowerberry had an order for the burial of some rich old lady or gentleman, who was surrounded by a great number of nephews and nieces, who had been perfectly inconsolable during the previous illness, and whose grief had been wholly irrepressible even on the most public occasions, they would be as happy among themselves as need be — quite REGULARLY IN THE BUSINESS. 4ii cheerful and contented — conversing together with as much freedom and gaiety, as if nothing whatever had happened to disturb them. Husbands, too, bore the loss of their wives with the most heroic calmness. Wives, again, put on weeds for their husbands, as if, so far from grieving in the garb of son’ow, they had made up their minds to render it as becoming and attractive as possible. It was observable, too, that ladies and gentlemen who were in passions of anguish during the ceremony of interment, recovered almost as soon as they reached home, and became quite composed before the tea- drinking was over. All this was very pleasant and improving to see; and Oliver beheld it with great admiration. That Oliver Twist was moved to resignation by the example of these good people, I cannot, although I am his biographer, undertake to affirm with any degree of confidence; but I can most distinctly say, that for many months he continued meekly to submit to the domination and ill-treatment of Noah Claypole : who used him far worse than before, now that his jealousy was roused by seeing the new boy promoted to the black stick and hat-band, while he, the old one, remained stationary in the muffin-cap and leathers. Charlotte treated him ill, because Noah did ; and Mrs. Sowerberry was his decided enemy, because Mr. Sowerberry was disposed to be his friend ; so, between these three on one side, and a glut of funerals on the other, Oliver was not altogether as comfortable as the hungry pig was, when he was shut up, by mistake, in the grain department of a brewery. And now, I come to a very important passage in Olivers history ; for I have to record an act, slight and un-important perhaps in appearance, but which indirectly produced a material change in all his future prospects and proceedings. One day, Oliver and Noah had descended into the kitchen at the usual dinner-hour, to banquet upon a small joint of mutton — a pound and a half of the worst end of the neck — when Charlotte being called out of the way, there ensued a brief interval ^ ' ne, which Noah Claypole, being hungry 50 OLIVER TWIST. and vicious, considered he could not possibly devote to a worthier purpose than aggravating and tantalising young Oliver Twist. Intent upon this innocent amusement, Noah put his feet on the table-cloth; and pulled Oliver’s hair; and twitched his ears ; and expressed his opinion that he was a sneak ; ” and furthermore announced his intention of coming to see him hanged, whenever that desirable event should take place ; and entered upon various other topics of petty annoyance, like a malicious and ill-conditioned charity-boy as he was. But, none of these taunts producing the desired effect of making Oliver cry, Noah attempted to be more facetious still; and in this attempt, did what many small wits, with far greater reputations than Noah, sometimes do to this day, when they want to be funny. He got rather personal. “Work’us,” said Noah, how’s your mother?” She’s dead,” replied Oliver; “don’t you say anything about her to me ! ” Oliver’s colour rose as he said this; he breathed quickly; and there was a curious working of the mouth and nostrils, which Mr. Claypole thought must be the immediate precursor of a violent fit of crying. Under this impression he returned to the charge. “What did she die of, Work’us?” said Noah. “ Of a broken heart, some of our old nurses told me,” replied Oliver : more as if he were talking to himself, than answering Noah. “I think I know what it must be to die of that!” “Tol de rol lol lol, right fol lairy, Work’us,” said Noah, as a tear rolled down Oliver’s cheek. “What’s set you a snivelling now?” “Not replied Oliver, hastily brushing the tear away. “Don’t think it.” “ Oh, not me, eh ! ” sneered Noah. “No, not you,” replied Oliver, sharply. “There; that’s enough. Don’t say anything more to me '^K)ut her; you’d better not ! ” ROUSED INTO ACTION. 51 Better not ! exclaimed Noah. “ Well ! Better not ! Work’us, don’t be impudent. Your mother, too ! She was a nice ’un, she was. Oh, Lor ! ” And here, Noah nodded his head expressively ; and curled up as much of his small red nose as muscular action could collect together, for the occasion. ^^Yer know, Work’us,” continued Noah, emboldened by Oliver’s silence, and speaking in a jeering tone of affected pity: of all tones the most annoying: “Yer know, Work’us, it can’t be helped now; and of course yer couldn^t help it then; and I’m very sorry for it; and I’m sure we all are, and pity yer very much. But yer must know, Work’us, yer mother was a regular right-down bad ’un.” ^^What did you say.^” inquired Oliver, looking up very quickly. ‘^A regular right-down bad ’un, Work’us,” replied Noah, coolly. ^^And it’s a great deal better, Work’us, that she died when she did, or else she’d have been hard labouring in Bridewell, or transported, or hung ; which is more likely than either, isn’t it? Crimson with fury, Oliver started up, overthrew the chair and table; seized Noah by the throat; shook him, in the violence of his rage, till his teeth chattered in his head ; and, collecting his whole force into one heavy blow, felled him to the ground. A minute ago, the boy had looked the quiet, mild, dejected creature that harsh treatment had made him. But his spirit was roused at last ; the cruel insult to his dead mother had set his blood on fire. His breast heaved; his attitude was erect ; his eye bright and vivid ; his whole person changed, as he stood glaring over the cowardly tormentor who now lay crouching at his feet; and defied him with an energy he had never known before. He’ll murder me!” blubbered Noah. ^‘Charlotte! missis! Here’s the new boy a murdering of me ! Help ! help ! Oliver’s gone mad ! Char — lotte ! ” Noah’s shouts were responded to, by a loud scream from 52 OIJVER TWIST. Charlotte, and a louder from Mrs. Sowerberry; the er of whom rushed into the kitchen by a side-door, w he : latter paused on the staircase till she was quite cert lat it was consistent with the preservation of human life, me further down. Oh, you little wretch ! screamed Charlotte ing Oliver with her utmost force, which was about equi :hat of a moderately strong man in particularly good . ing, Oh, you little un-grate-ful, mur-de-rous, hor-rid villain ! ” And between every syllable, Charlotte gave Oliver a blow with all her might: accompanying it with a scream, for the benefit of society. Charlotte’s fist was by no means a light one; but, lest it should not be effectual in calming Oliver’s wrath, Mrs. Sower- berry plunged into the kitchen, and assisted to hold him with one hand, while she scratched his face with the other. In this favourable position of affairs, Noah rose from the ground, and pommelled him behind. This was rather too violent exercise to last long. When they were all wearied out, and could tear and beat no longer, they dragged Oliver, struggling and shouting, but nothing daunted, into the dust-cellar, and there locked him up. This being done, Mrs. Sowerberry sunk into a chair, and burst into tears. Bless her, she’s going off!” said Charlotte. “A glass of water, Noah, dear. Make haste ! ” ‘‘Oh! Charlotte,” said Mrs. Sowerberry; speaking as well as she could, through a deficiency of breath, and a sufficiency of cold water, which Noah had poured over her head and shoulders. “ Oh ! Charlotte, what a mercy we have not all been murdered in our beds ! ” “ Ah ! mercy indeed, ma’am,” was the reply. “ I only hope this ’ll teach master not to have any more of these dreadful creaturs, that are bom to be murderers and robbers from their very cradle. Poor Noah ! He was all but killed, ma’am, when I come in.” MR. BUMBLE’S SERVICES REQUIRED. 53 Poor fellow ! ” said Mrs. Sowerberry : looking piteously on the charity-boy. Noah, whose top waistcoat-button might have been some- where on a level with the crown of Oliver’s head, rubbed his eyes with the inside of his wrists while this commiseration was bestowed upon him, and performed some affecting tears and sniff*s. What’s to be done ! ” exclaimed Mrs. Sowerberry. “ Your master’s not at home ; there’s not a man in the house, and he’ll kick that door down in ten minutes.” Oliver’s vigorous plunges against the bit of timber in question, rendered this occurrence highly probable. Dear, dear ! I don’t know, ma’am,” said Charlotte, unless we send for the police-officers.” Or the millingtary,” suggested Mr. Claypole. No, no,” said Mrs. Sowerberry : bethinking herself of Oliver’s old friend. ^^Run to Mr. Bumble, Noah, and tell aim to come here directly, and not to lose a minute ; never nind your cap ! Make haste ! You can hold a knife to :hat black eye, as you run along. It’ll keep the swelling iown.” Noah stopped to make no reply, but started off at his fullest speed ; and very much it astonished the people who were out walking, to see a charity-boy tearing through the streets pell-mell, with no cap on his head, and a clasp-knife at his eye. CHAPTER VII. j I OLIVER CONTINUES REFRACTORY. Noah Claypole ran along the streets at his swiftest pace, and paused not once for breath, until he reached the work- house-gate. Having rested here, for a minute or so, to collect a good burst of sobs and an imposing show of tears and terror, he knocked loudly at the wicket ; and presented such a rueful face to the aged pauper who opened it, that even he, v/ho saw nothing but rueful faces about him at the best of times, started back in astonishment. « Why, what‘s the matter with the boy ! said the old pauper. “ Mr. Bumble ! Mr. Bumble ! ” cried Noah, with well affected dismay : and in tones so loud and agitated, that they not only caught the ear of Mr. Bumble himself,' who happened to be hard by, but alarmed him so much that he rushed into the yard without his cocked hat, — which is a very curious and remarkable circumstance : as showing that even a beadle, acted upon by a sudden and powerful impulse, may be afflicted with a momentary visitation of loss of self-possession, and forgetfulness of personal dignity. Oh, Mr. Bumble, sir ! ’’’ said Noah : “ Oliver, sir, — Oliver has ’’ What ? What ? ” interposed Mr. Bumble : with a gleam of pleasure in his metallic eyes. “Not run away; he hasn’t run away, has he, Noah ? ” TRAGIC LAMENTATIONS. N05 sir, no. Not run away, sir, but he'^s turned wicious,” replied Noah. ^‘He tried to murder me, sir; and then he tried to murder Charlotte ; and then missis. Oh ! what dreadful pain it is ! Such agony, please, sir ! ” And here, Noah writhed and twisted his body into an extensive variety of eel-like positions; thereby giving Mr. Bumble to under- stand that, from the violent and sanguinary onset of Oliver Twist, he had sustained severe internal injury and damage, from which he was at that moment suffering the acutest torture. When Noah saw that the intelligence he communicated perfectly paralysed Mr. Bumble, he imparted additional effect thereunto, by bewailing his dreadful wounds ten times louder than before; and when he observed a gentleman in a white waistcoat crossing the yard, he was more tragic in his lamen- tations than ever: rightly conceiving it highly expedient to attract the notice, and rouse the indignation, of the gentle- man aforesaid. The gentleman’s notice was very soon attracted; for he had not walked three paces, when he turned angrily round, and inquired what that young cur was howling for, and why Mr. Bumble did not favour him with something which would render the series of vocular exclamations so designated, an involuntary process.^ ^^It’s a poor boy from the free-school, sir,” replied Mr. Bumble, ^^who has been nearly murdered — all but murdered, sir, — by young Twist.” By Jove ! ” exclaimed the gentleman in the white waistcoat, stopping short. I knew it ! I felt a 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 paleness. “And his missis,” interposed Mr. Claypole. “And his master, too, I think you said, Nouh?” added Mr. Bumble. S6 Oliver twist. “ No ! he’s out, or he would have murdered him/’ replied Noah. ^‘He said he wanted to.” Ah ! Said he wanted to, did he, my boy ? ” inquired the gentleman in the white waistcoat. “Yes, sir,” replied Noah. “And please, sir, missis wants to know whether Mr. Bumble can spare time to step up there, directly, and flog him — ’cause master’s out.” “ Certainly, my boy ; certainly,” said the gentleman in the white waistcoat : smiling benignly, and patting Noah’s head, which was about three inches higher than his own. “You’re a good boy — a very good boy. Here’s a penny for you. Bumble, just step up to Sowerberry’s with your cane, and see what’s best to be done. Don’t spare him. Bumble.” “No, I will not, sir,” replied the beadle: adjusting the wax-end which was twisted round the bottom of his cane, for purposes of parochial flagellation. “Tell Sowerberry not to spare him either. They’ll never do anything with him, without stripes and bruises,” said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. “I’ll take care, sir,” replied the beadle. And the cocked hat and cane having been, by this time, adjusted to their owner’s satisfaction, Mr. Bumble and Noah Claypole betook themselves with all speed to the undertaker’s shop. Here the position of affairs had not at all improved. Sowerberry had not yet returned, and Oliver continued to kick, with undiminished vigour, at the cellar-door. The accounts of his ferocity, as related by Mrs. Sowerberry and Charlotte, were of so startling a nature, that Mr. Bumble judged it prudent to parley, before opening the door. With this view he gave a kick at the outside, by way of prelude; and, then, applying his mouth to the keyhole, said, in a deep and impressive tone : “ Oliver ! ” “ Come ; you let me out ! ” replied Oliver, from the inside, “Do you know this here voice, Oliver.^” said Mr. Bumble, “Yes,” replied Oliver. MISCHIEVOUS EFFECTS OF MEAT. 57 “Ain't you afraid of it, sir? Ain't you a- trembling while I speak, sir?" said Mr. Bumble. “ No ! " replied Oliver, boldly. An answer so different from the one he had expected to elicit, and was in the habit of receiving, staggered Mr. Bumble not a little. He stepped back from the keyhole; drew himself up to his full height; and looked from one to another of the three by-standers, in mute astonishment. “Oh, you know, Mr. Bumble, he must be mad," said Mrs. Sowerberry. “No boy in half his senses could venture to ^peak so to you." “It's not Madness, ma'am," replied Mr. Bumble, after a few moments of deep meditation. “It's Meat." “What?" exclaimed Mrs. Sowerberry. “ Meat, ma'am, meat," replied Bumble, with stern emphasis. “You've over-fed him, ma'am. You've raised a artificial soul and spirit in him, ma'am, unbecoming a person of his condition : as the board, Mrs. Sowerberry, who are practical philosophers, will tell you. What have paupers to do with soul or spirit? It's quite enough that we let 'em have live bodies. If you had kept the boy on gruel, ma'am, this would never have happened." “Dear, dear!" ejaculated Mrs. Sowerberry, piously raising her eyes to the kitchen ceiling : “ this comes of being liberal ! " The liberality of Mrs. Sowerberry to Oliver, had consisted in a profuse bestowal upon him of all the dirty odds and ends which nobody else would eat ; so there was a great deal of meekness and self-devotion in her voluntarily remaining under Mr. Bumble's heavy accusation. Of which, to do her justice, she was wholly innocent, in thought, word, or deed. “ Ah ! " said Mr. Bumble, when the lady brought her eyes lown to earth again ; “ the only thing that can b(; done low, that I know of, is to leave him in the cellar for a 'ay or so, till he's a little starved down; and then to take im out, and keep him on gruel all through his apprentice - hip. He comes of a bad family. Excitable natures^ 58 OLIVER TWIST. Mrs. Sowerberry ! Both the nurse and v that mother of his made her way here, ag and pain that would have killed any well-di. weeks before.” At this point of Mr. Bumble’s discourse, Oliver, said, that difficulties woman, .oC hearing enough to know that some new allusion was being made to his mother, recommenced kicking, with a violence that rendered every other sound inaudible. Sowerberry returned at this juncture. Oliver’s offence having been explained to him, with such exaggerations as the ladies thought best calculated to rouse his ire, he unlocked the cellar-door in twinkling, and dragged his rebellious apprentice out, by th^ collar. Oliver’s clothes had been torn in the beating he had received; his face was bruised and scratched; and his hair scattered over his forehead. The angry flush had not dis- appeaiGu, however ; and when he was pulled out of his prison, he scowled boldly on Noah, and looked quite undismayed. ^^Now, you are a nice young fellow, ain’t you.^” said Sowerberry ; giving Oliver a shake, and a box on the ear. ^^He called my mother names,” replied Oliver. ^^Well, and what if he did, you little ungrateful wretch?” said Mrs. Sowerberry. She deserved what he said, and worse.” ^^She didn’t,” said Oliver. “She did,” said Mrs. Sowerberry. “ It’s a lie ! ” said Oliver. Mrs. Sowerberry burst into a flood of tears. This flood of tears left Mr. Sowerberry no alternative. If he had hesitated for one instant to punish Oliver most severely, it must be quite clear to every experienced reader that he would have been, according to all precedents in disputes of matrimony established, a brute, an unnatural husband, an insulting creature, a base imitation of a man, and variou other agreeable characters too numerous for recital withii the limits of this chapter. To do him justice, he was, a FLOOD OF TEARS. 59 far as his power disposed towards interest to be so The flood of tea at once gave hir Sowerberry herself application of the the rest of the day, company with a pun Mrs. Sowerberry, afte door, by no means c mother, looked into ti pointings of Noah and his dismal bed. It was not until he stillness of the gloomy it — it was not very extensive — kindly i boy ; perhaps, because it was his erhaps, because his wife disliked him. however, left him no resource; so he ^ drubbing, which satisfied even Mrs. id rendered Mr. Bumble*'s subsequent chial cane, rather unnecessary. For was shut up in the back kitchen, in ind a slice of bread ; and, at night, aking various remarks outside the limentary to the memory of his 'oom, and, amidst the jeers and \rlotte, ordered him up stairs to left alone in the silence and shop of the undertaker, that Oliver gave way to the feelings which the day’s treatment may be supposed likely to have awakened in a mere child. He had listened to their taunts with a look of contempt ; he had borne the lash without a cry : for he felt that pride swelling in his heart which would have kept down a shriek to the last, though they had roasted him alive. But now, when there were none to see or hear him, he fell upon his knees on the floor; and, hiding his face in his hands, wept such tears as, God send for the credit of our nature, few so young may ever have cause to pour out before him ! For a long time, Oliver remained motionless in this attitude. The candle was burning low in the socket when he rose to his feet. Having gazed cautiously round him, and listened intently, he gently undid the fastenings of the door, and looked abroad. It was a cold, dark night. The stars seemed, to the boy’s eyes, farther from the earth than he had ever 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 60 OLIVER TWIST. availed himself of the expiring light of the b to tie up in a handkerchief the few articles of wearing 'el he had, sat himself down upon a bench, to wait lor r .....xig. With the first ray of light that struggled through the crevices in the shutters, Oliver arose, and again unbarred the door. One timid look around — one moment’s pause of hesitation — he had closed it behind him, and was in +he open street. He looked to the right and to the left, uncertain whither to fly. He remembered to have seen the waggons, as they went out, toiling up the hill. He took the same route ; and arriving at a footpath across the fields : which he knew, after some distance, led out again ir*tO the road : struck into it, and walked quickly on. Along this same footpath, Oliver well remembered he had trotted beside Mr. Bumble, when he first carried him to the workhouse from the farm. His way lay directly in front of the cottage. His heart beat quickly when he bethought himself of this ; and he half resolved to turn back. He had come a long way though, and should lose a great deal of time by doing so. Besides, it was so early that there was very little fear of his being seen ; so he walked on. He reached the house. There was no appearance of its inmates stirring at that early hour. Oliver stopped, and peeped into the garden. A child was weeding one of the little beds ; as he stopped, he raised his pale face and dis- closed the features of one of his former companions. Oliver felt glad to see him, before he went; for, though younger than himself, he had been his little friend and playmate. They had been beaten and starved, and shut up together, many and many a time. Hush, Dick ! ” said Oliver, as the boy ran to the gate, and thrust his thin arm between the rails to greet him. “ Is any one up ? ” Nobody but me,” replied the child. ^^You mustn’t say you saw me, Dick,” said Oliver. ‘‘I PARTING FROM DICK. 61 am ig away. They beat and ill-use me, Dick ; and I ar ig to seek my fortune, some long way off*. I don't kno re. How pale you are ! " ‘‘ xd the doctor tell them I was dying," replied the chi^ hi a faint smile. “I am very glad to see you, dear; bul , stop, don't stop ! " ^ yes, I will, to say good-b'ye to you^" replied Oliver. "‘I shall see you again, Dick. I know I shall! You will be well and happy ! " ‘‘1 hope so," replied the child. After I am dead, but not before. I know the doctor must be right, Oliver, because I dream so much of Heaven, and Angels, and kind faces that I never. see when I am awake. Kiss me," said the child, climbing up the low gate, and flinging his little arms round Oliver's neck. Good-b'ye, dear ! God bless you ! " The blessing was from a young child's lips, but it was the first that Oliver had ever heard invoked upon his head ; and through the struggles and suflTerings, and troubles and changes, of his after life, he never once forgot it. CHAPTER VIII. OLIVER WAI;KS to LONDON. HE ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN. Oliver reached the stile at which the by-path terminated; and once more gained the high-road. It was eight o'^clock now. Though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges, by turns, till noon : fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken. Then he sat down to rest by the side of the milestone, and began to think, for the first time, where he had better go and try to live. The stone by which he was seated, bore, in large characters, an intimation that it was just seventy miles from that spot to London. The name awakened a new train of ideas in the boy’s mind. London ! — that great large place ! — nobody — not even Mr. Bumble — could ever find him there ! He had often heard the old men in the workhouse, too, say that no lad of spirit need want in London ; and that there were ways of living in that vast city, which those who had been bred up in country parts had no idea of. It was the very place for a homeless boy, who must die in the streets unless some one helped him. As these things passed through his thoughts, he jumped upon his feet, and again walked forward. He had diminished the distance between himself and London by full four miles more, before he recollected MEDITATIONS- 63 much he must undergo ere he could hope to reach his place of destination. As this consideration forced itself upon him, he slackened his pace a little, and meditated upon his means of getting there. He had a crust of bread, a coarse shirt, and two pairs of stockings, in his bundle. He had a penny too — a gift of Sowerberry's after some funeral in which he had acquitted himself more than ordinarily well — in his pocket. A clean shirt, thought Oliver, is a very comfort- able thing; and so are two pairs of darned stockings; and so is a penny ; but they are small helps to a sixty-five miles'* walk in winter time.'*'* But 01iver'*s thoughts, like those of most other people, although they were extremely ready and active to point out his difficulties, were wholly at a loss to suggest any feasible mode of surmounting them; so, after a good deal of thinking to no particular purpose, he changed his little bundle over to the other shoulder, and trudged on. Oliver walked twenty miles that day; and all that time tasted nothing but the crust of dry bread, and a few draughts of water, which he begged at the cottage-doors by the road- side. When the night came, he turned into a meadow ; and, creeping close under a hay-rick, determined to lie there, till morning. He felt frightened at first, for the wind moaned dismally over the enjpty fields : and he was cold and hungry, and more alone than he had ever felt before. Being very tired with his walk, however, he soon fell asleep and forgot his troubles. He felt cold and stiff, when he got up next morning, and so hungry that he was obliged to exchange the penny for a small loaf, in the very first village through which he passed. He had walked no more than twelve miles, when night closed in again. His feet were sore, and his legs so weak that they trembled beneath him. Another night passed in the bleak damp air, made him worse; when he set forward on his journey next morning, he could hardly crawl along. He waited at the bottom of a steep hill till a stage-coach came up, and then begged of the outside passengers; but 64 OLIVER TWIST. there were very few who took any notice of him: and even those told him to wait till they got to the top of the hill, and then let them see how far he could run for a halfpenny. Poor Oliver tried to keep up with the coach a little way, but was unable to do it, by reason of his fatigue and sore feet. When the outsides saw this, they put their halfpence back into their pockets again, declaring that he was an idle young dog, and didn't deserve anything; and the coach rattled away and left only a cloud of dust behind. In some villages, large painted boards were fixed up : warning all persons who begged within the district, that they would be sent to jail. This frightened Oliver very much, and made him glad to get out of those villages with all possible expedition. In others, he would stand about the inn-yards, and look mournfully at every one who passed : a proceeding which generally terminated in the landlady's ordering one of the post-boys who were lounging about, to drive that strange boy out of the place, for she was sure he had come to steal something. If he begged at a farmer's house, ten to one but they threatened to set the dog on him ; and when he showed his nose in a shop, they talked about the beadle — which brought Oliver's heart into his mouth, — very often the only thing he had there, for many hours together. In fact, if it had not been for a good-hearted turnpike- man, and a benevolent old lady, Oliver's troubles would have been shortened by the very same process which had put an end to his mother's; in other words, he would most assuredly have fallen dead upon the king's highway. But the turnpike-man gave him a meal of bread and cheese ; and the old lady, w^ho had a shipwrecked grandson wandering barefoot in some distant part of the earth, took pity upon the poor orphan, and gave him what little she could afford — and more — with such kind and gentle words, and such tears of sympathy and compassion, that they sank deeper into Oliver's soul, than all the sufferings he had ever undergone. THE YOUNG PILGRIIVrS PROGRESS. 65 Early on the seventh morning after he had left his native place, Oliver limped slowly into the little town of Barnet. The window-shutters were closed ; the street was empty ; not a soul had awakened to the business of the day. The sun was rising in all its splendid beauty; but the light only served to show the boy his own lonesomeness and desolation, as he sat, with bleeding feet and covered with dust, upon a door-step. By degrees, the shutters were opened ; the window-blinds were drawn up ; and people began passing to and fro. Some few stopped to gaze at Oliver for a moment or two, or turned round to stare at him as they hurried by ; but none relieved him, or troubled themselves to inquire how he came there. He had no heart to beg. And there he sat. He had been crouching on the step for some time : wonder- ing at the great number of public-houses (every other house in Barnet was a tavern, large or small), gazing listlessly at the coaches as they passed through, and thinking how strange it seemed that they could do, with ease, in a few hours, what it had taken him a whole week of courage and deter- mination beyond his years to accomplish : when he was roused by observing that a boy, who had passed him carelessly some minutes before, had returned, and was now surveying him most earnestly from the opposite side of the way. He took little heed of this at first; but the boy remained in the same attitude of close observation so long, that Oliver raised his head, and returned his steady look. Upon this, the boy crossed over ; and, walking close up to Oliver, said. Hullo, my covey ! WhaPs the row ? The boy who addressed this inquiry to the young wayfarer, was about his own age : but one , of the queerest looking boys that Oliver had ever seen. He was a snub-nosed, flat- browed, common- faced boy enough; and as dirty a juvenile as one would wish to see; but he had about him all the airs and mapners of a man. He was short of his age : with rather bow-legs, and little, sharp, ugly eyes. His hat wavS F 66 OLIVER TWIST. stuck on the top of his head so lightly, that it threatened to fall off every moment — and would have done so, very often, if the wearer had not had a knack of every now and then giving his head a sudden twitch, which brought it back to its old place again. He wore a man's coat, which reached nearly to his heels. He had turned the cuffs back, half-way up his arm, to get his hands out of the sleeves : apparently with the ultimate view of thrusting them into the pockets of his corduroy trousers ; for there he kept them. He was, altogether, as roystering and swaggering a young gentleman as ever stood four feet six, or something less, in his bluchers. Hullo, my covey ! What's the row ? " said this strange young gentleman to Oliver. “ I am very hungry and tired," replied Oliver : the teara standing in his eyes as he spoke. ^‘I have walked a long way. I have been walking these seven days." Walking for sivin days ! " said the young gentleman. ^^Oh, I see. Beak's order, eh.^^ But," he added, noticing Oliver's look of surprise, I suppose you don't know what a beak is, my flash com-pan-i-on." Oliver mildly replied, that he had always heard a bird's mouth described by the term in question. My eyes, how green ! " exclaimed the young gentleman. ^‘Why, a beak's a madgst'rate; and when you walk by a beak's order, it's not straight forerd, but always a going up, and nivir a coming down agin. Was you never on the mill ? " What mill ? " inquired Oliver. What mill ! Why, the mill — the mill as takes up so little room that it'll work inside a Stone Jug; and always goes better when the wind's low with people, than when it's high; acos then they can't get workmen. But come," said the young gentleman ; you want grub, and you shall have it. I'm at low-water-mark myself — only one bob and a magpie ; but, as far as it goes. I'll fork out and stump. Up with you on your pins. There ! Now then ! Morrice ! " Assisting Oliver to rise, the young gentleman took him to MEETS A NEW FRIEND. 67 an adjacent chandleFs shop, where he purchased a sufficiency of ready-dressed ham and a half-quartern loaf, or, - as he himself expressed it, ^^a foui’penny bran!*’" the ham being kept clean and preserved from dust, by the ingenious expedient of making a hole in the loaf by pulling out a portion of the crumb, and stuffing it therein. Taking the bread under his arm, the young gentleman turned into a small public-house, and led the way to a tap-room in the rear of the premises. Here, a pot of beer was brought in, by direction of the mysterious youth; and Oliver, falling to, at his new friend's bidding, made a long and hearty meal, during the progress of which, the strange boy eyed him from time to time with great attention. “Going to London.^’’ said the strange boy, when Oliver had at length concluded. “Yes.’’ “ Got any lodgings ? “No.” “ Money “No.” The strange boy whistled ; and put his arms into his pockets, as far as the big coat sleeves would let them go. “ Do you live in London ? ” inquired Oliver. “Yes. I do, when I’m at home,” replied the boy. “I suppose you want some place to sleep in to-night, don’t you?” “I do, indeed,” answered Oliver. “I have not slept under a roof since I left the country.” “Don’t fret your eyelids on that score,” said the young gentleman. “I’ve got to be in London to-night; and I know a ’spectable old genelman as lives there, wot’ll give you lodgings for nothink, and never ask for the change — that is, if any genelman he knows interduces you. And don’t he know me ? Oh, no ! Not in the least ! By no means. Certainly not ! ” The young gentleman smiled, as if to intimate that the J8 OLIVER TWIST. latter fragments of discourse were playfully ironical; and finished the beer as he did so This unexpected offer of shelter was too tempting to be resisted; especially as it was immediately followed up, by the assurance that the old gentleman referred to, would doubtless provide Oliver with a comfortable place, without loss of time. This led to a more friendly and confidential dialogue ; from which Oliver discovered that his friend'^s name was Jack Dawkins, and that he was a peculiar pet and protege of the elderly gentleman before mentioned. Mr. Dawkins’s appearance did not say a vast deal in favour of the comforts which his patron’s interest obtained for those whom he took under his protection ; but, as he had a rather flighty and dissolute mode of conversing, and furthermore avowed that among his intimate friends he was better known by the sobriquet of ^^The artful Dodger,” Oliver concluded that, being of a dissipated and careless turn, the moral pre- cepts of his benefactor had hitherto been thrown away upon him. Under this impression, he secretly resolved to cultivate the good opinion of the old gentleman as quickly as possible ; and, if he found the Dodger incorrigible, as he more than half suspected he should, to decline the honour of his farther acquaintance. As John Dawkins objected to their entering London before nightfall, it was nearly eleven o’clock when they reached the turnpike at Islington. They crossed from the Angel into St. John’s Road; struck down the small street which termi- nates at Sadler’s Wells Theatre ; through Exijiouth Street and Coppice Row; down the little court by the side of the workhouse; across the classic ground which once bore the name of Hockley-in-the-Hole ; thence into Little Saffron Hill ; and so into Saffron Hill the Great : along which the Dodger scudded at a rapid pace, directing Oliver to follow close at his heels. Although Oliver had enough to occupy his attention in keeping sight of his leader, he could not help bestowing a THE ARTFUL DODGER 69 few hasty glances on either side of th(i way, as he passed along. A dirtier or more wretched place he had never seen. The street was very narrow and muddy, and the air was impregnated with filthy odours. There were a good many small shops ; but the only stock in trade appeared To be heaps of children, who, even at that time of night, were crawling in and out at the doors, or sci;eaming from the inside. The sole places that seemed to prosper amid the general blight of the place, were the pi ^blic-houses ; and in them, the lowest orders of Irish were \vTangling with might and main. Covered ways and yards ^ which here and there diverged from the main street, disclo^’^ed little knots of houses, where drunken men and women vvere positively wallowing in filth; and from several of the door-ways, great ill-looking fellows were cautiously emerging, bound, to all appearance, on no very well-disposed or harn Jess errands. Oliver was just considering whether he hadn't better run away, when they reached thf, bottom of the hill. His con- ductor, catching him by the arm, pushed open the door of a house near Field Lane ; and, drawing him into the passage, closed it behind them. Now, then ! " cried a voice from below, in reply to a whistle from the Dodger. Plummy and slam ! " was the reply. This seemed to be some watchword or signal that all was right; for the light of a feeble candle gleamed on the wall at the remote end of the passage ; and a man's face peeped out, from where a balustrade of the old kitchen staircase had been broken away. “ There's two on you," said the man, tlirusting the candle farther out, and shading his eyes with his hand. Who's the t'other one.^^" A new pal," replied Jack Dawkins, pulling Oliver forward. “ Where did he come from ? " Greenland. Is Fagin up stairs?" OLIVER WIST. ' YeS) he'’s a sortin'* the wipes. Up with you ! mdle svas drawn back, and the face disappeared. Oliver, groping Iris way with one hand, and having the other firmly grasped by his companion, ascended with much difficulty the dark and broken stairs : which his conductor mounted with an ease and expedition that showed he was well acquainted with them. He threw open the door of a back-room, and drew Oliver in after him. The walls and c eiling of the room were perfectly black with age and dirt. There was a deal table before the fire : upon which were a cai dle, stuck in a ginger-beer bottle, two or three pewter pots, loaf and butter, and a plate. In a frying-pan, which was on the fire, and which was secured to the mantelshelf by a striig, some sausages were cooking; and standing over them, with a toasting-fork in his hand, was a very old shrivelled t^iew, whose villanous-looking and repulsive face was obscured by a quantity of matted red hair. He was dressed in a greasy flannel gown, with his throat bare ; and seemed to be dividing his attention between the frying-pan and a clothes-horse, over which a great number of silk handkerchiefs were hanging. Several rough beds made of old sacks, were huddled side by side on the floor. Seated round the table were four or five boys, none older than the Dodger, smoking long clay pipes, and drinking spirits with the air of middle-aged men. These all crowded about their associate as he whispered a few words to the Jew; and then turned round and grinned at Oliver. So did the Jew himself, toasting-fork in hand. ^‘This is him, Fagin,’’’’ said Jack Dawkins; ‘^my friend Oliver Twist.’’ The Jew grinned ; and, making a low obeisance to Oliver, took him by the hand, and hoped he should have the honour of his intimate acquaintance. Upon this, the young gentle- men with the pipes came round him, and shook both his hands very hard — especially the one in which he held his little bundle. One young gentleman was very anxious to ■f 1 i ii;H ^ ^ OK'lHh, UH-IVERSifY «■ 1 A CORDIAL WELCOME. hang up his cap for him ; and another was so obliging as to put his hands in his pockets, in order that, as he was very tired, he might not have the trouble of emptying them, himself, when he went to bed. These civilities would probably have been extended much farther, but for a liberal exercise of the Jew'^s toasting-fork on the heads and shoulders of the affectionate youths who offered them. ‘^We are very glad to see you, Oliver, very,*’’ said the Jew. “ Dodger, take off the sausages ; and draw a tub near the fire for Oliver. Ah, youVe a-staring at the pocket-handker- chiefs ! eh, my dear ! There are a good many of ’em, ain’t there? We’ve just looked ’em out, ready for the wash; that’s all, Oliver ; that’s all. Ha ! ha ! ha ! ” The latter part of this speechj, was hailed by a boisterous shout from all the hopeful pupils of the merry old gentleman. In the midst of which, they went to supper. Oliver ate his share, and the Jew then mixed him a glass of hot gin and water: telling him he must drink it off directly, because another gentleman wanted the tumbler. Oliver did as he was desired. Immediately afterwards he felt himself gently lifted on to one of the sacks; and then he sunk into a deep sleep. CHAPTER IX. ) CONTAINING FURTHER PARTICULARS CONCERNING TL - NT OLD GENTLEMAN, AND HIS HOPEFUL PUPIi It was late next morning when Oliver awoke, fri Mid, long sleep. There was no other person in the ro m he old Jew, who was boiling some coffee in a saucepan k- fast, and whistling softly to himself as he stirre id and round, with an iron spoon. He would stop every now and then to listen when there was the least noise below : and when he had satisfied himself, he would go on, whistling and stirring again, as before. Although Oliver had roused himself from sleep, he was not thoroughly awake. There is a drowsy state, between sleeping and waking, when you dream more in five minutes with your eyes half open, and yourself half conscious of every- thing that is passing around you, than you would in five nights with your eyes fast closed, and your senses wrapt in perfect unconsciousness. At such times, a mortal knows just enough of what his mind is doing, to form some glimmering conception of its mighty powers, its bounding from earth and spurning time and space, when freed from the restraint of its corporeal associate. Oliver was precisely in this condition. He saw the Jew with his half-closed eyes; heard his low whistling; and recognised the sound of the spoon grating against the sauce- pan’s sides ; and yet the self-same senses were mentally AT THE PI.EASANT OLD GENTLEMAN’S. 73 engaged, at the same time, in busy action with almost every- body he had ever known. When the coffee was done, the Jew drew the saucepan to the hob. Standing, then, in an irresolute attitude for a few minutes, as if he did not well know how to employ himself, he turned round and looked at Oliver, and called him by his name. He did not answer, and was to all appearance asleep. ^ After satisfying himself upon this head, the Jew stepped gently to the door : which he fastened. He then drew forth : as it seemed to Oliver, from some trap in the floor : a small box, which he placed carefully on the table. His eyes glistened as he raised the lid, and looked in. Dragging an old chair to the table, he sat down; and took from it a magnificent gold watch, sparkling with jewels. ^^Aha!” said the Jew, shrugging up his shoulders, and distorting every feature with a hideous grin. “ Clever dogs ! Clever dogs ! Staunch to the last ! Never told the old parson where they were. Never peached upon old Fagin ! And why should they ? It wouldn’t have loosened the knot, or kept the drop up, a minute longer. No, no, no! Fine fellows ! Fine fellows ! ” With these, and other muttered reflections of the like nature, the Jew once more deposited the watch in its place of safety. At least half a dozen more were severally drawn forth from the same box, and surveyed with equal pleasure; besides rings, brooches, bracelets, and other articles of jewellery, of such magnificent materials, and costly workman- ship, that Oliver had no idea, even of their names. 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 it; for the Jew laid it flat upon the table, and, shading it with his hand, pored over it, long and earnestly. At length he put it down, as if despairing of success ; and, leaning back in his chair, muttered : OLIVER TWIST. What a fine thing capital punishment is ! Dead men never repent; dead men never bring awkward stories to light. Ah, it’s a fine thing for the trade ! Five of ’em strung up in a row, and none left to play booty, or turn white-livered I ” As the Jew uttered these words, his bright dark eyes, which had been staring vacantly before him, fell on Oliver’s face ; the boy’s eyes were fixed on his in mute curiosity ; and although the recognition was only for an instant — for the briefest space of time that can possibly be conceived — it was enough to show the old man that he had been observed. He closed the lid of the box with a loud crash ; and, laying his hand on a bread knife which was on the table, started furiously up. He trembled very much though ; for, even in his terror, Oliver could see that the knife quivered in the air. What’s that ? ” said the Jew. What do you watch me for ? Why are you awake ? What have you seen ? Speak out, boy ! Quick — quick ! for your life ! ” ^‘I wasn’t able to sleep any longer, sir,” replied Oliver* meekly. “ I am very sorry if I have disturbed you, sir.” You were not awake an hour ago said the Jew, scowling fiercely on the boy. “ No ! No, indeed ! ” replied Oliver. Are you sure?” cried the Jew: with a still fiercer look than before : and a threatening attitude. ‘^Upon my word I was not, sir,” replied Oliver, earnestly. ‘^I was not, indeed, sir.” Tush, tush, my dear ! ” said the Jew, abruptly resuming his old manner, and playing with the knife a little, before he laid it down; as if to induce the belief that he had caught it up, in mere sport. Of course I know that, my dear. I only tried to frighten you. You’re a brave boy. Ha! ha! you’re a brave boy, Oliver!” The Jew rubbed his hands with a chuckle, but glanced uneasily at the box, notwithstanding. INTRODUCTION OP CHARLEY BATES. 75 ^‘Did you see any of these pretty things, my dear.^*^ said the Jew, laying his hand upon it after a short pause. “ Yes, sir,’’ replied Oliver. ‘‘Ah !” said the Jew, turning rather pale. “They — they’re mine, Oliver; my little property. All I have to live upon, in my old age. The folks call me a miser, my dear. Only a miser; that’s all.” Oliver thought the old gentleman must be a decided miser to live in such a dirty place, with so many watches; but, thinking that perhaps his fondness for the Dodger and the other boys, cost him a good deal of money, he only cast a deferential look at the Jew, and asked if he might get up. “Certainly, my dear, certainly,” replied the old gentle- man. “Stay. There’s a pitcher of water in the comer by the door. Bring it here ; and Til give you a basin to wash in, my dear.” Oliver got up; walked across the room; and stooped for an instant to raise the pitcher. When he turned his head, the box was gone. He had scarcely washed himself, and made everything tidy, by emptying the basin out of the window, agreeably to the Jew’s directions, when the Dodger returned : accompanied by a very sprightly young friend, whom Oliver had seen smcvking on the previous night, and who was now formally introduced to him as Charley Bates. The four sat down, to brea.kfast, on the coffee, and some hot rolls and ham which the Dodger had brought home in the crown of his hat. ‘‘ Well,” said the Jew, glancing slyly at Oliver, and address- ing himself to the Dodger, “ I hope you’ve been at work this morning, my dears “Hard,” replied the Dodger. “' As Nails,” added Charley Bates. “ Good boys, good boys ! ” said the Jew. “ What have yon got. Dodger “A couple of pocket-books,” replied that young gentleman. “ limed ? ” inquired the Jew, with eagerness. 76 OLIVER TWIST. Pretty well,'*’ replied the Dodger, producing two pocket- books ; one green, and the other red. ‘^Not so heavy as they might be,” said the Jew, after looking at the insides carefully ; but very neat and nicely made. Ingenious workman, ain’t he, Oliver?” ‘Wery, indeed, sir,” said Oliver. At which Mr. Charles Bates laughed uproariously; very much to the amazement of Oliver, who saw nothing to laugh at, in anything that had passed. And what have you got, my dear ? ” said Fagin to Charley Bates. Wipes,” replied Master Bates ; at the same time producing four pocket-handkerchiefs. ^‘Well,” said the Jew, inspecting them closely; “they’re very good ones, very. You haven’t marked them well, though, Charley; so the marks shall be picked out with a needle, and we’ll teach Oliver how to do it. Shall us, Oliver, eh ? Ha ! ha ! ha ! ” “ If you please, sir,” said Oliver. “You’d like to be able to make pocket-handkerchiefs as easy as Charley Bates, wouldn’t you, my dear?” said the Jew^ “ Very much, indeed, if you’ll teach me, sir,” replied Oliver. Master Bates saw something so exquisitely ludicrous in this reply, that he burst into another laugh; which laugh, meeting the coffee he was di inking, and carrying it d(!)wn some wrong channel, very nearly terminated in his premature suffocation. • “He is so jolly green!” said Charley when he recovei*ed, as an apology to the company for his unpolite behaviour. ^ The Dodger said nothing, but he smoothed Olivers h:air over his eyes, and said he’d know better, by-and-bye; uyi'ion which the old gentleman, observing Oliver’s colour mounting, changed the subject by asking whether there had been ^nuch of a crowd at the execution that morning ? This mad^b him wonder more and more; for it was plain from the replies of the two boys that they had both been there; and Oliver A CURIOUS AND UNCOMMON GAME. 77 naturally wondered how they could possibly have found time to be so very industrious. When the breakfast was cleared away, the merry old gentleman and the two boys played at a very curious and uncommon game, which was performed in this way. The merry old gentleman, placing a snuff-box in one pocket of his trousers, a note-case in the other, and a watch in his waistcoat pocket, with a guard-chain round his neck, and sticking a mock diamond pin in his shirt : buttoned his coat tight round him, and putting his spectacle-case and handker- chief in his pockets, trotted up and down the room with a stick, in imitation of the manner in which old gentlemen walk about the streets any hour in the day. Sometimes he stopped at the fire-place, and sometimes at the door, making believe that he was staring with all his might into shop- windows. At such times, he would look constantly round him, for fear of thieves^ and would keep slapping all his pockets in turn, to see that he hadn’t lost anything, in such a very funny and natural manner, that Oliver laughed till the tears ran down his face. All this time, the two boys followed him closely about : getting out of his sight, so nimbly, every time he turned round, that it was impossible to follow their motions. At last, the Dodger trod upon his toes, or ran upon his boot accidentally, while Charley Bates stumbled up against him behind; and in that one moment they took from him, with the most extraordinary rapidity, snuff-box, note-case, watch-guard, chain, shirt-pin, pocket- handkerchief, even the spectacle-case. If the old gentleman felt a hand in any one of his pockets, he cried out where it was ; and then the game began all over again. ^ When this game had been played a great many times, a couple of young ladies called to see the young gentlemen ; one of whom was named Bet, and the other Nancy. They wore a good deal of hair, not very neatly turned up behind, and rather untidy about shoes and stockings. They wer actly pretty, perl t they had a great deal 78 OLIVER WIST, of colour in their faces, and looked quite stout and hearty. Being remarkably free and agreeable in their manners, Oliver thought them very nice girls indeed. As there is no doubt they were. These visitors stopped a long time. Spirits were produced, in consequence of one of the young ladies complaining of a coldness in her inside; and the conversation took a very convivial and improving turn. At length, Charley Bates expressed his opinion that it was time to pad the hoof. This, it occurred to Oliver, must be French for going out; for, directly afterwards, the Dodger, and Charley, and the two young ladies, went away together, having been kindly furnished by the amiable old Jew with money to spend. ‘‘There, my dear,’’ said Fagin. “That’s a pleasant life, isn’t it? They have gone out for the day.” “Have they done work, sir?*^’ inquired Oliver. “Yes,” said the Jew; “that is, unless they should unexpectedly come across any, when they are out; and they won’t neglect it, if they do, my dear, depend upon it. Make ’em your models, my dear. Make ’em your models,” tapping the fire- shovel on the hearth to add force to his words ; “ do every- thing they bid you, and take their advice in all matters — especially the Dodger’s, my dear. He’ll be a great man himself, and will make you one too, if you take pattern by him. — Is my handkerchief hanging out of my pocket, my dear?” said the Jew, stopping short. “Yes, sir,” said Oliver. “See if you can take it out, without my feeling it: as you saw them do, when we were at play this morning.” Oliver held up the bottom of the pocket with one hand, as he had seen the Dodger hold it, and drew the handker- chief lightly out of it with the other. “ Is it gone ? ” cried the Jew. “Here it is, sir,” said Oliver, showing it in his hand. “You’re a clever boy, my dear,” said the playful old gentleman, patting Oliver on the head approvingly. “ I ENCOURAGEMENT. 79 never saw a sharper lad. Here\s a shilling for you. If you go on, in this way, you'll be the greatest man of the time. And now come here, and Fll show you how to take the marks out of the handkerchiefs." Oliver wondered what picking the old gentleman's pocket in play, had to do with his chances of being a great man. But, thinking that the Jew, being so much his senior, must know best, he followed him quietly to the table, and was soon deeply involved in bis new study. CHAPTER X. OLIVER BECOMES BETTER ACQUAINTED WITH THE CHARACTERS OF HIS NEW ASSOCIATES ; AND PURCHASES EXPERIENCE AT A HIGH PRICE. BEING A SHORT, BUT VERY IMPORTANT CHAPTER, IN THIS HISTORY, For many days, Oliver remained in the Jew’s room, picking the marks out of the pocket-handkerchiefs, (of which a great number were brought home,) and sometimes taking part in the game already described : which the two boys and the Jew played, regularly, every morning. At length, he began to languish for fresh air, and took many occasions of earnestly entreating the old gentleman to allow him to go out to work, Avith his two companions. Oliver was rendered the more anxious to be actively employed, by what he had seen of the stern morality of the old gentleman’s character. Whenever the Dodger or Charley Bates came home at night, empty-handed, he Avould expatiate with great vehemence on the misery of idle and lazy habits; and would enforce upon them the necessity of an active life, by sending them supperless to bed. On one occasion, indeed, he even went so far as to knock them both down a flight of stairs ; but this was carrying out his virtuous precepts to an unusual extent. At length, one morning, Oliver obtained the perr he had so eagerly sought. There had been no handke 5 to work upon, for two or three days, and the dinne 1 TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. ne might have attempted to do, and thus have afFordeu another chase, had not a police officer (who is generally the last person to arrive in such cases) at that moment made his way through the crowd, and seized Oliver by the collar. ^^Come, get up,’’ said the man, roughly. “It wasn’t me indeed, sir. Indeed, indeed, it wvas two other boys,” said Oliver, clasping his hands passionately, and looking round. “ They are here somewhere.” “Oh no, they ain’t,” said the officer. He meant this to be ironical, but it was true besides; for the Dodger and Charley Bates had filed off down the first convenient court they came to. “ Come, get up ! ” “ Don’t hurt him,” said the old gentleman, compassionately. “ Oh no, I won’t hurt him,” replied the officer, tearing his jacket' half off his back, in proof thereof. “Come, I know you ; it won’t do. Will you stand upon your legs, you young devil ? ” Oliver, who could hardly stand, made a shift to raise him- self on his feet, and was at once lugged along the streets by the jacket-collar, at a rapid pace. The gentleman walked on with them by the officer’s side ; and as many of the crowd as could achieve the feat, got a little a-head, and stared back at Oliver from time to time. The boys shouted in triumph ; and on they went. CHAPTER XL TREATS OF MR. FANG THE POLICE MAGISTRATE ; AND FURNISHES A SLIGHT SPECIMEN OF HIS MODE OF ADMINISTERING JUSTICE. The offence had been committed within the district, and indeed in the immediate neighbourhood of, a very notorious metropolitan police office. The crowd had only the satisfac- tion of accompanying Oliver through two or three streets, and down a place called Mutton Hill, when he was led beneath a low archway, and up a dirty com't, into this dispensary of summary justice, by the back way. It was a small paved yard into which they turned; and here they encountered a stout man with a bunch of whiskers on his face, and a bunch of keys in his hand. WhaPs the matter now ? ” said the man carelessly. “A young fogle-hunter,’’ replied the man who had Oliver in charge. ^‘Are you the party that’s been robbed, sir.?” inquired the man with the keys. Yes, I am,” replied the old gentleman ; but I am not sure that this boy actually took the handkerchief. I — I would rather not press the case.” Must go before the magistrate now, sir,” replied the man. ‘^His worship will be disengaged in half a minute. Now, young gallows ! ” This was an invitation for Oliver to enter throucrh a door which he unlocked as he spoke, and which led into a stone AT THE POLICE OFFICE. 87 cell. Here he was searched ; and nothing being found upon him, locked up. This cell Avas in shape and size something like an area cellar, only not so light. It was most intolerably dirty ; for it was Monday morning; and it had been tenanted by six drunken people, who had been locked up, elsewhere, since Saturday night. But this is little. In our station-houses, men and Avomen are every night confined on the most trivial charges — the word is worth noting — in dungeons, compared with which, those in Newgate, occupied by the most atrocious felons, tried, found guilty, and under sentence of death, are palaces. Let any one who doubts this, compare the two. The old gentleman looked almost as rueful as Oliver when the key grated in the lock. He turned with a sigh to the book, Avhich had been the innocent cause of all this dis- turbance. There is something in that boy’s face,” said the old gentleman to himself as he walked slowly away, tapping his chin with the cover of the book, in a thoughtful manner; something that touches and interests me. Can he be innocent.^ He looked like. — By the bye,” exclaimed the old gentleman, halting very abruptly, and staring up into the sky, Bless my soul ! Where have I seen something like that look before ? ” After musing for some minutes, the old gentleman walked, with the same meditative face, into a back ante-room opening from the yard ; and there, retiring into a corner, called up before his mind’s eye a vast amphitheatre of faces over Avhich a dusky curtain had hung for many years. ‘^No,” said the old gentleman, shaking his head ; “ it must be imagination.” He Avandered over them again. He had called them into vieAv, and it was not easy to replace the shroud that had so long concealed them. There were the faces of friends, and foes, and of many that had been almost strangers peering intrusively from the crowd ; there were the faces of young and blooming girls that were now old women; there were 88 OLIVER TWIST. faces that the grave had changed and closed upon, but which the mind, superior to its power, still dressed in their old freshness and beauty, calling back the lustre of the eyes, the brightness of the smile, the beaming of the soul through its mask of clay, and whispering of beauty beyond the tomb, changed but to be heightened, and taken from earth only to be set up as a light, to shed a soft and gentle glow upon the path to Heaven. But the old gentleman could recall no one countenance of which Oliver’s features bore a trace. So, he heaved a sigh over the recollections he had awakened; and being, happily for himself, an absent old gentleman, buried them again in the pages of the musty book. He was roused by a touch on the shoulder, and a request from the man with the keys to follow him into the office. He closed his book hastily; and was at once ushered into the imposing presence of the renowned Mr. Fang. The office was a front parlour, with a panelled wall. Mr* Fang sat behind a bar, at the upper end ; and on one side the door was a sort of wooden pen in which poor little Oliver was already deposited : trembling very much at the awfulness of the scene. Mr. Fang was a lean, long-backed, stiff-necked, middle- sized man, with no great quantity of hair, and what he had, growing on the back and sides of his head. His face was stern, and much flushed. If he were really not in the habit of drinking rather more than was exactly good for him, he might have brought an action against his countenance for libel, and have recovered heavy damages. The old gentleman bowed respectfully ; and advancing to the magistrate’s desk, said, suiting the action to the word, ‘^That is my name and address, sir.” He then withdrew a pace or two ; and, with another polite and gentlemanly inclination of the head, waited to be questioned. Now, it so happened that Mr. Fang was at that moment j)erusing a leading article in a newspaper of the morning, MR. FANG ON THE BENCH. 89 adverting to some recent decision of his, and commending him, for the three hundred and fiftieth time, to the special and particular notice of tl^ Secretary of State for the Home Department. He was out of temper; and he looked up with an angry scowl. Who are you ? said Mr. Fang. The old gentleman pointed, with some surprise, to his card. Officer ! ’’ said Mr. Fang, tossing the card contemptuously away with the newspaper. ^^Who is this fellow ‘‘My name, sir,’’ s^id the old gentleman, speaking like a gentleman, “my name, sir, is Brownlow. Permit me to inquire the name of the magistrate who offers a gratuitous and unprovoked insult to a respectable person, under the protection of the bench.” Saying this, Mr. Brownlow looked round the office as if in search of some person who would afford him the required information. “ Officer ! ” said Mr. Fang, throwing the paper on one side, “what’s this fellow charged with.^” “ He’s not charged at all, your worship,” replied the officer. “He appears against the boy, your worship.” His worship knew this perfectly well ; but it was a good annoyance, and a safe one. “Appears against the boy, does he.?” said Fang, surveying Mr. Brownlow contemptuously from head to foot. “Swear him ! ” “Before I am sworn, I must beg to say one word,” said Mx. Brownlow: “and that is, that I really never, without actual experience, could have believed — ” “Hold your tongue, sir!” said Mr. Fang, peremptorily. “ I will not, sir ! ” replied the old gentleman. “ Hold your tongue this instant, or I’ll have you turned out of the office!” said Mr. Fang. “You’re an insolent, impertinent fellow. How dare you bully a magistrate ! ” “ What ! ” exclaimed the old gentleman, reddening. “ Swear this person ! ” said Fang to the clerk. “ I’ll not hear another word. Swear him.” 90 OLIVER TWIST. Mr. Browiilovv’s indignation was greatly roused ; but reflecting perhaps, that he might only injure the boy by giving vent to it, he suppressed his feelings and submitted to be sworn at once. Now,’’ said Fang, What’s the charge against this boy ? What have you got to say, sir ? ” ‘^I was standing at a bookstall — ” Mr. Brownlow began. Hold your tongue, sir,” said Mr. Fang. Policeman ! Where’s the policeman.^ Here, swear this policeman. Now, policeman, what is this.^” The policeman, with becoming humility, related how he had taken the charge; how he had searched Oliver, and found nothing on his person ; and how that was all he knew about it. “Are there any witnesses.^” inquired Mr. Fang. “None, your worship,” replied the policeman. Mr. Fang sat silent for some minutes, and then, turning round to the prosecutor, said in a towering passion, “Do you mean to state what your complaint against this boy is, man, or do you not.^ You have been sworn. Now, if you stand there, refusing to give evidence. I’ll punish you for disrespect to the bench; I will, by — ” By what, or by whom, nobody knows, for the clerk and jailor coughed very loud, just at the right moment ; and the former dropped a heavy book upon the floor, thus preventing the word from being heard — accidentally, of course. With many interruptions, and repeated insults, Mr. Brown- low contrived to state his case ; observing that, in the surprise of the moment, he had run after the boy because he saw him running away ; and expressing his hope that, if the magistrate should believe him, although not actually the thief, to be connected with thieves, he would deal as leniently with him as justice would allow. “He has been hurt already,” said the old gentleman in conclusion. “And I fear,” he added, with great energy, looking towards the bar, “ I really fear that he is ill.” A PRAYER FOR WATER. 91 Oh ! yes, I dare say ! said Mr. Fang, with a sneer. Come, none of your tricks here, you young vagabond ; they won’t do. What’s your name?” Oliver tried to reply, but his tongue failed him. He was deadly pale ; and the whole place seemed turning round and round. ^‘What’s your name, you hardened scoundrel?” demanded Mr. Fang. Officer, what’s his name ? ” This was addressed to a bluff old fellow, in a striped waistcoat, who was standing by the bar. He bent over Oliver, and repeated the inquiry ; but finding him really incapable of understanding the question ; and knowing that his not replying would only infuriate the magistrate the more, and add to the severity of his sentence; he hazarded a guess. “He says his name’s Tom White, your worship,” said this kind-hearted thief-taker. “ Oh, he won’t speak out, won’t he ? ” said Fang. “ Very well, very well. Where does he live ? ” “Where he can, your worship,” replied the officer; again pretending to receive Oliver’s answer. “ Has he any parents ? ” inquired Mr. Fang. “ He says they died in his infancy, your worship,” replied the officer : hazarding the usual reply. At this point of the inquiry, Oliver raised his head ; and, looking round with imploring eyes, murmured a feeble prayer for a draught of water. “ Stuff and nonsense ! ” said Mr. Fang : “ don’t try to make a fool of me.” “I think he really is ill, your worship,” remonstrated the officer. “I know better,” said Mr. Fang. “ Take care of him, officer,” said the old gentleman, raising his hands instinctively ; “ he’ll fall down.” “ Stand away, officer,” cried Fang ; “ let him, if he likes.” Oliver availed himself of the kind permission, and fell to 92 OLIVER TWIST- the floor in a fainting fit. The men in office looked at each other, but no one dared to stir. ‘^I knew he was shamming,’’ said as if this were incontestable proof of the fact. “Let 1 lie there; he’ll soon be tired of that.” “ How do you propose to deal with the case, sir ? ” inquired the clerk in a low voice. “Summarily,” replied Mr. Fang. “He stands committed for three months — hard labour of course. Clear the office.” The door was opened for this purpose, and a couple of men were preparing to carry the insensible boy to his cell ; when an elderly man of decent but poor appearance, clad in an old suit of black, rushed hastily into the office, and advanced towards the bench. “ Stop, stop ! Don’t take him away ! For Heaven’s sake stop a moment ! ” cried the new-comer, breathless with haste. Although the presiding Genii in such an office as this, exercise a summary and arbitrary power over the liberties, the good name, the character, almost the lives, of Her Majesty’s subjects, especially of the poorer class ; and although, within such walls^ enough fantastic tricks are daily played to make the angels blind with weeping; they are closed to the public, save through the medium of the daily press.* Mr. Fang was consequently not a little indignant to see an unbidden guest enter in such irreverent disorder. “What is this.? Who is this.? Turn this man out. Clear the office ! ” cried Mr. Fang. “ I will speak,” cried the man ; “ I will not be turned out. I saw it all. I keep the book-stall. I demand to be sworn. I will not be put down. Mr. Fang, you must hear me. You must not refuse, sir.” The man was right. His manner was determined; and the matter was growing rather too serious to be hushed up. “ Swear the man,” growled Mr. Fang, with a very ill grace, “ Now, man, what have you got to say .? ” ^ Or were virtually, then, A NEW FEATURE IN THE CASE. 03 ^ This,’’ said the man : “ I saw three boys : two others and the prisoner here : loitering on the opposite side of the way, when this gentleman was reading. The robbery was com- mitted by another boy. I saw it done ; and I saw that this boy was perfectly amazed and stupefied by it.” Having by this time recovered a little breath, the worthy book-stall keeper proceeded to relate, in a more coherent manner, the exact circumstances of the robbery. Why didn’t you come here before ? ” said Fang, after a pause. ‘‘I hadn’t a soul to mind the shop,” replied the man. ‘^Everybody who could have helped me, had joined in the pursuit. I could get nobody till five minutes ago ; and I’ve run here all the way.” ^‘The prosecutor was reading, was he.^” inquired Fang, after another pause. ^‘Yes,” replied the man. “The very book he has in his hand.” “Oh, that book, eh.^^” said Fang. “Is it paid for.^” “No, it is not,” replied the man, with a smile. “ Dear me, I forgot all about it ! ” exclaimed the absent old gentleman, innocently. “ A nice person to prefer a charge against a poor boy ! ” said Fang, with a comical effort to look humane. “ I consider, sir, that you have obtained possession of that book, under very suspicious and disreputable circumstances ; and you may think yourself very fortunate that the owner of the property declines to prosecute. Let this be a lesson to you, my man, or the law will overtake you yet. The boy is discharged. Clear the office.” “D — n me ! ” cried the old gentleman, bursting out with the rage he had kept down so long, “ d — n me ! I’ll — ” “ Clear the office ! ” said the magistrate. “ Officers, do you hear ? Clear the office ! ” The mandate was obeyed ; and the indignant Mr. Brownlow was conveyed out, with the book in one hand, and the 94 OLIVER TWIST. bamboo cane in the other : in a perfect phrenzy of rage and defiance. He reached the yard ; and his passion vanished in a moment. Little Oliver Twist lay on his back on the pave- ment, with his shirt unbuttoned, and his temples bathed with water ; his face a deadly white ; and a cold tremble convulsing his whole frame. “ Poor boy, poor boy ! said Mr. Brownlow, bending over him. Call a coach, somebody, pray. Directly ! *” A coach was obtained, and Oliver, having been carefully laid on one seat, the old gentleman got in and sat himself on the other. ‘‘May I accompany you?'’ said the book-stall keeper, looking in. “Bless me, yes, my dear sir,” said Mr. Brownlow quickly. “ I forgot you. Dear^ dear ! I have this unhappy book still ! Jump in. Poor fellow ! There’s no time to lose.” The book-stall keeper got into the coach ; and away they drove. CHAPTER Xn. IX WHICH OLIVER IS TAKEX RETTER CARE OF THAN HE EVER WAS BEFORE. AND IN WHICH THE NARRATIVE REVERTS TO THE MERRY OLD GENTLEMAN AND HIS YOUTHFUL FRIENDS. The coach rattled away, over nearly the same ground as that which Oliver had traversed when he first entered London in company with the Dodger; and, turning a different way when it reached the Angel at Islington, stopped at length before a neat house, in a quiet shady street near Pentonville. Here, a bed was prepared, without loss of time, in which Mr. Brownlow saw his young charge carefully and comfortably deposited; and here, he was tended with a kindness and solicitude that knew no bounds. But, for many days, Oliver remained insensible to all the goodness of his new friends. The sun rose and sank, and rose and sank again, and many times after that; and still the boy lay stretched on his uneasy bed, dwindling away beneath the dry and wasting heat of fever. The worm does not his work more surely on the dead body, than does this slow creeping fire upon the living frame. Weak, and thin, and pallid, he awoke at last from what seemed to have been a long and troubled dream. Feebly raising himself in the bed^ with his head resting on his trembling arm, he looked anxiously around. What room is this ? Where have I been brought to ? said Oliver. ‘^This is not the place I went to sleep in.” 96 OLIVER TWIST. He uttered these words in a feeble voice, being very faint and weak; but they were overheard at once. The curtain at the bed’s head was hastily drawn back, and a motherly old lady, very neatly and precisely dressed, rose as she undrew it, from an arm-chair close by, in which she had been sitting at needle- work. ‘^Hush, my dear,” said the old lady softly. ‘^You must be very quiet, or you will be ill again ; and you have been very bad, — as bad as bad could be, pretty nigh. Lie down again ; there’s a dear ! ” With those words, the old lady very gently placed Oliver’s head upon the pillow ; and, smoothing back his hair from his forehead, looked so kindly and lovingly in his face, that he could not help placing his little withered hand in hers, and drawing it round his neck. Save us ! ” said the old lady, with tears in her eyes, “ What a grateful little dear it is. Pretty creetur ! What would his mother feel if she had sat by him as I have, and could see him now ! ” Perhaps she does see me,” whispered Oliver, folding his hands together; ‘‘perhaps she has sat by me. I almost feel as if she had.” “ That was the fever, my dear,” said tlie old lady mildly. “I suppose it was,” replied Oliver, “because heaven is a long way off; and they are too happy there, to come down to the bedside of a poor boy. But if she knew I was ill, she must have pitied me, even there ; for she was very ill herself before she died. She can’t know anything about me though,” added 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.” The old lady made no reply to this ; but wiping her eyes first, and her spectacles, which lay on the counterpane, after- wards, as if they were part and parcel of those features, brought some cool stuff for Oliver to drink ; and then, patting GETTIxNG BETTER. 97 him on the cheek, told him he must lie very quiet, or he would be ill again. So, Oliver kept very still ; partly because he was anxious to obey the kind old lady in all things ; and partly, to tell the truth, because he was completely exhausted with what he had already said. He soon fell into a gentle dose, from which he was awakened by the light of a candle: which, being brought near the bed, showed him a gentleman with a very large and loud-ticking gold watch in his hand, who felt his pulse, and said he was a great deal better. “You are a great deal better, are you not, my dear.^’’ said the gentleman. “Yes, thank you, sir,*” replied Oliver. “Yes, I know you are,"’ said the gentleman: “You’re hungry too, an’t you ? ” “No, sir,” answered Oliver. “ Hem ! ” said the gentleman. “ No, I know you’re not. He is not hungry, Mrs. Bed win,” said the gentleman : looking very wise. The old lady made a respectful inclination of the head, which seemed to say that she thought the doctor was a very clever man. The doctor appeared much of the same opinion himself. “You feel sleepy, don’t you, my dear?” said the doctor. “No, sir,” replied Oliver. “No,” said the doctor, with a very shrewd and satisfied look. “You’re not sleepy. Nor thirsty. Are you?” “Yes, sir, rather thirsty,” answered Oliver. “ Just as I expected, Mrs. Bed win,” said the doctor. “ It’s very natural that he should be thirsty. You may give him a little tea, ma’am, and some dry toast without any butter. Don’t keep him too warm, ma’am ; but be careful that you don’t let him be too cold ; will you have the goodness ? ” rhe old lady dropped a curtsey. The doctor, after tasting the cool stuff, and expressing a qualified approval of it, hurried away : his boots creaking in a very important and wealtViy manner as he went down stairs. II 98 OLIVER TWIST. Oliver dosed off again, soon after this ; when he awoke, it was nearly twelve o’clock. The old lady tenderly bade him good-night shortly afterwards, and left him in charge of a fat old woman who had just come : bringing with her, in a little bundle, a small Prayer Book and a large nightcap. Putting the latter on her head and the former on the table, the old woman, after telling Oliver that she had come to sit up with him, drew her chair close to the tire and went off into a series of short naps, chequered at frequent intervals with sundry tumblings forward, and divers moans and chokings. These, however, had no worse effect than causing her to rub her nose very hard, and then fall asleep again. And thus the night crept slowly on. Oliver lay awake for some time, counting the little circles of light which the reflection of the rushlight-shade threw upon the ceiling; or ti'acing with his languid eyes the intricate pattern of the paper on the wall. The darkness and the deep stillness of the room were very solemn ; as they brought into the boy’s mind the thought that death had been hovering there, for many days and nights, and might yet fill it with the gloom and dread of his awful presence, he turned his face upon the pillow, and fervently prayed to Heaven. Gradually, he fell into that deep tranquil sleep which ease from recent suftering alone imparts ; that calm and peaceful rest which it is pain to wake from. Who, if this were death, would be roused again to all the struggles and turmoils of life ; to all its cares for the present ; its anxieties for the future ; more than all, its weary recollections of the past ! It had been bright day, for hours, when Oliver opened his eyes ; he felt cheerful and happy. The crisis of the disease was safely past. He belonged to the world again. In three days’ time he was able to sit in an easy-chair, well propped up with pillows ; and, as he was still too weak to walk, Mrs. Bedwin had him carried down stairs into the little housekeeper’s room, which belonged to her. Having him set, here, by the fireside, the good old lady sat Lerself A PORTRAIT. down too; and, being in a state of considerable c seeing him so much better, forthwith began to violently. Never mind me, my dear,*’’ said the old lady. Pm having a regular good cry. There; it’s all over now; anu Pm quite comfortable.” You’re very, very kind to me, ma’am,” said Oliver. Well, never you mind that, my dear,” said the old lady ; that’s got nothing to do with your broth ; and it’s full time you had it; for the doctor says Mr. Brownlow may come in to see you this morning ; and we must get up our best looks, because the better we look, the more he’ll be pleased.” And with this, the old lady applied herself to warming up, in a little saucepan, a basin full of broth : strong enough, Oliver thought, to furnish an ample dinne *, when reduced to the regulation strength, for three hundred and fifty paupers, at the lowest computation. “Are you fond of pictures, dear?” inquired the old lady, seeing that Oliver had fixed his eyes, most intently, on a portrait which hung against the wall; just opposite his chair. “I don’t quite know, ma’am,” said Oliver, without taking his eyes from the canvas ; “ I have seen so few, that I hardly know. What a beautiful, mild face that lady’s is ! ” “ Ah ! ” said the old lady, “ painters always make ladies out prettier than they are, or they wouldn’t get any custom, child. The man that invented the machine for taking likenesses might have known that would never succeed; it’s a deal too honest. A deal,” said the old lady, laughing very heartily at her own acuteness. “ Is — ^is that a likeness, ma’am ? ” said Oliver. “ ^t^s,” said the old lady, looking up for a moment from the broth ; “ that’s a portrait.” “ Whose, ma’am ? ” asked Oliver. “ Why, really, my dear, I don’t know,” answered the old * ly in a good-humoured manner, “It’s not a likeness of OLIVER TWIST. you or I know, I expect. It seems to strike far.’’ ;ry pretty,” replied Oliver. *re you’re not afraid of it ? ” said the old lady : , in great surprise, the look of awe with which the .egarded the painting. ^ Oh no, no,” returned Oliver quickly ; “ but the eyes look so sorrowful ; and where I sit, they seem fixed upon me. It makes my heart beat,” added Oliver in a low voice, ‘‘ as if it was alive, and wanted to speak to me, but couldn’t.” Lord save us ! ” exclaimed the old lady, starting ; don’t talk in that way, child. You’re weak and nervous after your illness. Let me wheel your chair round to the other side ; and then you won’t see it. There ! ” said the old lady, suiting the action to the word ; t “ you don’t see it now, at all events.” Oliver did see it in his mind’s eye as distinctly as if he had not altered his position ; but he thought it better not to worry the kind old Jady ; so he smiled gently when she looked at him ; and Mrs. Bedwin, satisfied that he felt more comfort- able, salted and broke bits of toasted bread into the broth, with all the bustle befitting so solemn a preparation. Oliver got through it with extraordinary expedition. He had scarcely swallowed the last spoonful, when there came a soft rap at the door. Come in,” said the old lady ; and in walked Mr. Brownlow. Now, the old gentleman came in as brisk as need be ; but, he had no sooner raised his spectacles on his forehead, and thrust his hands behind the skirts of his dressing-gown to take a good long look at Oliver, than his countenance underwent a very great variety of odd contortions. Oliver looked very worn and shadowy from sickness, and made an ineffectual attempt to stand up, out of respect to his bene- factor, which terminated in his sinking back into the chair again ; and the fact is, if the truth must be told tliat Mr. Brownlow’s heart, being large enough for any six ordinary old gentlemen of humane disposition, forced a supply of tears in J i 1 % MR. BROWNLOW IS SURPRISED. 101 his eyes, by some hydraulic process which we are not suffi- ciently philosophical to be in a condition to explain. Poor boy, poor boy ! ’’ said Mr. Brownlow, clearing his throat. I’m rather hoarse this morning, Mrs. Bedwin. I’m afraid I have caught cold.” ^^I hope not, sir,” said Mrs. Bedwin. ‘^Everything you have had, has been well aired, sir.” “ I don’t know, Bedwin. I don’t know,” said Mr. Brownlow ; I rather think I had a damp napkin at dinner-time yesterday ^ but never mind that. How do you feel, my dear ? ” “Very happy, sir,” replied Oliver. “And very grateful indeed, sir, for your goodness to me.” “ Good boy,” said Mr. Brownlow, stoutly. “ Have you [^iven him any nourishment, Bedwin Any slops, eh?” “He has just had a basin of beautiful strong broth, sir,” replied Mrs. Bedwin : drawing herself up slightly, and laying a strong emphasis on the last word : to intimate that between slops, and broth well compounded, there existed no affinity or connexion whatsoever. “ Ugh ! ” said Mr. Brownlow, with a slight shudder ; “ a couple of glasses of port wine would have done him a great deal more good. Wouldn’t they, Tom White, eh?” “ My name is Oliver, sir,” replied the little invalid : with a look of great astonishment. “ Oliver,” said Mr. Brownlow ; “ Oliver what ? Oliver White, eh?” “ No, sir, Twist, Oliver Twist.” “ Queer name ! ” said the old gentleman. “ What made you tell the magistrate your name was White ? ” “I never told him so, sir,” returned Oliver in amazement. This sounded so like a falsehood, that the old gentleman looked somewhat sternly in Oliver’s face. It was impossible to doubt him ; there was truth in every one of its thin and sharpened lineaments. “Some mistake,” said Mr. Brownlow. But, although hi^ motive for looking steadily at Oliver no longer existed, th( OLIVER TWIST. of the resemblance between his features and some face came upon him so strongly, that he could not ^ his gaze. »pe you are not angry with me, sir.^^” said Oliver, lis eyes beseechingly. no,’** replied the old gentleman. Why ! what’^s this ? look there ! ’’ spoke, he pointed hastily to the picture above Oliver's id then to the boy’s face. There was its living copy, js, the head, the mouth ; every feature was the same, pression was, for the instant, so precisely alike, that iutest line seemed copied with startling accuracy ! r knew not the cause of this sudden exclamation ; for, ng strong enough to bear the start it gave him, he away. A weakness on his part, which affords the 7e an opportunity of relieving the reader from suspense, tlf of the two young pupils of the Merry Old Gentle- xnd of recording — t when the Dodger, and his accomplished friend Master joined in the hue-and-cry which was raised at Oliver’s in consequence of their executing an illegal conveyance ’. Brownlow’s personal property, as has been already )ed, they were actuated by a very laudable and becoming . for themselves ; and forasmuch as the freedom of the t and the liberty of tlie individual are among the first roudest boasts of a true-hearted Englishman, so, I need f beg the reader to observe, that this action should to exalt them in the opinion of all public and patriotic in almost as great a degree as this strong proof of their ty for their own preservation and safety goes to corrobo- md confirm the little code of laws which certain profound sound- judging philosophers have laid down as the main- gs of all Nature’s deeds and actions : the said philosophers wisely reducing the good lady’s proceedings to matters axim and theory : and, by a very neat and pretty compli- t to her exalted wisdom and understanding, putting PHILOSOPHICAL FORESIGHT. 103 entirely out of sight any considerations of heart, or generous impulse and feeling. For, these are matters totally beneath a female who is acknowledged by universal admission to be far above the numerous little foibles and weaknesses of her sex. If I wanted any further proof of the strictly philosophical nature of the conduct of these young gentlemen in their very delicate predicament, I should at once find it in the fact (also recorded in a foregoing part of this narrative), of their quitting the pursuit, when the general attention was fixed upon Oliver ; and making immediately for their home by the shortest possible cut. Although I do not mean to assert that it is usually the practice of renowned and learned sages, to shorten the road to any great conclusion (their course indeed being rather to lengthen the distance, by various circumlocutions and discursive staggerings, like unto those in which drunken men under the pressure of a too mighty flow of ideas, are prone to indulge) ; still, I do mean to say, and do say distinctly, that it is the invariable practice of many mighty philosophers, in carrying out their theories, to evince great wisdom and foresight in providing against every possible contingency which can be supposed at all likely to affect themselves. Thus, to do a great right, you may do a little wrong ; and you may take any means which the end to be attained will justify ; the amount of the right, or the amount of the wrong, or indeed the distinction between the two, being left entirely to the philosopher concerned, to be settled and determined by his clear, comprehensive, and impartial view of his own particular case. It was not until the two boys had scoured, with great rapidity, through a most intricate maze of narrow streets and courts, that they ventured to halt beneath a low and dark archway. Having remained silent here, just long enough to recover breath to speak. Master Bates uttered an exclama- tion of amusement and delight ; and, bursting into an uncon- trollable fit of laughter, flung himself upon a door-step, and rolled thereon in a transport of mirth. 104 ^ OLIVER WIST. What's the matter ? " inquired the Dodger. Ha ! ha ! ha ! " roared Charley Bates. Hold your noise," remonstrated the Dodger, looking cautiously round. Do you want to be grabbed, stupid ? " I can't help it," said Charley, “ I can't help it ! To see him splitting away at that pace, and cutting round the corners, and knocking up again the posts, and starting on again as if he was made of iron as well as them, and me with the wipe in my pocket, singing out arter him — oh, my eye ! " The vivid imagination of Master Bates, presented the scene before him in too strong colours. As he arrived at this apostrophe, he again rolled upon the door-step, and laughed louder than before. ‘^What'll Fagin say.?" inquired the Dodger; taking ad- vantage of the next interval of breathlessness on the part of his friend to propound the question. “What.?" repeated Charley Bates. “Ah, what.?" said the Dodger. “ Why, what should he say .? inquired Charley : stopping rather suddenly in his merriment; for the Dodger's manner was impressive. “What should he say.?" Mr. Dawkins whistled for a couple of minutes ; then, taking off his hat, scratched his head, and nodded thrice. “ What do you mean .? " said Charley. “Toor rul lol loo, gammon and spinnage, the frog he wouldn't, and high cockolorum," said the Dodger: with a slight sneer on his intellectual countenance. This was explanatory, but not satisfactory. Master Bates felt it so ; and again said, “ What do you mean ? " The Dodger made no reply ; but putting his hat on again, and gathering the skirts of his long-tailed coat under his arm, thrust his tongue into his cheek, slapped the bridge of his nose some half-dozen times in a familiar but expressive manner, and turning on his heel, slunk down the court. Master Bates followed, with a thoughtful countenance. The noise of footsteps on the creaking stairs, a few minutes WONDERMENT. after the occurrence of this conversation, roused the men old gentleman as he sat over the fire with a saveloy and a small loaf in his left hand ; a pocket-knife in his right ; and a pewter pot on the trivet. There was a rascally smile on his white face as he turned round, and, looking sharply out from under his thick red eyebrows, bent his ear towards the door, and listened. Why, how’s this ” muttered the Jew, changing counte- nance ; only two of ’em Where’s the third ? They can’t have got into trouble. Hark ! ” The footsteps approached nearer ; they reached the landing. The door was slowly opened ; and the Dodger and Charley Bates entered, closing it behind them. CHAPTER XIIL SOME NEW ACQUAINTANCES ARE INTRODUCED TO THE INTELLI- GENT READER, CONNECTED WITH WHOM, VARIOUS PLEASANT M VTTERS ARE RELATED, APPERTAINING TO THIS HISTORY. " Where‘’s Oliver?’** said the Jew, rising with a menacing look. ‘^Where'*s the boy?**’ The young thieves eyed their preceptor as if they were alarmed at his violence ; and looked uneasily at each other. But they made no reply. ‘^What’s become of the boy?” said the Jew, seizing the Dodger tightly by the collar, and threatening him with horrid imprecations. “ Speak out, or I’ll thi'ottle you ! ” Mr. Fagin looked so very much in earnest, that Charley Bates, who deemed it prudent in all cases to be on the safe side, and who conceived it by no means improbable that it might be his turn to be throttled second, dropped upon his knees, and raised a loud, well-sustained, and continuous roar — something between a mad bull and a speaking trumpet. Will you speak ? ” thundered the Jew : shaking the Dodger so much that his keeping in the big coat at all, seemed perfectly miraculous. ^‘Why, the traps have got him, and that’s all abo’ said the Dodger, sullenly. Come, let go o’ me, will And, swinging himself, at one jerk, clean out of i ^ coat, which he left in the Jew’s hands, the Dodger f i up the toasting fork, and madie a pass at the n id / APPEARANCE OE BILL SI ^gentleman’s waistcoat; which, if it had taken have let a little more merriment out, than coulu easily replaced. The Jew stepped back in this emergency, with more v than could have been anticipated in a man of his appa^ decrepitude ; and, seizing up the pot, prepai’ed to hurl it a his assailant’s head. But Charley Bates, at this moment, calling his attention by a perfectly terrific howl, he suddenly altered its destination, and flung it full at that young gentle- man. Why, what the blazes is in the wind now ! ” growled a d^ep voice. ‘^Who pitched that ’ere at me.? It’s well it’s the beer, and not the pot, as hit me, or I’d have settled some- body. I might have know’d, as nobody but an infernal, rich, plundering, thundering old Jew could afford to throw away any drink but water — and not that, unless he done the River Company every quarter. Wot’s it all about, Fagin ? D — me, if my neck-handkercher an’t lined with beer ! Come in, you sneaking warmint; wot are you stopping outside for, as if you was ashamed of your master ! Come in ! ” The man who growled out these words, was a stoutly-built fellow of about five-and-thirty, in a black velveteen coat, very soiled drab breeches, lace-up half boots, and grey cotton stockings, which inclosed a bulky pair of legs, with large swelling calves; — the kind of legs, which in such costume, always look in an unfinished and incomplete state without a set of fetters to garnish them. He had a brown hat on his head, and a dirty belcher handkerchief round his neck : with the long frayed ends of which he smeared the beer from his face as he spoke. He disclosed, when he had done so, a broad heavy countenance with a beard of three days’ growth, and two scowling eyes ; one of which displayed various parti-coloured symptoms of having been recently damaged by a blow. Come in, d’ye hear ? ” growled this engaging ruffian. A white shaggy dog, with his face scratched and tom in twenty different places, skulked into the room. OLIVER TWIST. ju come in afore ? ’’ said the : ad to own me afore company. “ YouVe you ? Lie mand was accompanied with a ki» hich sent a to the other end of the room. He ared well it, however ; for he coiled himself up in mer very y, without uttering a sound, and winking very ill- Ang eyes twenty times in a minute, appeal :> occupy amself in taking a survey of the apartment. What are you up to ? Ill-treating the boys, ^ ovetous, avaricious, in-sa-ti-a-ble old fence ? said the i ^ seating himself deliberately. I wonder they don’t murder you ! I would if I was them. If Fd been your ’prentice. I’d have done it long ago, and — ^no, I couldn’t have sold you after- wards, for you’re fit for nothing but keeping as a curiosity of ugliness in a glass bottle, and I suppose they don’t blow glass bottles large enough.” Hush ! hush ! Mr. Sikes,” said the Jew, trembling ; don’t speak so loud.” None of your mistering,” replied the ruffian ; you always mean mischief when you come that. You know my name: out with it ! I shan’t disjrrace it when the time comes.” ‘‘Well, well, then — Bill Sikes,” said the Jew, with abject humility. “ You seem out of humour. Bill.” “ Perhaps I am,” replied Sikes ; “ I should think you was rather out of sorts too, unless you mean as little harm when you throw pewter pots about, as you do when you blab and — ” “Are you mad.^” said the Jew, catching the man by the sleeve, and pointing towards the boys. Mr. Sikes contented himself with tying an imaginary knot under his left ear, and jerking his head over on the right shoulder; a piece of dumb show which the Jew appeared to understand perfectly. He then, in ci *''rms, with which his whole conversation was plentifully I ikied, but which would be quite unintelligible if thej ' recorded here, demanded a glass of liquor, ALARM! ‘^And mind you don't ypoison it," said Mr. Sikes, layin^ his hat upon the table. Tliis was said in jest ; but if the speaker could have seen the evil leer with which i the Jew bit his pale lip as he turned round to the cupb not wholly unnecf upon the distill" man's merry b After swah condescends which grac.x and manr er of with SI .1 alteration^ ' might have thought the caution the wish (at all events) to improve " not very far from the old gentle- ‘iree glasses of spirits, Mr. Sikes 'itice of the young gentlemen ; inversation, in which the cause were circumstantially detailed, ad imyirovements on the truth, as to the Do ger appeared most advisable under the circumstances. ‘^I'r aliis.id," said the Jew, ‘^that he may say something whit, will get us into trouble." lat's vei*y likely," returned Sikes with a malicious grin. Yo 're blowecJ upon, Fagin." “And I'm afraid, you see," added the Jew, speaking as if he had not noticed the interruption ; and regarding the other closely as he did so, — “ I'm afraid that, if the game was up with us, it might be up with a good many more, and that it would come out ra\ther worse . for you than it would for me, my dear." |rhe man started, and turned round upon the Jew. But the old gentleman's shoulders were shmgged up to his ears; and his eyes were vacantly staring on the opposite wall. There was a long pause. Every member of the respectable coterie appeared plunged in his own reflections ; not excepting the dog, who by a certain malicious licking of his lips seemed to be meditating an attack upon the legs of the first gentle- n:»an or lady he might encounter in the streets when he went out. “ Somebody must find out wot's been done at the office," sjjiid Mr. Sikes in a much lower tone than he had taken since ^ came in. d tflt? VJK IS due to the young '*0 c she did 1 tively affirm that she would she merely ( an emphatic and earnest desii ylessed if sh a polite and delicate evasion c quest, which six. young lady to have been poss if that natural j i breeding which cannot bear to in >011 a fellow-crea the pain of a direct and pointed re. The Jew‘^s countenance fell. He from this yc lady, who was gaily, not to say gorge attired, in a gown, green boots, and yellow curl-paper^, co the other fen ‘‘Nancy, my dear,’’ said the Jew in a soothing mar “ what do you say ? ” “ That it won’t do ; so it’s no use a-trying it on, Faj replied NANCY. Ill “What do you mean by that?” said Mr. Sikes, looking up in a surly manner. “ What I say, Bill,” replied the lady collectedly. “Why, youVe just the very person for it,” reasoned Mr. Sikes: “nobody about here knows anything of you.” “And as I don’t want ’em to, neither,” replied Nancy in the same composed manner, “it’s rather more no than yes with me, Bill.” “ She’ll go, Fagin,” said Sikes. “No, she won’t, Fagin,” said Nancy. “ Yes she will, Fagin,” said Sikes. And Mr. Sikes was right. By dint of alternate threats, promises, and bribes, the lady in question was ultimately prevailed upon to undertake the commission. She was not, indeed, withheld by .the same considerations as her agTeeable friend; for, having recently removed into the neighbourhood of Field Lane from the remote but genteel suburb of Ratcliffe, she was not under the same apprehension of being recognised by any of her numerous acquaintance. Accordingly, with a clean white apron tied over her gown, and her curl-papers tucked up under a straw bonnet, — both articles of dress being provided from the Jew’s inexhaustible stock, — Miss Nancy prepared to issue forth on her errand. “Stop a minute, my dear,” said the Jew, producing a little covered basket. “Carry that in one hand. It looks more respectable, my dear.” “ Give her a door-key to carry in her t’other one, Fagin,” said Sikes ; “ it looks real and genivine like.” “Yes, yes, my dear, so it does,” said the Jew, hanging a large street-door key on the forefinger of the young lady’s right hand. “There; very good! Very good indeed, my dear ! ” said the Jew, rubbing his hands. “ Oh, my brother ! My poor, dear, sweet, innocent little brother ! ” exclaimed Nancy, bursting into tears, and wringing the little basket and the street-door key in an agony of distress. “ WheA, has become of him ! Where have they ) OLIVER TW^ taken him to ! Oh, do have pity^ tell me what^s been done with the dear boy, gentlemen ; do, gentlemen, if you please, gentlemen ! ’’’ Having uttered these words in a most lamentable and heart-broken tone to the immeasurable delight of her hearers. Miss Nancy paused, winked to the company, nodded smilingly round, and disappeared. Ah ! she’s a clever girl, my dears,” said the Jew, turning round to his young friends, and shaking his head gravely, as if in mute admonition to them to follow the bright example they had just beheld. She’s a honour to her sex,” said Mr. Sikes, filling his glass, and smiting the table with his enormous fist. Here’s her health, and wishing they was all like her ! ” While these, and many other encomiums, were being passed on the accomplished Nancy, that young lady made the best of her way to the police-office ; whither, notwithstanding a little natural timidity consequent upon walking through the streets alone and unprotected, she arrived in perfect safety shortly afterwards. Entering by the back way, she tapped softly with the key at one of the cell-doors, and listened. There was no sound within : so she coughed and listened again. Still there was no reply : so she spoke. Nolly, dear ? ” murmured Nancy in a gentle voice ; Nolly?” There was nobody inside but a miserable shoeless criminal, who had been taken up for playing the flute, and who, the offence against society having been clearly proved, had been very properly committed by Mr. Fang to the House of Correction for one month ; with the appropriate and amusing remark that since he had so much breath to spare, it would be more wholesomely expended on the treadmill than in a musical instrument. He made no answer : being occupied in mentally bewailing the loss of the flute, which had been confiscated for the use of the county ; so Nancy passed on to the next cell, and knocked there. 113 ) INQUIRIl )R OLIVER. Well ! cried a faint anu teeble voice. there a little boy here.^*” inquired Nancy, with a preliminary sob. No,’’ replied the voice ; God forbid.” This was a' vagrant of sixty-five, who was going to prison for not playing the flute ; or, in other words, for begging in the streets, and doing nothing for his livelihood. In the next cell, was another man, who was going to the same prison for hawking tin saucepans without a license ; thereby doing something for his living, in defiance of the Stamp-office. But, as neither of these criminals answered to the name of Oliver, or knew anything about him, Nancy made straight up to the bluff officer in the striped waistcoat ; and with the most piteous wailings and lamentations, rendered more piteous by a prompt and efficient use of the street-door key and the little basket, demanded her own dear brother. / haven’t got him, my dear,” said the old man. Where is he.^” screamed Nancy, in a distracted manner. ^^Why, the gentleman’s got him,” replied the officer. What gentleman ? Oh, gracious heavens ! What gentle- man ? ” exclaimed Nancy. In reply to this incoherent question, the old man informed the deeply affected sister that Oliver had been taken ill in the office, and discharged in consequence of a witness having proved the robbery to have been committed by another boy, not in custody; and that the prosecutor had carried him away, in an insensible condition, to his own residence : of and concerning which, all the informant knew was, that it was somewhere at Pentonville, he having heard that word men- tioned in the directions to the coachman. [ In a dreadful state of doubt and uncertainty, the agonised i' young woman staggered to the gate, and then, exchanging I her faltering walk for a swift run, returned by the most : devious and complicated route she could think of, to the j domicile of the Jew. Mr. Bill Sikes no sooner heard the account of the expedition I 114 OLIVER TWIST. delivered, than he very hastily called up the white dog, and, putting on his hat, expeditiously departed : without devoting any time to the formality of wishing the company good- morning. We must know where he is, my dears ; he must be found,"’ said the Jew greatly excited. Charley, do nothing but skulk about, till you bring home some news of him ! Nancy, my dear, I must have him found. I trust to you, my dear, — to you and the Artful for everything ! Stay, stay,” added the Jew, unlocking a drawer with a shaking hand; ^‘there’s money, my dears. I shall shut up this shop to-night. You’ll know where to find me! Don’t stop here a minute. Not an instant, my dears ! ” With these words, he pushed them from the room: and carefully double-locking and barring the door behind them, drew from its place of concealment the box which he had unintentionally disclosed to Oliver. Then, he hastily proceeded to dispose the watches and jewellery beneath his clothing. A rap at the door startled him in this occupation. Who’s there ? ” he cried in a shrill tone. Me ! ” replied the voice of the Dodger, through the key- hole. ^‘What novr.^” cried the Jew impatiently. ‘^Is he to be kidnapped to the other ken, Nancy says.^” inquii'ed the Dodger. Yes,” replied the Jew, “wherever she lays hands on him. Find him, find him out, that’s all ! I shall know what to do next ; never fear.” The boy murmured a reply of intelligence; and hurried down stairs after his companions. “He has not peached so far,” said the Jew as he pursued his occupation. “If he means to blab us among his new friends, we may stop his mouth yet.” CHAPTER XIV. COMPRISING FURTHER PARTICULARS OF OLIVER’s STAY AT IMR. RROWNLOW*’s, WITH THE REMARKABLE PREDICTION WHICH ONE MR. GRIMWIG U'TTERED CONCERNING HIM, WHEN HE WENT OUT ON AN ERRAND. Oliver soon recovering from the fainting-fit into which Mr. Brownlow’s abrupt exclamation had thrown him, the subject of the picture was carefully avoided, both by the old gentle- man and Mrs. Bedwin, in the conversation that ensued : which indeed bore no reference to Oliver’s history or prospects, but was confined to such topics as might amuse without exciting him. He was still too weak to get up to breakfast ; but, when he came down into the housekeeper’s room next day, his first act was to cast an eager glance at the wall, in the hope of again looking on the face of the beautiful lady. His expectations were disappointed, however, for the picture had been removed. ‘‘Ah!” said the housekeeper, watching the direction of Oliver’s eyes. “It is gone, you see.” “I see it is, ma’am,” replied Oliver. “Why have they taken it away.^” “It has been taken down, child, because Mr. Brownlow ^ said, that as it seemed to worry you, perhaps it might prevent your getting well, you know,” rejoined the old lady. “ Oh, no, indeed. It didn’t worry me, ma’am,’’ said Oliver. “ I liked to see it. I quite loved it.” OLIVER TWIST. il, well ! ’’ said the old lady, good-humouredly ; “ you ,/ell as fast as ever you can, dear, and it shall be hung jj again. There ! I promise you that ! Now, let us talk about something else.’’ This was all the information Oliver would obtain about the picture at that time. As the old lady had been so kind to him in his illness, he endeavoured to think no more of the subject just then ; so he listened attentively to a great many stories she told him, about an amiable and handsome daughter of hers, who was married to an amiable and hand- some man, and lived in the country; and about a son, who was clerk to a merchant in the West Indies ; and who was, also, such a good young man, and wrote such dutiful letters home four times a-year, that it brought the tears into her eyes to talk about them. When the old lady had expatiated, a long time, on the excellences of her children, and the merits of her kind good husband besides, who had been dead and gone, poor dear soul ! just six-and-twenty years, it was time to have tea. After tea she began to teach Oliver cribbage : which he learnt as quickly as she could teach : and at which game they played, with great interest and gravity, until it was time for the invalid to have some warm wine and water, with a slice of dry toast, and then to go cosily to bed. They were happy days, those of Oliver’s recovery. Every- thing was so quiet, and neat, and orderly ; everybody was kind and gentle ; that after the noise and turbulence in the midst of which he had always lived, it seemed like Heaven itself. He w'as no sooner strong enough to put his clothes on, properly, than Mr. Brownlow caused a complete new suit, and a new cap, and a new pair of shoes, to be provided for him. As Oliver was told that he might do what he liked with the old clothes, he gave them to a servant who had been very kind to him, and asked her to sell them to a Jew, and keep the money for herself. This she very readily did ; and, as Oliver looked out of the parlour window, and saw the Jew roll them up in his bag and walk away, he felt quite delighted IN MR. BROWNLOW’S STUDY. Ill to think that they were safely gone, and that there was now no possible danger of his ever being able to wear them again. They were sad rags, to tell the truth ; and Oliver had never had a new suit before. One evening, about a week after the affair of the picture, as he was sitting talking to Mrs. Bedwin, there came a message down from Mr. Brownlow, that if Oliver Twist felt pretty well, he should like to see him in his study, and talk to him a little while. “ Bless us, and save us ! Wash your hands, and let me part your hair nicely for you, child,”” said Mrs. Bedwin. Dear heart alive ! If we had known he would have asked for you, we would have put you a clean collar on, and made you as smart as sixpence ! Oliver did as the old lady bade him ; and, although she lamented grievously, meanwhile, that there was not even time to crimp the little frill that bordered his shirt-collar; he looked so delicate and handsome, despite that important personal advantage, that she went so far as to say : looking at him with great complacency from head to foot, that she really didn”’t think it would have been possible, on the longest notice, to have made much difference in him for the better. Thus encouraged, Oliver tapped at the study door. On Mr. Brownlow calling to him to come in, he found himself in a little back room, quite full of books, with a window, looking into some pleasant little gardens. There was a table drawn up before the window, at which Mr. Brownlow was seated reading. When he saw Oliver, he pushed the book away from him, and told him to come near the table, and sit down. Oliver complied ; marvelling where the people could be found to read such a great number of books as seemed to be written to make the world wiser. Which is still a marvel to more experienced people than Oliver Twist, every day of their lives. There are a good many books, are there not, my boy?”*”* said Mr. Brownlow, observing the curiosity with which Oliver 118 OLIVER TAVIST. surveyed the shelves that reached from the floor to the ceiling. A great number, sir,"*’ replied Oliver. I never saw so many.’** You shall read them, if you behave well,’’ said the old gentleman kindly ; and you will like that, better than looking at the outsides, — that is, in some cases ; because there are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts.” suppose they are those heavy ones, sir,” said Oliver, pointing to some large quartos, with a good deal of gilding sibout the binding. Not always those,” said the old gentleman, patting Oliver on the head, and smiling as he did so ; there are other equally heavy ones, though of a much smaller size. How should you like to grow up a clever man, and write books, eh.?” think I would rather read them, sir,” replied Oliver. What ! wouldn’t you like to be a book-writer ? ” said the old gentleman. Oliver considered a little while ; and at last said, he should think it would be a much better thing to be a book-seller; upon which the old gentleman laughed heartily, and declared he had said a very good thing. Which Oliver felt glad to have done, though he by no means knew what it was. Well, well,” said the old gentleman, composing his features. Don’t be afraid! We won’t make an author of von, while there’s an honest trade to be learnt, or brick-making to turn to.” Thank you, sir,” said Oliver. At the earnest manner of his reply, the old gentleman laughed again ; and said something about a curious instinct, which Oliver, not understanding, paid no very great attention to. Now,” said Mr. Brownlow, speaking if possible in a kinder, but at the same time in a much more serious manner, than Oliver had ever kno'^vn him assume yet, I Avant you to p. FEELINGS OF ALARM. 119 great attention, my boy, to what I am going to say. I shall talk to you without any reserve ; because I am sure you are as well able to understand me, as many older persons would be;’ Oh, don’t tell me you are going to send me away, sir, pray ! exclaimed Oliver, alarmed at the serious tone of the old gentleman’s commencement ! Don’t turn me out of doors to wander in the streets again. Let me stay here, and be a servant. Don’t send me back to the wretched place I c^me from. Have mercy upon a poor boy, sir ! ” ^^My dear child,” said the old gentleman, moved by the warmth of Oliver’s sudden appeal ; you need not be afraid of my deserting you, unless you give me cause.” never, never will, sir,” interposed Oliver, hope not,” rejoined the old gentleman. do not think you ever will. I have been deceived, before, in the objects whom I have endeavoured to benefit; but I feel strongly disposed to trust you, nevertheless ; and I am more interested in your behalf than I can well account for, even to myself. The persons on whom I have bestowed my dearest love, lie deep in their graves ; but, although the happiness and delight of my life lie buried there too, I have not made a coffin of my heart, and sealed it up, for ever, on my best affections. Deep affliction has but strengthened and refined them.” As the old gentleman said this in a low voice : more to himself than to his companion : and as he remained silent for a short time afterwards : Oliver sat quite still. W ell, well ! ” said the old gentleman at length, in a more cheerful tone, I only say this, because you have a young heart; and knowing that I have suffered great pain and sorrow’^, you will be more careful, perhaps, not to wound me again. You say you are an orphan, without a friend in the world ; all the inquiries I have been able to make, confirm the statement. Let me hear your story ; w^here you come from ; who brought you up ; and how you got into the 120 OLIVEr company in which I found shall not be friendless while Oliver'^s sobs checked his he was on the point of 1ST. Speak mce fr ag to . .th, and you . minutes ; when how he had been brought up at the farm, and carried tv. the workhouse by Mr. Bumble, a peculiarly impatient little double-knock was heard at the street-door : and the servant, running up stairs, announced Mr. Grimwig. Is he coming up ? "" inquired Mr. Brownlow. Yes, sir,"’ replied the servant. He asked if there were any muffins in the house ; and, when I told him yes, he sa’id he had come to tea.” Mr. Brownlow smiled; and, turning to Oliver, said that Mr. Grimwig was an old friend of his, and he must not min d his being a little rough in his manners ; for he was a worthy creature at bottom, as he had reason to know. Shall I go down stairs, sir ? ” inquired Oliver. No,” replied Mr. Brownlow, I would rather you remained here.” . At this moment, there walked into the room : supporting himself by a thick stick : a stout old gentleman, rather lame \ in one leg, who was dressed in a blue coat, striped waistcoat, ? nankeen breeches and gaiters, and a broad-brimmed white j hat, with the sides turned up with green. A very small- i plaited shirt frill stuck out from his waistcoat ; and a very long steel watch-chain, with nothing but a key at the end, | dangled loosely below it. The ends of his white neckerchief were twisted into a ball about the size of an orange ; the ; variety of shapes into which his countenance was twisted, defy description. He had a manner of screwing his head on one side when he spoke ; and of looking out of the corners of his eyes at the same time : which irresistibly reminded the beholder of a parrot. In this attitude, he fixed himself, the moment he made his appearance ; and, holding out a small piece of orange-peel at arm’s length, exclaimed, in a growling, discontented voice. MR. GRIMWIG. 121 Look here ! do you see this ! Isn't it a most wonderful and extraordinary thing that I can't call at a man's house but I find a piece of this poor surgeon's-friend on the stair- case ? I've been lamed with orange-peel once, and I know orange-peel will be my death at last. It will, sir: orange- peel will be my death, or I'll be content to eat my own head, sir ! " This was the handsome offer with which Mr. Grimwig backed and confirmed nearly every assertion he made ; and it was the more singular in his case, because, even admitting for the sake of argument, the possibility of scientific improve- ments being ever brought to that pass which will enable a gentleman to eat his own head in the event of his being so disposed, Mr. Grimwig's head was such a particularly large one, that the most sanguine man alive could hardly entertain a hope of being able to get through it at a sitting — to put entirely out of the question, a very thick coating of powder. I'll eat my head, sir," repeated Mr. Grimwig, striking his stick upon the ground. Hallo ! what’s that ! " looking at Oliver, and retreating a pace or two. This is yaung Oliver Twist, whom we were speaking about," said Mr. Brownlow. Oliver bowed. ‘‘You don't mean to say that’s the boy who had the fever, I hope?" said Mr. Grimwig, recoiling a little more. “Wait, a minute ! Don’t speak ! Stop — ’’ continued Mr. Grimwig, abruptly, losing all dread of the fever in his triumph at the discovery ; “ that’s the boy who had the orange ! If that’s not the boy, sir, who had the orange, and threw this bit of peel upon the staircase. I’ll eat my head, and his too." “ No, no, he has not had one," said Mr. Brownlow, laughing. “ Come ! Put down your hat ; and speak to my young friend." “ I feel ^trongly on this subject, sir," said the irritable old gentleman, drawing off his gloves. “There’s always more or less orange-peel on the pavement in our street ; and I 122 OLIVER TWIST. Icnow it^s put there by the surgeon'’s boy at the comer. A young woman stumbled over a bit last night, and fell against my garden-railings ; directly she got up I saw her look towards his infernal red lamp with the pantomime-light. ^ Don’t go to him,’ I called out of the window, ‘he’s an assassin ! A man-trap ! ’ So he is. If he is not ” Here the irascible old gentleman gave a great knock on the ground with his stick ; which was always understood, by his friends, to imply the customary offer, whenever it was not expressed in words. Then, still keeping his stick in his hand, he sat down ; and, opening a double eye-glass, which he wore attached to a broad black riband, took a view of Oliver : who, seeing that he was the object of inspection, coloured, and bowed again. “ That’s the boy, is it ? ” said Mr. Grimwig, at length. “That is the boy,” replied Mr. Brownlow. “ How are you, boy ? ” said Mr. Grimwig. “ A great deal better, thank you, sir,” replied Oliver. Mr. Brownlow, seeming to apprehend that his singular friend was about to say something disagreeable, asked Oliver to step down stairs and tell Mrs. Bedwin they were ready for tea ; which, as he did not half like the visitor’s manner, he was very happy to do. “He is a nice-looking boy, is he not?” inquired Mr. Brownlow. “ I don’t know,” replied Mr. Grimwig, pettishly. “Don’t know?” “ No. I don’t know. I never see any difference in boys. I only know two sorts of boys. Mealy boys, and beef-faced boys.” “And which is Oliver?” “ Mealy. I know a friend who has a beef-faced boy ; a fine boy, they call him ; with a round head, and red cheeks, and glaring eyes ; a horrid boy ; with a body and limbs that appear to be swelling out of the seams of his blue clothes ; with the voice of a pilot, and the appetite of a wolf. I know him ! 'Phe vTctch ! ” SPIRIT OP OPPOSITION. 123 Como,*’’ said Mr. Brownlow, “ these are not the character- istics of young Oliver Twist ; so he needn’t excite your wrath.” They are not,” replied Mr. Grimwig. He may have worse.” tiere, Mr. Brownlow coughed impatiently ; which appeared to afford Mr. Grimwig the most exquisite delight. He may have worse, I say,” repeated Mr. Grimwig. Where does he come from ? Who is he ? What is he ? He has had a fever. What of that ? Fevers are not peculiar to good people; are they.? Bad people have fevers some- times ; haven’t they, eh .? I knew a man who was hung in Jamaica for murdering his master. He had had a fever six times ; he wasn’t recommended to mercy on that account. Pooh ! nonsense ! ” Now, the fact was, that in the inmost recesses of his own heart, Mr. Grimwig was strongly disposed to admit that Oliver’s appearance and manner were unusually prepossessing ; but he had a strong appetite for contradiction, sharpened on this occasion by the finding of the orange-peel ; and, inwardly determining that no man should dictate to him whether a boy was well-looking or not, he had resolved, from the first, to oppose his friend. When Mr. Brownlow admitted that on no one point of inquiry could he yet return a satisfactory answer; and that he had postponed any investigation into Oliver’s previous history until he thought the boy was strong enough to bear it ; Mr. Grimwig chuckled maliciously. And he demanded, with a sneer, whether the housekeeper was in the habit of counting the plate at night ; because, if she didn’t find a table-spoon or two missing some sunshiny morning, why, he would be content to — and so forth. All this, Mr. Brownlow, although himself somewhat of an impetuous gentleman : knowing his friend’s peculiarities, bore with great good humour; as Mr. Grimwig, at tea, was graciously pleased to express his entire approval of the muffins, matters went on very smoothly ; and Oliver, who made one 124 OLIVER TWIST. of the party, began to feel more at his ease than he had yet done in the fierce old gentleman‘’s presence. And when are you going to hear a full, true, and par- ticular account of the life and adventures of Oliver Twist?” asked Grimwig of Mr. Brownlow, at the conclusion of the meal : looking sideways at Oliver, as he resumed the subject. “To-morrow morning,” replied Mr. Brownlow. “I would rather he was alone with me at the time. Come up to me to-morrow morning at ten o'clock, my dear.” “ Yes, sir,” replied Oliver. He answered with some hesita- tion, because he was confused by Mr. Grimwig's looking so hard at him. “I'll tell you what,” whispered that gentleman to Mr. Brownlow; “he won't come up to you to-morrow morning. I saw him hesitate. He is deceiving you, my good friend.” “I'll swear he is not,” replied Mr. Brownlow, warmly. “If he is not,” said Mr. Grimwig, “I'll ” and down went the stick. “ I'll answer for that boy's truth with my life ! ” said Mr. Brownlow, knocking the table. “ And I for his falsehood with my head ! ” rejoined Mr. Grimwig, knocking the table also. “We shall see,” said Mr. Brownlow, checking his rising anger. “We will,” replied Mr. Grimwig, with a provoking smile ; “ we will.” As fate would have it, Mrs. Bedwin chanced to bring in, at this moment, a small parcel of books, which Mr. Brownlow had that morning purchased of the identical bookstall-keeper, who has already figured in this history ; having laid them on the table, she prepared to leave the room. “ Stop the boy, Mrs. Bedwin ! ” said Mr. Brownie ' there is something to go back.” “ He has gone, sir,” replied Mrs. Bedwin. “ Call after him,” said Mr. Brownlow ; “ it' ticular. He is a poor man, and they are not paid fo some books to be taken back, too.” .lere are AN IMPORTANT COMMISSION. 125 The street door was opened. Oliver ran one way ; and the girl ran another; and Mrs. Bedwin stood on the step and screamed for the boy ; but there was no boy in sight. Oliver and the girl returned, in a breathless state, to report that there were no tidings of him. Dear me, I am very sorry for that,” exclaimed Mr. Brown- low: ‘^I particularly wished those books to be returned to- night.” ‘^Send Oliver with them,” said Mr. Grimwig, with an ironical smile ; he will be sure to deliver them safely, you know.” Yes ; do let me take them, if you please, sir,” said Oliver. I’ll run all the way, sir.” The old gentleman was just going to say that Oliver should not go out on any account; when a most malicious cough from Mr. Grimwig determined him that he should; and that, by his prompt discharge of the commission, he should prove to him the injustice of his suspicions : on this head at least : at once. ^‘You shall go, my dear,” said the old gentleman. ^^The books are on a chair by my table. Fetch them down.” Oliver, delighted to be of use, brought down the books under his arm in a great bustle ; and waited, cap in hand, to hear what message he was to take. ‘^You are to say,” said Mr. Brownlow, glancing steadily at Grimwig ; you are to say that you have brought those books back ; and that you have come to pay the four pound ten I owe him. This is a five-pound note, so you will have to bring me back, ten shillings change.” ‘‘I won’t be ten minutes, sir,” replied Oliver, eagerly. Having buttoned up the bank-note in his jacket pocket, and placed the books carefully under his arm, he made a respectful bow, and left the room. Mrs. Bedwin followed him to the street-door, giving him many directions about the nearest way, and the name of the bookseller, and the name of the street : all of w hich Oliver said he clearly understood. Having 126 OLIVER TWIST. superadded many injunctions to be sure and not take cold, the old lady at length permitted him to depart. Bless his sweet face ! ’’ said the old lady, looking after him. “ I can’t bear, somehow, to let him go out of my sight.” At this moment, Oliver looked gaily round, and nodded before he turned the corner. The old lady smilingly returned his salutation, and, closing the door, went back, to her own room. ‘^Let me see; he’ll be back in twenty minutes, at the longest,” said Mr. Brownlow, pulling out his watch, and placing it on the table. ^^It will be dark by that time.” Oh ! you really expect him to come back, do you ? ” inquired Mr. Grimwig. Don’t you ? ” asked Mr, Brownlow, smiling. The spirit of contradiction was strong in Mr. Grimwig’s breast, at the moment ; and it was rendered stronger by his friend’s confident smile. ^^No,” he said, smiting the table with his fist, ‘‘I do not. The boy has a new suit of clothes on his back, a set of valuable books under his arm, and a five-pound note in his pocket. He’ll join his old friends the thieves, and laugh at you. If ever that boy returns to this house, sir. I’ll eat my head.” With these words he drew his chair closer to the table ; and there the two friends sat, in silent expectation, with the watch between them. It is worthy of remark, as illustrating the importance we attach to our own judgments, and the pride with which we put forth our most rash and hasty conclusions, that, although Mr. Grimwig was not by any means a bad-hearted man, and though he would have been unfeigned ly sorry to see his respected friend duped and deceived, he really did most earnestly and strongly hope at that moment, that Oliver Twist might not come back. It grew so dark, that the figures on the dial-plate were scarcely discernible; but there the two gentlemen con- tinued to sit, in silence, with the watch bi m them. CHAPTER XV. SHOWING Hoi OF OLIVER TWIST, THE MERRY OLD JEW AND MISS NANCY WERE, In the obscul of a low public-house, in the filthiest ,mrt of yttfc 1“^” “ ,v: 1 a and gloomy den, whom a llaifng gJf day in fte wmter-time i and where no brooding strongly velveteen even by have hes feet, sat alternat same ti 66 2 y re( endim isideri d a Cl Dogs nn by .dicht burnt all day in the winter-time ; and [rav of sun ever shone in the summer: there sat, Lver a little pewter measure and a small glass, TurLlted with the smeU of liquor, a man in a S*dmb shorts, hdt boots and stokmg. tflt dim li«-ht no experienced agent of pohc Sed to recognise as Mr. William Sikes. At h. ' white-coated: red-eyed dog; '>!>» in winking at his master with both eyes at the ’ 7^7 firkins a large, fresh cut on one side of which appeared to be the result of some — rsS!o“ animal to allay them, B matte, to. »i^m ^ tion Whatever was the cause, the effe 7 having faults of 128 OLIVER TWIST. temper in common with his owner, and labouring this moment, under a powerful sense of injury, n ado but at once fixed his teeth in one of t Having given it a hearty shake, he retired, gr a form ; just escaping the pewter measure wh levelled at his head. “^You would, would you?’’ said Sikes, seizing one hand, and deliberately opening with the clasp knife, which he drew from his pocket, you born devil ! Come here ! D’ye hear ? ” The dog no doubt heard ; because Mr. Sikes very harshest key of a very harsh voice ; but, entertain some unaccountable objection to havi cut, he remained where he was, and growled than before . at the same time grasping the end between his teeth, and biting at it like a wild beai This resistance only infuriated Mr. Sikes the ri dropping on his knees, began to assail the a^j furiously. The dog jumped from right to left, a' to right : snapping, growling, and barking ; the^ and swore, and struck and blasphemed ; and the s reaching a most critical point for one or other door suddenly opening, the dog darted out: leavin with the poker and the clasp-knife in his hands. There must always be two parties to a quarri old adage. Mr. Sikes, being disappointed of participation, at once transferred his share in the the new-comer. ^^What the devil do you come in between me an for ? ” said Sikes, with a fierce gesture. didn’t know, my dear, I didn’t know,” repli humbly ; for the Jew was the new-comer. “Didn’t know, you white-livered thief!” prowl “ Couldn’t you hear the noise ? ” “ Not a sound of it, as I’m a living man, , Jew. perhaps, at lade no more le half-boots. owling, under ich Mr. Sikes the poker in 3ther a large “ Come here, spoKe in the ke ii appearing to ng his throat more fiercely ^ the poker t i\ore ; who, mal most from left an thrust ggle was vhen, the Bill Sikes Id Eagin, Id Sikes. fplied the A MUTUAL INTEREST. 129 “Oh no! You hear nothing, you don’t,” retorted Sikes with a fierce sneer. “Sneaking in and out, so as nobody . hears how you come or go ! I wish you had been the dog, I Fagin, half a minute ago.” ° “ Why ? inquired the J ew with a forced smile. I “’Cause the government, as cares for the lives of such men ^ as you, as haven’t half the pluck of curs, lets a man kill a ] dog how he likes,” replied Sikes, shutting up the knife with a very expressive look ; “ that’s why.” ) The Jew rubbed his hands ; and, sitting down at the table, 1 affected to laugh at the pleasantry of his friend. He was , obviously very ill at ease, however. “ Grin away,” said Sikes, replacing the poker, and surveying him with savage contempt ; “ grin away. You’ll never have the laugh at me, though, unless it’s behind a night-cap. I’ve got the upper hand over you, Fagin ; and, d— me. I’ll keep it. There I If I go, you go ; so take care of me.” ; “Well, well, my dear,” said the Jew, “I know all that; I we— we— have a mutual interest. Bill,— a mutual interest.” j Humph, said Sikes, as if he thought the interest lay I rather more on the Jew’s side than on his. “Well, what t have you got to say to me ? ” I “ It’s all passed safe through the melting-pot,” replied I Fagin, “and this is your share. It’s rather more than it j ought to be, my dear ; but as I know you’ll do me a good i turn another time, and — ^ < Stow that gammon,’’ interposed the robber, impatiently. Where is it ? Hand over ! ” Yes, yes. Bill ; give me time, give me time,” replied the ^ Jew, soothingly. Here it is ! All safe ! ” As he spoke, he drew forth an old cotton handkerchief from his breast ' ^^d untying a large knot in one corner, produced a small brown-paper packet. Sikes, snatching it from him, . hastily opened it ; and proceeded to count the sovereigns lit contained. This all, is it ? ” inquired Sikes. K 130 OLIVER TWIST. replied the Jew. You haven’t opened the parcel and swallowe ne or two as you come along, have you?” inquired Sikes, jpiciously. Don’t put on an injured look at the question ; u’ve done it many a time. Jerk the tinkler.” These words, in plain English, conveyed an i^ iction to ring the bell. It was answered by another Je younger than Fagin, but nearly as vile and repulsive in aj ranee. Bill Sikes merely pointed to the empty measure. lie Jew, perfectly understanding the hint, retired to fill it : eviously exchanging a remarkable look with Fagin, who ised his eyes for an instant, as if in expectation of it, ana shook his head in reply; so slightly that the action would have been almost imperceptible to an observant third person. It was lost upon Sikes, who was stooping at the moment to tie the boot-lace which the dog had torn. Possibly, if he had observed the brief interchange of signals, he might have thought that it boded no good to him. Is anybody here, Barney ? ” inquired Fagin ; speaking, now that Sikes ^vas looking on, without raisi ig his eyes from the ground. Dot a shoul,” replied Barney ; whose words : whether they came from the heart or not : made their way through the nose. ‘^Nobody?” inquired Fagin, in a tone of surprise: which perhaps might mean that Barney was at liberty to teU the truth. Dobody but Biss Dadsy,” replied Barney. Nancy ! ” exclaimed Sikes. Where ? Strike m ind, if I don’t honour that ’ere girl, for her native talents She’s bid havid a plate of boiled beef id the bar. plied Barney. Send her here,” said Sikes, pouring out a glass i’quor. “ Send her here.” Barney looked timidly at Fagin, as if for perm Jew remaining silent, and not lifting his eyes fro NANCY ON THE SCENT. 131 he retired ; and presently returned, ushering in Nancy ; who was decorated with the bonnet, apron, basket, and street-door key, complete. ^“^You are on the scent, are you, Nancy?'*’ inquired Sikes, proffering the glass. Yes, I am. Bill," replied the young lady, disposing of its contents ; and tired enough of it I am, too. The young brat's been ill and confined to the crib; and — " “ Ah, Nancy, dear ! " said Eagin, looking up . Now, whether a peculiar contraction of the Jew's red eye- brows, and a half-closing of his deeply-set eyes, warned Miss Nancy that she was disposed to be too communicative, is not a matter of much importance. The fact is all we need care for here ; and the fact is, that she suddenly checked herself, and with several gracious smiles upon Mr. Sikes, turned the conversation to other matters. In about ten minutes' time, Mr. Fagin was seized with a fit of coughing; upon which Nancy pulled her shawl over her shoulders, and declared it tras time to go. Mr. Sikes, finding that he was walking a short part of her way himself, expressed his intention of accompanying her ; they went away together, followed, at a little distance, by the dog, who slunk out of a back-yard as soon as his master was out of sight. The Jew thrust his head out of the room door when Sikes had left it; looked after him as he walked up the dark passage ; shook his clenched fist ; muttered a deep curse ; and then, with a horrible grin, re-seated himself at the table ; where he was soon deeply absorbed in the interesting pages of the Hue-and-Cry. Meanwhile, Oliver Twist, little dreaming that he was within so very short a distance of the merry old gentleman, was on his way to the book-stall. When he got into Clerkenwell, he accidentally turned down a bye-street which was not exactly in his way ; but not discovering his mistake until he had got half-way down it, and knowing it must lead in the right direction, he did not think it worth while to 132 OLIVER TWIST. turn back ; and so marched on, as quickly as he could, with the books under his arm. He was walking along, thinking how happy and contented he ought to feel ; and how much he would give for only one look at poor little Dick, who, starved and beaten, might be weeping bitterly at that very moment ; when he was startled by a young woman screaming out very loud, Oh, my dear brother!’*' And he had hardly looked up, to see what the matter was, when he was stopped by having a pair of arms thrown tight round his neck. Don’t,*’*’ cried Oliver, struggling. “ Let go of me* Who is it ? What are you stopping me for ? ” The only reply to this, was a great number of loud lamenta- tions from the young woman who had embraced him ; and who had a little basket and a street-door key in her hand. Oh my gracious 1 ” said the young woman, I’ve found him 1 Oh ! Oliver ! Oliver ! Oh you naughty boy, to make me suffer sich distress on your account ! Come home, dear, come. Oh, I’ve found him. Thank gracious goodness heavins, I’ve found him ! ” With these incoherent exclamations, the young woman burst into another fit of crying, and got so dreadfully hysterical, that a couple of women who came up at the moment asked a butcher’s boy with a shiny head of hair anointed with suet, who was also looking on, whether he didn’t think he had better run for the doctor. To which, the butcher’s boy : who appeared of a lounging, not to say indolent disposition : replied, that he thought not. Oh, no, no, never mind,” said the young woman, grasping Oliver’s hand; “I’m better now. Come home directly, you cruel boy ! Come ! ” “ What’s the matter, ma’am ? ” inquired one r ’ the women. “Oh, ma’am,” replied the young woman, ^ ran away, near a month ago, from his parents, who a’ ard-working and respectable people ; and went and joined >et of thieves and bad characters ; and almost broke his n er’s heart.” “Young wretch ! ” said one woman. THE HERO FINDS A SISTER. 13B ‘^Go home, do, you little brute,’’ said the other. “I am not,” replied Oliver, greatly alarmed. ‘‘I don’t know her. I haven’t any sister, or father and mother either. I’m an orphan ; I live at Pentonville.” Only hear him, how he braves it out ! ” cried the young woman. Why, it’s Nancy ! ” exclaimed Oliver ; who now saw her face for the first time; and started back, in irrepressible astonishment. ‘‘You see he knows me!” cried Nancy, appealing to the bystanders. “ He can’t help himself. Make him come home, there’s good people, or he’ll kill his dear mother and father, and break my heart ! ” “ What the devil’s this F ” said a man, bursting out of a beer-shop, with a white dog at his heels ; “ young Oliver ! Come home to your poor mother, you young dog! Come home directly.” “I don’t belong to them. I don’t know them. Help! help ! ” cried Oliver, struggling in the man’s powerful grasp. “Help!” repeated the man. “Yes; I’ll help you, you young rascal ! AVhat books are these F You’ve been a stealing ’em, have you F Give ’em here.” With these Avords, the man tore the volumes from his grasp, and struck him on the head. “ That’s right ! ” cried a looker-on, from a garret-window. “ That’s the only way of bringing him to his senses ! ” “ To be sure ! ” cried a sleepy-faced carpenter, casting an approving look at the garret-window. “ It’ll do him good ! ” said the two women. “ And he shall have it, too ! ” rejoined the man, adminis- I tering another blow, and seizing Oliver by the collar. “ Come ; on, you young villain! Here, Bull’s-eye, mind him, boy! Mind him ! ” Weak with recent illness ; stupefied by the blows and the suddenness of the attack ; terrified by the fierce growling of ^ the dog, and the brutality of the man ; overpowered by the OLIVER WIST. WA conviction of the bystanders that he really was the hardened little wretch he was described to be ; what could one poor child do ! Darkness had set in ; it was a low neighbourhood ; no help was near ; resistance was useless. In another moment, he was dragged into a labyrinth of dark narrow courts, and was forced along them at a pace which rendered the few cries he dared to give utterance to, unintelligible. It was of little moment, indeed, whether they were intelligible or no ; for there was nobody to care for them, had they been ever so plain. ♦jt ^ ^ The gas-lamps were lighted ; Mrs. Bedwin was waiting anxiously at the open door ; the servant had run up the street twenty times to see if there were any traces of Oliver ; and still the two old gentlemen sat, perseveringly, in the dark parlour j with the watch between them. CHAPTER XVL RELATES WHAT BECAME OF OLIVER TWIST, AFTER HE HAD BEEN CLAIMED BY NANCY, The narrow streets and courts, at length, terminated in a large open space ; scattered about which, were pens for beasts, and other indications of a cattle-market. Sikes slackened his pace when they reached this spot : the girl being quite unable to support any longer, the rapid rate at which they had hitherto walked. Turning to Oliver, he roughly commanded him to take hold of Nancy’s hand. Do you hear ? ” growled Sikes, as Oliver hesitated, and looked round. They were in a dark corner, quite out of the track of passengers. Oliver saw, but too plainly, that resistance would be of no avail. He held out his hand, which Nancy clasped tight in hers. Give me the other,” said Sikes, seizing Oliver’s unoccupied hand. “ Here, Bull’s-eye ! ” The dog looked up, and growled. See here, boy ! ” said Sikes, putting his other hand to Oliver’s throat ; if he speaks ever so soft a word, hold him ! D’ye mind!” The dog growled again ; and licking his lips, eyed Oliver as if he were anxious to attach himself to his windpipe without delay. He’s as willing as a Christian, strike me blind if he isn’t ! ” OLIVER TWIS" kind of grim and ^hat youVe got to you like; the dog I un wledgment of this id, giving vent to said Sikes, regarding the animal wit! ferocious approval. Now, you kno expect, master, so call away as quid will soon stop that game. Get on, yc BulFs-eye wagged his tail in ac unusually endearing form of speech another admonitory growl for the benefit of Oliver, led the way onward. It was Srnithfield that they were crossing, although it might have been Grosvenor Square, for anything Oliver knew to the contrary. The night was dark and foggy. The lights in the shops could scarcely struggle through the heavy mist, which thickened every moment and shrouded the streets and houses in gloom ; rendering the strange place still stranger in Oliver’s eyes ; and making his uncertainty the more dismal and depressing. They had hurried on a few paces, when a deep church-bell struck the hour. With its first stroke, his two conductors stopped, and turned their heads in the direction whence the sound proceeded. Eight o’clock, Bill,” said Nancy, when the bell ceased. “ What’s the good of telling me that ; I can hear it, can’t I ! ” replied Sikes. I wonder whether they can hear it,” said Nancy. Of course they can,” replied Sikes. It was Bartlemy time when I was shopped ; and there warn’t a penny trumpet in the fair, as I couldn’t hear the squeaking on. Arter I was locked up for the night, the row and din outside made the thundering old jail so silent, that I could almost have beat my brains out against the iron plates of the door.” Poor fellows ! ” said Nancy, who still had her face turned towards the quarter in which the bell had sounded. ‘‘Oh, Bill, such fine young chaps as them ! ” “ Yes ; that’s all you women think of,” answered Sikes. “ Fine young chaps ! W ell, they’re as good as dead, so it don’t much matter.” AN UNPLEASANT SUBJECT. 137 With this consolation, Mr. Sikes appeared to repress a rising tendency to jealousy, and,' clasping Oliver's wrist more firmly, told him to step out again. Wait a minute ! " said the girl : I wouldn't hurry by, if it was you that was coming out to be hung, the next time eight o'clock struck. Bill. I'd walk round and round the place till I dropped, if the snow was on the ground, and I hadn't a shawl to cover me." “And what good would that do.^" inquired the unsenti- mental Mr. Sikes. “ Unless you could pitch over a file and twenty yards of good stout rope, you might as well be walking fifty mile off, or not walking at all, for all the good it would do me. Come on, and don't stand preaching there." The girl burst into a laugh ; drew her shawl more closely round her ; and they walked away. But Oliver felt her hand tremble, and, looking up in her face as they passed a gas- lamp, saw that it had turned a deadly white. They walked on, by little-frequented and dirty ways, for a full half-hour : meeting very few people, and those appearing from their looks to hold much the same position in society as Mr. Sikes himself. At length they turned into a very filthy narrow street, nearly full of old-clothes shops ; the dog running forward, as if conscious that there was no further occasion for his keeping on guard, stopped before the door of a shop that was closed and apparently untenanted ; the house was in a ruinous condition, and on the door was nailed a board, intimating that it was to let : which looked as if it had hung there for many years. ‘^All right," cried Sikes, glancing cautiously about. Na ’ stooped below the shutters, and Oliver heard the sound a bell. They crossed to the opposite side of the street, . stood for a few moments under a lamp. A noise, as if a s window were gently raised, was heard ; and soon afterwarc';^ oor softly opened. Mr. Sikes then seized the terrified the collar with very little ceremony ; and all three we dy inside the house. 138 OLIVER TWIST. The passage was perfectly dark. They waited, while the person who had let them in, chained and barred the door. ‘^xVnybody here?*” inquired Sikes. No,*” replied a voice, which Oliver thought he had heard before. Is the old ’un here ? asked the robber. Yes,*^’ replied the voice ; and precious down in the mouth he has been. Won’t he be glad to see you ? Oh, no ! ” The style of this reply, as well as the voice which delivered it, seemed familiar to Oliver’s ears : but it was impossible to distinguish even the form of the speaker in the darkness. Let’s have a glim,” said Sikes, “ or we shall go breaking our necks, or treading on the dog. Look after your legs if vou do ! ” Stand still a moment, and I’ll get you one,” replied the voice. The receding footsteps of the speaker were heard ; and, in another minute, the form of Mr. John Dawkins, otherwise the artful Dodger, appeared. He bore in his right hand a tallow candle stuck in the end of a cleft stick. The young gentleman did not stop to bestow any other mark of recognition upon Oliver than a humorous grin ; but, turning away, beckoned the visitors to follow him down a flight of stairs. They crossed an empty kitchen ; and, opening the door of a low earthy-smelling room, which seemed to have been built in a small back-yard, were received with a shout of laughter. “ Oh, my wig, my wig ! ” cried Master Charles Bates, from whose lungs the laughter had proceeded ; “ here he is ! oh, cry, here he is ! Oh, Fagin, look at him ! Fagin, do look at him ! I can’t bear it ; it is such a jolly game, I can’t bear it. Hold me, somebody, while I laugh it out.” With this irrepressible ebullition of mirth. Master Bates laid himself flat on the floor: and kicked convulsively for five minutes, in an ecstasy of facetious joy. Then jumping to his feet, he snatched the cleft stick from the Dodger; and, advancing to Oliver, viewed him round and round ; while RESTORED TO PLEASANT COMPAN\ the Jew, taking off his nightcap, made a great number bows to the bewildered boy. The Artful, meantime was of a rather saturnine disposition, and seldom gave way to merriment when it interfered with business, rifled Oliver’s pockets with steady assiduity. Look at his togs, Fagin ! ” said Charley, putting the light so close to his new jacket as nearly to set him on fire. Look at his togs ! Superfine cloth, and the heavy swell cut ! Oh, my eye, what a game ! And his books, too ! Nothing but a gentleman, Fagin ! ” “ Delighted to see you looking so well, my dear,” said the Jew, bowing with mock humility. ^^The Artful shall give you another suit, my dear, for fear you should spoil that Sunday one. Why didn’t you write, my dear, and say you were coming? We’d have got something warm for supper.” At this. Master Bates roared again : so loud, that Fagin himself relaxed, and even the Dodger smiled ; but as the Artful drew forth the five-pound note at that instant, it is doubtful whether the sally or the discovery awakened his merriment. Hallo ! what’s that ? ” inquired Sikes, stepping forward as the Jew seized the note. “ That’s mine, Fagin.” “No, no, my dear,” said the Jew. “Mine, Bill, mine. You shall have the books.” “ If that ain’t mine ! ” said Bill Sikes, putting on his hat with a determined air ; “ mine and Nancy’s, that is ; I’ll take the boy back again.” The Jew started. Oliver started too, though from a very different cause ; for he hoped that the dispute might really end in his being taken back. “ Come ! Hand over, will you ? ” said Sikes. “This is hardly fair. Bill; hardly fair, is it, Nancy?” inquired the Jew. “ Fair, or not fair,” retorted Sikes, “ hand over, I tell you ! Do you think Nancy and me has got nothing else to do with our precious time but to spend it in scouting arter and 140 OLIVER TWIST. kidnapping, every young boy as gets grabbed through you ? Give it here, you avaricious old skeleton, give it here ! With this gentle remonstrance, Mr. Sikes plucked the note from between the Jew’s finger and thumb ; and looking the old man coolly in the face, folded it up small, and tied it in his neckerchief. That’s for our share of the trouble,” said Sikes; ^‘and not half enough, neither. You may keep the books, if you’re fond of reading. If you a’n’t, sell ’em.” They’re very pretty,” said Charley Bates : who, with sundry grimaces, had been affecting to read one of the volumes in question : beautiful writing, isn’t it, Oliver ? ” At sight of the dismayed look with which Oliver regarded his tormentors. Master Bates, who was blessed with a lively sense of the ludicrous, fell into another ecstasy, more boisterous than the first. “They belong to the old gentleman,” said Oliver, wringing his hands ; “ to the good, kind, old gentleman who took me into his house, and had me nursed, when I was near dying of the fever. Oh, pray send them back ; send him back the books and money. Keep me here all my life long ; but pray, pray send them back. He’ll think I stole them ; the old lady : all of them who were so kind to me : will think I stole them. Oh, do have mercy upon me, and send them back ! ” With those words, which were uttered with all the energy of passionate grief, Oliver fell upon his knees at the Jew’s feet ; and beat his hands together, in perfect desperation. “ The boy’s right,” remarked Fagin, looking covertly round, and knitting his shaggy eyebrows into a hard knot. “ You’re right, Oliver, you’re right ; they will think you have stolen ’em. Ha ! ha ! ” chuckled the Jew, rubbing his hands ; “ it couldn’t have happene"^ better, if we had chosen our time ! ” “ Of course it couldn »lied Sikes ; “ now’d that, directly I see him coi hrough Clerk il, with the i f .4 V 1 APPEALS FOR HELP. 141 books under his arm. IPs all right enough. TheyVe soft- hearted psalm-singers, or they wouldn’t have taken him in at all ; and they’ll ask no questions after him, fear they should be obliged to prosecute, and so get him lagged. He’s safe enough.” Oliver had looked from one to the other, while these words were being spoken, as if he were bewildered, and could scarcely understand what passed ; but when Bill Sikes concluded, he jumped suddenly to his feet, and tore wildly from the room : uttering shrieks for help, which made the bare old house echo to the roof. “ Keep back the dog. Bill 1 ” cried Nancy, springing before ,the door, and closing it, as the Jew and his two pupils darted out in pursuit. “ Keep back the dog ; he’ll tear the boy to pieces.” Serve him right ! ” cried Sikes, struggling to disengage himself from the girl’s grasp. Stand off from me, or I’ll split your head against the wall.” I don’t care for that. Bill, I don’t care for that,” screamed the girl, struggling violently with the man : the child shan’t be torn down by the dog, unless you kill me first.” Shan’t he ! ” said Sikes, setting his teeth. I’ll soon do that, if you don’t keep off.” The housebreaker flung the girl from him to the further end of the room, just as the Jew and the two boys returned, dragging Oliver among them. What’s the matter here ! ” said Fagin, looking round. ‘‘‘The girl’s gone mad, I think,” replied Sikes, savagely. “ No, she hasn’t,” said Nancy, pale and breathless from the scuffle ; “ no, she hasn’t, Fagin ; don’t think it.” “Then keep quiet, will you?” said the Jew, with a threa- tening look. “No, I won’t do that, neither,” replied Nancy, speaking very loud. “Come! What do you think of that?” Mr. Fagin was sufficiently well acquainted with the manners and customs of that particular species of humanity to which 142 OLIVER TWIST. Nancy belonged, to feel tolerably certain that it would be rather unsafe to prolong any conversation with her, at present. With the view of diverting the attention of the company, he turned to Oliver. “So you wanted to get away, my dear, did you?’’ said the Jew, taking up a jagged and knotted club which lay in a corner of the fireplace ; “ eh ? ” Oliver made no rejily. But he watched the Jew’s motions, and breathed quickly. “ Wanted to get assistance ; called for the police ; did you ? ” sneered the Jew, catching the boy by the arm. “Well cure you of that, my young master.” The Jew inflicted a smart blow on Oliver’s shoulders with the club ; and was raising it for a second, when the girl, rushing forward, wrested it from his hand. She flung it into the fire, with a force that brought some of the glov/ing coals whirling out into the room. “ I v/on’t stand by and see it done, Fagin,” cried the girl, “You’ve got the boy, and what more would you have,^ — Let him be — let him be — or I shall put that mark on some of you, that will bring me to the gallows before my time.” The girl stamped her foot violently on the floor as she vented this threat; and with her lips compressed, and her hands clenched, looked alternately at the Jew and the other robber: her face quite colourless from the passion of rage into which she had gradually worked herself. “ Why, Nancy ! ” said the Jew, in a soothing tone ; after a pause, during which he and Mr. Sikes had stared at one another in a disconcerted manner; “you — ^you’re more clever than ever to-night. Ha! ha! my dear, you ai'e acting beautifully.” “ Am I ! ” said the girl. “ Take care I don’t overdo it. You will be the worse for it, Fagin, if I do ; and so I tell you in good time to keep clear of me.” There is something about a roused woman: especialh' she add to all her other strong passions, the fierce ii. SOUL OF GOODNESS IN THINGS EVIL. 143 of recklessness and despair : wliich few men like to provoke. The Jew saw that it would be hopeless to affect any further, mistake regarding the reality of Miss Nancy'^s rage; and, shrinking involuntarily back a few paces, cast a glance, half imploring and half cowardly at Sikes : as if to hint that he was the fittest person to pursue the dialogue. Mr. Sikes, thus mutely appealed to ; and possibly feeling his personal pride and influence interested in the immediate reduction of Miss Nancy to reason ; gave utterance to about a couple of score of curses and threats, the rapid production of which reflected great credit on the fertility of his invention. As they produced no visible effect on the object against whom they were discharged, however, he resorted to more tangible arguments. What do you mean by this ? said Sikes ; backing the inquiry with a very common imprecation concerning the most beautiful of human features : which, if it were heard above, only once out of every fifty thousand times that it is uttered below, would render blindness as common a disorder as measles : what do you mean by it ? Burn my body ! Do you know who you are, and what you are.^’’ Oh, yes, I know all about it,’’ replied the girl, laughing hysterically; and shaking her head from side to side, with a poor assumption of indifference. ^^Well, then, keep quiet,” rejoined Sikes, with a growl like that he was accustomed to use when addressing his dog, ^^or I’ll quiet you for a good long time to come.” The girl laughed again : even less composedly than before ; and, darting a hasty look at Sikes, turned her face aside, and bit her lip till the blood came. You’re a nice one,” added Sikes, as he surveyed her with a contemptuous air, to take up the humane and gen — teel side ! A pretty subject for the child, as you call him, to make a friend of ! ” God Almighty help me, I am ! ” cried the girl passionately ; ‘^and I wish I had been struck dead in the street, or had 144 OLIVER TWIST. changed places with them we passed so near to-night, before I had lent a hand in bringing him here. He^^s a thief, a liar, a devil, all that*’s bad, from this night forth. Isn*’t that enough for the old wretch, without blows ? Come, come, Sikes,’’ said the Jew, appealing to him in a remonstratory tone, and motioning towards the boys, who were eagerly attentive to all that passed ; Ave must have civil words ; civil words. Bill.” Civil words ! ” cried the girl, whose passion was frightful to see. ‘‘ Civil words, you villain ! Yes, you deserve ’em from me. I thieved for you when I was a child not half as old as this ! ” pointing to Oliver. “ I have been in the same trade, and in the same service, for twelve years since. Don’t you know it ? Speak out ! Don’t you know it ? ” ‘‘Well, well,” replied the Jew, with an attempt at paci- fication ; “ and, if you have, it’s your living ! ” “ Aye, it is ! ” returned the girl ; not speaking, but pouring out the words in one continuous and vehement scream. “It is my living; and the cold, wet, dirty streets are my home; and you’re the wretch that drove me to them long ago, and that’ll keep me there, day and night, day and night, till I die!” “I shall do you a mischief!” interposed the Jew, goaded by these reproaches ; “ a mischief Avorse than that, if you say much more ! ” The girl said nothing more ; but, tearing her hair and dress in a transport of passion, made such a rush at the Jew as would probably have left signal marks of her revenge upon him, had not her wrists been seized by Sikes at the right moment ; upon which, she made a few ineffectual struggles, and fainted. “She’s all right now,” said Sikes, laying her down in a corner. “She’s uncommon strong in the arms, when she’s up in this way.” The Jew wiped his forehead : and smiled, as it relief to have the disturbance over ; but neither he, i he dog, light thi s the •eplacingl i, in on rN FOR CHARLEY BATES. 145 lor the boys, seemed to consider it in any in a common occurrence incidental to business, ^orst of having to do with women, ’’ said the his club ; but they’re clever, and we can’t line, without ’em. Charley, show Oliver to o ’d better not wear his best clothes to-morrow, ’ inquired Charley Bates, t,” replied the Jew, reciprocating the grin ''ey put the question. ;er Bates much delighted with his commis- ’ ft stick : and led Oliver into an adjacent were two or three of the beds on which ; and here, with many uncontrollable he produced the identical old suit of had so much congratulated himself upon 'rownlow’s; and the accidental display of the Jew who purchased them, had been «ived, of his whereabout, rt ones," said Charley, “and I’ll give care of. What fun it is ! uppose had he.? rtainly r hich Chai >ok the clt , where slept befor of laughter, which Oliver off at Mr ‘lo Fagin, by ' first clue re off the sm wi. f V licit lull It IS I Ohver^nnw;®’"^*^ complied. Master Bates rolling Oliver unwil new clothes Dliver in the loise of I Cha| ^ho opportui '’r-rf ■: id perform o of her recovery, mig more happy cireums placed. But he was asleep. junder his arm, departed from the room, dark, and locking the door behind him. Irley’s laughter, and the voice of Miss jiely arrived to throw water over her jther feminine offices for the promotion it have kept many people awake under lances than those in which Oliver was Isick and weary ; and he soon fell sound I. i CHAPTER XVIL Oliver’s destiny continuing unpropitious, MAN TO LONDON TO INJURE HIS REPI IRINGS A GREAT FTATION. gOQ It is the custom on the stage, in all dramas, to present the tragic and the comi alternation, as the layers of red and whit' bacon. The hero sinks upon his straw^ by fetters and misfortunes; in the nex| but unconscious squire regales the aucj song. We behold, with throbbing bo; the grasp of a proud and ruthless baro life alike in danger, drawing forth he the one at the cost of the other; and tions are wought up to the highest pit and we are straightway transported to castle: where a grey-headed seneschal with a funnier body of vassals, who places, from church vaults to palaces company, carolling perpetually. Siich changes appear absurd ; but the as they would seem at first sight, life from well-spread boards to death-be weeds to holiday garments, are not a there, we are busy actors, instead of pa: makes a vast difference. The actors i theatre, are blind to violent transitio of passion or feeling, which, presen wh murderous me lo- scenes, in as regu lar in a side of stref iky bed, weighed do wn |t scene, his faittiful iience with a co mic ;oms, the heroine ‘ in : her virtue an d her dagger to pn^serve ]ust as our exp ecta- p, a whistle is hc'ard, the great hall of I’^he jsings a funny chorus [re free of all sorts of and roam about in are not so unnatural he transitions in real and from mourning- it less startling ; only, isive lookers-on, which the mimic life of the s and abrupt impulses led before the eyes of BEADLEDOM FULL-BLOWN. 147 mere spectators, are at once condemned as outrageous and preposterous. As sudden shiftings of the scene, and rapid changes of time and place, are not only sanctioned in books by long usage, but are by many considered as the great art of authorship : an author’s skill in his craft being, by such critics, chiefly estimated with relation to the dilemmas in which he leaves his characters at the end of every chapter: this brief introduction to the present one may perhaps be deemed unnecessary. If so, let it be considered a delicate intimation on the part of the historian that he is going back to the town in which Oliver Twist was born ; the reader taking it for granted that there are good and substantial reasons for making the journey, or he v/ould not be invited to proceed upon such an expedition. Mr. Bumble emerged at early morning from the workhouse- gate, and walked with portly carriage and commanding steps, up the High Street. He was in the full bloom and pride of beadlehood; his cocked hat and coat were dazzling in the morning sun ; he clutched his cane with the vigorous tenacity of health and power. Mr. Bumble always carried his head high ; but this morning it was higher than usual. There was an abstraction in his eye, an elevation in his air, which might have warned an observant stranger that thoughts were passing in the beadle’s mind, too great for utterance. Mr. Bumble stopped not to converse with the small shop- keepers and others who spoke to him, deferentially, as he passed along. Fie merely returned their salutations with a wave of his hand, and relaxed not in his dignified pace, until he reached the farm where Mrs. Mann tended the infant paupers with parochial care. Drat that beadle ! ” said Mrs. Mann, hearing the well- known shaking at the garden-gate. ^^If it isn’t him at this time in the morning ! Lauk, Mr. Bumble, only think of its being you ! Well, dear me, it is a pleasure, this is ! Come into the parlour, sir, please.” 148 OLIVER The first sentence was addresaea to Susan ; and the ex- clamations of delight were uttered to Mr. Bumble : as the good lady unlocked the garden-gate, and showed him, with great attention and respect, into the house. ‘^^Mrs. Mann,'’ said Mr. Bumble; not sitting upon, or dropping himself into a seat, as any common jackanapes would : but letting himself gradually and slowly down into a chair ; Mrs. Mann, ma'am, good morning." Well, and good morning to you^ sir," replied Mrs. Mann, with many smiles ; and hoping you find yourself well, sir ! " So-so, Mrs. Mann," replied the beadle. porochial life is not a bed of roses, Mrs. Mann." ^^Ah, that it isn't indeed, Mr. Bumble," rejoined the lady. And all the infant paupers might have chorused the rejoinder with great propriety, if they had heard it. ‘^A porochial life, ma'am," continued Mr. Bumble, striking the table with his cane, ^^is a life of worrit, and vexation, and hardihood ; but all public characters, as I may say, must suffer prosecution." Mrs. Mann, not very well knowing what the beadle meant, raised her hands with a look of sympathy, and sighed. Ah ! You may well sigh, Mrs. Mann ! " said the beadle. Finding she had done right, Mrs. Mann sighed again : evidently to the satisfaction of the public character: who, repressing a complacent smile by looking sternly at his cocked hat, said, ‘^Mrs. Mann, I am a going to London." Lauk, Mr. Bumble ! " cried Mrs. Mann, starting back. ‘^To London, ma'am," resumed the inflexible beadle, ^H)y coach. I and two paupers, Mrs. Mann ! A legal action is a coming on, about a settlement ; and the board has appointed me — me, Mrs. Mann — to depose to the matter before the quarter-sessions at Clerkinwell. And I very much question," added Mr. Bumble, drawing himself up, whether the Clerkin- well Sessions will not find themselves in the wrong box before they have done with me." REMi L OF PAUPERS. 149 “ Oh ! you mustn’t \ - m hard upon them, sir,” said Mrs. Mann, coaxingly. “The Clerkinwell Ses •. have brought it upon themselves, ma’am,” replied Mr. Bui ; “ and if the Clerkinwell Sessions find that they come o ther worse than they expected, the Clerkinwell Sessions , only themselves to thank.” There was so much c« lination and depth of purpose about the menacing man . In which Mr. Bumble delivered himself of these words, that Mrs. Mann appeared quite awed by them. At length she said, “You’re going by coach, sir.^ I thought it was always usual to send them paupers in carts.” “That’s when they’re ill, Mrs. Mann,” said the beadle. “We put the sick paupers into open carts in the rainy weather, to prevent their taking cold.” “ Oh ! ” said Mrs. Mann. “ The opposition coach contracts for these two ; and takes them cheap,” said Mr. Bumble. “They are both in a very low state, and we find it would come two pound cheaper to move ’em than to bury ’em — that is, if we can throw ’em upon another parish, which I think we shall be able to do, if they don’t die upon the road to spite us. Ha! ha I ha I ” When Mr. Bumble had laughed a little while, his eyes again encountered the cocked hat; and he became grave' “We are forgetting business, ma’am,” said the beadle; “ here is your porochial stipend for the month.” Mr. Bumble produced some silver money rolled up in paper, from his pocket-book ; and requested a receipt : which Mrs. Mann wrote. “ It’s very much blotted, sir,” said the farmer of infants ; “ but it’s formal enough, I dare say. Thank you, Mr. Bumble, sir, I am ver” much obliged to you. I’m sure.” Mr. ■' e nodded, blandly, in acknowledgment of Mrs. Mann’f y ; and inquired how the children were. “ Bl( ;ir dear little hearts ! ” said Mrs. Mann with 150 OLIVER TWIST. emotion, “ they’re as well as can be, the dears ! Of course, except the two that died last week. And little Dick.” Isn’t that boy no better ? ” inquired Mr. Bumble. Mrs. Mann shook her head. He’s a ill-conditioned, wicious,, bad-disposed porochial child that,” said Mr. Bumble angrily. Where is he?” ‘‘I’ll bring him to you in one minute, sir,” replied Mrs. Mann. “ Here, you Dick ! ” After some calling, Dick was discovered. Having had his face put under the pump, and dried upon Mrs. Mann’s gown, he was led into the awful presence of Mr. Bumble, the beadle. The child was pale and thin ; his cheeks were sunken ; and his eyes large and bright. The scanty parish dress, the livery of his misery, hung loosely on his feeble body; and his young limbs had wasted away, like those of an old man. Such was the little being who stood trembling beneath Mr. Bumble’s glance ; not daring to lift his eyes from the floor; and dreading even to hear the beadle’s voice. “Can’t you look at the gentleman, you obstinate boy?” said Mrs. Mann. The child meekly raised his eyes, and encountered those of Mr. Bumble. “What’s the matter with you, porochial Dick?” inquired Mr. Bumble, with well-timed jocularity. “ Nothing, sir,” replied the child faintly. “I should think not,” said Mrs. Mann, who had of course laughed very much at Mr. Bumble’s humour. “You want for nothing. I’m sure.” “I should like — ” faltered the child. “ Heyday ! ” interposed Mrs. Mann, “ I suppose you’re going to say that you do want for something, now ? Why, you little wretch ” “ Stop, Mrs. Mann, stop ! ” said the beadle, raising his hand with a show of authority. “ Like what, sir, eh ? ” “I should like,” faltered the child, “if someboa^ Jiat can write, would put a few words down for me on a piece of BAD BOY INDEED. 151 paper, and fol I am laid in tl ‘‘Why, what on whom the ( had made some things. “ What “I should like poor Oliver Twis * sat by myself and the dark nights \ like to tell him,’’ together, and speal to die when I was to be a man, and h Heaven, might forget so much happier if wt Mr. Bumble surveye with indescribable asti panion said, “They’re out-dacious Oliver has a “ I couldn’t have belies up her hands, and looki see such a hardened little “Take him away, ma’a “This must be stated to i “I hope the gentlemen ssion 1 mean, sir o and seal it, and keep it for me, after nd.” he boy mean ? ” exclaimed Mr. Bumble, mann^V and wan aspect of the child ccustomed as he was to such the child, “ to leave my dear love to to let him know how often I have to think of his wandering about in body to help him. And I should he child, pressing his small hands th great fervour, “that I was glad oung ; for, perhaps, if I had lived wn old, my little sister who is in r be unlike me ; and it would be both children there together.” 'ittle speaker, from head to foot, ''snt; and, turning to his com- • one story, Mrs. Mann. That lized them all ! ” sir ! ” said Mrs. Mann, holding ligmfitly at Dick. “I never h!” aid Mr. Bumble imperiously, ird, Mrs. Mann.” ill understand that it isn’t my fault, sir?” said Mrs. Mann, whimpering pathetically. “ They shall understand that, ma’am ; they shall be ac- quainted with the true state of the case,” said Mr. Bumble. “ There ; take him away, I can’t bear the sight on him.” Dick was immediately taken away, and locked up in the coal-cellar. Mr. Bumble shortly afterwards took himself off, to prepare for his journey. At six o’clock next morning, Mr. Bumble : having exchanged his cocked hat for a round one, and encased his person in a blue great-coat with a cape to it : took his place on the 152 OLIVER TWIST. outside of the coach, accompanied by the criminals whose settlement was disputed ; with whom, in due course of time, he arrived in I^ondon. He experienced no other crosses on the way, than those which origii^ted in the perverse behaviour of the two paupers, who persist^ in shivering, and complaining of the cold, in a manner which, Mr. Bumble declared, caused his teeth to chatter in his head, and made him feel quite uncomfortable ; although he had a great+coat on. Having disposed of these evil-minded persons for the night, Mr. Bumble sat himself down in the house at which the coach stopped ; and took a temperate dinner of steaks, oyster sauce, and porter. Putting a glass of hot gin-and-water on the chimney-piece, he drew his chair to the fire ; and, with sundry moral reflections on the too-prevalent sin of discontent and complaining, composed himself to read the paper. The very first paragraph upon which Mr. Bumble’s eye rested, was the following advertisement. ^^FIVE GUINEAS REWARD. Whereas a young boy, named Oliver Twist, absconded, or was enticed, on Thursday evening last, from his home, at Pentonville ; and has n# since been heard of. The above reward will be paid to any person who will give such in- formation as will lead to the discovery of the said Oliver Twist, or tend to throw any light upon his previous history, in which the advertiser is, for many reasons, warmly interested.” And then followed a full description of Oliver’s dress, person, appearance, and disappearance: with the name and address of Mr. Brownlow at full length. Mr. Bumble opened his eyes ; read the advertisement, slowly and carefully, three several times ; and in something more than five minutes was on his way to Pentonville : having actually, in his excitement, left the glass of hot gin-and-water, untasted. Is Mr. Brownlow at home ? ” inquired Mr. Bumble of the girl who opened the door. MR. BUMBLE !aT MR. BROWNLOW’S. 153 To this inquiry the girl returned the not uncommon, but rather evasive reply of “ I don’t know ; where do you come from ? ’ Mr. Bumble no sooner uttered Oliver’s name, in explanation of his errand, than Mrs. Bedwin, who had been listening at the parlour door, hastened into the passage in a breathless state. Come in, come in,” said the old lady : I knew we should hear of him. Poor dear ! I knew we should ! I was certain of it. Bless his heart ! I said so, all along.” Having said this, the worthy old lady hurried back into the parlour again ; and seating herself on a sofa, burst into tears. The girl, who was not quite so susceptible, had run up stairs meanwhile ; and now returned with a request that Mr. Bumble would follow her immediately : which he did. He was shown into the little back study, where sat Mr. Brownlow and his friend Mr. Grimwig, with decanters and glasses before them. The latter gentleman at once burst into the exclamation : A beadle ! A parish beadle, or I’ll eat my head.” “Pray don’t interrupt just now,” said Mr. Brownlow. “ Take a seat, will you ? ” Mr. Bumble sat himself down : quite confounded by the oddity of Mr. Grimwig’s manner. Mr. Brownlow moved the lamp, so as to obtain an uninterrupted view of the Beadle’s countenance ; and said, with a little impatience, “Now, sir, you come in consequence of having seen the advertisement ? ” “Yes, sir,” said Mr. Bumble. “And you are a beadle, are you not.^” inquired Mr. Grimwig. “ I am a porochial beadle, gentlemen,” rejoined Mr. Bumble, proudly. “ Of course,* served Mr. Grimwig aside to his friend, “ I knew he was. )eadle all over ! ” Mr. Brownlo mtly shook his head to impose silence on his friend, and ned : 154 OLIVER TWijST. Do you know where this poor boy is now ? ^“^No more than nobody,'” replied Mr. Bumble. “Well, what do you know of him?’'' inquired the old gentleman. “ Speak out, my friend, if you have anything to say. What do you know of him ? “You don'’t happen to know any good of him, do you?’*' said Mr. Grimwig, caustically; after an attentive perusal of Mr. Bumble''s features. Mr. Bumble, catching at the inquiry very quickly, shook his head with portentous solemnity. “You see?'*'' said Mr. Grimwig, looking triumphantly at Mr. Brownlow. Mr. Brownlow looked apprehensively at Mr. Bumble'^s pursed-up countenance; and requested him to communicate what he knew regarding Oliver, in as few w^ords as possible. Mr. Bumble put down his hat ; unbuttoned his coat ; folded his arms ; inclined his head in a retrospective manner ; and, after a few moments*' reflection, commenced his story. It would be tedious if given in the beadle‘'s words : occupy- ing, as it did, some twenty minutes in the telling ; but the sum and substance of it was, That Oliver was a foundling, born of low and vicious parents. That he had, from his birth, displayed no better qualities than treachery, ingratitude, and malice. That he had terminated his brief career in the place of his birth, by making a sanguinary and cowardly attack on an unoffending lad, and running away in the night-time from his master''s house. In proof of his really being the person he represented himself, Mr. Bumble laid upon the table the papers he had brought to town. Folding his arms again, he then awaited Mr. Brownlow’s observations. “I fear it is all too true,’*’ said the old gentleman sorrow- fully, after looking over the papers. “This is not much for your intelligence ; but I would gladly have given you treble the money, if it had been favourable to the bo}^'’'' It is not improbable that if Mr. Bumble had been possessed of this information at an earlier period of the interview, he FIVE GUINEAS FOR BUMBLE. 155 might have imparted a very different colouring to his little history. It was too late to do it now, however; so he shook his head gravely, and, pocketing the five guineas, withdrew. Mr. Brownlow paced the room to and fro for some minutes ; evidently so much disturbed by the beadle’s tale, that even Mr. Grimwig forbore to vex him further. At length he stopped, and rang the bell violently. Mrs. Bedwin,” said Mr. Brownlow, when the housekeeper appeared ; that boy, Oliver, is an impostor.” ‘‘It can’t be, sir. It cannot be,” said the old lady, energe- tically. “ I tell you he is,” retorted the old gentleman. “ What do you mean by can’t be ? We have just heard a full account of him from his birth ; and he has been a thorough-paced little villain, all his life.” I never will believe it, sir,” replied the old lady, firmly. Never ! ” “ You old women never believe anything but quack-doctors, and lying story-books,” growled Mr. Grimwig. “I knew it all along. Why didn’t you take my advice in the beginning ; you would, if he hadn’t had a fever, I suppose, eh? He was interesting, wasn’t he ? Interesting ! Bah ! ” And Mr. Grimwig poked the fire with a flourish. ‘^He was a dear, grateful, gentle child, sir,” retorted Mrs. Bedwin, indignantly. “I know what children are, sir; and have done these forty years ; and people who can’t say the same, shouldn’t say anything about them. That’s my opinion ! ” This was a hard hit at Mr. Grimwig, ^vho was a bachelor. As it extorted nothing from that gentleman but a smile, the old lady tossed her head, and smoothed down her apron preparatory to another speech, when she was stopped by Mr. Brownlow. Silence ! ” said the old gentleman, feigning an anger he was far from feeling. “Never let me hear the boy’s name again. I rang to tell you that. Never. Never, on any 156 OIIVER TWIST. pretence, mind ! You may leave the room, Mrs. Bedwin. Remember ! I am dn earnest.’” There were sad hearts at Mr. Brownlow’^s that night. 01iver'’s heart sank within him, when he thought of his good kind friends ; it was well for him that he could not know what they had heard, or it might have broken outright. HOW OLIVER PASSED About noon next day had gone out to pursue took the opportunity crying sin of ingratituc he had been guilty, to himself from the socie more, in endeavouring trouble and expense Fagin laid great stress in, and cherished him have perished with affecting history of he had succoured proving unworthy communicate with hanged at the Old seek to conceal his sh tears in his eyes behaviour of the yo necessary that he sho for the crown : whi dispensably necessar a few select friend discomforts of hanging; politeness of manner, ex- never be obliged to operation. listened to the Jew^s the dark threats con- even for justice itself ilty when they were in already ; and that deeply- nconveniently knowing or really devised and occasions than one, he ecollected the general gentleman and Mr. rence to some foregone timidly up, and met pale face and trem- unrelished by that Oliver on the head, and applied himself to ood friends yet. Then, an old patched great- door behind him. and for the greater nobody, between early mg the long hours to hich, never failing to n they must long ago ew left the room-door er about the house. up stairs had great doors, with panelled although they were lied in various wavs. A LONELY PLACE TO LIVE IN. 159 Prom all of these tokens Oliver concluded that a long time ago, before the old Jew was born, it had belonged to better people, and had perhaps been quite gay and handsome : dismal and dreary as it looked now. Spiders had built their webs in the angles of the walls and ceilings ; and sometimes, when Oliver walked softly into a room, the mice would scamper across the floor, and run back terrified to their holes. With these exceptions, there was neither sight nor sound of any living thing; and often, when it grew dark, and he was tired of wandering from room to room, he would crouch in the corner of the passage by the street-door, to be as near living people as he could ; and would remain there, listening and counting the hours, until the Jew or the boys returned. In all the rooms, the mouldering shutters were fast closed : the bars which held them were screwed tight into the wood ; the only light which was admitted, stealing its way through round holes at the top : which made the rooms more gloomy, and filled them with strange shadows. There was a back- garret window with rusty bars outside, which had no shutter ; and out of this, Oliver often gazed with a melancholy face for hours together ; but nothing was to be descried from it but a confused and crowded mass of house-tops, blackened chimneys, and gable-ends. Sometimes, indeed, a grizzly head might be seen, peering over the parapet- wall of a distant house : but it was quickly withdrawn again ; and as the window of Oliver’s observatory was nailed down, and dimmed with the rain and smoke of years, it was as much as he could do to make out the forms of the different objects beyond, without making any attempt to be seen or heard, — which he had as much chance of being, as if he had lived inside the ball of St. Paul’s Cathedral. One afternoon, the Dodger and Master Bates being engaged out that evening, the first-named young gentleman took it into his head to evince some anxiety regarding the decoration of his person (to do him justice, this was by no means an 160 OLIVER TWIST. habitual weakness with him) ; and, with this end and aim, he condescendingly commanded Oliver to assist him in his toilet, straightway. Oliver was but too glad to make himself useful ; too happy to have some faces, however bad, to look upon ; too desirous to conciliate those about him when he could honestly do so; to throw any objection in the way of this proposal. So he at once expressed his readiness ; and, kneeling on the floor, while the Dodger sat upon the table so that he could take his foot in his lap, he applied himself to a process which Mr. Dawkins designated as ‘‘ japanning his trotter-cases.’’ The phrase, rendered into plain English, signifieth, cleaning his boots. Whether it was the sense of freedom and independence which a rational animal may be supposed to feel when he sits on a table in an easy attitude smoking a pipe, swinging one leg carelessly to and fro, and having his boots cleaned all the time, without even the past trouble of having taken them oft*, or the prospective misery of putting them on, to disturb his reflections; or whether it was the goodness of the tobacco that soothed the feelings of the Dodger, or the mildness of the beer that mollified his thoughts ; he was evidently tinc- tured, for the nonce, with a spice of romance and enthusiasm, foreign to his general nature. He looked down on Oliver, with a thoughtful countenance, for a brief space; and then, raising his head, and heaving a gentle sigh, said, half in abstraction, and half to Master Bates : “ What a pity it is he isn’t a prig ! ” “ Ah ! ” said Master Charles Bates ; “ he don’t know what’s good for him.” The Dodger sighed again, and resumed his pipe : as did Charley Bates. They both smoked, for some seconds, in silence. “ I suppose you don’t even know what a prig is ? ” said the Dodger mournfully. “I think I know that,” replied Oliver, looking up. “It’s AN OUT-AND-OUT CHRISTIAN. 161 a th — ; youVe one, are you not?*^’ inquired Oliver, checking himself. ‘‘I am,'” replied the Dodger. “Fd scorn to be anything else.*” Mr. Dawkins gave his hat a ferocious cock, after delivering this sentiment, and looked at Master Bates, as if to denote that he would feel obliged by his saying anything to the contrary. I am,*” repeated the Dodger. So'’s Charley. So'^s Fagin. So’s Sikes. So'^s Nancy. So'’s Bet. So we all are, down to the dog. And he'’s the downiest one of the lot!’’’’ ^‘And the least given to peaching,*” added Charley Bates. “ Fie wouldn’t so much as bark in a witness-box, for fear of committing himself; no, not if you tied him up in one, and left him there without wittles for a fortnight,” said the Dodger. Not a bit of it,*” observed Charley. He’s a rum dog. Don’t he look fierce at any strange cove that laughs or sings when he’s in company!” pursued the Dodger. Won’t he growl at all, when he hears a fiddle playing ! And don’t he hate other dogs as ain’t of his breed ! Oh, no 1 ” He’s an out-and-out Christian,” said Charley. This was merely intended as a tribute to the animal’s abilities, but it was an appropriate remark in another sense, if Master Bates had only known it ; for there are a good many ladies and gentlemen, claiming to be out-and-out Christians, between whom, and Mr. Sikes’ dog, there exist strong and singular points of resemblance. “Well, well,” said the Dodger, recurring to the point from which they had strayed : with that mindfulness of his pro- fession which influenced all his proceedings. “ This hasn’t got anything to do with young Green here.” “No more it has,” said Charley. “Why don’t you put yourself under Fagin, Oliver ? ” “ And make your fortun’ out of hand ? ” added the Dodger, with a grin. 162 OLIVER TWIST. And so be able to retire on your property, and do the gen-teel: as I mean to, in the very next leap-year but four that ever comes, and the forty-second Tuesday in Trinity- week,’’ said Charley Bates. “I don’t like it,” rejoined Oliver, timidly; ‘^I wish they would let me go. I — I — would rather go.” “And Fagin would rather not!” rejoined Charley. Oliver knew this too well; but thinking it might be dangerous to express his feelings more openly, he only sighed, and went on with his boot-cleaning. “ Go ! ” exclaimed the Dodger. “ Why, where’s your spiilt ? Don’t you take any pride out of yourself.^ Would you go and be dependent on your friends ? ” “ Oh, blow that ! ” said Master Bates : drawing two or three silk handkerchiefs from his pocket, and tossing them into a cupboard, “ that’s too mean ; that is.” “ I couldn’t do it,” said the Dodger, with an air of haughty disgust. “You can leave your friends, though,” said Oliver with a half smile ; “ and let them be punished for what you did.” “That,” rejoined the Dodger, with a wave of his pipe, “ That was all out of consideration for Fagin, ’cause the traps know that we work together, and he might have got into trouble if we hadn’t made our lucky; that was the move, wasn’t it, Charley.^” Master Bates nodded assent, and would have spoken ; but the recollection of Oliver’s flight came so suddenly upon him, that the smoke he was inhaling got entangled with a laugh, and went up into his head, and down into his throat : and brought on a fit of coughing and stamping, about five minutes long. “ Look here ! ” said the Dodger, drawing forth a handful of shillings and half-pence. “ Here’s a jolly life! What’s the odds where it comes from.^ Here, catch hold; there’s plenty more where they were took from. You won’t, won’t you ? Oh, you precious flat ! ” PTER XVIIL TIME IN THE IMPROVING SOCIETY OF IPUTABLE FRIENDS. vhen the Dodger and Master Bates eir customary avocations, Mr. Fagin reading Oliver a long lecture on the e : of which he clearly demonstrated ordinary extent, in wilfully absenting of his anxious friends ; and, still ‘Se from them after so much incurred in his recovery. Mr. act of his having taken Oliver thout his timely aid, he might Tid he related the dismal and ad whom, in his philanthropy, allel circumstances, but who, fidence land evincing a desire to polled', had Unfortunately come to be alley one morning. Mr. Fagin did not re in the catastrophe, ^ but lamented with at the wrong-headed and treacherous ng person in question, had rendered it Id become the victim of liprtain evidence h, if it were not precisely true, was in- fer the safety of him (Mr. Fagin) and Mr. Fagin concluded by drawing a OLIVER rather disajgreeable picture of t and, withi great friendliness and pressed his anxious hopes that h sub’mit Oliver Twist to that unpl Little Oliver^s blood ran cold, words, and imperfectly comprehen veyed in them. That it was pos. to confound the innocent with the accidental companionship, he knew laid plans for the destruction of i over-communicative persons, had carried out by the old Jew on m thought by no means unlikely, when nature of the altercations between Sikes : which seemed to bear ref conspiracy of the kind. As he gla the Jew's searching look, he felt tha bling limbs were neither unnoticed wary old gentleman. The Jew, smiling hirf^^usl said, that if he kept i^himself business, he saw they Mvould taking his hat, and covering hi coat, he w ent out, and I locked And so Oliver remailped all part of many subsequeilit days, morning and midnighti and commune with his own\ thc’^^nts. revert to his kind friends, and the opini have formed of him, were sad indeed. After the lapse of a week or so, the unlocked ; and he was at liberty to wand It was a vrfry dirty place. The roor high wooden chimney-pieces and large walls and cornices to the ceilings ; which black with neglect and dust, were ornamei If? IMPROVING ADVICE. 163 IPs naughty, ain’t it, Oliver?” inquired Charley Bates. He’ll come to be scragged, won’t he ? ” ^^I don’t know what that means,” replied Oliver. Something in this way, old feller,” said Charley. As he said it. Master Bates caught up an end of his neckerchief; and, holding it erect in the air, dropped his head on his shoulder, and jerked a curious sound through his teeth: thereby indicating, by a lively pantomimic representation, that scragging and hanging were one and the same thing. “That’s what it means,” said Charley. “Look how he stares, Jack ! I never did see such prime company as that ’ere boy ; he’ll be the death of me, I know he will.” Master Charles Bates, having laughed heartily again, resumed his pipe with tears in his eyes. “You’ve been brought up bad,” said the Dodger, surveying his boots with much satisfaction when Oliver had polished them. “ Fagin will make something of you, though, or you’ll be the first he ever had that turned out unprofitable. You’d better begin at once ; for you’ll come to the trade long before you think of it ; and you’re only losing time, Oliver.” Master Bates backed this advice with sundry moral admoni- tions of his own : which, being exhausted, he and his friend Mr. Dawkins launched into a glowing description of the numerous pleasures incidental to the life they led, interspersed with a variety of hints to Oliver that the best thing he could do, would be to secure Fagin’s favour without more delay, by the means which they themselves had employed to gain it. “And always put this in your pipe, Nolly,” said the Dodger, as the Jew was heard unlocking the door above, “ if you don’t take fogies and tickers — ” “What’s the good of talking in that way?” interposed Master Bates ; “ he don’t know what you mean.” “ If you don’t take pocket-handkechers and watches,” said the Dodger, reducing his conversation to the level of Oliver’s capacity, “ some other cove will ; so that the coves that lose 164 OLIVER TWIST. ’em will be all the worse, and you’ll be all the worse too, and nobody half a ha’p’orth the better, except the chaps wot gets them — and you’ve just as good a right to them as they have.” ‘‘ To be sure, to be sure ! ” said the Jew, who had entered, unseen by Oliver. It all lies in a nutshell, my dear ; in a nutshell, take the Dodger’s word for it. Ha ! ha ! ha ! He understands the catechism of his trade.” The old man rubbed his hands gleefully together, ^ he corroborated the Dodger’s reasoning in these terms; and chuckled with delight at his pupil’s proficiency. The conversation proceeded no farther at this time, for the Jew had returned home accompanied by Miss Betsy, and a gentleman whom Oliver had never seen before, but who was accosted by the Dodger as Tom Chitling; and who, having lingered on the stairs to exchange a few gallantries with the lady, now made his appearance. Mr. Chitling was older in years than the Dodger: having perhaps numbered eighteen winters ; but there was a degree of deference in his deportment towards that young gentleman which seemed to indicate that he felt himself conscious of a slight inferiority in point of genius and professional acquire- ments. He had small twinkling eyes, and a pock-marked face ; wore a fur cap, a dark corduroy jacket, greasy fustian trousers, and an apron. His wardrobe was, in truth, rather out of repair; but he excused himself to the company by stating that his time ” was only out an hour before ; and that, in consequence of having worn the regimentals for six weeks past, he had not been able to bestow any attention on his private clothes. Mr. Chitling added, with strong marks of irritation, that the new way of fumigating clothes up yonder was infernal unconstitutional, for it burnt holes in them, and there was no remedy against the County. The same remark he considered to apply to the regulation mode of cutting the hair : which he held to be decidedly unlawful. Mr. Chitling wound up his observations by stating that he MR. CHITLING. 165 had not touched a drop of anything for forty-two mortal long hard-w^orking days ; and that he wished he might be busted if he warn’t as dry as a lime-basket.'” Where do you think the gentleman has come from, Oliver?'*'’ inquired the Jew, with a grin, as the \ other boys put a bottle of spirits on the table. ^ I — I — don'’t know, sir,*” replied Oliver. Who's that?''’ inquired Tom Chitling, casting a con- temptuous look at Oliver. young friend of mine, my dear," replied the Jew. He's in luck, then," said the young man, with a meaning look at Fagin. Never mind where I came from, young 'un ; you'll find your way there, soon enough. I'll bet a crown ! " At this sally, the boys laughed. After some more jokes on the same subject, they exchanged a few short whispers wdth Fagin; and withdrew. After some words apart between the last con,er and Fagin, they drew their chairs towards the fire; and the Jew, telling Oliver to come and sit by him, led the conversation to the topics most calculated to interest his hearers. These were, the great advantages of the trade, the proficiency of the Dodger, the amiability of Charley Bates, and the liberality of the Jew himself. At length these subjects displayed signs of being thoroughly exhausted ; and Mr. Chitling did the same : for the house of correction becomes fatiguing after a week or two. Miss Betsy accordingly withdrew; and left the party to their repose. From this day, Oliver was seldom left alone ; but was placed in almost constant communication with the two boys, who played the old game with the Jew every day : whether for their own improvement or Oliver's, Mr. Fagin best knew. At other times the old man would tell them stories of rob- beries he had committed in his younger days : mixed up with so much that w^as droll and curious, that Oliver could not help laughing heartily, and showing that he was amused in spite of all his better feelings. 166 OLIVER TWIST. In shor Having pi any societ in such a soul the t its hue fi wily old Jew had the boy in his toils. 1 his mind, by solitude and gloom, to prefer the companionship of his own sad thoughts :y place, he was now slowly instilling into his L which he hoped would blacken it, and change ;r. CHAPITER XIX. IN WHICH A NOTABLE PLAN IS DISCUSSED AND DETERMINED ON. llwas a chill, damp, windy night, when the Jew: buttoning M great-coat tight round his shrivelled body, and pulling the collar up over his ears so as completely to obscure the lower part of his face : emerged from his den. He paused on the step as the door was locked and chained behind him ; and having listened while the boys made all secure, and until their retreating footsteps were no longer audible, slunk down the street as quickly as he could. The house to which Oliver had been conveyed, was in the neighbourhood of Whitechapel. The Jew stopped for an instant at the corner of the street ; and, glancing suspiciously round, crossed the road, and struck oft* in the direction of Spitalfields. The mud lay thick upon the stones, and a black mist hung over the streets ; the rain fell sluggishly down, and everything felt cold and clammy to the touch. It seemed just the night when it befitted such a being as the Jew to be abroad. As he glided stealthily along, creeping beneath the shelter of the walls and doorways, the hideous old man seemed like some loathsome reptile, engendered in the slime and darkness through which he moved : crawling forth, by night, in search of some rich offal for a meal, \ He kept on his course, through many winding and narrow TWIST. HRnnal Green ; then, turning sudden! ibccaine involved in a maze of the mean which abound in that close and densely- f was evidently too familiar with the ground he to be at all bewildered, either by the darkness of ght, or the intricacies of the way. He hurried through eral alleys and streets, and at length turned into one^ ighted only by a single lamp at the farther end. At the door of a house in this street, he knocked ; having exchanged a few muttered words with the person who opened it, walked up stairs. A doo; growled as he touched the handle of a room-dooi o o and a man'’s voice demanded who was there. Only me, Bill ; only me, my dear,"’’ said the Jew, looking Bring in your body then,"’ said Sikes. ‘‘Lie down, you stupid brute ! Don’t you know the devil when he’s got a great-coat on ? ” Apparently, the dog had been somewhat deceived by Mr. Fagin’s outer garment; for as the Jew unbuttoned it, and threw it over the back of a chair, he retired to the corner from which he had risen : wagging his tail as he went, to show that he was as well satisfied as it was in his nature to be. “ Well ! ” said Sikes. “Well, my dear,” replied the Jew. — “Ah! Nancy.” The latter recognition was uttered with just enough of embarrassment to imply a doubt of ijts reception ; for Mr. Fagin and his young friend had not met, since she had inter- fered in behalf of Oliver. All doubts upon the subject, if he had any, were speedily removed by the young lady’s behaviour. She took her feet oft* the fender, pushed back her chair, and bade Fagin draw up his, without saying more about it : for it was a cold night, and no mistake. “ It is cold, Nancy dear,” said the Jew, as he warmed his skinny hands over the fire. “It seems to go right through one,” added the old man touching his side. READY FOR BUSINESS. 169 It must be a piercer, if it finds its way through yotir heart, said Mr. Sikes. Give him something to drink, Nancy. Burn my body, make haste ! It’s enough to turn a man ill, to see his lean old carcase shivering in that way, like a ugly ghost just rose from the grave.” o Nancy quickly brought a bottle from a cupboard, in which there were many : which, to judge from the diversity of their appearance, were filled with several kinds of liquids. Sikes pouring out a glass of brandy, bade the Jew drink it off‘. Quite enough, quite, thankye. Bill,” replied the Jew, putting down the glass after just setting his lips to it. What ! You’re afraid of our getting the better of you, are you ? ” inquired Sikes, fixing his eyes on the Jew. Ugh ! ” With a hoarse grunt of contempt, Mr. Sikes seized the glass, and threw the remainder of its contents into the ashes : as a preparatory ceremony to filling it again for himself: which he did at once. The Jew glanced round the room, as his companion tossed down the second glassful ; not in curiosity, for he had seen it often before ; but in a restless and suspicious manner habitual to him.‘ It was a meanly furnished apartment, with nothing but the contents of the closet to induce the belief that its occupier was anything but a working man ; and with no more suspicious articles displayed to view than two or three heavy bludgeons which stood in a corner, and a “life-preserver” that hung over the chimney-piece. “ There,” said Sikes, smacking his lips. “ Now I’m ready.” “For business?” inquired the Jew. “ For business,” replied Sikes ; “ so say what you’ve got to say.” “ About the crib at Chertsey, Bill ? ” said the Jew, drawing his chair forward, and speaking in a very low voice. “Yes. Wot about it?” inquired Sikes. “ Ah ! you know what I mean, my dear,” said the Jew. “ He knows what I mean, Nancy ; don’t he ? ” “ No, he don’t,” sneered Mr, Sikes. “ Or he won’t, and that’s 170 OLIVER TWIST, the same thing. Speak out, and call things by their right names ; don’t sit there, winking and blinking, and talking to me in hints, as if you warn’t the very first that thought about the robbery. Wot d’ye mean ? ” ^^Hush, Bill, hush!” said the Jew, who had in vain attempted to stop this burst of indignation ; somebody will hear us, my dear. Somebody will hear us.” Let ’em hear ! ” said Sikes ; I don’t care.” But as Mr. Sikes did care, on reflection, he dropped his yoice as he said the words, and grew calmer. There, there,” said the Jew, coaxingly. ^^It was only my caution, nothing more. Now, my dear, about that crib at Chertsey ; when is it to be done. Bill, eh ? When is it to be done? Such plate, my dear, such plate!” said the Jew: rubbing his hands, and elevating his eyebrows in a rapture of anticipation. ^^Not at all,” replied Sikes coldly. Not to be done at all ! ” echoed the Jew, leaning back in his chair. No, not at all,” rejoined Sikes, At least it can’t be a put-up job, as we expected.” ^^Then it hasn’t been properly gone about,” said the Jew, turning pale with anger. “ Don’t tell me ! ” But I will tell you,” retorted Sikes. Who are you that’s not to be told? I tell you that Toby Crackit has been hanging about the place for a fortnight, and he can’t get one of the servants into a line.” Do you mean to tell me. Bill,” said the Jew : softening as the other grew heated : that neither of the two men in the house can be got over?” ^^Yes, I do mean to tell you so,” replied Sikes. “The old lady has had ’em these twenty year ; a * i were to give ’em five hundred pound, they wouldn’t ” “ But do you mean to say, my dear,” ’ated the Jew, “that the women can'’t be got over?” “ Not a bit of it,” replied Sikes. THE BUSINESS RESOLVED ON. 171 “Not by flash Toby Crackit?” said the Jew incredulously, “Think what women are, Bill.” “ No ; not even by flash Toby Crackit,” replied Sikes. “ He says he‘'s worn sham whiskers, and a canary waistcoat, the whole blessed time he"s been loitering down there, and it’s all of no use.” “He should have tried mustachios and a pair of military trousers, my dear,” said the Jew. “So he did,” rejoined Sikes, “and they warn’t of no more use than the other plant.” The Jew looked blank at this information. After rumina- ting for some minutes with his chin sunk on his breast, he raised his head and said, with a deep sigh, that if flash Toby Crackit reported aright, he feared the game was up. “And yet,” said the old man, dropping his hands on his knees, “it’s a sad thing, my dear, to lose so much when we had set our hearts upon it. ’ “ So it is,” said Mr. Sikes. “ Worse luck ! ” A long silence ensued; during which the Jew was plunged in deep thought, with his face wrinkled into an expression of villany perfectly demoniacal. Sikes eyed him furtively from time to time. Nancy, apparently fearful of irritating the housebreaker, sat with her eyes fixed upon the fire, as if she had been deaf to all that passed. “Fagin,” said Sikes, abruptly breaking the stillness that prevailed ; “ is it worth fifty shiners extra, if it’s safely done from the outside ? ” “Yes,” said the Jew, as suddenly rousing himself. “Is it a bargain?” inquired Sikes. “Yes, my dear, yes,” rejoined the Jew; his eyes glistening, and every muscle in his face working, with the excitement that the inquiry had awakened. “Then,” said Sikes, thrusting aside the Jew’s hand, with some disdain, “ let it come off as soon as you like. Toby and me were over the garden-wall the night afore last, sounding the panels of the door and shutters. The crib’s baiTcd up 172 OLIVER TWIST. at night like a jail ; but there‘*s one part we can crack, safe and softly.’’ ‘‘ Which is that. Bill ? ” asked the Jew eagerly. Why,” whispered Sikes, ^^as you cross the lawn ” Yes?” said the Jew, bending his head forward, with his eyes almost starting out of it. Umph ! ” cried Sikes, stopping short, as the girl, scarcely moving her head, looked suddenly round, and pointed for an instant to the Jew’s face. Never mind which part it is. You can’t do it without me, I know; but it’s best to be on the safe side when one deals with you.” As you like, my dear, as you like,” replied the Jew. ^^Is there no help wanted, but yours and Toby’s ? ” “None,” said Sikes. “’Cept a centre-bit and a boy. The first we’ve both got ; the second you must find us.” “ A boy ! ” exclaimed the Jew. “ Oh ! then it’s eh?” ' “ Never mind wot it is ! ” replied Sikes. “ I want a boy, and he mustn’t be a big un. Lord ! ” said Mr. Sikes, reflec- tively, “ if Fd only got that young boy of Ned, the chimbley- sweeper’s ! He kept him small on purpose, and let him out by the job. But the father gets lagged ; and then the Juvenile Delinquent Society comes, and takes the boy away from a trade where he was arning money, teaches him to read and write, and in time makes a ’prentice of him. And so they go on,” said Mr. Sikes, his wrath rising with the recollection of his wrongs, “ so they go on ; and, if they’d got money enough (which it’s a Providence they haven’t,) we shouldn’t have half-a-dozen boys left in the whole trade, in a year or two.” “No more we should,” acquiesced the Jew, who had been considering during this speech, and had only caught the last sentence. “ Bill ! ” * “ What now ? ’’ inquired Sikes. The Jew nodded his head towards Nancy, who was still gazing at the fire; and intimated, by a sign, that he would a panel, FAGIN IS APPREHENSIVE. 173 have her told to leave the room. Sikes shrugged his shoulders impatiently, as if he thought the precaution unnecessary ; but complied, nevertheless, by requesting Miss Nancy to fetch him a jug of beer. “You don’t want any beer,” said Nancy, folding her arms, and retaining her seat very composedly. “ I tell you I do ! ” replied Sikes. “Nonsense,” rejoined the girl coolly. “Go on, Fagin. I know what he’s going to say. Bill ; he needn’t mind me.” The Jew still hesitated. Sikes looked from one to the other in some surprise. “ Why, you don’t mind the old girl, do you, Fagin ? ” he asked at length. “You’ve known her long enough to trust her, or the Devil’s in it. She ain’t one to blab. Are you, Nancy?” “ 1 should think not ! ” replied the young lady : drawing her chair up to the table, and putting her elbows upon it. “No, no, my dear, I know you’re not,” said the Jew; “ but ” and again the old man paused. “ But wot ? ” inquired Sikes. “I didn’t know whether she mightn’t p’r’aps be out of sorts, you know, my dear, as she was the other night,” re- plied the Jew. At this confession. Miss Nancy burst into a loud laugh ; and, swallowing a glass of brandy, shook her head Avith an air of defiance, and burst into sundry exclamations of “ Keep the game a-going ! ” “ Never say die ! ” and the like. These seemed to have the effect of re-assuring both gentlemen ; for the Jew nodded his head with a satisfied air, and resumed his seat: as did Mr. Sikes likewise. “Now, Fagin,” said Nancy with a laugh. “Tell Bill at once, about Oliver ! ” “ Ha ! you’re a clever one, my dear ; the sharpest girl I ever saw!” said the Jew, patting her on the neck. “It was about Oliver I was going to speak, sure enough. Ha! ha! ha!” 174 OLIVER TWIST. What about him ? ” demanded Sikes. the boy for you, my deaiV’ replied the Jew in a hoarse whisper ; laying his finger on the side of his nose, and grinning frightfully. ‘‘He!’’ exclaimed Sikes. “ Have him. Bill ! ” said Nancy. “ I would, if I was in your place. He mayn’t be so much up, as any of the others ; but that’s not what you want, if he’s only to open a door for you. Depend upon it he’s a safe one. Bill.” “I know he is,” rejoined Fagin. “He’s been in good training these last few weeks, and iFs time he began to work for his bread. Besides, the others are all too big.” “Well, he is just the size I want,” said Mr. Sikes^ ruminating. “And will do everything you want. Bill, my dear,” inter- posed the Jew; “he can’t help himself. That is, if you frighten him enough.” “ Frighten him ! ” echoed Sikes. “ It’ll be no sham frighten- ing, mind you. If there’s anything queer about him when we once get into the work ; in for a penny, in for a pound. You won’t see him alive again, Fagin. Think of that, before you send him. Mark my words ! ” said the robber, poising a crowbar, which he had drawn from under the bedstead. “I’ve thought of it all,” said the Jew with energy. “I’ve — I’ve had my eye upon him, my dears, close — close. Once let him feel that he is one of us ; once fill his mind with the idea that he has been a thief ; and he’s ours ! Ours for his life. Oho ! It couldn’t have come about better ! ” The old man crossed his arms upon his breast ; and, drawing his head and shoulders into a heap, literally hugged himself for joy. “ Ours ! ” said Sikes. “ Yours, you mean.” “ Perhaps I do, my dear,” said the Jew, with a shrill chuckle. “ Mine, if you like, Bill.” “And wot,” said Sikes, scowling fiercely on his agreeable friend, “ wot makes you take so much pains about one chalk- faced kid, ivhen you know there are fifty boys snoozing about THE VERY BOY FOR THE PURPOSE. 175 Common Garden every night, as you might pick and choose from ? ‘^Because theyVe of no use to me, my dear,’’ replied the Jew, with some confusion, “not worth the taking. Their looks convict ’em when they get into trouble, and I lose ’em all. With this boy, properly managed, my dears, I could do what I couldn’t with twenty of them. Besides,” said the Jew, recovering his self-possession, “ he has us now if he could only give us leg-bail again ; and he must be in the same boat with us. Never mind how he came there ; it’s quite enough for my power over him that he was in a robbery ; that’s all I want. Now, how much better this is, than being obliged to put the poor leetle boy out of the way — which would be dangerous, and we should lose by it besides.” “When is it to be done?” asked Nancy, stopping some turbulent exclamation on the part of Mr. Sikes, expressive of the disgust with which he received Fagin’s affectation of humanity. “ Ah, to be sure,” said the Jew ; “ when is it to be done, Bill?” “I planned with Toby, the night arter to-morrow,” rejoined Sikes in a surly voice, “ if he heerd nothing from me to the contrairy.” “ Good,” said the Jew ; “ there’s no moon.” “No,” rejoined Sikes. “ It’s all arranged about bringing off* the swag, is it ? ” asked the Jew. Sikes nodded. “ And about — ” “Oh, ah, it’s all planned,” rejoined Sikes, interrupting him. “Never mind particulars. You’d better bring the boy here to-morrow night. I shall get off* the stones an hour arter daybreak. Then you hold your tongue, and keep the melting- pot ready, and that’s all you’ll have to do.” After some discussion, in which all three took an active part, it was decided that Nancy should repair to the Jew’s next 176 OLIVER TWIST. evening when the night had set in, and bring Olive /ay with her ; Fagin craftily observing, that, if he evinced . dis- inclination to the task, he would be more willing to accompany the girl who had so recently interfered in his behalf, than anybody else. It was also solemnly arranged that poor Oliver should, for the purposes of the contemplated expedition, be unreservedly consigned to the care and custody of Mr. William Sikes ; and further, that the said Sikes should deal with him as he thought fit ; and should not be held responsible by the Jew for any mischance or evil that might befall him, or any punishment with which it might be necessary to visit him: it being understood that, to render the compact in this respect binding, ^ny representations made by Mr. Sikes on his return should be required to be confirmed and corroborated, in all important particulars, by the testimony of flash Toby Crackit. These preliminaries adjusted, Mr. Sikes proceeded to drink brandy at a furious rate, and to flourish the crowbar in an alarming manner; yelling forth, at the same time, most unmusical snatches of song, mingled with wild execrations. At length, in a fit of professional enthusiasm, he insisted upon producing his box of housebreaking tools: which he had no sooner stumbled in with, and opened for the purpose of explaining the nature and properties of the various im- plements it contained, and the peculiar beauties of their construction, than he fell over the box upon the floor, and went to sleep where he fell. Good night, Nancy said the Jew, muffling himself up as before. ‘‘Good night.*” Their eyes met, and the Jew scrutinised her, narrowly. There was no flinching about the girl. She was as true and earnest in the matter as Toby Crackit himself could be. The Jew again bade her good night, and, bestowing a sly kick upon the prostrate form of Mr. Sikes while her back was turned, groped down stairs. PLEASANT REFLECTIONS. Always the way ! muttered the Jew to himself as he turned homeward. “The worst of these women is, that a very little thing serves to call up some long-forgotten feeling ; and the best of them is, that it never lasts. Ha ! ha ! The man against the child, for a bag of gold ! Beguiling the time with these pleasant reflections, Mr. Fagin wended his way, through mud and mire, to his gloomy abode : where the Dodger was sitting up, impatiently awaiting his return. “ Is Oliver a-bed ? I want to speak to him,*'’ was his first remark as they descended the stairs. “ Hours ago,"*’ replied the Dodger, throwing open a door. “ Here he is ! The boy was lying, fast asleep, on a rude bed upon the floor; so pale with anxiety, and sadness, and the closeness of his prison, that he looked like death ; not death as it shows in shroud and coffin, but in the guise it Avears Avhen life has just departed; when a young and gentle spirit has, but an instant, fled to Heaven, and the gross air of the world has not had time to breathe upon the changing dust it hallowed. “Not now,’’ said the /Jew, turning softly aAvay. “To- morrow. To-morrow.” / '^TER XX. WHEREIN OLIVEl ’ : ED OVER TO MR. WILLIAM SIKES. When Oliver awi 'i'. morning, he was a good deal surprised to find tl . . air of shoes, with strong thick soles, had been plac 'dside; and that his old shoes had been removed. A . as pleased with the discovery : hoping that it might ''ernnner of his release; but such thoughts were qu on his sitting down to breakfast along with the J . . ' 'd him, in a tone and manner which increased his ' t he was to be taken to the residence of Bill Sikes . ? “To — to — stop there, sir?^’ . ' '' r, anxiously. “No, no, my dear. Not to I replied the Jew. “We shouldn’t like to lose you. ' fraid, Oliver, you shall come back to us again. Ha We won’t be so cruel as to send you away, my dea. no!” The old man, who was stooping i fire toasting a piece of bread, looked round as he bi ; er thus; and chuckled as if to show that he knew : . still be very glad to get away if he could. “I suppose,” said the Jew, fixing his ; C‘‘wer, “you want to know what you’re going to Bill’s * v dear.^” Oliver coloured, involuntarily, to find thi. > Hief had been reading his thoughts; but boldly said, i want to know. “ Why, do you think ? ” inquired Fagin, p arry ing fhe question. LENT It ^^Indee don't know, sir, ‘^Bah!' id the Jew, turn, countenan rom a close perusal till Bill te you, then." The Jew seemed much vexed greater curiosity on the sr although Oliver felt very a by the earnest cunning of ' tions, to make any furtt other opportunity : for ^ till night : when he pr You may burn a the table. And b to fetch you. Go'^ Good night ! The Jew wab the boy as he^ his name. Oliver loo^ him to ligt upon the with lov the roo^ ‘^Te his / rou/ up. yoj he \gi il WIST. and after meditating for a long xd been selected to perform some jr the housebreaker, until another ':)urpose, could be engaged. He was '^ering, and had suffered too much rospect of change very severely, some minutes ; and then, with ^e, and, taking up the book began to read. '^ssly at first ; but, lighting ention, he soon became nstory of the lives and "'.re soiled and thumbed rimes that made the d b^en committed 1 the eye of man eep them down, p at last, after dth the sight, and yelled he read of had been thoughts, ^ep, and ’ptions I to ided by ' it n NANCY’S BEri'ER F| up for a poor outcast boy who hac friends or kindred, it might come and deserted, he stood alone in \ ' lELINGS. 181 guilt. never known the love of b him now, when, desolate midst of wickedness and me prm ^r, but still remained with his len a rustling noise aroused him. fed, starting up, and catching sight He had concluded his head buried in his hands, « What’s that!” he of a figure standing “Me. Only me,”^®^the door. “Who’s there?” Oliver raised the^^^eplied a tremulous voice, the door. It waj^^andle above his head : and looked towards “ Put down Nancy. “ It hurts my ^Rie light,” said the girl, turning away her head. Oliver sa\^™eyes.” she were ill^P that she was very pale, and gently inquired if back towaii® The girl threw herself into a chair, with her ^s him : and wrung her hands ; but made no reply. Torgive me 1 ” she cried after a while, “ I never “ God thought “H| |Hof this.” you.? 1 W anything happened? Sh J K will if I can. I will. utteriB frocked herself to and il isked Oliver. “Can I help leed.” 3; caught her throat; and, g a gurgling sound, gasped for breath, ancy ! ” cried Oliver, “ What is it ? ” girl beat her hands upon her knees, and her feet upon roin»ground; and, suddenly stopping, drew her shawl close id her: and shivered with cold. Hiver stirred the fire. Drawing her chair close to it, she there, for a little time, without speaking; but at length e raised her head, and looked round. “I don’t know what comes over me sometimes,” said she, Effecting to busy herself in arranging her dress ; “ it’s this damp dirty room, I think. Now, Nolly, dear, are you ready ? ” “Am I to go with you?” asked Oliver. “ Yes. I have come from Bill,” replied the girl. “ You \re to go with me.” 182 [AVER TWIST. iJliver, recoiling. girl, raising her eyes, and averting they encountered the boy s face. Oliver; who had watched her the girl, affecting to ower over the giiTs of appealing to en, the thought n o'clock ; and whom surely ale. As the and said. s lost on ke; and howed “What for asked “ What for ? " echoed tl them again, the moment “ Oh ! For no harm." “I don't believe it," said closely. “Have it your own way," laugh. “For no good, then." Oliver could see that he had some better feelings, and, for an instant, thou her compassion for his helpless state. But, darted across his mind that it was barely that many people were still in the streets : some might be found to give credence to his reflection occurred to him, he stepped forwari somewhat hastily, that he was ready Neither his brief consideration, nor its purport his companion. She eyed him narrowly, while he cast upon him a look of intelligence which sufficient! that she guessed what had been passing in his thoug “ Hush ! " said the girl, stooping over him, and the door as she looked cautiously round. “You can yourself. I have tried hard for you, but all to no p You are hedged round and round. If ever you are to ge from here, this is not the time." Struck by the energy of her manner, Oliver looked her face with great surprise. She seemed to speak the her countenance was white and agitated; and she tremb with very earnestness. “ I have saved you from being ill-used once, and I will agaJ and I do now," continued the girl aloud ; “ for those who wouJ have fetched you, if I had not, would have been far more than me. I have pronjised for your being quiet and silent ; i you are not, you will only do harm to yourself and me too, and perhaps be my death. See here ! I have borne all this for you^ already, as true as God sees me ,show it." ing to SILENT, FOR THE GUILDS SAKE. 183 iShe pointed, hastily, to some livid braises on her neck and arms ; and continued, with great rapidity : Remember this! And don'^t let me suffer more for you, just now. If I could help you, I would ; but I have not the power. They don't mean to harm you ; whatever they make you do, is no fault of yours. Hush ! Every word from you is a blow for me. Give me your hand. Make haste ! Your hand ! " She caught the hand which Oliver instinctively placed in hers, and, blowing out the light, drew him after her up the stairs. The door was opened, quickly, by some one shrouded in the darkness, and was as quickly closed, when they had passed out. A hackney-cabriolet was in waiting; with the same vehemence which she had exhibited in addressing Oliver, the girl pulled him in with her, and drew the curtains close. The driver wanted no directions, but lashed his horse into full speed, without the delay of an instant. The girl still held Oliver fast by the hand, and continued to pour into his ear, the warnings and assurances she had already imparted. All was so quick and hurried, that he had scarcely time to recollect where he was, or how he came there, when the carriage stopped at the house to which the Jew's steps had been directed on the previous evening. For one brief moment, Oliver cast a hurried glance along the empty street, and a cry for help hung upon his lips. But the girl's voice was in his ear, beseeching him in such tones of agony to remember her, that he had not the heart to utter it. While he hesitated, the opportunity was gone ; he was already in the house, and the door was shut. ‘^This way," said the girl, releasing her hold for the first time. «Bill!" Hallo ! " replied Sikes : appearing at the head of the stairs, with a candle. "^^Oh! That's the time of day. Come on ! " This was a very strong expression of approbation, an uncommonly hearty welcome, from a person of jMr. Sikes's 184 OLIVER TWIST. temperament. Nancy, appearing much gratified thereby, saluted him cordially. i “BulPs-eye’s gone home with Tom,'**' observed Sikes, as he lighted them up. ‘‘He’d have been in the way.” “That’s right,” rejoined Nancy. “So you’ve got the kid,” said Sikes, when they had all reached the room : closing the door as he spoke. “ Yes, here he is,” replied Nancy. “ Did he come quiet ? ” inquired Sikes. “Like a lamb,” rejoined Nancy. “ I’m glad to hear it,” said Sikes, looking grimly at Oliver ; “ for the sake of his young carcase : as would otherways have suffered for it. Come here, young un ; and let me read you a lectur’, which is as well got over at once.” Thus addressing his new pupil, Mr. Sikes pulled off Oliver’s cap and threw it into a corner ; and then, taking him by the shoulder, sat himself down by the table, and stood the boy in front of him. “Now, first: do you know wot this is.^” inquired Sikes, taking up a pocket-pistol which lay on the table. Oliver replied in the affirmative. ' “ Well, then, look here,” continued Sikes. “ This is powder ; that ’ere’s a bullet; and this is a little bit of a old hat for waddin’.” Oliver murmured his comprehension of the different bodies referred to ; and Mr. Sikes proceeded to load the pistol, with great nicety and deliberation. “ Now it’s loaded,” said Mr. Sikes, when he had finished. “Yes, I see it is, sir,” replied Oliver. “ Well,” said the robber, grasping Oliver’s wrist, and putting the barrel so close to his temple that they touched ; at which moment the boy could not repress a start ; “ if you speak a word when you’re out o’ doors with me, except when I speak to you, that loading will be in your head without notice. So, if you do make up your mind to speak without leave, say your prayers first,” EXPLANATIONS. 185 Having bestowed a scowl upon the object of this warning, to increase its effect, Mr. Sikes continued. As near as I know, there isn’t anybody as would be asking very partickler arter you, if you was disposed of ; so I needn’t take this devil-and-all of trouble to explain matters to you, if it warn’t for your own good. D’ye hear me ? ” The short and the long of what you mean,” said Nancy : speaking very emphatically, and slightly frowning at Oliver as if to bespeak his serious attention to her words : “ is, that if you’re crossed by him in this job you have on hand, you’ll prevent his ever telling tales afterwards, by shooting him through the head, and will take your chance of swinging for it, as you do for a great many other things in the way of business, every month of your life.” “ That’s it ! ” observed Mr. Sikes, approvingly ; women can always put things in fewest words. — Except when it’s blowing up;! and then they lengthens it out. And now that he’s thoroughly up to it, let’s have some supper, and get a snooze before starting.” In pursuance of this request, Nancy quickly laid the cloth ; disappearing for a few minutes, she presently returned with a pot of porter and a dish of sheep’s heads : which gave occasion to several pleasant witticisms on the part of Mr. Sikes, founded upon the singular coincidence of ‘‘jemmies” being a cant name, common to them, and also to an ingeniou? im- plement much used in his profession. Indeed, the worthy gentleman, stimulated perhaps by the immediate prospect of being on active service, was in great spirits and good humour ; in proof whereof, it may be here remarked, that he humorously drank all the beer at a draught, and did not utter, on a rough calculation, more than four-score oaths during the whole progress of the meal. Supper being ended — it may be easily conceived that Oliver had no great appetite for it — Mr. Sikes disposed of a couple of glasses of spirits and water, and threw Limself on the bed ; ordering Nancy, with many imprecations in case of failure, 186 OLIVER TWIST. to call him at five precisely. Oliver stretched himself in his clothes, by command of the same authority, on a mattress upon the floor; and the girl, mending the fire, sat before it, in readiness to rouse them at the appointed time. For a long time Oliver lay awake, thinking it not impossible that Nancy might seek that opportunitv of whispering some further advice ; but the girl sat brooding moving, save now and then to trim the watching and anxiety, he at length fell a, When he awoke, the tabld^was covered a S ikes was thrusting various articles into great-coat, which hung over the back of a busily engaged in preparing breakfast. It light ; for the candle was still burning, and outside. A sharp rain, too, was beating agi panes ; and the sky looked black and cloudj Now, then ! ’’ growled Sikes, as Oliver ste past fiye! Look sharp, or you’ll get no bn late as it is.” Oliver was not long in making his toilet, some breakfast, he replied to a surly inquiry saying that he was quite ready. Nancy, scarcely looking at the boy, threw hi chief to tie round his throat; Sikes gave him • cape to button over his shoulders. Thus attired hand to the robber, who, merely pausing to show menacing gesture that he had that same pistol in 6 of his great-coat, clasped it firmly in his, and, ei farewell with Nancy, led him away. Oliver turned, for an instant, when they reachet in the hope of meeting a look from the girl. Bu resumed her old seat in front of the fire, and sat, motionless before it. fire, without Weary with ':hings, and ets of his S^ancy was yet day- lite dark window- ‘^half. for it’s taken es, by dker- :)Ugh ' his h a ket ^ a d CHAPTER XXI. THE EXPEDITION. It was a cheerless morning when they got into the street ; blowing and raining hard; and the clouds looking dull and stormy. The night had been very wet : large pools of water had collected in the road : and the kennels were overflowing. There was a faint glimmering of the coming day in the sky ; but it rather aggravated than relieved the gloom of the scene : the sombre light only serving to pale that which the street lamps afforded, without shedding any warmer or brighter tints upon the wet housetops, and dreary streets. There appeared to be nobody stirring in that quarter of the town ; the windows of the houses were all closely shut; and the streets through which they passed, were noiseless and empty. By the time they had turned into the Bethnal Green Road, the day had fairly begun to break. Many of the lamps were already extinguished; a few country waggons were slowly toiling on, towards London ; now and then, a stage-coach, covered with mud, rattled briskly by : the driver bestowing, as he passed, an admonitory lash upon the heavy waggoner who, by keeping on the WTong side of the road, had endangered his arriving at the office a quarter of a minute after his time. The public-houses, with gas-lights burning inside, were already open. By degrees, other shops began to be unclosed, and a few scattered people were met with. Then, came straggling groups of labourers going to their work ; then, men and women OLIVER TWIST. 188 with fish-baskets on their heads; donkey-carts laden with vegetables ; chaise-carts filled with live-stock or whole carcasses of meat ; milk-women with pails ; an unbroken concourse of people, trudging out with various supplies to the eastern suburbs of the town. As they approached the City, the noise and traffic gradually increased ; when they threaded the streets between Shoreditch and Smithfield, it had swelled into a roar of sound and bustle. It was as light as it was likely to be, till night came on again, and the busy morning of half the London population had begun. Turning down Sun Street and Crown Street, and crossing Finsbury Square, Mr. Sikes struck, by way of Chiswell Street, into Barbican : thence into Long Lane, and so into Smithfield ; from which latter place arose a tumult of discordant sounds that filled Oliver Twist with amazement. It was market-morning. The ground was covered, nearly ankle-deep, with filth and mire; a thick steam, perpetually rising from the reeking bodies of the cattle, and mingling with the fog, which seemed to rest upon the chimney-tops, hung heavily above. All the pens in the centre of the large area, and as many temporary pens as could be crowded into the vacant space, were filled with sheep ; tied up to posts by the gutter side were long lines of beasts and oxen, three or four deep. Countrymen, butchers, drovers, hawkers, boys, thieves, idlers, and vagabonds of every low grade, were mingled toge- ther in a mass ; the whistling of drovers, the barking of dogs, the bellowing and plunging of oxen, the bleating of sheep, the grunting and squeaking of pigs, the cries of hawkers, the shouts, oaths, and quarrelling on all sides; the ringing of bells and roar of voices, that issued from every public-house; the crowding, pushing, driving, beating, whooping, and yelling ; the hideous and discordant din that resounded from every corner of the market; and the unwashed, unshaven, squalid, and dirty figures constantly running to and fro, and burst- ing in and out of the throng; rendered it a stunning and bewildering scene, which quite confounded the senses. ON THE ROAD OUT OF TOWN. 189 Mr. Sikes, dragging Oliver after him, elbowed his way through the thickest of the crowd, and bestowed very little attention on the numerous sights and sounds, which so astonished the boy. He nodded, twice or thrice, to a passing friend ; and, resisting as many invitations to take a morning dram, pressed steadily onward, until they were clear of the turmoil, and had made their way through Hosier Lane into Holborn. Now, young un ! ’’’ said Sikes, looking up at the clock of St. Andrew's Church, “ hard upon seven ! you must step out. Come, don't lag behind already, Lazylegs ! " Mr. Sikes accompanied this speech with a jerk at his little companion's wrist ; Oliver, quickening his pace into a kind of trot, between a fast walk and a run, kept up with the rapid strides of the housebreaker as well as he could. They held their course at this rate, until they had passed Hyde Park corner, and were on their way to Kensington : when Sikes relaxed his pace, until an empty cart which was at some little distance behind, came up. Seeing “ Hounslow " written on it, he asked the driver with as much civility as he could assume, if he would give them a lift as far as Isleworth. “Jump up," said the man. “Is that your boy?" “ Yes ; he's my boy," replied Sikes, looking hard at Oliver, and putting his hand abstractedly into the pocket where the pistol was. “ Your father walks rather too quick for you, don't he, my man ? " inquired the driver : seeing that Oliver was out of breath. “Not a bit of it," replied Sikes, interposing. “He's used to it. Here, take hold of my hand, Ned. In with you ! " Thus addressing Oliver, he helped him into the cart ; and the driver, pointing to a heap of sacks, told him to lie down there, and rest himself. As they passed the different mile-stones, Oliver wondered, more and more, where his companion meant to take him. Kensington, Hammersmith, Chiswick, Kew Bridge, Brentford, 190 OLIVER TWIST, were all passed ; and yet they went on as steadily had only just begun their journey. At length, 1 to a public-house called the Coach and Horses : a ^ beyond which, another road appeared to turn < here, the cart stopped. Sikes dismounted with great precipitation, holdir. by the hand all the while; and lifting him down bestowed a furious look upon him, and rapped the sic with his fist, in a significant manner. ‘‘ Good-bye, boy,"’ said the man. He’s sulky,” replied Sikes, giving him a shake “ he’s sulky. A young dog ! Don’t mind him.” ^^Not I!” rejoined the other, getting into his cart. “It’s a fine day, after all.” And he drove away. Sikes waited until he had fairly gone ; and then, telling Oliver he might look about him if he wanted, once again led him onward on his journey. They turned round to the left, a short way past the public- house ; and then, taking a right-hand road, walked on for a long time ; passing many large gardens and gentlemen’s houses on both sides of the way, and stopping for nothing but a little beer, until they reached a town. Here against the wall of a house, Oliver saw written up in pretty large letters, “Hampton.” They lingered about, in the fields, for some hours. At length, they came back into the town ; and, turning into an old public-house with a defaced sign-board, ordered some dinner by the kitchen fire. The kitchen was an old, low-roofed room ; with a great beam across the middle of the ceiling, and benches, with high backs to them, by the fire ; on which were seated several rough men in smock-frocks, drinking and smoking. They took no notice of Oliver ; and very little of Sikes ; and, as Sikes took very little notice of them, he and his young comrade sat in a corner by themselves, without being much troubled by their company. They had some cold meat for dinner, and sat so long after they came : way And )liver ectly, ocket A IJFT ON THE ROAD. 191 it, while Mr. Sikes i adulged himself wdth three or four pipes, that Oliver began i;o feel quite certain they were not going any further. Being much tired with the walk, and getting up so early, he dosed a little at first ; then, quite overpowered by fatigue and the fuimes of the tobacco, fell asleep. It was quite dark Avhen he was awakened by a push from Sikes. Rousing himself sufficiently to sit up and look about him, he found that worthy in close fellowship and communi- cation with a labouring man, over a pint of ale. So, youVe going on to Lower Halliford, are you ? inquired Sikes. ^^Yes, I am,” replied the man, who seemed a little the worse — or better, as the case might be — for drinking; ‘^and not slow about it neither. My horse hasn’t got a load behind him going back, as he had coming up in the mornin’; and he won’t be long a-doing of it. Here’s luck to him ! Ecod [ he’s a good un ! ” Could you give my boy and me a lift as far as there ? ” demanded Sikes, pushing the ale towards his new friend. ^^If you’re going directly, I can,” replied the man, looking out of the pot. Are you going to Halliford ? ” Going on to Shepperton,” replied Sikes. I’m your man, as far as I go,” replied the other. “ Is all paid, Becky Yes, the other gentleman’s paid,” replied the girl. I say ! ” said the man, with tipsy gravity ; that won’t do, you know.” ^ nto the air with great disdain, and running into the par) windows over the way ; after performing those feats, ar - jpporting himself for a short time on his hind-legs, ^ _ xted off at great speed, and rattled out of the town gallantly. The night was very dp jl damp mist rose from the river, and the marshy ^ . about ; and spread itself over the dreary fields. It piercing cold, too ; all was gloomy and black. Not a woru vas spoken ; for the driver had grown sleepy; and Sikes was in no mood to lead him into conver- sation. Oliver sat huddled together, in a corner of the cart; bewildered with alarm and apprehension ; and figuring strange objects in the gaunt trees, whose branches waved grimly to and fro, as if in some fantastic joy at the desolation of the scene. As they passed Sunbury Church, the clock struck seven. There was a light in the ferry-house window opposite : which streamed across the road, and threw into more sombre shadow a dark yew-tree with graves beneath it. There was a dull sound of falling water not far off ; and the leaves of the old tree stirred gently in the night wind. It seemed like quiet music for the repose of the dead. Sunbury was passed through, and they came again into the lonely road. Two or three miles more, and the cart stopped. Sikes alighted, took Oliver by the hand, and they once again walked on. They turned into no house at Shepp^rton, as the weary AT THE FOOT OF CHERTSEY BRIDGE. 193 bov had expected; but still kept walking on, in mud and darkness, through gloomy lanes and over cold open wastes, until they came within sight of the lights of a town at no great distance. On looking intently forward, Oliver saw that the water was just below them, and that they were coming to the foot of a bridge. Sikes kept straight on, until they were close upon the bridge ; then turned suddenly down a bank upon the left. The water ! ’’ thought Oliver, turning sick with fear. He has brought me to this lonely place to murder me ! He was about to throw himself on the ground, and make one struggle for his young life, when he saw that they stood before a solitary house : all ruinous and decayed. There was a window on each side of the dilapidated entrance ; and one story above ; but no light was visible. The house was dark, dismantled : and, to all appearance, uninhabited. Sikes, with Olivers hand still in his, softly approached the low porch, and raised the latch. The door yielded to the pressure, and they passed in together. 0 CHAPTER XXII. THE BURGLARY. Hallo ! cried a loud, hoarse voice, as soon as they set foot in the passage. Don't make such a row," said Sykes, bolting the door. Show a glim, Toby." Aha ! my pal ! " cried the same voice. “ A glim, Barney, a glim ! Show the gentleman in, Barney ; wake up first, if convenient. The speaker appeared to throw a boot-jack, or some such article, at the person he addressed, to rouse him from his slumbers: for the noise of a wooden body, falling violently, was heard; and then an indistinct muttering, as of a man between asleep and awake. Do you hear ? " cried the same voice. “ There's Bill Sikes in the passage with nobody to do the civil to him ; and you sleeping there, as if you took laudanum with your meals, and nothing stronger. Are you any fresher now, or do you w^ant the iron candlestick to wake you thoroughly ? " A pair of slipshod feet shuffled, hastily, across the bare floor of the room, as this interrogatory was put; and there issued, from a door on the right hand : first, a feeble candle : and next, the form of the same individual who has been heretofore described as labouring under the infirmity of speaking through his nose, and officiating as waiter at the public-house on Saffron Hill. AT MR. TOBY CRACKIT^. 195 Bister Sikes!'’ exclaimed Barney, with real or counterfeit joy ; cub id, sir ; cub id." Here ! you get on first," said Sikes, putting Oliver in front of him. Quicker ! or I shall ti'ead upon your heels." Muttering a curse upon his tardiness, Sikes pushed Oliver before him ; and they entered a low dark room with a smoky fire, two or three broken chairs, a table, and a very old couch : on which, with his legs much higher than his head, a man was reposing at full length, smoking a long clay pipe. He was, dressed in a smartly-cut snufF-coloured coat, with large brass buttons ; an orange neckerchief ; a coarse, staring, shawl- pattern waistcoat ; and drab breeches. Mr. Crackit (for he it was) had no very great quantity of hair, either upon his head or face ; but what he had, was of a reddish dye, and tortured into long corkscrew curls, through which he occasionally thi’ust some very dirty fingers, ornamented with large common rings. He was a trifle above the middle size, and apparently rather weak in the legs ; but this circumstance by no means detracted from his own admiration of his top-boots, which he contemplated, in their elevated situation, with lively satisfac- tion. Bill, my boy ! " said this figure, turning his head towards the door, glad to see you. I was almost afraid you'd given it up : in which case I should have made a personal wentur. Hallo ! " Uttering this exclamation in a tone of great surprise, as his eye rested on Oliver, Mr. Toby Crackit brought himself into a sitting posture, and demanded who that was. The boy. Only the boy ! " replied Sikes, drawing a chair towards the fire. ‘^Wud of Bister Fagin's lads," exclaimed Barney, with a grin. Fagin's, eh 1 " exclaimed Toby, looking at Oliver. Wot an inwalable boy that'll make, for the old ladies' pockets in chapels ! His mug is a fc n' to him." 196 OLIVER TWIST. ‘‘There — there'^s enough of that,’’ interposed Sikes, im- patiently ; and stooping over his recumbent friend, he whis- pered a few words in his ear: at which Mr. Crackit laughed immensely, and honoured Oliver with a long stare of astonishment. “ Now,*'*’ said Sikes, as he resumed his seat, “ if you**!! give us something to eat and drink while weVe waiting, you*"!! put some heart in us ; or in me, at all events. Sit down by the fire, younker, and rest yourself; for you'll have to go out with us again to-night, though not very far off." Oliver looked at Sikes, in mute and timid wonder; and drawing a stool to the fire, sat with his aching head upon his hands, scarcely knowing where he was, or what was passing around him. “ Here,**’ said Toby, as the young Jew placed some fragments of food, and a bottle upon the table, “ Success to the crack ! " He rose to honour the toast ; and, carefully depositing his empty pipe in a corner, advanced to the table, filled a glass with spirits, ^ and drank oft* its contents. Mr. Sikes did the same. “ A drain for the boy," said Toby, half-filling a wine glass. “Down with it, innocence." “ Indeed," said Oliver, looking piteously up into the man's face ; “ indeed, I " “ Down with it ! " echoed Toby. “ Do you think I don't know what's good for you ? Tell him to drink it. Bill." “ He had better ! " said Sikes, clapping his hand upon his pocket. “ Burn my body, if he isn't more trouble tl le family of Dodgers. Drink it, you perwerse imp ; di Frightened by the menacing gestures of the two r er hastily swallowed the contents of the glass, and ii ly fell into a violent fit of coughing: which delig] 3y Crackit and Barney, and even drew a smile fron ly Mr. Sikes. This done, and Sikes having satisfied his appe er could eat nothing but a small crust of bread which de PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE. 191 him swallow), the two men laid themselves down on chairs for a short nap. Oliver retained his stool by the fire ; Barney, wrapped in a blanket, stretched himself on the floor: close outside the fender. They slept, or appeared to sleep, for some time; nobody stirring but Barney, who rose once or twice to throw coals upon the fire. Oliver fell into a heavy doze : imagining him- self straying along the gloomy lanes, or wandering about the dark churchyard, or retracing some one or other of the scenes of the past day : when he was roused by Toby Crackit jumping up and declaring it was half-past one. In an instant, the other two were on their legs, and all were actively engaged in busy preparation. Sikes and his com- panion enveloped their necks and chins in large dark shawls, and drew on their great-coats ; Barney, opening a cupboard, brought forth several articles, which he hastily crammed into the pockets. ‘‘Barkers for me, Barney,” said Toby Crackit. “ Here they are,” replied Barney, producing a pair of pistols. “ You loaded them yourself.” “ All right ! ” replied Toby, stowing them away. “ The persuaders ? ” “ Pve got ’em,” replied Sikes. “ Crape, keys, centre-bits, darkies — nothing forgotten ? ” inquired Toby : fastening a small crowbar to a loop inside the skirt of his coat. “All right,” rejoined his companion. “Bring them bits of timber, Barney. That’s the time of day.” With these words, he took a thick stick from Barney’s hands, who, having delivered another to Toby, busied himself in fastening on Oliver’s cape. “ Now then ! ” said Sikes, holding out his hand. Oliver: who was completely st^’pefied by the unwonted exercise, and the air, and the drink which had been forced upon him : put his hand mechanically into that which Sikes extended for the purpose. 198 OLIVER TWIST. ‘^Take his other hand, Toby,*” said Sikes. ^^Look out, Barney.'” The man went to the door, and returned to announce that all was quiet. The two robbers issued forth with Oliver between them. Barney, having made all fast, rolled himself up as before, and was soon asleep again. It was now intensely dark. The fog was much heavier than it had been in the early part of the night ; and the atmo- sphere was so damp, that, although no rain fell, Oliver’s hair and eyebrows, within a few minutes after leaving the house, had become stiff with the half-frozen moisture that was floating about. They crossed the bridge, and kept on towards the lights which he had seen before. They were at no great distance off; and, as they walked pretty briskly, they soon arrived at Chertsey. ^^Slap through the town,” whispered Sikes; there’ll be nobody in the way, to-night, to see us.” Toby acquiesced ; and they hurried through the main street of the little town, which at that late hour was wholly deserted. A dim light shone at intervals from some bed-room window ; and the hoarse barking of dogs occasionally broke the silence of the night. But there was nobody abroad. They had cleared the town, as the church-bell struck two. Quickening their pace, they turned up a road upon the left hand. After walking about a quarter of a mile, they stopped before a detached house surrounded by a wall : to the top of which, Toby Crackit, scarcely pausing to take breath, climbed in a twinkling. The boy next,” said Toby. Hoist him up ; I’ll catch hold of him.” Before Oliver had time to look round, Sikes had caught him under the arms ; and in three or four seconds he and Toby were lying on the grass on the other side. Sikes followed directly. And they stole cautiously towards the house. And now, for the first time, Oliver, well-nigh mad with IRUITLESS APPEALS FOR MERCY. 199 grief and terror, saw that housebreaking and robbery, if not murder, were the objects of the expedition. He clasped his hands together, and involuntarily uttered a subdued exclama- tion of horror. A mist came before his eyes ; the cold sweat stood upon his ashy face ; his limbs failed him ; and he sank upon his knees. ‘‘Get up!’’ murmured Sikes, trembling with rage, and drawing the pistol from his pocket ; “ Get up, or I’ll strew your brains upon the grass.” “ Oh 1 for God's sake let me go ! ” cried Oliver ; “ let me run away and die in the fields. I will never come near London ; never, never ! Oh ! pray have mercy on me, and do not make me steal. For the love of all the bright Angels that rest in Heaven, have mercy upon me ! ” The man to whom this appeal was made, swore a dreadful oath, and had cocked the pistol, when Toby, striking it from his grasp, placed his hand upon the boy’s mouth, and dragged him to the house. “ Hush 1 ” cried the man ; “ it won’t answer here. Say another word, and Fli do your business myself with a crack on the head. That makes no noise, and is quite as certain, and more genteel. Here, Bill, wrench the shutter open. He’s game enough now, Fll engage. I’ve seen older hands of his age took the same way, for a minute or two, on a cold night.” Sikes, invoking terrific imprecations upon Fagin’s head for sending Oliver on such an errand, plied the crowbar vigorously, but with little noise. After some delay, and some assistance from Toby, the shutter to which he had referred, swung open on its hinges. It was a little lattice window, about five feet and a half above the ground, at the back of the house : which belonged to a scullery, or small brewing-place, at the end of the passage. The aperture was so small, that the inmates had probably not thought it worth while to defend it more securely ; but it was large enough to admit a boy of Oliver’s size, nevertheless. 200 OLIVER TWIST. A very brief exercise of Mr. Sikeses art, sufficed to overcome the fastening of the lattice ; and it soon stood wide open also. •^Now listen, you young limb,*” whispered Sikes, drawing a dark lantern from his pocket, and throwing the glare full on Oliver's face; a going to put you through there. Take this light; go softly up the steps straight afore you, and along the little hall, to the street door ; unfasten it, and let us in." ‘‘There's a bolt at the top, you won't be able to reach," interposed Toby. “ Stand upon one of the hall chairs. There are three there. Bill, with a jolly large blue unicorn and gold pitchfork on 'em : which is the old lady's arms." “ Keep quiet, can't you ? " replied Sikes, with a threatening look. “The room-door is open, is it.^" “Wide," replied Toby, after peeping in to satisfy himself. “ The game of that is, that they always leave it open with a catch, so that the dog, who's got a bed in here, may walk up and down the passage when he feels wakeful. Ha ! ha ! Barney 'ticed him away to-night. So neat ! " Although Mr. Crackit spoke in a scarcely audible whisper, and laughed without noise, Sikes imperiously commanded him to be silent, and to get to work. Toby complied, by first producing his lantern, and placing it on the ground; then by planting himself firmly with his head against the wall beneath the window, and his hands upon his knees, so as to make a step of his back. This was no sooner done, than Sikes, mounting upon him, put Oliver gently through the window with his feet first ; and, without leaving hold of his collar, planted him safely on the floor inside. “Take this lantern," said Sikes, looking into the room. “You see the stairs afore you.^^" Oliver, more dead than alive, gasped out, “Yes." Sikes, pointing to the street-door with the pistol-barrel, briefly advised him to take notice that he was within shot all the way; and that if he faltered, he would fall dead that instant. 201 shoL. \ It’s done in a mini^ite,” said Sikes, rln the same low whisper. Directly I leave go pf you, do your workx^ Hark ! ” ‘‘ What’s that ? ” wl^ispered the other man. n T hey listened intently. X Nothing,” said Sikes, releasing his hold of Oliver. "^XNow ! ” In the short time he had had to collect his senses, the Xjboy had firmly resolved that, whether he died in the attempt oV not, he would make one effort to dart up stairs from the hall, and alarm the family. Filled with this idea, he advanced at once, but stealthily. Come back ! ” suddenly cried Sikes aloud. Back ! back ! ” Scared by the sudden breaking of the dead stillness of the place, and by a loud cry which followed it, Oliver let his lantern fall, and knew not whether to advance or fly. The cry was repeated — a light appeared — a vision of two terrified half-dressed men at the top of the stairs swam before his eyes — a flash — a loud noise — a smoke — a crash somewhere, but where he knew not, — and he staggered back. Sikes had disappeared for an instant ; but he was up again, and had him by the collar before the smoke had cleared away. He fired his own pistol after the men, who were already retreating; and dragged the boy up. “ Clasp your arm tighter,” said Sikes, as he drew him through the window. ^^Give me a shawl here. They’ve hit him. Quick ! How the boy bleeds ! ” Then came the loud ringing of a bell, mingled with the noise of fire-arms, and the shouts of men, and the sensation of being carried over uneven ground at a rapid pace. And then, the noises grew confused in the distance; and a cold deadly feeling crept over the boy’s heart; and he saw or heard no more. CHAPTER XXIIL WHICH CONTAINS THE SUBSTANCE OP A PLEASANT CONVERSATION BETWEEN MR. BUMBLE AND A LADY ; AND SHOWS THAT EVEN A BEADLE MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE ON SOME POINTS. The night was bitter cold. The snow lay on the ground, frozen into a hard thick crust, so that only the heaps that had drifted into by-ways and comers were affected by the sharp wind that howled abroad : which, as if expending increased fury on such prey as it found, caught it savagely up in clouds, and, whirling it into a thousand nisty eddied, scattered it in air. Bleak, dark, and piercing cold, it was a night for the well-housed and fed to draw round the bright fire and thank God they were at home ; and for the homeless, starving wretch to lay him down and die. Many hunger- worn outcasts close their eyes in our bare streets, at such times, who, let their crimes have been what they may, can hardly open them in a more bitter world. Such was the aspect of out-of-doors affairs, when Mrs. Corney, the matron of the worlchouse to which our readers have been already introduced as the birthplace of Oliver Twist, sat herself down before a cheerful fire in her own little room, and glanced, with no small degree of complacency, at a small round table : on which stood a tray of corresponding size, furnished with all necessary materials for the most grateful meal that matrons enjoy. In fact, Mrs. Corney was about to solace herself with a cup of tea. As she glanced from the he fireplace, where the smallesto^il^^ssiDie kettle ng a small song in a small voice, her inward satis- vidently increased, — so much so, indeed, that Mrs. smiled. » l^ell ! said the matron, leaning her elbow on the table, ooking reflectively at the fire ; Fm sure we have all on great deal to be grateful for! A great deal, if we did know it. Ah!’’ Vlrs. Corney shook her head mournfully, as if deploring e mental blindness of those paupers who did not know it; d thrusting a silver spoon (private property) into the inmost ecesses of a two-ounce tin tea-caddy, proceeded to make the ea. How slight a thing will disturb the equanimity of our frail minds ! The black teapot, being very small and easily filled, ran over while Mrs. Corney was moralising; and the water slightly scalded Mrs. Comey’s hand. Drat the pot ! ” said the worthy matron, setting it down ry hastily on the hob; ^^a little stupid thing, that only Ids a couple of cups ! What use is it of, to anybody ! cept,” said Mrs. Corney, pausing, except to a poor desolate ature like me. Oh dear ! ” ith these words, the matron dropped into her chair, and, ce more resting her elbow on the table, thought of her litary fate. The small teapot, and the single cup, had akened in her mind sad recollections of Mr. Corney (who ad not been dead more than five-and-twenty years) ; and "he was overpowered. I shall never get another ! ” said Mrs. Corney, pettishly ; I shall never get another — like him.” Whether this remark bore reference to the husband, or the teapot, is uncertain. It might have been the latter ; for Mrs. Corney looked at it as she spoke ; and took it up after- wards. She had just tasted her first cup, when she was disturbed by a soft tap at the room -door. Oh, come in with you ! ” said Mrs. Corney, sharply. Some of the old women dying, I suppose. They always Fm at meals. Don’t stand there, letting the cold air^ What’s amiss now, eh ? ” ^‘Nothing, ma’am, nothing,” replied a man’s voice. Dear me ! ” exclaimed the matron, in a much sweeter^ ‘‘ is that Mr. Bumble ? ” ‘‘At your service, ma’am,” said Mr. Bumble, who been stopping outside to rub his shoes clean, and to sK| the snow off his coat; and who now made his appearani bearing the cocked hat in one hand and a bundle in the otht “ Shall I shut the door, ma’am ? ” The lady modestly hesitated to reply, lest there should b| any impropriety in holding an interview with Mr. Bumbk with closed doors. Mr. Bumble taking advantage of the hesi- tation, and being very cold himself, shut it without permission. “ Hard weather, Mr. Bumble,” said the matron. “ Hard, indeed, ma’am,” replied the beadle. “ Anti-porochial weather this, ma’am. We have given away, Mrs. Corney, have given away a matter of twenty quartern loaves andl cheese and a half, this very blessed afternoon ; and yet th(J paupers are not contented.” “ Of course not. When would they be, Mr. Bumble ? ” si the matron, sipping her tea. “When, indeed, ma’am!” rejoined Mr. Bumble. “Wl here’s one man that, in consideration of his wife and lar^ family, has a quartern loaf and a good pound of cheese, fu| weight. Is he grateful, ma’am ? Is he grateful ? Not a coppe! farthing’s worth of it ! What does he do, ma’am, but ask for a few coals ; if it’s only a pocket handkerchief full, he says ! Coals ! What would he do with coals ? Toast his cheese with ’em, and then come back for more. That’s the way with these people, ma’am ; give ’em a apron full of coals to- day, and they’ll come back for another, the day after to-morrow, as brazen as alabaster.” The matron expressed her entire concurrence in this intelli- gible simile ; and the beadle went on. BUMBLE ON OUT-DOOR RELIEF. 205 I never, ^ said Mr. Bumble, see anything like the pitch iFs got to. The day afore yesterday, a man — yoTi have been a married woman, ma’am, and I may mention it to you — a man, with hardly a rag upon his back (here Mrs. Comey looked at the floor), goes to our overseer’s door when he has got company coming to dinner ; and says, he must be relieved, Mrs. Corney. As he wouldn’t go away, and shocked the company very much, our overseer sent him out a pound of potatoes and half a pint of oatmeal. ‘ My heart ! ’ says the ungrateful villain, ‘ what’s the use of this to me ? You might as well give me a pair of iron spectacles!’ ‘Very good,*" says our overseer, taking ’em away again, ‘you won’t get anything else here.’ ‘ Then I’ll die in the streets ! ’ says the vagrant. ‘Oh no, you won’t,’ says our overseer.” “ Ha ! ha 1 That was very good ! So like Mr. Grannett, wasn’t it.^” interposed the matron. “ Well, Mr. Bumble.^” “Well, ma’am,” rejoined the beadle, “he went away; and he did die in the streets. There’s a obstinate pauper for you!” “It beats anything I could have believed,” observed the matron emphatically. “ But don’t you think out-of-door relief a very bad thing, any way, Mr. Bumble.^ You’re a gentleman of experience, and ought to know. Come.” “Mrs. Corney,” said the beadle, smiling as men smile who are conscious of superior information, “ out-of-door relief, properly managed : properly managed, ma’am : is the porochial safeguard. The great principle of out-of-door relief is, to give the paupers exactly what they don’t want; and then they get tired of coming.” “Dear me!” exclaimed Mrs. Comey. “Well, that is a good one, too!” “ Yes. Betwixt you and me, ma’am,” returned Mr. Bumble, “ that’s the great principle ; and that’s the reason why, if you look at any cases that get into them owdacious newspapers, you’ll always observe that sick families have been relieved wiXh slices of cheese. That’s the rule now, Mrs. Corney, all ii06 OLIVER TWIST. over the country. But, however, said the beadle, stopping to unpack his bundle, ‘^Hhese are official secrets, ma'^am; not to be spoken of; except, as I may say, among the porochial officers, such as ourselves. This is the port wine, ma'^am, that the board ordered for the infirmary ; real, fresh, genuine port wine; only out of the cask this forenoon; clear as a bell ; and no sediment ! Having held the first bottle up to the light, and shaken it well to test its excellence, Mr. Bumble placed them both on the top of a chest of drawers; folded the handkerchief in which they had been wrapped; put it carefully in his pocket; and took up his hat, as if to go. "^You'll have a very cold walk, Mr. Bumble,*” said the matron. ‘^It blows, ma'am,*” replied Mr. Bumble, turning up his coat-collar, enough to cut one's ears off." The matron looked, from the little kettle, to the beadle, who was moving towards the door ; and as the beadle coughed, preparatory to bidding her good night, bashfully inquired whether — whether he wouldn’t take a cup of tea? Mr. Bumble instantaneously turned back his collar again ; laid his hat and stick upon a chair; and drew another chair up to the table. As he slowly seated himself, he looked at the lady. She fixed her eyes upon the little tea-pot. Mr. Bumble coughed again, and slightly smiled. Mrs. Corney rose to get another cup and saucer from the closet. As she sat down, her eyes once again encountered those of the gallant beadle; she coloured, and applied herself to the task of making his tea. Again Mr. Bumble coughed, — louder this time than he had coughed yet. Sweet? Mr. Bumble?" inquired the matron, taking up the sugar-basin. Very sweet, indeed, ma'am," replied Mr. Bumble. He fixed his eyes on Mrs. Comey as he said this ; and if ever a beadle looked tender, Mr. Bumble was that beadle at that moment. The tea was made, and handed in silence. Mr. Bumble, I A FRIENl ;UP OF TEA. 207 having spread a handkerc. er his knees to prevent the crumbs from sullying the ^ our of his shorts, began to eat and drink; varying th iusements> occasionally, by fetching a deep sigh ; which, however, had no injurious effect uj)on his appetite, but, on the contrary, rather seemed to facilitate his operations in the tea and toast department. You have a cat, ma'^am, I see,’" said Mr. Bumble, glancing at one who, in the centre of her family, was basking before the fire ; and kittens too, I declare ! ” “ I am so fond of them, Mr. Bumble, you can’t think,” replied the matron. They’re so happy, so frolicsome, and so cheerful, that they are quite companions for me.” ‘‘Very nice animals, ma’am,” replied Mr. Bumble, approv- ingly ; “ so very domestic.” “Oh, yes!” rejoined the matron with enthusiasm; “so fond of their home too, that it’s quite a pleasure. I’m sure.” “ Mrs. Corney, ma’am,” said Mr. Bumble, slowly, and marking the time with his teaspoon, “I mean to say this, ma’am; that any cat, or kitten, that could live with you, ma’am, and not be fond of its home, must be a ass, ma’am.” “ Oh, Mr. Bumble ! ” remonstrated Mrs. Corney. “ It’s of no use disguising facts, ma’am,” said Mr. Bumble, slowly flourishing the teaspoon with a kind of amorous dignity which made him doubly impressive ; “ I would drown it myself, with pleasure.” “Then you’re a cruel man,” said the matron vivaciously, as she held out her hand for the beadle’s cup; “and a very hard-hearted man besides.” “ Hard-hearted, ma‘'am ? ” said Mr. Bumble. “ Hard ? ” Mr. Bumble resigned his cup without another word ; squeezed Mrs. Corney’s little finger as she took it; and inflicting two open handed slaps upon his laced waistcoat, gave a mighty sigh, and hitched his chair a very little morsel farther from the fire. It was a round table ; and as Mrs. Corney and Mr. Bumble had been sitting opposite each other, with no great space 208 OLIVER TWIST. between them, and fronting the fire, it will be seen that Mr, Bumble, in receding from the fire, and still keeping at the table, increased the distance between himself and Mrs. Corney ; which proceeding, some prudent readers will doubtless be disposed to admire, and to consider an act of great heroism on Mr. Bumble‘’s part : he being in some sort tempted by time, place, and opportunity, to give utterance to certain soft nothings, which however well they may become the lips of the light and thoughtless, do seem immeasurably beneath the dignity of judges of the land, members of parliament, ministers of state, lord mayors, and other great public func- tionaries, but more particularly beneath the stateliness and gravity of a beadle : who (as is well known) should be the sternest and most inflexible among them all. Whatever were Mr. Bumble‘‘s intentions, however (and no doubt they were of the best) : it unfortunately happened, as has been twice before remarked, that the table was a round one; consequently Mr. Bumble, moving his chair by little and little, soon began to diminish the distance between him- self and the matron ; and, continuing to travel round the outer edge of the circle, brought his chair, in time, close to that in which the matron was seated. Indeed, the two chairs touched ; and when they did so, Mr. Bumble stopped. Now, if the matron had moved her chair to the right, she would have been scorched by the fire; and if to the left, she must have fallen into Mr. Bumble’s arms ; so (being a discreet matron, and no doubt foreseeing these consequences at a glance) she remained where she was, and handed Mr. Bumble another cup of tea. ‘^Hard-hearted, Mrs. Corney.^” said Mr. Bumble, stirring his tea, and looking up into the matron’s face; “are you hard-hearted, Mrs. Corney?” “ Dear me ! ” exclaimed the matron, “ what a very curious question from a single man. What can you want to know for, Mr. Bumble?” The beadle drank his tea to the last drop ; finished a piece A SUDDEN SURPRISE. 209 of toast ; whisked the crumbs off his knees ; wiped his lips ; and deliberately kissed the matron. ‘‘ Mr. Bumble ! cried that discreet lady in a whisper ; for the fright was so great, that she had quite lost her voice, Mr. Bumble, I shall scream ! Mr. Bumble made no reply ; but in a slow and dignified manner, put his arm round the matron’s waist. As the lady had stated her intention of screaming, of course she would have screamed at this additional boldness, but that the exertion was rendered unnecessary by a hasty knocking at the door : which was no sooner heard, than Mr. Bumble darted, with much agility, to the wine bottles, and began dusting them with great violence : while the matron sharply demanded who was there. It is worthy of remark, as a curious physical instance of the efficacy of a sudden surprise in counteracting the effects of extreme fear, that her voice had quite recovered all its official asperity. If you please, mistress,” said a withered old female pauper, hideously ugly : putting her head in at the door, Old Sally is a-going fast.” “Well, what’s that to me.^^” angrily demanded the matron. “ I can’t keep her alive, can I ? ” “No, no, mistress,” replied the old woman, “nobody can; she’s far beyond the reach of help. I’ve seen a many people die; little babes and great strong men; and I know v/hen death’s a-coming, well enough. But she’s troubled in her mind : and when the fits are not on her, — and that’s not often, for she is dying very hard, — she says she has got something to tell, which you must hear. She’ll never die quiet till you come, mistress.” At this intelligence, the worthy Mrs. Corney muttered a variety of invectives against old women who couldn’t even die without purposely annoying their betters; and, muffling herself in a thick shawl which she hastily caught up, briefly requested Mr. Bumble to stay till she came back, lest any- thing particular should occur. Bidding the messenger walk p 210 OLIVER TWIST. fast, and not be .all night hobbling up the stairs, she followed her from the room with a very ill grace, scolding all the way. Mr. Bumble'’s conduct on being left to himself, was rather inexplicable. He opened the closet, counted the teaspoons, weighed the sugar-tongs, closely inspected a silver milk-pot to ascertain that it was of the genuine metal, and, having satisfied his curiosity on these points, put on his cocked-hat corner- wise, and danced with much gravity four distinct times round the table. Having gone through this very extra- ordinary performance, he took off the cocked-hat again, and, spreading himself before the fire with his back towards it, seemed to be mentally engaged in taking an exact inventory of the furniture. CHAPTER XXIV. TREATS OF A VERY POOR SUBJECT. BUT IS A SHORT ONE, AND MAY BE FOUND OF IMPORTANCE IN THIS HISTORY. It was no unfit messenger of death, who had disturbed the quiet of the matron‘’s room. Her body was bent by age ; her limbs trembled with palsy ; her face, distorted into a mum- bling leer, resembled more the grotesque shaping of some wild pencil, than the work of Nature'^s hand. Alas ! How few of Nature’s faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty ! The cares, and sorrows, and hungerings of the world, change them as they change hearts; and it is only when those passions sleep, and have lost their hold for ever, that the troubled clouds pass off, and leave Heaven’s surface clear. It is a common thing for the countenances of the dead, even in that fixed and rigid state, to subside into the long-forgotten expression of sleeping infancy, and settle into the very look of early life ; so calm, so peaceful, do they grow again, that those who knew them in their happy child- hood, kneel by the coffin’s side in awe, and see the Angel even upon earth. The old crone tottered along the passages, and up the stairs, muttering some indistinct answers to the chidings of her com- panion; being at length compelled to pause for breath, she gave the light into her hand, and remained behind to follow as she might : while the more nimble superior made her way to the room where the sick woman lay. OLIVER TWIST. 5212 It was a bare garret-room, with a dim light burning at the farther end. There was another old woman watching by the bed ; the parish apothecary's apprentice was standing by the fire, making a toothpick out of a quill. “ Cold night, Mrs. Corney," said this young gentleman, as the matron entered. “Very cold, indeed, sir," replied the mistress, in her most civil tones, and dropping a curtsey as she spoke. “You should get better coals out of your contractors," said the apothecary's deputy, breaking a lump on the top of the fire with the rusty poker ; “ these are not at all the sort of thing for a cold night." “They're the board's choosing, sir," returned the matron. “ The least they could do, would be to keep us pretty warm : for our places are hard enough." The conversation was here interrupted by a moan from the sick woman. “ Oh ! " said the young man, turning his face towards the bed, as if he had previously quite forgotten the patient, “ it's all U. P. there, Mrs. Corney." “ It is, is it, sir ? " asked the matron. “If she lasts a couple of hours, I shall be surprised," said the apothecary's apprentice, intent upon the toothpick's point. “It's a break-up of the system altogether. Is she dozing, old lady ? " The attendant stooped over the bed, to ascertain; and nodded in the affirmative. '' “ Then perhaps she'll go off in that way, if you don't make a row," 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 not die so easily ; having done so, she resumed her seat by the side of the other nurse, who had by this time returned. The mistress, with an expression of impatience, wrapped herself in her shawl, and sat at the foot of the bed. WATCHERS AT A DEATH-BED. 213 The apothecary's apprentice, having completed the manufac- ture of the toothpick, planted himself in front of the fire and made good use of it for ten minutes or so : when apparently growing rather dull, he wished Mrs. Corney joy of her job, and took himself off on tiptoe. When they had sat in silence for some time, the two old women rose from the bed, and crouching over the fire, held out their withered hands to catch the heat. The flame threw a ghastly light on their shrivelled faces, and made their ugliness appear terrible, as, in this position, they began to converse in a low voice. ‘^Did she say any more, Anny dear, while I was gone.^'** inquired the messenger. Not a word,**’ replied the other. She plucked and tore at her arms for a little time ; but I held her hands, and she soon dropped off*. She hasn't much strength in her, so I easily kept her quiet. I ain’t so weak for an old woman, although I am on parish allowance ; no, no ! ” ‘‘Did she drink the hot wine the doctor said she was to have.^^” demanded the first. “I tried to get it down,” rejoined the other. “But her teeth were tight set, and she clenched the mug so hard that it was as much as I could do to get it back again. So / drank it ; and it did me good ! ” Looking cautiously round, to ascertain that they were not overheard, the two hags cowered nearer to the fire, and chuckled heartily. “ I mind the time,” said the first speaker, “ when she would have done the same, and made rare fun of it afterwards.” “Ay, that she would,” rejoined the other; “ she had a merry heart. A many, many, beautiful corjises she laid out, as nice and neat as wax-work. My old eyes have seen them — ay, and those old hands touched them too; for I have helped her, scores of times.” Stretching forth her trembling fingers as she spoke, the old creature shook them exultingly before her face, and fumbling OLIVER TWIST. in her pocket, brought out an old time-discoloured tin snuff- box, from which she shook a few grains into the outstretched palm of her companion, and a few more into her owj\. While they were thus employed, the matron, who had been impatiently watching until the dying woman should awaken from her stupor, joined them by the fire, and sharply asked how long she was to wait.^ ‘‘ Not long, mistress,"' replied the second woman, looking up into her face. ‘^We have none of us long to wait for Death. Patience, patience ! Hell be here soon enough for us all." Hold your tongue, you doting idiot ! " said the matron, sternly. ‘‘You, Martha, tell me; has she been in this way before ? " “ Often," answered the first woman. “But will never be again," added the second one; “that is, she'll never wake again but once — and mind, mistress, that won't be for long ! " “Long or short," said the matron, snappishly, “she won't find me here when she does wake; take care, both of you, how you worry me again for nothing. It's no part of my duty to see all the old women in the house die, and I won't — that's more. Mind that, you impudent old harridans. If you make a fool of me again, I'll soon cure you, I warrant you ! " ^ She was bouncing away, when a cry from the two women, who had turned towards the bed, caused her to look round. The patient had raised herself upright, and was stretching her arras towards them. Who's that ? " she cried, in a hollow voice. “ Hush, hush ! " said one of the women, stooping over her. “ Lie down, lie down ! " “ I'll never lie down again alive ! " said the woman, strug- gling. “ I will tell her ! Come here ! Nearer ! Let me whisper in your ear." She clutched the matron by the arm, and forcing her into A DEATH-BED CONFESSION. 215 a chair by the bedside, was about to speak, when looking round, she caught sight of the two old women bending forward in the attitude of eager listeners. ‘^Tum them away,^ said the old woman, drowsily; ‘^make haste! make haste!*” The two old crones, chiming in together, began pouring out many piteous lamentations that the poor dear was too far gone to know her best friends; and were uttering sundry protesta- tions that they would never leave her, when the superior pushed them from the room, closed the door, and returned to the bedside. On being excluded, the old ladies changed their tone, and cried through the keyhole that old Sally was drunk ; which, indeed, was not unlikely ; since, in addition to a moderate dose of opium prescribed by the apothecary, she was labouring under the effects of a final taste of gin-and-water which had been privily administered, in the openness of their hearts, by the worthy old ladies themselves. ‘‘Now listen to me,"’ said the dying woman aloud, as if making a great effort to revive one latent spark of energy. “ In this very room — in this very bed — I once nursed a pretty young creetur , that was brought into the house with her feet cut and bruised with walking, and all soiled with dust and blood. She gave birth to a boy, and died. Let me think — what was the year again ! ” “ Never mind the year,” said the impatient auditor ; “ what about her.^” “ Ay,” murmured the sick woman, relapsing into her former drowsy state, “ what about her ? — what about — I know ! ” she cried, jumping fiercely up : her face flushed, and her eyes starting from her head — “ I robbed her, so I did ! She wasn’t cold — I tell you she wasn’t cold, when I stole it ! ” “ Stole what, for God"s sake ^ ” cried the matron, with a gesture as if she would call for help. replied the woman, laying her hand over the other’s mouth. “The only thing she had. She wanted clothes to keep her warm, and food to eat; but she had kept it safe, 216 OLIVER TWIST. and had it in her bosom. It was gold, I tell you ! Rich gold, that might have saved her life ‘‘ Gold ! ’’ echoed the matron, bending eagerly over the woman as she fell back. “ Go on, go on — yes — what of it ? AVho was the mother ? When was it ? She charged me to keep it safe,*^ replied the woman with a groan, ^‘and trusted me as the only woman about her. I stole it in my heart when she first showed it me hanging round her neck ; and the child’s death, perhaps, is on me besides ! They would have treated him better, if they had known it all ! ” Known what ? ” asked the other. Speak ! ■” ‘‘The boy grew so like his mother,” said the woman, rambling on, and not heeding the question, “that I could never forget it when I saw his face. Poor girl ! poor girl ! She was so young, too ! Such a gentle lamb ! Wait ; there’s more to tell. I have not told you all, have I?” “No, no,” replied the matron, inclining her head to catch the words, as they came more faintly from the dying woman. “ Be quick, or it may be too late ! ” “The mother,” said the woman, making a more violent effort than before ; “ the mother, when the pains of death first came upon her, whispered in my ear that if her baby was born alive, and thrived, the day might come when it would not feel so much disgraced to hear its poor young mother named. ‘ And oh, kind Heaven ! ’ she said, folding her thin hands together, ‘whether it be boy or girl, raise up some friends for it in this troubled world, and take pity upon a lonely desolate child, abandoned to its mercy ! ’ ” “The boy’s name?” demanded the matron. “They called him Oliver,” replied the woman, feebly. “ The gold I stole was ” “Yes, yes — what?” cried the other. She was bending eagerly over the woman to hear her reply ; but drew back, instinctively, as she once again rose, slowly and stiffly, into a sitting posture ; then, clutching the coverlid NOTHING TO TELL. with both hands, muttered some indistinct sounds in her throat, and fell lifeless on the bed. ***** “ Stone dead ! said one of the old women, hurrying in as soon as the door was opened. ^‘And nothing to tell, after all,"’ rejoined the matron, walking carelessly away. The two crones, to all appearance, too busily occupied in the preparations for their dreadful duties to make any reply, were left alone, hovering about the body. CHAPTER XXV. WHEREIN THIS HISTORY REVERTS TO MR. FAGIN AND COMPANY. While these things were passing in the country workhouse, Mr. Fagin sat in the old den — the same from which Oliver had been removed by the girl — brooding over a dull, smoky fire. He held a pair of bellows upon his knee, with which he had apparently been endeavouring to rouse it into more cheerful action; but he had fallen into deep thought; and with his arms folded on them, and his chin resting on his thumbs, fixed his eyes, abstractedly, on the rusty bars. At a table behind him sat the Artful Dodger, Master Charles Bates, and Mr. Chitling : all intent upon a game of whist; the Artful taking dummy against Master Bates and Mr. Chitling. The countenance of the first-named gentleman, peculiarly intelligent at all times, acquired great additional interest from his close observance of the game, and his attentive perusal of Mr. Chitling‘'s hand; upon which, from time to time, as occasion served, he bestowed a variety of earnest glances : wisely regulating his own play by the result of his observations upon his neighbours cards. It being a cold night, the Dodger wore his hat, as, indeed, was often, his custom within doors. He also sustained a clay pipe between his teeth, which he only removed for a brief space when he deemed it necessary to apply for refreshment to a quart pot upon the table, which stood ready filled with gin-and-water for the accommodation of the company. Master Bates was also attentive to the play ; but being of 219 A QUIET RUBBER. a more excitable nature than his accomplished friend, it was observable that he more frequently applied himself to the gin-and-Avater, and moreover indulged in many jests and irrelevant remarks, all highly unbecoming a scientific mbber. Indeed, the Artful, presuming upon their close attachment, more than once took occasion to reason gravely with his com- panion upon these improprieties : all of which remonstrances, Master Bates received in extremely good part ; merely requesting his friend to be Mowed,*” or to insert his head in a sack, or replying Avith some other neatly-turned witticism of a similar kind, the happy application of Avhich, excited considerable admiration in the mind of Mr. Chitling. It Avas remarkable that the latter gentleman and his partner invariably lost ; and that the circumstance, so far from angering Master Bates, appeared to afford him the highest amusement, inasmuch as he laughed most uproariously at the end of every deal, and protested that he had never seen such a jolly game in all his born days. That’s tAvo doubles and the rub,*’*’ said Mr. Chitling, with a very long face, as he dreAv half-a-crown from his waistcoat- pocket. “I never see such a feller as you. Jack; you win everything. Even Avhen we'’ve good cards, Charley and I can't make nothing of 'em.**' Either the matter or the manner of this remark, which was made very ruefully, delighted Charley Bates so much, that his consequent shout of laughter roused the Jcav from his reverie, and induced him to inquire what was the matter. “ Matter, Eagin ! cried Charley. I wish you had watched the play. Tommy Chitling hasn*’t won a point ; and I went partners Avith him against the Artful and dum.*’*’ “ Ay, ay ! **** said the Jew, with a grin, which sufficiently demonstrated that he Avas at no loss to understand the reason. Try 'em again, Tom ; try 'em again." No more of it for me, thankee, Fagin," replied Mr. Chitling; ‘‘I've had enough. That 'ere Dodger has such a run of luck that there's no standing again' him." 220 OLIVER TWIST. Ha ! ha ! my dear,"" replied the Jew, you must get up very early in the morning, to win against the Dodger."" Morning ! "" said Charley Bates ; you must put your boots on over-night, and have a telescope at each eye, and a opera-glass between your shoulders, if you want to come over Am."" Mr. Dawkins received these ' handsome compliments with much philosophy, and offered to cut any gentleman in company, for the first picture-card, at a shilling a time. Nobody accepting the challenge, and his pipe being by this time smoked out, he proceeded to amuse himself by sketching a ground-plan of Newgate on the table with the piece of chalk which had served him in lieu of counters; whistling, meantime, with peculiar shrillness. “ How precious dull you are. Tommy ! "" said the Dodger, stopping short when there had been a long silence; and addressing Mr. Chitling. What do you think he"s thinking of, Fagin.^"’ ‘‘How should I know, my dear.^^"" replied the Jew, looking round as he plied the bellows. “About his losses, maybe; or the little retirement in the country that he"s just left, eh.^ Ha ! ha ! Is that it, my dear ? "" “ Not a bit of it,"" replied the Dodger, stopping the subject of discourse as Mr. Chitling was about to reply. “What do you say, Charley ? "" “ I should say,"" replied Master Bates, with a grin, “ that he was uncommon sweet upon Betsy. See how he"s a-blushing ! Oh, my eye ! here"s a merry-go-rounder ! Tommy Chitling"s in love ! Oh, Fagin, Fagin ! what a spree ! "" Thoroughly overpowered with the notion of Mr. Chitling being the victim of the tender passion. Master Bates threw himself back in his chair with such violence, that he lost his balance, and pitched over upon the floor ; where (the accident abating nothing of his merriment) he lay at full length until his laugh was over, when he resumed his former position, and began another laugh. MR. CHITLING IN LOVE. 221 Never mind him, my dear,’’ said the Jew, winking at Mr. Dawkins, and giving Master Bates a reproving tap with the nozzle of the bellows. ‘‘Betsy’s a fine girl. Stick up to her, Tom. Stick up to her.” “What I mean to say, Fagin,” replied Mr. Chitling, very red in the face, “ is, that that isn’t anything to anybody here.” “No more it is,” replied the Jew; “Charley will talk. Don’t mind him, my dear; don’t mind him. Betsy’s a fine girl. Do as she bids you, Tom, and you will make your fortune.” “So I cZo do as she bids me,” replied Mr. Chitling; “I shouldn’t have been milled, if it hadn’t been for her advice. But it turned out a good job for you ; didn’t it, Fagin ! And what’s six weeks of it.^ It must come, some time or another, and why not in the winter time when you don’t want to go out a- walking so much ; eh, Fagin ? ” “Ah, to be sure, my dear,” replied the Jew. “You wouldn’t mind it again, Tom, would you,” asked the Dodger, winking upon Charley and the Jew, “ if Bet was all right “I mean to say that I shouldn’t,” replied Tom, angrily. “ There, now. Ah ! Who’ll say as much as that, I should like to know ; eh, Fagin ? ” “Nobody, my dear,” replied the Jew; “not a soul, Tom. I don’t know one of ’em that would do it besides you ; not one of ’em, my dear.” “ I might have got clear off, if I’d split upon her ; mightn’t I, Fagin angrily pursued the poor half-witted dupe. “A word from me would have done it ; wouldn’t it, Fagin ? ” “ To be sure it would, my dear,” replied the Jew. “But I didn’t blab it; did I, Fagin demanded Tom, pouring question upon question with great volubility. “No, no, to be sure,” replied the Jew; “you were too stout-hearted for that. A deal too stout, my dear!” “Perhaps I was,” rejoined Tom, looking round; “and if‘ I was, what’s to laugh at, in that ; eh, Fagin ? ” 222 OLIVER TWIST. The Jew, perceiving that Mr. Chitling was considerably roused, hastened to assure him that nobody was laughing; and to prove the gravity of the company, appealed to Master Bates, the principal offender. But, unfortunately, Charley, in opening his mouth to reply that he was never more serious in his life, was unable to prevent the escape of such a violent roar, that the abused Mr. Chitling, without any preliminary ceremonies, rushed across the room and aimed a blow at the offender; who, being skilful in evading pursuit, ducked to avoid it, and chose his time so well that it lighted on the chest of the merry old gentleman, and caused him to stagger to the wall, where he stood panting for breath, while Mr. Chitling looked on in intense dismay. “ Hark ! ’’ cried the Dodger at this moment, “ I heard the tinkler.*” Catching up the light, he crept softly up stairs. The bell was rang again, with some impatience, while the party were in darkness. After a short pause, the Dodger reappeared, and whispered Fagin mysteriously. What ! ” cried the Jew, alone ? ” The Dodger nodded in the affirmative, and, shading the flame of the candle with his hand, gave Charley Bates a private intimation, in dumb show, that he had better not be funny just then. Having performed this friendly office, he fixed his eyes on the Jew’s face, and awaited his directions. The old man bit his yellow fingers, and meditated for some seconds; his face working with agitation the while, as if he dreaded something, and feared to know the worst. At length he raised his head. Where is he.^^” he asked. The Dodger pointed to the floor above, and made a gesture, as if to leave the room. “Yes,” said the Jew, answering the mute inquiry; “bring him down. Hush ! Quiet, Charley ! Gently, Tom ! Scarce, scarce ! ” This brief direction to Charley Bates, and his recent antagonist, was softly and immediately obeyed. There was FLASH TOBY CRACKIT. 223 no sound of their whereabout, when the Dodger descended the stairs, bearing the light in his hand, and followed by a man in a coarse smock-frock; who, after casting a hurried glance round the room, pulled off a large wrapper which had concealed the lower portion of his face, and disclosed : all haggard, unwashed, and unshorn : the features of flash Toby Crackit. ‘‘How are you, Faguey?’** said this worthy, nodding to the Jew. “Pop that shawl away in my castor. Dodger, so that I may know where to find it when I cut; that’s the time of day ! You’ll be a fine young cracksman afore the old file now.” With these words he pulled up the smock-frock; and, winding it round his middle, drew a chair to the fire, and placed his feet upon the hob. “See there, Faguey,” he said, pointing disconsolately to his top-boots; “not a drop of Day and Martin since you know when ; not a bubble of blacking, by Jove ! But don’t look at me in that way, man. All in good time. I can’t talk about business till I’ve eat and drank ; so produce the sustainance, and let’s have a quiet fill-out for the first time these three days ! ” The Jew motioned to the Dodger to place what eatables there were, upon the table; and, seating himself opposite the housebreaker, waited his leisure. To judge from appearances, Toby was by no means in a hurry to open the conversation. At first, the Jew contented himself with patiently watching his countenance, as if to gain from its expression some clue to the intelligence he brought; but in vain. He looked tired and worn, but there was the same complacent repose upon his features that they always wore : and through dirt, and beard, and whisker, there still shone, unimpaired, the self-satisfied smirk of flash Toby Crackit. Then, the Jew, in an agony of impatience, watched every morsel he put into his mouth; pacing up and down the room, meanwhile, in irrepressible excitement. It was all 224 OLIVER TWIST. of no use. Toby continued to eat with the utmost outward indifference, until he could eat no more ; then, ordering the Dodger out, he closed the door, mixed a glass of spirits and water, and composed himself for talking. “First and foremost, Faguey,’’ said Toby. “ Yes, yes ! interposed the Jew, drawing up his chair. Mr. Crackit stopped to take a draught of spirits and water, and to declare that the gin was excellent ; then placing his feet against the low mantelpiece, so as to bring his boots to about the level of his eye, he quietly resumed, “ First and foremost, Faguey,*” said the housebreaker, “how’s Bill.^” “ What ! ” screamed the Jew, starting from his seat. “Why, you don’t mean to say ” began Toby, turning pale. “ Mean ! ” cried the Jew, stamping furiously on the ground. “ Where are they Sikes and the boy ! Where are they ? Where have they been.^ Where are they hiding? Why have they not been here?” “The crack failed,” said Toby, faintly. “I know it,” replied the Jew, tearing a newspaper from his pocket and pointing to it. “ What more ? ” “They fired and hit the boy. We cut over the fields at the back, with him between us — straight as the crow flies — through hedge and ditch. They gave chase. Damme ! the whole country was awake, and the dogs upon us.” “ The boy ! “Bill had him on his back, and scudded like the wind. We stopped to take him between us ; his head hung down, and he was cold. They were close upon our heels; every man for himself, and each from the gallows! We parted company, and left the youngster lying in a ditch. Alive or dead, that’s all I know about him.” The Jew stopped to hear no more; but uttering a loud yell, and twining his hands in his hair, rushed from the room, and from the house. CHAPTER XXVI. JM WHICH A MYSTERIOUS CHARACTER APPEARS UPON THE SCENE ; AND MANY THINGS, INSEPARABLE FROM THIS HISTORY, ARI" DONE AND PERFORMED. The old man had gained the street corner, before he began to recover the effect of Toby Crackit’s intelligence. He had relaxed nothing of his unusual speed ; but was still pressing onward, in the same wild and disordered manner, when the sudden dashing past of a carriage: and a boisterous cry from the foot passengers, who saw his danger: drove him back upon the pavement. Avoiding, as much as possible, all the main streets, and skulking only through the byways and alleys, he at length emerged on Snow Hill. Here he walked even faster than before; nor did he linger until he had again turned into a court; when, as if conscious that he was now in his proper element, he fell into his usual shuffling pace, and seemed to breathe more freely. Near to the spot on which Snow Hill and Holborn Hill meet, there opens, upon the right hand as you come out of the City, a narrow and dismal alley leading to Saffron Hill. In its filthy shops are exposed for sale huge bunches of second- hand silk handkerchiefs, of all sizes and patterns ; for here reside the traders who purchase them from pickpockets. Hundreds of these handkerchiefs hang dangling from pegs outside the windows or flaunting from the door-posts; and the shelves, within, are piled with them. Confined as the Q 226 OLIVER TWIST. limits of Field Lane are, it has its barber, its coflFee-shop, its beer-shop, and its fried-fish warehouse. It is a commercial colony of itself : the emporium of petty larceny : visited at early morning, and setting-in of dusk, by silent merchants, who traffic in dark back-parlours, and who go as strangely as they come. Here, the clothesman, the shoe-vamper, and the rag-merchant, display their goods, as sign-boards to the petty thief; here, stores of old iron and bones, and heaps of mildewy fragments of woollen-stuff and linen, rust and rot in the grimy cellars. It was into this place that the Jew turned. He was well known to the sallow denizens of the lane; for such of them as were on the look-out to buy or sell, nodded; faniiliarly, as he passed along. He replied to their salutations in the same way ; but bestowed no closer recognition until he reached the further end of the alley; when he* stopped, to address a salesman of small stature, who had squeezed as much of his person into a child's chair as the chair would hold, and was smoking a pipe at his warehouse door. ‘‘ Why, the sight of you, Mr. Fagin, would cure the hoptalmy ! " said this respectable trader, in acknowledgment of the Jew's inquiry after his health. ^^The neighbourhood was a little too hot. Lively," said Fagin, elevating his eyebrows, and crossing his hands upon his shoulders. '‘‘Well, I’ve heerd that complaint of it, once or twice before," replied the trader ; “ but it soon cools down again ; don't you find it so ? " Fagin nodded in the affirmative. Pointing in the direction of Saffron Hill, he inquired whether any one was up yonder to-night. “At the Cripples inquired the man. The Jew nodded. “Let me see," pursued the merchant, reflecting. “Yes there’s some half-dozen of ’em gone in, that I knows. I don think your friend’s there." FAGIN AT THE THREE CRIPPLES. "227 Sikes is not, I suppose P’** inquired the Jew, with a dis- appointed countenance. Non istzventusy as the lawyers say,*” replied the little man, shaking his head, and looking amazingly sly. Have you got anything in my line to-night ? ’’ Nothing to-night,'’ said the Jew, turning away. ""Are you going up to the Cripples, Eagin?” cried the little man, calling after him. "" Stop ! I don't mind if I have a drop there with you ! " But as the Jew, looking back, waved his hand to intimate that he preferred being alone ; and, moreover, as the little man could not very easily disengage himself from the chair; the sign of the . Cripples was, for a time, bereft of the advantage of Mr. Lively's presence. By the time he had got upon his legs, the Jew had disappeared ; so Mr. Lively, after ineffectually standing on tiptoe, in the hope of catching sight of him, again forced himself into the little chair, and, exchanging a shake of the head with a lady in the opposite shop, in which doubt and mistrust were plainly mingled, resumed his pipe with a grave demeanour. The Three Cripples, or rather the Cripples: which was the sign by which the establishment wa^ familiarly known to its patrons : was the public-house in which Mr. Sikes and his dog have already figured. Merely making a sign to a man at the bar, Fagin walked straight up stairs, and opening the door of a room, and softly insinuating himself into the chamber, looked -anxiously about : shading his eyes with his hand, as if in search of some particular person. The room was illuminated by two gas-lights; the glare of which was prevented by the barred shutters, and closely- drawn curtains of faded red, from being visible outside. The ceiling wa>s blackened, to prevent its colour from being injured by the flaring of the lamps; and the place was so full of dense tobacco smoke, that at first it was scarcely possible to discern anything more. By degrees, however, as. some of it cleared away through the open door, an assemblage 228 OLI\ iVlST. of heads, os confused as loises that greeted the ear, might be made out; and as the eye grew more accustomed to the scene, the spectator gradually became aware of the presence of a numerous company, male and female, crowded round a long table : at the upper end of which, sat a chair- man with a hammer of office in his hand ; while a professional gentleman, with a bluish nose, and his face tied up for the benefit of a toothache, presided at a jingling piano in a remote corner. 3d softly in, the professional gentleman, ^s by way of prelude, occasioned a general ng ; which, having subsided, a young lady ':ain the company with a ballad in four i of which the accompanyist played the as loud as he could. When this was gave a sentiment, after which, the pro- ^n the chairman’s right and left volun- ng it, with great applause, observe some faces which stood out pro- ^ the group. There was the chairman I of the house,) a coarse, rough, heavy ongs were proceeding, rolled his Br, Beming to give himself up to for As Fagin , running over t cry of order fo proceeded to verses, betweei melody all th: over, the chai: fessional gentle teered a duet, . It was cimioi minently from himself, (the h built fellow, wh eyes hither and joviality, had an . for * nng that was done, and an ear for everything that was d sharp ones, too. Near him were the singers : receiving, professional indifference, the compliments of the compan) applying themselves, in turn, to a dozen proffered glas. spirits and water, tendered by their more boisterous an whose counte- nances, expressive of almost every vice in , every grade, irresistibly attracted the attention, by their epulsiveness. Cunning, ferocity, and drunkenness in all *:ages, were there, in their strongest aspects ; and womei. last lingering tinge of their early freshness « you looked : others with every mark and sta utterly beaten out, and presenting but one li with the %ding as cheir sex 3 blank FAGIN AMONG HIS DEVOTED SERVANTS. 229 of* profligacy and crime ; some mere girls, others but young women, and none past the prime of life ; formed the darkest and saddest portion of this dreary picture. Fagin, troubled by no grave emotions, looked eagerly from face to face while these proceedings were in progress; but apparently without meeting that oif which he was in search. Succeeding, at length, in catching the eye of the man who occupied the chair, he beckoned to him slightly, and left the room, as quietly as he had entered it. What can I do for you, Mr. Fagin ? **' inquired the man, as he followed him out to the landing. Won't you join us ? They'll be delighted, every one of 'em." The Jew shook his head impatiently, and said in a whisper, Is lie here ? " ‘‘No," replied the man. “ And no news of Barney ? " inquired Fagin. “None," replied the landlord of the Cripples; for it was he. “ He won't stir till it's all safe. Depend on it, they're on the scent down there; and that if he moved, he'd blow upon the thing at once. He's all right enough, Barney is, else I should have heard of him. I'll pound it, that Barney's managing properly. Let him alone for that." “Will he be here to-night.^" asked the Jew, laying the same emphasis on the pronoun as before. “ Monks, do you mean ? " inquired the landlord, hesitating. “ Hush ! " said the Jew. “ Yes." “Certain," replied the man, drawing a .gold watch from his fob ; “ I expected him here before now. If you'll wait ten minutes, he'll be " “No, no," said the Jew, hastily; as though, however desirous he might be to see the person in question, he was nevertheless relieved by his absence. “Tell him I came here to see him; and that he must come to me to-night. No, say to-morrow. As he is not here, to-morrow will be time enough." “ Good ! " said the man. “ Nothing more ? " 230 OLIVER TOIST. a word now,’’ said the Jew, descending the stairs. I say,’^ said the other, looking over the rails, and speaking in a hoarse whisper ; what a time this would be for a sell ! IVe got Phil Barker here : so drunk, that a boy might take him.’’ Aha ! But it’s not Phil Barker’s time,” said the Jew, looking up. ^^Phil has something more to do, before we can afford to part with him; so go back to the company, my dear, and tell them to lead merry lives — ivliile they last Ha! ha! ha!” The landlord reciprocated the old man’s laugh ; and returned to his guests. The Jew was no sooner alone, than his countenance resumed its former expression of anxiety and thought. After a brief reflection, he called a hack cabriolet, and bade the man drive towards Bethnal Green. He dismissed him within some quarter of a mile of Mr. Sikes’s residence, and performed the short remainder of the distance, on foot. Now,” muttered the Jew, as he knocked at the door, if there is any deep play here, I shall have it out of you, my girl, cunning as you are.” She was in her room, the woman said. Fagin crept softly up stairs, and entered it without any previous ceremony. The girl was alone ; lying with her head upon the table, and her hair straggling over it. ^•^She has been drinking,” thought the Jew, coolly, ‘‘or perhaps she is only miserable.” The old man turned to close the door, as he made this reflection; the noise thus occasioned, roused the girl. She eyed his crafty face narrowly, as she inquired whether there was any news, and as she listened to his recital of Toby Crackit’s story. W'hen it was concluded, she sank into her former attitude, but spoke not a word. She pushed the candle impatiently away ; and once or twice as she feverishly changed her position, shuffled her feet upon the ground ; but this was all. During the silence, the Jew looked restlessly about the room, as if to assure himself that there were no appearances of Sikes NANCY AND FAGIN. 231 having covertly ret irned. Apparently satisfied with his inspec- tion, he coughed tw ice or thrice, and made as many efforts to open a conversation ; but the girl heeded him no more than if he had been matle of stone. At length he made another attempt ; and rubbing his hands together, said^ in his most conciliatory tone, And where should you think Bill was now, my dear?'"’’ The girl moaned out some half intelligible reply, that she could not tell; and seemed, from the smothered noise that escaped her, to be crying. ^^And the boy, too,**" said the Jew, straining his eyes to catch a glimpse of her face. Poor leetle child ! Left in a ditch, Nance ; only think ! ^‘The child,’’’ said the girl, suddenly looking up, ^^is better where he is, than among us; and if no harm comes to Bill from it, I hope he lies dead in the ditch, and that his young bones may rot there.” ‘^What!” cried the Jew, in amazement. ^^Ay, I do,” returned the girl, meeting his gaze. shall be glad to have him away from my eyes, and to know that the worst is over. I can’t bear to have him about me. The sight of him turns me against myself, and all of you.” “Pooh!” said the Jew, scornfully. “You’re drunk.” “ Am I ? ” cried the girl, bitterly. “ It’s no fault of yours, if I am not ! You’d never have me anything else, if you had your win, except now ; — the humour doesn’t suit you, doesn’t k?” “No!” rejoined the Jew, furiously. “It does not.” “ Change it, then ! ” responded the girl, with a laugh. “Change it!” exclaimed the Jew, exasperated beyond all bounds by his companion’s unexpected obstinacy, and the vexation of^^le night, “I will change it! Listen to me, you drab. Listen to me, who with six words, can strangle Sikes as surely Bs if I had his bull’s throat between my fingers now. If he ccmes back, and leaves the boy behind him ; if he gets off free , and dead or alive, fails to restore him to me ; OLIVER TWIST. murder him yourself if you would hare^ him escape Jack Ketch. And do it the moment he sets in this room, or mind me, it will be too late ! What is all this ? cried the girl involuntarily. ^^What is it.^’*" pursued Fagin, mad /with rage. ‘‘When the boy’s worth hundreds of pounds to me, am I to lose what chance threw me in the way of getting safely, through the whims of a drunken gang that I could whistle away the lives of! And me bound, too, to a born devil that only wants the will, and has the power to, to ” Panting for breath, the old man stammered for a word; and in that instant checked the torrent of his wrath, and changed his whole demeanour. A moment before, his clenched hands had grasped the air ; his eyes had dilated ; and his face grown livid with passion ; but now, he shrunk into a chair, and, cowering together, trembled with the apprehension of having himself disclosed some hidden villany. After a short silence, he ventured to look round at his companion. He appeared somewhat reassured, on beholding her in the same listless attitude from which he had first roused her. “ Nancy, dear ! ” croaked the Jew, in his usual voice. “ Did you mind me, dear ? ” “ Don’t worry me now, Fagin 1 ” replied the girl, raising her head languidly. “ If . Bill has not done it this time, he will another. He has done many a good job for you, ^nd will do many more when he can ; and when he can’t he weii*’t ; so no more about that.” “Regarding this boy, my dear?” said the Jew, rubbing the palms of his hands nervously together. “The boy must take his chance witl liie resv,” interrupted Nancy, hastily; “and I say again, I hope is 'read, and out of harm’s way, and out of yours, — chat is Bij! comes to no harm. And if Toby got clear off, Bill s pretty suie to be safe; for Bill’s worth two of Tob} any t; rtu.’" “And about what I was saying, my deal ^ o served the Jew, keeping his glistening eye steadily ui on - FAGIN RETURNS HOME, 233 “ You must say it all over again, if it’s anything you want me to do,” rejoined Nancy; ‘‘and if it is, you had better wait till to-morrow. You put me up for a minute; but now I’m stupid again.” Fagin put several other questions : all with the same drift of ascertaining whether the girl had profited by his unguarded hints ; but, she answered them so readily, and was withal so utterly unmoved by his searching looks, that his original impression of her being more than a trifle in liquor, was confirmed. Nancy, indeed, was not exempt from a failing which was very common among the Jew’s female pupils ; and in which, in their tenderer years, they were rather encouraged than checked. Her disordered appearance, and a wholesale perfume of Geneva which pervaded the apartment, afforded strong confirmatory evidence of the justice of the Jew’s supposition ; and when, after indulging in the temporary display of violence above described, she subsided, first into dulness, and afterwards into a compound of feelings : under the influence of which she shed tears one minute, and in the next gave utterance to various exclamations of “Never say die !” and divers calculations as to what might be the amount of the odds so long as a lady or gentleman was happy, Mr. Fagin, who had had considerable experience of such matters in his time, saw, with great satisfaction, that she was very far gone indeed. Having eased his mind by this discovery; and having accomplished his twofold object of imparting to the girl what he had, that night, he J, and of ascertaining, with his own eyes, that Sikes had jRumed^ Mr. Fagin again turned his face homeward: lea J^his young friend asleep, with her head upon the table. It was within an hour of midnight. The weather being dark, and piercing cold, he had no great temptation to loiter. The sharp wind that scoured the streets, seemed to have cleared them of passengers, as of dust and mud, for few people were abroad, and they were to all appearance hastening fast 234 ^ OLIVER TWIST. home. It blew from the right quarter for the Jew, however, and straight before it he went : trembling, and shivering, as every fresh gust drove him rudely on his way. He had reached the corner of his own street, and was already fumbling in his pocket for the door-key, when a dark figure emerged from a projecting entrance which lay in deep shadow, and, crossing the road, glided up to him unperceived. Fagin ! whispered a voice close to his ear. Ah ! said the Jew, turning quickly round, is that ’’’’ “Yes!’’ interrupted the stranger. “I have been lingering here these two hours. Where the devil have you been ? ” “On your business, my dear,” replied the Jew, glancing uneasily at his companion, and slackening his pace as he spoke. “ On your business all night.” “ Oh, of course ! ” said the stranger, with a sneer, “ W ell ; and what’s come of it ? ” “ Nothing good,” said the Jew. “ Nothing bad, I hope ? ” said the stranger, stopping short, and turning a startled look on his companion. The Jew shook his head, and was about to reply, when the stranger, interrupting him, motioned to the house, before which they had by this time arrived : remarking, that he had better say what he had got to say, under cover : for his blood was chilled with standing about so long, and the wind blew through him. Fagin looked as if he could have willingly excused himself from taking home a visitor # hat unseasonable hour ; and, indeed, muttered something ai^t having ifo fire; but his companion repeating his request^n a peremptory manner, he unlocked the door, and requested him to close it softly, w^hile he got a light. “ It’s as dark as the grave,” said the man, groping forward a few steps. “ Make haste ! ” “ Shut the door,” whispered Fagin from the end of. the passage. As he spoke, it closed with a loud noise. MONKS. 235 “That wasn't my doing,'' said the other man, feeling his way. “ The wind blew it to, or it shut of its own accord : one or the other. Look sharp with the light, or I shall knock my brains out against something in this confounded hole." Fagin stealthily descended the kitchen stairs. After a short absence, he returned with a lighted candle, and the intelligence that Toby Crackit was asleep in the back room below, and that the boys were in the front one. Beckoning the man to follow him, he led the way up stairs. “We can say the few words we've got to say in here, my dear," said the Jew, throwing open a door on the first floor; “and as there are holes in the shutters, and we never show lights to our neighbours, we'll set the candle on the stairs. There!" With those words, the Jew, stooping down, placed the candle on an upper flight of stairs, exactly opposite to the room door. This done, he led the way. into the apartment ; which was destitute of all moveables save a broken arm- chair, and an old couch or sofa without covering, which stood behind the door. Upon this piece of furniture, the stranger sat himself with the air of a weary man ; and the Jew, drawing up the arm-chair opposite, they sat face to face. It was not quite dark ; the door was partially open ; and the candle outside, threw a feeble reflection on the opposite wall. They conversed for some time in whispers. Though nothing of the conversation was distinguishable beyond a few disjointed words here and there, a listener might easily have perceived that Fagin appeared to be defending himself against some remarks of the stranger ; and that the latter was in a state of considerable irritation. They might have been talking, thus, for a quarter of an hour or more, when Monks — by which name the Jew had designated the strange man several times in the course of their colloquy — said, raising his voice a little, 236 OLIVER TWIST. ^^I tell you again, it was badly planned. Why not have kept him here among the rest, and made a sneaking, snivelling pickpocket of him at once ? Only hear him ! ’’ exclaimed the Jew, shrugging his shoulders. ‘^Why, do you mean to say you couldn’t have done it, if you had chosen ? ” demanded Monks, sternly. Haven’t you done it, with other boys, scores of times? If you had had patience for a twelvemonth, at most, couldn’t you have got ^^lim convicted, and sent safely out of the kingdom ; perhaps for life?” “ Whose turn would that have served, my dear ? ” inquired the Jew humbly. ^^Mine,” replied Monks. ‘‘But not mine,” said the Jew, submissively. “He might have become of use to me. When there are two parties to a bargain, it is only reasonable that the interests of both should be consulted ; is it, my good friend ? ” “ What then ? ” demanded Monks. “I saw it was not easy to train him to the business,” replied the Jew; “he was not like other boys in the same circumstances.” “ Curse him, no ! ” muttered the man, “ or he w ould have, been a thief, long ago.”* “I had no hold upon him to make him worse,” pursued the Jew, anxiously watching the countenance of his companion. “ His hand was not in. I had nothing to frighten him with ; which we always must have in the beginning, or we labour in vain. What could I do ? Send him out with the Dodger and Charley ? W e had enough of that, at first, my dear ; I trembled for us all.” . “ That was not my doing,” observed Monks. “ No, no, my dear ! ” renewed the Jew. “ And I don’t quaiTel with it now ; because, if it had never happened, you might never have clapped eyes upon the boy to notice him, and so led to the discovery that it was him you rere looking A FANCY OR A GHOST? 237 for. Well ! I got him back for you by means of the girl ; and then she begins to favour him."’ Throttle the girl ! ” said Monks, impatiently. ‘‘Why, we can’t afford to do that just now, my dear,” replied the Jew, smiling; “and, besides, that sort of thing is not in our way; or, one of these days, I might be glad to have it done. I know what these girls are. Monks, well. As soon as the boy begins to harden, she’ll care no more for him, than for a block of wood. You want him made a thief. If he is alive, I can make him one from this time; and if — if — ” said the Jew, drawing nearer to the other, — “it’s not likely, mind, — but if the worst comes to the worst, and he is dead — ” “ It’s no fault of mine if he is ! ” interposed the other man, with a look of terror, and clasping the Jew’s arm with trembling hands. “ Mind that, Fagin ! I had no hand in it. Anything but his death, I told you from the first. I won’t shed blood ; it’s always found out, and haunts a man besides. If they shot him dead, I was not the cause ; do you hear me ? Fire this infernal den ! What’s that ? ” “What!” cried the Jew, grasping the coward round the body, with both arms, as he sprung to his feet. “ Where ? ” “ Yonder ! ” replied the man, glaring at the opposite wall. “ The shadow ! I saw the shadow of a woman, in a cloak and bonnet, pass along the wainscot like a breath ! ” The Jew released his hold, and they rushed tumultuously from the room. The candle, wasted by the draught, was standing where it had been placed. It showed them only the empty staircase, and their own white faces. They listened intently : a profound silence reigned throughout the house. “ It’s your fancy,” said the Jew, taking up the light and turning to his companion. “ I’ll swear I saw it ! ” replied Monks, trembling. “ It was bending forward when I saw it first; and when I spoke, it darted away.” OLIVER TW^IST. 238 The Jew glanced contemptuously at the pale face of his associate, and, telling him he could follow, if he pleased, ascended the stairs. They looked into all the rooms ; they were cold, bare, and empty. They descended into the passage, and thence into the cellars below. The green damp hung upon the low walls; the tracks of the snail and slug glistened in the light of the candle; but all was still as death. What do you think now ? ^ said the Jew, when they had regained the passage. ‘‘ Besides ourselves, there’s not a creature in the house except Toby and the boys ; and they’re safe enough. See here ! ” As a proof of the fact, the Jew drew forth two keys from his pocket; and explained, that when he first went down stairs, he had locked them in, to prevent any intrusion on the conference. This accumulated testimony eflPectually staggered Mr. Monks. His protestations had gradually become less and less vehement as they proceeded in their search without making any dis- covery; and, now, he gave vent to several very grim laughs, and confessed it could only have been his excited imagination. He declined any renewal of the conversation, however, for that night : suddenly remembering that it was past one o’clock. And so the amiable couple parted. CHAPTER XXVII. ATONES FOR THE UNPOLITENESS OF A FORMER CHAPTER ; WHICH DESERTED A LADY, MOST UNCEREMONIOUSLY. As it would be, by no means, seemly in a humble author to keep so mighty a personage as a beadle waiting, with his back to the fire, and the skirts of his coat gathered up under his arms, until such time as it might suit his pleasure to relieve him ; and as it would still less become his station, or his gallantry to involve in the same neglect a lady on whom that beadle had looked with an eye of tenderness and alFection, and in whose ear he had whispered sweet words, which, coming from such a quarter, might well thrill the bosom of maid or matron of whatsoever degree; the historian whose pen traces these words — trusting that he knows his place, and that he entertains a becoming reverence for those upr earth to whom high and important authority is delee* hastens to pay them that respect which their position and to treat them with all that duteous ceremon’^ exalted rank, and (by consequence) great virtu claim at his hands. Towards this end, indeed, " to introduce, in this place, a dissertation tc right of beadles, and elucidative of the posi can do no wrong : which could not fail pleasurable and profitable to the right-r which he is ui^ifortunately compelled, by space, to postpone to some more com 240 OLIVER TWIST. [Opportunity; on the arrival of which,! he will be prepared to show, that a beadle properly constituted : that is to say, a parochial beadle, attached to a parochial workhouse, and attending in his official capacity the parochial church : is, in right and virtue of his office, possessed of all the excellences and best qualities of humanity; and that to none of those excellences, can mere companies'^ beadles, or court-of-law beadles, or even chapel-of-ease beadles (save the last, and they in a very lowly and inferior degree), lay the remotest sustainable claim. Mr. Bumble had re-counted the tea-spoons, re-weighed the sugar-tongs, made a closer inspection of the milk-pot, and ascertained to a nicety the exact condition of the furniture, down to the very horse-hair seats of the chairs; and had repeated each process full half-a-dozen times ; before he began to think that it was time for Mrs. Corney to return. Thinking begets thinking; as there were no sounds of Mrs. Corney's approach, it occurred to Mr. Bumble that it would be an innocent and virtuous way of spending the time, if he were further to allay his curiosity by a cursory glance ''t the interior pf Mrs. Corney'^s chest of drawers. Having listened at the keyhole, to i himself that nobody was approaching the chamber, Mr. le, beginning at the bottom, proceeded to make himst uainted with *^he contents of the three long drawers : . being filled various garments of good fashion an< re, carefully ^ between two layers of old ne rs, speckled vender : seemed to yield him < ng satisfac- in course of time, at the land corner h was the key), and b ^ therein a Sox, which, being shat ^e forth a of the chinking of [r. Bumble ely walk to the firep] 1, resuming , with a grave and d i air, ‘^ril d up this remarkah ration, by a waggish manner f linutes, as MRS. CORNEY IN DISTRESS. though he were remonstrating with himself for being such a pleasant dog ; and then, he took a view of his legs in profile, with much seeming pleasure and interest. He was still placidly engaged in this latter survey, when Mrs. Corney, hurrying into the room, threw herself, in a breathless state, on a chair by the fireside, and covering her eyes with one hand, placed the other over her heart, and gasped for breathy Mrs. Corney ,^said Mr. Bumble, stooping over the matron, \ what is this, ma’am ? Has an^hing happened, ma’am ? ^ Pray answer me ; I’m on — on- — ” (Mr. Bumble, in his alarm, could not immediately think of the word tenter-hooks,” so he said r broken bottles.” , Mr. Bumble ! ” | cried the lady) I have been so dreadfully put out ! ” ^ ^ Put out, ma’am ! ” exclaimed Mr. Bumble ; “ who has dared to — ? I know ! ” (^aid Mr. Bumble, checking himself, with native majesty^^ this is them wicious paupers!” “ It’s dreadful to think of ! ” said the lady, shuddering. ^^Then cloii’t think of it, ma’am,” rejoined Mr. Bumble. I can’t help it,” whimpered the lady. Then take something, ma’am,” said Mr. Bumble soothingly. “A little of the wine.^” ‘‘ Not for the world ! ” replied Mrs. Corney. I couldn’t, — oh ! The top shelf in the right-hand corner — oh !” ^Uttering these words, the good lady pointed, distractedly, to the cupboard, and underwent a convulsion from internal spasms.^ Mr. Bumble rushed to the closet; and, snatching a pint green-glass bottle from the shelf thus incoherently indicated, filled a tea-cup with its contents, and held it to the lady’s lips. ^^I’m better now,” said Mrs. Corney, falling back, after drinking half of it. Mr. Bumble raised his eyes piously to the ceiling in thank- fulness; and, bringing them 4pwn again to the brim of the cup, lifted it to bis nose. R 2 OLIVER TWIST. Peppermintv exclaimed Mrs. Corney, in a faint voice, smiling gently on the beadle as she spoke.y “Try it! There’s a little — a little something else in it.” Mr. Bumble tasted the medicine with a doubtful look ; smacked his lips; took another taste ; and put the cup down empty. ‘^It’s very comforting,” said Mrs. Corney. “Very much so indeed, ma’am, said the beadle. As he spoke, he drew a chair beside the matron, and tenderly inquired what had happened to distress her. “ Notliing,” replied Mrs. Corney. “ I am a foolish, excitable, weak creetur.” , " “Not weak, ma’am,” (retorted Mr. Bumble, drawing his chair a little closer. “ Are you a weak creetur, Mrs. Corney?” “We are all weak creeturs,” said Mrs. Corney, laying down a general principle. ^ “So we are,” said the beadle. • Nothing was said, on either side, for a minute or two afterwards. By the expiration of that time, Mr. Bumble had illustrated the position by removing his left arm from the back of Mrs. Corney’s chair, where it had previously rested, to Mrs. Corney’s apron-string, round which it gradually became entwined. “ We are all weak creeturs,” said Mr. Bumble. Mrs. Corney sighed. “Don’t sigh, Mrs. Corney,” said Mr. Bumble. “I can’t help it,” said Mrs. Corney. And she sighed again. . “ This is a very comfortable room, ma’am,” said Mr. Bumble, looking round. “Another room, and this, ma’am, would be a complete thing.” “It would be too much for one,” murmured the lady. J “But not for two, ma’am,” ^Tejoined Mr. Bumble, in soft accents. ; “ Eh, Mrs. Corney ? ” Mrs. Corney drooped her head, when the beadle said this; the beadle drooped his, to get a view of Mrs. Corney’s face. BUMBLE PROPOSES. Mrs. Coriiey, with great propriety, turned her head a.». and released her hand to get at her pocket-handkerchiex , but insensibly rej^laced it in that of Mr. Bumble. ‘‘The board allow you coals, donT they, Mrs. Corney?"’ inquired the beadle, affectionately pressing her hand. “ And candles,"^ replied Mrs. Corney, slightly returning the pressure. ^ “Coals, candles, and house-rent free,"’ said Mr. Bumble. “ Oh, Mrs. Corney, what a Angel you are P’* The lady was not proof against this burst of feeling. She sank into Mr. Bumble’s arms ; and that gentleman in his agitation, imprinted a passionate kiss upon her chaste nose. “ Such porochial perfection ! ” exclaimed Mr. Bumble^ rapturously. “You know that Mr. Slout is worse to-night, my fascinator.^” “Yes,” replied Mrs. Corney, bashfully. “He can’t live a week, the doctor says,” pursued Mr. Bumble. “ He is the master of this establishment ; his death will cause a wacancy : that wacancy must be filled up. Oh, Mrs. Corney, what a prospect this opens ! What a opportu- nity for a jining of hearts and housekeepings ! ” Mrs. Corney sobbed. “ The little word ? ” said Mr. Bumble, bending over the bashful beauty. “The one little, little, little word, my blessed Corney ? ” “Ye — ye — ^yes!” sighed out the matron. “One more,” pursued the beadle; “compose your darling feelings for only one more. When is it to come off.^^” Mrs. Corney twice essayed to speak : and twice failed. At length summoning up courage, she threw her arms round Mr. Bumble’s neck, and said, it might be as soon as ever he pleased, and that he was “a irresistible duck.” Matters being thus amicably and satisfactorily arrAiged, the contract was solemnly ratified in another teacupful of the peppermint mixture ; which was rendered the more necessary, by the flutter and agitation of the lady’s spirits. OLIVER TWIST. ile it was being disposed of, she acquainted Mr. Bumble ith the old woman’s decease. ^Wery good,” said that gentleman, sipping his peppermint; ‘‘ ril call at Sowerberry’s as I go home, and tell him to send to-morrow morning. Was it that as frightened you, love.^” It wasn’t anything particular, dear,” said the lady, evasively. ^^It must have been something, love,” urged Mr. Bumble. Won’t you tell your own B. ? ” “Not now,” rejoined the lady; “one of these days. After we’re married, dear.” “ After we’re married ! ” exclaimed Mr. Bumble. “ It wasn’t any impudence from any of them male paupers as ” “ No, no, love ! ” interposed the lady, hastily. “ If I thought it was,” continued Mr. Bumble ; “ if I thought as any one of ’em had dared to lift his voilgar eyes to that lovely countenance ” “They wouldn’t have dared to do it, love,” responded the lady. “ They had better not ! ” said Mr. Bumble, clenching his fist. “Let me see any man, porochial or extra-porochial, as would presume to do it ; and I can tell him that he wouldn^t do it a second time ! ” Unembellished by any violence of gesticulation, this might have seemed no very high compliment to the lady’s charms; but, as Mr. Bumble accompanied the threat with many warlike gestures, she was much touched with this proof of his devotion, and protested, with great admiration, that he was indeed a dove. The dove then turned up his coat-collar, and put on his cocked-hat; and, having exchanged a long and affectionate embrace with his future partner, once again braved the cold wind of the night : merely pausing, for a few minutes, in the male {)aupers’ ward, to abuse them a little, with the view of satisfying himself that he could fill the office of workhouse- master with needful acerbity. Assured of his qualifications, Mr. Bumble left the building with a light heart, and bright BUMBLE SCANDALIZED. visions of his future promotion : which served to occupy hi. mind until he reached the shop of the undertaker. Now, Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry having gone out to tea and supper ; and Noah Claypole not being at any time disposed to take upon himself a greater amount of physical exertion than is necessary to a convenient performance of the two functions of eating and drinking, the shop was not closed, although it was past the usual hour of shutting-up, Mr. Bumble tapped with his cane on the counter several times ; but, attracting no attention, and beholding a light shining through the glass- window of the little parlour at the back of the shop, he made bold to peep in and see what was going forward; and when he saw what was going forward, he was not a little surprised. The cloth was laid for supper; the table was covered with bread and butter, plates and glasses; a porter-pot and a wine-bottle. At the upper end of the table, Mr. Noah Claypole lolled negligently in an easy-chair, with his legs thrown over one of the arms : an open clasp-knife in one hand, and a mass of buttered bread in the other. Close beside him stood Charlotte, opening oysters from a barrel : which Mr. Claypole condescended to swallow, with remarkable avidity. A more than ordinary redness in the region of the young ^entlemarfs nose, and a kind of fixed wink in his right eye, denoted that he was in a slight degree intoxicated ; these symptoms were confirmed by the intense relish with which he took his oysters, for which nothing but a strong appreciation of their cooling properties, in cases of internal fever, could have sufficiently accounted. “ Here’s a delicious fat one, Noah, dear ! ” said Charlotte ; ‘Hry him, do; only this one.” What a delicious thing is a oyster ! ” remarked Mr. Clay- pole, after he had swallowed it. What a pity it is, a number of ’em should ever make you feel uncomfortable; isn’t it, Charlotte ” It’s quite a cruelty,” said Charlotte. a OLIVER TWIST. “So it is,*” acquiesced Mr. Claypole. “A"nt yer fond of oysters ? “Not overmuch,*” replied Charlotte. “I like to see you eat ’em, Noah dear, better than eating ’em myself.” “ Lor’ ! ” said Noah, reflectively ; “ how queer ! ” “ Have another,” said Charlotte. “ Here’s one with such a beautiful, delicate beard ! ” “I can’t manage any more,” said Noah. “I’m very sorry. Come here, Charlotte, and I’ll kiss yer.” “ What ! ” said Mr. Bumble, bursting into the room. “Say that again, sir.” Charlotte uttered a scream, and hid her face in her apron. Mr. Claypole, without making any further change in his ])osition than suffering his legs to reach the ground, gazed at the beadle in drunken terror. “ Say it again, you wile, owdacious fellow ! ” said Mr. Bumble. “How dare you mention such a thing, sir? And how dare you encourage him, you insolent minx ? Kiss her ! ” exclaimed Mr. Bumble, in strong indignation. “ Faugh ! ” “ I didn’t mean to do it ! ” said Noah, blubbering. “ She’s always a-kissing of me, whether I like it, or not.” “Oh, Noah,” cried Charlotte, reproachfully. “Yer are; yer know yer are!” retorted Noah. “She’s always a-doin of it. Mr. Bumble, sir; she chucks me under the chin, please, sir ; and makes all manner of love ! ” “ Silence ! ” cried Mr. Bumble, sternly. “ Take yourself down stairs, ma’am. Noah, you shut up the shop ; say another word till your master comes home, at your peril; and, when he does come home, tell him that Mr. Bumble said he was to send a old woman’s shell after breakfast to- morrow morning. Do you hear, sir ? Kissing ! ” cried Mr. Bumble, holding up his hands. “The sin and wickedness of the lower orders in this porochial district is frightful ! If parliament don’t take their abominable courses under consideration, this country’s ruined, and the character of the peasantry gone for ever!” With these words, the beadle. 4 BUMBLE LEAVES THE UNDERTAKER’S. 247 strode, with a lofty and gloomy air, from the undertaker’s premises. And now that we have accompanied him so far on his road home, and have made all necessary preparations for the old woman’s funeral, let us set on foot a few inquiries after young Oliver Twist, and ascertain whether he be still lying in the ditch where Toby Crackit left him. CHAPITER XXVIIL LOOKS AFfER OLIVER, AND PROCEEDS WITH HIS ADVENTURES. ^‘Wolves tear your throats!’’ muttered Sikes, grinding his teeth. “ I wish I was among some of you ; you’d howl the hoarser for it.” As Sikes growled forth this imprecation, with the most desperate ferocity that his desperate nature was capable of, he rested the body of the wounded boy across his bended knee; and turned his head, for an instant, to look back at his pursuers. There was little to be made out, in the mist and darkness ; but the loud shouting of men vibrated through the air, and the barking of the neighbouring dogs, roused by the sound of the alarm bell, resounded in every direction. Stop, you white-livered hound ! ” cried the robber, shouting after Toby Crackit, who, making the best use of his long legs, was already ahead. “ Stop ! ” The repetition of the word, brought Toby to a dead stand- still. For he was not quite satisfied that he was beyond the range of pistol-shot; and Sikes was in no mood to be played with. “ Bear a hand with the boy,” cried Sikes, beckoning furiously to his confederate. Come back ! ” Toby made a show of returning; but ventured, in a low voice, broken for want of breath, to intimate considerable reluctance as he came slowly along. Quicker ! ” cried Sikes, laying the boy in a dry ditch at FLIGHT OF THE BURGLARS. fe^e booty , drawing a pistol from his pocket. ^M)on"t pliJ At Jookino'j^^^ moment the noise grew louder. Sikes, again chase w? could discern that the men who had given be stoolP^^ already climbing the gate of the field iri which advaj«aff^ ; and that a couple of dogs were some paces in ice of them. “It"s all up, Bill!"*' cried Toby; ‘‘drop the kid, and show "’em your heels."’ With this parting advice, Mr. Crackit, preferring the chance of being shot by his friend, to the certainty of being taken by his enemies, fairly turned tail, and darted off at full speed. Sikes clenched his teeth ; took one look around ; threw over the prostrate form of Oliver, the cape in which he had been hurriedly muffled; ran along the front of the hedge, as if to distract the attention of those behind, from the spot where the boy lay; paused, for a second, before another hedge which met it at right angles ; and whirling his pistol high into the air, cleared it at a bound, and was gone. “ Ho, ho, there ! ” cried a tremulous voice in the rear “ Fincher ! Neptune ! Come here, come here ! ” The dogs, who, in common with their masters, seemed to have no particular relish for the sport in which they were engaged, readily answered to the command. Three men, who had by this time advanced some distance into the field, stopped to take counsel together. “My advice, or, leastways, I should say, my orders^ is,” said the fattest man of the party, “that we "mediately go home again."" “I am agreeable to anything which is agreeable 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. “I shouldn"t wish to appear ill-mannered, gentlemen,"" said the third, who had called the dogs back, “Mr. Giles ought to know."" OLIVER TWIST. Certainly,*’*' replied the shorter man ; and whatver Mr. Giles says, it isn'^t our place to contradict him. no, I know my sitiwation ! Thank my stars, I know my sitivation.*” To tell the tmth, the little man did seem to kiow his situation, and to know perfectly well that it wasi by no means a desirable one ; for his teeth chattered in his head as he spoke. ^‘You are afraid, Brittles,*^*’ said Mr. Giles. ^‘^I a*’n*’t,*’*’ said Brittles. You are,*” said Giles. ^‘YouVe a falsehood, Mr. Giles,^ said Brittles. YouVe a lie, Brittles,’’*’ said Mr. Giles. Now, these four retorts arose from Mr. Giles’s taunt; and Mr. Giles'’s taunt had arisen from his indignation at having the responsibility of going home again, imposed upon himself under cover of a compliment. The third man brought the dispute to a close, most philosophically. ril tell you what it is, gentlemen,’’’ said he, we’re all afraid.” Speak for yourself, sir,” said Mr. Giles, who was the palest of the party. ‘^So I do,” replied the man. ‘^It’s natural and proper to be afraid, under such circumstances. I am.” ^‘So am I,” said Brittles; ^^only there’s no call to tell a man he is, so bounceably.” These frank admissions softened Mr. Giles, who at once owned that he was afraid ; upon which, they all three faced about, and ran back again with the completest unanimity, until Mr. Giles (who had the shortest wind of the party, and was encumbered with a pitchfork) most handsomely insisted on stopping, to make an apology for his hastiness of speech. But it’s wonderful,” said Mr. Giles, when he had explained, what a man will do, when his blood is up. I should have committed murder — I know I should — if we’d caught one of them rascals.” AN ENCOUAGING conversation. 251 As the other two Veixi impressed with a similar presenti- ment ; and as their bh^d, like his, had all gone down again ; some speculation ensue( upon the cause of this sudden change in their temperament. I know what it wah7 said Mr. Giles ; it was the gate. I shouldn’t wonder i' it was,” exclaimed Brittles, catching at the idea. ♦ “You may depend u)on, it,” said Giles, “that that gate stopped the flow ofxthe excitement. I felt all mine suddenly going away, as I wasf'vclin.bing over it.” By a remarkable coincid:;nc^, the other two had been visited with the same unpleasant .",ensation at that precise moment. It was quite obvious, therefcre, that it was the gate ; especially as there was no doubt regarding the time at which the change had taken place, because hll three , remembered that they had come in sight of the robbers at .the instant of its occurrence. This dialogue was held between the two men who had surprised the burglars, and a trs^velling tinker who had been sleeping in an outhouse, and-w^ho had been roused, together with his two mongrel curs, to jqm in the pursuit. Mr. Giles acted in the double capacity of butoer and steward to the old lady of the mansion ; Brittles was\ a lad of all-work : who, having entered her service a mere Vhild, was treated as a promising young boy still, though, l\e ^vas something past thirty. ♦ Encouraging each other with such col^erse as this; but, keeping very close together, notwithstanoSlm^? ^i^d looking apprehensively round, whenever a fresh gu^t through the boughs; the three men hurried back beMnd which they had left their lantern, lest its light §t^hld inform the thieves in what direction to fire. Catching UW febf? they made the best of their way home, at a good mpund ^rot; and long after their dusky forms had ceased to be ^iscerhible, the light might have been seen twinkling and danciwg distance, like some exhalation of the damp ahd^%Si^^^^^y atmosphere through which it was swiftly borne. must suw His keep drunkea r head onwara, 14 OLIVER TWIS^' The air grew colder, as day came sli^'^lv on ; and the mist rolled along the ground like a densel^loud of smoke. The grass was wet ; the pathways, and loi^ places, were all mire and water ; the damp breath of an ifcH ^p lesome wind went languidly by, with a hollow Oliver lay motionless and insensible on the sj^t wl^re Sikes had left him. Morning drew on apace. Thc^^ bfe^ne more sharp and piercing, as its first dull hue — ^the^ de^fh of night, rather than the birth of day — ^glimnm*ed htW^tly in the sky. The objects which had looked dii^^and terrible in the darkness, grew more and more defined, and gradually resolved into their familiar shapes. The rain iamer deWn, thick and fast, and pattered noisily among th^-leafes'^bushes. But, Oliver felt it not, as it beat against, himi^ w he still lay stretched, helpless and unconscious, dn hi^' l^d of clay. At length, a low cry of pi|^n broke the stillness that prevailed ; and uttering it^^ tih^ boy awoke. His left arm, rudely bandaged in a shawl^' tong heavy and useless at his side : the bandage w§s saf/jl^ted with blood. He was so weak, that he coukf scan^ely raise himself into a sitting posture; when he l^d (ilo^ so, he looked feebly round for help, and groaned