Oliver Twist 2

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REWARD
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the
Oliver Twist
Charles Dickens
NOW
Dickens,C
Prisive this leaf
Honey Swords
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Lath
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78
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OLIVER TWIST .
12
18
BY
CHARLES DICKENS ,
Tex
( BOZ , )
AUTHOR OF
" PICKWICK PAPERS," " NICHOLAS NICKLEBY,"
"SKETCHES OF EVERY-DAY LIFE,"
&c. &c. &c.
PHILADELPHIA :
LEA & BLANCHARD ,

SUCCESSORS TO CAREY & CO.
1839.
154
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
94376B
ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
1940 L
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
OLIVER ASKING FOR MORE .. Page 19

OLIVER ESCAPES BEING BOUND APPRENTICE TO THE SWEEP.. ..... 23
OLIVER PLUCKS UP A SPIRIT ....... 33
OLIVER INTRODUCED TO THE RESPECTABLE OLD GENTLEMAN . 40
OLIVER AMAZED AT THE DODGER'S MODE OF " GOING TO WORK.” ………………… 44
OLIVER RECOVERING FROM THE FEVER ...... 51
རིི ➢R ཚ
OLIVER CLAIMED BY HIS AFFECTIONATE FRIENDS.... 65
OLIVER'S RECEPTION BY FAGIN AND THE BOYS ....... 67
MASTER BATES EXPLAINS A PROFESSIONAL TECHNICALITY…………. 75
THE BURGLARY ..
MR. BUMBLE AND MRS. CORNEY TAKING TEA ...... 94
MR. CLAYPOLE AS HE APPEARED WHEN HIS MASTER WAS OUT......... 109
OLIVER TWIST AT MRS. MAYLIE'S DOOR...... 113
OLIVER WAITED ON BY THE BOW-STREET RUNNERS ... 122
MONKS AND THE JEW ...
...... 136
MR. BUMBLE DEGRADED IN THE EYES OF THE PAUPERS .. . 143
THE EVIDENCE DESTROYED ...... ..... 149
MR. FAGIN AND HIS PUPILS RECOVERING NANCY ......... 151
THE JEW AND MORRIS BOLTER BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER . 168
THE MEETING...... 180
SIKES ATTEMPTING TO DESTROY HIS DOG ……...... 190
THE LAST CHANCE ....... 200
FAGIN IN THE CONDEMNED CELL ………. 208
ROSE MAYLIE AND OLIVER 211
( 2)
CONTENTS.
BOOK THE FIRST .

CHAPTER THE FIRST CHAPTER THE TWELFTH,
Treats of the place where Oliver Twist In which Oliver is taken better care of than
was born, and of the circumstances at- he ever was before, with some particulars
tending his Birth .............. Page 13 concerning a certain picture .......... 49
CHAPTER THE SECOND CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH
Treats of Oliver Twist's Growth, Educa-
tion, and Board .................... 14 Reverts to the merry old gentleman and his
youthful friends, through whom a new
CHAPTER THE THIRD acquaintance is introduced to the intelli-
Relates how Oliver was very near getting gent reader, and connected with whom
a place, which would not have been a various pleasant matters are related ap-
sinecure ........ 19
pertaining to this history .............. 52
CHAPTER THE FOURTH.
Oliver, being offered another place, makes CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH,
his first entry into public life ......... 23 Comprising further particulars of Oliver's
stay at Mr. Brownlow's, with the remark-
CHAPTER THE FIFTH. able prediction which one Mr. Grimwig
Oliver mingles with new associates, and, uttered concerning him, when he went
going to a funeral for the first time, forms out on an errand 57
an unfavourable notion of his master's
business 26 CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH.
CHAPTER THE SIXTH. Showing how very fond of Oliver Twist,
Oliver, being goaded by the taunts of Noah, the merry old Jew and Miss Nancy were 62
rouses into action, and rather astonishes CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH
him 31
Relates what became of Oliver Twist, after
CHAPTER THE SEVENTH. he had been claimed by Nancy ........ 65
Oliver continues refractory 33
CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH.
CHAPTER THE EIGHTH.
Oliver's destiny continuing unpropitious,
Oliver walks to London, and encounters on
brings a great man to London to injure
the road a strange sort of young gentle- his reputation ...... 69
man ............ 36
CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH.
CHAPTER THE NINTH.
How Oliver passed his time in the improv-
Containing further particulars concerning
ing society of his reputable friends .... 74
the pleasant old gentleman and his hope-
ful pupils ........... 40 CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH,
CHAPTER THE TENTH. In which a notable plan is discussed and
Oliver becomes better acquainted with the determined on 78
characters of his new associates, and pur- CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH,
chases experience at a high price. Being Wherein Oliver is delivered over to Mr.
a short but very important chapter in this William Sikes ..................... 82
history ........ 43
CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST.
The expedition ....... 86
Treats of Mr. Fang, the police magistrate,
and furnishes a slight specimen of his CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SECOND.
mode of administering justice ......... 45 The Burglary 88
BOOK THE SECOND.
CHAPTER THE FIRST, CHAPTER THE SECOND

Which contains the substance of a plea- Treats of a very poor'subject, but is a short
9 sant conversation between Mr. Bumble one, and may be found of importance in
and a lady ; and shows that even a bea- • this history ...... 95
dle may be susceptible on some points • 92
11
ASXIL
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Presives this leaf
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Honey S .
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Swords
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OLIVER
2 -1 TWIST .
1
18 .
BY
CHARLES DICKENS ,
( BOZ , )
AUTHOR OF
" SKETCHES OF EVERY-DAY LIFE,"
&c. &c. &c.
PHILADELPHIA :
LEA & BLANCHARD ,

1839 .
KL
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
94376B
ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
1940 L
OLIVER ASKING FOR MORE . Page 19

OLIVER ESCAPES BEING BOUND APPRENTICE TO THE SWEEP... ... 23
OLIVER PLUCKS UP A SPIRIT ....... 33
OLIVER INTRODUCED TO THE RESPECTABLE OLD GENTLEMAN .......... 40
OLIVER AMAZED AT THE DODGER'S MODE OF " GOING TO WORK.” . 44
OLIVER RECOVERING FROM THE FEVER ....... ...... 51
OLIVER CLAIMED BY HIS AFFECTIONATE FRIENDS .... 65
OLIVER'S RECEPTION BY FAGIN AND THE BOYS ... 67
MASTER BATES EXPLAINS A PROFESSIONAL TECHNICALITY……... 75
THE BURGLARY …………………. 91
MR. BUMBLE AND MRS. CORNEY TAKING TEA ...... 94
MR. CLAYPOLE AS HE APPEARED WHEN HIS MASTER WAS OUT……….. 109
OLIVER TWIST AT MRS. MAYLIE'S DOOR.... 113
OLIVER WAITED ON BY THE BOW-STREET RUNNERS …….. 122
MONKS AND THE JEW ...... 136
MR. BUMBLE DEGRADED IN THE EYES OF THE PAUPERS …………………. 143
THE EVIDENCE DESTROYED 149
MR. FAGIN AND HIS PUPILS RECOVERING NANCY ... ...... 151
THE MEETING .... 180
SIKES ATTEMPTING TO DESTROY HIS DOG...... 190
THE LAST CHANCE ....... ... 200
FAGIN IN THE CONDEMNED CELL ... 208
ROSE MAYLIE AND OLIVER 211
(2)
CONTENTS .
BOOK THE FIRST .

tending his Birth ............... Page 13 concerning a certain picture .......... 49
CHAPTER THE SECOND
CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH
tion, and Board 14 Reverts to the merry old gentleman and his
CHAPTER THE THIRD youthful friends, through whom a new
Relates how Oliver was very near getting acquaintance is introduced to the intelli-
gent reader, and connected with whom
sinecure 19
32
pertaining to this history .......... 52
CHAPTER THE FOURTH.
Oliver, being offered another place, makes CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH ,
his first entry into public life ......... 23 Comprising further particulars of Oliver's
CHAPTER THE FIFTH. stay at Mr. Brownlow's, with the remark-
Oliver mingles with new associates, and, able prediction which one Mr. Grimwig
uttered concerning him, when he went
going to a funeral for the first time, forms out on an errand ........... 57
business ............ 26 CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH.
him ........ 31 Relates what became of Oliver Twist, after
CHAPTER THE EIGHTH. CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH.
Oliver walks to London, and encounters on Oliver's destiny continuing unpropitious,
the road a strange sort of young gentle- brings a great man to London to injure
man ........ his reputation ........ 69
36
CHAPTER THE NINTH. CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH.
Containing further particulars concerning How Oliver passed his time in the improv-
the pleasant old gentleman and his hope- ing society of his reputable friends .... 74
ful pupils 40 CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH ,
Oliver becomes better acquainted with the determined on ........ 78
characters of his new associates, and pur-
CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH,
a short but very important chapter in this William Sikes 82
history 43
Treats of Mr. Fang, the police magistrate, The expedition ........ 86
mode of administering justice ......... 45 The Burglary 88 •
BOOK THE SECOND .

• sant conversation between Mr. Bumble
one, and may be found of importance in
and a lady ; and shows that even a bea- • this history ...... 95
dle may be susceptible on some points 92
11
CJ
xii CONTENTS .
CHAPTER THE THIRD, CHAPTER THE TENTH,

Wherein this history reverts to Mr. Fagin Wherein the happiness of Oliver and his
and company 97 friends experiences a sudden check 128
CHAPTER THE FOURTH, CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH
In which a mysterious character appears Contains some introductory particulars rela-
upon the scene, and many things insepar- tive to a young gentleman who now
able from this history are done and per- arrives upon the scene, and a new adven-
formed ........ 100 ture which happened to Oliver ........ 132
CHAPTER THE FIFTH
CHAPTER THE TWELFTH,
Atones for the unpoliteness of a former
chapter, which deserted a lady most un- Containing the unsatisfactory result of Oli-
ceremoniously 106 ver's adventure, and a conversation of
some importance between Harry Maylie
CHAPTER THE SIXTH and Rose ........ 136
Looks after Oliver, and proceeds with his
adventures ....... 110 CHAPT ER THE THIRT EENTH
Is a short one, and may appear of no great
CHAPTER THE SEVENTH
importance in its place, but it should be
Has an introductory account ofthe inmates
of the house to which Oliver resorted, read notwithstanding, as a sequel to the
last, and a key to one that will follow
and relates what they thought of him .. 114 when its time arrives 140
CHAPTER THE EIGHTH
CHAPT ER THE FOURT EENTH ,
Involves a critical position 119
In which the reader, if he or she resort to
CHAPTER THE NINTH.
the fifth chapter of this second book, will
Of the happy life Oliver began to lead with perceive a contrast not uncommon in
his kind friends 124 matrimonial cases ...... ...... 141
BOOK THE THIRD .

CHAPTER THE FIRST,
pledge to Rose Maylie. She fails. Noah
Containing an account of what passed be- Claypole is employed by Fagin on a
tween Mr. and Mrs. Bumble and Monks secret mission ...... 174
at their nocturnal interview .........
.... 146
CHAPTER THE EIGHTH.
CHAPTER THE SECOND
The appointment kept . 179-
Introduces some respectable characters with
whom the reader is already acquainted, CHAPTER THE NINTH.
and shows how Monks and the Jew laid Fatal Consequences 183
their worthy heads together 150 CHAPTER THE TENTH.
CHAPTER THE THIRD. The flight of Sikes .... 187
A strange interview, which is a sequel to CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH.
the last chapter 155 Monks and Mr. Brownlow at length meet.
CHAPTER THE FOURTH, Their conversation, and the intelligence
Containing fresh discoveries, and showing that interrupts it ......... .... 191
that surprises , like misfortunes, seldom CHAPTER THE TWELFTH.
come alone 160 The pursuit and escape ....... 195
CHAPTER THE FIFTH. CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH ,
An old acquaintance of Oliver's exhibiting Affording an explanation of more mysteries
decided marks of genius, becomes a pub-
lic character in the metropolis ....... 165 than one, and comprehending a proposal
of marriage, with no word of settlement
CHAPTER THE SIXTH, or pin-money ..... 200
Wherein is shown how the artful Dodger CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH.
got into trouble ...... 170 The Jew's last night alive 206
CHAPTER THE SEVENTH. CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH,
The time arrives for Nancy to redeem her And Last 210
OLIVER TWIST ;
OR,
THE PARISH BOY'S PROGRESS .
BOOK THE FIRST.
CHAPTER THE FIRST gasping on a little flock mattress, rather

unequally poised between this world and
Treats of the place where Oliver Twist was born, the next, the balance being decidedly in
and ofthe circumstances attending his Birth.
favour ofthe latter. Now, if during this
AMONG other public buildings in the brief period Oliver had been surrounded
town of Mudfog, it boasts of one which is by careful grandmothers, anxious aunts,
common to most towns great or small, to experienced nurses, and doctors of pro-
wit, a workhouse ; and in this workhouse found wisdom, he would most inevitably
there was born on a day and date which and indubitably have been killed in no
I need not trouble myself to repeat, inas- time. There being nobody by, however,
much as it can be of no possible conse- but a pauper old woman, who was ren-
quence to the reader, in this stage of the dered rather misty by an unwonted allow-
business at all events, the item of mortal- ance of beer, and a parish surgeon who
ity whose name is prefixed to the head of did such matters by contract, Oliver and
this chapter. For a long time after he nature fought outthe point between them.
was ushered into this world of sorrow and The result was, that, after a few struggles,
trouble, by the parish surgeon, it remained Oliver breathed, sneezed, and proceeded
a matter of considerable doubt whether to advertise to the inmates of the work-
the child would survive to bear any name house the fact of a new burden having
at all ; in which case it is somewhat more been imposed upon the parish, by setting
than probable that these memoirs would up as loud a cry as could reasonably have
never have appeared, or, if they had, being been expected from a male infant who had
comprised within a couple of pages, they not been possessed of that very useful ap-
would have possessed the inestimable pendage, a voice, for a much longer space
merit of being the most concise and faith- of time than three minutes and a quarter.
ful specimen of biography extant in the As Oliver gave this first testimony of
literature ofany age or country. Although the free and proper action of his lungs,
I am not disposed to maintain that the the patchwork coverlet, which was care-
being born in a workhouse is in itself the lessly flung over the iron bedstead, rus-
most fortunate and enviable circumstance tled ; the pale face of a young female was
that can possibly befal a human being, I raised feebly from the pillow; and a faint
do mean to say that in this particular voice imperfectly articulated the words
instance it was the best thing for Oliver " Let me see the child, and die."
Twist that could by possibility have oc- The surgeon had been sitting with his
curred. The fact is, that there was con- face turned towards the fire, giving the
siderable difficulty in inducing Oliver to palms of his hands a warm, and a rub,
take upon himself the office of respiration, alternately ; but as the young woman
-a troublesome practice, but one which spoke, he rose, and, advancing to the
custom has rendered necessary to our bed's head, said with more kindness than
easy existence, and for some time he lay might have been expected of him--
2 (13)
14 OLIVER TWIST .
"Oh, you must not talk about dying, dress young Oliver Twist was ! Wrapped
yet." in the blanket which had hitherto formed
" Lor bless her dear heart, no !" inter- his only covering, he might have beenthe
posed the nurse, hastily depositing in her child of a nobleman or a beggar ;—it
pocket a green glass bottle, the contents would have been hard for the haughtiest
of which she had been tasting in a corner stranger to have fixed his station in socie-
with evident satisfaction. 66 Lor bless her ty. But now he was enveloped in the
dear heart, when she has lived as long as old calico robes, that had grown yellow in
I have, sir, and had thirteen children of the same service ; he was badged and
her own, and all on ' em dead except two, ticketed, and fell into his place at once-
and them in the wurkus with me, she'll a parish child- the orphan of a workhouse
know better than to take on in that way, the humble, half-starved drudge-to be
bless her dear heart ! Think what it is cuffed and buffeted through the world,
to be a mother, there's a dear young despised by all, and pitied by none.
lamb, do." Oliver cried lustily. If he could have
Apparently this consolatory perspective known that he was an orphan, left to the
ofa mother's prospects failed in producing tender mercies of churchwardens and
its due effect. The patient shook her overseers, perhaps he would have cried
head, and stretched out her hand towards the louder.
the child.
The surgeon deposited it in her arms.
She imprinted her cold white lips passion-
ately on its forehead, passed her hands
over her face, gazed wildly round, shud- CHAPTER THE SECOND
dered, fell back-and died. They chafed
her breast, hands, and temples ; but the Treats of Oliver Twist's Growth, Education,
blood had frozen for ever. They talked and Board.
of hope and comfort. They had been For the next eight or ten months, Oli-
strangers too long. ver was the victim of a systematic course
"It's all over, Mrs. Thingummy," said of treachery and deception - he was
the surgeon, at last. brought up by hand. The hungry and
" Ah, poor dear ; so it is !" said the destitute situation of the infant orphan
nurse, picking up the cork of the green was duly reported by the workhouse
bottle which had fallen out on the pillow authorities to the parish authorities. The
as she stooped to take up the child. " Poor parish authorities inquired with dignity
dear !" of the workhouse authorities, whether
"You needn't mind sending up to me, there was no female then domiciled in
ifthe child cries, nurse," said the surgeon, "the house" who was in a situation to im-
putting on his gloves with great delib- part to Oliver the consolation and nour-
eration. " It's very likely it will be ishment of which he stood in need. The
troublesome. Give it a little gruel if it workhouse authorities replied with hu-
is." He put on his hat, and pausing by mility that there was not. Upon this, the
the bed-side on his way to the door, added, parish authorities magnanimously and hu-
"She was a good looking girl too ; where manely resolved, that Oliver should be
did she come from ?" "farmed," or, in other words, that he
"She was brought here last night," re- should be despatched to a branch-work-
plied the old woman, " by the overseer's house some three miles off, where twenty
order. She was found lying in the street ; or thirty other juvenile offenders against
she had walked some distance, for her the poor-laws rolled about the floor all
shoes were worn to pieces ; but where day, without the inconvenience of too
she came from, or where she was going much food, or too much clothing, under
to, nobody knows." the parental superintendence of an elderly
The surgeon leant over the body, and female who received the culprits at and
raised the left hand. " The old story," he for the consideration of sevenpence-half-
said, shaking his head : " no wedding-ring, penny per small head per week. Seven-
I see. Ah ! good night." pence-halfpenny's worth per week is a
The medical gentleman walked away good round diet for a child ; a great deal
to dinner ; and the nurse, having once may be got for sevenpence-halfpenny-
more applied herself to the green bottle, quite enough to overload its stomach, and
sat down on a low chair before the fire, make it uncomfortable. The elderly fe-
and proceeded to dress the infant. male was a woman of wisdom and expe-
And what an example of the power of rience ; she knew what was good for
OLIVER TWIST . 15
children, and she had a very accurate per- when they went ; and what more would
ception of what was good for herself. So, the people have ?
she appropriated the greater part of the It cannot be expected that this system
weekly stipend to her own use, and con- of farming would produce any very ex-
signed the rising parochial generation to traordinary or luxuriant crop. Oliver
even a shorter allowance than was origin- Twist's eighth birth-day found him a pale,
ally provided for them ; thereby finding thin child, somewhat diminutive in sta-
in the lowest depth a deeper still, and ture, and decidedly small in circumfer-
proving herself a very great experimental ence. But nature or inheritance had im-
philosopher. planted a good sturdy spirit in Oliver's
Everybody knows the story of another breast ; it had plenty of room to expand,
experimentalphilosopher, who had a great thanks to the spare diet of the establish-
theory about a horse being able to live ment ; and perhaps to this circumstance
without eating, and who demonstrated it may be attributed his having any eighth
so well, that he got his own horse down birth-day at all. Be this as it may, how-
to a straw a day, and would most unques ever it was his eighth birth-day ; and he
tionably have rendered him a very spirited was keeping it in the coal-cellar with a
and rampacious animal upon nothing at select party of two other young gentle-
all, if he hadn't died, just four-and-twenty men, who, after participating with him in
hours before he was to have had his first a sound threshing, had been locked up
comfortable bait of air. Unfortunately therein, for atrociously presuming to be
for the experimental philosophy of the fe- hungry, when Mrs. Mann, the good lady
male to whose protecting care Oliver of the house, was unexpectedly startled
Twist was delivered over, a similar result by the apparition of Mr. Bumble the bea-
usually attended the operation of her sys- dle, striving to undo the wicket of the
tem ; for just at the very moment when a garden-gate.
child had contrived to exist upon the "Goodness gracious ! is that you, Mr.
smallest possible portion of the weakest Bumble, sir ?" said Mrs. Mann, thrusting
possible food, it did perversely happen in her head out of the window in well-affect
eight and a half cases out of ten, either ed ecstacies of joy. " (Susan, take Oli-
that it sickened from want and cold, or ver and them two brats up stairs, and
fell into the fire from neglect, or got wash ' em directly.) - My heart alive !
smothered by accident ; in any one of Mr. Bumble, how glad I am to see you
which cases, the miserable little being sure-ly !"
was usually summoned into another world, Now Mr. Bumble was a fat man, and a
and there gathered to the fathers which choleric one ; so, instead of responding to
it had never known in this. this open-hearted salutation in a kindred
Occasionally, when there was some spirit, he gave the little wicket a tremen-
more than usually interesting inquest dous shake, and then bestowed upon it a
upon a parish child who had been over- kick, which could have emanated from no
looked in turning up a bedstead, or inad- leg but a beadle's.
vertently scalded to death when there 66 Lor, only think," said Mrs. Mann, run-
happened to be a washing, (though the ning out, for the three boys had been re-
latter accident was very scarce,-any- moved by this time,-" only think of that !
thing approaching to a washing being of That I should have forgotten that the gate
rare occurrence in the farm,) the jury was bolted on the inside, on account of
would take it into their heads to ask trou- them dear children ! Walk in, sir ; walk
blesome questions, or the parishioners in, pray, Mr. Bumble ; do, sir."
would rebelliously affix their signatures Although this invitation was accompa-
to a remonstrance : but these impertinen- nied with a curtsey that might have soft-
ces were speedily checked by the evi- ened the heart of a churchwarden, it by
dence of the surgeon, and the testimony no means mollified the beadle.
of the beadle ; the former of whom had "Do you think this respectful or proper
always opened the body, and found no conduct, Mrs. Mann," inquired Mr. Bum-
thing inside (which was very probable ble, grasping his cane, " to keep the
indeed), and the latter of whom invaria- parish officers a-waiting at your garden-
bly swore whatever the parish wanted, gate, when they come here on porochial
which was very self-devotional. Besides, business connected with the porochial or-
the board made periodical pilgrimages to phans ? Are you aware, Mrs. Mann, that
the farm, and always sent the beadle the you are, as I may say, a porochial dele-
day before, to say they were coming. The gate, and a stipendiary ?"
children were neat and clean to behold, "I'm sure, Mr. Bumble, that I was only
16 OLIVER TWIST .
a-telling one or two of the dear children | drink your health with cheerfulness, Mrs.
as is so fond of you, that it was you a-com- Mann ;"-and he swallowed half of it.
ing," replied Mrs. Mann with great hu- " And now about business," said the
mility. beadle, taking out a leathern pocket-book.
Mr. Bumble had a great idea of his " The child that was half-baptised, Oliver
oratorical powers and his importance. He Twist, is eight years old to-day."
had displayed the one, and vindicated the "Bless him !" interposed Mrs. Mann,
other. He relaxed. inflaming her left eye with the corner of
"Well, well, Mrs. Mann," he replied her apron.
in a calmer tone ; " it may be as you say ; "And notwithstanding an offered re-
it may be. Lead the way in, Mrs. Mann ; ward of ten pound, which was afterwards
for I come on business, and have got some- increased to twenty pound,-notwithstand-
thing to say." ing the most superlative, and, I may say,
Mrs. Mann ushered the beadle into a supernat'ral exertions on the part of this
small parlour with a brick floor, placed a parish," said Bumble, " we have never
seat for him, and officiously deposited his been able to discover who is his father, or
cocked hat and cane on the table before what is his mother's settlement, name, or
him. Mr. Bumble wiped from his fore- condition."
head the perspiration which his walk had Mrs. Mann raised her hands in astonish-
engendered, glanced complacently at the ment ; but added, after a moment's reflec-
cocked hat, and smiled. Yes, he smiled ; tion, " How comes he to have any name
beadles are but men, and Mr. Bumble at all, then ?"
smiled. The beadle drew himselfup with great
"Now don't you be offended at what pride, and said, " I inwented it."
I'm a-going to say," observed Mrs. Mann "You, Mr. Bumble !"
with captivating sweetness. " You've had "I, Mrs. Mann. We name our found-
a long walk, you know, or I wouldn't men- lin's in alphabetical order. The last was
tion it. Now will you take a little drop a S,-Swubble : I named him. This was
of something, Mr. Bumble ?" a T,-Twist: I named him. The next
"Not a drop- not a drop," said Mr. one as comes will be Unwin, and the next
Bumble, waving his right hand in a dig- Vilkins. I have got names ready made to
nified, but still placid manner. the end of the alphabet, and all the way
"I think you will," said Mrs. Mann, through 66 Why, it again, when we come to Z."
who had noticed the tone of the refusal, you're quite a literary charac-
and the gesture that had accompanied it.
66 Just a leetle drop, with a little cold water, sir !" said Mrs. Mann.
"Well, well," said the beadle, evi-
ter, and a lump of sugar. " dently gratified with the compliment ;
Mr. Bumble coughed. "perhaps I may be ; perhaps I may be,
"Now, just a little drop," said Mrs. Mrs. Mann." He finished the gin and
Mann persuasively. water, and added, “ Oliver being now too
"What is it ?" inquired the beadle. old to remain here, the Board have deter-
"Why it's wha : I'm obliged to keep a mined to have him back into the house ;
little of in the house, to put in the blessed and I have come out myself to take him
infants' Daffy when they ain't well, Mr. there, so let me see him at once."
Bumble," replied Mrs. Mann as she open- "I'll fetch him directly," said Mrs.
ed a corner cupboard, and took down a Mann, leaving the room for that purpose.
bottle and glass. "It's gin." And Oliver having by this time had as
" Do you give the children Daffy, much of the outer coat of dirt which en-
Mrs. Mann ?" inquired Bumble, following crusted his face and hands removed as
with his eyes the interesting process of could be scrubbed off in one washing, was
mixing. led into the room by his benevolent pro-
"Ah, bless ' em, that I do, dear as it is," tectress.
replied the nurse. " I couldn't see ' em "Make a bow to the gentleman, Oli-
suffer before my eyes, you know, sir." ver," said Mrs. Mann.
66 No," said Mr. Bumble approvingly ; Oliver made a bow, which was divided
"no, you could not. You are a humane between the beadle on the chair and the
woman, Mrs. Mann. "-(Here she set down cocked hat on the table.
the glass.) " I shall take an early oppor- "Will you go along with me, Oliver ?"
tunity of mentioning it to the board, Mrs. said Mr. Bumble in a majestic voice.
Mann." (He drew it towards him.)- Oliver was about to say that he would
" You feel as a mother, Mrs. Mann. " go along with anybody with great readi-
(He stirred the gin and water.)—“ I—I | ness, when, glancing upwards, he caught
OLIVER TWIST . 17
sight of Mrs. Mann, who had got behind or cry. He had no time to think about
the beadle's chair, and was shaking her the matter, however ; for Mr. Bumble gave
fist at him with a furious countenance. him a tap on the head with his cane to
He took the hint at once, for the fist had wake him up, and another on his back to
been too often impressed upon his body make him lively, and, bidding him follow,
not to be deeply impressed upon his recol- conducted him into a large whitewashed
lection. room, where eight or ten fat gentlemen
"Will she go with me ?" inquired poor were sitting round a table, at the top of
Oliver. which, seated in an arm-chair rather higher
" No, she can't," replied Mr. Bumble ; than the rest, was a particularly fat gen-
but she'll come and see you, sometimes." tleman with a very round, red face.
This was no very great consolation to "Bow to the board," said Bumble. Oli-
the child ; but, young as he was, he had ver brushed away two or three tears that
sense enough to make a feint of feeling were lingering in his eyes, and seeing no
great regret at going away. It was no board but the table, fortunately bowed to
very difficult matter for the boy to call that.
the tears into his eyes. Hunger and re- "What's your name, boy ?" said the
cent ill-usage are great assistants if you gentleman in the high chair.
want to cry; and Oliver cried very na- Oliver was frightened at the sight of
turally indeed. Mrs. Mann gave him a so many gentlemen, which made him
thousand embraces, and, what Oliver tremble : and the beadle gave him another
wanted a great deal more, a piece of bread tap behind, which made him cry ; and
and butter, lest he should seem too hun- these two causes made him answer in a
gry when he got to the workhouse. With very low and hesitating voice ; whereupon
the slice of bread in his hand, and the a gentleman in a white waistcoat said he
little brown-cloth parish cap upon his was a fool, which was a capital way of
head, Oliver was then led away by Mr. raising his spirit, and putting him quite at
Bumble from the wretched home where his ease.
one kind word or look had never lighted 66
Boy," said the gentleman in the high
the gloom of his infant years. And yet chair ; " listen to me. You know you're
he burst into an agony of childish grief an orphan, I suppose ?"
as the cottage-gate closed after him. "What's that, sir ?" inquired poor Oli-
Wretched as were the little companions ver.
in misery he was leaving behind, they "The boy is a fool-I thought he was,"
were the only friends he had ever known ; said the gentleman in the white waistcoat .
and a sense of his loneliness in the great in a very decided tone. If one member
wide world sank into the child's heart for of a class be blessed with an intuitive per-
the first time. ception of others of the same race, the
Mr. Bumble walked on with long strides; gentleman in the white waistcoat was un-
and little Oliver, firmly grasping his gold- questionably well qualified to pronounce
laced cuff, trotted beside him, inquiring an opinion on the matter.
at the end of every quarter of a mile “ Hush !” said the gentleman who had
whether they were " nearly there," to spoken first. "You know you've got no
which interrogations Mr. Bumble return- father or mother, and that you are brought
ed very brief and snappish replies ; for up by the parish, don't you ?"
the temporary blandness which gin and "Yes, sir," replied Oliver, weeping bit-
water awakens in some bosoms had by terly.
this time evaporated, and he was once "What are you crying for ?" inquired
again a beadle. the gentleman in the white waistcoat ; and
Oliver had not been within the walls of to be sure it was very extraordinary.
the workhouse a quarter of an hour, and What could he be crying for ?
had scarcely completed the demolition of "I hope you say your prayers every
a second slice of bread, when Mr. Bumble, night," said another gentleman in a gruff
who had handed him over to the care of voice, " and pray for the people who feed
an old woman, returned, and, telling him you, and take care of you, like a Chris-
it was a board night, informed him that tian."
the board had said he was to appear be- "Yes, sir," stammered the boy. The
fore it forthwith. gentleman who spoke last was uncon-
Not having a very clearly defined notion sciously right. It would have been very
what a live board was, Oliver was rather like a Christian, and a marvellously good
astounded by this intelligence, and was not Christian, too, if Oliver had prayed for
quite certain whether he ought to laugh the people who fed and took care of him..
2*
18 OLIVER TWIST .
But he hadn't, because nobody had taught started up in all classes of society, if it
him. had not been coupled with the workhouse.
"Well you have come here to be edu- But they were long-headed men, and they
cated, and taught a useful trade," said had provided for this difficulty. The re-
the red-faced gentleman in the high chair. lief was inseparable from the workhouse
"So you'll begin to pick oakum to-mor- and the gruel ; and that frightened people.
row morning at six o'clock," added the For the first three months after Oliver
surly one in the white waistcoat. Twist was removed, the system was in
For the combination of both these bless- full operation. It was rather expensive
ings in the one simple process of picking at first, in consequence of the increase in
oakum, Oliver bowed low by the direction the undertaker's bill, and the necessity of
of the beadle, and was then hurried away taking in the clothes of all the paupers,
to a large ward, where, on a rough hard which fluttered loosely on their wasted,
bed, he sobbed himself to sleep. What a shrunken forms, after a week or two's
noble illustration of the tender laws of this gruel. But the number of workhouse in-
favoured country ! they let the paupers go mates got thin, as well as the paupers ;
to sleep ! and the board were in ecstasies. The
Poor Oliver ! he little thought, as he lay room in which the boys were fed, was a
sleeping in happy unconsciousness of all large stone hall, with a copper at one end,
around him, that the board had that very out of which the master, dressed in an
day arrived at a decision which would ex- apron for the purpose, and assisted by one
ercise the most material influence over all or two women, ladled the gruel at meal-
his future fortunes. But they had. And times ; of which composition each boy
this was it:- had one porringer, and no more, except
The members of this board were very on festive occasions, and then he had two
sage, deep, philosophical men ; and when ounces and a quarter of bread besides.
they came to turn their attention to the The bowls never wanted washing - the
workhouse, they found out at once, what boys polished them with their spoons, till
ordinary folks would never have discover- they shone again; and when they had
ed, the poor people liked it ! It was a performed this operation (which never took
regular place of public entertainment for very long, the spoons being nearly as large
the poorer classes, a tavern where there as the bowls), they would sit staring at
was nothing to pay,-a public breakfast, the copper with such eager eyes, as if
dinner, tea, and supper, all the year round, they could devour the very bricks of which
-a brick and mortar elysium, where it it was composed ; employing themselves
was all play and no work. " Oho !" said meanwhile in sucking their fingers most
the board, looking very knowing ; " we assiduously, with the view of catching up
are the fellows to set this to rights ; we'll any stray splashes of gruel that might
stop it all in no time." So they establish- have been cast thereon. Boys have gene-
ed the rule, that all poor people should rally excellent appetites : Oliver Twist
have the alternative (for they would com- and his companions suffered the tortures
pel nobody, not they,) of being starved by of slow starvation for three months ; at
a gradual process in the house, or by a last they got so voracious and wild with
quick one out of it. With this view, they hunger, that one boy, who was tall for his
contracted with the water-works to lay on age, and hadn't been used to that sort of
an unlimited supply of water, and with a thing, (for his father had kept a small
corn-factor to supply periodically small cook's shop,) hinted darkly to his compa-
quantities of oatmeal ; and issued three nions, that unless he had another basin of
meals of thin gruel a-day, with an onion gruel per diem, he was afraid he should
twice a week, and half a roll on Sundays. some night eat the boy who slept next him,
They made a great many other wise and who happened to be a weakly youth of
humane regulations having reference to tender age. He had a wild, hungry eye,
the ladies, which it is not necessary to and they implicitly believed him. A coun-
repeat ; kindly undertook to divorce poor cil was held ; lots were cast who should
married people, in consequence of the walk up to the master after supper that
great expense of a suit in Doctors' Com- evening, and ask for more ; and it fell to
mons ; and, instead of compelling a man Oliver Twist.
to support his family as they had thereto- The evening arrived : the boys took
fore done, took his family away from him, their places ; the master, in his cook's uni-
and made him a bachelor ! There is no form, stationed himself at the copper ; his
telling how many applicants for relief un- pauper assistants ranged themselves be-
der these last two heads would not have hind him ; the gruel was served out, and
George Cruikshank
19
OLIVER TWIST . 19
a long grace was said over the short com- terest of this narrative, (supposing it to
mons. The gruel disappeared, and the possess any at all,) if I ventured to hint
boys whispered to each other and winked just yet, whether the life of Oliver Twist
at Oliver, while his next neighbours will be a long or a short piece of biogra-
nudged him. Child as he was, he was phy.
desperate with hunger, and reckless with
misery. He rose from the table, and, ad-
vancing, basin and spoon in hand, to the
master, said, somewhat alarmed at his CHAPTER THE THIRD
own temerity- Relates how Oliver was very near getting a place,
66 Please, sir, I want some more."
which would not have been a sinecure.
The master was a fat, healthy man, but
he turned very pale. He gazed in stupi- FOR a week after the commission ofthe
fied astonishment on the small rebel for impious and profane offence of asking for
some seconds, and then clung for support more, Oliver remained a close prisoner in
to the copper. The assistants were para- the dark and solitary room to which he
lysed with wonder, and the boys with fear. had been consigned by the wisdom and
"What !" said the master at length, in mercy of the board. It appears, at first
a faint voice. sight, not unreasonable to suppose, that,
" Please, sir,” replied Oliver, " I want if he had entertained a becoming feeling
some more." of respect for the prediction of the gentle-
The master aimed a blow at Oliver's man in the white waistcoat, he would
head with the ladle, pinioned him in his have established that sage individual's
arms, and shrieked aloud for the beadle. prophetic character, once and for ever, by
The board were sitting in solemn con- tying one end of his pocket-handkerchief
clave, when Mr. Bumble rushed into the to a hook in the wall, and attaching him-
room in great excitement, and addressing self to the other. To the performance of
the gentleman in the high chair, said, — this feat, however, there was one obstacle,
"Mr. Limbkins, I beg your pardon, sir99; namely, that pocket-handkerchiefs being
Oliver Twist has asked for more.' decided articles of luxury, had been, for
There was a general start. Horror was all future times and ages, removed from
depicted on every countenance. the noses of paupers by the express order
" For more !" said Mr. Limbkins. of the board in council assembled, solemnly
"Compose yourself, Bumble, and answer given and pronounced under their hands
me distinctly. Do I understand that he and seals. There was a still greater
asked for more, after he had eaten the sup- obstacle in Oliver's youth and childish-
per allotted by the dietary ?" ness. He only cried bitterly all day ; and
"He did, sir," replied Bumble. when the long, dismal night came on, he
"That boy will be hung," said the gen- spread his little hands before his eyes to
tleman in the white waistcoat ; " I know shut out the darkness, and crouching in
that boy will be hung." the corner, tried to sleep, ever and anon
Nobody controverted the prophetic gen- waking with a start and tremble, and
tleman's opinion. An animated discussion drawing himself closer and closer to the
took place. Oliver was ordered into in- wall, as if to feel even its cold hard sur-
stant confinement ; and a bill was next face were a protection in the gloom and
morning pasted on the outside ofthe gate, loneliness which surrounded him.
offering a reward of five pounds to any- Let it not be supposed by the enemies
body who would take Oliver Twist off the of "the system," that, during the period
hands of the parish : in other words, five of his solitary incarceration, Oliver was
pounds and Oliver Twist were offered to denied the benefit of exercise, the plea-
any man or woman who wanted an ap- sure of society, or the advantages of reli-
prentice to any trade, business, or calling. gious consolation. As for exercise, it was
"I never was more convinced of any nice cold weather, and he was allowed to
thing in my life," said the gentleman in perform his ablutions every morning under
the white waistcoat, as he knocked at the the pump, in a stone yard, in the presence
gate and read the bill next morning,-" I of Mr. Bumble, who prevented his catch-
never was more convinced of anything in ing cold, and caused a tingling sensation
my life, than I am that that boy will come to pervade his frame, by repeated applica-
to be hung." tions of the cane ; as for society, he was
As I propose to show in the sequel whe- carried every other day into the hall
ther the white-waistcoated gentleman was where the boys dined, and there sociably
right or not, I should perhaps mar the in- flogged as a public warning and example ;
20 OLIVER TWIST .
and, so far from being denied the advan- person came up to read the bill, for he
tages of religious consolation, he was saw at once that Mr. Gamfield was just
kicked into the same apartment every exactly the sort of master Oliver Twist
evening at prayer-time, and there permit- wanted. Mr. Gamfield smiled, too, as he
ted to listen to, and console his mind with, perused the document, for five pounds was
a general supplication of the boys, con- just the sum he had been wishing for ;
taining a special clause therein inserted and, as to the boy with which it was en-
by the authority of the board, in which cumbered, Mr. Gamfield, knowing what
they entreated to be made good, virtuous, the dietary of the workhouse was, well
contented, and obedient, and to be guarded knew he would be a nice small pattern,
from the sins and vices of Oliver Twist, just the very thing for register stoves.
whom the supplication distinctly set forth So he spelt the bill through again, from
to be under the exclusive patronage and beginning to end ; and then, touching his
protection of the powers of wickedness, fur cap in token of humility, accosted the
and an article direct from the manufactory gentleman in the white waistcoat.
of the devil himself. 66 This
here boy, sir, wot the parish
It chanced one morning, while Oliver's wants to ' prentis," said Mr. Gamfield.
affairs were in this au picious and com- "Yes, my man," said the gentleman in
fortable state, that Mr. Gamfield, chim- the white waistcoat, with a condescend-
ney-sweeper, was wending his way adowning smile, " what of him ?"
the High-street, deeply cogitating in his " If the parish vould like him to learn
mind, his ways and means of paying cer- a light, pleasant trade, in a good ' specta-
tain arrears of rent, for which his land- ble chimbley-sweepin bisness," said Mr.
lord had become rather pressing. Mr. Gamfield, " I wants a 'prentis, and I'm
Gamfield's most sanguine calculation of ready to take him."
funds could not raise them within full five "Walk in," said the gentleman with
pounds of the desired amount ; and, in a the white waistcoat. And Mr. Gamfield
species of arithmetical desperation, he having lingered behind, to give the don
was alternately cudgelling his brains and key another blow on the head, and another
his donkey, when, passing the workhouse, wrench of the jaw as a caution not to ru
his eyes encountered the bill on the gate. away in his absence, followed the gentle.
66 Woo !" said Mr. Gamfield to the don- man in the white waistcoat, into the room
kev. where Oliver had first seen him.
The donkey was in a state of profound "It's a nasty trade," said Mr. Limb-
abstraction, wondering, probably, whe- kins, when Gamfield had again stated his
ther he was destined to be regaled with a wish.
cabbage-stalk or two, when he had dis- 66 Young boys have been smothered in
posed of the two sacks of soot with which chimneys, before now," said another gen-
the little cart was laden ; so, without no- tleman.
ticing the word of command, he jogged " That's acause they damped the straw
onwards. afore they lit it in the chimbley to make
Mr. Gamfield growled a fierce impreca- ' em come down again," said Gamfield ;
tion on the donkey generally, but more "that's all smoke, and no blaze ; vereas
particularly on his eyes ; and running smoke ain't o' no use at all in makin' a boy
after him, bestowed a blow on his head come down ; it only sinds him to sleep,
which would inevitably have beaten in and that's wot he likes. Boys is wery
any skull but a donkey's ; then, catching obstinit, and wery lazy, gen'lm'n, and
hold of the bridle, he gave his jaw a sharp there's nothink like a good hot blaze to
wrench, by way of gentle reminder that make ' em come down vith a run ; it's
he was not his own master ; and, having humane too, gen'lm'n, acause, even if
by these means turned him round, he gave they've stuck in the chimbley, roastin'
him another blow on the head, just to stun their feet makes ' em struggle to hextri-
him until he came back again ; and, hav- cate theirselves."
ing done so, walked to the gate to read The gentleman in the white waistcoat
the bill. appeared very much amused with this ex-
The gentleman with the white waist- planation ; but his mirth was speedily
coat was standing at the gate with his checked by a look from Mr. Limbkins.
hands behind him, after having delivered The board then proceeded to converse
himself of some profound sentiments in among themselves for a few minutes ; but
the board-room. Having witnessed the in so low a tone that the words " saving
little dispute between Mr. Gamfield and of expenditure," " look well in the ac
the donkey, he smiled joyously when that counts," " have a printed report publish-
OLIVER TWIST. 21
ed," were alone audible : and they only | now and then ; it'll do him good ; and his
chanced to be heard on account of their board needn't come very expensive, for
being very frequently repeated with great he hasn't been overfed since he was born.
emphasis. Ha ha ha !"
At length the whispering ceased, and Mr. Gamfield gave an arch look at the
the members ofthe board having resumed faces round the table, and, observing a
their seats, and their solemnity, Mr. Limb- smile on all of them, gradually broke into
kins said, a smile himself. The bargain was made,
"We have considered your proposition, and Mr. Bumble was at once instructed
and we don't approve of it." that Oliver Twist and his indentures were
66
' Not at all," said the gentleman in the to be conveyed before the magistrate for
white waistcoat.
66 Decidedly not,” added the other mem- signature
noon.
and approval, that very after-
bers. In pursuance of this determination, little
As Mr. Gamfield did happen to labour Oliver, to his excessive astonishment, was
under the slight imputation of having released from bondage, and ordered to put
bruised three or four boys to death, al- himself into a clean shirt. He had hardly
ready, it occurred to him that the board achieved this very unusual gymnastic per-
had perhaps, in some unaccountable freak, formance, when Mr. Bumble brought him
taken it into their heads that this ex- with his own hands, a basin of gruel, and
traneous circumstance ought to influence the holiday allowance of two ounces and
their proceedings. It was very unlike a quarter of bread ; at sight of which Oli-
their general mode of doing business, if ver began to cry very piteously, thinking,
they had ; but still, as he had no particu- not unnaturally, that the board must have
lar wish to revive the rumour, he twisted determined to kill him for some useful
his cap in his hands, and walked slowly purpose, or they never would have begun
from the table. to fatten him up in this way.
"So you won't let me have him, gen'l- "Don't make your eyes red, Oliver, but
men," said Mr. Gamfield, pausing near the eat your food, and be thankful," said Mr.
door. Bumble, in a tone of impressive pomposity.
" No," replied Mr. Limbkins ; "at least, " You're a-going to be made a ' prentice
as it's a nasty business, we think you of, Oliver. "
ought to take something less than the pre- "A ' prentice, sir !" said the child, trem-
mium we offered." bling.
Mr. Gamfield's countenance brightened, 66 Yes, Oliver," said Mr. Bumble. " The
as with a quick step he returned to the kind and blessed gentlemen which is so
table, and said, many parents to you, Oliver, when you
"What'll you give, gen'lmen ? Come, have none of your own, are a-going to
don't be too hard on a poor man. What'll ' prentice you, and to set you up in life,
you give ?" and make a man of you, although the ex-
"I should say three pound ten was pense to the parish is three pound ten !-
plenty," said Mr. Limbkins. three pound ten, Oliver ! -seventy shil-
"Ten shillings too much," said the lin's !-one hundred and forty sixpences !
gentleman in the white waistcoat. and all for a naughty orphan which
66
Come," said Gamfield ; "say , four nobody can love. "
pound, gen'lmen. Say four pound, and As Mr. Bumble paused to take breath
you've got rid of him for good and all. after delivering this address, in an awful
There !" voice, the tears rolled down the poor
"Three pound ten," repeated Mr. Limb- child's face, and he sobbed bitterly.
kins, firmly. "Come," said Mr. Bumble, somewhat
"Come, I'll split the difference, gen'l- less pompously ; for it was gratifying to
men," urged Gamfield. "Three pound his feelings to observe the effect his elo-
fifteen." quence had produced. " Come, Oliver,
" Not a farthing more," was the firm wipe your eyes with the cuffs of your
reply of Mr. Limbkins. jacket, and don't cry into your gruel ;
"You're desp'rate hard upon me, gen'l- that's a very foolish action, Oliver." It
men," said Gamfield, wavering. certainly was, for there was quite enough
"Pooh ! pooh ! nonsense !" said the gen- water in it already.
tleman in the white waistcoat. "He'd On their way to the magistrate's, Mr.
be cheap with nothing at all, as a pre- Bumble instructed Oliver that all he would
mium. Take him, you silly fellow ! He's have to do, would be to look very happy.
just the boy for you. He wants the stick and say, when the gentleman asked him
22 OLIVER TWIST .
if he wanted to be apprenticed, that he "Well," said the old gentleman, "I sup-
should like it very much indeed ; both of pose he's fond of chimney-sweeping ?"
which injunctions Oliver promised to obey, "He dotes on it, your worship," replied
the more readily as Mr. Bumble threw in Bumble, giving Oliver a sly pinch, to inti-
a gentle hint, that if he failed in either mate that he had better not say he didn't.
particular, there was no telling what "And he will be a sweep, will he ?"
would be done to him. When they ar- inquired the old gentleman.
rived at the office, he was shut up in a "If we was to bind him to any other
little room by himself, and admonished by trade to-morrow, he'd run away simulta-
Mr. Bumble to stay there, until he came neously, your worship," replied Bumble.
back to fetch him. " And this man that's to be his master,
There the boy remained with a palpi- -you, sir, -you'll treat him well, and
tating heart for half an hour, at the expi- feed him, and do all that sort of thing,—
ration of which time Mr. Bumble thrust will you ?" said the old gentleman.
in his head, unadorned with the cocked 66
When I says I will, I means I will,”
hat, and said aloud, replied Mr. Gamfield doggedly.
"Now, Oliver, my dear, come to the " You're a rough speaker, my friend,
gentleman." As Mr. Bumble said this, but you look an honest, open-hearted man,"
he put on a grim and threatening look, said the old gentleman, turning his spec-
and added in a low voice, " Mind what I tacles in the direction of the candidate for
told you, you young rascal. " Oliver's premium, whose villanous coun-
Oliver stared innocently in Mr. Bum- tenance was a regular stamped receipt for
ble's face at this somewhat contradictory cruelty. But the magistrate was half
style of address ; but that gentleman pre- blind, and half childish, so he couldn't
vented his offering any remark thereupon, reasonably be expected to discern what
by leading him at once into an adjoining other people did.
room, the door of which was open. It "I hope I am, sir," said Mr. Gamfield
was a large room with a great window ; with an ugly leer.
and behind a desk sat two old gentlemen "I have no doubt you are, my friend,”
with powdered heads, one of whom was replied the old gentleman, fixing his spec-
reading the newspaper, while the other tacles more firmly on his nose, and look-
was perusing, with the aid of a pair of ing about him for the inkstand.
tortoise-shell spectacles, a small piece of It was the critical moment of Oliver's
parchment which lay before him. Mr. fate. If the inkstand had been where the
Limbkins was standing in front of the old gentleman thought it was, he would
desk, on one side ; and Mr. Gamfield, have dipped his pen into it and signed the
with a partially washed face, on the other ; indentures, and Oliver would have been
while two or three bluff-looking men in straightway hurried off. But, as it chanced
top-boots were lounging about. to be immediately under his nose, it fol-
The old gentleman with the spectacles lowed as a matter of course that he looked
gradually dozed off, over the little bit of all over his desk for it, without finding it ;
parchment; and there was a short pause and happening in the course of his search
after Oliver had been stationed by Mr. to look straight before him, his gaze en-
Bumble in front of the desk. countered the pale and terrified face of
"This is the boy, your worship," said Oliver Twist, who, despite of all the ad-
Mr. Bumble. monitory looks and pinches of Bumble,
The old gentleman who was reading was regarding the very repulsive counte-
the newspaper raised his head for a mo- nance of his future master with a mingled
ment, and pulled the other old gentleman expression of horror and fear, too palpable
by the sleeve, whereupon the last-men- to be mistaken even by a half-blind magis.
tioned old gentleman woke up. trate.
" Oh, is this the boy ?" said the old gen- The old gentleman stopped, laid down
tleman. his pen, and looked from Oliver to Mr.
“ This is him, sir,” replied Mr. Bumble. Limbkins, who attempted to take snuff
"Bow to the magistrate, my dear." with a cheerful and unconcerned aspect.
Oliver roused himself, and made his " My boy," said the old gentleman,
best obeisance. He had been wondering, leaning over the desk. Oliver started at
with his eyes fixed on the magistrate's the sound, he might be excused for doing
powder, whether all boards were born with so, for the words were kindly said, and
that white stuff on their heads, and strange sounds frighten one. He trembled
were boards from thenceforth, on that violently, and burst into tears.
account. "My boy," said the old gentleman,
LathSwords
.
Mounes.
7 8
OLI 18
1 2- VER TWIST .
1 8
BY
CHARLES DICKENS ,
102
( BOZ , )
AUTHOR OF
"SKETCHES OF EVERY-DAY LIFE ,"
&c. &c. &c.
PHILADELPHIA :
LEA & BLANCHARD ,

……………………...................
1839.
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
94376B
ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
1940 L
≈ * * *
OLIVER ASKING FOR MORE....... Page 19
OLIVER ESCAPES BEING BOUND APPRENTICE TO THE SWEEP…………….
OLIVER PLUCKS UP A SPIRIT ........ 33
OLIVER INTRODUCED TO THE RESPECTABLE OLD GENTLEMAN ………
.. 40
OLIVER AMAZED AT THE DODGER'S MODE OF " GOING TO WORK.” ………………. 44
OLIVER RECOVERING FROM THE FEVER ....... 51
OLIVER CLAIMED BY HIS AFFECTIONATE FRIENDS ..... 65
OLIVER'S RECEPTION BY FAGIN AND THE BOYS ..... 67
MASTER BATES EXPLAINS A PROFESSIONAL TECHNICALITY. 75
THE BURGLARY ........
... 91
MR. BUMBLE AND MRS. CORNEY TAKING TEA ..... 94
MR. CLAYPOLE AS HE APPEARED WHEN HIS MASTER WAS OUT ......... 109
OLIVER TWIST AT MRS. MAYLIE'S DOOR...... 113
OLIVER WAITED ON 122
1. BY THE BOW-STREET RUNNERS
MONKS AND THE JEW... 136
MR. BUMBLE DEGRADED IN THE EYES OF THE PAUPERS ... 143
THE EVIDENCE DESTROYED 149
MR. FAGIN AND HIS PUPILS RECOVERING NANCY 151
THE MEETING ………………….. 180
SIKES ATTEMPTING TO DESTROY HIS DOG ......... 190
THE LAST CHANCE ..... 200
FAGIN IN THE CONDEMNED CELL 208
ROSE MAYLIE AND OLIVER ........ 211
(2) 1
CONTENTS.
BOOK THE FIRST .

tending his Birth ………............ Page 13 concerning a certain picture ........ 49
tion, and Board ........ ........ 14 Reverts to the merry old gentleman and his
CHAPTER THE THIRD acquaintance is introduced to the intelli-
sinecure ........ ............ 19 pertaining to this history 52
CHAPTER THE FOURTH.
his first entry into public life .......... 23 Comprising further particulars of Oliver's
CHAPTER THE FIFTH.
able prediction which one Mr. Grimwig
20
going to a funeral for the first time, forms out on an errand ........ 57
business ........ 26 CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH.
the merry old Jew and Miss Nancy were 62
.299
Oliver, being goaded by the taunts of Noah,
him ........ 31 Relates what became of Oliver Twist, after
Oliver continues refractory ........... 33
CHAPTER THE EIGHTH.
Oliver walks to London, and encounters on brings a great man to London to injure
the road a strange sort of young gentle- his reputation .................... 69
man ................. 36
CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH.
CHAPTER THE NINTH.
How Oliver passed his time in the improv-
Containing further particulars concerning ing society of his reputable friends .... 74
ful pupils ........ 40 CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH,
Oliver becomes better acquainted with the determined on ........ 78
a short but very important chapter in this ...... 82
383
William Sikes
history ...... ........ 43
The expedition 86
Treats of Mr. Fang, the police magistrate,
mode of administering justice 45 The Burglary 88
BOOK THE SECOND .

sant conversation between Mr. Bumble one, and may be found of importance in
and a lady ; and shows that even a bea- • this history 95
dle may be susceptible on some points . 92
11
CIJ
{
5
THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
B
94376
ASTOR, LENOX AND S
TILDEN FOUNDATION
1940 L
NS
L I S
I
T O F I L L U S TRATIO .
Page 19
23
IVER
OLIV
OL ER AS
ESKI PESFOBE
CANG R IN EO..UND APPRENTICE TO THE SWEEP …..
MOGRB
33
E N 40
IVER
OLIV
OL ER PL
INUC UPED
ODUC
TRKS AT HE RESPECTABL OLD GENTLEMA …………….
SPOIRTIT
4
OLIVER AMAZED AT THE DODGER'S MODE OF " GOING TO WORK.” ……………….
OLIVER RECOVERING FROM THE FEVER ...

OLIVER CLAIMED BY HIS AFFECTIONATE FRIENDS ....
OLIVER'S RECEPTION BY FAGIN AND THE BOYS ....
MASTER BATES EXPLAINS A PROFESSIONAL TECHNICALITY ..
TMHRE. BU
BUMB LARY ......
RGLE
AND MRS. CORNEY TAKING TEA ………….
MR. CLAYPOLE AS HE APPEARED WHEN HIS MASTER WAS OUT ………
OLIVER TWIST AT MRS. MAYLIE'S DOOR ………………….

OLIVER WAITED ON BY THE BOW-STREET RUNNERS ……
S ANLE ...THE EYES OF THE PAUPERS ….

MRNK
MO . BUMB D TH
DEEGR
JEADWED
....IN
THE EVIDENCE DESTROYED ...

MR. FAGIN AND HIS PUPILS RECOVERING NANCY ………………ND
…
THE JEW AND MORRIS BOLTER BEGIN TO UNDERSTA EACH OTHER
G ......
THE SMEETINMP
SIKE ATTE TING TO DESTROY HIS DOG…
THE LAST CHANCE ....

SIN IN THE CONDEMNED CELL
MAYLIE AND OLIVER (2
CONTENTS .
BOOK THE FIRST .

tending his Birth ............... Page 13 concerning a certain picture .......... 49
Treats of Oliver Twist's Growth, Educa- Reverts to the merry old gentleman and his
tion, and Board ............ 14
CHAPTER THE THIRD
acquaintance is introduced to the intelli-
sinecure ........ ........... 19 52
pertaining to this history
CHAPTER THE FOURTH.
his first entry into public life .......... 23 Comprising further particulars of Oliver's
CHAPTER THE FIFTH.
able prediction which one Mr. Grimwig
going to a funeral for the first time, forms out on an errand ........ 57
business 26 CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH.
him ........ ....... ............ 31 Relates what became of Oliver Twist, after
CHAPTER THE EIGHTH.
Oliver walks to London, and encounters on
brings a great man to London to injure
the road a strange sort of young gentle- his reputation 69
man .......... 36
CHAPTER THE NINTH. CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH.
Containing further particulars concerning How Oliver passed his time in the improv-
ing society of his reputable friends .... 74
ful pupils ........ 40 CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH,
Oliver becomes better acquainted with the determined on ………………… 78
33
a short but very important chapter in this William Sikes ....... .............. 82
history 43
Treats of Mr. Fang, the police magistrate, The expedition 86
mode of administering justice 45 The Burglary 88
BOOK THE SECOND .

sant conversation between Mr. Bumble one, and may be found of importance in
and a lady ; and shows that even a bea- this history 95
dle may be susceptible on some points . 92
11
HOXI
LE
18 OLIVER TWIST .
But he hadn't, because nobody had taught started up in all classes of society, if it
him. had not been coupled with the workhouse.
"Well you have come here to be edu- But they were long-headed men, and they
cated, and taught a useful trade," said had provided for this difficulty. The re-
the red-faced gentleman in the high chair. lief was inseparable from the workhouse
"So you'll begin to pick oakum to-mor- and the gruel; and that frightened people.
row morning at six o'clock," added the For the first three months after Oliver
surly one in the white waistcoat. Twist was removed, the system was in
For the combination of both these bless- full operation. It was rather expensive
ings in the one simple process of picking at first, in consequence of the increase in
oakum, Oliver bowed low by the direction the undertaker's bill, and the necessity of
of the beadle, and was then hurried away taking in the clothes of all the paupers,
to a large ward, where, on a rough hard which fluttered loosely on their wasted,
bed, he sobbed himself to sleep. What a shrunken forms, after a week or two's
noble illustration of the tender laws of this gruel. But the number of workhouse in-
favoured country ! they let the paupers go mates got thin, as well as the paupers ;
to sleep ! and the board were in ecstasies. The
Poor Oliver ! he little thought, as he lay room in which the boys were fed, was a
sleeping in happy unconsciousness of all large stone hall, with a copper at one end,
around him, that the board had that very out of which the master, dressed in an
day arrived at a decision which would ex- apron for the purpose, and assisted by one
ercise the most material influence over all or two women, ladled the gruel at meal-
his future fortunes. But they had. And times ; of which composition each boy
this was it :- had one porringer, and no more,-except
The members of this board were very on festive occasions, and then he had two
sage, deep, philosophical men ; and when ounces and a quarter of bread besides.
they came to turn their attention to the The bowls never wanted washing - the
workhouse, they found out at once, what boys polished them with their spoons, till
ordinary folks would never have discover- they shone again ; and when they had
ed, the poor people liked it ! It was a performed this operation (which never took
regular place of public entertainment for very long, the spoons being nearly as large
the poorer classes, a tavern where there as the bowls), they would sit staring at
was nothing to pay,-a public breakfast, the copper with such eager eyes, as if
dinner, tea, and supper, all the year round, they could devour the very bricks of which
a brick and mortar elysium, where it it was composed ; employing themselves
was all play and no work. " Oho !" said meanwhile in sucking their fingers most
the board, looking very knowing ; " we assiduously, with the view of catching up
are the fellows to set this to rights ; we'll any stray splashes of gruel that might
stop it all in no time." So they establish- have been cast thereon. Boys have gene-
ed the rule, that all poor people should rally excellent appetites : Oliver Twist
have the alternative (for they would com- and his companions suffered the tortures
pel nobody, not they,) of being starved by of slow starvation for three months ; at
a gradual process in the house, or by a last they got so voracious and wild with
quick one out of it. With this view, they hunger, that one boy, who was tall for his
contracted with the water-works to lay on age, and hadn't been used to that sort of
an unlimited supply of water, and with a thing, (for his father had kept a small
corn-factor to supply periodically small cook's shop,) hinted darkly to his compa-
quantities of oatmeal ; and issued three nions, that unless he had another basin of
meals of thin gruel a-day, with an onion gruel per diem, he was afraid he should
twice a week, and half a roll on Sundays. some night eat the boy who slept next him,
They made a great many other wise and who happened to be a weakly youth of
humane regulations having reference to tender age. He had a wild, hungry eye,
the ladies, which it is not necessary to and they implicitly believed him. A coun-
repeat ; kindly undertook to divorce poor cil was held ; lots were cast who should
married people, in consequence of the walk up to the master after supper that
great expense of a suit in Doctors' Com- evening, and ask for more ; and it fell to
mons ; and, instead of compelling a man Oliver Twist.
to support his family as they had thereto- The evening arrived : the boys took
fore done, took his family away from him, their places ; the master, in his cook's uni-
and made him a bachelor ! There is no form, stationed himself at the copper ; his
telling how many applicants for relief un- pauper assistants ranged themselves be-
der these last two heads would not have hind him ; the gruel was served out, and
4
Cruckshank
Jionge
OLIVER TWIST . 23
"you look pale and alarmed. What is the CHAPTER THE FOURTH.
matter?"
"Stand a little away from him, beadle," Oliver, being offered another place, makes his first
entry into public life.
said the other magistrate, laying aside the
paper, and leaning forward with an ex- IN great families, when an advanta-
pression of some interest. " Now, boy, geous place cannot be obtained, either in
tell us what's the matter : don't be afraid." possession, reversion, remainder, or ex-
Oliver fell on his knees, and, clasping pectancy, for the young man who is grow-
his hands together, prayed that they would ing up, it is a very general custom to send
order him back to the dark room,-that him to sea. The board, in imitation of so
they would starve him-beat him- kill wise and salutary an example, took coun-
him if they pleased-rather than send him sel together on the expediency of ship-
away with that dreadful man. ping off Oliver Twist in some small trad-
"Well !" said Mr. Bumble, raising his ing vessel bound to a good unhealthy port,
hands and eyes with most impressive so- which suggested itself as the very best
lemnity, - Well ! of all the artful and thing that could possibly be done with
designing orphans that ever I see, Oliver, him ; the probability being, that the skip-
you are one of the most bare-facedest." per would either flog him to death, in a
"Hold your tongue, beadle," said the playful mood, some day after dinner, or
second old gentleman, when Mr. Bumble knock his brains out with an iron bar,-
had66 given vent to this compound adjective. both pastimes being, as is pretty generally
"I beg your worship's pardon," said known, very favourite and common re-
Mr. Bumble, incredulous of his having creations among gentlemen of that class.
heard aright,-“ did your worship speak The more the case presented itself to the
to me ?" board, in this point of view, the more
"Yes-hold your tongue. " manifold the advantages of the step ap-
Mr. Bumble was stupified with astonish- peared ; so they came to the conclusion
ment. Abeadle ordered to hold his tongue ! that the only way of providing for Oliver
A moral revolution. effectually, was to send him to sea with-
The old gentleman in the tortoise-shell out delay.
spectacles looked at his companion : he Mr. Bumble had been despatched to
nodded significantly. make various preliminary inquiries, with
"We refuse to sanction these inden- the view of finding out some captain or
tures," said the old gentleman, tossing other who wanted a cabin-boy without
aside the piece of parchment as he spoke. any friends ; and was returning to the
"I hope," stammered Mr. Limbkins, workhouse to communicate the result of
"I hope the magistrates will not form the his mission, when he encountered just at
opinion that the authorities have been the gate no less a person than Mr. Sower-
guilty of any improper conduct, on the berry, the parochial undertaker.
unsupported testimony of a mere child." Mr. Sowerberry was a tall, gaunt, large-
"The magistrates are not called upon jointed man, attired in a suit of thread-
to pronounce any opinion on the matter," bare black, with darned cotton stockings
said the second old gentleman sharply. of the same colour, and shoes to answer.
"Take the boy back to the workhouse, and His features were not naturally intended
treat him kindly. He seems to want it." to wear a smiling aspect, but he was in
That same evening the gentleman in general rather given to professional jo-
the white waistcoat most positively and cosity ; his step was elastic, and his face
decidedly affirmed, not only that Oliver betokened inward pleasantry, as he ad-
would be hung, but that he would be vanced to Mr. Bumble and shook him cor-
drawn and quartered into the bargain. dially by the hand.
Mr. Bumble shook his head with gloomy 66 have
"I taken the measure of the two
mystery, and said he wished he might women that died last night, Mr. Bumble,"
come to good ; to which Mr. Gamfield re- said the undertaker.
plied, that he wished he might come to "You'll make your fortune, Mr. Sow-
him, which, although he agreed with the erberry," said the beadle, as he thrust his
beadle in most matters, would seem to be thumb and forefinger into the proffered
a wish of a totally opposite description. snuff-box ofthe undertaker, which was an
The next morning the public were once ingenious little model of a patent coffin.
more informed that Oliver Twist was "I say you'll make your fortune, Mr.
again to let, and that five pounds would Sowerberry," repeated Mr. Bumble, tap-
be paid to anybody who would take pos- ping the undertaker on the shoulder in a
session of him. friendly manner, with his cane.
24 OLIVER TWIST .
" Think so ?" said the undertaker in which were printed therein in Roman
a tone which half admitted and half dis- capitals of gigantic size.
puted the probability of the event. " The " Gadso !" said the undertaker, taking
prices allowed by the board are very Mr. Bumble by the gilt-edged lappel of
small, Mr. Bumble." his official coat ; "that's just the very
" So are the coffins," replied the bea- thing I wanted to speak to you about.
dle, with precisely as near an approach to You know-dear me, what a very elegant
a laugh as a great official ought to in- button this is, Mr. Bumble ; I never no-
dulge in. ticed it before."
Mr. Sowerberry was much tickled at " Yes, I think it is rather pretty," said
this, as of course he ought to be, and the beadle, glancing proudly downwards
laughed a long time without cessation. at the large brass buttons which embel-
66 Well, well, Mr. Bumble," he said at lished his coat. "The die is the same as
length, " there's no denying that, since the porochial seal, the Good Samaritan
the new system of feeding has come in, healing the sick and bruised man. The
the coffins are something narrower and board presented it to me on New-year's
more shallow than they used to be ; but morning, Mr. Sowerberry. I put it on, I
we must have some profit, Mr. Bumble. | remember, for the first time, to attend the
Well-seasoned timber is an expensive ar- inquest on that reduced tradesman who
ticle, sir ; and all the iron handles come died in a doorway at midnight."
by canal from Birmingham." "I recollect," said the undertaker. "The
" Well, well," said Mr. Bumble, " eve- jury brought in Died from exposure to
ry trade has its drawbacks, and a fair pro- the cold, and want of the common neces-
fit is of course allowable.' saries of life,'-didn't they ?"
" Of course, of course," replied the un- Mr. Bumble nodded.
dertaker ; " and if I don't get a profit "And they made it a special verdict, I
upon this or that particular article, why, I think," said the undertaker, " by adding
make it up in the long run, you see-he ! some words to the effect, that if the re-
he! he !" 99
lieving officer had
" Just so," said Mr. Bumble. "Tush-foolery !" interposed the bea-
66 dle angrily. "If the board attended to
Though I must say,"-continued the
undertaker, resuming the current of ob- all the nonsense that ignorant jurymen
servations which the beadle had inter- talk, they'd have enough to do."
rupted,—“ though I must say, Mr. Bum- 66 Very true," said the undertaker ; " they
ble, that I have to contend against one would indeed. ”
very great disadvantage, which is, that 66
Juries," said Mr. Bumble, grasping
all the stout people go off the quickest his cane tightly, as was his wont when
I mean that the people who have been working into a passion,-" juries is ineddi-
better off, and have paid rates for many cated, vulgar, grovelling wretches. "
years, are the first to sink when they come "So they are," said the undertaker.
into the house ; and let me tell you, Mr. 66 They haven't no more philosophy or
Bumble, that three or four inches over political economy about ' em than that,"
one's calculation makes a great hole in said the beadle, snapping his fingers con-
one's profits, especially when one has a temptuously.
family to provide for, sir." "No more they have," acquiesced the
As Mr. Sowerberry said this, with the undertaker.
becoming indignation of an ill-used man, " I despise 'em," said the beadle, grow-›
and as Mr. Bumble felt that it rather ing very red in the face.
tended to convey a reflection on the ho- "So do I," rejoined the undertaker.
nour of the parish, the latter gentleman "And I only wish we'd a jury of the
thought it advisable to change the sub- independent sort in the house for a week
ject ; and Oliver Twist being uppermost or two," said the beadle ; "the rules and
in his mind, he made him his theme. regulations of the board would soon bring
" By the bye," said Mr. Bumble, " you their spirit down for them. ”
don't know anybody who wants a boy, do "Let ' em alone for that,” replied the
you-a porochial ' prentis, who is at pre- undertaker. So saying, he smiled ap-
sent a dead-weight-a millstone, as I may provingly to calm the rising wrath of the
say-round the porochial throat ? Liberal indignant parish officer.
terms, Mr. Sowerberry-liberal terms ;"- Mr. Bumble lifted off his cocked-hat,
and, as Mr. Bumble spoke, he raised his took a handkerchief from the inside ofthe
cane to the bill above him, and gave three crown, wiped from his forehead the per-
distinct raps upon the words " fivepounds," spiration which his rage had engendered,
OLIVER TWIST . 25
fixed the cocked-hat on again ; and, turning | beadle always should ; and, it being a
to the undertaker, said in a calmer voice, windy day, little Oliver was completely
"Well ; what about the boy ?" enshrouded by the skirts of Mr. Bumble's
"Oh !" replied the undertaker ; " why, coat as they blew open, and disclosed to
you know, Mr. Bumble, I pay a good deal great advantage his flapped waistcoat and
towards the poor's rates." drab plush knee-breeches. As they drew
" Hem !" said Mr. Bumble. " Well ?" near to their destination, however, Mr.
66
Well," replied the undertaker, " I Bumble thought it expedient to look down
was thinking that ifI pay so much towards and see that the boy was in good order for
'em, I've a right to get as much out of inspection by his new master, which he
'em as I can, Mr. Bumble ; and so- and accordingly did, with a fit and becoming
so I think I'll take the boy myself." air of gracious patronage.
Mr. Bumble grasped the undertaker by " Oliver !" said Mr. Bumble.
the arm, and led him into the building. "Yes, sir," replied Oliver, in a low,
Mr. Sowerberry was closeted with the tremulous voice.
board for five minutes, and then it was "Pull that cap off of your eyes, and
arranged that Oliver should99 go to him hold up your head, sir."
that evening " upon liking," -a phrase Although Oliver did as he was desired
which means, in the case of a parish ap- at once, and passed the back of his unoc-
prentice, that if the master find, upon a cupied hand briskly across his eyes, he
short trial, that he can get enough work left a tear in them when he looked up at
out of a boy without putting too much food his conductor. As Mr. Bumble gazed
in him, he shall have him for a term of sternly upon him, it rolled down his cheek.
years, to do what he likes with. It was followed by another, and another.
When little Oliver was taken before The child made a strong effort, but it was
"the gentlemen" that evening, and inan unsuccessful one ; and, withdrawing
formed that he was to go that night as his other hand from Mr. Bumble's, he co-
general house-lad to a coffin-maker's, and vered his face with both, and wept till the
that if he complained of his situation, or tears sprung out from between his thin
ever came back to the parish again, he and bony fingers.
would be sent to sea, there to be drowned, "Well!" exclaimed Mr. Bumble, stop-
or knocked on the head, as the case might ping short, and darting at his little charge
be, he evinced so little emotion, that they a look of intense malignity,—" well, of all
by common consent pronounced him a the ungratefullest, and worst-disposed boys
hardened young rascal, and ordered Mr. as ever I see, Oliver, you are the
Bumble to remove him forthwith. "No, no, sir," sobbed Oliver, clinging
Now, although it was very natural that to the hand which held the well-known
the board, of all people in the world, cane ; " no, no, sir ; I will be good indeed ;
should feel in a great state of virtuous indeed, indeed, I will, sir ! I am 99 a very
astonishment and horror at the smallest little boy, sir ; and it is so-so-
tokens of want of feeling on the part of "So what ?" inquired Mr. Bumble in
anybody, they were rather out, in this par- amazement.
ticular instance. The simple fact was, " So lonely, sir-so very lonely," cried
that Oliver, instead of possessing too little the child. 66 Everybody hates me. Oh !
feeling, possessed rather too much, and sir, don't be cross to me. I feel as if I
was in a fair way of being reduced to a had been cut here, sir, and it was all bleed-
state of brutal stupidity and sullenness for ing away ;" and the child beat his hand
life, by the ill usage he had received. He upon his heart, and looked into his com-
heard the news of his destination in per- panion's face with tears of real agony.
fect silence, and, having had his luggage Mr. Bumble regarded Oliver's piteous
put into his hand,-which was not very and helpless look with some astonishment
difficult to carry, inasmuch as it was all for a few seconds, hemmed three or four
comprised within the limits of a brown times in a husky manner, and after mut-
paper parcel, about half a foot square by tering something about " that troublesome
three inches deep, he pulled his cap over cough," bid Oliver dry his eyes, and be a
his eyes, and once more attaching him- good boy ; and, once more taking his hand,
self to Mr. Bumble's coat cuff, was led walked on with him in silence.
away by that dignitary to a new scene of The undertaker had just put up the
suffering. shutters of his shop, and was making some
For some time Mr. Bumble drew Oliver entries in his day-book by the light of a
along, without notice or remark, for the most appropriately dismal candle, when
beadle carried his head very erect, as a Mr. Bumble entered.
3 D
26 OLIVER TWIST .
"Aha !" said the undertaker, looking up would be to see him makingthe same sort
from the book, and pausing in the middle of meal himself, with the same relish.
of a word ; " is that you, Bumble ?" 66 Well," said the undertaker's wife,
"No one else, Mr. Sowerberry," replied when Oliver had finished his supper,
the beadle. 66" Here, I've brought the which she had regarded in silent horror,
boy." Oliver made a bow. and with fearful auguries of his future
"Oh! that's the boy, is it ?" said the appetite, " have you done ?"
undertaker, raising the candle above his There being nothing eatable within his
head to get a full glimpse of Oliver. reach, Oliver replied in the affirmative.
"Mrs. Sowerberry ! will you come here "Then come with me," said Mrs. Sow-
a moment, my dear ?" erberry, taking up a dim and dirty lamp,
Mrs. Sowerberry' emerged from a little and leading the way up stairs ; " your bed's
room behind the shop, and presented the under the counter. You won't mind sleep-
form of a short, thin, squeezed-up woman, ing among the coffins, I suppose ?—but it
with a vixenish countenance. doesn't much matter whether you will or
66
" My dear," said Mr. Sowerberry, defe- not, for you won't sleep any where else.
rentially, " this is the boy from the work- Come ; don't keep me here all night."
house that I told you of." Oliver bowed Oliver lingered no longer, but meekly
again. followed his new mistress.
"Dear me !" said the undertaker's wife,
"He's very small."
66
Why, he is rather small," replied Mr.
Bumble, looking at Oliver as if it were
his fault that he wasn't bigger ; " he is CHAPTER THE FIFTH.
small, there's no denying it. But he'll Oliver mingles with new associates, and, going to
grow, Mrs. Sowerberry, he'll grow." a funeral for the first time, forms an unfavoura-
" Ah ! I dare say he will," replied the ble notion of his master's business.
lady pettishly, 66 on our victuals and our
drink. I see no saving in parish children, OLIVER being left to himself in the un-
not I ; for they always cost more to keep dertaker's shop, set the lamp down on a
than they're worth : however, men always workman's bench, and gazed timidly about
think they know best. There, get down him with a feeling of awe and dread,
stairs, little bag o' bones." With this, the which many people a good deal older than
undertaker's wife opened a side door, and Oliver will be at no loss to understand.
pushed Oliver down a steep flight of stairs An unfinished coffin on black tressels,
into a stone cell, damp and dark, forming which stood in the middle of the shop,
the ante-room to the coal-cellar, and deno- looked so gloomy and death-like, that a
minated " the kitchen," wherein sat a cold tremble came over him every time
slatternly girl in shoes down at heel, and his eyes wandered in the direction of the
blue worsted stockings very much out of dismal object, from which he almost ex-
repair. pected to see some frightful form slowly
"Here, Charlotte," said Mrs. Sower- rear its head to drive him mad with terror.
berry,
66 who had followed Oliver down, Against the wall were ranged in regular
give this boy some of the cold bits that array a long row of elm boards cut into
were put by for Trip : he hasn't come home the same shape, and looking in the dim
since the morning, so he may go without light like high-shouldered ghosts with
'em. I dare say he isn't too dainty to eat their hands in their breeches-pockets.
em, are you, boy ?" Coffin-plates, elm - chips, bright - headed
Oliver, whose eyes had glistened at the nails, and shreds of black cloth, lay scat-
mention of meat, and who was trembling tered on the floor ; and the wall above the
with eagerness to devour it, replied in the counter was ornamented with a lively
negative ; and a plateful of coarse broken representation of two mutes in very stiff
victuals was set before him. neckcloths, on duty at a large private
I wish some well-fed philosopher, whose door, with a hearse drawn by four black
meat and drink turn to gall within him, steeds approaching in the distance. The
whose blood is ice, and whose heart is iron, shop was close and hot, and the atmo-
could have seen Oliver Twist clutching sphere seemed tainted with the smell of
at the dainty viands that the dog had ne- coffins. The recess beneath the counter
glected, and witnessed the horrible avidity in which his flock-mattress was thrust,
with which he tore the bits asunder with looked like a grave.
all the ferocity of famine : -there is only Nor were these the only dismal feelings
one thing I should like better ; and that which depressed Oliver. He was alone
OLIVER TWIST . 27
in a strange place ; and we all know how " I kicked," replied the charity-boy.
Ichilled and desolate the best of us will “ Did you want a coffin, sir ?" inquired
sometimes feel in such a situation. The Oliver, innocently.
boy had no friends to care for, or to care At this the charity-boy looked monstrous
for him. The regret of no recent sepa- fierce, and said that Oliver would stand in
ration was fresh in his mind ; the absence need of one before long, if he cut jokes
of no loved and well-remembered face with his superiors in that way.
sunk heavily into his heart. But his heart " Yer don't know who I am , I suppose,
was heavy, notwithstanding ; and he wish- work'us ?" said the charity-boy, in con-
ed, as he crept into his narrow bed, that tinuation ; descending from the top ofthe
that were his coffin, and that he could be post,
66 meanwhile, with edifying gravity.
laid in a calm and lasting sleep in the No, sir," rejoined Oliver.
churchyard ground, with the tall grass "I'm Mister Noah Claypole," said the
waving gently above his head, and the charity-boy, " and you're under me. Take
sound of the old deep bell to soothe him down theshutters, yer idle young ruffian !"
in his sleep. With this Mr. Claypole administered a
Oliver was awakened in the morning kick to Oliver, and entered the shop with
by a loud kicking at the outside of the a dignified air, which did him great cre-
shop-door, which, before he could huddle dit : it is difficult for a large-headed,
on his clothes, was repeated in an angry small-eyed youth, of lumbering make and
and impetuous manner about twenty-five heavy countenance, to look dignified un-
times ; and, when he began to undo the der any circumstances ; but it is more
chain, the legs left off their volleys, and especially so, when superadded to these
a voice began . personal attractions, are a red nose and
66
Open the door, will yer ?" cried the yellow smalls.
voice which belonged to the legs which Oliver having taken down the shutters,
had kicked at the door. and broken a pane of glass in his efforts to
"I will directly, sir," replied Oliver, stagger away beneath the weight of the
undoing the chain, and turning the key. first one to a small court at the side of the
I suppose yer the new boy, a'nt yer ?" house in which they were kept during the
said the voice through the key-hole. day, was graciously assisted by Noah,
66
Yes, sir," replied Oliver. who, having consoled him with the assu-
" How old are yer ?" inquired the voice. rance that "he'd catch it," condescended
" Eleven, sir," replied Oliver. to help him. Mr. Sowerberry came down
"Then I'll whop yer when I get in," soon after, and, shortly afterwards, Mrs.
said the voice ; "you just see if I don't, Sowerberry
66 appeared ; and Oliver having
that's all, my work'us brat !" and, having caught it," in fulfilment of Noah's pre-
made this obliging promise, the voice be- diction, followed that young gentleman
gan to whistle. down stairs to breakfast.
Oliver had been too often subjected to "Come near the fire, Noah," said Char-
the process to which the very expressive lotte. "I saved a nice little piece of ba-
monysyllable just recorded, bears refer- con for you from master's breakfast . Oli-
ence, to entertain the smallest doubt that ver, shut that door at Mister Noah's back,
the owner ofthe voice, whoever he might and take them bits that I've put out on
be, would redeem his pledge most honour- the cover of the bread-pan. There's your
ably. He drew back the bolts with a tea ; take it away to that box, and drink
trembling hand, and opened the door. it there, and make haste, for they'll want
For a second or two, Oliver glanced up you66 to mind the shop. D'ye hear ?"
the street, and down the street, and over 'D'ye hear, work'us ?" said Noah
the way, impressed with the belief that Claypole .
the unknown, who had addressed him 66 Lor, Noah !" said Charlotte, " what a
through the key-hole, had walked a few rum creature you are ! Why don't you
paces off to warm himself, for nobody did let the boy alone ?"
Oliver see but a big charity-boy sitting on " Let him alone !" said Noah. "Why
the post in front of the house, eating a every body lets him alone enough, for the
slice of bread and butter, which he cut matter of that. Neither his father nor
into wedges the size of his mouth with a mother will ever interfere with him: all
clasp-knife, and then consumed with great his relations let him have his own way
dexterity. pretty well. Eh, Charlotte ? He ! he ! he !"
"I beg your pardon, sir," said Oliver, " Oh, you queer soul !" said Charlotte,
at length, seeing that no other visitor bursting into a hearty laugh, in which
made his appearance ; " did you knock ?" she was joined by Noah ; after which they
28 OLIVER TWIST .
both looked scornfully at poor Oliver Twist, very common and much-approved matri-
as he sat shivering upon the box in the monial course of treatment, which is often
coldest corner of the room, and ate the very effective. It at once reduced Mr.
stale pieces which had been specially re- Sowerberry to begging as a special favour
served for him. to be allowed to say what Mrs. Sowerberry
Noah was a charity-boy, but not a work- was most curious to hear, and, after a short
house orphan. No chance-child was he, altercation of less than three quarters of
for he could trace his genealogy back all an hour's duration, the permission was
the way to his parents, who lived hard by ; most graciously conceded.
his mother being a washerwoman, and 66 It's only about young Twist, my dear,"
his father a drunken soldier, discharged said Mr. Sowerberry. "A very good-look-
with a wooden leg and a diurnal pension ing boy that, my dear."
of twopence-halfpenny and an unstateable " He need be, for he eats enough,” ob-
fraction. The shop-boys in the neigh- served the lady.
bourhood had long been in the habit of “ There's an expression of melancholy
branding Noah in the public streets with in his face, my dear," resumed Mr. Sow-
the ignominious epithets of " leathers," erberry, " which is very interesting. He
"charity," and the like ; and Noah had would make a delightful mute, my dear."
borne them without reply. But now that Mrs. Sowerberry looked up with an
fortune had cast in his way a nameless expression of considerable wonderment.
orphan, at whom even the meanest could Mr. Sowerberry remarked it, and, without
point the finger of scorn, he retorted on allowing time for any observation on the
him with interest. This affords charming good lady's part, proceeded.
food for contemplation. It shows us what "I don't mean a regular mute to attend
a beautiful thing human nature is, and grown-up people, my dear, but only for
how impartially the same amiable qualities children's practice. It would be very new
are developed in the finest lord and the to have a mute in proportion, my dear.
dirtiest charity-boy. You may depend upon it that it would
Oliver had been sojourning at the un- have a superb effect."
dertaker's some three weeks or a month, Mrs. Sowerberry, who had a good deal
and Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry, the shop of taste in the undertaking way, was much
being shut up, were taking their supper struck by the novelty of the idea ; but, as
in the little back-parlour, when Mr. Sow- it would have been compromising her dig-
erberry, after several deferential glances nity to have said so under existing circum-
at his wife, said, stances, she merely inquired with much
66 My dear-" He was going to say sharpness why such an obvious suggestion
more ; but, Mrs. Sowerberry looking up had not presented itself to her husband's
with a peculiarly unpropitious aspect, he mind before. Mr. Sowerberry rightly con-
stopped short. strued this as an acquiescence in his pro-
"Well !" said Mrs. Sowerberry, sharply. position : it was speedily determined that
66 Nothing, my dear, nothing," said Mr. Oliver should be at once initiated into the
Sowerberry. mysteries of the profession, and, with this
66
" Ugh, you brute !" said Mrs. Sower- view, that he should accompany his mas-
berry. ter on the very next occasion of his ser-
"Not at all, my dear," said Mr. Sower- vices being required.
berry, humbly. " I thought you didn't The occasion was not long in coming ;
want to hear, my dear. I was only going for, half an hour after breakfast next morn-
to say- 99 ing, Mr. Bumble entered the shop, and
66 Oh, don't tell me what you were go- supporting his cane against the counter,
ing to say," interposed Mrs. Sowerberry. drew forth his large leathern pocket-book,
“I am nobody ; don't consult me, pray. I from which he selected a small scrap of
don't want to intrude upon your secrets." paper which he handed over to Sower-
And as Mrs. Sowerberry said this, she berry.
gave an hysterical laugh, which threaten- "Aha !" said the undertaker, glancing 66
ed violent consequences. over it with a lively countenance ; an
"But, my dear," said Sowerberry, " I order for a coffin, eh?"
want to ask your advice." " For a coffin first, and a porochial fu-
"No, no, don't ask mine," replied Mrs. neral afterwards," replied Mr. Bumble,
Sowerberry, in an affecting manner ; " ask fastening the strap of the leathern pocket-
somebody else's." Here there was an- book, which, like himself, was very cor-
other hysterical laugh, which frightened pulent. •
Mr. Sowerberry very much. This is a 66 Bayton," said the undertaker, looking
OLIVER TWIST . 29
from the scrap of paper to Mr. Bumble ; | have taken the trouble to shrink from Mr.
"I never heard the name before." Bumble's glance, however ; for that func-
Bumble shook his head as he replied, tionary on whom the prediction of the
"Obstinate people, Mr. Sowerberry, very gentleman in the white waistcoat had
obstinate ; proud, too, I'm afraid, sir.” made a very strong impression, thought
" Proud, eh ?" exclaimed Mr. Sower- that now the undertaker had got Oliver
berry with a sneer.-" Come, that's too upon trial, the subject was better avoided,
much." until such time as he should be firmly
66
" Oh, it's sickening," replied the bea- bound for seven years, and all danger of
dle ; "perfectly antimonial, Mr. Sower- his being returned upon the hands of the
berry." parish should be thus effectually and legal-
"So it is," acquiesced the undertaker. ly overcome.
66
"We only heard of them the night Well," said Mr. Sowerberry, taking
before last," said the beadle ; "and we up his hat, " the sooner this job is done,
shouldn't have known anything about them the better. Noah, look after the shop.
then, only a woman who lodges in the Oliver, 99 put on your cap, and come with
same house made an application to the me.' Oliver obeyed, and followed his
porochial committee for them to send the master on his professional mission.
porochial surgeon to see a woman as was They walked on for some time through
very bad. He had gone out to dinner ; the most crowded and densely inhabited
but his ' prentice, which is a very clever part of the town, and then striking down
lad, sent ' em some medicine in a blacking- a narrow street more dirty and miserable
bottle, off-hand." than any they had yet passed through,
"Ah, there's promptness," said the un- paused to look for the house which was
dertaker. the object of their search. The houses
66
Promptness, indeed !" replied the bea- on either side were high and large, but
dle. " But what's the consequence ; what's very old ; and tenanted by people of the
the ungrateful behaviour of these rebels, poorest class, as their neglected appear-
sir ? Why, the husband sends back word ance would have sufficiently denoted with-
that the medicine won't suit his wife's out the concurrent testimony afforded by
complaint, and so she shan't take it says the squalid looks of the few men and wo-
she shan't take it, sir. Good, strong, whole- men who, with folded arms and bodies
some medicine, as was given with great half doubled, occasionally skulked like
success to two Irish labourers and a coal- shadows along. A great many of the
heaver only a week before-sent ' em for tenements had shop-fronts ; but they were
nothing, with a blacking-bottle in, and he fast closed, and mouldering away : only
sends back word that she shan't take it, the upper rooms being inhabited. Others,
sir." which had become insecure from age and
As the flagrant atrocity presented itself decay, were prevented from falling into
to Mr. Bumble's mind in full force, he the street by the huge beams of wood
struck the counter sharply with his cane, which were reared against the tottering
and became flushed with indignation. walls, and firmly planted in the road ; but
"Well," said the undertaker, "I even these crazy dens seemed to have been
ne-ver- did 99
selected as the nightly haunts of some
"Never did, sir !" ejaculated the beadle, houseless wretches, for many of the rough
-66
no, nor nobody never did ; but, now boards which supplied the place of door
she's dead, we've got to bury her, and and window, were wrenched from their
that's the direction, and the sooner it's positions to afford an aperture wide enough
done, the better." for the passage of a human body. The
Thus saying, Mr. Bumble put on his kennel was stagnant and filthy ; the very
cocked-hat wrong side first, in a fever of rats that here and there lay putrefying
parochial excitement, and flounced out in its rottenness, were hideous with famine.
of the shop. There was neither knocker nor bell-
66
Why, he was so angry, Oliver, that handle at the open door where Oliver and
he forgot even to ask after you," said Mr. his master stopped ; so, groping his way
Sowerberry, looking after the beadle as he cautiously through the dark passage, and
strode down the street. bidding Oliver keep close to him and not
" Yes, sir," replied Oliver, who had be afraid, the undertaker mounted to the
carefully kept himself out of sight during top of the first flight of stairs, and, stum-
the interview, and who was shaking from bling against a door on the landing, rapped
head to foot at the mere recollection of the at it with his knuckles.
sound of Mr. Bumble's voice. He needn't It was opened by a young girl of thir-
3*
30 OLIVER TWIST .
teen or fourteen. The undertaker at once the God that saw it,-they starved her !"-
saw enough of what the room contained, He twined his hands in his hair, and with
to know it was the apartment to which he a loud scream rolled grovelling upon the
had been directed. He stepped in, and floor, his eyes fixed, and the foam gushing
Oliver followed him. from his lips.
There was no fire in the room ; but a The terrified children cried bitterly ;
man was crouching mechanically over the but the old woman, who had hitherto re-
empty stove. An old woman, too, had mained as quiet as if she had been wholly
drawn a low stool to the cold hearth, and deaf to all that passed, menaced them into
was sitting beside him. There were some silence ; and having unloosed the man's
ragged children in another corner ; and cravat, who still remained extended on the
in a small recess opposite the door there ground, tottered towards the undertaker.
lay upon the ground something covered " She was my daughter," said the old
with an old blanket. Oliver shuddered woman, nodding her head in the direction
as he cast his eyes towards the place, and of the corpse, and speaking with an idiotic
crept involuntarily closer to his master ; leer, more ghastly than even the presence
for, though it was covered up, the boy of death itself. " Lord, Lord ! —well, it is
felt that it was a corpse. strange that I who gave birth to her, and
The man's face was thin and very pale ; was a woman then, should be alive and
his hair and beard were grizzly, and his merry now, and she lying there, so cold
eyes were bloodshot. The old woman's and stiff ! Lord, Lord !-to think of it ;-
face was wrinkled, her two remaining it's as good as a play-as good as a play !"
teeth protruded over her under lip, and As the wretched creature mumbled and
her eyes were bright and piercing. Oli- chuckled in her hideous merriment, the
ver was afraid to look at either her or the undertaker turned to go away.
man, they seemed so like the rats he had 66 Stop, stop !" said the old woman in a
seen outside. loud whisper. "Will she be buried to-
66 morrow-or next day—or to-night ? I laid
Nobody shall go near her," said the
man, starting fiercely up, as the under- her out, and I must walk, you know. Send
taker approached the recess. " Keep back ! me a large cloak-a good warm one, for
d-n99 you, keep back, if you've a life to it is bitter cold. We should have cake
lose.' and wine, too, before we go ! Never
"Nonsense ! my good man," said the mind : send some bread-only a loaf of
undertaker, who was pretty well used to bread and a cup of water. Shall we have
misery in all its shapes,-" nonsense !" some bread, dear ?" she said eagerly,
"I tell you," said the man, clenching catching at the undertaker's coat, as he
his hands, and stamping furiously on the once more moved towards the door.
66 Yes, yes," said the undertaker, " of
floor, " I tell you I won't have her put
into the ground. She couldn't rest there. course ; anything, everything." He dis-
The worms would worry-not eat her, engaged himself from the old woman's
she is so worn away." grasp, and, dragging Oliver after him,
The undertaker offered no reply to this hurried away.
raving, but producing a tape from his The next day, (the family having been
pocket, knelt down for a moment by the meanwhile relieved with a half-quartern
side of the body. loaf and a piece of cheese, left with them
"Ah !" said the man, bursting into tears, by Mr. Bumble himself,) Oliver and his
and sinking on his knees at the feet of the master returned to the miserable abode,
dead woman ; "kneel down, kneel down where Mr. Bumble had already arrived,
-kneel round her every one of you, and accompanied by four men from the work-
mark my words. I say she starved to house, who were to act as bearers. An
death. I never knew how bad she was, old black cloak had been thrown over the
till the fever came upon her, and then her rags of the old woman and the man ; the
bones were starting through the skin. bare coffin having been screwed down,
There was neither fire nor candle ; she was then hoisted on the shoulders of the
died in the dark - in the dark. She bearers, and carried down stairs into the
couldn't even see her children's faces, street.
66 Now, you must put your best leg fore-
though we heard her gasping out their
names. I begged for her in the streets, most, old lady," whispered Sowerberry in
and they sent me to prison. When I the old woman's ear ; " we are rather late,
came back, she was dying ; and all the and it won't do to keep the clergyman
blood in my heart has dried up, for they waiting. Move on, my men,-as quick
starved her to death. I swear it before as you like."
OLIVER TWIST . 31
Thus directed, the bearers trotted on off) to pay him any attention ; so they
under their light burden, and the two threw a can of cold water over him, and
mourners kept as near them as they could. when he came to, saw him safely out of
Mr. Bumble and Sowerberry walked at a the churchyard, locked the gate, and de-
good smart pace in front ; and Oliver, parted on their different ways.
whose legs were not as long as his mas- "Well, Oliver," said Sowerberry, as
ter's, ran by the side. they walked home, “ how do you like it ?"
66
There was not so great a necessity for Pretty well, thank you, sir," replied
hurrying as Mr. Sowerberry had antici- Oliver, with considerable hesitation. " Not
pated, however ; for when they reached very much, sir."
the obscure corner of the churchyard in " Ah, you''ll get used to it in time, Oli-
which the nettles grew, and the parish ver," said Sowerberry. " Nothing when
graves were made, the clergyman had not you are used to it, my boy."
arrived, and the clerk, who was sitting Oliver wondered in his own mind whe-
by the vestry-room fire, seemed to think ther it had taken a very long time to get
it by no means improbable that it might Mr. Sowerberry used to it ; but he thought
be an hour or so before he came. So they it better not to ask the question, and walk-
set the bier down on the brink of the ed back to the shop, thinking over all he
grave ; and the two mourners waited pa- had seen and heard.
tiently 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- CHAPTER THE SIXTH.
and-seek among the tombstones, or varied
their amusements by jumping backwards Oliver, being goaded by the taunts of Noah, rouses
and forwards over the coffin. Mr. Sower- into action, and rather astonishes him.
berry and Bumble, being personal friends It was a nice sickly season just at this
of the clerk, sat by the fire with him, and time. In commercial phrase, coffins were
read the paper. looking up ; and, in the course of a few
At length, after the lapse of something weeks, Oliver had acquired a great deal
more than an hour, Mr. Bumble, and Sow- of experience. The success of Mr. Sow-
erberry, and the clerk, were seen running erberry's ingenious speculation exceeded
towards the grave ; and immediately af- even his most sanguine hopes. The old-
terwards the clergyman appeared, putting est inhabitants recollected no period at
on his surplice as he came along. Mr. which measles had been so prevalent, or
Bumble then threshed a boy or two, to so fatal to infant existence ; and many
keep up appearances ; and the reverend were the mournful processions which lit-
gentleman, having read as much of the tle Oliver headed in a hat-band reaching
burial service as could be compressed into down to his knees, to the indescribable
four minutes, gave his surplice to the clerk, admiration and emotion of all the mothers
and ran away again. in the town. As Oliver accompanied his
66
Now, Bill," said Sowerberry to the master in most of his adult expeditions
grave-digger, " fill up." too, in order that he might acquire that
It was no very difficult task, for the equanimity of demeanour and full com-
grave was so full that the uppermost coffin mand of nerve which are so essential to
was within a few feet of the surface. The a finished undertaker, he had many oppor-
grave-digger shovelled in the earth, stamp- tunities of observing the beautiful resigna-
ed it loosely down with his feet, shoulder- tion and fortitude with which some strong-
ed his spade, and walked off, followed by minded people bear their trials and losses.
the boys, who murmured very loud com- For instance, when Sowerberry had an
plaints at the fun being over so soon. order for the burial of some rich old lady
66
Come, my good fellow," said Bumble, or gentleman, who was surrounded by a
tapping the man on the back, "they want great number of nephews or nieces, who
to shut up the yard." had been perfectly inconsolable during the
The man, who had never once moved previous illness and whose grief had been
since he had taken his station by the grave wholly irrepressible even on the most pub
side, started, raised his head, stared at the lic occasions, they would be as happy
person who had addressed him, walked among themselves as need be - quite
forward for a few paces, and then fell down cheerful and contented, conversing toge-
in a fit. The crazy old woman was too' ther with as much freedom and gaiety as
much occupied in bewailing the loss of her if nothing whatever had happened to dis-
cloak (which the undertaker had taken turb them. Husbands, too, bore the loss
32 OLIVER TWIST .
of their wives with the most heroic calm- | conditioned charity-boy as he was. But,
ness ; and wives, again, put on weeds for none of these taunts producing the desired
their husbands, as if, so far from grieving effect of making Oliver cry, Noah at-
in the garb of sorrow, they had made up tempted to be more facetious still, and in
their minds to render it as becoming and this attempt did what many small wits,
attractive as possible. It was observable, with far greater reputations than Noah
too, that ladies and gentlemen who were notwithstanding, do to this day when they
in passions of anguish during the cere- want to be funny ; he got rather personal.
mony of interment, recovered almost as "Work'us," said Noah, " how's your
soon as they reached home, and became mother?"
quite composed before the tea-drinking " She's dead," replied Oliver ; " don't
was over. All this was very pleasant you say anything about her to me !"
and improving to see ; and Oliver beheld Oliver's colour rose as he said this ; he
it with great admiration. breathed quickly, and there was a curious
That Oliver Twist was moved to re- working of the mouth and nostrils, which
signation by the example of these good Mr. Claypole thought must be the imme-
people, I cannot, although I am his bio- diate precursor of a violent fit of crying.
grapher, undertake to affirm with any Under this impression he returned to the
degree of confidence ; but I can most discharge.
tinctly say, that for some weeks he con- "What did she die of, work'us ?" said
tinued meekly to submit to the domination | Noah.
and ill-treatment of Noah Claypole, who "Of a broken heart, some of our old
used him far worse than ever, now that nurses told me," replied Oliver, more as
his jealousy was roused by seeing the new if he were talking to himself than answer-
boy promoted to the black stick and hat- ing Noah. " I think I know what it must
band, while he, the old one, remained sta- be to die of that ?"
tionary in the muffin-cap and leathers. "Tol de rol lol lol, right fol lairy,
Charlotte treated him badly because Noah work'us," said Noah, as a tear rolled
did ; and Mrs. Sowerberry was his decided down Oliver's cheek. "What's set you
enemy because Mr. Sowerberry was dis- a snivelling now?"
posed to be his friend ; so, between these "Not you,” replied Oliver, hastily brush-
three on one side, and a glut of funerals ing the tear away. "Don't think it."
on the other, Oliver was not altogether as "Oh, not me, eh ?" sneered Noah.
comfortable as the hungry pig was, when “ No, not you,” replied Oliver, sharply.
he was shut up by mistake in the grain "There ; that's enough. Don't say any-
department of a brewery. thing more to me about her ; you'd better
And now I come to a very important not !"
passage in Oliver's history, for I have to "Better not !" exclaimed Noah. "Well !
record an act, slight and unimportant per- better not ! work'us ; don't be impudent.
haps in appearance, but which indirectly Your mother, too ! she was a nice ' un,
produced a most material change in all his she was. Oh, Lor !" And here Noah
future prospects and proceedings. nodded his head expressively, and curled
One day Oliver and Noah had descended up as much of his small red nose as mus-
into the kitchen, at the usual dinner-hour, cular action could collect together for the
to banquet upon a small joint of mutton- occasion.
a pound and a half of the worst end ofthe "Yer know, work'us," continued Noah,
neck ; when, Charlotte being called out emboldened by Oliver's silence, and speak-
of the way, there ensued a brief interval ing in a jeering tone of affected pity-of
of time, which Noah Claypole, being hun- all tones the most annoying-" Yer know,
gry and vicious, considered he could not work'us, it carn't be helped now, and of
possibly devote to a worthier purpose than course yer couldn't help it then, and I'm
aggravating and tantalising young Oliver very sorry for it, and I'm sure we all are,
Twist. and pity yer very much. But yer must
Intent upon this innocent amusement, know, work'us, your mother was a regular
Noah put his feet on the table-cloth, and right-down bad ’ un. ”
pulled Oliver's hair, and twitched his ears, "What did you say ?" inquired Oliver,
and expressed his opinion that he was a looking up very quickly.
"sneak," and furthermore announced his "A regular right-down bad 'un, work-
intention of coming to see him hung when- ' us," replied Noah, coolly ; " and it's a
ever that desirable event should take place, great deal better, work'us, that she died
and entered upon various other topics of when she did, or else she'd have been
petty annoyance, like a malicious and ill- hard labouring in Bridewell, or transport-
George bruck hank
OLIVER TWISTY 33
ed, or hung, which is more likely than deficiency of breath and a sufficiency of
either, isn't it ?" cold water, which Noah had poured over
Crimson with fury, Oliver started up, her head and shoulders, -" Oh, Charlotte,
overthrew chair and table, seized Noah what a mercy we have not been all mur-
by the throat, shook him in the violence dered in our beds !"
of his rage till his teeth chattered in his "Ah, mercy, indeed, ma'am," was the
head, and, collecting his whole force into reply. "I only hope this 'll teach master
one heavy blow, felled him to the ground. not to have any more of these dreadful
A minute ago the boy had looked the creatures that are born to be murderers
quiet, mild, dejected creature that harsh and robbers from their very cradle. Poor
treatment had made him. But his spirit Noah! he was all but killed, ma'am, when
was roused at last ; the cruel insult to his I came in."
dead mother had set his blood on fire. 66 Ah, poor fellow !" said Mrs. Sower-
His breast heaved, his attitude was erect, berry, looking piteously on the charity-
his eye bright and vivid, and his whole boy.
person changed, as he stood glaring over Noah, whose top waistcoat-button might
the cowardly tormentor that lay crouching have been somewhere on a level with the
at his feet, and defied him with an energy crown of Oliver's head, rubbed his eyes
he had never known before. with the inside of his wrists while this
"He'll murder me !" blubbered Noah. commiseration was bestowed upon him,
"Charlotte ! missis ! here's the new boy and performed some very audible tears
a-murdering me ! Help ! help ! Oliver's and sniffs.
gone mad! Char-lotte !" "What's to be done !" exclaimed Mrs.
Noah's shouts were responded to, by a Sowerberry. "Your master's not at home,
loud scream from Charlotte, and a louder there's not a man in the house,-and
from Mrs. Sowerberry ; the former of he'll kick that door down in ten minutes."
whom rushed into the kitchen by a side- Oliver's vigorous plunges against the bit
door, while the latter paused on the stair- of timber in question rendered this occur-
case till she was quite certain that it was rence highly probable.
consistent with the preservation of human "Dear, dear ! I don't know, ma'am,"
life to come further down. said Charlotte, " unless we send for the
"Oh, you little wretch !" screamed police-officers."
Charlotte, seizing Oliver with her utmost "Or the millingtary," suggested Mr.
force, which was about equal to that of a Claypole.
moderately strong man in particularly good “ No, no,” said Mrs. Sowerberry, be-
training, - "Oh, you little un-grate-ful, thinking herself of Oliver's old friend ;
mur-de-rous, hor-rid villain !" and between "run to Mr. Bumble, Noah, and tell him
every syllable Charlotte gave Oliver a to come here directly, and not to lose a
blow with all her might, and accompanied minute ; never mind your cap, - make
it with a scream for the benefit of society. haste. You can hold a knife to that black
Charlotte's fist was by no means a light eye as you run along, and it'll keep the
one ; but, lest it should not be effectual in swelling down."
calming Oliver's wrath, Mrs. Sowerberry Noah stopped to make no reply, but
plunged into the kitchen, and assisted to started off at his fullest speed ; and very
hold him with one hand, while she scratch- much it astonished the people who were
ed his face with the other ; and in this out walking, to see a charity-boy tearing
favourable position of affairs Noah rose through the streets pell-mell, with no cap
from the ground, and pummelled him on his head, and a clasp-knife at his eye.
from behind.
This was rather too violent exercise to
last long ; so, when they were all three
wearied out, and could tear and beat no
longer, they dragged Oliver, struggling CHAPTER THE SEVENTH.
and shouting, but nothing daunted, into Oliver continues refractory.
the dust-cellar, and there locked him up ;
and this being done, Mrs. Sowerberry NOAH CLAYPOLE ran along the streets
sunk into a chair, and burst into tears. at his swiftest pace, and paused not once
" Bless her, she's going off!" said Char- for breath until he reached the workhouse-
lotte. "A glass of water, Noah, dear. gate. Having rested here for a minute
Make haste.' or so, to collect a good burst of sobs and
" Oh, Charlotte," said Mrs. Sowerberry, an imposing show of tears and terror, he
speaking as well as she could through a knocked loudly at the wicket, and pre-
E
34 OLIVER TWIST .
sented such a rueful face to the aged pau- in the white waistcoat, stopping short.
per who opened it, that even he, who saw "I knew it ! I felt a strange presenti-
nothing but rueful faces about him at the ment from the very first, that that auda-
best of times, started back in astonishment. cious young savage would come to be
66 Why, what's the matter with the hung!"
boy ?" said the old pauper. "He has likewise attempted, sir, to
" Mr. Bumble ! Mr. Bumble !" cried murder the female servant," said Mr.
Noah, with well-affected dismay, and in Bumble, with a face of ashy paleness.
tones so loud and agitated that they not "And his missis," interposed Mr. Clay-
only caught the ear of Mr. Bumble him- pole.
self, who happened to be hard by, but "And his master, too, I think you said,
alarmed him so much that he rushed into Noah ?" added Mr. Bumble.
the yard without his cocked-hat,-which "No, he's out, or he would have mur-
is a very curious and remarkable circum- dered him,” replied Noah. "He said he
99
stance, as showing that even a beadle, wanted to-
acted upon by a sudden and powerful im- " Ah! said he wanted to did he, my
pulse, may be afflicted with a momentary boy ?" inquired the gentleman in the white
visitation of loss of self-possession, and waistcoat.
forgetfulness of personal dignity 66
Yes, sir," replied Noah ; " and, please
"Oh, Mr. Bumble, sir !" said 99 Noah ; sir, missis wants to know whether Mr.
"Oliver, sir,-Oliver has- Bumble can spare time to step up there
"What ? what ?" interposed Mr. Bum- directly, and flog him, ' cause master's out. "
ble, with a gleam of pleasure in his metal- 66 Certainly, my boy ; certainly," said
lic eyes. "Not run away ? he hasn't run the gentleman in the white waistcoat,
away; has he, Noah ?" smiling benignly, and patting Noah's head,
66 which was about three inches higher than
No, sir, no ; not run away, sir, but he's
turned wicious," replied Noah. " He his own. "You're a good boy- a very
tried to murder me, sir ; and then he tried good boy. Here's a penny for you. Bum-
to murder Charlotte, and then missis. Oh, ble, just step up to Sowerberry's with
what dreadful pain it is ! such agony, your cane, and see what's best to be done.
please sir !" and here Noah writhed and Don't spare him, Bumble."
twisted his body into an extensive variety “ No, I will not, sir,” replied the beadle,
of eel-like positions ; thereby giving Mr. adjusting the wax-end which was twisted
Bumble to understand that, from the vio- round the bottom of his cane for purposes
lent and sanguinary onset of Oliver Twist, of parochial flagellation.
he had sustained severe internal injury " Tell Sowerberry not to spare him,
and damage, from which he was at that either. They'll never do anything with
speaking suffering the acutest torture. him, without stripes and bruises," said the #
When Noah saw that the intelligence gentleman in the white waistcoat.
he communicated perfectly paralysed Mr. " I'll take care, sir," replied the beadle.
Bumble, he imparted additional effect And, the cocked-hat and cane having been
thereunto, by bewailing his dreadful by this time adjusted to their owner's
wounds ten times louder than before : and, satisfaction, Mr. Bumble and Noah Clay-
when he observed a gentleman in a white pole betook themselves with all speed to
waistcoat crossing the yard, he was more the undertaker's shop.
tragic in his lamentations than ever, right- Here the position of affairs had not at
ly conceiving it highly expedient to attract all improved, for Sowerberry had not yet
the notice, and rouse the indignation of returned, and Oliver continued to kick
the gentleman aforesaid. with undiminished vigour at the cellar-
The gentleman's notice was very soon door. The accounts of his ferocity, as
attracted ; for he had not walked three related by Mrs. Sowerberry and Charlotte,
paces when he turned angrily round, and were of so startling a nature that Mr.
inquired what that young cur was howl- Bumble judged it prudent to parley before
ing for, and why Mr. Bumble did not fa- opening the door : with this view, he gave
vour him with something which would a kick at the outside, by way of prelude ;
render the series of vocular exclamations and then, applying his mouth to the key-
so designated, an involuntary process. hole, said, in a deep and impressive tone,
"It's a poor boy from the free-school, " Oliver !"
sir," replied Mr. Bumble, " who has been "Come ; you let me out !" replied Oli-
nearly murdered-all but murdered, sir- ver, from the inside.
by young Twist. " "Do you know this here voice, Oliver ?"
"By Jove !" exclaimed the gentleman said Mr. Bumble.
OLIVER TWIST. 35
66 Yes," replied Oliver. other sound inaudible. Sowerberry re-

"Ain't you afraid of it, sir ? Ain't you turned at this juncture, and Oliver's
a-trembling while I speak, sir ?” said Mr. offence having been explained to him, with
Bumble. such exaggerations as the ladies thought
"No !" replied Oliver, boldly. best calculated to rouse his ire, he unlock-
An answer so different from the one he ed the cellar-door in a twinkling, and
had expected to elicit, and was in the dragged his rebellious apprentice out by
habit of receiving, staggered Mr. Bumble the collar.
not a little. He stepped back from the Oliver's clothes had been torn in the
keyhole, drew himself up to his full height, beating he had received ; his face was
and looked from one to another of the three bruised and scratched, and his hair scat-
bystanders in mute astonishment. tered over his forehead. The angry flush
66
' Oh, you know, Mr. Bumble, he must had not disappeared, however ; and when
be mad," said Mrs. Sowerberry. "No boy he was pulled out of his prison, he
in half his senses could venture to speak scowled boldly on Noah, and looked quite
so to you.'99 undismayed.
66
"It's not madness, ma'am," replied Mr. Now, you are a nice young fellow,
Bumble, after a few moments of deep ain't you ?" said Sowerberry, giving Oli-
meditation ; " it's meat." ver a shake, and a sound box on the ear.
"What !" exclaimed Mrs. Sowerberry. "He called my mother names," replied
66
Meat, ma'am, meat," replied Bumble, Oliver,
66 sullenly.
with stern emphasis. "You've over-fed Well, and what if he did, you little
him, ma'am. You've raised a artificial ungrateful wretch ?" said Mrs. Sower-
soul and spirit in him, ma'am, unbecoming berry. "She deserved what he said, and
a person of his condition, as the board, worse."
Mrs. Sowerberry, who are practical phi- " She didn't !" said Oliver.
losophers, will tell you. What have pau- " She did !" said Mrs. Sowerberry.
pers to do with soul or spirit either ? It's 66 It's a lie !" said Oliver.
quite enough that we let ' em have live Mrs. Sowerberry burst into a flood of
bodies. If you had kept the boy on gruel, tears.
ma'am, this would never have happened." This flood of tears left Sowerberry no
66
Dear, dear !" ejaculated Mrs. Sower- alternative. If he had hesitated for one
berry, piously raising her eyes to the instant to punish Oliver most severely, it
kitchen ceiling. "This comes of being must be quite clear to every experienced
liberal !" reader that he would have been, according
The liberality of Mrs. Sowerberry to to all precedents in disputes of matrimony
Oliver had consisted in a profuse bestowal established, a brute, an unnatural husband,
upon him of all the dirty odds and ends an insulting creature, a base imitation of
which nobody else would eat ; so that there a man, and various other agreeable char-
was a great deal of meekness and self- acters too numerous for recital within the
devotion in her voluntarily remaining un- limits ofthis chapter. To do him justice,
der Mr. Bumble's heavy accusation, of he was, as far as his power went,-it
which, to do her justice, she was wholly was not very extensive, kindly disposed
innocent in thought, word, or deed. towards the boy ; perhaps because it was
" Ah !" said Mr. Bumble, when the lady his interest to be so, perhaps because his
brought her eyes down to earth again. wife disliked him. The flood of tears,
"The only thing that can be done now, however, left him no resource ; so he at
that I know of, is to leave him in the cel- once gave him a drubbing, which satisfied
lar for a day or so till he's a little starved even Mrs. Sowerberry herself, and ren-
down, and then to take him out, and keep dered Mr. Bumble's subsequent applica-
him on gruel all through his apprentice- tion of the parochial cane rather unneces-
ship. He comes of a bad family-excita- sary. For the rest of the day he was shut
ble natures, Mrs. Sowerberry. Both the up in the back kitchen, in company with
nurse and doctor said that that mother of a pump and a slice of bread ; and, at night,
his made her way here against difficulties Mrs. Sowerberry, after making various
and pain that would have killed any well- remarks outside the door, by no means
disposed woman weeks before." complimentary to the memory of his mo
At this point of Mr. Bumble's dis- ther, looked into the room, and, amidst the
course, Oliver just hearing enough to jeers and pointings of Noah and Charlotte,
know that some further allusion was being ordered him up stairs to his dismal bed.
made to his mother, recommenced kicking It was not until he was left alone in the
with a violence which rendered every silence and stillness of the gloomy work-
36 OLIVER TWIST .
shop of the undertaker, that Oliver gave early hour. Oliver stopped, and peeped
way to the feelings which the day's into the garden. A child was weeding
treatment may be supposed likely to have one of the little beds ; and, as he stopped,
awakened in a mere child. He had list- he raised his pale face, and disclosed the
ened to their taunts with a look of dogged features of one of his former companions.
contempt ; he had borne the lash without Oliver felt glad to see him before he went,
a cry, for he felt that pride swelling in his for, though younger than himself, he had
heart which would have kept down a been his little friend and playmate ; they
shriek to the last, if they had roasted him had been beaten, and starved, and shut up
alive. But, now that there were none to together, many and many a time.
see or hear him, he fell upon his knees on " Hush, Dick !" said Oliver, as the boy
the floor, and, hiding his face in his hands, ran to the gate, and thrust his thin arm
wept such tears as God send for the credit between the rails to greet him. " Is any
of our nature, few so young may ever have one66 up ?"
cause to pour out before him. Nobody but me, " replied the child.
For a long time Oliver remained mo- " You mustn't say you saw me, Dick,”
tionless in this attitude. The candle was said Oliver ; " I am running away. They
burning low in the socket when he rose beat and ill-use me, Dick ; and I am going
to his feet, and having gazed cautiously to seek my fortune some long way off, I
round him, and listened intently, gently don't know where. How pale you are !"
undid the fastenings of the door and looked "I heard the doctor tell them I was
abroad. dying," replied the child with a faint smile.
It was a cold dark night. The stars " I am very glad to see you, dear ; but
seemed to the boy's eyes further from the don't stop, don't stop."
earth than he had ever seen them before ; " Yes, yes, I will, to say good b'ye to
there was no wind, and the sombre sha- you," replied Oliver. " I shall see you
dows thrown by the trees on the earth again, Dick ; I know I shall. You will
looked sepulchral and death-like, from be 66well and happy."
being so still. He softly reclosed the I hope so," replied the child, " after I
door, and, having availed himselfof the am dead, but not before. I know the doc-
expiring light of the candle to tie up in a tor must be right, Oliver ; because I dream
handkerchief the few articles of wearing so much of heaven, and angels, and kind
apparel he had, sat himself down upon a faces, that I never see when I am awake.
bench to wait for morning. Kiss me," said the child, climbing up the
With the first ray of light that struggled low gate, and flinging his little arms round
throughthe crevices inthe shutters Oliver Oliver's neck. "Good b'ye, dear ! God
rose, and again unbarred the door. One bless you !"
timid look around,-one moment's pause The blessing was from a young child's
of hesitation, he had closed it behind lips, but it was the first that Oliver had
him, and was in the open street. ever heard invoked upon his head ; and
He looked to the right and to the left, through all the struggles and sufferings of
uncertain whither to fly. He remembered his after-life, through all the troubles and
to have seen the wagons as they went out, changes of many weary years, he never
toiling up the hill ; he took the same route, once forgot it.
and arriving at a footpath across the fields,
which he thought after some distance led
out again into the road, struck into it, and
walked quickly on.
Along this same footpath, Oliver well CHAPTER THE EIGHTH.
remembered he had trotted beside Mr. Oliver walks to London, and encounters on the road
Bumble, when he first carried him to the a strange sort of young gentleman.
workhouse from the farm. His way lay
directly in front of the cottage. His heart OLIVER reached the stile at which the
beat quickly when he bethought himself of by-path terminated, and once more gained
this, and he half resolved to turn back. the high-road. It was eight o'clock now ;
He had come a long way though, and and, though he was nearly five miles away
should lose a great deal of time by doing from the town, he ran, and hid behind the
so. Besides, it was so early that there hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he
was very little fear of his being seen ; so might be pursued and overtaken. Then
he walked on. he sat down to rest at the side of a mile-
He reached the house. There was no stone, and began to think for the first time
appearance of its inmates stirring at that where he had better go and try to live.
OLIVER TWIST . 37
The stone by which he was seated, bore he passed. He had walked no more than
in large characters an intimation that it twelve miles, when night closed in again ;
was just seventy miles from that spot to for his feet were sore, and his legs so weak
London. The name awakened a new train that they trembled beneath him. Another
of ideas in the boy's mind. London !- night passed in the bleak damp air only
that great large place !-nobody-not even made him worse ; and, when he set for-
Mr. Bumble-could ever find him there. ward on his journey next morning, he
He had often heard the old men in the could hardly crawl along.
workhouse, too, say that no lad of spirit He waited at the bottom of a steep hill
need want in London, and that there were till a stage-coach came up, and then beg-
ways of living in that vast city which ged of the outside passengers ; but there
those who had been bred up in country were very few who took any notice ofhim,
parts had no idea of. It was the very place and even those, told him to wait till they
for a homeless boy, who must die in the got to the top of the hill, and then let
streets unless some one helped him. As them see how far he could run for a half-
these things passed through his thoughts, penny. Poor Oliver tried to keep up with
he jumped upon his feet, and again walk- the coach a little way, but was unable to
ed forward. do it, by reason of his fatigue and sore
He had diminished the distance between feet. When the outsides saw this, they
himself and London by full four miles put their halfpence back into their pockets
more, before he recollected how much he again, declaring that he was an idle young
must undergo ere he could hope to reach dog, and didn't deserve anything ; and the
his place of destination. As this consi- coach rattled away, and left only a cloud
deration forced itself upon him, he slack- of dust behind.
ened his pace a little, and meditated upon In some villages, large painted boards
his means of getting there. He had a were fixed up, warning all persons who
crust of bread, a coarse shirt, and two begged within the district that they would
pairs of stockings, in his bundle ; and a be sent to jail, which frightened Oliver
penny-a gift of Sowerberry's after some very much, and made him very glad to get
funeral in which he had acquitted himself out ofthem with all possible expedition. In
more than ordinarily well- in his pocket. others he would stand about the inn-yards,
"A clean shirt," thought Oliver, "is a and look mournfully at every one who
very comfortable thing,-very ; and so are passed ; a proceeding which generally ter-
two pairs of darned stockings, and so is a minated in the landlady's ordering one of
penny ; but they are small helps to a sixty- the post-boys who were lounging about, to
five miles' walk in winter time." But drive that strange boy out of the place,
Oliver's thoughts, like those of most other for she was sure he had come to steal
people, although they were extremely something. If he begged at a farmer's
ready and active to point out his difficul- house, ten to one but they threatened to
ties, were wholly at a loss to suggest any set the dog on him ; and when he showed
feasible mode of surmounting them ; so, his nose in a shop, they talked about the
after a good deal of thinking to no parti- beadle, which brought Oliver's heart up
cular purpose, he changed his little bundle into his mouth,-very often the only thing
over to the other shoulder, and trudged on. he had there for many hours together.
Oliver walked twenty miles that day ; In fact, if it had not been for a good-
and all that time tasted nothing but the hearted turnpike-man, and a benevolent
crust of dry bread, and a few draughts of old lady, Oliver's troubles would have
water which he begged at the cottage- been shortened by the very same process
doors by the road-side. When the night which put an end to his mother's ; in other
came, he turned into a meadow, and, words, he would most assuredly have fallen
creeping close under a hay-rick, deter- dead upon the king's highway. But the
mined to lie there till morning. He felt turnpike-man gave him a meal of bread
frightened at first, for the wind moaned and cheese ; and the old lady, who had a
dismally over the empty fields, and he was shipwrecked grandson wandering bare-
cold and hungry, and more alone than he footed in some distant part of the earth,
had ever felt before. Being very tired took pity upon the poor orphan, and gave
with his walk, however, he soon fell asleep him what little she could afford-and
and forgot his troubles. more-with such kind and gentle words,
He felt cold and stiff when he got up and such tears of sympathy and compas-
next morning, and so hungry that he was sion, that they sank deeper into Oliver's
obliged to exchange the penny for a small soul than all the sufferings he had ever
loaf in the very first village through which undergone.
4
38 OLIVER TWIST .
Early on the seventh morning after he | altogether as roystering and swaggering

had left his native place, Oliver limped a young gentleman as ever stood three
slowly into the little town of Barnet. The feet six, or something less, in his bluchers.
window-shutters were closed, the street 66
Hullo, my covey, what's the row ?"
was empty, not a soul had awakened to said this strange young gentleman to
the business of the day. The sun was Oliver.
rising in all his splendid beauty, but the "I am very hungry and tired," replied
light only seemed to show the boy his Oliver, the tears standing in his eyes as
own lonesomeness and desolation as he he spoke. I have walked a long way,
99
sat with bleeding feet and covered with I66 have been walking these seven days.'
dust upon a cold door-step. Walking for sivin days !" said the
By degrees the shutters were opened, young gentleman. " Oh, I see. Beak's
the window-blinds were drawn up, and orders, eh ? But," he added, noticing Oli-
people began passing to and fro. Some ver's look of surprise, " I suppose you
few stopped to gaze at Oliver for a mo- don't know wot a beak is, my flash com-
ment or two, or turned round to stare at pan-i-on. "
him as they hurried by ; but none relieved Oliver mildly replied, that he had al-
him, or troubled themselves how he came ways heard a bird's mouth described by
there. He had no heart to beg, and there the term in question.
he sat. 66 My eyes, how green !" exclaimed the
He had been crouching on the step for young gentleman. 66 Why, a beak's a
some time, gazing listlessly atthe coaches madg'st'rate ; and when you walk by a
as they passed through, and thinking how beak's order, it's not straight forerd, but
strange it seemed that they could do with always going up, and niver coming down
ease in a few hours what it had taken agen. Was you never on the mill ?"
him a whole week of courage and deter- " What mill ?" inquired Oliver.
mination beyond his years to accomplish, "What mill !—why, the mill,-the mill
when he was roused by observing that a as takes up so little room that it'll work
boy who had passed him carelessly some inside a stone jug, and always goes better
minutes before, had returned, and was when the wind's low with people than
now surveying him most earnestly from when it's high, acos then they can't get
the opposite side of the way. He took workmen. But come," said the young
little heed of this at first ; but the boy re- gentleman ; 66 you want grub, and you
mained in the same attitude of close ob- shall have it. I'm at low-water-mark,-
servation so long, that Oliver raised his only one bob and a magpie ; but as far as
head, and returned his steady look. Upon it goes, I'll fork out and stump. Up with
this, the boy crossed over, and walking you on your pins. There : now then,
close up to Oliver, said, morrice."
" Hullo ! my covey, what's the row ?" Assisting Oliver to rise, the young gen-
The boy who addressed this inquiry to tleman took him to an adjacent chandler's
the young wayfarer was about his own shop, where he purchased a sufficiency of
age, but one of the queerest-looking boys ready-dressed ham and a half-quartern loaf,
that Oliver had ever seen. He was a or, as he himself expressed it, " fourpenny
snub-nosed, flat-browed, common-faced boy bran ;" the ham being kept clean and pre-
enough, and as dirty a juvenile as one served from dust by the ingenious expe
would wish to see ; but he had got about dient of making a hole in the loaf by pull-
him all the airs and manners of a man. ing out a portion of the crumb, and stuff
He was short of his age, with rather bowing it therein. Taking the bread under
legs, and little sharp ugly eyes. His hat his arm, the young gentleman turned into
was stuck on the top of his head so slightly a small public-house, and led the way to
that it threatened to fall off every moment, a tap-room in the rear of the premises.
and would have done so very often if the Here, a pot of beer was brought in by the
wearer had not had a knack of every now direction of the mysterious youth ; and
and then giving his head a sudden twitch, Oliver, falling to, at his new friend's bid-
which brought it back to its old place ding, made a long and hearty meal, during
again. He wore a man's coat, which the progress of which the strange boy
reached nearly to his heels. He had eyed him from time to time with great
turned the cuffs back halfway up his arm attention.
to get his hands out of the sleeves, appa- " Going to London ?" said the strange
rently with the ultimate view of thrusting boy, when Oliver had at length con-
them into the pockets of his corduroy cluded.
trousers, for there he kept them. He was " Yes."
OLIVER TWIST . 39
"Got any lodgings ?" the turnpike at Islington. They crossed

" No." from the Angel into St. John's road, struck
66 down the small street which terminates
Money ?"
66 No. " at Sadler's Wells theatre, through Ex-
The strange boy whistled, and put his mouth-street and Coppice-row, down the
arms into his pockets as far as the big- little court by the side of the workhouse,
coat sleeves would let them go. across the classic ground which once bore
"Do you live in London ?" inquired the name of Hockley-in-the-hole, thence
Oliver. into Little Saffron-hill, and so into Saffron-
"Yes I do, when I'm at home," replied hill the Great, along which, the Dodger
the boy. " I suppose you want some place scudded at a rapid pace, directing Oliver
to 66sleep to-night, don't you ?" to follow close at his heels.
I do indeed," answered Oliver. " I Although Oliver had enough to occupy
have not slept under a roof since I left his attention in keeping sight of his lead-
the country." er, he could not help bestowing a few
" Don't fret your eyelids on that score," hasty glances on either side of the way
said the young gentleman. 66 I've got to as he passed along. A dirtier or more
be in London to-night, and I know a 'spec- wretched place he had never seen. The
table old genelman as lives there, wot'll street was very narrow and muddy, and
give you lodgings for nothink, and never the air was impregnated with filthy
ask for the change ; that is, if any genel- odours. There were a good many small
man he knows interduces you. And don't shops ; but the only stock in trade appear-
he know me ?-Oh, no,-not in the least, ed to be heaps of children, who, even at
-by no means, -certainly not." that time of night, were crawling in and
The young gentleman smiled, as if to out at the doors, or screaming from the
intimate that the latter fragments of dis- inside. The sole places that seemed to
course were playfully ironical, and finish- prosper amid the general blight of the
ed the beer as he did so. place were the public-houses, and in them,
This unexpected offer of a shelter was the lowest orders of Irish (who are gene-
too tempting to be resisted, especially as rally the lowest orders of anything) were
it was immediately followed up, by the wrangling with might and main. Covered
assurance that the old gentleman already ways and yards, which here and there
referred to, would doubtless provide Oli- diverged from the main street, disclosed
ver with a comfortable place without loss little knots of houses where drunken men
of time. This led to a more friendly and and women were positively wallowing in
confidential dialogue, from which Oliver the filth ; and from several of the door-
discovered that his friend's name was Jack ways, great ill-looking fellows were cau-
Dawkins, and that he was a peculiar pet tiously emerging, bound, to all appearance,
and protegé of the elderly gentleman be- upon no well-disposed or harmless errand.
fore mentioned. Oliver was just considering whether he
Mr. Dawkins's appearance did not say a hadn't better run away, when they reach-
vast deal in favour of the comforts which ed the bottom of the hill : his conductor,
his patron's interest obtained for those catching him by the arm, pushed open the
whom he took under his protection ; but door of a house near Field-lane, and, draw-
as he had a somewhat flighty and disso- ing him into the passage, closed it behind
lute mode of conversing, and furthermore them.
avowed that among his intimate friends "Now, then," cried a voice from below,
he was better known by the sobriquet of in reply to a whistle from the Dodger.
66
" The artful Dodger," Oliver concluded Plummy and slam !" was the reply.
that, being of a dissipated and careless This seemed to be some watchword or
turn, the moral precepts of his benefactor signal that it was all right ; for the light
had hitherto been thrown away upon him. of a feeble candle gleamed upon the wall
Under this impression, he secretly resolv- at the farther end of the passage, and a
ed to cultivate the good opinion of the old man's face peeped out from where a balus-
gentleman as quickly as possible ; and, if trade of the old kitchen staircase had been
he found the Dodger incorrigible, as he broken away.
more than half suspected he should, to " There's two on you," said the man,
decline the honour of his farther acquaint- thrusting the candle farther out, and sha-
ance. ding his eyes with his hand. "Who's
As John Dawkins objected to their en- the t'other one ?"
tering London before nightfall, it was "A new pal,” replied Jack, pulling Oli-
nearly eleven o'clock when they reached ver forward.
40 OLIVER TWIST .
"Where did he come from ?" of the affectionate youths who offered
" Greenland. Is Fagin up stairs ?" them.
" Yes, he's a sortin' the wipes. Up “We are very glad to see you, Oliver,
with you !" The candle was drawn back, --very," said the Jew. " Dodger, take
and the face disappeared. off the sausages, and draw a tub near the
Oliver, groping his way with one hand, fire for Oliver. Ah ! you're a staring at
and with the other firmly grasped by his the pocket-handkerchiefs ! eh, my dear ?
companion, ascended with much difficulty There are a good many of 'em, ain't there ?
the dark and broken stairs which his con- We've just looked ' em out ready for the
ductor mounted with an ease and expedi- wash ; that's all, Oliver ; that's all. Ha !
tion that showed he was well acquainted ha ! ha !"
with them. He threw open the door ofa The latter part of this speech was hail-
back-room, and drew Oliver in after ed by a boisterous shout from all the hope-
him. ful pupils of the merry old gentleman, in
The walls and ceiling of the room were the midst of which they went to supper.
perfectly black with age and dirt. There Oliver ate his share ; and the Jew then
was a deal-table before the fire, upon which mixed him a glass of hot gin and water,
was a candle stuck in a ginger-beer bot- telling him he must drink it off directly,
tle ; two or three pewter pots, a loaf and because another gentleman wanted the
butter, and a plate. In a frying-pan which tumbler. Oliver did as he was desired.
was on the fire, and which was secured Almost instantly afterwards, he felt him-
to the mantel-piece by a string, some sau- self gently lifted on to one of the sacks,
sages were cooking ; and standing over and then he sunk into a deep sleep.
them, with a toasting-fork in his hand,
was a very old shrivelled Jew, whose vil-
lanous-looking and repulsive face was ob-
scured by a quantity of matted red hair. CHAPTER THE NINTH.
He was dressed in a greasy flannel gown, Containing further particulars concerning the plea-
with his throat bare, and seemed to be
sant old gentleman and his hopeful pupils.
dividing his attention between the frying-
pan and a clothes-horse, over which a It was late next morning when Oliver
great number of silk handkerchiefs were awoke from a sound, long sleep. There
hanging. Several rough beds made of was nobody in the room beside, but the
old sacks were huddled side by side on old Jew, who was boiling some coffee in
the floor: and seated round the table were a saucepan for breakfast, and whistling
four or five boys, none older than the softly to himself as he stirred it round and
Dodger, smoking long clay pipes and round with an iron spoon. He would stop
drinking spirits with all the air of middle- every now and then to listen , when there
aged men. These all crowded about their was the least noise below ; and, when he
associate as he whispered a few words to had satisfied himself, he would go on
the Jew, and then turned round and grin- whistling and stirring again as before.
ned at Oliver, as did the Jew himself, Although Oliver had roused himself
toasting-fork in hand. from sleep, he was not thoroughly awake.
" This is him, Fagin," said Jack Daw- There is a drowsy, heavy state, between
kins ; " my friend, Oliver Twist." sleeping and waking, when you dream
The Jew grinned ; and, making a low more in five minutes with your eyes half
obeisance to Oliver, took him by the hand, open, and yourself half conscious of every-
and hoped he should have the honour of thing that is passing around you, than you
his intimate acquaintance. Upon this, the would in five nights with your eyes fast
young gentlemen with the pipes came closed, and your senses wrapt in perfect
round him, and shook both his hands very unconsciousness . At such times, a mortal
hard, especially the one in which he held knows just enough of what his mind is
his little bundle. One young gentleman doing, to form some glimmering concep-
was very anxious to hang up his cap for tion of its mighty powers, its bounding
him ; and another was so obliging as to from earth and spurning time and space,
put his hands in his pockets, in order that, when freed from the irksome restraint
as he was very tired, he might not have of its corporeal associate.
the trouble of emptying them when he Oliver was precisely in the condition I
went to bed. These civilities would pro- have described. He saw the Jew with his
bably have been extended much further, half-closed eyes, heard his low whistling,
but for a liberal exercise of the Jew's and recognised the sound of the spoon
foasting-fork on the heads and shoulders grating against the saucepan's sides ; and
George Gruckshanke
Oliver introdwordtothe respectableOldGentleman
P40.
OLIVER TWIST. 41
yet the self-same senses were mentally | curiosity, and, although the recognition
engaged at the same time, in busy action was only for an instant-for the briefest
with almost everybody he had ever known. space of time that can possibly be con-
When the coffee was done, the Jew ceived, it was enough to show the old
drew the saucepan to the hob, and, stand- man that he had been observed. He closed
ing in an irresolute attitude for a few the lid of the box with a loud crash, and,
minutes as if he did not well know how laying his hand on a bread-knife which
to employ himself, turned round and look was on the table, started furiously up. He
ed at Oliver, and called him by his name. trembled very much, though ; for, even in
He did not answer, and was to all appear- his terror, Oliver could see that the knife
ance asleep. quivered in the air.
After satisfying himself upon this head, "What's that ?" said the Jew. "What
the Jew stepped gently to the door, which do you watch me for ? Why are you
he fastened ; he then drew forth, as it awake ? What have you seen ? Speak
seemed to Oliver, from some trap in the out, boy ! Quick-quick ! for your life !"
floor, a small box, which he placed care- "I wasn't able to sleep any longer, sir,"
fully on the table. His eyes glistened as replied Oliver, meekly. " I am very sorry
he raised the lid and looked in. Dragging if I have disturbed you, sir."
an old chair to the table, he sat down, and "You were not awake an hour ago?"
took from it a magnificent gold watch, said the Jew, scowling fiercely onthe boy.
sparkling with diamonds. "No- no, indeed sir,” replied Oliver.
"Aha !" said the Jew, shrugging up his "Are you sure ?" cried the Jew, with a
shoulders, and distorting every feature still fiercer look than before, and a threat-
with a hideous grin. "Clever dogs ! cle- ening attitude.
ver dogs ! Staunch to the last ! Never 66
Upon my word I was not, sir,” replied
told the old parson where they were ; Oliver, earnestly. " I was not, indeed,
never peached upon old Fagin. And why sir." 66 Tush, tush, my dear !" said the Jew,
should they ? It wouldn't have loosened
the knot, or kept the drop up a minute suddenly resuming his old manner, and
longer. No, no, no ! Fine fellows ! fine playing with the knife a little before he
fellows !" laid it down, as if to induce the belief
With these, and other muttered reflec- that he had caught it up in mere sport.
tions of the like nature, the Jew once more "Of course I know that, my dear. I only
deposited the watch in its place of safety. tried to frighten you. You're a brave
At least half a dozen more were severally boy. Ha ! ha ! you're a brave boy, Oli-
drawn forth from the same box, and sur- ver!" and the Jew rubbed his hands with
veyed with equal pleasure ; besides rings, a chuckle, but looked uneasily at the box
brooches, bracelets, and other articles of notwithstanding.
jewellery, of such magnificent materials " Did you see any of these pretty things,
and costly workmanship, that Oliver had my dear ?" said the Jew, laying his hand
no idea even of their names. upon it after a short pause.
66
Having replaced these trinkets, the Jew Yes, sir," replied Oliver.
took out another, so small that it lay in the " Ah !" said the Jew, turning rather
palm of his hand. There seemed to be pale. " They-they're mine, Oliver ; my
some very minute inscription on it, for the little property. All I have to live upon
Jew laid it flat upon the table, and, shading in my old age. The folks call me a miser,
it with his hand, pored over it long and my dear,-only a miser, that's all."
earnestly. At length he set it down as Oliver thought the old gentleman must
if despairing of success, and, leaning back be a decided miser, to live in such a dirty
in his chair, muttered, place, with so many watches ; but, think-
"What a fine thing capital punishment ing that perhaps his fondness for the
is! Dead men never repent ; dead men Dodger and the other boys cost him a
never bring awkward stories to light. The good deal of money, he only cast a defe-
prospect of the gallows, too, makes them rential look at the Jew, and asked if he
hardy and bold. Ah ! it's a fine thing for might get up.
the trade ! Five of them strung up in a Certainly, my dear,-certainly," re-
row, and none left to play booty or turn plied the old gentleman. " Stay. There's
white-livered !" a pitcher of water in the corner by the
As the Jew uttered these words, his door. Bring it here, and I'll give you a
bright dark eyes, which had been staring basin to wash in, my dear."
vacantly before him, fell on Oliver's face ; "Oliver got up, walked across the room ,
the boy's eyes were fixed on his in mute and stooped for one instant to raise the
4* F
Thmost eve
ed
be suces
1m resch
win
ed
mset
rer, nd cat
a
1st answer, al
atin hi
g
femer gentlmy
e . he hent
1 iver,from s
x. which
e. Hlios ey
it and oked
1 the table, he
m
Afia agnificen
mond
s. t
sh
dtihsetJoer w, rug
ting eve
C
anch to thleevleasrt
wh
• anonn Fearge the
i i
wouldd hanv.
n't
the drop up ea
:
n Fi fello
ne ws
mu
ther ttered r
the Jew once
nts place of sa
nor were sever
le samee
Ansoure:bbeoasrix,tdeasnrdins
t
Vagni her maicles
ficen teri
t a
O
amethat liver ha
s
tri.
e nkets,the Jew
th la i th
Thaelrl e saeteimt edyton bee
ti o i s fo th
enabloe,n annd,t,hadringe
over i lon an
n
We set itt dowgn asd
1
l
and, eaning back be
puni
shme
nital nt ing
ent; dead men Dpold a
es to light. The good
Fil , makes them rentia
t
a fine hing for
stru u i
ng p n a
booty or turn plmiiegdhtth
"C
e worsds, his doopr.
t i
Oblieveen faring baasin ttcoh
r's ace :
Oliv
e
P
s se w ment
eynegta the self- asme nses ereOLaI ally TW
ged a ethe ame ime, in usy ctV t b ioE n IST
with almostt verybody he had ever known. R .
Whe sta cof w d o t J e
h
dre thn uecepa ete th sho a f a n e h e w
w e irres n o at e b, ,nd, stand ; cu altho recog
ng in an olute titude for a few riosi ugh the niti
ty, and, brief on
k w o n i n s t a f t est
t w n h a l f o a n o
tp r e h
emples ahsimifs he dtiudr not roell
a lo
ow ow spas c
yt r n
im th ca ossib b con 41
Oliovy a elfc,al nehd und ndna ok- ceivee of wae eantoug n t sholy the ol s
at er, nd led im by his me. d, it s h o w e d
fnd not answer, and was to all appear. man that he had been observed. He closed
as t t b wi lo c ra an
# lse a ep. lahyei lid hof hhae oxo th bare udkni shw,hig d
ter tisfying himself upon this head, ng is nd n a f ad- fe
s u r
he
e
step
p e gent t h d o w h i c twr as on the table, tartted iously up. He
e
stenw d l t
y o e o r, h m m
ble ver uch hough ; for,even in
ed : he then drew forth, as it te d Ohy co , kn
to Oliver, from some trap in the qIunisve rror, ver uld see that the ife
mai bo whic h plac ca red in the air.
x, h e ed re What t W
de table Hlis 's ha ? " and dh jam « hat
t l i a o o k
Irag
e i adsot"youiswhaitnch tme for eWhy are you
t he nt nd e st m n f warke W a S
ar to thmeagtable, heeyesastgldioswtn, e! hadt are you redn't wpeak
eneadndas r oen dmy Chiceka- rlmy,ic "I atmh gr ouyr liafey
at a nific w e k ! e
d ent grid atch, d li
with iamonds *I 't able to eny my nger, de
s. hru
it tdhie J gg
storetw, ev ingfeiant s
mut ing ery ure In desoan awafke a home g
SIG and*t he le esedl, ing erely on theway
Stau TILE regh
nch toa tChlee last:t Jever mi a #tr a
ude chee
st en liver
Jas " ver ags da ng
on where they wo:rs #ill omer nake that efore, andea
d h t d i e l s, &
mo wonuslit Fagin Anonst way
I dn't have ened
ent the drop me nimte no
t I me . " una
b a r
F l o ws ine
10 mnue
and ther tteret fes haarreni
ann he fe me no s n
e, w a m bar ng th o. h.ene ex wa
ant pl w e a n l a m # f a aid
s ace s re d 2 . t
en nore vere eremiir
ie s m m a nd ir. a • f s1a0 n s a d
easu e Teasx. utes ng MAT
Adoo h
s e
re : aaw hat . we a d
a r t A
nag utni her naitcles tta e wor
cent erial 7 1t1 you
s inst e he
fun hat liver and
Tame . . g n i zed aze m
ents • 1.5 and
er r t h e thhe 4
ail har avn he
aut B Y ? o s s e t t ingg
PT Samed b
t h ar
: .on in hre s iar
or av
a h a d i a u t ps
wer, Indang ad ng 14
o 1 h and Rub
317 10 in op
1. eaning arz
DITIN za T
1 hment
Lead Bea
197 .J "
naxes7 tem #
retu TWYS
ng F FIL ther are the 4
?
1 I
wik "
· Boa yill
-
42 OLIVER TWIST .
pitcher. When he turned his head, the very nearly terminated in his premature
box was gone. suffocation.
He had scarcely washed himself, and "He is so jolly green," said Charley
made everything tidy by emptying the when he recovered, as an apology to the
basin out of the window, agreeably to the company for his unpolite behaviour.
Jew's directions, than the Dodger returned, The Dodger said nothing, but he
accompanied by a very sprightly young smoothed Oliver's hair down over his
friend, whom Oliver had seen smoking on eyes, and said he'd know better by-and-
the previous night, and who was now for- by ; upon which the old gentleman, ob-
mally introduced to him as Charley Bates. serving Oliver's colour mounting, changed
The four then sat down to breakfast off the subject by asking whether there had
the coffee and some hot rolls and ham been much of a crowd at the execution
which the Dodger had brought home in that morning. This made him wonder
the crown of his hat. more and more, for it was plain from the
66
Well," said the Jew, glancing slyly replies of the two boys that they had both
at Oliver, and addressing himself to the been there ; and Oliver naturally won-
Dodger, " I hope you've been at work this dered how they could possibly have found
morning, my dears." time to be so very industrious.
66 When the breakfast was cleared away,
Hard," replied the Dodger.
"As nails,” added Charley Bates. the merry old gentleman and the two boys
"Good boys, good boys !" said the Jew. played at a very curious and uncommon
"What have you got, Dodger?" game, which was performed in this way :
"A couple of pocket-books," replied that -The merry old gentleman, placing a
young gentleman. snuff-box in one pocket of his trousers, a
" Lined ?" inquired the Jew with trem- note-case in the other, and a watch in his
bling eagerness. waistcoat-pocket, with a guard-chain round
66
Pretty well," replied the Dodger, pro- his neck, and sticking a mock diamond
ducing two pocket-books, one green and pin in his shirt, buttoned his coat tight
the other red. round him, and, putting his spectacle-case
"Not so heavy as they might be," and handkerchief in the pockets, trotted
said the Jew, after looking at the insides up and down the room with a stick, in
carefully ; " but very neat, and nicely imitation of the manner in which old gen-
made. Ingenious workman, ain't he, Oli- tlemen walk about the streets every hour
ver ?" in the day. Sometimes he stopped at the
66" Very, indeed, sir," said Oliver. At
fire-place, and sometimes at the door,
which Mr. Charles Bates laughed uproar- making belief that he was staring with
iously, very much to the amazement of all his might into shop-windows. At such
Oliver, who saw nothing to laugh at in times he would look constantly round him
anything that had passed. for fear of thieves, and keep slapping all
" And what have you got, my dear ?" his pockets in turn, to see that he hadn't
said
66 Fagin to Charley Bates. lost anything, in such a very funny and
Wipes," replied Master Bates ; at the natural manner, that Oliver laughed till
same time producing four pocket-handker- the tears ran down his face. All this time
chiefs. the two boys followed him closely about,
66
Well," said the Jew, inspecting them getting out of his sight so nimbly every
closely ; " they're very good ones, -very. time he turned round, that it was impossi-
You haven't marked them well, though, ble to follow their motions. At last the
Charley ; so the marks shall be picked out Dodger trod upon his toes, or ran upon his
with a needle, and we'll teach Oliver boot accidentally, while Charley Bates
how to do it. Shall us, Oliver, eh ?-Ha ! stumbled up against him behind ; and in
ha ! ha !" that one moment they took from him with
"If you please, sir," said Oliver. the most extraordinary rapidity, snuff-box,
"You'd like to be able to make pocket- note-case, watch-guard, chain, shirt-pin,
handkerchiefs as easy as Charley Bates, pocket-handkerchief,- even the spectacle-
wouldn't you, my dear ?" said the Jew. case. If the old gentleman felt a hand
66
Very much indeed, if you'll teach in any one of his pockets, he cried out
me, sir," replied Oliver. where it was, and then the game began
Master Bates saw something so ex- all over again.
quisitely ludicrous in this reply, that he When this game had been played a
burst into another laugh ; which laugh great many times, a couple of young la
meeting the coffee he was drinking, and dies came to see the young gentlemen,
carrying it down some wrong channel, one of whom was called Bet and the other
OLIVER TWIST . 43
Nancy. They wore a good deal of hair, Oliver wondered what picking the old
not very neatly turned up behind, and gentleman's pocket in play had to do with
were rather untidy about the shoes and his chances of being a great man ; but
stockings. They were not exactly pretty, thinking that the Jew, being so much his
perhaps ; but they had a great deal of senior, must know best, followed him qui-
colour in their faces, and looked quite etly to the table, and was soon deeply in-
stout and hearty. Being remarkably free volved in his new study.
and agreeable in their manners, Oliver
thought them very nice girls indeed, as
there is no doubt they were.
These visiters stopped a long time. CHAPTER THE TENTH.
Spirits were produced, in consequence of
one of the young ladies complaining of a Oliver becomes better acquainted with the charac-
coldness in her inside, and the conversa- ters of his new associates, and purchases expe-
rience at a high price. Being a short but very
tion took a very convivial and improving important chapter in this history.
turn. At length Charley Bates expressed
his opinion that it was time to pad the FOR eight or ten days Oliver remained
hoof, which it occurred to Oliver must be in the Jew's room, picking the marks out
French for going out ; for directly after- of the pocket-handkerchiefs, (of which a
wards the Dodger, and Charley, and the great number were brought home,) and
two young ladies went away together, sometimes taking part in the game already
having been kindly furnished with money described, which the two boys and the Jew
to spend, by the amiable old Jew. played regularly every day. At length
" There, my dear," said Fagin, " that's he began to languish for the fresh air, and
a pleasant life, isn't it ? They have gone took many occasions of earnestly entreat-
out for the day." ing the old gentleman to allow him to go
"Have they done work, sir ?" inquired out to work with his two companions.
Oliver. Oliver was rendered the more anxious
66
Yes," said the Jew ; " that is, unless to be actively employed by what he had
they should unexpectedly come across seen of the stern morality of the old gen-
any when they are out ; and they won't tleman's character. Whenever the Dodger
neglect it if they do, my dear, depend or Charley Bates came home at night
upon it." empty-handed, he would expatiate with
" Make ' em your models, my dear, great vehemence on the misery of idle
make ' em your models," said the Jew, and lazy habits, and enforce upon them
tapping the fire-shovel on the hearth to the necessity of an active life by sending
add force to his words ; " do every thing them supperless to bed : upon one occa-
they bid you, and take their advice in all sion he even went so far as to knock them
matters, especially the Dodger's, my dear. both down a flight of stairs ; but this was
He'll be a great man himself, and make carrying out his virtuous precepts to an
you one too, ifyou take pattern by him. Is unusual extent.
my handkerchief hanging out of my pock- At length one morning Oliver obtained
et, my dear ?" said the Jew, stopping short. the permission he had so eagerly sought.
" Yes, sir," said Oliver. There had been no handkerchiefs to work
See if you can take it out, without upon for two or three days, and the dinners
my feeling it, as you saw them 29 do when had been rather meagre. Perhaps these
we were at play this morning.' were reasons for the old gentleman's giv-
Oliver held up the bottom of the pocket ing his assent ; but, whether they were
with one hand as he had seen the Dodger or no, he told Oliver he might go, and
do, and drew the handkerchief lightly out placed him under the joint guardianship
of it with the other. of Charley Bates and his friend the
" Is it gone ?" cried the Jew. Dodger.
" Here it is, sir," said Oliver, showing The three boys sallied out, the Dodger
it in his hand. with his coat-sleeves tucked up, and his
"You're a clever boy, my dear," said hat cocked as usual ; Master Bates saun-
the playful old gentleman, patting Oliver tering along with his hands in his pockets,
on the head approvingly ; " I never saw a and Oliver between them, wondering
sharper lad. Here's a shilling for you. where they were going, and what branch
If you go on in this way, you'll be the of manufacture he would be instructed in
greatest man of the time. And now come first.
here, and I'll show you how to take the The pace at which they went was such
marks out of the handkerchiefs." a very lazy, ill-looking saunter, that Oli
A
44 OLIVER TWIST .
ver soon began to think his companions turning over the leaves when he got to
were going to deceive the old gentleman, the bottom of a page, beginning at the top
by not going to work at all. The Dodger line of the next one, and going regularly
had a vicious propensity, too, of pulling on with the greatest interest and eager-
the caps from the heads of small boys and ness.
tossing them down areas ; while Charley What was Oliver's horror and alarm
Bates exhibited some very loose notions as he stood a few paces off, looking on with
concerning the rights of property, by pil- his eyelids as wide open as they would
fering divers apples and onions from the possibly go, to see the Dodger plunge his
stalls at the kennel sides, and thrusting hand into this old gentleman's pocket, and
them into pockets which were so sur- draw from thence a handkerchief, which
prisingly capacious, that they seemed to he handed to Charley Bates, and with
undermine his whole suit of clothes in which they both ran away round the cor-
every direction. These things looked so ner at full speed !
bad, that Oliver was on the point of de- In one instant the whole mystery ofthe
claring his intention of seeking his way handkerchiefs, and the watches, and the
back in the best way he could, when his jewels, and the Jew, rushed upon the
thoughts were suddenly directed into an- boy's mind. He stood for a moment with
other channel by a very mysterious change the blood tingling so through all his veins
of behaviour on the part of the Dodger. from terror, that he felt as if he were in
They were just emerging from a nar- a burning fire ; then, confused and fright-
row court not far from the open square in ened, he took to his heels, and, not know-
Clerkenwell, which is called, by some ing what he did, made off as fast as he
strange perversion ofterms, "The Green," could lay his feet to the ground.
when the Dodger made a sudden stop, and, This was all done in a minute's space,
laying his finger on his lip, drew his com- and the very instant that Oliver began to
panions back again with the greatest cau- run, the old gentleman, putting his hand
tion and circumspection. to his pocket, and missing his handker-
"What's the matter ?" demanded Oli- chief, turned sharp round. Seeing the
ver. boy scudding away at such a rapid pace,
"Hush !" replied the Dodger. "Do he very naturally concluded him to be the
you see that old cove at the book-stall ?" depredator, and, shouting " Stop thief!"
" The old gentleman over the way ?" with all his might, made off after him,
said Oliver. 66 Yes, I see him." book in hand.
" He'll do," said the Dodger. But the old gentleman was not the only
"A prime plant," observed Charley person who raised the hue and cry. The
Bates. Dodger and Master Bates, unwilling to
Oliver looked from one to the other attract public attention by running down
with the greatest surprise, but was not the open street, had merely retired into
permitted to make any inquiries, for the the very first doorway round the corner.
two boys walked stealthily across the road, They no sooner heard the cry, and saw
and slunk close behind the old gentleman Oliver running, than, guessing exactly
towards whom his attention had been di- how the matter stood, they issued forth
rected. Oliver walked a few paces after with great promptitude, and, shouting
them, and, not knowing whether to ad- " Stop thief !" too, joined in the pursuit
vance or retire, stood looking on in silent like good citizens.
amazement. Although Oliver had been brought up
The old gentleman was a very respect by philosophers, he was not theoretically
able-looking personage, with a powdered acquainted with their beautiful axiom that
head and gold spectacles ; dressed in a self-preservation is the first law of nature.
bottle-green coat with a black velvet col- If he had been, perhaps he would have
lar, and white trousers : with a smart been prepared for this. Not being pre-
bamboo cane under his arm. He had pared, however, it alarmed him the more ;
taken up a book from the stall, and there so away he went like the wind, with the
he stood, reading away as hard as if he old gentleman and the two boys roaring
were in his elbow-chair in his own study. and shouting behind him.
It was very possible that he fancied him- "Stop thief! stop thief!" There is a
self there, indeed ; for it was plain, from magic in the sound. The tradesman
his utter abstraction, that he saw not the leaves his counter, and the carman his
book-stall, nor the street, nor the boys, wagon ; the butcher throws down his
nor, in short, anything but the book itself, tray, the baker his basket, the milkman
which he was reading straight through, his pail, the errand-boy his parcels, the
ww
h y
eacPenn
Bjorgebrukshanke
Oliver amazed attheDodgers mode ofgoingto work "
P.44
THE
BLIC 1.
A
FLATIONS
OLIVER TWIST . 45
schoolboy his marbles, the paviour his expecting something for his pains ; but
pick-axe, the child his battledore : away the old gentleman, eyeing him with an
they run, pell-mell, helter-skelter, slap- expression of disgust, looked anxiously
dash, tearing, yelling, and screaming, round, as if he contemplated running
knocking down the passengers as they away himself; which it is very possible
turn the corners, rousing up the dogs, and he might have attempted to do, and thus
astonishing the fowls ; and streets, squares, afforded another chase, had not a police
and courts re-echo with the sound. officer (who is always the last person to
66 arrive in such cases) at that moment made
Stop thief ! stop thief !" The cry is
taken up by a hundred voices, and the his way through the crowd, and seized
crowd accumulate at every turning. Away Oliver by the collar. 66 Come, get up,"
they fly, splashing through the mud, and said the man roughly.
rattling along the pavements ; up go the "It wasn't me, indeed, sir. Indeed, in-
windows, out run the people, onward bear deed, it was two other boys," clasping his
the mob: a whole audience desert Punch hands passionately, and looking round :
in the very thickest of the plot, and, join- " they are here somewhere."
ing the rushing throng, swell the shout, " Oh no, they ain't," said the officer.
and lend fresh vigour to the cry, " Stop He meant this to be ironical ; but it was
thief! stop thief!" true besides, for the Dodger and Charley
66
Stop thief ! stop thief!" There is a Bates had filed off down the first conve-
passion for hunting something deeply im- nient court they came to. "Come, get
planted in the human breast. One wretch- up."
ed, breathless child, panting with exhaus- " Don't hurt him," said the old gentle-
tion, terror in his looks, agony in his eye, man compassionately.
large drops of perspiration streaming ' Oh no, I won't hurt him," replied the
down his face, strains every nerve to make officer, tearing his jacket half off his back
head upon his pursuers ; and as they fol- in proof thereof. 66 Come, I know you ;
low on his track, and gain upon him every it won't do. Will you stand upon your
instant, they hail his decreasing strength legs, you young devil ?"
with still louder shouts, and whoop and Oliver, who could hardly stand, made
66
scream with joy, Stop thief!"-Ay, stop a shift to raise himself upon his feet, and
him for God's sake, were it only in mercy ! was at once lugged along the streets by
Stopped at last. A clever blow that. the jacket-collar at a rapid pace. The
He's down upon the pavement, and the gentleman walked on with them by the
crowd eagerly gather round him; each officer's side ; and as many of the crowd
new comer jostling and struggling with as could, got a little a-head, and stared
the others to catch a glimpse. "Stand back at Oliver from time to time. The
aside !"-" Give him a little air !"- "Non- boys shouted in triumph, and on they
sense ! he don't deserve it."-" Where's went.
the gentleman ?" -" Here he is, coming
down the street."-" Make room there
for the gentleman !" -"Is this the boy,
sir ?" " Yes."
CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH
Oliver lay covered with mud and dust,
and bleeding from the mouth, looking Treats of Mr. Fang, the police magistrate, and fur-
wildly round upon the heap of faces that nishes a slight specimen of his mode of adminis.
surrounded him, when the old gentleman tering justice.
was officiously dragged and pushed into
the circle by the foremost of the pursuers, THE offence had been committed within
and made this reply to their anxious in- the district, and indeed in the immediate
quiries. neighbourhood of a very notorious metro-
"Yes," said the gentleman in a benevo- politan police-office. The crowd had only
lent voice, " I am afraid it is." the satisfaction of accompanying Oliver
" Afraid !" murmured the crowd. --- through two or three streets, and down a
" That's a good un." place called Mutton-hill, when he was led
"Poor fellow !" said the gentleman, beneath a low archway, and up a dirty
" he has hurt himself." court into this dispensary of summary jus-
66
I did that, sir," said a great lubberly tice by the back way. It was a small
fellow stepping forward ; " and preciously paved yard into which they turned ; and
I cut my knuckle agin' his mouth. I here they encountered a stout man with a
stopped him, sir." bunch of whiskers on his face, and a bunch
The fellow touched his hat with a grin, of keys in his hand.
46 OLIVER TWIST .
"What's the matter now ?" said the faces of friends and foes, and of many that
man carelessly. had been almost strangers, peering intru-
" A young fogle-hunter," replied the sively fromthe crowd ; there were the
man who had Oliver in charge. faces of young and blooming girls that
"Are you the party that's been robbed, were now old women ; there were others
sir ?" inquired the man with the keys. that the grave had changed to ghastly
66
Yes, I am," replied the old gentleman ; trophies of death, but which the mind,
"but I am not sure that this boy actually superior to his power, still dressed in their
took the handkerchief. I-I'd rather not old freshness and beauty, calling back the
press the case. 99 lustre of the eyes, the brightness of the
"Must go before the magistrate now, smile, the beaming of the soul through
sir," replied the man. "His worship will its mask of clay, and whispering of beauty
be disengaged in half a minute. Now, beyond the tomb, changed but to be height-
young gallows." ened, and taken from earth only to be set
This was an invitation for Oliver to en- up as a light to shed a soft and gentle
ter through a door which he unlocked as glow upon the path to Heaven.
he spoke, and which led into a small stone But the old gentleman could recall no
cell. Here he was searched, and nothing one countenance of which Oliver's fea-
been found upon him, locked up. tures bore a trace ; so he heaved a sigh
This cell was in shape and size some- over the recollections he had awakened ;
thing like an area cellar, only not so light. and being, happily for himself, an absent
It was most intolerably dirty, for it was old gentleman, buried them again in the
Monday morning, and it had been tenanted pages of the musty book.
since Saturday night by six drunken peo- He was roused by a touch on the shoul-
ple. But this is nothing. In our station- der, and a request from the man with the
houses, men and women are every night keys to follow him into the office. He
confined on the most trivial charges-the closed his book hastily, and was at once
word is worth noting-in dungeons, com- ushered into the presence of the renowned
pared with which, those in Newgate, oc- Mr. Fang.
cupied by the most atrocious felons, tried, The office was a front parlour, with a
found guilty, and under sentence of death, panelled wall. Mr. Fang sat behind a
are palaces ! Let any man who doubts bar at the upper end ; and on one side the
this, compare the two. door was a sort of wooden pen in which
The old gentleman looked almost as poor little Oliver was already deposited,
rueful as Oliver, when the key grated in trembling very much at the awfulness of
the lock ; and turned with a sigh to the the scene.
book which had been the innocent cause Mr. Fang was a middle-sized man, with
of all this disturbance. no great quantity of hair ; and what he
"There is something in that boy's face," had, growing on the back and sides of his
said the old gentleman to himself, as he head. His face was stern, and much
walked slowly away, tapping his chin with flushed. If he were really not in the
the cover of the book in a thoughtful habit of drinking rather more than was ex-
manner, " something that touches and in- actly good for him, he might have brought
terests me. Can he be innocent ? He an action against his countenance for libel,
looked like By the bye," exclaimed and have recovered heavy damages.
the old gentleman, halting very abruptly, The old gentleman bowed respectfully,
and staring up into the sky, " God bless and, advancing to the magistrate's desk,
my soul ! where have I seen something said, suiting the action to the word, " That
like that look before ?" is my name and address, sir." He then
After musing for some minutes, the old withdrew a pace or two ; and, with another
gentleman walked with the same medi- polite and gentlemanly inclination of the
tative face into a back ante-room opening head, waited to be questioned.
from the yard ; and there, retiring into a Now, it so happened, that Mr. Fang
corner, called up before his mind's eye a was at that moment perusing a leading
vast amphitheatre of faces over which a article in a newspaper of the morning,
dusky curtain had hung for many years. adverting to some recent decision of his,
"No," said the old gentleman shaking his and commending him, for the three hun-
head ; " it must be imagination." dred and fiftieth time, to the special and
He wandered over them again. He particular notice of the Secretary of State
had called them into view, and it was not for the Home Department. He was out
easy to replace the shroud that had so oftemper, and he looked up with an angry
long concealed them. There were the scowl."
OLIVER TWIST . 47
"Who are you ?" said Mr. Fang. The policeman with becoming humility
The old gentleman pointed with some related how he had taken the charge, how
surprise to his card. he had searched Oliver and found nothing
" Officer !" said Mr. Fang, tossing the on his person ; and how that was all he
card contemptuously away with the news- knew about it.
paper, " who is this fellow ?" "Are there any witnesses ?" inquired
" My name, sir," said the old gentle- Mr. Fang.
man, speaking like a gentleman, and con- 66
None, your worship," replied the po-
sequently in strong contrast to Mr. Fang, liceman.
-66 my name, sir, is Brownlow. Permit
Mr. Fang sat silent for some minutes,
me to inquire the name of the magistrate and then, turning round to the prosecutor,
who offers a gratuitous and unprovoked said, in a towering passion,
insult to a respectable man, under the pro- " Do you mean to state what your com-
tection of the bench." Saying this, Mr. plaint against this boy is, fellow, or do you
Brownlow looked round the office as if in not ? You have been sworn. Now, if
search of some person who could afford you stand there, refusing to give evidence,
him the required information. I'll punish you99for disrespect to the bench ;
"Officer!" said Mr. Fang, throwing the I will, by-
paper on one side, " what's this fellow By what, or by whom, nobody knows,
charged with ?" for the clerk and jailer coughed very loud
"He's not charged at all, your wor- just at the right moment, and the former
ship," replied the officer. "He appears dropped a heavy book on the floor ; thus
against the boy, your worship. " preventing the word from being heard-
His worship knew this perfectly well ; accidentally, of course.
but it was a good annoyance, and a safe With many interruptions, and repeated
one. insults, Mr. Brownlow contrived to state
66
Appears against the boy, does he ?" his case ; observing that, in the surprise
said Fang, surveying Mr. Brownlow con- of the moment, he had run after the boy
temptuously from head to foot. "Swear because he saw him running away, and
him." expressing his hope that, if the magis-
" Before I am sworn I must beg to say trate should believe him, although not
one word," said Mr. Brownlow ; " and actually the thief, to be connected with
that is, that I never, without actual99 expe- thieves, he would deal as leniently with
rience, could have believed him as justice would allow.
"Hold your tongue, sir !" said Mr. "He has been hurt already," said the
Fang peremptorily. old gentleman in conclusion. " And I
"I will not, sir !" replied the spirited fear," he added, with great energy, lock-
old gentleman. ing towards the bar,-" I really fear that
"Hold your tongue this instant, or I'll he is very ill."
have you turned out of the office !" said "Oh ! yes ; I dare say !" said Mr. Fang,
Mr. Fang. "You're an insolent imper- with a sneer. "Come ; none of your tricks
tinent fellow. How dare you bully a ma- here, you young vagabond ; they won't
gistrate !" do. What's your name ?"
"What !" exclaimed the old gentle- Oliver tried to reply, but his tongue
man, reddening. failed him. He was deadly pale, and the
"Swear this person !" said Fang to whole place seemed turning round and
the clerk. " I'll not hear another word. round.
Swear him !" "What's your name, you hardened
Mr. Brownlow's indignation was great- scoundrel ?" thundered Mr. Fang. “ Offi-
ly roused ; but, reflecting that he might cer, what's his name?"
injure the boy by giving vent to it, he sup- This was addressed to a bluff old fellow
pressed his feelings, and submitted to be in a striped waistcoat, who was standing
sworn at once. by the bar. He bent over Oliver, and re-
" Now," said Fang, " what's the charge peated the inquiry ; but finding him really
against this boy ? What have you got to incapable of understanding the question,
say, sir?" and knowing that his not replying would
" I was standing at a book-stall—" Mr. only infuriate the magistrate the more,
Brownlow began. and add to the severity of his sentence,
"Hold your tongue, sir !" said Mr. he hazarded a guess.
Fang. " Policeman !-where's the po- "He says his name's Tom White, your
liceman ? Here, swear this man. Now, worship," said this kind-hearted thief-
policeman, what is this ?" taker.
48 OLIVER TWIST .
"Oh, he won't speak out, won't he ?" "What is this ? Who is this ? Turn
said Fang. 66 Very well, very well. this man out. Clear the office," cried
Where does he live ?" Mr. Fang.
"Where he can, your worship," replied " I will speak," cried the man ; " I will
the officer, again pretending to receive not be turned out,-I saw it all. I keep
Oliver's answer. the book-stall. I demand to be sworn. I
"Has he any parents ?" inquired Mr. will not be put down. Mr. Fang, you must
Fang. hear me. You dare not refuse, sir.'99
"He says they died in his infancy, your The man was right. His manner was
worship," replied the officer, hazarding the bold and determined, and the matter was
usual reply. growing rather too serious to be hushed
At this point of the inquiry Oliver up.
raised his head, and, looking round with "Swear the fellow," growled Fang with
imploring eyes, murmured a feeble prayer a very ill grace. "Now, man, what have
* for a draught of water. you got to say ?"
" Stuff and nonsense !" said Mr. Fang ; 66 This," said the man : " I saw three
"don't try to make a fool of me." boys-two others and the prisoner here-
" I think he really is ill, your worship," loitering on the opposite side of the way,
remonstrated the officer. when this gentleman was reading. The
66" I know better," said Mr. Fang.
robbery was committed by another boy. I
"Take care of him, officer," said the saw it done, and I saw that this boy was
old gentleman, raising his hands instinc- perfectly amazed and stupified by it.'
tively; "he 'll fall down." Having by this time recovered a little
" Stand away, officer," cried Fang sav- breath, the worthy book-stall keeper pro-
agely; "let him, if he likes." ceeded to relate in a more coherent man-
Oliver availed himself of the kind per- ner the exact circumstances of the rob-
mission, and fell heavily to the floor in a bery.
66 Why didn't you come here before ?"
fainting fit. The men in the office looked
at each other, but no one dared to stir. said Fang after a pause.
66 I knew he was shamming," said Fang, "I hadn't a soul to mind the shop," re-
as if this were incontestable proof of the plied the man ; 66 everybody that could
fact. " Let him lie ; he'll soon be tired have helped me had joined in the pursuit.
of that." I could get nobody till five minutes ago,
99
"How do you propose to deal with the and I've run here all the way.'
case, sir ?" inquired the clerk in a low "The prosecutor was reading, was he ?"
voice. inquired Fang, after another pause.
66
Summarily,” replied Mr. Fang. " He "Yes," replied the man, " the very book
stands committed for three months,-hard he has got in his hand."
labour of course. Clear the office." "Oh, that book, eh ?" said Fang. " Is it
The door was opened for this purpose, paid for ?"
66 No,
and a couple of men were preparing to it is not," replied the man, with
carry the insensible boy to his cell, when a smile.
an elderly man of decent but poor appear- " Dear me, I forgot all about it !" ex-
ance, clad in an old suit of black, rushed claimed the absent old gentleman , inno-
hastily into the office, and advanced to the cently .
bench. "A nice person to prefer a charge
66 Stop, stop,-don't take
him away,- against a poor boy !" said Fang, with a
for Heaven's sake stop a moment," cried comical effort to look humane. "I consi-
the new-comer, breathless with haste. der, sir, that you have obtained possession
Although the presiding geniuses in such of that book under very suspicious and
an office as this exercise a summary and disreputable circumstances, and you may
arbitrary power over the liberties, the think yourself very fortunate that the own-
good name, the character, almost the lives er of the property declines to prosecute.
of his Majesty's subjects, especially of the Let this be a lesson to you, my man, or the
poorer class, and although within such law will overtake you yet. The boy is
walls enough fantastic tricks are daily discharged. Clear the office !"
played to make the angels weep thick "D-me !" cried the old gentleman,
tears of blood, they are closed to the pub- bursting out with the rage he had kept
lic, save through the medium of the daily down so long, " D-me ! Ï'll-
press. Mr. Fang was consequently not a 66 Clear the office !" roared the magis-
little indignant to see an unbidden guest trate. " Officers, do you hear ? Clear
enter in such irreverent disorder. the office !"
OLIVER TWIST . 49
The mandate was obeyed, and the in- | body, than does this slow, creeping fire
dignant Mr. Brownlow was conveyed out, upon the living frame.
with the book in one hand, and the bam- Weak, and thin, and pallid, he awoke
boo cane in the other, in a perfect phrenzy at last from what seemed to have been a
of rage and defiance. long and troubled dream. Feebly raising
He reached the yard, and it vanished in himself in the bed, with his head resting
a moment. Little Oliver Twist lay on on his trembling arm, he looked anxiously
his back on the pavement, with his shirt round.
unbuttoned, and his temples bathed with "What room is this ?-where have I
water : his face a deadly white, and a cold been brought to ?" said Oliver. " This is
tremble convulsing his whole frame. not the place I went to sleep in."
"Poor boy, poor boy !" said Mr. Brown- He uttered these words in a feeble voice,
low, bending over him. 66 Call a coach, being very faint and weak ; but they were
somebody, pray, directly !" overheard at once, for the curtain at the
A coach was obtained, and Oliver, hav- bed's head was hastily drawn back, and a
ing been carefully laid on one seat, the motherly old lady, very neatly and pre-
old gentleman got in and sat himself on cisely dressed, rose as she undrew it, from
the other. an arm-chair close by, in which she had
66 May I accompany you ?" said been sitting at needle-work.
the book-
stall keeper, looking in. “ Hush, my dear," said the . old lady
"Bless me, yes, my dear friend," said softly. "You must be very quiet, or you
Mr. Brownlow, quickly. " I forgot you. will be ill again, and you have been very
Dear, dear ! I've got this unhappy book bad, as bad as bad could be, pretty nigh.
still. Jump in. Poor fellow ! there's no Lie down again, there's a dear." With
time to lose." these words the old lady very gently
The book-stall keeper got into the coach, placed Oliver's head upon the pillow, and,
and away they drove. 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 upon hers, and drawing it
round his neck.
CHAPTER THE TWELFTH. "Save us !" said the old lady, with tears
in her eyes, " what a grateful little dear
n which Oliver is taken better care of than he ever it is. Pretty creetur, what would his
was before, with some particulars concerning a
certain picture. mother feel if she had sat by him as I
have, and could see him now !"
THE Coach rattled away down Mount 66 Perhaps she does see me," whispered
Pleasant and up Exmouth-street, -over Oliver, folding his hands together ; " per-
nearly the same ground as that which haps she has sat by me, ma'am. I almost
Oliver had traversed when he first enter- feel as if she had."
ed London in company with the Dodger, "That was the fever, my dear," said
-and, turning a different way when it the old lady mildly.
reached the Angel at Islington, stopped " I suppose it was," replied Oliver
at length before a neat house in a quiet thoughtfully, " because Heaven is a long
shady street near Pentonville. Here a way off, and they are too happy there, to
bed was procured without loss of time, in come down to the bedside of a poor boy.
which Mr. Brownlow saw his young But if she knew I was ill, she must have
charge carefully and comfortably deposit- pitied me even there, for she was very ill
ed; and here he was attended with a herself before she died. She can't know
kindness and solicitude which knew no anything about me though," added Oliver
bounds. afteramoment's silence,"for ifshehad seen
But for many days Oliver remained in- me beat, it would have made her sorrow-
sensible to all the goodness of his new ful ; and her face has always looked sweet
friends ; the sun rose and sunk, and rose and happy when I have dreamt of her."
and sunk again, and many times after that, The old lady made no reply to this, but
and still the boy lay stretched upon his wiping her eyes first, and her spectacles,
uneasy bed, dwindling away beneath the which lay on the counterpane, afterwards,
dry and wasting heat of fever,-that heat as if they were part and parcel of those
which, like the subtle acid that gnaws features, brought some cool stuff for Oli-
into the very heart of hardest iron, burns ver to drink, and then, patting him on the
only to corrode and to destroy. The worm cheek, told him he must lie very quiet, or
does not his work more surely on the dead he would be ill again.
5 G
50 OLIVER TWIST .
So Oliver kept very still, partly because dry tumblings forward and divers moans
he was anxious to obey the kind old lady and chokings, which, however, had no
in all things, and partly, to tell the truth, worse effect than causing her to rub her
because he was completely exhausted with nose very hard, and then fall asleep
what he had already said. He soon fell again.
into a gentle doze, from which he was And thus the night crept slowly on.
awakened by the light of a candle, which, Oliver lay awake for some time, counting
being brought near the bed, showed him the little circles of light which the reflec-
a gentleman, a very large and loud-tick- tion of the rushlight-shade threw upon the
ing gold watch in his hand, who felt his ceiling, or tracing with his languid eyes
pulse, and said he was a great deal the intricate pattern of the paper on the
better. wall. The darkness and deep stillness
"You are a great deal better, are you of the room were very solemn ; and as
not, my dear ?" said the gentleman. they brought into the boy's mind the
"Yes, thank you, sir," replied Oliver. thought that Death had been hovering
" Yes, I know you are, " said the gen- there for many days and nights, and might
tleman : " you're hungry too, an't you?" yet fill it with the gloom and dread of his
66 No, sir," answered Oliver. awful presence, he turned his face upon
"Hem !" said the gentleman. "No, I the pillow and fervently prayed to Hea-
know you're not. He is not hungry, Mrs. | ven.
Bedwin," said the gentleman, looking very Gradually he fell into that deep tranquil
wise. sleep which ease from recent suffering
The old lady made a respectful inclina- alone imparts ; that calm and peaceful rest
tion of the head, which seemed to say that which it is pain to wake from. Who, if
she thought the doctor was a very clever this were death, would be roused again to
man. The doctor appeared very much of all the struggles and turmoils of life-to
the same opinion himself. all its cares for the present, its anxieties
"You feel sleepy, don't you, my dear ?" for the future, and, more than all, its
said the doctor. weary recollections of the past !
66 It had been bright day for hours when
No, sir," replied Oliver.
"No," said the doctor with a very Oliver opened his eyes ; and when he did
shrewd and satisfied look. "You're not so, he felt cheerful and happy. The crisis
sleepy. Nor thirsty, are you ?" of the disease was safely past, and he be-
66
Yes, sir, rather thirsty," answered longed to the world again.
Oliver. In three days' time he was able to sit
"Just as I expected, Mrs. Bedwin," said in an easy-chair well propped up with pil-
the doctor. "It's very natural that he lows ; and, as he was still too weak to
should be thirsty-perfectly natural. You walk, Mrs. Bedwin had him carried down
may give him a little tea, ma'am, and stairs into the little housekeeper's room,
some dry toast without any butter. Don't which belonged to her, where, having sat
keep him too warm, ma'am ; but be care- him up by the fireside, the good old lady
ful that you don't let him be too cold ; sat herself down too, and, being in a state
will you have the goodness ?" of considerable delight at seeing him so
The old lady dropped a curtsey ; and much better, forthwith began to cry most
the doctor, after tasting the cool stuff, and violently.
expressing a qualified approval thereof, "Never mind me, my dear," said the
hurried away : his boots creaking in a old lady ; " I'm only having a regular
very important and wealthy manner as good cry. There, it's all over now, and
he went down stairs. I'm quite comfortable."
Oliver dozed off again soon after this, "You're very kind to me, ma'am," said
and when he awoke it was nearly twelve Oliver.
o'clock. The old lady tenderly bade him "Well, never you mind that, my dear,"
good-night shortly afterwards, and left him said the old lady ; "that's got nothing to
in charge of a fat old woman who had just do with your broth, and it's full time you
come, bringing with her in a little bundle had it, for the doctor says Mr. Brownlow
a small Prayer Book and a large nightcap. may come in to see you this morning, and
Putting the latter on her head, and the we must get up our best looks, because
former on the table, the old woman, after the better we look the more he'll be
telling Oliver that she had come to sit up pleased." And with this, the old lady
with him, drew her chair close to the fire applied herself to warming up in a little
and went off into a series of short naps, saucepan a basin full of broth strong
chequered at frequent intervalsJwith sun- enough to furnish an ample dinner, when
THE
કે.
DATIONS
George Grokshank
Oliver recoveringfrom thefever
P. 51
OLIVER TWIST. 51
reduced to the regulation strength, for solemn a preparation. Oliver got through
three hundred and fifty paupers, at the it with extraordinary expedition, and had
very lowest computation. scarcely swallowed the last spoonful when
"Are you fond of pictures, dear ?" in- there came a soft tap at the door. " Come
quired the old lady, seeing that Oliver had in," said the old lady ; and in walked Mr.
fixed his eyes most intently on a portrait Brownlow.
which hung against the wall just opposite Now the old gentleman came in as brisk
his chair. as need be ; but he had no sooner raised
"I don't quite know, ma'am," said Oli- his spectacles on his forehead, and thrust
ver, without taking his eyes from the his hands behind the skirts of his dressing-
canvas ; "I have seen so few, that I gown to take a good long look at Oliver,
hardly know. What a beautiful mild face than his countenance underwent a very
that lady's is !" great variety of odd contortions. Oliver
"Ah," said the old lady, " painters al- looked very worn and shadowy from sick-
ways make ladies out prettier than they ness, and made an ineffectual attempt to
are, or they wouldn't get any custom, stand up, out of respect to his benefactor,
child. The man that invented the ma- which terminated in his sinking back into
chine for taking likenesses might have the chair again ; and the fact is, if the
known that would never succeed ; it's a truth must be told, that Mr. Brownlow's
deal too honest,-a deal," said the old la- heart being large enough for any six ordi-
dy, laughing very heartily at her own nary old gentlemen of humane disposition,
acuteness. forced a supply of tears into his eyes by
"Is-is that a likeness, ma'am ?" said some hydraulic process which we are not
Oliver. sufficiently philosophical to be in a condi-
66
Yes," said the old lady, looking up for tion to explain.
a moment from the broth ; " that's a por- "Poor boy, poor boy !" said Mr. Brown-
trait." low clearing his throat. " I'm rather
"Whose, ma'am ?" asked Oliver ea- hoarse this morning, Mrs. Bedwin ; I'm
gerly. afraid I have caught cold."
" Why, really, my dear, I don't know," "I hope not, sir," said Mrs. Bedwin.
answered the old lady in a good-humoured " Everything you have had has been well
manner. "It's not a likeness of anybody aired, sir."
that you or I know, I expect. It seems to "I dont't know, Bedwin,-I don't know,"
strike your fancy, dear." said Mr. Brownlow ; " I rather think I had
"It is so very pretty-so very beauti- a damp napkin at dinner-time yesterday :
ful," replied Oliver. but never mind that. How do you feel,
66 my dear ?"
Why, sure you're not afraid of it ?"
said the old lady, observing in great sur- "Very happy, sir," replied Oliver, " and
prise the look of awe with which the child very grateful indeed, sir, for your goodness
regarded the painting. to me."
"Oh no, no," returned Oliver quickly ; "Good boy," said Mr. Brownlow stoutly.
"but the eyes look so sorrowful, and where "Have you given him any nourishment,
I sit they seem fixed upon me. 66 It makes Bedwin -any slops, eh ?"
my heart beat," added Oliver in a low "He has just had a basin of beautiful
voice, " as if it was alive, and wanted to strong broth, sir," replied Mrs. Bedwin,
speak to me, but couldn't. " drawing herself up slightly, and laying a
" Lord, save us !" exclaimed the old strong emphasis on the last word, to inti
lady, starting ; " don't talk in that way, mate that between slops, and broth well
child. You're weak and nervous after compounded, there existed no affinity or
your illness. Let me wheel your chair connexion whatsoever.
round to the other side, and then you won't " Ugh !" said Mr. Brownlow, with a
see it. There," said the old lady, suiting slight shudder ; " a couple of glasses ofport
the action to the word ; " you don't see it wine would have done him a great deal
now, at all events." more good,-wouldn't they, Tom White,
Oliver did see it in his mind's eye as eh ?"
distinctly as if he had not altered his posi- "My name is Oliver, sir," replied the
tion, but he thought it better not to worry little invalid with a look of great aston-
the kind old lady ; so he smiled gently ishment.
when she looked at him, and Mrs. Bedwin, " Oliver !" said Mr. Brownlow ; " Oli-
satisfied that he felt more comfortable, ver what ? Oliver White, -eh ?
salted and broke bits of toasted bread into "No, sir, Twist,-Oliver Twist. "
the broth with all the bustle befitting so "Queer name," said the old gentleman.
52 OLIVER TWIST .
"What made you tell the magistrate your great a degree as this strong proof of their
name was Tom White ?" anxiety for their own preservation and
"I never told him so, sir," returned safety goes to corroborate and confirm the
Oliver in amazement. little code of laws which certain profound
This sounded so like a falsehood, that and sound-judging philosophers have laid
the old gentleman looked somewhat sternly down as the mainsprings of all Madam
in Oliver's face. It was impossible to Nature's deeds and actions ; the said phi-
doubt him ; there was truth in every one losophers very wisely reducing the good
of its thin and sharpened lineaments. lady's proceedings to matters of maxim
"Some mistake," said Mr. Brownlow. and theory, and, by a very neat and pretty
But, although his motive for looking stea- compliment to her exalted wisdom and
dily at Oliver no longer existed, the old understanding, putting entirely out of
idea of the resemblance between his fea- sight any considerations of heart, or gene-
tures and some familiar face came upon rous impulse and feeling, as matters total-
him so strongly that he could not with- ly beneath a female who is acknowledged
draw his gaze. by universal admission to be so far beyond
66 I hope you are not angry with me, the numerous little foibles and weaknesses
sir," said Oliver, raising his eyes beseech- of her sex.
ingly. If I wanted any further proof of the
66 No, no," replied the old gentleman.- strictly philosophical nature of the con-
"Gracious God, what's this ! Bedwin, duct of these young gentlemen in their
look, look, there !" very delicate predicament, I should at
As he spoke, he pointed hastily to the once find it in the fact (also recorded in a
picture above Oliver's head, and then to foregoing part of this narrative) of their
the boy's face. There was its living copy, quitting the pursuit when the general at-
the eyes, the head, the mouth ; every fea- tention was fixed upon Oliver, and making
ture was the same. The expression was immediately for their home by the short-
for the instant so precisely alike, that the est possible cut ; for although I do not
minutest line seemed copied with an ac- mean to assert that it is the practice of re-
curacy which was perfectly unearthly. nowned and learned sages at all to shorten
Oliver knew not the cause of this sud- the road to any great conclusion, their
den exclamation, for he was not strong course indeed being rather to lengthen
enough to bear the start it gave him, and the distance by various circumlocutions
he fainted away. and discursive staggerings, like 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
CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH of all mighty philosophers, in carrying out
their theories, to evince great wisdom and
Reverts to the merry old gentleman and his youth foresight in providing against every possi-
ful friends, through whom a new acquaintance ble contingency which can be supposed at
is introduced to the intelligent reader, and con- all likely to affect themselves. Thus, to do
nected with whom various pleasant matters are
related appertaining to this history. a great right, you may do a little wrong,
and you may take any means which the
WHEN the Dodger and his accomplished end to be attained will justify ; the amount
friend Master Bates joined in the hue and of the right or the amount of the wrong,
cry which was raised at Oliver's heels, in or indeed the distinction between the two,
consequence of their executing an illegal being left entirely to the philosopher con-
conveyance of Mr. Brownlow's personal cerned : to be settled and determined by
property, as hath been already described his clear, comprehensive, and impartial
with great perspicuity in a foregoing chap- view of his own particular case.
ter, they were actuated, as we therein It was not until the two boys had scour
took occasion to observe, by a very lauda- ed with great rapidity through a most in-
ble and becoming regard for themselves : tricate maze of narrow streets and courts,
and forasmuch as the freedom of the sub- that they ventured to halt by common
ject and the liberty of the individual are consent beneath a low and dark archway.
among the first and proudest boasts of a Having remained silent here, just long
true-hearted Englishman, so I need hardly enough to recover breath to speak, Master
beg the reader to observe that this action Bates uttered an exclamation of amuse-
must tend to exalt them in the opinion of ment and delight, and, bursting into an un-
all public and patriotic men, in almost as controllable fit of laughter, flung himself
OLIVER TWIST . 53
upon a door-step, and rolled thereon in a 66

"Why, how's this ?" muttered the Jew,
transport of mirtn. changing countenance ; " only two of
"What's the matter ?" inquired the ' em ! Where's the third ? They can't
Dodger. have got into trouble. Hark !"
" Ha ! ha ! ha !" roared Charley Bates. The footsteps approached nearer ; they
66
Hold your noise," remonstrated the reached the landing, the door was slowly
Dodger, looking cautiously round. " Do opened, and the Dodger and Charley
you want to be grabbed, stupid ?" Bates entered and closed it behind them.
66 I can't help it," said Charley, " I can't "Where's Oliver, you young hounds ?"
help it. To see him splitting away at said the furious Jew, rising with a men-
that pace, and cutting round the corners, acing look : " where's the boy ?"
and knocking up against the posts, and The young thieves eyed their preceptor
starting on again as if he was made of as if they were alarmed at his violence,
iron as well as them, and me with the and looked uneasily at each other, but
wipe in my pocket, singing out arter him made no reply.
-oh, my eye !" The vivid imagination "What's become of the boy ?" said the
of Master Bates presented the scene be- Jew, seizing the Dodger tightly by the
fore him in too strong colours. As he collar, and threatening him with horrid
arrived at this apostrophe, he again rolled imprecations. " Speak out, or I'll throtlle
upon the door-step and laughed louder you !"
than before. Mr. Fagin looked so very much in
"What 'll Fagin say ?" inquired the earnest, that Charley Bates, who deemed
Dodger, taking advantage of the next in- it prudent in all cases to be on the safe
terval of breathlessness on the part of his side, and conceived it by no means im-
friend to propound the question. probable that it might be his turn to be
"What !" repeated Charley Bates. throttled second, dropped upon his knees,
66
Ah, what ?" said the Dodger. and raised a loud, well-sustained, and
66
Why, what should he say ?" inquired continuous roar, something between an
Charley, stopping rather suddenly in his insane bull and a speaking-trumpet.
merriment, for the Dodger's manner was "Will you speak ?" thundered the Jew,
impressive ; " what should he say ?" shaking the Dodger so much that his
Mr. Dawkins whistled for a couple of keeping in the big coat at all seemed per-
minutes, and then, taking off his hat, fectly miraculous.
scratched his head and nodded twice. 66
Why, the traps ་ have got him, and
"What do you mean ?" said Charley. that's all about it," said the Dodger sul-
"Toor rul lul loo, gammon and spin- lenly. 66 Come, let go o' me, will yer !"
nage, the frog he wouldn't, and high and, swinging himself at one jerk clean
cockolorum," said the Dodger with a slight out of the big coat, which he left in the
sneer on his intellectual countenance. Jew's hands, the Dodger snatched up the
This was explanatory, but not satisfac- toasting-fork and made a pass at the merry
tory. Mr. Bates felt it so, and again said, old gentleman's waistcoat, which if it had
“ What do you mean ?” taken effect, would have let a little more
The Dodger made no reply, but putting merriment out than could have been easily
his hat on again, and gathering the skirts replaced in a month or two.
of his long-tailed coat under his arms, The Jew stepped back in this emer
thrust his tongue into his cheek, slapped gency with more agility than could have
the bridge of his nose some half-dozen been anticipated in a man of his apparent
times in a familiar but expressive manner, decrepitude, and, seizing up the pot, pre-
and then, turning on his heel, slunk down pared to hurl it at his assailant's head.
the court. Mr. Bates followed, with a But Charley Bates at this moment calling
thoughtful countenance. his attention by a perfectly terrific howl,
The noise of footsteps on the creaking he suddenly altered its destination, and
stairs a few minutes after the occurrence flung it full at that young gentleman.
of this conversation roused the merry old 66 Why, what the blazes is in the wind
gentleman as he sat over the fire with a now !" growled a deep voice. "Who
saveloy and a small loaf in his left hand, pitched that ' ere at me ? It's well it's
a pocket-knife in his right, and a pewter the beer and not the pot as hit me, or I'd
pot on the trivet. There was a rascally have settled somebody. I might have
smile on his white face as he turned know'd as nobody but an infernal rich,
round, and, looking sharply out from under plundering, thundering old Jew could
his thick red eyebrows, bent his ear afford to throw away any drink but water,
towards the door and listened intently. and not that, unless he done the River
5*
52 OLIVER TWIST .
"What made you tell the magistrate your great a degree as this strong proof of their
name was Tom White ?" anxiety for their own preservation and
"I never told him so, sir," returned safety goes to corroborate and confirm the
Oliver in amazement. little code of laws which certain profound
This sounded so like a falsehood, that and sound-judging philosophers have laid
the old gentleman looked somewhat sternly down as the mainsprings of all Madam
in Oliver's face. It was impossible to Nature's deeds and actions ; the said phi-
doubt him ; there was truth in every one losophers very wisely reducing the good
of its thin and sharpened lineaments. lady's proceedings to matters of maxim
"Some mistake," said Mr. Brownlow. and theory, and, by a very neat and pretty
But, although his motive for looking stea- compliment to her exalted wisdom and
dily at Oliver no longer existed, the old understanding, putting entirely out of
idea of the resemblance between his fea- sight any considerations of heart, or gene-
tures and some familiar face came upon rous impulse and feeling, as matters total-
him so strongly that he could not with- ly beneath a female who is acknowledged
draw his gaze . by universal admission to be so far beyond
"I hope you are not angry with me, the numerous little foibles and weaknesses
sir," said Oliver, raising his eyes beseech- of her sex.
ingly. If I wanted any further proof of the
" No, no," replied the old gentleman.— strictly philosophical nature of the con-
" Gracious God, what's this ! Bedwin, duct of these young gentlemen in their
look, look, there !" very delicate predicament, I should at
As he spoke, he pointed hastily to the once find it in the fact (also recorded in a
picture above Oliver's head, and then to foregoing part of this narrative) of their
the boy's face. There was its living copy, quitting the pursuit when the general at-
the eyes, the head, the mouth ; every fea- tention was fixed upon Oliver, and making
ture was the same. The expression was immediately for their home by the short-
for the instant so precisely alike, that the est possible cut ; for although I do not
minutest line seemed copied with an ac- mean to assert that it is the practice ofre-
curacy which was perfectly unearthly. nowned and learned sages at all to shorten
Oliver knew not the cause of this sud- the road to any great conclusion, their
den exclamation, for he was not strong course indeed being rather to lengthen
enough to bear the start it gave him, and the distance by various circumlocutions
he fainted away. and discursive staggerings, like 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
CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH of all mighty philosophers, in carrying out
their theories, to evince great wisdom and
Reverts to the merry old gentleman and his youth foresight in providing against every possi-
ful friends, through whom a new acquaintance ble contingency which can be supposed at
is introduced to the intelligent reader, and con-
nected with whom various pleasant matters are all likely to affect themselves. Thus, to do
related appertaining to this history. a great right, you may do a little wrong,
and you may take any means which the
WHEN the Dodger and his accomplished end to be attained will justify ; the amount
friend Master Bates joined in the hue and of the right or the amount of the wrong,
cry which was raised at Oliver's heels, in or indeed the distinction between the two,
consequence of their executing an illegal being left entirely to the philosopher con-
conveyance of Mr. Brownlow's personal cerned : to be settled and determined by
property, as hath been already described his clear, comprehensive, and impartial
with great perspicuity in a foregoing chap- view of his own particular case.
ter, they were actuated, as we therein It was not until the two boys had scour
took occasion to observe, by a very lauda- ed with great rapidity through a most in-
ble and becoming regard for themselves : tricate maze of narrow streets and courts,
and forasmuch as the freedom of the sub- that they ventured to halt by common
ject and the liberty of the individual are consent beneath a low and dark archway.
among the first and proudest boasts of a Having remained silent here, just long
true-hearted Englishman, so I need hardly enough to recover breath to speak, Master
beg the reader to observe that this action Bates uttered an exclamation of amuse-
must tend to exalt them in the opinion of ment and delight, and, bursting into an un-
all public and patriotic men, in almost as controllable fit of laughter, flung himself
OLIVER TWIST . 53
upon a door-step, anu rolled thereon in a "Why, how's this ?" muttered the Jew,
transport of mirtn. changing countenance ; "only two of
"What's the matter ?" inquired the ' em ! Where's the third ? They can't
Dodger. have got into trouble. Hark !"
“ Ha ! ha ! ha !" roared Charley Bates. The footsteps approached nearer ; they
"Hold your noise," remonstrated the reached the landing, the door was slowly
Dodger, looking cautiously round. " Do opened, and the Dodger and Charley
you want to be grabbed, stupid ?" Bates entered and closed it behind them.
"I can't help it," said Charley, " I can't "Where's Oliver, you young hounds ?"
help it. To see him splitting away at said the furious Jew, rising with a men-
that pace, and cutting round the corners, acing look : " where's the boy ?"
and knocking up against the posts, and The young thieves eyed their preceptor
starting on again as if he was made of as if they were alarmed at his violence,
iron as well as them, and me with the and looked uneasily at each other, but
wipe in my pocket, singing out arter him made no reply.
-oh, my eye !" The vivid imagination "What's become ofthe boy ?" said the
of Master Bates presented the scene be- Jew, seizing the Dodger tightly by the
fore him in too strong colours. As he collar, and threatening him with horrid
arrived at this apostrophe, he again rolled imprecations. 66 Speak out, or I'll throtlle
upon the door-step and laughed louder you !"
than before. Mr. Fagin looked so very much in
"What'll Fagin say ?" inquired the earnest, that Charley Bates, who deemed
Dodger, taking advantage of the next in- it prudent in all cases to be on the safe
terval of breathlessness on the part of his side, and conceived it by no means im-
friend to propound the question. probable that it might be his turn to be
"What !" repeated Charley Bates. throttled second, dropped upon his knees,
66 Ah, what ?" said the Dodger. and raised a loud, well-sustained, and
66
Why, what should he say ?" inquired continuous roar, something between an
Charley, stopping rather suddenly in his insane bull and a speaking-trumpet.
merriment, for the Dodger's manner was "Will you speak ?" thundered the Jew,
impressive ; " what should he say ?" shaking the Dodger so much that his
Mr. Dawkins whistled for a couple of keeping in the big coat at all seemed per-
minutes, and then, taking off his hat, fectly miraculous.
scratched his head and nodded twice. 66 Why, the traps have got
him, and
"What do you mean ?" said Charley. that's all about it," said the Dodger sul-
"Toor rul lul loo, gammon and spin- lenly. "Come, let go 0' me, will yer!"
nage, the frog he wouldn't, and high and, swinging himself at one jerk clean
cockolorum," said the Dodger with a slight out of the big coat, which he left in the
sneer on his intellectual countenance. Jew's hands, the Dodger snatched up the
This was explanatory, but not satisfac- toasting-fork and made a pass at the merry
tory. Mr. Bates felt it so, and again said, old gentleman's waistcoat, which if it had
"What do you mean ?" taken effect, would have let a little more
The Dodger made no reply, but putting merriment out than could have been easily
his hat on again, and gathering the skirts replaced in a month or two.
of his long-tailed coat under his arms, The Jew stepped back in this emer
thrust his tongue into his cheek, slapped gency with more agility than could have
the bridge of his nose some half-dozen been anticipated in a man of his apparent
times in a familiar but expressive manner, decrepitude, and, seizing up the pot, pre-
and then, turning on his heel, slunk down pared to hurl it at his assailant's head.
the court. Mr. Bates followed, with a But Charley Bates at this moment calling
thoughtful countenance. his attention by a perfectly terrific howl,
The noise of footsteps on the creaking he suddenly altered its destination, and
stairs a few minutes after the occurrence flung it full at that young gentleman.
of this conversation roused the merry old "Why, what the blazes is in the wind
gentleman as he sat over the fire with a now !" growled a deep voice. "Who
saveloy and a small loaf in his left hand, pitched that ' ere at me ? It's well it's
a pocket-knife in his right, and a pewter the beer and not the pot as hit me, or I'd
pot on the trivet. There was a rascally have settled somebody. I might have
smile on his white face as he turned know'd as nobody but an infernal rich,
round, and, looking sharply out from under plundering, thundering old Jew could
his thick red eyebrows, bent his ear afford to throw away any drink but water,
towards the door and listened intently. and not that, unless he done the River
5*
54 OLIVER TWIST .
Company every quarter. Wot's it all "Well, well, then, Bill Sikes," said
about, Fagin. D- me if my neckanke- the Jew with abject humility. " You
cher an't lined with beer. Come in, you seem out of humour, Bill."
sneaking warmint ; wot are you stopping 66 Perhaps I am," replied Sikes. " I
outside for, as if you was ashamed of your should think you were rather out of sorts
master. Come in !" too, unless you mean as little harm when
The man who growled out these words you throw pewter pots about, as you do
was a stoutly-built fellow of about five- when you blab and-
and-forty, in a black velveteen coat, very " Are you mad ?" said the Jew, catch-
soiled drab breeches, lace-up half-boots, ing the man by the sleeve, and pointing
and grey cotton stockings, which enclosed towards the boys.
a very bulky pair of legs, with large Mr. Sikes contented himself with tying
swelling calves,-the kind of legs which an imaginary knot under his left ear, and
in such costume always look in an un- jerking his head over on the right shoul-
finished and incomplete state without a der ; a piece of dumb show which the
set of fetters to garnish them. He had Jew appeared to understand perfectly.
a brown hat on his head, and a dirty He then in cant terms, with which his
belcher handkerchief round his neck, whole conversation was plentifully be-
with the long frayed ends of which, he sprinkled, but which would be quite un-
smeared the beer from his face as he intelligible if they were recorded here,
spoke ; disclosing when he had done so demanded a glass of liquor.
a broad heavy countenance with a beard "And mind you don't poison it," said
of three days' growth, and two scowling Mr. Sikes, laying his hat upon the table.
eyes, one of which displayed various This was said in jest ; but ifthe speaker
parti-coloured symptoms of having been could have seen the evil leer with which
recently damaged by a blow. the Jew bit his pale lip as he turned round
"Come in, d'ye hear ?" growled this to the cupboard, he might have thought
engaging-looking ruffian. A white shaggy the caution not wholly unnecessary, or
dog, with his face scratched and torn in the wish, at all events, to improve upon
twenty different places, skulked into the the distiller's ingenuity not very far from
room . the old gentleman's merry heart.
"Why didn't you come in afore ?" said After swallowing two or three glassfuls
the man . "You're of spirits, Mr. Sikes condescended to take
getting too proud to
own me afore company, are you ? Lie some notice of the young gentlemen ;
down !" which gracious act led to a conversation
This command was accompanied with in which the cause and manner ofOliver's
a kick which sent the animal to the other capture were circumstantially detailed,
end of the room. He appeared well used with such alterations and improvements
to it, however ; for he coiled himself up on the truth as to the Dodger appear-
in a corner very quietly without uttering ed most advisable under the circum-
a sound, and, winking his very ill-looking stances.
eyes about twenty times in a minute, "I'm afraid," said the Jew, "that he
appeared to occupy himself in taking a may say something which will get us
survey of the apartment. into trouble."
"What are you up to ? Ill-treating "That's very likely," returned Sikes
the boys, you covetous, avaricious, in-sa- with a malicious grin. "You're blowed
ti-a-ble old fence ?" said the man, seating upon, Fagin."
himself deliberately. "I wonder they “ And I'm afraid, you see,” added the
don't murder you ; I would if I was them. Jew, speaking as if he had not noticed
If I'd been your ' prentice I'd have done the interruption, and regarding the other
it long ago ; and- no, I couldn't have sold closely as he did so,- " I'm afraid that,
you arterwards, though ; for you're fit if the game was up with us, it might be
for nothing but keeping as a curiosity of up with a good many more ; and that it
ugliness in a glass bottle, and I suppose would come out rather worse for you than
they don't blow them large enough." it would for me, my dear."
" Hush ! hush ! Mr. Sikes," said the The man started, and turned fiercely
Jew, trembling ; " don't speak so loud. " round upon the Jew ; but the old gentle-
"None of your mistering," replied the man's shoulders were shrugged up to his
ruffian ; "you always mean mischief when ears, and his eyes were vacantly staring
you come that. You know my name : on the opposite wall.
out with it. I shan't disgrace it when There was a long pause. Every mem-
the time comes." ber of the respectable coterie appeared
OLIVER TWIST . 55
plunged in his own reflections, not ex- "What I say, Bill," replied the lady
cepting the dog, who by a certain mali- collectedly.
cious licking of his lips seemed to be " Why, you're just the very person for
meditating an attack upon the legs of the it," reasoned Mr. Sikes : " nobody about
first gentleman or lady he might encoun- here, knows anything ofyou."
ter in the street when he went out. "And as I don't want ' em to, neither,"
"Somebody must find out what's been replied Miss Nancy in the same composed
done at the office," said Mr. Sikes in a manner, "it's rayther more no than yes
much lower tone than he had taken since with me, Bill."
he came in. "She'll go, Fagin," said Sikes.
The Jew nodded assent. "No, she won't, Fagin," bawled Nancy.
"If he hasn't peached, and is commit- "Yes she will, Fagin," said Sikes.
ted, there's no fear till he comes out And Mr. Sikes was right. By dint of
again," said Mr. Sikes, " and then he must alternate threats, promises, and bribes, the
be taken care on. You must get hold of engaging female in question was ultimate-
him, somehow." ly prevailed upon to undertake the commis-
Again the Jew nodded. sion. She was not indeed withheld by the
The prudence of this line of action, same considerations as her agreeable
indeed, was obvious ; but unfortunately friend, for, having very recently removed
there was one very strong objection to its into the neighbourhood of Field-lane from
being adopted ; and this was, that the the remote but genteel suburb of Ratcliffe,
Dodger, and Charley Bates, and Fagin, she was not under the same apprehension
and Mr. William Sikes, happened one and of being recognised by any of her numer-
all to entertain a most violent and deep- ous acquaintance.
rooted antipathy to going near a police- Accordingly, with a clean white apron
office on any ground or pretext what- tied over the red gown, and the yellow
ever. curl-papers tucked up under a straw
How long they might have sat and bonnet,-both articles of dress being pro-
looked at each other in a state of uncer- vided from the Jew's inexhaustible stock,
tainty not the most pleasant of its kind, it -Miss Nancy prepared to issue forth on
is difficult to say. It is not necessary to her errand.
66 Stop a minute, my dear," said the Jew,
make any guesses on the subject, how-
ever ; for the sudden entrance of the two producing a little covered basket. " Carry
young ladies whom Oliver had seen on a that in one hand ; it looks more respect-
former occasion caused the conversation able, my dear. "
to flow afresh. "Give her a door-key to carry in her
"The very thing !" said the Jew. t'other one, Fagin," said Sikes ; " it looks
" Bet will go ; won't you, my dear ?" real and genivine like. "
"Wheres ?" inquired the young lady. "Yes, yes, my dear, so it does," said
"Only just up to the office, my dear," the Jew, hanging the large street-door
said the Jew coaxingly. key on the fore-finger of the young lady's
It is due to the young lady to say that right hand. " There ; very good, -very
she did not positively affirm that she would good indeed, my dear," said the Jew,
not, but that she merely expressed an rubbing his hands.
emphatic and earnest desire to be "jig- "Oh, my brother ! my poor, dear, sweet,
gered" if she would ; a polite and delicate innocent little brother !" exclaimed Miss
evasion of the request, which shows the Nancy, bursting into tears, and wringing
young lady to have been possessed of that the little basket and the street door-key
natural good-breeding that cannot bear to in an agony of distress. "What has
inflict upon a fellow-creature the pain of become of him !-where have they taken
a direct and pointed refusal. him to ! Oh, do have pity, and tell me
The Jew's countenance fell, and he what's been done with the dear boy, gen-
turned to the other young lady, who was tlemen ; do, gentlemen, if you please,
gaily, not to say gorgeously attired, in a gentlemen."
red gown, green boots, and yellow curl- Having uttered these words in a most
papers. lamentable and heart-broken tone, to the
" Nancy, my dear," said the Jew in a immeasurable delight of her hearers, Miss
soothing manner, " what do you say ?" Nancy paused, winked to the company,
"That it won't do ; so it's no use a try- nodded smilingly round, and disappeared.
ing it on, Fagin," replied Nancy. "Ah ! she's a clever girl, my dears,"
"What do you mean by that ?" said said the Jew, turning to his young friends,
Mr. Sikes, looking up in a surly manner. and shaking his head gravely, as if in
56 OLIVER TWIST .
mute admonition to them to follow the "I haven't got him, my dear," said the
bright example they had just beheld. old man .
She's a honour to her sex," said 64 Where is he ?" screamed Miss Nancy
Mr. Sikes, filling his glass, and smiting in a distracted manner.
the table with his enormous fist. Here's "Why, the gentleman's got him," re-
her health, and wishing they was all like plied the officer.
her !" "What gentleman ? Oh, gracious
While these and many other encomiums heavins ! what gentleman ?" exclaimed
were being passed on the accomplished Miss Nancy.
Miss Nancy, that young lady made the In reply to this incoherent questioning
best of her way to the police-office ; the old man informed the deeply affected
whither, notwithstanding a little natural sister that Oliver had been taken ill in the
timidity consequent upon walking through office, and discharged in consequence of a
the streets alone and unprotected, she witness having proved the robbery to have
arrived in perfect safety shortly after- been committed by another boy not in
wards. custody ; and that the prosecutor had
Entering by the back way, she tapped carried him away in an insensible condi-
softly with the key at one of the cell-doors tion to his own residence, of and concern-
and listened. There was no sound within, ing which all the informant knew was,
so she coughed and listened again. Still that it was somewhere at Pentonville,
there was no reply, so she spoke. he having heard that word mentioned in
66
Nolly, dear ?" murmured Nancy in a the directions to the coachman.
gentle voice ; " Nolly ?" In a dreadful state of doubt and un-
There was nobody inside but a mis- certainty the agonised young woman
erable shoeless criminal, who had been staggered to the gate, and then,-exchan-
taken up for playing the flute, and who ging her faltering gait for a good swift
-the offence against society having steady run, returned by the most devious
been clearly proved -had been very and complicated route she could think of
properly committed by Mr. Fang to the to the domicile of the Jew.
House of Correction for one month, with Mr. Bill Sikes no sooner heard the ac-
the appropriate and amusing remark that count of the expedition delivered, than
since he had got so much breath to spare, he very hastily called up the white dog,
it would be much more wholesomely ex- and, putting on his hat, expeditiously de-
pended on the treadmill than in a musical parted, without devoting any time to the
instrument. He made no answer, being formality of wishing the company good-
occupied in mentally bewailing the loss morning.
of the flute, which had been confiscated "We must know where he is, my dears ;
for the use ofthe county ; so Miss Nancy he must be found," said the Jew, greatly
passed on to the next cell, and knocked excited. " Charley, do nothing but skulk
there. about, till you bring home some news of
66
Well," cried a faint and feeble voice. him. Nancy, my dear, I must have him
" Is there a little boy here ?" inquired found : I trust to you, my dear,-to you
Miss Nancy with a preliminary sob. and the Artful for every thing. Stay,
"No," replied the voice ; " God forbid !" stay," added the Jew, unlocking a drawer
This was a vagrant of sixty-five, who with a shaking hand ; "there's money,
was going to prison for not playing the my dears. I shall shut up this shop to-
flute, or, in other words, for begging in night : you'll know where to find me.
the streets, and doing nothing for his Don't stop here a minute,—not an instant,
livelihood. In the next cell was another my dears!"
man, who was going to the same prison With these words he pushed them from
for hawking tin saucepans without a li- the room, and carefully double-locking
cence, thereby doing something for his and barring the door behind them, drew
living in defiance of the Stamp-office. from its place of concealment the box
But as neither of these criminals an- which he had unintentionally disclosed to
swered to the name of Oliver, or knew Oliver, and hastily proceeded to dispose
anything about him, Miss Nancy made the watches and jewellery beneath his
straight upto the bluff officer inthe striped clothing.
waistcoat, and with the most piteous A rap at the door startled him in this
wailings and lamentations, rendered more occupation. " Who's there ?" he cried
piteous by a prompt and efficient use of in a shrill tone of alarm.
the street-door key and the little basket, "Me !" replied the voice ofthe Dodger
demanded her own dear brother. through the keyhole.
OLIVER TWIST . 57
"What now ?" cried the Jew impa- This was all the information that Oli-
tiently. ver could obtain about the picture at that
" Is he to be kidnapped to the other time, and as the old lady had been so kind
ken, Nancy says ?" inquired the Dodger to him in his illness, he endeavoured to
cautiously. think no more of the subject just then ; so
66
"Yes," replied the Jew, " wherever she listened attentively to a great many sto-
lays hands on him. Find him, find him ries she told him about an amiable and
out, that's all ; and I shall know what to handsome daughter of hers, who was mar-
do next, never fear." ried to an amiable and handsome man, and
The boy murmured a reply of intelli- lived in the country ; and a son, who was
gence, and hurried down stairs after his clerk to a merchant in the West Indies,
companions. and who was also such a good young man,
"He has not peached so far," said the and wrote such dutiful letters home four
Jew as he pursued his occupation. "If times a year, that it brought the tears into
he means to blab us among his new her eyes to talk about them. When the
friends, we may stop his windpipe yet." old lady had expatiated a long time on the
excellences of her children, and the me-
rits of her kind good husband besides, who
had been dead and gone, poor dear soul !
just six-and-twenty years, it was time to
CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH. have tea ; and after tea she began to teach
Comprising further particulars of Oliver's stay at Oliver cribbage, which he learnt as quick-
as she could teach, and at which game
Mr. Brownlow's , with the remarkable prediction they played, with great interest and gra-
which one Mr. Grimwig uttered concerning him,
when he went out on an errand. vity, until it was time for the invalid to
have some warm wine and water, with a
OLIVER soon recovered from the faint- slice of dry toast, and to go cosily to bed.
ing-fit into which Mr. Brownlow's abrupt They were happy days those of Oliver's
exclamation had thrown him ; and the recovery. Everything was so quiet, and
subject of the picture was carefully avoid- neat, and orderly, everybody so kind and
ed, both by the old gentleman and Mrs. gentle, that after the noise and turbulence
Bedwin, in the conversation that ensued, in the midst of which he had always
which indeed bore no reference to Oliver's lived, it seemed like heaven itself. He
history or prospects, but was confined to was no sooner strong enough to put his
such topics as might amuse without ex- clothes on properly, than Mr. Brownlow
citing him. He was still too weak to get up caused a complete new suit, and a new
to breakfast ; but, when he came down into cap, and a new pair of shoes, to be pro-
the housekeeper's room the next day, his vided for him. As Oliver was told that
first act was to cast an eager glance at he might do what he liked with the old
the wall, in the hope of again looking on clothes, he gave them to a servant who
the face of the beautiful lady. His ex- had been very kind to him, and asked her
pectations were disappointed, however, to sell them to a Jew, and keep the money
for the picture had been removed. for herself. This she very readily did ;
" Ah !" said the housekeeper, watching and, as Oliver looked out of the parlour
the direction 99of Oliver's eyes. "It is window, and saw the Jew roll them up in
gone, you see. his bag and walk away, he felt quite de-
"I see it is, ma'am," replied Oliver, lighted to think that they were safely
with a sigh. 66 Why have they taken it gone, and that there was now no possible
away ?" danger of his ever being able to wear
"It has been taken down, child, because them again. They were sad rags, to tell
Mr. Brownlow said, that, as it seemed to the truth ; and Oliver had never had a
worry you, perhaps it might prevent your new suit before.
getting well, you know," rejoined the old One evening, about a week after the
lady. affair of the picture, as Oliver was sitting
"Oh, no, indeed it didn't worry me, talking to Mrs. Bedwin, there came a
ma'am," said Oliver. "I liked to see it ; message down from Mr. Brownlow, that
I quite loved it." if Oliver Twist felt well, he should like
"Well, well !" said the old lady, good- to see him in his study, and talk to him a
humouredly ; " you get well as fast as little while.
ever you can, dear, and it shall be hung "Bless us, and save us ! wash your
up again. There, I promise you that ; hands, and let me part your hair nicely
now let us talk about something else." for you, child," said Mrs. Bedwin. " Dear
H
58 OLIVER TWIST .
heart alive ! if we had known he would last said he should think it would be a
have asked for you, we would have put much better thing to be a bookseller ;
you a clean collar on, and made you as upon which the old gentleman laughed
smart as sixpence. " heartily, and declared he had said a very
Oliver did as the old lady bade him, good thing, which Oliver felt glad to have
and, although she lamented grievously done, though he by no means knew what
meanwhile that there was not even time it was.
to crimp the little frill that bordered his "Well, well," said the old gentleman,
shirt-collar, he looked so delicate and hand- composing his features, " don't be afraid ;
some, despite that important personal ad- we won't make an author of you, while
vantage, that she went so far as to say, there's an honest trade to be learnt, or
looking at him with great complacency brick-making to turn to."
from head to foot, that she really didn't " Thank you, sir," said Oliver ; and at
think it would have been possible on the the earnest manner of his reply the old
longest notice to have made much differ- gentleman laughed again, and said some-
ence in him for the better. thing about a curious instinct, which Oli-
Thus encouraged, Oliver tapped at the ver, not understanding, paid no very great
study door, and, on Mr. Brownlow calling attention to.
to him to come in, found himself in a little "Now," said Mr. Brownlow, speaking
back room, quite full of books, with a win- if possible in a kinder, but at the same
dow looking into some pleasant little gar- time in a much more serious manner than
dens. There was a table drawn up be- Oliver had ever heard him speak in yet,
fore the window, at which Mr. Brownlow " I want you to pay great attention, my
was seated reading. When he saw Oli- boy, to what I am going to say. I shall
ver, he pushed the book away from him, talk to you without any reserve, because
and told him to come near the table and I am sure you are as well able to under-
sit down. Oliver complied, marvelling stand me as many older persons would be.”
where the people could be found to read "Oh, don't tell me you are going to
such a great number of books as seemed send me away, sir, pray !" exclaimed Oli-
to be written to make the world wiser, ver, alarmed by the serious tone of the old
which is still a marvel to more expe- gentleman's commencement ; " don't turn
rienced people than Oliver Twist every me out of doors to wander in the streets
day of their lives. again. Let me stay here and be a servant.
" There are a good many books, are Don't send me back to the wretched place
there not, my boy ?" said Mr. Brownlow, I came from. Have mercy upon a poor
observing the curiosity with which Oliver boy, sir ; do !"
surveyed the shelves that reached from "My dear child," said the old gentle-
the floor to the ceiling. man, moved by the warmth of Oliver's
"A great number, sir," replied Oliver ; sudden appeal, " you need not be afraid
"I never saw so many."99 of my deserting you, unless you give me
"You shall read them if you behave cause."
well," said the old gentleman kindly ; "I never, never will, sir," interposed
"and you will like that better than look- Oliver.
ing at the outsides, that is, in some cases, "I hope not," rejoined the old gentle-
because there are books of which the man ; " I do not think you ever will. I
backs and covers are by far the best have been deceived before, in the ob
parts." jects whom I have endeavoured to bene-
"I suppose they are those heavy ones, fit ; but I feel strongly disposed to trust
sir," said Oliver, pointing to some large you, nevertheless, and more strongly in-
quartos with a good deal of gilding about terested in your behalf than I can well
the binding. account for, even to myself. The persons
"Not those," said the old gentleman, on whom I have bestowed my dearest love
patting Oliver on the head, and smiling lie deep in their graves ; but, although
as he did so ; " but other equally heavy the happiness and delight of my life lie
ones, though of a much smaller size. buried there too, I have not made a coffin
How should you like to grow up a clever of my heart, and sealed it up for ever on
man, and write books, eh ?" my best affections. Deep affliction has
66 I think I would rather read only made them stronger ; it ought, I
them, sir,"
replied Oliver. think, for it should refine our nature."
"What ! wouldn't you like to be a As the old gentleman said this in a low
book-writer ?" said the old gentleman. voice, more to himself than to his com-
Oliver considered a little while, and at panion, and remained silent for a short time
OLIVER TWIST. 59
afterwards, Oliver sat quite still, almost selfthe moment he made his appearance ;
afraid to breathe. and, holding out a small piece of orange-
66
Well, well," said the old gentleman peel at arm's length, exclaimed in a growl-
at length in a more cheerful voice, " I on- ing, discontented voice,
ly say this because you have a young "Look here ! do you see this ? Isn't
heart ; and knowing that I have suffered it a most wonderful and extraordinary
great pain and sorrow, you will be more thing that I can't call at a man's house
careful, perhaps, not to wound me again. but I find a piece of this cursed pcor-
You say you are an orphan, without a surgeon's-friend on the staircase ? I've
friend in the world ; and all the inquiries been lamed with orange-peel once, and I
I have been able to make confirm the know orange-peel will be my death at
statement. Let me hear your story ; last. It will, sir ; orange-peel will be my
where you came from, who brought you death, or I'll be content to eat my own
up, and how you got into the company in head, sir !" This was the handsome offer
which I found you. Speak the truth ; and with which Mr. Grimwig backed and
if I find you have committed no crime, confirmed nearly every assertion that he
you will never be friendless while I live. " made ; and it was the more singular in
Oliver's sobs quite checked his utter- his case, because, even admitting, for the
ance for some minutes ; and just when he sake of argument, the possibility of sci-
was on the point of beginning to relate entific improvements being ever brought
how he had been brought up at the farm, to that pass which will enable a gentle-
and carried to the workhouse by Mr. Bum- man to eat his own head in the event of
ble, a peculiarly impatient little double- his being so disposed, Mr. Grimwig's head
knock was heard at the street-door, and was such a particularly large one, that
the servant running up stairs, announced the most sanguine man alive could hardly
Mr. Grimwig. entertain a hope of being able to get
"Is he coming up ?" inquired Mr. through it at a sitting, to put entirely out
Brownlow. of the question a very thick coating of
66 Yes, sir," replied the servant. "He powder.
asked if there were any muffins in the " I'll eat my head, sir," repeated Mr.
house, and, when I told him yes, he said Grimwig, striking his stick upon the
he had come to tea." ground. " Hallo ! what's that ?" he added
Mr. Brownlow smiled, and, turning to looking at Oliver, and retreating a pace
Oliver, said Mr. Grimwig was an old or two.
friend of his, and he must not mind his "This is young Oliver Twist, whom
being a little rough in his manners, for he we were speaking about," said Mr. Brown-
was a worthy creature at bottom, as he low.
had reason to know. Oliver bowed.
66 Shall "You don't mean to say that's the boy
I go down stairs, sir ?" inquired
Oliver. that had the fever, I hope ?" said Mr.
66
No,” replied Mr. Brownlow ; " I would Grimwig, recoiling a little further. “ Wait
rather you stopped here." a minute, don't speak : stop-" continued
At this moment there walked into the Mr. Grimwig abruptly, losing all dread of
room, supporting himself by a thick stick, the fever in his triumph at the discovery .
a stout old gentleman, rather lame in one " that's the boy that had the orange ! If
leg, who was dressed in a blue coat, striped that's not the boy, sir, that had the orange,
waistcoat, nankeen breeches and gaiters, and threw this bit of peel upon the stair-
and a broad-brimmed white hat, with the case, I'll eat my head and his too."
sides turned up with green. A very small- "No, no, he has not had one," said
plated shirt-frill stuck out from his waist- Mr. Brownlow, laughing. " Come, put
coat, and a very long steel watch-chain, down your hat, and speak to my young
with nothing but a key at the end, dangled friend ."
loosely below it. The ends of his white "I feel strongly on this subject, sir,"
neckerchief were twisted into a ball about said the irritable old gentleman, drawing
the size of an orange ;-the variety of off his gloves. "There's always more
shapes into which his countenance was or less orange-peel on the pavement in
twisted defy description. He had a man- our street, and I know it's put there by
ner of screwing his head round on one the surgeon's boy at the corner. A young
side when he spoke, and looking out of the woman stumbled over a bit last night, and
corners of his eyes at the same time, fell against my garden railings ; directly
which irresistibly reminded the beholder she got up I saw her look towards his
of a parrot. In this attitude he fixed him- infernal red lamp with the pantomime-
60 OLIVER TWIST .
light. Don't go to him,' I called out of in Jamaica for murdering his master ; he
the window, he's an assassin,-a man- had had a fever six times ; he wasn't re-
trap !' So he is. If he is not- " Here commended to mercy on that account.
the irascible old gentleman gave a great Pooh ! nonsense !"
knock on the ground with his stick, which Now, the fact was, that, in the inmost
was always understood by his friends to im- recesses of his own heart, Mr. Grimwig
plythe customary offer whenever it was not was strongly disposed to admit that Oli-
expressed in words. Then, still keeping his ver's appearance and manner were unu-
stick in his hand, he sat down, and, open- sually prepossessing, but he had a strong
ing a double eye-glass which he wore appetite for contradiction, sharpened on
attached to a broad black riband, took a this occasion by the finding of the orange
view of Oliver, who, seeing that he was peel ; and inwardly determining that no
the object of inspection, coloured, and man should dictate to him whether a boy
bowed again. was well looking or not, he had resolved
" That's the boy, is it ?" said Mr. Grim- from the first to oppose his friend. When
wig at length. Mr. Brownlow admitted that on no one
66
That is the boy," replied Mr. Brown- point of inquiry could he yet return any
low, nodding good-humouredly to Oliver. satisfactory answer, and that he had post-
" How are you, boy ?" said Mr. Grim- poned any investigation into Oliver's pre-
wig. vious history until he thought the boy was
" A great deal better, thank you, sir," strong enough to bear it, Mr. Grimwig
replied Oliver. chuckled maliciously, and demanded, with
Mr. Brownlow, seeming to apprehend a sneer, whether the housekeeper was in
that his singular friend was about to say the habit of counting the plate at night ;
something disagreeable, asked Oliver to because, if she didn't find a table-spoon
step down stairs, and tell Mrs. Bedwin or two missing some sunshiny morning,
they were ready for tea, which, as he did why, he would be content to et
not half like the visitor's manner, he was cetera.
very happy to do. All this Mr. Brownlow, although him-
" He is a nice-looking boy, is he not ?" self somewhat of an impetuous gentleman,
inquired Mr. Brownlow. knowing his friend's peculiarities, bore
" I don't know," replied Grimwig pet- with great good humour ; and as Mr.
tishly. Grimwig, at tea, was graciously pleased
" Don't know ?" to express his entire approval of the muf-
“ No, I don't know. I never see any fins, matters went on very smoothly, and
difference in boys. I only know two Oliver, who made one of the party, began
sorts of boys ,-mealy boys, and beef-faced to feel more at his ease than he had yet
boys. done in the fierce old gentleman's pres-
"And which is Oliver ?" ence.
"Mealy. I know a friend who's got a “ And when are you going to hear a
beef-faced boy ; a fine boy they call him, full, true, and particular account of the
with a round head, and red cheeks, and life and adventures of Oliver Twist ?"
glaring eyes ; a horrid boy, with a body and asked Grimwig of Mr. Brownlow, at the
limbs that appear to be swelling out of the conclusion of the meal : looking sideways
seams of his blue clothes- with the voice at Oliver as he resumed the subject.
of a pilot, and the appetite of a wolf. I " To-morrow morning," replied Mr.
know him, the wretch !" Brownlow. " I would rather he was alone
66 Come," said Mr. Brownlow, "these with me at the time. Come up to me to-
are not the characteristics of young Oliver morrow morning at ten o'clock, my dear."
Twist ; so he needn't excite your wrath." 66
Yes, sir," replied Oliver. He answer-
"They are not," replied Grimwig. "He ed with some hesitation, because he was
may have worse.' confused by Mr. Grimwig's looking so
Here Mr. Brownlow coughed impa- hard at him.
tiently, which appeared to afford Mr. " I'll tell you what," whispered that
Grimwig the most exquisite delight. gentleman to Mr. Brownlow ; "he won't
"He may have worse, I say," repeated come up to you to-morrow morning. I
Mr. Grimwig. "Where does he come saw him hesitate. He is deceiving you,
from ? Who is he ? What is he ? He my dear friend."
has had a fever-what of that ? Fevers " I'll swear he is not," replied Mr.
are not peculiar to good people, are they ? Brownlow, warmly.
Bad people have fevers sometimes, haven't "If he is not," said Mr. Grimwig, “ I'll
they, eh ? I knew a man that was hung -" and down went the stick.
OLIVER TWIST . 61
"I'll answer for that boy's truth with back, and that you have come to pay the
my life," said Mr. Brownlow, knocking four pound ten I owe him. This is a five-
the table. pound note, so you will have to bring me
"And I for his falsehood with my head," back ten shillings change."
rejoined Mr. Grimwig, knocking the table "I won't be ten minutes, sir," replied
also. Oliver eagerly ; and, having buttoned up
"We shall see," said Mr. Brownlow, the bank-note in his jacket- pocket, and
checking his rising passion. placed the books carefully under his arm,
"We will," replied Mr. Grimwig, with he made a respectful bow, and left the
a provoking smile ; " we will. " room . Mrs. Bedwin followed him to the
As fate would have it, Mrs. Bedwin street-door, giving him many directions
chanced to bring in at this moment a small about the nearest way, and the name of
parcel of books which Mr. Brownlow had the bookseller, and the name of the street,
that morning purchased of the identical all of which Oliver said he clearly under-
book-stall keeper who has already figured stood ; and, having superadded many in-
in this history ; which having laid on the junctions to be sure and not take cold, the
table, she prepared to leave the room. careful old lady at length permitted him
"Stop the boy, Mrs. Bedwin," said Mr. to depart.
Brownlow ; "there is something to go "Bless his sweet face !" said the old
back." lady, looking after him. " I can't bear,
66
'He has gone, sir," replied Mrs. Bed- somehow, to let him go out of my sight."
win. At this moment Oliver looked gaily
"Call after him," said Mr. Brownlow ; round, and nodded before he turned the
"it's particular. He's a poor man, and corner. The old lady smilingly returned
they are not paid for. There are some his salutation, and, closing the door, went
books to be taken back, too." back to her own room.
The street-door was opened. Oliver " Let me see ; he'll be back in twenty
ran one way, and the girl another, and minutes, at the longest," said Mr. Brown-
Mrs. Bedwin stood on the step and scream- low, pulling out his watch, and placing it
ed for the boy ; but there was no boy in on the table. " It will be dark by that
sight, and both Oliver and the girl return- time."
ed in a breathless state to report that there "Oh ! you really expect him to come
were no tidings of him. back, do you ?" inquired Mr. Grimwig.
" Dear me, I am very sorry for that," " Don't you ?" asked Mr. Brownlow,
exclaimed Mr. Brownlow ; " I particularly smiling.
wished those books to be returned to- The spirit of contradiction was strong
night. " in Mr. Grimwig's breast at the moment,
" Send Oliver with them," said Mr. and it was rendered stronger by his friend's
Grimwig, with an ironical smile ; "he confident smile.
will be sure to deliver them safely, you 66"No," he said, smiting the table with
know. " his fist, " I do not. The boy has got a
66 Yes ; do let me take them, if you new suit of clothes on his back, a set of
please, sir," said Oliver ; " I'll run all the valuable books under his arm, and a five-
way, sir." pound note in his pocket ; he'll join his
The old gentleman was just going to old friends the thieves, and laugh at you.
say that Oliver should not go out on any If ever that boy returns to this house, sir,
account, when a most malicious cough I'll eat my head."
from Mr. Grimwig determined him that With these words he drew his chair
he should, and by his prompt discharge of closer to the table, and there the two
the commission prove to him the injustice friends sat in silent expectation, with the
of his suspicions, on this head at least, at watch between them. It is worthy of re-
once. mark, as illustrating the importance we
"You shall go, my dear," said the old attach to our own judgments, and the pride
gentleman. "The books are on a chair with which we put forth our most rash
by my table. Fetch them down." and hasty conclusions, that, although Mr.
Oliver, delighted to be of use, brought Grimwig was not a bad-hearted man, and
down the books under his arm in a great would have been unfeignedly sorry to see
bustle, and waited, cap in hand, to hear his respected friend duped and deceived,
what message he was to take. he really did most earnestly and strongly
"You are to say," said Mr. Brownlow, hope at that moment that Oliver Twist
glancing steadily at Grimwig,-" You are might not come back. Of such contra-
to say that you have brought those books dictions is human nature made up !
6
58 OLIVER TWIST .
heart alive ! if we had known he would last said he should think it would be a
have asked for you, we would have put much better thing to be a bookseller ;
you a clean collar99 on, and made you as upon which the old gentleman laughed
smart as sixpence.' heartily, and declared he had said a very
Oliver did as the old lady bade him, good thing, which Oliver felt glad to have
and, although she lamented grievously done, though he by no means knew what
meanwhile that there was not even time it was.
to crimp the little frill that bordered his 66'Well, well," said the old gentleman,
shirt-collar, he looked so delicate and hand- composing his features, “ don't be afraid ;
some, despite that important personal ad- we won't make an author of you, while
vantage, that she went so far as to say, there's an honest trade to be learnt, or
looking at him with great complacency brick-making to turn to."
from head to foot, that she really didn't " Thank you, sir," said Oliver ; and at
think it would have been possible on the the earnest manner of his reply the old
longest notice to have made much differ- gentleman laughed again, and said some-
ence in him for the better. thing about a curious instinct, which Oli-
Thus encouraged, Oliver tapped at the ver, not understanding, paid no very great
study door, and, on Mr. Brownlow calling attention to.
to him to come in, found himself in a little "Now," said Mr. Brownlow, speaking
back room, quite full of books, with a win- if possible in a kinder, but at the same
dow looking into some pleasant little gar- time in a much more serious manner than
dens. There was a table drawn up be- Oliver had ever heard him speak in yet,
fore the window, at which Mr. Brownlow " I want you to pay great attention, my
was seated reading. When he saw Oli- boy, to what I am going to say. I shall
ver, he pushed the book away from him, talk to you without any reserve, because
and told him to come near the table and I am sure you are as well able to under-
sit down. Oliver complied, marvelling stand me as many older persons would be."
where the people could be found to read " Oh, don't tell me you are going to
such a great number of books as seemed send me away, sir, pray !" exclaimed Oli-
to be written to make the world wiser, - ver, alarmed by the serious tone of the old
which is still a marvel to more expe- gentleman's commencement ; " don't turn
rienced people than Oliver Twist every me out of doors to wander in the streets
day of their lives. again. Let me stay here and be a servant.
" There are a good many books, are Don't send me back to the wretched place
there not, my boy ?" said Mr. Brownlow, I came from. Have mercy upon a poor
observing the curiosity with which Oliver boy, sir ; do !"
surveyed the shelves that reached from 66 My dear child," said the old gentle-
the floor to the ceiling. man, moved by the warmth of Oliver's
"A great number, sir," replied Oliver ; sudden appeal, " you need not be afraid
"I never saw so many."99 of my deserting you, unless you give me
" You shall read them if you behave cause.'
well," said the old gentleman kindly ; "I never, never will, sir," interposed
"and you will like that better than look- Oliver.
ing at the outsides, that is, in some cases, "I hope not," rejoined the old gentle-
because there are books of which the man ; " I do not think you ever will. I
backs and covers are by far the best have been deceived before, in the ob-
parts." jects whom I have endeavoured to bene-
"I suppose they are those heavy ones, fit ; but I feel strongly disposed to trust
sir," said Oliver, pointing to some large you, nevertheless, and more strongly in-
quartos with a good deal of gilding about terested in your behalf than I can well
the binding. account for, even to myself. The persons
"Not those," said the old gentleman, on whom I have bestowed my dearest love
patting Oliver on the head, and smiling lie deep in their graves ; but, although
as he did so ; " but other equally heavy the happiness and delight of my life lie
ones, though of a much smaller size. buried there too, I have not made a coffin
How should you like to grow up a clever of my heart, and sealed it up for ever on
man, and write books, eh?" my best affections. Deep affliction has
" I think I would rather read them, sir," only made them stronger ; it ought, I
replied Oliver. think, for it should refine our nature."
"What! wouldn't you like to be a As the old gentleman said this in a low
book-writer ?" said the old gentleman. voice, more to himself than to his com-
Oliver considered a little while, and at panion, and remained silent for a short time
OLIVER TWIST. 59
afterwards, Oliver sat quite still, almost selfthe moment he made his appearance ;
afraid to breathe. and, holding out a small piece of orange-
66
Well, well," said the old gentleman peel at arm's length, exclaimed in a growl-
at length in a more cheerful voice, " I on- ing, discontented voice,
ly say this because you have a young "Look here ! do you see this ? Isn't
heart ; and knowing that I have suffered it a most wonderful and extraordinary
great pain and sorrow, you will be more thing that I can't call at a man's house
careful, perhaps, not to wound me again. but I find a piece of this cursed poor-
You say you are an orphan, without a surgeon's-friend on the staircase ? I've
friend in the world ; and all the inquiries been lamed with orange-peel once, and I
I have been able to make confirm the know orange-peel will be my death at
statement. Let me hear your story ; last. It will, sir ; orange-peel will be my
where you came from, who brought you death, or I'll be content to eat my own
up, and how you got into the company in head, sir !" This was the handsome offer
which I found you. Speak the truth ; and with which Mr. Grimwig backed and
if I find you have committed no crime, confirmed nearly every assertion that he
you will never be friendless while I live. " made ; and it was the more singular in
Oliver's sobs quite checked his utter- his case, because, even admitting, for the
ance for some minutes ; and just when he sake of argument, the possibility of sci-
was on the point of beginning to relate entific improvements being ever brought
how he had been brought up at the farm, to that pass which will enable a gentle-
and carried to the workhouse by Mr. Bum- man to eat his own head in the event of
ble, a peculiarly impatient little double- his being so disposed, Mr. Grimwig's head
knock was heard at the street-door, and was such a particularly large one, that
the servant running up stairs, announced the most sanguine man alive could hardly
Mr. Grimwig. entertain a hope of being able to get
" Is he coming up ?" inquired Mr. through it at a sitting, to put entirely out
Brownlow. of the question a very thick coating of
66 Yes, sir," replied the servant. "He powder.
asked if there were any muffins in the " I'll eat my head, sir," repeated Mr.
house, and, when I told him yes, he said Grimwig, striking his stick upon the
he had come to tea." ground. " Hallo! what's that ?" he added
Mr. Brownlow smiled, and, turning to looking at Oliver, and retreating a pace
Oliver, said Mr. Grimwig was an old or two.
friend of his, and he must not mind his "This is young Oliver Twist, whom
being a little rough in his manners, for he we were speaking about," said Mr. Brown-
was a worthy creature at bottom, as he low.
had reason to know. Oliver bowed.
" Shall I go down stairs, sir ?" inquired "You don't mean to say that's the boy
Oliver. that had the fever, I hope ?" said Mr.
66 No,” replied Mr. Brownlow ; " I would Grimwig, recoiling a little further. " Wait
rather you stopped here." a minute, don't speak : stop " continued
At this moment there walked into the Mr. Grimwig abruptly, losing all dread of
room, supporting himself by a thick stick, the fever in his triumph at the discovery .
a stout old gentleman, rather lame in one " that's the boy that had the orange ! If
leg, who was dressed in a blue coat, striped that's not the boy, sir, that had the orange,
waistcoat, nankeen breeches and gaiters, and threw this bit of peel upon the stair-
and a broad-brimmed white hat, with the case, I'll eat my head and his too."
66 No, no, he
sides turned up with green. A very small- has not had one," said
plated shirt-frill stuck out from his waist- Mr. Brownlow, laughing. " Come, put
coat, and a very long steel watch-chain, down your hat, and speak to my young
with nothing but a key at the end, dangled friend."
loosely below it. The ends of his white "I feel strongly on this subject, sir,"
neckerchief were twisted into a ball about said the irritable old gentleman, drawing
the size of an orange ;-the variety of off his gloves. " There's always more
shapes into which his countenance was or less orange-peel on the pavement in
twisted defy description. He had a man- our street, and I know it's put there by
ner of screwing his head round on one the surgeon's boy at the corner. A young
side when he spoke, and looking out of the woman stumbled over a bit last night, and
corners of his eyes at the same time, fell against my garden railings ; directly
which irresistibly reminded the beholder she got up I saw her look towards his
of a parrot. In this attitude he fixed him- infernal red lamp with the pantomime-
60 OLIVER TWIST .
light. ' Don't go to him,' I called out of in Jamaica for murdering his master ; he
the window, he's an assassin,—a man- had had a fever six times ; he wasn't re-
trap ! So he is. If he is not- -" Here commended to mercy on that account.
the irascible old gentleman gave a great Pooh ! nonsense !"
knock on the ground with his stick, which Now, the fact was, that, in the inmost
was always understood by his friends to im- recesses of his own heart, Mr. Grimwig
ply the customary offer whenever it was not was strongly disposed to admit that Oli-
expressed in words. Then, still keeping his ver's appearance and manner were unu-
stick in his hand, he sat down, and , open- sually prepossessing, but he had a strong
ing a double eye-glass which he wore appetite for contradiction, sharpened on
attached to a broad black riband, took a this occasion by the finding of the orange
view of Oliver, who, seeing that he was peel ; and inwardly determining that no
the object of inspection, coloured, and man should dictate to him whether a boy
bowed again. was well looking or not, he had resolved
"That's the boy, is it ?" said Mr. Grim- from the first to oppose his friend. When
wig at length. Mr. Brownlow admitted that on no one
66
That is the boy," replied Mr. Brown- point of inquiry could he yet return any
low,66 nodding good-humouredly to Oliver. satisfactory answer, and that he had post-
How are you, boy ?" said Mr. Grim- poned any investigation into Oliver's pre-
wig. vious history until he thought the boy was
"A great deal better, thank you, sir," strong enough to bear it, Mr. Grimwig
replied Oliver. chuckled maliciously, and demanded, with
Mr. Brownlow, seeming to apprehend a sneer, whether the housekeeper was in
that his singular friend was about to say the habit of counting the plate at night ;
something disagreeable, asked Oliver to because, if she didn't find a table-spoon
step down stairs, and tell Mrs. Bedwin or two missing some sunshiny morning,
they were ready for tea, which, as he did why, he would be content to et
not half like the visitor's manner, he was cetera.
very happy to do. All this Mr. Brownlow, although him-
"He is a nice-looking boy, is he not ?" self somewhat of an impetuous gentleman,
inquired Mr. Brownlow. knowing his friend's peculiarities, bore
" I don't know," replied Grimwig pet- with great good humour ; and as Mr.
tishly. Grimwig, at tea, was graciously pleased
" Don't know ?" to express his entire approval of the muf-
66
' No, I don't know. I never see any fins, matters went on very smoothly, and
difference in boys. I only know two Oliver, who made one of the party, began
sorts of boys,-mealy boys, and beef-faced to feel more at his ease than he had yet
boys. done in the fierce old gentleman's pres-
" And which is Oliver ?" ence.
"Mealy. I know a friend who's got a "And when are you going to hear a
beef-faced boy ; a fine boy they call him, full, true, and particular account of the
with a round head, and red cheeks, and life and adventures of Oliver Twist ?"
glaring eyes ; a horrid boy, with a body and asked Grimwig of Mr. Brownlow, at the
limbs that appear to be swelling out of the conclusion of the meal : looking sideways
seams of his blue clothes-with the voice at Oliver as he resumed the subject.
of a pilot, and the appetite of a wolf. I " To-morrow morning," replied Mr.
know him, the wretch !" Brownlow. " I would rather he was alone
" Come," said Mr. Brownlow, " these with me at the time. Come up to me to-
are not the characteristics of young Oliver morrow morning at ten o'clock, my dear."
Twist ; so he needn't excite your wrath." 66
Yes, sir,” replied Oliver. He answer-
"They are not,” replied Grimwig. " He ed with some hesitation, because he was
may have worse." confused by Mr. Grimwig's looking so
Here Mr. Brownlow coughed impa- hard at him.
tiently, which appeared to afford Mr. "I'll tell you what," whispered that
Grimwig the most exquisite delight. gentleman to Mr. Brownlow ; "he won't
"He may have worse, I say," repeated come up to you to-morrow morning. I
Mr. Grimwig. "Where does he come saw him hesitate. He is deceiving you,
from ? Who is he? What is he ? He my dear friend."
has had a fever-what of that ? Fevers " I'll swear he is not," replied Mr.
are not peculiar to good people, are they ? Brownlow, warmly.
Bad people have fevers sometimes, haven't "If he is not," said Mr. Grimwig, " I'll
they, eh ? I knew a man that was hung -" and down went the stick.
OLIVER TWIST . 61
"I'll answer for that boy's truth with | back, and that you have come to pay the
my life," said Mr. Brownlow, knocking four pound ten I owe him. This is a five-
the table. pound note, so you will have to bring me
"And I for his falsehood with my head," back ten shillings change."
rejoined Mr. Grimwig, knocking the table "I won't be ten minutes, sir," replied
also. Oliver eagerly ; and, having buttoned up
"We shall see," said Mr. Brownlow, the bank-note in his jacket- pocket, and
checking his rising passion. placed the books carefully under his arm,
"We will," replied66 Mr. Grimwig, with he made a respectful bow, and left the
a provoking smile ; we will." room. Mrs. Bedwin followed him to the
As fate would have it, Mrs. Bedwin street-door, giving him many directions
chanced to bring in at this moment a small about the nearest way, and the name of
parcel of books which Mr. Brownlow had the bookseller, and the name of the street,
that morning purchased of the identical all of which Oliver said he clearly under-
book-stall keeper who has already figured stood ; and, having superadded many in-
in this history ; which having laid on the junctions to be sure and not take cold, the
table, she prepared to leave the room. careful old lady at length permitted him
"Stop the boy, Mrs. Bedwin," said Mr.. to depart.
Brownlow ; "there is something to go "Bless his sweet face !" said the old
back." lady, looking after him. " I can't bear,
66
' He has gone, sir," replied Mrs. Bed- somehow, to let him go out of my sight."
win. At this moment Oliver looked gaily
" Call after him," said Mr. Brownlow ; round, and nodded before he turned the
" it's particular. He's a poor man, and corner. The old lady smilingly returned
they are not paid for. There are some his salutation, and, closing the door, went
books to be taken back, too." back to her own room.
The street-door was opened. Oliver “ Let me see ; he'll be back in twenty
ran one way, and the girl another, and minutes, at the longest," said Mr. Brown-
Mrs. Bedwin stood on the step and scream- low, pulling out his watch, and placing it
ed for the boy ; but there was no boy in on the table. " It will be dark by that
sight, and both Oliver and the girl return- time."
ed in a breathless state to report that there "Oh ! you really expect him to come
were no tidings of him. back, do you ?" inquired Mr. Grimwig.
"Dear me, I am very sorry for that," "Don't you ?" asked Mr. Brownlow,
exclaimed Mr. Brownlow ; " I particularly smiling.
wished those books to be returned to- The spirit of contradiction was strong
night." in Mr. Grimwig's breast at the moment,
"Send Oliver with them," said Mr. and it was rendered stronger by his friend's
Grimwig, with an ironical smile ; "he confident smile.
will be sure to deliver them safely, you 66
“ No, ” he said, smiting the table with
know." his fist, " I do not. The boy has got a
66 new suit of clothes on his back, a set of
Yes ; do let me take them, if you
please, sir," said Oliver ; " I'll run all the valuable books under his arm, and a five-
way, sir." pound note in his pocket ; he'll join his
The old gentleman was just going to old friends the thieves, and laugh at you.
say that Oliver should not go out on any If ever that boy returns to this house, sir,
account, when a most malicious cough I'll eat my head."
from Mr. Grimwig determined him that With these words he drew his chair
he should, and by his prompt discharge of closer to the table, and there the two
the commission prove to him the injustice friends sat in silent expectation, with the
of his suspicions, on this head at least, at | watch between them. It is worthy of re-
once. mark, as illustrating the importance we
"You shall go, my dear," said the old attach to our own judgments, and the pride
gentleman. "The books are on a chair with which we put forth our most rash
by my table. Fetch them down. " and hasty conclusions, that, although Mr.
Oliver, delighted to be of use, brought Grimwig was not a bad-hearted man, and
down the books under his arm in a great would have been unfeignedly sorry to see
bustle, and waited, cap in hand, to hear his respected friend duped and deceived,
what message he was to take. he really did most earnestly and strongly
"You are to say," said Mr. Brownlow, hope at that moment that Oliver Twist
glancing steadily at Grimwig,-" You are might not come back. Of such contra-
to say that you have brought those books dictions is human nature made up !
6
62 OLIVER TWIST .
It grew so dark that the figures on the generally respected and esteemed of any
dial were scarcely discernible ; but there in the whole circle of my acquaintance.
the two old gentlemen continued to sit in But, as Mr. Brownlow was not one of
silence, with the watch between them. these : as he obstinately persevered in do-
ing good for its own sake, and the grati-
fication of heart it yielded him ; as no
failure dispirited him, and no ingratitude
in individual cases tempted him to wreak
CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH. his vengeance on the whole human race,
I shall
Showing how very fond of Oliver Twist, the merry in this not enter
place intoifany
: and, thissuch digression
be not a suffi-
old Jew and Miss Nancy were.
cient reason for this determination, I have
Ir it did not come strictly within the a better, and, indeed, a wholly unanswer-
scope and bearing of my long-considered able one, already stated ; which is, that it
intentions and plans regarding this prose forms no part of my original intention so
epic (for such I mean it to be,) to leave to do.
the two old gentlemen sitting with the In the obscure parlour of a low public-
watch between them long after it grew house, situate in the filthiest part of Little
too dark to see it, and both doubting Oli- Saffron-Hill, -a dark and gloomy den,
ver's return, the one in triumph, and the where a flaring gas-light burnt all day in
other in sorrow, I might take occasion to the winter-time, and where no ray of sun
entertain the reader with many wise re- ever shone in the summer,-there sat,
flections on the obvious impolicy of ever brooding over a little pewter measure and
attempting to do good to our fellow-crea- | a small glass, strongly impregnated with
tures where there is no hope of earthly the smell of liquor, a man in a velveteen
reward ; or rather on the strict policy of coat, drab shorts, half-boots, and stockings,
betraying some slight degree of charity whom, even by that dim light, no expe-
or sympathy in one particularly unpromis- rienced agent of police would have hesi-
ing case, and then abandoning such weak- tated for one instant to recognise as Mr.
nesses for ever. I am aware that, in ad- William Sikes. At his feet sat a white-
vising even this slight dereliction from coated, red-eyed dog, who occupied him-
the paths of prudence and worldliness, I self alternately in winking at his master
lay myself open to the censure of many with both eyes at the same time, and in
excellent and respectable persons, who licking a large, fresh cut on one side of
have long walked therein ! but I venture his mouth, which appeared to be the re-
to contend, nevertheless, that the advan- sult of some recent conflict.
tages of the proceeding are manifold and 66
Keep quiet, you warmint ! keep
lasting. As thus : if the object selected quiet !" said Mr. Sikes, suddenly breaking
should happen most unexpectedly to turn silence. Whether his meditations were
out well, and to thrive and amend upon so intense as to be disturbed by the dog's
the assistance you have afforded him, he winking, or whether his feelings were so
will, in pure gratitude and fulness of wrought upon by his reflections that they
heart, laud your goodness to the skies ; required all the relief derivable from
your character will be thus established, kicking an unoffending animal to allay
and you will pass through the world as a them, is matter for argument and consid-
most estimable person, who does a vast eration. Whatever was the cause, the
deal of good in secret, not one-twentieth effect was a kick and a curse bestowed
part of which will ever see the light. If, upon the dog simultaneously.
on the contrary, his bad character become Dogs are not generally apt to revenge
notorious, and his profligacy a by-word, injuries inflicted upon them by their mas
you place yourself in the excellent posi- ters ; but Mr. Sikes's dog, having faults
tion of having attempted to bestow relief of temper in common with his owner, and
most disinterestedly ; of having become labouring perhaps, at this moment, under
misanthropical in consequence of the a powerful sense of injury, made no more
treachery of its object ; and of having ado but at once fixed his teeth in one of
made a rash and solemn vow, (which no the half-boots, and, having given it a good
one regrets more than yourself,) never to hearty shake, retired, growling, under a
help or relieve any man, woman, or child, form : thereby just escaping the pewter
again, lest you should be similarly de- measure which Mr. Sikes levelled at his
ceived. I know a great number of per- head.
sons in both situations at this moment, and "You would, would you !" said Sikes,
I can safely assert that they are the most seizing the poker in one hand, and de-
OLIVER TWIST. 63
liberately opening with the other a large behind a night-cap. I've got the upper
clasp-knife, which he drew from his pocket. hand over you, Fagin ; and, d- me, I'll
"Come here , you born devil ! Come here ! keep it. There. If I go, you go ; so
D'ye hear ?" take care of me."
The dog no doubt heard, because Mr. “Well, well, my dear," said the Jew,
Sikes spoke in the very harshest key of a I know all that ; we-we-have a mutual
very harsh voice ; but, appearing to en- interest, Bill,-a mutual interest."
tertain some unaccountable objection to " Humph !" said Sikes, as if he thought
having his throat cut, he remained where the interest lay rather more on the Jew's
he was, and growled more fiercely than side than on his. " Well, what have you
before, at the same time grasping the end got to say to me ?"
of the poker between his teeth, and biting " It's all passed safe through the melt-
at it like a wild beast. ing-pot," replied Fagin, " and this is your
This resistance only infuriated Mr. share. It's rather more than it ought to
Sikes the more ; so, dropping upon his be, my dear ; but as I know you'll99do me
knees, he began to assail the animal most a good turn another time, and-
furiously. The dog jumped from right " Stow that gammon," interposed the
to left, and from left to right, snapping, robber impatiently. "Where is it? Hand
growling, and barking ; the man thrust over !"
and swore, and struck and blasphemed ; "Yes, yes, Bill ; give me time, give
and the struggle was reaching a most me time," replied the Jew soothingly.
critical point for one or other, when, the " Here it is-all safe." As he spoke, he
door suddenly opening, the dog darted out, drew forth an old cotton handkerchief
leaving Bill Sikes with the poker and the from his breast, and untying a large knot
clasp-knife in his hands. in one corner, produced a small brown-
There must always be two parties to a paper packet, which Sikes snatching from
quarrel, says the old adage ; and Mr. him, hastily opened, and proceeded to
Sikes, being disappointed of the dog's count the sovereigns it contained.
presence, at once transferred the quarrel " This is all, is it ?" inquired Sikes.
to the new-comer. 66 All," replied the Jew.
"What the devil do you come in be- " You haven't opened the parcel and
tween me and my dog for ?" said Sikes swallowed one or two as you come along,
with a fierce gesture. have you ?" inquired Sikes suspiciously.
"I didn't know, my dear, I didn't know," 66 Don't put on a injured look at the ques-
replied Fagin humbly-for the Jew was tion ; you've done it many a time. Jerk
the new-comer. the tinkler."
"Didn't know, you white-livered thief!" These words, in plain English, convey-
growled Sikes. 66 Couldn't you hear the ed an injunction to ring the bell. It was
noise ?" answered by another Jew, younger than
" Not a sound of it, as I'm a living Fagin, but nearly as vile and repulsive in
man, Bill," replied the Jew. appearance.
“ Oh no, you hear nothing, you don't," Bill Sikes merely pointed to the empty
retorted Sikes with a fierce sneer, " sneak- measure, and the Jew, perfectly under-
ing in and out, so as nobody hears how standing the hint, retired to fill it, pre-
you come or go. I wish you had been viously exchanging a remarkable look
the dog, Fagin, half a minute ago." with Fagin, who raised his eyes for an
"Why ?" inquired the Jew, with a instant as if in expectation of it, and shook
forced smile. his head in reply so slightly that the ac-
"'Cause the government, as cares for tion would have been almost impercepti-
the lives of such men as you, as haven't ble to a third person. It was lost upon
half the pluck of curs, lets a man kill his Sikes, who was stooping at the moment
dog how he likes," replied Sikes, shutting to tie the boot-lace which the dog had
the knife up with a very expressive look ; torn. Possibly if he had observed the
" that's why." brief interchange of signals, he might
The Jew rubbed his hands, and, sitting have thought that it boded no good to him.
down at the table, affected to laugh at the 66" Is anybody here, Barney ?" inquired
pleasantry of his friend,-obviously very Fagin, speaking-now that Sikes was
ill at his ease, however. looking on- without raising his eyes from
" Grin away," said Sikes, replacing the the ground.
poker, and surveying him with savage " Dot a shoul," replied Barney, whose
contempt ; " grin away. You'll never words, whether they came from the heart
have the laugh at me, though, unless it's or not, made their way through the nose.
1
64 OLIVER TWIST .
66 Nobody ?" inquired Fagin in a tone , Clerkenwell he accidentally turned down
of surprise, which perhaps might mean a by-street which was not exactly in his
that Barney was at liberty to tell the way ; but not discovering his mistake till
truth. he had got half-way down it, and knowing
"Dobody but Biss Dadsy," replied Bar- it must lead in the right direction, he did
ney. not think it worth while to turn back, and
Miss Nancy !" exclaimed Sikes. so marched on as quickly as he could, with
"Where ? Strike me blind, if I don't the books under his arm.
honour that ' ere girl for her native ta- He was walking along, thinking how
lents. " happy and contented he ought to feel, and
" She's bid havid a plate of boiled beef how much he would give for only one look
id the bar," replied Barney. at poor little Dick, who, starved and beat-
" Send her here," said Sikes, pouring en, might be lying dead at that very mo-
out a glass of liquor ; " send her here." ment, when he was startled by a young
Barney looked timidly at Fagin, as if woman screaming out very loud, " Oh, my
for permission ; the Jew remaining silent, dear brother !" and he had hardly looked
and not lifting his eyes from the ground, up to see what the matter was, when he
he retired, and presently returned usher- was stopped by having a pair of arms
ing in Miss Nancy, who was decorated thrown tight round his neck.
with the bonnet, apron, basket, and street- " Don't !" cried Oliver, struggling.
door key complete. " Let go of me. Who is it ? What are
"You are on the scent, are you, Nan- you stopping me for ?"
cy ?" inquired Sikes, proffering the glass. The only reply to this, was a great
" Yes, I am, Bill," replied the young number of loud lamentations from the
lady, disposing of its contents ; " and tired young woman who had embraced him, and
enough of it I am, too. The young brat's 99 who had got a little basket and a street-
been ill and confined to the crib; and- door key in her hand.
" Ah, Nancy, dear !" said Fagin, look- "Oh my gracious !" said the young wo-
ing up. man, " I've found him ! Oh, Oliver ! Oli-
Now, whether a peculiar contraction ver ! Oh, you naughty boy, to make me
of the Jew's red eyebrows, and a half- suffer such distress on your account !
closing of his deeply-set eyes, warned Come home, dear, come. Oh, I've found
Miss Nancy that she was disposed to be him. Thank gracious goodness heavins,
too communicative, is not a matter of I've found him !" With these incoherent
much importance. The fact is all we exclamations the young woman burst into
need care for here ; and the fact is, that another fit of crying, and got so dreadfully
she suddenly checked herself, and, with hysterical, that a couple of women who
several gracious smiles upon Mr. Sikes, came up at the moment asked a butcher's
turned the conversation to other matters. boy, with a shiny head of hair anointed
In about ten minutes' time, Mr. Fagin with suet, who was also looking on, whe-
was seized with a fit of coughing, upon ther he didn't think he had better run for
which Miss Nancy pulled her shawl over the doctor. To which the butcher's boy,
her shoulders, and declared it was time who appeared of a lounging, not to say in-
to go. Mr. Sikes, finding that he was dolent disposition, replied that he thought
walking a short part of her way himself, not.
expressed his intention of accompanying "Oh, no, no, never mind," said the
her : and they went away together, fol- young woman, grasping Oliver's hand ;
lowed at a little distance by the dog, who " I'm better now. Come home directly,
slunk out of a back-yard as soon as his you cruel boy, come."
master was out of sight. "What's the matter, ma'am ?" inqui-
The Jew thrust his head out of the room red one of the women.
door when Sikes had left, looked after him " Oh, ma'am," replied the young wo-
as he walked up the dark passage, shook man, " he ran away near a month ago
his clenched fist, muttered a deep curse, from his parents, who are hard-working
and then with a horrible grin rescated and respectable people, and joined a set
himself at the table, where he was soon of thieves and bad characters, and almost
deeply absorbed in the interesting pages broke his mother's heart."
66 Young
of the Hue and Cry. wretch !" said one woman.
Meanwhile Oliver Twist, little dream- "Go home, do, you little brute," said
ing that he was within so very short a dis- the other.
tance of the merry old gentleman, was on " I'm not," replied Oliver, greatly
his way tothe book-stall. When he got into alarmed. " I don't know her. I haven't
To Be DRUNK
ON THE Pre
s
misse au
Licensed to sel BeerbyRetail
ofFinable
Pr Pot
lir dismal 17 his effectonalefiends.
285.
OLIVER TWIST. 65
got any sister, or father and mother either. win was waiting anxiously at the open
I'm an orphan ; I live at Pentonville. " door ; the servant had run up the street
" Oh, only hear him, how he braves it twenty times, to see if there were any
out !" cried the young woman. traces of Oliver ; and still the two old
"Why, it's Nancy !" exclaimed Oli- gentlemen sat perseveringly in the dark
ver, who now saw her face for the first parlour, with the watch between them.
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 CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH
mother and father, and break my heart!" Relates what became of Oliver Twist, after he had
"What the devil's this ?" said a man
been claimed by Nancy.
bursting out of a beer-shop, with a white
dog at his heels ; "young Oliver ! Come THE narrow streets and courts at length
home to your poor mother, you young terminated in a large open space, scat-
dog! come home directly." tered about which, were pens for beasts,
"I don't belong to them. I don't know and other indications of a cattle-market.
them. Help ! help !" cried Oliver, strug- Sikes slackened his pace when they reach-
gling inthe man's powerful grasp. ed this spot, the girl being unable to sup-
"Help !" repeated the man. "Yes ; port any longer the rapid rate at which
I'll help you, you young rascal ! What they had hitherto walked ; and, turning
books are these ? You've been a steal- to Oliver, commanded him roughly to take
ing ' em, have you? Give ' em here !" hold of Nancy's hand.
With these words the man tore the vol- "Do you hear ?" growled Sikes, as Oli-
umes from his grasp, and struck him vio- ver hesitated, and looked round.
lently on the head. They were in a dark corner, quite out
"That's right !" cried a looker-on, from of the track of passengers, and Oliver
a garret window. "That's the only way saw but too plainly that resistance would
of bringing him to his senses !" be of no avail. He held out his hand,
"To be sure," cried a sleepy-faced car- which Nancy clasped tight in hers.
penter, casting an approving look at the "Give me the other," said Sikes, seiz-
garret-window. ing Oliver's unoccupied hand. " Here,
"It'll do him good !" said the two wo Bull's-eye !"
men. The dog looked up, and growled.
"And he shall have it, too !" rejoined " See here, boy !" said Sikes, putting
the man, administering another blow, and his other hand to Oliver's throat, and ut-
seizing Oliver by the collar. "Come on, tering a savage oath ; " if he speaks ever
you young villain ! Here, Bull's-eye, so soft a word, hold him ! D'ye mind ?"
mind him, boy ! mind him !" The dog growled again, and licking his
Weak with recent illness, stupified by lips, eyed Oliver as if he were anxious to
the blows and the suddenness of the at- attach himself to his windpipe without
tack, terrified by the fierce growling of any unnecessary delay.
the dog and the brutality of the man, and " He's as willing as a Christian, strike
overpowered by the conviction of the by- me blind if he isn't !" said Sikes, regard-
standers that he was really the hardened ing the animal with a kind of grim and
little wretch he was described to be, what ferocious approval. "Now you know
could one poor child do ? Darkness had what you ' ve got to expect, master, so call
set in ; it was a low neighbourhood ; no away as quick as you like ; the dog will
help was near ; resistance was useless. soon stop the game. Get on, young 'un !"
In another moment he was dragged into Bull's- eye wagged his tail in acknow-
a labyrinth of dark, narrow courts, and ledgment of this unusually endearing
forced along them at a pace which ren- form of speech, and, giving vent to an-
dered the few cries he dared give utter- other admonitory growl for the benefit
ance to, wholly unintelligible. It was of of Oliver, led the way onward.
little moment, indeed, whether they were It was Smithfield they were crossing,
intelligible or not, for there was nobody although it might have been Grosvenor
to care for them had they been ever so Square, for anything Oliver knew to the
plain. contrary. The night was dark and foggy,
* * * * * and it was just beginning to rain. The
The gas-lamps were lighted ; Mrs. Bed- lights in the shops could scarcely struggle
6* I
66 OLIVER TWIST .
through the heavy mist, which thickened | heavily, and those they did meet appear-
every moment, and shrouded the streets ing from their looks to hold much the
and houses in gloom, rendering the same position in society as Mr. Sikes him-
strange place still stranger in Oliver's self. At length they turned into a very
eyes, and making his uncertainty the filthy narrow street, nearly full of old-
more dismal and depressing. clothes shops ; and, the dog running for-
They had hurried on a few paces, when ward as if conscious that there was no
a deep church-bell struck the hour. With further occasion of his keeping on guard,
its first stroke his two conductors stopped, stopped before the door of a shop which
and turned their heads in the direction was closed and apparently untenanted,
whence the sound proceeded. for the house was in a ruinous condition,
"Eight o'clock, Bill," said Nancy, when and upon the door was nailed a board in-
the bell ceased. timating that it was to let, which looked
"What's the good of telling me that ; as if it had hung there for many years.
I can hear, can't I ?" replied Sikes. " All right," said Sikes, looking cau-
"I wonder whether they can hear it," tiously about.
said Nancy. Nancy stooped below the shutters, and
"Of course they can," replied Sikes. Oliver heard the sound of a bell. They
"It was Bartlemy time when I was shop- crossed to the opposite side of the street,
ped, and there warn't a penny trumpet in and stood for a few moments under a lamp.
the fair as I couldn't hear the squeaking A noise, as if a sash-window were gently
on. Arter I was locked up for the night, raised, was heard, and soon afterwards
the row and din outside made the thun- the door softly opened ; upon which Mr.
dering old jail so silent, that I could almost Sikes seized the terrified boy by the col-
have beat my brains out against the iron lar with very little ceremony, and all
plates of the door." three were quickly inside the house.
"Poor fellows !" said Nancy, who still The passage was perfectly dark, and
had her face turned towards the quarter they waited while the person who had let
in which the bell had sounded. 66 Oh, them in, chained and barred the door.
Bill, such fine young chaps as them !" "Anybody here ?" inquired Sikes.
" Yes ; that's all you women think of," 66 No," replied a voice, which Oliver
answered Sikes. " Fine young chaps ! thought he had heard before.
Well, they're as good as dead ; so it don't "Is the old 'un here ?" asked the robber.
much matter." 66 Yes," replied the voice ; " and pre-
With this consolation Mr. Sikes ap- cious down in the mouth he has been.
peared to repress a rising tendency to Won't he be glad to see you ? Oh, no."
jealousy, and, clasping Oliver's wrist The style of this reply, as well as the
more firmly, told him to step out again. voice that delivered it, seemed familiar to
"Wait a minute," said the girl ; " I Oliver's ears ; but it was impossible to
wouldn't hurry by, if it was you that was distinguish even the form of the speaker
coming out to be hung the next time eight in the darkness.
o'clock struck, Bill. I'd walk round and " Let's have a glim," said Sikes, “ or
round the place till I dropped, if the snow we shall go breaking our necks, or tread-
was on the ground, and I hadn't a shawl ing on the dog. Look after your legs if
、 to cover me. you do, that's all."
"And what good would that do ?" in- " Stand still a moment, and I'll get you
quired the unsentimental Mr. Sikes. " Un- one," replied the voice. The receding
less you could pitch over a file and twenty footsteps of the speaker were heard, and
yards of good stout rope, you might as in another minute the form of Mr. John
well be walking fifty miles off, or not Dawkins, otherwise the artful Dodger, ap-
walking at all, for all the good it would peared, bearing in his right hand a tallow
do me. Come on, will you, and don't candle stuck in the end of a cleft stick.
stand preaching there." The young gentleman did not stop to
The girl burst into a laugh, drew her bestow any other mark of recognition
shawl more closely round her, and they upon Oliver than a humorous grin ; but,
walked away. But Oliver felt her hand turning away, bored the visitors to
tremble ; and, looking up in her face as follow him down . t of stairs. They
they passed a gas-lamp, saw that it had crossed an empty , and, opening
turned a deadly white. the door of a lo 1 smelling room,
They walked on, by little-frequented which seemed to Deen built in a
and dirty ways, for a full half-hour, meet- small back-yard, ceived with a
ing very few people, for it now rained shout of laughter
A
L
To Be DRUNK
ON THE Pre-
misses a
Licensed to selBeerbyRetail
FineFle
3d
Pr Pot
George brukshank
0222. 2 uimalby his affectionate fiends

.
285.
OLIVER TWIST . 65
got any sister, or father and mother either. win was waiting anxiously at the open
'm an orphan ; I live at Pentonville." door ; the servant had run up the street
" Oh, only hear him, how he braves it twenty times, to see if there were any
out !" cried the young woman. traces of Oliver ; and still the two old
66
Why, it's Nancy !" exclaimed Oli- gentlemen sat perseveringly in the dark
ver, who now saw her face for the first parlour, with the watch between them.
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 CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH
mother and father, and break my heart !" Relates what became of Oliver Twist, after he had
"What the devil's this ?" said a man been claimed by Nancy.
bursting out of a beer-shop, with a white
dog at his heels ; " young Oliver ! Come THE narrow streets and courts at length
home to your poor mother, you young terminated in a large open space, scat-
dog ! come home directly." tered about which, were pens for beasts,
"I don't belong to them. I don't knowand other indications of a cattle-market.
them. Help ! help !" cried Oliver, strug-Sikes slackened his pace when they reach-
gling in the man's powerful grasp. ed this spot, the girl being unable to sup-
66
Help !" repeated the man. "Yes ; port any longer the rapid rate at which
I'll help you, you young rascal ! What they had hitherto walked ; and, turning
books are these ? You've been a steal- to Oliver, commanded him roughly totake
ing ' em, have you? Give ' em here !" hold of Nancy's hand.
With these words the man tore the vol- "Do you hear ?" growled Sikes, as Oli-
umes from his grasp, and struck him vio-ver hesitated, and looked round.
lently on the head. They were in a dark corner, quite out
66"That's right !" cried a looker-on, from
of the track of passengers, and Oliver
a garret window. " That's the only way saw but too plainly that resistance would
of bringing him to his senses !" be of no avail. He held out his hand,
"To be sure,” cried a sleepy-faced car-
which Nancy clasped tight in hers.
penter, casting an approving look at the "Give me the other," said Sikes, seiz-
garret-window. ing Oliver's unoccupied hand. “ Here,
66
Bull's-eye !"
' It'll do him good !" said the two wo-
men. The dog looked up, and growled.
"And he shall have it, too !" rejoined " See here, boy !" said Sikes, putting
the man, administering another blow, and his other hand to Oliver's throat, and ut-
seizing Oliver by the collar. "Come on, tering a savage oath ; " if he speaks ever
you young villain ! Here, Bull's-eye, so soft a word, hold him ! D'ye mind ?"
mind him, boy ! mind him !" The dog growled again, and licking his
Weak with recent illness, stupified bylips, eyed Oliver as if he were anxious to
the blows and the suddenness of the at- attach himself to his windpipe without
tack, terrified by the fierce growling ofany unnecessary delay.
the dog and the brutality of the man, and " He's as willing as a Christian, strike
overpowered by the conviction of the by- me blind if he isn't !" said Sikes, regard-
standers that he was really the hardened ing the animal with a kind of grim and
little wretch he was described to be, what
ferocious approval. "Now you know
could one poor child do ? Darkness had what you ' ve got to expect, master, so call
set in; it was a low neighbourhood ; no away as quick as you like ; the dog will
help was near ; resistance was useless. soon stop the game. Get on, young 'un !"
In another moment he was dragged into Bull's-eye wagged his tail in acknow-
a labyrinth of dark, narrow courts, and ledgment of this unusually endearing
forced along them at a pace which ren- form of speech, and, giving vent to an-
dered the few cries he dared give utter- other admonitory growl for the benefit
ance to, wholly unintelligible. It was ofof Oliver, led the way onward.
little moment, indeed, whether they were It was Smithfield they were crossing,
intelligible or not, for there was nobodyalthough it might have been Grosvenor
to care for them had they been ever so Square, for anything Oliver knew to the
plain. contrary. The night was dark and foggy,
* * * * * * and it was just beginning to rain. The
The gas-lamps were lighted ; Mrs. Bed- lights in the shops could scarcely struggle
6* I
66 OLIVER TWIST .
through the heavy mist, which thickened | heavily, and those they did meet appear-
every moment, and shrouded the streets ing from their looks to hold much the
and houses in gloom, rendering the same position in society as Mr. Sikes him-
strange place still stranger in Oliver's self. At length they turned into a very
eyes, and making his uncertainty the filthy narrow street, nearly full of old-
more dismal and depressing. clothes shops ; and, the dog running for-
They had hurried on a few paces, when ward as if conscious that there was no
a deep church-bell struck the hour. With further occasion of his keeping on guard,
its first stroke his two conductors stopped, stopped before the door of a shop which
and turned their heads in the direction was closed and apparently untenanted,
whence the sound proceeded. for the house was in a ruinous condition,
"Eight o'clock, Bill," said Nancy, when and upon the door was nailed a board in-
the bell ceased. timating that it was to let, which looked
"What's the good of telling me that ; as if it had hung there for many years.
I can hear, can't I ?" replied Sikes. " All right," said Sikes, looking cau-
said Nancy. Nancy stooped below the shutters, and
"Of course they can," replied Sikes. Oliver heard the sound of a bell. They
"It was Bartlemy time when I was shop- crossed to the opposite side of the street,
ped, and there warn't a penny trumpet in and stood for a few moments under a lamp.
the fair as I couldn't hear the squeaking A noise, as if a sash-window were gently
on. Arter I was locked up for the night, raised, was heard, and soon afterwards
the row and din outside made the thun- the door softly opened ; upon which Mr.
dering old jail so silent, that I could almost Sikes seized the terrified boy by the col-
have beat my brains out against the iron lar with very little ceremony, and all
plates of the door." three were quickly inside the house.
"Poor fellows !" said Nancy, who still The passage was perfectly dark, and
had her face turned towards the quarter 66 they waited while the person who had let
in which the bell had sounded. Oh, them in, chained and barred the door.
Bill, such fine young chaps as them !" 66 Anybody here ?" inquired Sikes.
66 No," replied a voice, which Oliver
"Yes ; that's all you women think of,"
answered Sikes. " Fine young chaps ! thought he had heard before.
Well, they're as good as dead ; so it don't " Is the old 'un here ?" asked the robber.
much matter." 66
Yes," replied the voice ; " and pre-
With this consolation Mr. Sikes ap- cious down in the mouth he has been.
peared to repress a rising tendency to Won't he be glad to see you ? Oh, no."
jealousy, and, clasping Oliver's wrist The style of this reply, as well as the
more firmly, told him to step out again. voice that delivered it, seemed familiar to
"Wait a minute," said the girl ; " I Oliver's ears ; but it was impossible to
wouldn't hurry by, if it was you that was distinguish even the form of the speaker
coming out to be hung the next time eight in the darkness.
o'clock struck, Bill. I'd walk round and " Let's have a glim," said Sikes, " or
round the place till I dropped, if the snow we shall go breaking our necks, or tread-
was on the ground, and I hadn't a shawling on the dog. Look after your legs if
to cover me.' you do, that's all."
" And what good would that do ?" in- " Stand still a moment, and I'll get you
quired the unsentimental Mr. Sikes. " Un- one," replied the voice. The receding
less you could pitch over a file and twenty footsteps of the speaker were heard, and
yards of good stout rope, you might as in another minute the form of Mr. John
well be walking fifty miles off, or not Dawkins, otherwise the artful Dodger, ap-
walking at all, for all the good it would peared, bearing in his right hand a tallow
do me. Come on, will you, and don't candle stuck in the end of a cleft stick.
stand preaching there." The young gentleman did not stop to
The girl burst into a laugh, drew her bestow any other mark of recognition
shawl more closely round her, and they upon Oliver than a humorous grin ; but,
walked away. But Oliver felt her hand turning away, beckoned the visitors to
tremble ; and, looking up in her face as follow him down aght of stairs. They
they passed a gas-lamp, saw that it had crossed an empty ben, and, opening
turned a deadly white. the door of a low - smelling room,
They walked on, by little-frequented which seemed to hav been built in a
and dirty ways, for a full half-hour, meet- small back-yard, received with a
ing very few people, for it now rained shout of laughter.
7
66 OLIVER TWIST .
through the heavy mist, which thickened heavily, and those they did me
every moment, and shrouded the streets ing from their looks to hold
and houses in gloom, rendering the same position in society as Mr.
strange place still stranger in Oliver's self. At length they turned
eyes, and making his uncertainty the filthy narrow street, nearly
more dismal and depressing. clothes shops ; and, the dog
They had hurried on a few paces, when ward as if conscious that t
a deep church-bell struck the hour. With further occasion of his keep
its first stroke his two conductors stopped, stopped before the door of
and turned their heads in the direction was closed and apparentl
whence the sound proceeded. for the house was in a ruing
" Eight o'clock, Bill," said Nancy, when and upon the door was nai
the bell ceased. timating that it was to let.
"What's the good of telling me that ; as if it had hung there for
I can hear, can't I ?" replied Sikes. " All right," said Sike
said Nancy. Nancy stooped below t
"Of course they can," replied Sikes. Oliver heard the sound
"It was Bartlemy time when I was shop- crossed to the opposite
ped, and there warn't a penny trumpet in and stood for a few mome
the fair as I couldn't hear the squeaking A noise, as if a sash-wi
on. Arter I was locked up for the night, raised, was heard, and
the row and din outside made the thun- the door softly opened
dering old jail so silent, that I could almost Sikes seized the terrif
have beat my brains out against the iron lar with very little
plates of the door." three were quickly in
"Poor fellows !" said Nancy, who still The passage was
had her face turned towards the quarter they waited while th
in which the bell had sounded. 66 Oh, them in, chained an
Bill, "Anybody here ?
66 such fine young chaps as them !"
Yes ; that's all you women think of," "No," replied a
answered Sikes. "Fine young chaps ! thought he had hea
Well, they're as good as dead ; so it don't "Is the old 'un h
much matter." "Yes," replied
With this consolation Mr. Sikes ap- cious down in tl
peared to repress a rising tendency to Won't he be gla
jealousy, and, clasping Oliver's wrist The style of t
more firmly, told him to step out again. voice that delive
"Wait a minute," said the girl ; " I Oliver's ears ;
wouldn't hurry by, if it was you that was distinguish ever
coming out to be hung the next time eight in the darkness
o'clock struck, Bill. I'd walk round and " Let's hav
round the place till I dropped, if the snow we shall go br
was on the ground, and I hadn't a shawl ing on the do
to cover me." you do, that'
" And what good would that do ?" in- " Stand sti
quired theunsentimental Mr. Sikes. " Un- one," replie
less you could pitch over a file and twenty footsteps of
yards of good stout rope, you might as in another
well be walking fifty miles off, or not Dawkins, o
walking at all, for all the good it would peared, ben
do me. Come on, will you, and don't candle stu
stand preaching there. " The y
The girl burst into a laugh, drew her bestow
shawl more closely round her, and they upon
walked away. But Oliver felt her hand tur
tremble ; and, looking up in her face as
they passed a gas-lamp, saw that it Imit
turned a deadly white.
They walked on, by little-fre
and dirty ways, for na full half
ing ver few people, for
R TWIST. 67
erNancy and me has got nothing else to do

ewith our precious time but to spend it in
scouting arter and kidnapping every young
15 !
atboy as gets grabbed through you ? Give
Dear it here, you avaricious old skeleton ; give
ar it.it here !"
out." With this gentle remonstrance, Mr.
on of Sikes plucked the note from between the
at on Jew's finger and thumb ; and looking the
fiveold man coolly in the face, folded it up
joy. |
small, and tied it in his neckerchief.
hed the " That's for our share of the trouble,"
advanc- said Sikes ; " and not half enough, nei-
and and ther. You may keep the books, if you're
is night- fond of reading ; and if not, you can sell
bows to ' em."
.. mean- "They're very pretty," said Charles
anine dis- Bates, who with certain grimaces had
to merri- been affecting to read one of the volumes
business, in question ; " beautiful writing, isn't it,
assiduity. Oliver ?" and at sight of the dismayed
said Char- look with which Oliver regarded his tor-
to Oliver's mentors, Master Bates, who was blessed
him on fire. with a lively sense of the ludicrous, fell
ine cloth, and into another ecstacy more boisterous than
Ly eye, what the first.
*60 ; —nothing "They belong to the old gentleman,"
said Oliver, wringing his hands,-" to the
looking so well, good, kind old gentleman who took me
v. bowing with into his house, and had me nursed when I
Artful shall give was near dying of the fever. Oh, pray
or, for fear you send them back ; send him back the books
yone. Why didn't and money ! Keep me here all my life
nd say you were long; but pray, pray send them back!
got something warm He'll think I stole them;-the old lady,
all of them that were so kind to me, will
tes roared again, so think I stole them. Oh, do have mercy
self relaxed, and even upon me, and send them back !"
; but as the Artful . With these words, which were uttered
-pound note at that in- with all the energy of passionate grief,
whether the sally or Oliver fell upon his knees at the Jew's
kened his merriment. feet, and beat his hands together in per-
+ 's that ?" inquired Sikes, fect desperation.
nd as the Jew seized the " The boy's right," remarked Fagin,
mine, Fagin." looking covertly round, and knitting his
my dear," said the Jew. shaggyeyebrows into a hard knot - You're
!, mine ; you shall have the right, Oliver, you're right ; they will
think you have stolen ' em. Ha ! ha
st ain't mine !" said Sikes, put chuckled the Jew, rubbing his hands ; it
his hat with a determined air- couldn't have happened better if we had
and Nancy's, that is-I take chosen our time
toy back again. " Of course it couldn't," replied Sikes :
Nae Jew started, and Oliver started too, I know'd that, directly I see him coming
ugh from a very different cause, for be through Clerkenwell with the books we
oped the dispute might really end in his der his arm It's all ng mga
being taken back They're wh- hearted pets, of
** Come, hand it over, will you " aid they wouldn't bare took fommand
Sikes. they i ask no questions arter im fer
“ This is hardly fir, Bill ; hardly fair, they should be coliged to prosente, and
is it, Nancy ngtred the Jew. so get im arred He's de e
" Fair, or not fair" retorted Fres Overhad looked from one to the scher
“ hand it over, Italy ! Do you think wine these words were being spriten, as
George Gruteskanke
2.
Oliver's rexption byFazon andthe boys.

OLIVER TWIST. 67
" Oh, my wig, my wig !" cried Master | Nancy and me has got nothing else to do
Charles Bates,, from whose lungs the with our precious time but to spend it in
laughter had proceeded ; " here he is ! scouting arter and kidnapping every young
oh, cry, here he is ! Oh, Fagin, look at boy as gets grabbed through you ? Give
him ; Fagin, do look at him ! I can't bear it here, you avaricious old skeleton ; give
it ; it is such a jolly game, I can't bear it. it here !"
Hold me, somebody, while I laugh it out. " With this gentle remonstrance, Mr.
With this irrepressible ebullition of Sikes plucked the note from between the
mirth, Master Bates laid himself flat on Jew's finger and thumb ; and looking the
the floor, and kicked convulsively for five old man coolly in the face, folded it up
minutes in an ecstacy of facetious joy. small, and tied it in his neckerchief.
Then jumping to his feet, he snatched the " That's for our share of the trouble,"
cleft stick from the Dodger, and, advanc- said Sikes ; " and not half enough, nei-
ing to Oliver, viewed him round and ther. You may keep the books, if you're
round, while the Jew, taking off his night- fond of reading ; and if not, you can sell
cap, made a great number of low bows to ' em."
66 They're very pretty," said Charles
the bewildered boy ; the Artful mean-
time, who was of a rather saturnine dis- Bates, who with certain grimaces had
position, and seldom gave way to merri- been affecting to read one of the volumes
ment when it interfered with business, in question ; " beautiful writing, isn't it,
rifling his pockets with steady assiduity. Oliver ?" and at sight of the dismayed
"Look at his togs, Fagin !" said Char- look with which Oliver regarded his tor-
ley, putting the light so close to Oliver's mentors, Master Bates, who was blessed
new jacket as nearly to set him on fire. with a lively sense of the ludicrous, fell
" Look at his togs !-superfine cloth, and into another ecstacy more boisterous than
the heavy-swell cut ! Oh, my eye, what the first.
a game ! And his books, too ;-nothing "They belong to the old gentleman,”
but a gentleman, Fagin !" said Oliver, wringing his hands,-" to the
66
Delighted to see you looking so well, good, kind old gentleman who took me
my dear," said the Jew, bowing with into his house, and had me nursed when I
mock humility. "The Artful shall give was near dying of the fever. Oh, pray
you another suit, my dear, for fear you send them back ; send him back the books
should spoil that Sunday one. Why didn't and money ! Keep me here all my life
you write, my dear, and say you were long ; but pray, pray send them back !
coming ?-we'd have got something warm He'll think I stole them ;-the old lady,
for supper." all of them that were so kind to me, will
At this, Master Bates roared again, so think I stole them. Oh, do have mercy
loud that Fagin himself relaxed, and even upon me, and send them back !"
the Dodger smiled ; but as the Artful With these words, which were uttered
drew forth the five-pound note at that in- with all the energy of passionate grief,
stant, it is doubtful whether the sally or Oliver fell upon his knees at the Jew's
the discovery awakened his merriment. feet, and beat his hands together in per-
" Hallo ! what's that ?" inquired Sikes, fect desperation.
stepping forward as the Jew seized the " The boy's right," remarked Fagin,
note. “ That's mine, Fagin .” looking covertly round, and knitting his
" No, no, my dear," said the Jew. shaggy eyebrows into a hard knot. "You're
" Mine, Bill, mine ; you shall have the right, Oliver, you're right ; they will
books. " think you have stolen ' em. Ha ! ha !"
66 If that ain't mine !" said Sikes, put- chuckled the Jew, rubbing his hands ; " it
ting on his hat with a determined air,- couldn't have happened better if we had
" mine and Nancy's, that is,-I'll take chosen our time !"
the boy back again. " " Of course it couldn't," replied Sikes ;
The Jew started, and Oliver started too, " I know'd that, directly I see him coming
though from a very different cause, for he through Clerkenwell with the books un-
hoped the dispute might really end in his der his arm. It's all right enough.
being taken back. They're soft-hearted psalm-singers, or
66
Čome, hand it over, will you ?" said they wouldn't have took him in at all, and
Sikes. they'll ask no questions arter him, fear
" This is hardly fair, Bill ; hardly fair, they should be obliged to prosecute, and
is it, Nancy ?" inquired the Jew. so get him lagged. He's safe enough."
" Fair, or not fair," retorted Sikes, Öliver had looked from one to the other
" hand it over, I tell you ! Do you think while these words were being spoken, as
68 OLIVER TWIST .
if he were bewildered and could scarcely flung it into the fire with a force that
understand what passed ; but when Bill brought some of the glowing coals whirl-
Sikes concluded, he jumped suddenly to ing out into the room.
his feet, and tore wildly from the room, "I won't stand by and see it done, Fa-
66 You've
uttering shrieks for help that made the gin,” cried the girl. got the
bare old house echo to the roof. boy, and what more would you have ? Let
" Keep back the dog, Bill !” cried Nan- him be-let him be, or I shall put the
cy, springing before the door, and closing mark on some of you that will bring me
it as the Jew and his two pupils darted out to the gallows before my time !"
in pursuit ; " keep back the dog ; he'll The girl stamped her foot violently on
tear the boy to pieces." the floor as she vented this threat ; and
" Serve him right !” cried Sikes, strug- with her lips compressed, and her hands
gling to disengage himself from the girl's clenched, looking alternately at the Jew
grasp. " Stand off from me, or I'll split and the other robber, her face quite co-
your skull against the wall !” lourless from the passion of rage into
“ I don't care for that, Bill ; I don't care which she had gradually worked herself.
for that," screamed the girl, struggling "Why, Nancy !" said the Jew in a
violently with the man : “ the child shan't soothing tone, after a pause, during which
be torn down by the dog, unless you kill he and Mr. Sikes had stared at one an-
me first." other in a disconcerted manner, " you—
“ Shan't he !" said Sikes, setting his you're more clever than ever to-night.
teeth fiercely. “ I'll soon do that, if you Ha ! ha ! my dear, you are acting beauti-
don't keep off. " fully."
The housebreaker flung the girl from " Am I !" said the girl. " Take care
him to the further end of the room, just I don't overdo it : you will be the worse
as the Jew and the two boys returned, for it, Fagin, if I do ; and so I tell you in
dragging Oliver among them. good time to keep clear of me."
"What's the matter here ?" said the There is something about a roused wo-
Jew, man, especially if she add to all her other
66 looking round.
The girl's gone mad, I think,” replied strong passions the fierce impulses of
Sikes savagely. recklessness and despair, which few men
"No, she hasn't," said Nancy, pale and like to provoke. The Jew saw that it
breathless from the scuffle ; " no, she would be hopeless to affect any further
hasn't, Fagin : don't think it." mistake regarding the reality of Miss
"Then keep quiet, will you ?" said the Nancy's rage ; and, shrinking involunta-
Jew with a threatening look. rily back, a few paces, cast a glance, half-
66
" No, I won't do that either," replied imploring and half-cowardly, at Sikes, as
Nancy, speaking very loud. " Come, if to hint that he was the fittest person
what do you think of that ?” to pursue the dialogue.
Mr. Fagin was sufficiently well ac- Mr. Sikes thus mutely appealed to, and
quainted with the manners and customs possibly feeling his personal pride and in-
of that particular species of humanity to fluence interested in the immediate re-
which Miss Nancy belonged, to feel tolera- duction of Miss Nancy to reason, gave
bly certain that it would be rather unsafe utterance to about a couple of score of
to prolong any conversation with her at curses and threats, the rapid delivery of
present. With the view of diverting the which reflected great credit on the fer-
attention of the company, he turned to tility of his invention. As they produced
Oliver. no visible effect on the object against
"So you wanted to get away, my dear, whom they were discharged, however, he
did you?" said the Jew, taking up a jagged resorted to more tangible arguments.
and knotted club which lay in a corner of "What do you mean by this ?" said
the fire-place ; " eh ?" Sikes, backing the inquiry with a very
Oliver made no reply, but he watched common imprecation concerning the most
the Jew's motions and breathed quickly. beautiful of human features, which, if it
"Wanted to get assistance,―called for were heard above, only once out of every
the police, did you ?" sneered the Jew, fifty thousand times it is uttered below,
catching the boy by the arm. "We'll would render blindness as common a dis-
cure you of that, my dear." order as measles ; " what do you mean
The Jew inflicted a smart blow on Oli- by it ? Burn my body ! do you know who
ver's shoulders with the club, and was you are, and what you are?"
raising it for a second, when the girl, rush- " Oh, yes, I know all about it,” replied
ing forward, wrested it from his hand, and the girl , laughing hysterically, and shak-
OLIVER TWIST. 69
ing her head from side to side, with a poor "She's all right now," said Sikes, lay-
assumption of indifference. ing her down in a corner. " She's un-
"Well, then, keep quiet," rejoined common strong in the arms when she's
Sikes with a growl like that he was ac- up in this way.'
customed to use when addressing his dog, The Jew wiped his forehead, and smiled,
" or I'll quiet you for a good long time to as if it were a relief to have the disturb
come." ance over ; but neither he, nor Sikes, nor
The girl laughed again, even less com- the dog, nor the boys, seemed to consider
posedly than before, and, darting a hasty it in any other light than a common occur-
look at Sikes, turned her face aside, and rence incidental to business.
bit her lip till the blood came. "It's the worst of having to do with
" You're a nice one," added Sikes, as women," said the Jew, replacing the club ;
he surveyed her with a contemptuous air, " but they're clever, and we can't get on
"to take up the humane and genteel side ! in our line without ' em.-Charley, show
A pretty subject for the child, as you call Oliver to bed."
him, to make a friend of!" "I suppose he'd better not wear his
"God Almighty help me, I am !" cried best clothes to-morrow, Fagin, had he ?"
the girl passionately ; " and I wish I had inquired Charley Bates.
been struck dead in the street, or changed Certainly not," replied the Jew, recip-
places with them we passed so near to- rocating the grin with which Charley put
night, before I had lent a hand in bring- the question.
ing him here. He's a thief, a liar, a de- Master Bates, apparently much delight-
vil, all that's bad, from this night forth ; ed with his commission, took the cleft
isn't that enough for the old wretch with- stick, and led Oliver into an adjacent
out blows ?" kitchen, where there were two or three
"Come, come, Sikes," said the Jew, of the beds on which he had slept before ;
appealing to him in a remonstratory tone, and here, with many uncontrollable bursts
and motioningtowards the boys, who were of laughter, he produced the identical old
eagerly attentive to all that passed ; “ we suit of clothes which Oliver had so much
must have civil words, civil words, Bill " congratulated himself upon leaving off at
" Civil words !" cried the girl, whose Mr. Brownlow's, and the accidental dis-
passion was frightful to see. "Civil play of which to Fagin by the Jew who
words, you villain ! Yes ; you deserve ' em purchased them, had been the very first
from me. I thieved for you when I was clue received of his whereabout.
a child not half as old as this (pointing to "Pull off the smart ones," said Charley,
Oliver). I have been in the same trade, " and I'll give ' em to Fagin to take care
and the same service, for twelve years of. What fun it is !"
since ; don't you know it ? Speak out ! Poor Oliver unwillingly complied ; and
don't you know it ?" Master Bates, rolling up the new clothes
66
Well, well !" replied the Jew, with under his arm, departed from the room,
an attempt at pacification ; " and if you leaving Oliver in the dark, and locking
have, it's your living!" the door behind him.
" Ah, it is !" returned the girl, not The noise of Charley's laughter, and
speaking, but pouring out the words in the voice of Miss Betsy, who opportunely
one continuous and vehement scream. arrived to throw water over her friend,
" It is my living, and the cold, wet, dirty and perform other feminine offices for the
streets are my home ; and you're the promotion of her recovery, might have
wretch that drove me to them long ago, kept many people awake under more hap-
and that 'll keep me there day and night, py circumstances than those in which
day and night, till I die !" Oliver was placed ; but he was sick and
"I shall do you a mischief !" interposed weary, and soon fell sound asleep.
the Jew, goaded by these reproaches ; " a
mischief worse than that, if you say much
more !"
The girl said nothing more ; but tear- CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH.
ing her hair and dress in a transport of Oliver's destiny continuing unpropitious, brings a
phrensy, made such a rush at the Jew as great man to London to injure his reputation.
would probably have left signal marks of
her revenge upon him, had not her wrists IT is the custom on the stage in all
been seized by Sikes at the right moment ; good, murderous melo-dramas, to present
upon which she made a few ineffectual the tragic and the comic scenes in as
struggles, and fainted. regular alternation as the layers of red
70 OLIVER TWIST .
and white in a side of streaky, well-cured rian it is essentially necessary that perfect
bacon. The hero sinks upon his straw faith should be kept, and a good under-
bed, weighed down by fetters and misfor- standing preserved. The advantage of
tunes ; and, in the next scene, his faithful this amicable explanation is, that when I
but unconscious squire regales the au- say, as I do now, that I am going back
dience with a comic song. We behold directly to the town in which Oliver
with throbbing bosoms the heroine in the Twist was born, the reader will at once
grasp of a proud and ruthless baron, her take it for granted that I have good and
virtue and her life alike in danger, draw- substantial reasons for making the jour-
ing forth her dagger to preserve the one ney, or I would not ask him to accompany
at the cost of the other ; and, just as our me on any account.
expectations are wrought up to the high- Mr. Bumble emerged at early morning
est pitch, a whistle is heard, and we are from the workhouse gate, and walked,
straightway transported to the hall of the with portly carriage and commanding
castle, where a grey-headed seneschal steps, up the High-street. He was in
sings a funny chorus with a funnier body the full bloom and pride of beadleism ;
of vassals, who are free of all sorts of his cocked-hat and coat were dazzling in
places from church vaults to palaces, and the morning sun, and he clutched his cane
roam about in company, carolling perpe- with all the vigorous tenacity of health
tually. and power. Mr. Bumble always carried
Such changes appear absurd ; but they his head high, but this morning it was
are by no means unnatural. The transi- higher than usual ; there was an abstrac-
tions in real life from well-spread boards tion in his eye, and an elevation in his
to death-beds, and from mourning weeds air, which might have warned an obser-
to holiday garments, are not a whit less vant stranger that thoughts were passing
startling, only there we are busy actors in the beadle's mind, too great for utter-
instead of passive lookers-on, which makes ance.
a vast difference ; the actors in the mimic Mr. Bumble stooped not to converse
life of the theatre are blind to violent with the small shopkeepers and others who
transitions and abrupt impulses of passion spoke to him deferentially as he passed
or feeling, which, presented before the along. He merely returned their saluta-
eyes of mere spectators, are at once con- tions with a wave of his hand, and relaxed
demned as outrageous and preposterous. not in his dignified pace until he reached
As sudden shiftings of the scene, and the farm where Mrs. Mann tended the
rapid changes of time and place, are not infant paupers with a parish care.
only sanctioned in books by long usage, "Drat that beadle !" said Mrs. Mann,
but are by many considered as the great hearing the well-known impatient shaking
art of authorship,-an author's skill in at the garden gate. "If it isn't him at
his craft being by such critics chiefly esti- this time in the morning !-Lauk, Mr.
mated with relation to the dilemmas in Bumble, only think of its being you!
which he leaves his characters at the end Well, dear me, it is a pleasure this is !
of almost every chapter,-this brief intro- Come into the parlour, Sír, please."
duction to the present one may perhaps The first sentence was addressed to
be deemed unnecessary. But I have set Susan, and the exclamations of delight
it in this place because I am anxious to were spoken to Mr. Bumble as the good
disclaim at once the slightest desire to lady unlocked the garden gate, and showed
tantalise my readers by leaving young him with great attention and respect into
Oliver Twist in situations of doubt and the house.
difficulty, and then flying off at a tangent " Mrs. Mann," said Mr. Bumble,—not
to impertinent matters, which have no- sitting upon, or dropping himself into a
thing to do with him. My sole desire is seat, as any common jackanapes would,
to proceed straight through this history but letting himself gradually and slowly
with all convenient despatch, carrying my down into a chair, " Mrs. Mann, maʼam,
reader along with me if I can, and, if not, good morning !"
leaving him to take some more pleasant "Well, and good morning to you, sir,"
route for a chapter or two, and join me replied Mrs. Mann, with many smiles ;
again afterwards if he will. Indeed, " and hoping you find yourself well, sir ?"
there is so much to do, that I have no " So-so, Mrs. Mann," replied the beadle.
room for digressions, even if I possessed " A porochial life is not a bed of roses, Mrs.
the inclination ; and I merely make this Mann."
one in order to set myself quite right with " Ah, that it isn't indeed, Mr. Bumble,"
the reader, between whom and the histo- rejoined the lady. And all the infant
OLIVER TWIST . 71
paupers might have chorused the rejoinder When Mr. Bumble had laughed a little
with great propriety if they had heard it. while, his eyes again encountered the
"A porochial life, ma'am," continued cocked hat, and he became grave.
Mr. Bumble, striking the table with his "We are forgetting business, ma'am,"
cane, " is a life of worry, and vexation, said the beadle ; " here is your porochial
and hardihood ; but all public characters, stipend for the month."
as I may say, must suffer prosecution." Wherewith Mr. Bumble produced some
Mrs. Mann, not very well knowing silver money, rolled up in paper, from his
what the beadle meant, raised her hands pocket-book, and requested a receipt,
with a look of sympathy, and sighed. which Mrs. Mann wrote.
" Ah! You may well sigh, Mrs. Mann !" "It's very much blotted, sir," said the
said the beadle. farmer of infants ; " but it's formal enough,
Finding she had done right, Mrs. Mann I dare say. Thank you, Mr. Bumble, sir ;
sighed again, evidently to the satisfaction I am99 very much obliged to you, I'm
of the public character, who, repressing a sure.
complacent smile by looking sternly at his Mr. Bumble nodded blandly in acknow-
cocked hat, said, ledgment of Mrs. Mann's curtsey, and
" Mrs. Mann, I am a going to London." inquired how the children were.
" Lauk, Mr. Bumble !" said Mrs. Mann, "Bless their dear little hearts !" said
starting back. Mrs. Mann with emotion, " they're as
"To London, ma'am," resumed the well as can be, the dears ! Of course ,
inflexible beadle, " by coach ; I, and two except the two that died last week, and
paupers, Mrs. Mann. A legal action is little Dick. ”
coming on about a settlement, and the "Isn't that boy no better ?" inquired
board has appointed me-me, Mrs. Mann Mr. Bumble. Mrs. Mann shook her head.
-to depose to the matter before the quar- "He's a ill-conditioned, vicious, bad-
ter-sessions at Clerkinwell ; and I very disposed porochial child that,” said Mr.
much question," added Mr. Bumble, draw- Bumble angrily. "Where is he ?"
ing himself up, " whether the Clerkinwell " I'll bring him to you in one minute,
66 Here you
Sessions will not find themselves in the sir," replied Mrs. Mann. ,
wrong box before they have done with me. " Dick !"
" Oh ! you mustn't be too hard upon After some calling, Dick was discov-
them, sir," said Mrs. Mann coaxingly. ered ; and having had his face put under
"The Clerkinwell Sessions have brought the pump, and dried upon Mrs. Mann's
it upon themselves, ma'am,” replied Mr. | gown, he was led into the awful presence
Bumble ; " and if the Clerkinwell Sessions of Mr. Bumble, the beadle.
find they come off rather worse than they The child was pale and thin ; his cheeks
expected, the Clerkinwell Sessions have were sunken, and his eyes large and
only themselves to thank." bright. The scanty parish dress, the
There was so much determination and livery of his misery, hung loosely upon
depth of purpose about the menacing his feeble body ; and his young limbs had
manner in which Mr. Bumble delivered wasted away like those of an old man.
himself of these words, that Mrs. Mann Such was the little being that stood
appeared quite awed by them. At length trembling beneath Mr. Bumble's glance,
she said, not daring to lift his eyes from the floor,
"You're going by coach, sir ? I thought and dreading even to hear the beadle's
it was always usual to send them paupers voice.
in carts . " "Can't you look at the gentleman, you
" That's when they're ill, Mrs. Mann," obstinate boy ?" said Mrs. Mann.
said the beadle. "We put the sick pau- The child meekly raised his eyes, and
pers into open carts in the rainy weather, encountered those of Mr. Bumble.
to prevent their taking cold." "What's the matter with you, poro-
" Oh !" said Mrs. Mann. chial Dick ?" inquired Mr. Bumble with
"The opposition coach contracts for well-timed
66 jocularity.
these two, and takes them cheap," said Nothing, sir," replied the child faintly.
Mr. Bumble. 66 They are both in a very " I should think not," said Mrs. Mann,
low state, and we find it would come two who had of course laughed very much at
pound cheaper to move 'em than to bury Mr. Bumble's exquisite humour. " You
""
'em, that is, if we can throw ' em upon want for nothing, I'm sure.'
another parish, which I think we shall be "I should like-" faltered the child.
able to do, if they don't die upon the road " Hey-day !" interposed Mrs. Mann,
to spite us. Ha ha ha !" " I suppose you're going to say that you
72 OLIVER TWIST .
do want for something, now ? Why, you | was disputed, with whom, in due course
little wretch- 99 of time, he arrived in London, having
66 experienced no other crosses by the way
Stop, Mrs. Mann, stop !" said the
beadle, raising his hand with a show of than those which originated in the per-
authority. " Like what, sir ; eh ?" verse behaviour of the two paupers, who
"I should like," faltered the child, " if persisted in shivering, and complaining
somebody that can write, would put a few of the cold in a manner which, Mr. Bum-
words down for me on a piece of paper, ble declared, caused his teeth to chatter
and fold it up, and seal it, and keep it for in his head, and made him feel quite un-
me after I am laid in the ground." comfortable, although he had a great-
66
Why, what does the boy mean ?" ex- coat on.
claimed Mr. Bumble, on whom the earn- Having disposed of these evil-minded
est manner and wan aspect of the child persons for the night, Mr. Bumble sat
had made some impression, accustomed himself down in the house at which the
as he was to such things. "What do coach stopped, and took a temperate din-
you mean, sir ?" ner of steaks, oyster-sauce, and porter ;
"I should like," said the child, " to putting a glass of hot gin-and-water on
leave my dear love to poor Oliver Twist, the mantel-piece, he drew his chair to the
and to let him know how often I have sat fire, and, with sundry moral reflections on
by myself and cried to think of his wan- the too-prevalent sin of discontent and
dering about in the dark nights with no complaining , he then composed himself
body to help him ; and I should like to comfortably to read the paper.
tell him," said the child, pressing his The very first paragraph upon which
small hands together, and speaking with Mr. Bumble's eyes rested, was the follow-
great fervour, " that I was glad to die ing advertisement.
when I was very young ; for perhaps, if " FIVE GUINEAS REWARD.
I lived to be a man, and grew old, my
" WHEREAS, a young boy, named Oli-
little sister, who is in heaven, might for- ver Twist, absconded, or was enticed, on
get me, or be unlike me ; and it would be Thursday evening last, from his home at
so much happier if we were both children
Pentonville, and has not since been heard
there together. "
Mr. Bumble surveyed the little speaker of ; the above reward will be paid to any
from head to foot with indescribable as- person who will give such information as
tonishment, and, turning to his compan- may lead to the discovery of the said Oli-
ver Twist, or tend to throw any light
ion, said, “ They're all in one story, Mrs. upon his previous history, in which the
Mann. That out-dacious Oliver has de-
moralised them all !" advertiser is for many reasons warmly
interested."
"I couldn't have believed it, sir !" said
Mrs. Mann, holding up her hands, and And then followed a full description of
looking malignantly at Dick. " I never Oliver's dress, person, appearance, and
see such a hardened little wretch !" disappearance, with the name and address
"Take him away, ma'am !" said Mr. of Mr. Brownlow at full length.
Bumble imperiously. " This must be Mr. Bumble opened his eyes, read the
stated to the board, Mrs. Mann." advertisement slowly and carefully three
"I hope the gentlemen will understand several times, and in something more
that it isn't my fault, sir ?" said Mrs. than five minutes was on his way to Pen-
Mann, whimpering pathetically. tonville, having actually in his excite-
66 They shall understand that, ma'am ; ment left the glass of hot gin-and-water
they shall be acquainted with the true untasted on the mantel- piece.
state ofthe case," said Mr. Bumble pomp- " Is Mr. Brownlow at home ?" inquired
ously. " There ; take him away. I can't Mr. Bumble of the girl who opened the
bear the sight of him." door.
Dick• was immediately taken away, and To this inquiry the girl returned the
locked up in the coal-cellar ; and Mr. not uncommon , but rather evasive reply
Bumble shortly afterwards took himself of, " I don't know- where do you come
away to prepare for his journey. from ?"
At six o'clock next morning, Mr. Bum- Mr. Bumble no sooner uttered Oliver's
ble having exchanged his cocked-hat for name in explanation of his errand, than
a round one, and encased his person in a Mrs. Bedwin, who had been listening at
blue great-coat with a cape to it, took his the parlour-door, hastened into the pas
place on the outside of the coach, accom- sage in a breathless state.
panied by the criminals whose settlement " Come in-come in," said the old
OLIVER TWIST . 73
lady : " I knew we should hear of him. | knew regarding Oliver, in as few words
Poor dear ! I knew we should,-I was as possible.
certain of it. Bless his heart ! I said so Mr. Bumble put down his hat, unbut-
all along." toned his coat, folded his arms, inclined
Having said this, the worthy old lady his head in a retrospective manner, and,
hurried back into the parlour again, and, after a few moments' reflection, com-
seating herself on a sofa, burst into tears. menced his story.
The girl, who was not quite so suscepti- It would be tedious if given in the bea-
ble, had run up-stairs meanwhile, and dle's words, occupying as it did some
now returned with a request that Mr. twenty minutes in the telling ; but the
Bumble would follow her immediately, sum and substance of it was, that Oliver
which he did. was a foundling, born of low and vicious
He was shown into the little back stu- parents, who had from his birth displayed
dy, where sat Mr. Brownlow and his friend no better qualities than treachery, ingrati-
Mr. Grimwig, with decanters and glasses tude, and malice, and who had terminated
before them: the latter gentleman eyed his brief career in the place of his birth,
him closely, and at once burst into the ex- by making a sanguinary and cowardly at-
clamation, tack on an unoffending lad, and then run-
“ A beadle—a parish beadle, or I'll eat ning away in the night-time from his mas-
my head !" ter's house. In proof of his really being
66
Pray don't interrupt just now," said the person he represented himself, Mr.
Mr. Brownlow. " Take a seat, will you ?" Bumble laid upon the table the papers he
Mr. Bumble sat himself down, quite had brought to town, and, folding his arms
confounded by the oddity of Mr. Grim- again, awaited Mr. Brownlow's observa-
wig's manner. Mr. Brownlow moved the tions.
lamp so as to obtain an uninterrupted view " I fear it is all too true," said the old
of the beadle's countenance, and said with gentleman sorrowfully, after looking over
a little impatience, the papers. " This is not much for your
66
Now, sir, you come in consequence intelligence ; but I would gladly have
of having seen the advertisement ?" given you treble the money, sir, if it had
"Yes, sir," said Mr. Bumble. been favourable to the boy."
"And you are a beadle, are you not ?" It is not at all improbable that if Mr.
inquired Mr. Grimwig. Bumble had been possessed with this in-
" I am a porochial beadle, gentlemen," formation at an earlier period of the inter-
rejoined Mr. Bumble proudly. view, he might have imparted a very dif-
" Of course," observed Mr. Grimwig ferent colouring to his little history. It
aside to his friend. " I knew he was. was too late to do it now, however ; so he
His great-coat is a parochial cut, and he shook his head gravely, and pocketing the
looks a beadle all over." five guineas, withdrew.
Mr. Brownlow gently shook his head Mr. Brownlow paced the room to and
to impose silence on his friend, and re- fro for some minutes, evidently so much
sumed : disturbed by the beadle's tale, that even
" Do you know where this poor boy is Mr. Grimwig forbore to vex him further.
now ?" At length he stopped, and rang the bell
"No more than nobody," replied Mr. violently.
Bumble. "Mrs. Bedwin," said Mr. Brownlow
"Well, what do you know of him ?" when the housekeeper appeared, " that
inquired the old gentleman. " Speak out, boy, Oliver, is an impostor.
my friend, if you have anything to say. " It can't be, sir ; it cannot be," said the
What do you know of him ?" old lady energetically.
" You don't happen to know any good "I tell you he is," retorted the old gen-
of him, do you ?" said Mr. Grimwig caus- tleman sharply. "What do you mean by
tically, after an attentive perusal of Mr. can't be'? We have just heard a full
Bumble's features. account of him from his birth ; and he has
Mr. Bumble caught at the inquiry very been a thorough-paced little villain all his
quickly, and shook his head with porten- life.
tous solemnity. "I never will believe it, sir,” replied
"You see this ?" said Mr. Grimwig, the old lady, firmly.
looking triumphantly at Mr. Brownlow. " You old women never believe anv-
Mr. Brownlow looked apprehensively thing but quack-doctors and lying story-
at Bumble's pursed-up countenance, and books," growled Mr. Grimwig. " I knew
requested him to communicate what he it all along. Why didn't you take my
7 K
74 OLIVER TWIST.
advice in the beginning ; you would, if he morning. Mr. Fagin did not seek to con
hadn't had a fever, I suppose,-eh ! He ceal his share in the catastrophe, but
was interesting, wasn't he ? Interesting ! lamented with tears in his eyes that the
Bah !" and Mr. Grimwig poked the fire wrong-headed and treacherous behaviour
with a flourish. of the young person in question had ren-
"He was a dear, grateful, gentle child, dered it necessary that he should become
sir," retorted Mrs. Bedwin indignantly. the victim of certain evidence for the
" I know what children are, sir, and have crown, which, if it were not precisely
done these forty years : and people who true, was indispensably necessary for the
can't say the same shouldn't say anything safety of him (Mr. Fagin,) and a few
about them-that's my opinion." select friends. Mr. Fagin concluded by
This was a hard hit at Mr. Grimwig, drawing a rather disagreeable picture of
who was a bachelor ; but as it extorted the discomforts of hanging, and, with
nothing from that gentleman but a smile, great friendliness and politeness of man-
the old lady tossed her head and smoothed ner, expressed his anxious hope that he
down her apron, preparatory to another might never be obliged to submit Oliver
speech, when she was stopped by Mr. Twist to that unpleasant operation.
Brownlow. Little Oliver's blood ran cold as he lis-
"Silence !" said the old gentleman, tened to the Jew's words, and imperfectly
feigning an was far from
66 anger which hehear comprehended the dark threats conveyed
feeling. Never let me the boy's in them : that it was possible even for
name again : I rang to tell you that. Ne- justice itself to confound the innocent
ver-never, on any pretence, mind. You with the guilty when they were in acci-
may leave the room, Mrs. Bedwin. Re- dental companionship, he knew already ;
member; I am in earnest." and that deeply-laid plans for the destruc-
There were sad hearts at Mr. Brown- tion of inconveniently-knowing, or over-
low's that night. Oliver's sank within communicative persons, had been really
him when he thought of his good, kind devised and carried out by the old Jew on
friends ; but it was well for him that he more occasions than one, he thought by
could not know what they had heard, or no means unlikely when he recollected
it would have broken outright. the general nature of the altercations be-
tween that gentleman and Mr. Sikes,
which seemed to bear reference to some
foregone conspiracy of the kind. As he
glanced timidly up, and met the Jew's
CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH. searching look, he felt that his pale face
How Oliver passed his time in the improving and trembling limbs were neither un-
noticed nor unrelished by the wary vil
society of his reputable friends. lain.
ABOUT noon next day, when the Dodger The Jew smiled hideously, and, patting
and Master Bates had gone out to pursue Oliver on the head, said that if he kept
their customary avocations, Mr. Fagin himself quiet, and applied himself to busi-
took the opportunity of reading Oliver a ness, he saw they would be very good
long lecture on the crying sin of ingrati- friends yet. Then taking his hat, and
tude, of which he clearly demonstrated covering himself up in an old patched
he had been guilty to no ordinary extent great-coat, he went out and locked the
in wilfully absenting himself from the room-door behind him.
society of his anxious friends, and still And so Oliver remained all that day,
more in endeavouring to escape from and for the greater part of many sub-
them after so much trouble and expense sequent days, seeing nobody between
had been incurred in his recovery. Mr. early morning and midnight, and left
Fagin laid great stress on the fact of his during the long hours to commune with
having taken Oliver in and cherished his own thoughts ; which, never failing
him , when without his timely aid he to revert to his kind friends, and the opin-
might have perished with hunger ; and ion they must long ago have formed of
related the dismal and affecting history him, were sad indeed. After the lapse
of a young lad whom in his philanthropy of a week or so, the Jew left the room-
he had succoured under parallel circum- door unlocked, and he was at liberty to
stances, but who, proving unworthy of his wander about the house.
confidence, and evincing a desire to com- It was a very dirty place ; but the
municate with the police, had unfortunate- rooms up stairs had great high wooden
ly come to be hung at the Old Bailey one mantel-pieces and large doors, with panel-
: 、 ” རྗེ་ ་
George Bruikshandle
MasterBates explains apropfsimaltechnicality

t
P.75.
113
OLIVER TWIST . 75
ed walls and cornices to the ceilings, however bad, to look upon, and too de-
which, although they were black with sirous to conciliate those about him when
neglect and dust, were ornamented in he could honestly do so, to throw any
various ways ; from all of which tokens objection in the way of this proposal ; so
Oliver concluded that a long time ago, he at once expressed his readiness, and,
before the old Jew was born, it had be- kneeling on the floor, while the Dodger
longed to better people, and had perhaps sat upon the table so that he could take
been quite gay and handsome, dismal and his foot in his lap, he applied himself to
dreary as it looked now. a process which Mr. Dawkins designated
Spiders had built their webs in the as 66 japanning his trotter-cases," and
angles of the walls and ceilings ; and which phrase, rendered into plain Eng-
sometimes, when Oliver walked softly lish, signifieth cleaning his boots.
into a room, the mice would scamper Whether it was the sense of freedom
across the floor, and run back terrified to and independence which a rational ani-
their holes with these exceptions, there mal may be supposed to feel when he sits
was neither sight nor sound of any living on a table in an easy attitude, smoking a
thing ; and often, when it grew dark, and pipe, swinging one leg carelessly to and
he was tired of wandering from room to fro, and having his boots cleaned all the
room, he would crouch in the corner of time without even the past trouble of
the passage by the street-door, to be as having taken them off, or the prospective
near living people as he could, and to re- misery of putting them on, to disturb his
main there listening and trembling until reflections ; or whether it was the good-
the Jew or the boys returned. ness of the tobacco that soothed the feel-
In all the rooms the mouldering shut- ings of the Dodger, or the mildness of the
ters were fast closed, and the bars which beer that mollified his thoughts, he was
held them were screwed tight into the evidently tinctured for the nonce with a
wood; the only light which was admitted spice of romance and enthusiasm foreign
making its way through round holes at to his general nature. He looked down
the top, which made the rooms more on Oliver with a thoughtful countenance
gloomy, and filled them with strange for a brief space, and then, raising his
shadows. There was a back-garret win- head, and heaving a gentle sigh, said,
dow, with rusty bars outside, which had half in abstraction, and half to Master
no shutter, and out of which Oliver often Bates.
gazed with a melancholy face for hours "What a pity it is he isn't a prig !"
together; but nothing was to be descried " Ah!" said Master Charles Bates.
from it but a confused and crowded mass " He don't know what's good for him. ”
of house-tops, blackened chimneys, and The Dodger sighed again, and resumed
gable-ends. Sometimes, indeed, a ragged his pipe, as did Charley Bates, and they
grizzly head might be seen peering over both smoked for some seconds in silence.
the parapet-wall of a distant house, but it " I suppose you don't even know what
was quickly withdrawn again ; and as the a prig is ?" said the Dodger mourn
window of Oliver's observatory was nail- fully.
ed down, and dimmed with the rain and " I think I know that," replied Oliver,
smoke of years, it was as much as he hastily looking up. 66 It's a th- ; you're
could do to make out the forms of the one, are you not ?" inquired Oliver, check-
different objects beyond, without making ing himself.
any attempt to be seen or heard,-which "I am," replied the Dodger. " I'd
he had as much chance of being as if he scorn to be anything else." Mr. Daw-
had been inside the ball of St. Paul's kins gave his hat a ferocious cock after
Cathedral. delivering this sentiment, and looked at
One afternoon, the Dodger and Master Master Bates as if to denote that he
Bates being engaged out that evening, would feel obliged by his saying anything
the first-named young gentleman took it to the contrary. " I am," repeated the
into his head to evince some anxiety re- Dodger ; " so's Charley ; so's Fagin ;
garding the decoration of his person so's Sikes ; so's Nancy ; so's Bet ; so
(which, to do him justice, was by no we all are, down to the dog, and he's the
means an habitual weakness with him ;) downiest one of the lot."
and, with this end and aim, he conde- " And the least given to peaching,"
scendingly commanded Oliver to assist added Charley Bates.
him in his toilet straightway. " He wouldn't so much as bark in a
Oliver was but too glad to make him- witness-box, for fear of committing him-
self useful, too happy to have some faces, self ; no, not if you tied him up in one,
76 OLIVER TWIST .
and left him there without wittles for a consideration for Fagin, ' cause the traps
fortnight," said the Dodger. know that we work together, and he might
"That he wouldn't ; not a bit of it," have got into trouble if we hadn't made
observed Charley. our lucky ; that was the move, wasn't it,
66 He's a rum dog. Don't he look Charley?"
fierce at any strange cove that laughs or Master Bates nodded assent, and would
sings when he's in company !" pursued have spoken, but that the recollection of
the Dodger. "Won't he growl at all, Oliver's flight came so suddenly upon
when he hears a fiddle playing, and don't him, that the smoke he was inhaling got
he hate other dogs as ain't of his breed ! entangled with a laugh, and went up into
Winkin! Oh, no !" his head, and down into his throat, and
" He's an out-and-out Christian," said brought on a fit of coughing and stamping
Charley. about five minutes long.
66 Look here !"
This was merely intended as a tribute said the Dodger, draw-
to the animal's abilities, but it was an ap- ing forth a handful of shillings and half-
propriate remark in another sense, if Mas- pence. "Here's a jolly life ! what's the
ter Bates had only known it ; for there odds where it comes from? Here, catch
are a great many ladies and gentlemen hold ; there's plenty more where they
claiming to be out-and-out Christians, be- were took from. You won't, won't you ?
སུ།སྶ
tween whom and Mr. Sikes's dog there oh, you precious flat !"
exist very strong and singular points of "It's naughty, ain't it, Oliver ?" in-
resemblance. quired Charley Bates. " He'll come to
66
Well, well !" said the Dodger, recur- be scragged, won't he ?"
ring to the point from which they had " I don't know what that means," re-
strayed, with that mindfulness of his pro- 66 Oliver, looking round.
plied
fession which influenced all his proceed- Something in this way, old feller,"
ings. "This hasn't got anything to do said Charley. As he said it, Master Bates
with young Green here." caught up an end of his neckerchief, and,
"No more it has," said Charley. " Why holding it erect in the air, dropped his
don't you put yourself under Fagin, Oli- head on his shoulders, and jerked a curi-
r
ve ?" ous sound through his teeth, thereby indi-
" And make your fortun' out of hand ?" cating, by a lively pantomimic represen-
added the Dodger, with a grin. tation, that scragging and hanging were
"And so be able to retire on your pro- one and the same thing.
perty, and do the genteel, as I mean to in " That's what it means," said Charley.
the very next leap-year but four that ever " Look how he stares, Jack ; I never did
comes, and the forty-second Tuesday in see such prime company as that ' ere boy ;
Trinity-week," said Charley Bates. he'll be the death of me, I know he will."
" I don't like it," rejoined Oliver timid- And Master Charles Bates having laugh-
ly ; " I wish they would let me go. I— ed heartily again, resumed his pipe with
I would rather go." tears in his eyes.
66
" And Fagin would rather not !" re- You've been brought up bad," said
Joined Charley. the Dodger, surveying his boots with much
Oliver knew this too well ; but, think- satisfaction when Oliver had polished
66
ing it might be dangerous to express his them. ' Fagin will make something of
feelings more openly, he only sighed, and you, though ; or you'll be the first he ever
went on with his boot-cleaning. had that turned out unprofitable. You'd
"Go !" exclaimed the Dodger. "Why, better begin at once, for you'll come to
where's your spirit ? Don't you take any the trade long before you think of it, and
pride out of yourself ? Would you go and you 're only losing time, Oliver."
be dependent on your friends, eh ?" Master Bates backed this advice with
"Oh, blow that !" said Master Bates, sundry moral admonitions of his own,
drawing two or three silk handkerchiefs which being exhausted, he and his friend
from his pocket, and tossing them into a Mr. Dawkins launched into a glowing
cupboard, " that's too mean, that is !" description of the numerous pleasures in-
"I couldn't do it," said the Dodger, cidental to the life they led, interspersed
with an air of haughty disgust. with a variety of hints to Oliver that the
" You can leave your friends, though," best thing he could do, would be to secure
Haid Oliver, with a half-smile, " and let Fagin's favour without more delay by the
them be punished for what you did. ” same means which they had employed to
"That," rejoined the Dodger, with a gain it.
wave of his pipe, " that was all out of " And always put this in your pipe,
OLIVER TWIST . 77
Nolly," said the Dodger, as the Jew was unlawful. Mr. Chitling wound up his ob-
heard unlocking the door above, " if you servations by stating that he had not
don't take fogles and tickers " touched a drop of anything for forty-two
"What's the good of talking in that mortal long hard-working days, and that
way ?" interposed Master Bates ; " he he wished he might be busted if he
don't know what you mean." wasn't as dry as a lime-basket !'
"If you don't take pocket-hankechers "Where do you think the gentleman
and watches," said the Dodger, reducing has come from, Oliver ?" inquired the Jew
his conversation to the level of Oliver's with a grin, as the other boys put a bottle
capacity, " some other cove will ; so that of spirits on the table.
the coves that lose ' em will be all the "I-I-don't know, sir," replied Oli-
worse, and you'll be all the worse too, ver.
and nobody half a ha'p'orth the better, "Who's that ?" inquired Tom Chitling,
except the chaps wot gets them-and casting a contemptuous look at Oliver.
you've just as good a right to them as "A young friend of mine, my dear,"
they have." replied the Jew.
"To be sure,-to be sure !" said the " He's in luck then," said the young
Jew, who had entered unseen by Oliver. man, with a meaning look at Fagin.
" It all lies in a nutshell, my dear- in a " Never mind where I came from, young
nutshell, take the Dodger's word for it. ' un ; you'll find your way there soon
Ha ha ! he understands the cathechism enough, I'll bet a crown !"
of his trade." At this sally the boys laughed, and, af-
The old man rubbed his hands glee- ter some more jokes on the same subject,
fully together as he corroborated the exchanged a few short whispers with Fa-
Dodger's reasoning in these terms, and gin, and withdrew.
chuckled with delight at his pupil's pro- After some words apart between the
ficiency. last comer and Fagin, they drew their
The conversation proceeded no farther chairs towards the fire ; and the Jew, tell-
at this time, for the Jew had returned ing Oliver to come and sit by him, led the
home accompanied by Miss Betsy, and a conversation to the topics most calculated
gentleman whom Oliver had never seen to interest his hearers. These were, the
before, but who was accosted by the great advantages of the trade, the profi-
Dodger as Tom Chitling, and who, having ciency of the Dodger, the amiability of
lingered on the stairs to exchange a few Charley Bates, and the liberality of the
gallantries with the lady, now made his Jew himself. At length these subjects
appearance. displayed signs of being thoroughly ex-
Mr. Chitling was older in years than hausted, and Mr. Chitling did the same
the Dodger, having perhaps numbered (for the house of correction becomes fa-
eighteen winters ; but there was a degree tiguing after a week or two ;) accordingly
of deference in his deportment towards Miss Betsy withdrew, and left the party
that young gentleman which seemed to to their repose.
indicate that he felt himself conscious of From this day Oliver was seldom left
a slight inferiority in point of genius and alone, but was placed in almost constant
professional acquirements. He had small communication with the two boys, who
twinkling eyes, and a pock-marked face ; played the old game with the Jew every
wore a fur cap, a dark corduroy jacket, day,-whether for their own improve-
greasy fustian trousers, and an apron. His ment, or Oliver's, Mr. Fagin best knew.
wardrobe was, in truth, rather out of re- At other times the old man would tell
pair ; but he excused himself to the com- them stories of robberies he had commit-
pany by stating that his " time" was only ted in his younger days, mixed up with
out an hour before, and that, in conse- so much that was droll and curious, that
quence of having worn the regimentals Oliver could not help laughing heartily,
for six weeks past, he had not been able and showing that he was amused in spite
to bestow any attention on his private of all his better feelings.
clothes. Mr. Chitling added with strong In short, the wily old Jew had the boy
marks of irritation, that the new way of in his toils ; and, having prepared his
fumigating clothes up yonder was infernal mind by solitude and gloom to prefer any
unconstitutional, for it burnt holes in them, society to the companionship of his own
and there was no remedy against the sad thoughts in such a dreary place, was
county; the same remark he considered now slowly instilling into his soul the poi
to apply to the regulation mode of cutting son which he hoped would blacken it and
the hair, which he held to be decidedly change its hue for ever.
7*
78 OLIVER TWIST .
know the devil when he's got a great-

CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH. coat on ?"
In which a notable plan is discussed and deter- Apparently the dog had been somewhat
mined on. deceived by Mr. Fagin's outer garment ;
for as the Jew unbuttoned it, and threw
Ir was a chill, damp, windy night, it over the back of a chair, he retired to
when the Jew, buttoning his great-coat the corner from which he had risen, wag-
tight round his shrivelled body, and pull- ging his tail as he went, to show that he
ing the collar up over his ears so as com- was as well satisfied as it was in his na-
pletely to obscure the lower part of his ture to be.
66 Well !" said Sikes.
face, emerged from his den. He paused
on the step as the door was locked and 66 Well, my dear," replied
the Jew.
chained behind him ; and having listened "Ah ! Nancy."
while the boys made all secure, and until The latter recognition was uttered with
their retreating footsteps were no longer just enough of embarrassment to imply
audible, slunk down the street as quickly a doubt of its reception ; for Mr. Fagin
as he could. and his young friend had not met since
The house to which Oliver had been she had interfered in behalf of Oliver.
conveyed was in the neighbourhood of All doubts upon the subject, if he had any,
Whitechapel ; the Jew stopped for an were, however, speedily removed by the
instant at the corner of the street, and, young lady's behaviour. She took her
glancing suspiciously round, crossed the feet off the fender, pushed back her chair,
road, and struck off in the direction of and bade Fagin draw up his without say-
Spitalfields. ing any more about it, for it was a cold
The mud lay thick upon the stones, and night, and no mistake. Miss Nancy pre-
a black mist hung over the streets ; the fixed to the word " cold" another adjective,
rain fell sluggishly down, and everything derived from the name of an unpleasant
felt cold and clammy to the touch. It instrument of death, which, as the word
seemed just the night when it befitted is seldom mentioned to ears polite in any
such a being as the Jew to be abroad. As other form than as a substantive, I have
he glided stealthily along, creeping be- omitted in this chronicle.
neath the shelter of the walls and door- " It is cold, Nancy dear," said the Jew,
ways, the hideous old man seemed like as he warmed his skinny hands over the
some loathsome reptile, engendered in the fire. "It seems to go right through one,"
slime and darkness through which he added the old man, touching his left side.
moved, crawling forth by night in search " It must be a piercer if it finds its way
of some rich offal for a meal. through your heart," said Mr. Sikes.
He kept on his course through many "Give him something to drink, Nancy.
winding and narrow ways until he reach- Burn my body, make haste ! It's enough
ed Bethnal Green ; then turning suddenly to turn a man ill to see his lean old car-
off to the left, he soon became involved in case shivering in that way, like a ugly
a maze of the mean dirty streets which ghost just rose from the grave."
abound in that close and densely-populat- Nancy quickly brought a bottle from a
ed quarter. cupboard in which there were many,
The Jew was evidently too familiar which, to judge from the diversity of their
with the ground he traversed, however, appearance, were filled with several kinds
to be at all bewildered either by the dark- of liquids ; and Sikes, pouring out a glass
ness of the night or the intricacies of the of brandy, bade the Jew drink it off.
way. He hurried through several alleys " Quite enough, quite, thankye, Bill,"
and streets, and at length turned into one replied the Jew, putting down the glass
lighted only by a single lamp at the far- after just setting his lips to it.
ther end. At the door of a house in this "What ! you're afraid of our getting
street he knocked, and, having exchanged the better of you, are you ?" inquired
a few muttered words with the person who Sikes, fixing his eyes on the Jew ; " ugh!"
opened the door, walked up stairs. With a hoarse grunt of contempt Mr.
A dog growled as he touched the han- Sikes seized the glass and emptied it, as
dle of a door, and a man's voice demanded a preparatory ceremony to filling it again
who was there. for himself, which he did at once.
" Only me, Bill ; only me, my dear," The Jew glanced round the room as
said the Jew, looking in. his companion tossed down the second
66
Bring in your body," said Sikes. glassful ; not in curiosity, for he had seen
" Lie down, you stupid brut ! Don't you it often before, but in a restless and sus-
OLIVER TWIST . 79
picious manner which was habitual to heated, " that neither of the two men in
him. It was a meanly furnished apart- the house can be got over ?"
ment, with nothing but the contents ofthe "Yes, I do mean to tell you so," replied
closet to induce the belief that its occu- Sikes. "The old lady has had 'em these
pier was anything but a working man ; twenty years ; and if you were to give
and with no more suspicious articles dis- ' em five hundred pound, they wouldn't be
played to view than two or three heavy in it."
bludgeons which stood in a corner, and a "But do you mean to say, my dear,"
" life-preserver " that hung over the man- remonstrated the Jew, " that the women
telpiece. can't be got over ?"
66 There," said Sikes, smacking his lips. "Not a bit of it," replied Sikes.
"Now I'm ready.” "Not by flash Toby Crackit ?" said the
"For business- eh ?" inquired the Jew. Jew incredulously. "Think what women
"For business,” replied Sikes ; " so say are,
what you've got to say." 66 Bill.”
No; not even by flash Toby Crackit,"
"About the crib at Chertsey, Bill ?" replied Sikes. " He says he's worn sham
said the Jew, drawing his chair forward, whiskers and a canary waistcoat the whole
and speaking in a very low voice. blessed time he's been loitering down
"Yes. What about it ?" inquired Sikes. there, and it's all of no use."
"Ah ! you know what I mean, mydear," "He should have tried mustachios and
said the Jew. "He knows what I mean, a pair of military trousers, my dear," said
Nancy; don't he?" the Jew after a few moments' reflection.
"No, he don't," sneered Mr. Sikes, " So he did," rejoined Sikes, " and they
66 or he won't, and that's the same thing. warn't of no more use than the other
Speak out, and call things by their right plant."
names ; don't sit there winking and blink- The Jew looked very blank at this in-
ing, and talking to me in hints, as if you formation, and, after ruminating for some
warn't the very first that thought about minutes with his chin sunk on his breast,
the robbery. D-n your eyes ! wot d'ye raised his head, and said with a deep sigh
mean ?" that, if flash Toby Crackit reported aright,
"Hush, Bill, hush !" said the Jew, who he feared the game was up.
had in vain attempted to stop this burst "And yet," said the old man, dropping
of indignation ; "somebody will hear us, his hands on his knees, " it's a sad thing,
my dear; somebody will hear us." my dear, to lose so much when we had
" Let ' em hear !" said Sikes ; " I don't set our hearts upon it."
care." But as Mr. Sikes did care, upon " So it is," said Mr. Sikes ; 66 worse
reflection he dropped his voice as he said luck !"
the words, and grew calmer. A long silence ensued, during which
"There, there," said the Jew coaxingly. the Jew was plunged in deep thought,
"It was only my caution-nothing more. with his face wrinkled into an expression
Now, my dear, about that crib at Chert- of villany perfectly demoniacal. Sikes
sey ; when is it to be done, Bill, eh ? eyed him furtively from time to time ; and
when is it to be done ? Such plate, my Nancy, apparently fearful of irritating the
dears, such plate !" said the Jew, rubbing housebreaker, sat with her eyes fixed upon
his hands, and elevating his eyebrows in the fire, as if she had been deaf to all
a rapture of anticipation. that passed.
"Not at all," replied Sikes coldly. "Fagin," said Sikes, abruptly breaking
"Not to be done at all !" echoed the the stillness that prevailed, " is it worth
Jew, leaning back in his chair. fifty shiners extra if it's safely done from
66 No, not at all," rejoined Sikes ; "at the outside ?"
least it can't be a put-up job, as we ex- " Yes," said the Jew, suddenly rousing
pected. " himself as if from a trance.
“ Then it hasn't been properly gone "Is it a bargain ?" inquired Sikes.
about," said the Jew, turning pale with 66 Yes, my dear, yes," rejoined the Jew,
anger. " Don't tell me !" grasping the other's hand, his eyes glist-
" But I will tell you," retorted Sikes. ening, and every muscle in his face work
"Who are you, that's not to be told ? I ing with the excitement that the inquiry
tell you that Toby Crackit has been hang- had awakened.
ing about the place for a fortnight, and he " Then," said Sikes, thrusting aside the
can't get one of the servants into a line." Jew's hand with some disdain, "let it
"Do you mean to tell me, Bill," said come off as soon as you like. Toby and
the Jew, softening as the other grew I were over the garden-wall the night
80 OLIVER TWIST .
afore last, sounding the panels of the " Go on, Fagin. I know what he's 99go-
doors and shutters ; the crib's barred up ing to say, Bill ; he needn't mind me.'
at night like a jail, but there's one part The Jew still hesitated, and Sikes lock-
we can crack, safe and softly." ed from one to the other in some surprise.
"Which is that, Bill ?" asked the Jew 66 Why, you don't mind the old girl,
eagerly. do you, Fagin ?" he asked at length.
66 Why," whispered Sikes, " as you "You've known her long enough to trust
cross the lawn 99
her, or the devil's in it : she ain't one to
" Yes, yes," said the Jew, bending his blab, are you, Nancy ?"
head forward, with his eyes almost start- " Ishould think not !" replied the young
ing out of it. lady, drawing her chair up to the table,
"Umph!" cried Sikes, stopping short and putting her elbows upon it.
as the girl, scarcely moving her head, "No, no, my dear,-I know you 're not,"
looked suddenly round and pointed for an said the Jew ; " but " and again the
instant to the Jew's face. "Never mind old man paused.
which part it is. You can't do it without "But wot ?" inquired Sikes.
me, I know ; but it's best to be on the " I didn't know whether she mightn't
safe side when one deals with you." p'raps be out of sorts, you know, my dear,
"As you like, my dear, as you like," as she was the other night," replied the
replied the Jew, biting his lip. "Is there Jew.
no help wanted but yours and Toby's ?" At this confession Miss Nancy burst
"None," said Sikes, "'cept a centre- into a loud laugh, and, swallowing a glass
bit and a boy ; the first we've both got ; of brandy, shook her head with an air of
the second you must find us." defiance, and burst into sundry exclama-
"A boy!" exclaimed the Jew. “ Oh ! tions of" Keep the game a-going !" "Ne-
then it is a panel, eh ?" ver say die !" and the like, which seemed
"Never mind wot it is !" replied Sikes ; at once to have the effect of re-assuring
"I want a boy, and he mustn't be a big both gentlemen, for the Jew nodded his
'un. Lord !" said Mr. Sikes reflectively, head with a satisfied air, and resumed his
"if I'd only got that young boy of Ned, seat, as did Mr. Sikes likewise.
the chimbley-sweeper's ! -he kept him "Now, Fagin," said Miss Nancy with
small on purpose, and let him out by the a laugh, " tell Bill at once about Oliver !"
job. But the father gets lagged, and then " Ah ! you're a clever one, my dear ;
the Juvenile Delinquent Society comes, the sharpest girl I ever saw !" said the
and takes the boy away from a trade Jew, patting her on the neck. " It was
where he was arning money, teaches him about Oliver I was going to speak, sure
to read and write, and in time makes a enough. Ha ! ha ! ha !"
'prentice of him. And so they go on," "What about him ?" demanded Sikes.
said Mr. Sikes, his wrath rising with the "He'sthe boy for you, my dear," replied
recollection of his wrongs,-" so they go the Jew in a hoarse whisper, laying his
on; and, if they'd got money enough, finger on the side of his nose, and grinning
(which it's a Providence they have not,) frightfully.
we shouldn't have a half-a-dozen boys left " He " exclaimed Sikes.
in the whole trade in a year or two. " "Have him, Bill !" said Nancy. " I
" No more we should," acquiesced the would if I was in your place. He mayn't
Jew, who had been considering during be so much up as any of the others ; but
this speech, and had only caught the last that's not what you want if he's only to
sentence. " Bill !" open a door for you. Depend upon it he's
"What now ?" inquired Sikes. a safe one, Bill."
The Jew nodded his head towards Nan- " I know he is," rejoined Fagin ; " he's
cy, who was still gazing at the fire ; and been in good training these last few weeks,
intimated by a sign that he would have and it's time he began to work for his
her to leave the room. Sikes shrugged bread ; besides, the others are all too big."
his shoulders impatiently , as if he thought 66'Well, he is just the size I want," said
the precaution unnecessary, but complied, Mr. Sikes, ruminating.
nevertheless, by requesting Miss Nancy "And will do every thing you want,
to fetch him a jug of beer. Bill, my dear," interposed the Jew ; " he
"You don't want any beer," said Nan- can't help himself, that is, if you only
cy, folding her arms, and retaining her frighten him enough."
seat very composedly. "Frighten him !" echoed Sikes. " It'll
" I tell you I do !" replied Sikes. be no sham frightening, mind you. If
" Nonsense !" rejoined the girl coolly. there's anything queer about him when
OLIVER TWIST . 81
we once get into the work,-in for a " It's all arranged about bringing off
penny, in for a pound,-you won't see the swag,* is it ?" asked the Jew.
him alive again, Fagin. Think of that Sikes nodded.
" And about- 99
before you send him. Mark my words !"
said the robber, shaking a heavy crowbar "Oh ah, it's all planned," rejoined
which he had drawn from under the bed- Sikes, interrupting him ; 66 Never mind
stead. particulars. You'd better bring the boy
" I've thought of it all," said the Jew here to-morrow night ; I shall get off the
with energy. " I've I've had my eye stones an hour arter day-break. Then
upon him, my dears, close : close. Once you hold your tongue, and keep the melt-
let him feel that he is one of us ; once filling-pot ready, and that's all you have
his mind with the idea that he has been a to do."
thief, and he's ours,-ours for his life! After some discussion in which all three
Oho! It couldn't have come about better !" took an active part, it was decided that
The old man crossed his arms upon his Nancy should repair to the Jew's next
breast, and, drawing his head and shoulders evening when the night had set in, and
into a heap, literally hugged himself for bring Öliver away with her : Fagin craftily
joy. observing, that, if he evinced any disincli-
" Ours !" said Sikes. "Yours, you nation to the task, he would be the more
mean." willing to accompany the girl, who had so
66
Perhaps I do, my dear," said the Jew recently interfered in his behalf, than any-
with a shrill chuckle. " Mine, if you like, body else. It was solemnly arranged that
Bill." poor Oliver should, for the purposes ofthe
“ And wot," said Sikes, scowling fierce- contemplated expedition, be unreservedly
ly on his agreeable friend,-" wot makes consigned to the care and custody of Mr.
you take so much pains about one chalk- William Sikes ; and further, that the said
faced kid, when you know there are fifty Sikes should deal with him as he thought
boys snoozing about Common Garden fit, and should not be held responsible by
every night, as you might pick and choose the Jew for any mischance or evil that
from ?" might befal the boy, or any punishment
"Because they're of no use to me, my with which it might be necessary to visit
dear," replied the Jew with some confu- him, it being understood that, to render
sion, " not worth the taking ; for their the compact in this respect binding, any
looks convict ' em when they get into representations made by Mr. Sikes on his
trouble, and I lose ' em all. With this boy return should be required to be confirmed
properly managed, my dears, I could do and corroborated, in all important par-
what I couldn't with twenty of them. ticulars, by the testimony of flash Toby
Besides, said the Jew, recovering his Crackit.
self- possession, " he has us now if he could These preliminaries adjusted, Mr. Sikes
only give us leg-bail again ; and he must proceeded to drink brandy at a furious
be in the same boat with us ; never mind rate, and to flourish the crowbar in an
how he came there, it's quite enough for alarming manner, yelling forth at the
my power over him that he was in a same time most unmusical snatches of
robbery, that's all I want. Now how much song mingled with wild execrations. At
better this is, than being obliged to put length, in a fit of professional enthusiasm ,
the poor leetle boy out of the way, which he insisted upon producing his box of
would be dangerous, and we should lose housebreaking tools, which he had no
by it, besides." sooner stumbled in with, and opened for
"When is itto be done ?" asked Nancy, the purpose of explaining the nature and
stopping some turbulent exclamation on properties of the various implements it
the part of Mr. Sikes, expressive of the contained, and the peculiar beauties of
disgust with which he received Fagin's their construction, than he fell over it
affectation of humanity. upon the floor, and went to sleep where
"Ah, to be sure," said the Jew, " when he fell.
is it to be done, Bill ?" " Good night, Nancy !" said the Jew,
"I planned with Toby the night arter muffling himself up as before.
to-morrow," rejoined Sikes in a surly voice, " Good night !"
"ifhe heard nothing from me to the con- Their eyes met, and the Jew scruti-
trairy." nised her narrowly. There was no flinch-
"Good," said the Jew; " there's no ing about the girl. She was as true and
moon.99
"No," rejoined Sikes. * Booty.
L
82 OLIVER TWIST.
earnest in the matter as Toby Crackit | shall come back to us again. Ha ! ha !

himself could be. ha! We won't be so cruel as to send
The Jew again bade her good night, you away, my dear. Oh no, no !"
and, bestowing a sly kick upon the pros- The old man, who was stooping over
trate form of Mr. Sikes while her back the fire toasting a piece of bread, looked
was turned, groped down stairs. round as he bantered Oliver thus, and
" Always the way," muttered the Jew chuckled as if to show that he knew he
to himself as he turned homewards. " The would still be very glad to get away ifhe
worst of these women is, that a very lit- could.
tle thing serves to call up some long-for- " I suppose," said the Jew, fixing his
gotten feeling ; and the best of them is, eyes on Oliver, " you want to know what
that it never lasts. Ha ! ha ! The man you ' re going to Bill's for-eh, my dear ?"
against the child, for a bag of gold !" Oliver coloured involuntarily to find
Beguiling the time with these pleasant that the old thief had been reading his
reflections, Mr. Fagin wended his way thoughts ; but boldly said, Yes, he did
through mud and mire to his gloomy want to know.
abode, where the Dodger was sitting up, "Why, do you think ?" inquired Fagin,
impatiently awaiting his return. parrying the question.
" Is Oliver a-bed ? I want to speak to " Indeed I don't know, sir," replied
him," was his first remark, as they as- Oliver.
cended the stairs. " Bah !" said the Jew, turning away
"Hours ago," replied the Dodger, with a disappointed countenance from a
throwing open a door. "Here he is !" close perusal of Oliver's face. " Wait
The boy was lying fast asleep on a till Bill tells you, then."
rude bed upon the floor, so pale with The Jew seemed much vexed by Oli-
anxiety, and sadness, and the closeness ver's not expressing any greater curiosity
of his prison, that he looked like death ; on the subject ; but the truth is, that, al-
not death as it shows in shroud and coffin, though he felt very anxious, he was too
but in the guise it wears when life has much confused by the earnest cunning of
just departed : when a young and gentle Fagin's looks, and his own speculations,
spirit has but an instant fled to heaven, to make any further inquiries just then.
and the gross air of the world has not had He had no other opportunity ; for the Jew
time to breathe upon the changing dust remained very surly and silent till night,
it hallowed. when he prepared to go abroad.
" Not now," said the Jew turning soft- " You may burn a candle," said the
ly away . " To-morrow. To-morrow." Jew, putting one upon the table ; " and
here's a book for you to read till they
come to fetch you. Good- night
66 Good-night, sir !" replied Oliver soft-
ly
CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH. The Jew walked to the door, looking
his shoulder at the boy as he went,
over suddenl
Wherein Oliver is delivered over to Mr. William and, y stopping, called him by his
Sikes.
name.
WHEN Oliver awoke in the morning, Oliver looked up ; the Jew, pointing to
he was a good deal surprised to find that the candle, motioned to him to light it.
a new pair of shoes with strong thick He did so ; and, as he placed the candle-
soles had been placed at his bedside, and stick upon the table, saw that the Jew
that his old ones had been removed. At was gazing fixedly at him with lowering
first he was pleased with the discovery, and contracted brows from the dark end
hoping it might be the forerunner of his of the room.
release ; but such thoughts were quickly "Take heed, Oliver ! take heed !" said
dispelled on his sitting down to breakfast the old man, shaking his right hand be-
alone with the Jew, who told him, in a fore him in a warning manner. "He's
tone and manner which increased his a rough man, and thinks nothing of blood
alarm, that he was to be taken to the when his own is up. Whatever falls out,
residence of Bill Sikes that night. say nothing ; and do what he bids you.
"To-to-stop there, sir ?" asked Oli- Mind !" Placing a strong emphasis on
ver anxiously. the last word, he suffered his features
66
No, no, my dear, not to stop there," gradually to resolve themselves into a
replied the Jew. "We shouldn't like to ghastly grin ; and, nodding his head, left
lose you. Don't be afraid, Oliver ; you the room.
OLIVER TWIST . 83
Oliver leant his head upon his hand never known the love of friends or kin-
when the old man disappeared, and pon- dred, it might come to him now, when,
dered with a trembling heart on the desolate and deserted, he stood alone in
words he had just heard. The more he the midst of wickedness and guilt.
thought of the Jew's admonition, the He had concluded his prayer, but still
more he was at a loss to divine its real remained with his head buried in his
purpose and meaning. He could think hands, when a rustling noise aroused him .
of no bad object to be attained by sending "What's that !" he cried, starting up,
him to Sikes which would not be equally and catching sight of a figure standing
well answered by his remaining with by the door. 66 Who's there ?"
66 Me-only me," replied a tremulous
Fagin ; and, after meditating for a long
time, concluded that he had been selected voice.
to perform some ordinary menial offices Oliver raised the candle above his head,
for the housebreaker, until another boy, and looked towards the door. It was
better suited for his purpose, could be en- Nancy.
gaged. He was too well accustomed to " Put down the light," said the girl,
suffering, and had suffered too much turning away her head : " it hurts my
where he was, to bewail the prospect of eyes."
a change very severely. He remained Oliver saw that she was very pale, and
lost in thought for some minutes, and gently inquired if she were ill. The giri
then, with a heavy sigh, snuffed the can- threw herself into a chair, with her back
dle, and, taking up the book which the towards him, and wrung her hands ; but
Jew had left with him, began to read. made no reply.
He turned over the leaves carelessly at "God forgive me !" she cried after a
first, but, lighting on a passage which at- while, " I never thought of all this."
tracted his attention, soon became intent 66 Has anything happened ?" asked Oli-
upon the volume. It was a history of the ver. " Can I help you ? I will if I can ;
lives and trials of great criminals, and I will indeed."
the pages were soiled and thumbed with She rocked herself to and fro, and then,
use. Here, he read of dreadful crimes wringing her hands violently, caught her
that make the blood run cold ; of secret throat, and, uttering a gurgling sound,
murders that had been committed by the struggled and gasped for breath.
lonely wayside, and bodies hidden from "Nancy !" cried Oliver, greatly alarm-
the eye of man in deep pits and wells, ed. "What is it ?"
which would not keep them down, deep The girl burst into a fit of loud laugh-
as they were, but had yielded them up at ter, beating her hands upon her knees,
last, after many years, and so maddened and her feet upon the ground, meanwhile ;
the murderers with the sight, that in their and, suddenly stopping, drew her shawl
horror they had confessed their guilt, and close round her, and shivered with cold.
yelled for the gibbet to end their agony. Oliver stirred the fire. Drawing her
Here, too, he read of men who, lying in chair close to it, she sat there for a little
their beds at dead of night, had been time without speaking, but at length she
tempted and led on by their own bad raised her head and looked round."
thoughts to such dreadful bloodshed as it " I don't know what comes over me
made the flesh creep and the limbs quail sometimes," said the girl, affecting to
to think of. The terrible descriptions busy herself in arranging her dress ; "it's
were so vivid and real, that the sallow this damp, dirty room, I think. Now,
pages seemed to turn red with gore, and Nolly, dear, are you ready ?"
the words upon them to be sounded in his "Am I to go with you ?" asked Oliver.
ears as if they were whispered in hollow "Yes ; I have come from Bill," replied
murmurs by the spirits of the dead. the girl. " You are to go with me."
In a paroxysm of fear the boy closed "What for ?" said Oliver recoiling.
the book and thrust it from him. Then, "What for ?" echoed the girl, raising
falling upon his knees, he prayed Heaven her eyes, and averting them again the
to spare him from such deeds, and rather moment they encountered the boy's face.
to will that he should die at once, than be " Oh ! no harm."
reserved for crimes so fearful and appal- " I don't believe it," said Oliver, who
ling. By degrees he grew more calm, had watched her closely.
and besought, in a low and broken voice, "Have it your own way," rejoined the
that he might be rescued from his present girl, affecting to laugh. " For no good,
dangers and that if any aid were to be then."
raised up for a poor outcast boy, who had Oliver could see that he had some
84 OLIVER TWIST .
power over the girl's better feelings, and curtains close. The driver wanted no di-
for an instant thought of appealing to her rections, but lashed his horse into full
compassion for his helpless state. But speed without the delay of an instant.
then the thought darted across his mind The girl still held Oliver fast by the
that it was barely eleven o'clock, and that hand, and continued to pour into his ear
inany people were still in the street, of the warnings and assurances she had al-
whom surely some might be found to give ready imparted. All was so quick and
credence to his tale. As the reflection hurried, that he had scarcely time to re-
occurred to him, he stepped forward, and collect where he was, or how he came
said somewhat hastily that he was ready. there, when the carriage stopped at the
Neither his brief consideration nor its same house to which the Jew's steps had
purport were lost upon his companion. been directed on the previous evening.
She eyed him narrowly while he spoke, For one brief moment Oliver cast a
and cast upon him a look of intelligence hurried glance along the empty street,
which sufficiently showed that she guess- and a cry for help hung upon his lips.
ed what had been passing in his thoughts. But the girl's voice was in his ear, be-
" Hush !" said the girl, stooping over seeching him in such tones of agony to
him, and pointing to the door as she looked remember her, that he had not the heart
cautiously round. "You can't help your- to utter it ; and while he hesitated, the
self. I have tried hard for you, but all to opportunity was gone, for he was already
no purpose. You are hedged round and in the house, and the door was shut.
66
round ; and, if you are to99 get loose from This way," said the girl, releasing
here, this is not the time." her hold for the first time. 66 Bill !"
Struck by the energy of her manner, "Hallo !" replied Sikes, appearing at
Oliver looked up in her face with great the head of the stairs with a candle.
surprise. She seemed to speak the " Oh! that's the time of day. Come
truth ; her countenance was white and on !"
agitated, and she trembled with very This was a very strong expression of
earnestness. approbation, and an uncommonly hearty
" I have saved you from being ill-used welcome, from a person of Mr. Sikes's
once, and I will again, and I do now," temperament ; Nancy, appearing much
continued the girl aloud ; "for those who gratified thereby, saluted him cordially.
would have fetched you, if I had not, " Bullseye's gone home with Tom,"
would have been far more rough than me. observed Sikes as he lighted them up.
I have promised for your being quiet and " He'd have been in the way."
silent ; if you are not, you will only do " That's right," rejoined Nancy.
harm to yourself and me too, and perhaps " So you 've got the kid," said Sikes,
be my death. See here ! I have borne when they had all reached the room :
all this for you already, as true as God closing
66 the door as he spoke.
sees me show it." Yes, here he is," replied Nancy.
She pointed hastily to some livid bruises "Did he come quiet ?" inquired Sikes.
upon her neck and arms, and continued " Like a lamb," rejoined Nancy.
with great rapidity. " I'm glad to hear it," said Sikes, look-
" Remember this, and don't let me suf- ing grimly at Oliver, " for the sake of his
fer more for you just now. If I could young carcase, as would otherways have
help you I would, but I have not the suffered for it. Come here, young ' un,
power ; they don't mean to harm you ; and let me read you a lectur', which is
and whatever they make you do, is no as well got over at once."
fault of yours. Hush ! every word from Thus addressing his new protégé, Mr.
you is a blow for me : give me your hand Sikes pulled off his cap and threw it into
-make haste, your hand !" a corner; and then, taking him by the
She caught the hand which Oliver in- shoulder, sat himself down by the table,
stinctively placed in hers, and, blowing and stood Oliver in front of him.
out the light, drew him after her up the " Now first, do you know wot this is ?"
stairs. The door was opened quickly by inquired Sikes, taking up a pocket-pistol
some one shrouded in the darkness, and which lay on the table.
as quickly closed when they had passed Oliver replied in the affirmative.
out. A hackney cabriolet was in waiting; "Well then, look here," continued
and, with the same vehemence which she Sikes. "This is powder, that ' ere's a
had exhibited in addressing Oliver, the bullet, and this is a little bit of a old hat
girl pulled him in with her, and drew the for waddin'."
OLIVER TWIST . 85
Oliver murmured his comprehension and good-humour ; in proof whereof it

of the different bodies referred to, and may be here remarked, that he humorous-
Mr. Sikes proceeded to load the pistol ly drank all the beer at a draught, and
with great nicety and deliberation. did not utter, on a rough calculation, more
66
Now it's loaded," said Mr. Sikes than fourscore oaths during the whole
when he had finished. progress of the meal.
"Yes, I see it is, sir," replied Oliver, Supper being ended,-it may be easily
trembling. conceived that Oliver had no great appe-
"Well," said the robber, grasping Oli- tite for it,-Mr. Sikes disposed of a couple
ver's wrist tightly, and putting the barrel of glasses of spirits and water, and threw
so close to his temple that they touched, himself upon the bed, ordering Nancy,
at which moment the boy could not re- with many imprecations in case of failure,
press a shriek ; " if you speak a word to call him at five precisely. Oliver
when you're out o' doors with me, ex- stretched himself, in his clothes, by com-
cept when I speak to you, that load- mand of the same authority, on a mat-
ing will be in your head without notice tress upon the floor ; and the girl, mend-
-so, if you do make up your mind to, ing the fire, sat before it, in readiness to
speak without leave, say your prayers rouse them at the appointed time.
first." For a long time Oliver lay awake,
Having bestowed a scowl upon the ob- thinking it not impossible that Nancy
ject of this warning, to increase its ef- might seek that opportunity of whisper-
fect, Mr. Sikes continued. ing some further advice, but the girl sat
" As near as I know, there isn't any- brooding over the fire without moving,
body as would be asking very partickler save now and then to trim the light :
arter you, if you was disposed of; so I weary with watching and anxiety, he at
needn't take this devil-and-all of trouble length fell asleep.
to explain matters to you if it warn't for When he awoke, the table was covered
your own good. D'ye hear ?" with tea things, and Sikes was thrusting
" The short and the long of what you various articles into the pockets of his
mean," said Nancy, speaking very em- great-coat which hung over the back of a
phatically, and slightly frowning at Oli- chair, while Nancy was busily engaged
ver, as if to bespeak his serious attention in preparing breakfast. It was not yet
to her words, " is, that if you ' re crossed daylight, for the candle was still burning,
by him in this job you have on hand, and it was quite dark outside. A sharp
you'll prevent his ever telling tales after- rain, too, was beating against the window-
wards, byshooting him through the head, panes, and the sky looked black and
and take your chance of swinging for it cloudy.
as you do for a great many other things "Now, then !" growled Sikes, as Oliver
in the way of business every month of started up ; " half-past five ! Look sharp,
your life." or you'll get no breakfast, for it's late as
" That's it !" observed Mr. Sikes ap- it is."
provingly ; " women can always put Oliver was not long in making his toi-
things in fewest words, except when it's let ; and, having taken some breakfast,
blowing-up, and then they lengthens it replied to a surly inquiry from Sikes, by
out. And now that he's thoroughly up saying that he was quite ready.
to it, let's have some supper, and get a Nancy, scarcely looking at the boy,
snooze afore starting." threw him a handkerchief to tie round his
In pursuance of this request, Nancy throat, and Sikes gave him a large rough
quickly laid the cloth, and, disappearing cape to button over his shoulders. Thus
for a few minutes, presently returned attired, he gave his hand to the robber,
with a pot of porter and a dish of sheeps' who, merely pausing to show him, with a
heads, which gave occasion to several menacing gesture, that he had the pistol
pleasant witticisms on the part of Mr. in a side-pocket of his great-coat, clasped
Sikes, founded upon the singular coinci- it firmly in his, and, exchanging a fare-
dence of " jemmies" being a cant name well with Nancy, led him away.
common to them and an ingenious imple- Oliver turned round for an instant
ment much used in his profession. In- when they reached the door, in the hope
deed, the worthy gentleman, stimulated of meeting a look from the girl ; but she
perhaps by the immediate prospect of be- had resumed her old seat in front of the
ing in active service, was in great spirits fire, and sat perfectly motionless before it.
8
86 OLIVER TWIST .
CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST. It was market-morning. The ground

The expedition. was covered nearly ankle-deep with filth
and mire ; and a thick steam perpetually
It was a cheerless morning when they rising from the reeking bodies of the cat-
got into the street, blowing and raining tle, and mingling with the fog, which
hard, and the clouds looking dull and seemed to rest upon the chimney-tops,
stormy. The night had been very wet, hung heavily above. All the pens in the
for large pools of water had collected in centre of the large area, and as many
the road, and the kennels were overflow- temporary ones as could be crowded into
ing. There was a faint glimmering of the vacant space, were filled with sheep ;
the coming day in the sky, but it rather and, tied up to posts by the gutter side,
aggravated than relieved the gloom of the were long lines of beasts and oxen three
scene, the sombre light only serving to or four deep. Countrymen, butchers,
pale that which the street-lamps afforded, drovers, hawkers, boys, thieves, idlers,
without shedding any warmer or brighter and vagabonds, of every low grade, were
tints upon the wet housetops and dreary mingled together in a dense mass ; the
streets. There appeared to be nobody whistling of drovers, the barking of dogs,
stirring in that quarter of the town, for the bellowing and plunging of beasts, the
the windows of the houses were all close bleating of sheep, and grunting and
ly shut, and the streets through which squeaking of pigs ; the cries of hawkers,
they passed noiseless and empty. the shouts, oaths, and quarrelling on all
By the time they had turned into the sides, the ringing of bells and roar of
Bethnal Green road, the day had fairly voices that issued from every public-house ;
begun to break. Many ofthe lamps were the crowding, pushing, driving beating,
already extinguished, a few country wag- whooping, and yelling ; the hideous and
gons were slowly toiling on towards Lon- discordant din that resounded from every
don, and now and then a stage-coach, corner of the market ; and the unwashed,
covered with mud, rattled briskly by, the unshaven, squalid, and dirty figures con-
driver bestowing, as he passed, an admo- stantly running to and fro, and bursting
nitory lash upon the heavy waggoner, in and out of the throng, rendered it a
who, by keeping on the wrong side of the stunning and bewildering scene which
road, had endangered his arriving at the quite confounded the senses.
office a quarter of a minute after his time. Mr. Sikes, dragging Oliver after him,
The public-houses, with gas-lights burn- elbowed his way through the thickest of
ing inside, were already open. By de- the crowd, and bestowed very little atten-
grees other shops began to be unclosed, tion upon the numerous sights and sounds
and a few scattered people were met with. which so astonished the boy. He nodded
Then came straggling groups of labourers twice or thrice to a passing friend ; and,
going to their work ; then men and wo- resisting as many invitations to take a
men with fish-baskets on their heads, morning dram, pressed steadily onward
donkey-carts laden with vegetables, chaise- until they were clear of the turmoil, and
carts filled with live-stock or whole car- had made their way through Hosier-lane
cases of meat, milk-women with pails, into Holborn,
and an unbroken concourse of people 66 Now, young ' un !" said Sikes, surlily,
trudging out with various supplies to the looking up at the clock of St. Andrew's
eastern suburbs of the town. As they church, " hard upon seven ! you must
approached the City, the noise and traffic step out. Come, don't lag behind already,
gradually increased ; and, when they Lazy-legs !"
threaded the streets between Shoreditch Mr. Sikes accompanied this speech with
and Smithfield, it had swelled into a roar a fierce jerk at his little companion's
of sound and bustle. It was as light as it wrist ; and Oliver, quickening his pace
was likely to be till night set in again, into a kind of trot, between a fast walk
and the busy morning of half the London and a run, kept up with the rapid strides
population had begun. of the housebreaker as well as he could.
Turning down Sun-street and Crown- They kept on their course at this rate
street, and crossing Finsbury-square, Mr. until they had passed Hyde-Park corner,
Sikes struck, by way of Chiswell-street, and were on their way to Kensington,
into Barbican, thence into Long-lane, and when Sikes relaxed his pace until an
so into Smithfield, from which latter place empty cart, which was at some little dis-
arose a tumult of discordant sounds that tance behind, came up : when, seeing
filled Oliver Twist with surprise and " Hounslow" written upon it, he asked
amazement. the driver, with as much civility as he
OLIVER TWIST. 87
could assume, if he would give them a short distance, and then Sikes, striking
lift as far as Isleworth." off into a narrow street, walked straight
66 Jump up," said the man. "Is that to an old public-house with a defaced sign-
your boy ?" board, and ordered some dinner by the
"Yes ; he's my boy," replied Sikes, kitchen-fire.
looking hard at Oliver, and putting his The kitchen was an old low-roofed
hand abstractedly into the pocket where room, with a great beam across the mid-
the pistol was. dle of the ceiling, and benches with high
"Your father walks rather too quick backs to them by the fire, on which were
for you ; don't he, my man ?" inquired the seated several rough men in smock-frocks,
driver, seeing that Oliver was out of drinking and smoking. They took no
breath. notice of Oliver, and very little of Sikes ;
" Not a bit of it," replied Sikes, inter- and, as Sikes took very little notice of
posing. " He's used to it. Here, take them, he and his young comrade sat in a
hold of my hand, Ned. In with you !" corner bythemselves, without being much
Thus addressing Oliver, he helped him troubled by the company.
into the cart ; and the driver, pointing to They had some cold meat for dinner,
a heap of sacks, told him to lie down and sat here so long after it, while Mr.
there, and rest himself. Sikes indulged himself with three or four
As they passed the different milestones, pipes, that Öliver began to feel quite cer-
Oliver wondered more and more where tain they were not going any further.
his companion meant to take him. Ken- Being much tired with the walk and get-
sington, Hammersmith, Chiswick, Kew ting up so early, he dozed a little at first ;
Bridge, Brentford, were all passed ; and and then, quite overpowered by fatigue
yet they kept on as steadily as if they had and the fumes of the tobacco, fell fast
only begun their journey. At length they asleep.
came to a public-house called the Coach It was quite dark when he was awak-
and Horses, a little way beyond which, ened by a push from Sikes. Rousing
another road appeared to turn off. And himself sufficiently to sit up and look
here the cart stopped. about him, he found that worthy in close
Sikes dismounted with great precipita- fellowship and communication with a la-
tion, holding Oliver by the hand all the bouring man, over a pint of ale.
while ; and, lifting him down directly, be- "So, you're going on to Lower Halli-
stowed a furious look upon him, and rap- ford, are you ?" inquired Sikes.
66
ped the side-pocket with his fist in a very Yes, I am," replied the man, who
significant manner. seemed a little the worse-or better, as
" Good-bye, boy !" said the man. the case might be-for drinking ; " and
66
He's sulky," replied Sikes, giving not slow about it either. My horse hasn't
him a shake ; " he ' s sulky,-a young got a load behind him going back, as he
dog ! Don't mind him." had coming up in the mornin', and he
" Not I !" rejoined the other, getting won't be long a-doing of it. Here's luck
into his cart. " It's a fine day, after all." to him ! Ecod, he's a good ' un !"
And he drove away. " Could you give my boy and me a lift
Sikes waited till he had fairly gone, and as far as there ?" demanded Sikes, push-
then, telling Oliver he might look about ing the ale towards his new friend.
him if he wanted, once again led him for- 66
If you're going directly, I can," re-
ward on his journey. plied the man, looking out of the pot. " Are
They turned round to the left a short you going to Halliford ?"
way past the public-house, and then tak "Going on to Shepperton," replied
ing a right-hand road, walked on for a Sikes.
long time, passing many large gardens " I'm your man as far as I go," replied
and gentlemen's houses on both sides of the other. " Is all paid, Becky ?"
the way, and at length crossing a little "Yes, the other gentleman's paid," re-
bridge which led them into Twickenham ; plied the girl.
from which town they still walked on "I say !" said the man with tipsy gra-
without stopping for anything but some vity ; "that won't do, you know.'
66 Why not ?" rejoined Sikes. " You're
beer, until they reached another town, in
which, against the wall of a house, Oliver a-going to accommodate us, and wot's to
saw written up in pretty large letters prevent my standing treat for a pint or
66 Hampton." Turning round by a public- so, in return ?”
house which bore the sign of the Red The stranger reflected upon this argu-
Lion, they kept on by the river side for a ment with a very profound face, and, ha"-
88 OLIVER TWIST .
ing done so, seized Sikes by the hand, and the lights of a town at no great distance.
declared he was a real good fellow. To On looking intently forward, Oliver saw
which Mr. Sikes replied he was joking ; that the water was just below them, and
as, if he had been sober, there would have that they were coming to the foot of a
been strong reason to suppose he was. bridge.
After the exchange of a few more Sikes kept straight on till they were
compliments, they bade the company good- close upon the bridge, and then turned
night, and went out : the girl gathering suddenly down a bank upon the left.
up the pots and glasses as they did so, and " The water !" thought Oliver, turning
lounging out to the door, with her hands sick with fear. 66 He has brought me to
full, to see the party start. this lonely place to murder me !"
The horse, whose health had been drunk He was about to throw himself on the
in his absence, was standing outside, ready ground, and make one struggle for his
harnessed to the cart. Oliver and Sikes young life, when he saw that they stood
got in without any further ceremony, and before a solitary house all ruinous and
the man to whom he belonged, having decayed. There was a window on each
lingered a minute or two " to bear him up,' side of the dilapidated entrance, and one
and to defy the hostler and the world to story above ; but no light was visible. It
produce his equal, mounted also. Then was dark, dismantled, and to all appear-
the hostler was told to give the horse his ance uninhabited.
head, and, his head being given him, he Sikes, with Oliver's hand still in his,
made a very unpleasant use of it, tossing softly approached the low porch, and
it into the air with great disdain, and raised the latch. The door yielded to his
running into the parlour windows over the pressure, and they passed in together.
way ; after performing which feats, and
supporting himself for a short time on his
hind-legs, he started off at great speed, and
rattled out of the town right gallantly.
The night was very dark ; and a damp CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SECOND.
mist rose from the river and the marshy The Burglary.
ground about, and spread itself over the
dreary fields. It was piercing cold, too ; " HALLO !" cried a loud, hoarse voice,
all was gloomy and black. Not a word directly they had set foot in the passage.
was spoken, for the driver had grown "Don't make such a row," said Sikes,
sleepy, and Sikes was in no mood to lead bolting the door. " Show a glim, Toby."
him into conversation. Oliver sat huddled "Aha ! my pal," cried the same voice ;
together in a corner of the cart bewildered " a glim, Barney, a glim! Show the
with alarm and apprehension, and figuring gentleman in, Barney ; and wake up first,
strange objects in the gaunt trees, whose if convenient."
branches waved grimly to and fro, as if in The speaker appeared to throw a boot-
some fantastic joy at the desolation of the jack, or some such article, at the person
scene. he addressed, to rouse him from his slum-
As they passed Sunbury church, the bers ; for the noise of a wooden body
clock struck seven. There was a light falling violently was heard, and then an
in the ferry-house window opposite, which indistinct muttering as of a man between
streamed across the road, and threw into asleep and awake.
more sombre shadow a dark yew-tree with 66 Do you hear ?" cried the same voice.
graves beneath it. There was a dull " There's Bill Sikes in the passage, with
sound of falling water not far off, and the nobody to do the civil to him ; and you
leaves of the old tree stirred gently in sleeping there, as if you took laudanum
the night wind. It seemed like solemn with your meals, and nothing stronger.
quiet music for the repose of the dead. Are you any fresher now, or do you want
Sunbury was passed through, and they the iron candlestick to wake you tho-
came again into the lonely road. Two roughly ?"
or three miles more, and the cart stopped. A pair of slipshod feet shuffled hastily
Sikes alighted, and, taking Oliver by the across the bare floor of the room as this
hand, they once again walked on. interrogatory was put ; and there issued
They turned into no house & Shipper- from a door on the right hand, first a feeble
ton, as the weary boy had expected, but candle, and next, the form of the same
still kept walking on in mud and darkness individual who has been heretofore de-
through gloomy lanes and over cold open scribed as labouring under the infirmity
wastes, until they came within sight of of speaking through his nose, and officia-
OLIVER TWIST . 89
ting as waiter at the public-house on events. Sit down by the fire, younker,
Saffron Hill. and rest yourself; for you'll have to go
" Bister Sikes !" exclaimed Barney, out with us again to-night, though not
with real or counterfeit joy ; " cub id, sir ; very far off. "
cub id." Oliver looked at Sikes in mute and
66
Here ! you get on first," said Sikes, timid wonder, and, drawing a stool to the
putting Oliver in front ofhim. " Quicker! fire, sat with his aching head upon his
or I shall tread upon your heels." hands, scarcely knowing where he was,
Muttering a curse upon his tardiness, or 66what was passing around him.
Sikes pushed Oliver before him, and they Here," said Toby, as the young Jew
entered a low dark room with a smoky placed some fragments of food and a bot-
fire, two or three broken chairs, a table, tle upon the table, " Success to the
and a very old couch, on which, with his crack !" He rose to honour the toast,
legs much higher than his head, a man and, carefully depositing his empty pipe
was reposing at full length, smoking a in a corner, advanced to the table, filled
long clay pipe. He was dressed in a a glass with spirits, and drank off its con-
smartly-cut snuff-coloured coat with large tents. Mr. Sikes did the same.
brass buttons, an orange neckerchief, a “ A drain for the boy," said Toby, half
coarse, staring, shawl-pattern waistcoat, filling a wine-glass. "Down with it,
and drab breeches. Mr. Crackit (for he innocence !"
it was) had no very great quantity of hair, 66 Indeed," said Oliver, looking pite-
either upon his head or face ; but what ously 99up into the man's face ; " indeed
he had was of a reddish dye, and tor- | I-
tured into long, corkscrew curls, through "Down with it !" echoed Toby. " Do
which he occasionally thrust some very you think I don't know what's good for
dirty fingers ornamented with large com- you ? Tell him to drink it, Bill."
mon rings. He was a trifle above the " He had better," said Sikes, clapping
middle size, and apparently rather weak his hand upon his pocket. " Burn my
in the legs ; but this circumstance by no body ! if he isn't more trouble than a
means detracted from his own admiration whole family of Dodgers. Drink it, you
of his top-boots, which he contemplated perwerse imp ; drink it !"
in their elevated situation with lively Frightened by the menacing gestures
satisfaction. of the two men, Oliver hastily swallowed
66
Bill, my boy !" said this figure, turn- the contents of the glass, and immediate-
ing his head towards the door, " I'm glad ly fell into a violent fit of coughing,
to see you ; I was almost afraid you'd which delighted Toby Crackit and Bar-
given it up, in which case I should have ney, and even drew a smile from the sur-
made a personal wentur'. Hallo !" ly Mr. Sikes.
Uttering this exclamation in a tone of This done, and Sikes having satisfied
great surprise as his eyes rested on Oli- his appetite, (Oliver could eat nothing
ver, Mr. Toby Crackit brought himself but a small crust of bread which they
into a sitting posture, and demanded who made him swallow,) the two men laid
that was. themselves down on chairs for a short
"The boy-only the boy !" replied nap. Oliver retained his stool by the
Sikes, drawing a chair towards the fire. fire ; and Barney, wrapped in a blanket,
"Wud of Bister Fagid's lads," ex- stretched himself on the floor, close out-
claimed Barney, with a grin. side the fender.
66
Fagin's, eh !" exclaimed Toby, look- They slept, or appeared to sleep, for
ing at Öliver. " Wot an inwalable boy some time ; nobody stirring but Barney,
that ' ll make for the old ladies' pockets in who rose once or twice to throw coals
chapels. His mug is a fortun' to him." upon the fire. Oliver fell into a heavy
" There-there's enough of that !" dozę, imagining himself straying alone
interposed Sikes impatiently ; and, stoop- through the gloomy lanes, or wandering
ing over his recumbent friend, he whis- about the dark churchyard, or retracing
pered a few words in his ear, at which some one or other of the scenes of the
Mr. Crackit laughed immensely, and hon- past day, when he was roused by Toby
oured Oliver with a long stare of aston- Crackit's jumping up and declaring it
ishment. was half-past one.
66 Now," said Sikes, as he resumed his In an instant the other two were on
seat, " if you'll give us something to eat their legs, and all were actively engaged
and drink while we ' re waiting, you'll in busy preparation. Sikes and his com-
put some heart in us, or in me, at all panion enveloped their necks and chins
8* M
90 OLIVER TWIST.
in large dark shawls, and drew on their nobody abroad, and they had cleared the
great-coats ; while Barney, opening a town as the church-bell struck two.
cupboard, brought forth several articles, Quickening their pace, they turned up
which he hastily crammed into the pock- a road upon the left hand ; after walking
ets. about a quarter of a mile, they stopped
" Barkers for me, Barney ?" said Toby before a detached house surrounded by a
Crackit. wall, to the top of which Toby Crackit,
" Here they are,” replied Barney, pro- scarcely pausing to take breath, climbed
ducing a pair of pistols. " You loaded in a twinkling.
them yourself." "The boy next," said Toby. " Hoist
" All right !" replied Toby, stowing him up : I'll catch hold of him."
them away. "The persuaders ?" Before Oliver had time to look round,
" I've got ' em," replied Sikes. Sikes had caught him under the arms,
66 Crape, keys, centre-bit, darkies- and in three or four seconds he and Toby
nothing forgotten ?" inquired Toby, fast- were lying onthe grass on the other side.
ening a small crowbar to a loop inside the Sikes followed directly, and they stole
skirt of his coat. cautiously towards the house.
" All right !" rejoined his companion. And now for the first time, Oliver, well-
"Bring them bits of timber, Barney : nigh mad with grief and terror, saw that
that's the time of day." housebreaking and robbery, if not murder,
With these words he took a thick stick were the objects of the expedition. He
from Barney's hands, who, having de- clasped his hands together, and involun-
livered another to Toby, busied himself tarily uttered a subdued exclamation of
in fastening on Oliver's cape. horror. A mist came before his eyes, the
"Now then !" said Sikes, holding out cold sweat stood upon his ashy face, his
his hand. limbs failed him, and he sunk upon his
Oliver, who was completely stupified knees.
by the unwonted exercise, and the air, "Get up!" murmured Sikes, trembling
and the drink that had been forced upon with rage, and drawing the pistol from
him, put his hand mechanically into that his pocket ; " get up, or I'll strew your
which Sikes extended for the purpose. brains upon the grass !"
"Take his other hand, Toby," said " Oh ! for God's sake let me go !" cried
Sikes. " Look out, Barney !" Oliver; "let me run away and die in the
The man went to the door, and return- fields. I will never come near London-
ed to announce that all was quiet. The never, never ! Oh ! pray have mercy
two robbers issued forth with Oliver be- upon me, and do not make me steal : for
tween them ; and Barney, having made the love of all the bright angels that rest
all fast, rolled himself up as before, and in heaven, have mercy upon me !"
was soon asleep again. The man to whom this appeal was
It was now intensely dark. The fog made swore a dreadful oath, and had cock-
was much heavier than it had been in the ed the pistol, when Toby, striking it from
early part of the night, and the atmos- his grasp, placed his hand upon the boy's
phere was so damp that, although no rain mouth and dragged him to the house.
fell, Oliver's hair and eyebrows within a "Hush !" cried the man ; "it won't an-
few minutes after leaving the house had swer here. Say another word, and I'll
become stiff with the half-frozen moisture do your business myself with a crack on
that was floating about. They crossed the head that makes no noise, and is quite
the bridge, and kept on towards the as certain and more genteel. Here, Bill,
lights which he had seen before. They wrench the shutter open. He's game
were at no great distance off ; and, as enough now, I'll engage. I've seen
they walked pretty briskly, they soon ar- older hands of his age took the same way
rived at Chertsey. for a minute or two on a cold night."
Slap through the town," whispered Sikes, invoking terrific imprecations
Sikes : there'll be nobody in the way upon Fagin's head for sending Oliver on
to-night to see us." such an errand, plied the crowbar vigor-
Toby acquiesced ; and they hurried ously, but with little noise ; and, after
through the main street of the little town, some delay and some assistance from To-
which at that late hour was wholly de- by, the shutter to which he had referred
serted. A dim light shone at intervals swung open on its hinges.
from some bed-room window, and the It was a little lattice window, about
hoarse barking of dogs occasionally broke five feet and a half above the ground, at
the silence of the night ; but there was the back of the house, belonging to a
YOUK
M
GeorgeGruckshanke
The Burglary
.
P.91
OLIVER TWIST . 91
scullery or small brewing-place at the end | out, " Yes ;" and Sikes, pointing to the
of the passage : the aperture was so small street-door with the pistol barrel briefly
that the inmates had probably not thought advised him to take notice that he was
it worth while to defend it more securely ; within shot all the way, and that if he
but it was large enough to admit a boy of faltered he would fall dead that instant.
Oliver's size nevertheless. A very brief "It's done in a minute," said Sikes in
exercise of Mr. Sikes's art sufficed to the same low whisper. 66 Directly I leave
overcome the fastening of the lattice, and go of you, do your work. Hark !"
it soon stood wide open also. "What's that?" whispered the other
" Now listen, you young limb !" whis- man.
pered Sikes, drawing a dark lantern from They listened intently.
his pocket, and throwing the glare full on "Nothing," said Sikes, releasing his
Oliver's face ; " I'm a-going to put you hold of Oliver. "Now !"
through there. Take this light, go softly In the short time he had had to collect
up the steps straight afore you, and along his senses, the boy had firmly resolved
the little hall to the street-door. Unfas- that, whether he died in the attempt or
ten it, and let us in." not, he would make one effort to dart up
“ There's a bolt at the top you won't be stairs from the hall and alarm the family.
able to reach," interposed Toby. " Stand Filled with this idea, he advanced at once,
upon one of the hall chairs ; there are but stealthily.
three there, Bill, with a jolly large blue "Come back!" suddenly cried Sikes
unicorn and a gold pitchfork on ' em, aloud. " Back ! back !"
which is the old lady's arms." Scared by the sudden breaking of the
66
Keep quiet, can't you !" replied Sikes dead stillness of the place, and a loud
with a savage look. "The room door is cry which followed it, Oliver let his lan-
open, is it ?" tern fall, and knew not whether to ad-
66
Wide," replied Toby, after peeping vance or fly. The cry was repeated-a
in to satisfy himself. "The game of that light appeared-a vision of two terrified
is that they always leave it open with a half-dressed men at the top of the stairs
catch, so that the dog, who's got a bed in swam before his eyes a flash-a loud
here, may walk up and down the passage noise-a smoke-a crash somewhere, but
when he feels wakeful. Ha ! ha ! Barney where he knew not,—and he staggered
'ticed him away to-night, so neat." back.
Although Mr. Crackit spoke in a scarce- Sikes had disappeared for an instant ;
ly audible whisper, and laughed without but he was up again, and had him by the
noise, Sikes imperiously commanded him collar before the smoke had cleared away.
to be silent, and to get to work. Toby He fired his own pistol after the men,
complied by first producing his lantern, who were already retreating, and dragged
and placing it on the ground ; and then the boy up.
planting himself firmly with his head "Clasp your arm tighter," said Sikes
against the wall beneath the window, and as he drew him through the window.
his hands upon his knees, so as to make a " Give me a shawl here. They've hit
step of his back. This was no sooner him. Quick ! Damnation, how the boy
done than Sikes, mounting upon him, put bleeds !"
Oliver gently through the window, with Then came the loud ringing of a bell,
his feet first ; and, without leaving hold mingled with the noise of fire-arms and
of his collar, planted him safely on the the shouts of men, and the sensation ofbe
floor inside. ing carried over uneven ground at a rapid
" Take this lantern," said Sikes look pace. And then the noises grew confused
ing into the room. "You see the stairs in the distance, and a cold deadly feeling
afore you ?" crept over the boy's heart, and he saw or
Oliver, more dead than alive, gasped heard no more.
36
92 OLIVER TWIST .
BOOK THE SECOND .
equanimity of our frail minds ! The

CHAPTER THE FIRST,
black teapot, being very small and easily
Which contains the substance of a pleasant con. filled, ran over while Mrs. Corney was
versation between Mr. Bumble and a lady ; and moralizing, and the water slightly scalded
shows that even a beadle may be susceptible on Mrs. Corney's hand.
some points. "Drat the pot !" said the worthy matron,
setting it down very hastily on the hob;
THE night was bitter cold ; the snow "a little stupid thing, that only holds a
lay upon the ground frozen into a hard couple of cups ! What use is it of to
thick crust, so that only the heaps that anybody ?-except," said Mrs. Corney,
had drifted into by-ways and corners were pausing,-" except to a poor desolate crea-
affected by the sharp wind that howled ture like me. Oh dear !"
abroad, which, as if expending increased With these words the matron dropped
fury on such preys as it found, caught it into her chair, and, once more resting her
savagely up in clouds, and, whirling it elbow on the table, thought of her solitary
into a thousand misty eddies, scattered it fate. The small teapot and the single
in air. Bleak, dark, and piercing cold, it cup had awakened in her mind sad recol-
was a night for the well-housed and fed lections of Mr. Corney, (who had not
to draw round the bright fire, and thank been dead more than five-and-twenty
God they were at home ; and for the years,) and she was overpowered.
homeless starving wretch to lay him down " I shall never get another !" said Mrs.
and die. Many hunger-worn outcasts Corney pettishly, " I shall never get an-
close their eyes in our bare streets at such other-like him !"
times, who, let their crimes have been Whether this remark bore reference to
what they may, can hardly open them in the husband or the teapot is uncertain.
a more bitter world. It might have been the latter ; for Mrs.
Such was the aspect of out-of-door Corney looked at it as she spone, and took
affairs when Mrs. Corney, the matron of it up afterwards. She had just tasted her
the workhouse to which our readers have first cup, when she was disturbed by a
been already introduced as the birth-place soft tap at the room door.
of Oliver Twist, set herself down before "Oh, come in with you !" said Mrs.
a cheerful fire in her own little room, and Corney sharply. "Some of the old wo-
glanced with no small degree of compla- men dying, I suppose ;-they always die
cency at a small round table, on which when I'm at meals. Don't stand there,
stood a tray of corresponding size, fur- letting the cold air in, don't ! What's
nished with all necessary materials for the amiss now, eh ?"
most grateful meal that matrons enjoy. " Nothing, ma'am, nothing," replied a
In fact, Mrs. Corney was about to solace man's voice.
herself with a cup of tea : and as she "Dear me!" exclaimed the matron in
glanced from the table to the fireplace, a much sweeter tone, " is that Mr. Bum-
where the smallest of all possible kettles ble ?"
was singing a small song in a small voice, "At your service, ma'am," said Mr.
her inward satisfaction evidently increased Bumble, who had been stopping outside
-so much so, indeed, that Mrs. Corney to rub his shoes clean, and shake the snow
smiled. off his coat, and who now made his appear-
"Well," said the matron, leaning her ance, bearing the cocked-hat in one hand
elbow on the table, and looking reflective- and a bundle in the other. "Shall I shut
ly at the fire, " I'm sure we have all on the door, ma'am ?"
us a great deal to be grateful for a great The lady modestly hesitated to reply,
deal, if we did but know it. Ah !" lest there should be any impropriety in
Mrs. Corney shook her head mournfully, holding an interview with Mr. Bumble
as if deploring the mental blindness of with closed doors. Mr. Bumble, taking
paupers who did not know it, and, thrust- advantage of the hesitation, and being
ing a silver spoon (private property) into very cold himself, shut it without farther
the inmost recesses of a two-ounce tin permission.
tea-caddy, proceeded to make the tea. " Hard weather, Mr. Bumble," said the
How slight a thing will disturb the matron.
OLIVER TWIST . 93
"Hard, indeed, ma'am," replied the " Mrs. Corney," said the beadle, smil-
beadle. 66 Anti-porochial weather this, ing as men smile who are conscious of
ma'am. We have given away, Mrs. Cor- superior information, " out-of-door relief,
ney, we have given away a matter of properly managed, properly managed,
twenty quartern loaves, and a cheese and ma'am, -is the porochial safe-guard. The
a half, this very blessed afternoon ; and great principle of out-of- door relief is to
yet them paupers are not contented." give the paupers exactly what they don't
" Of course not. When would they want, and then they get tired of coming."
be, Mr. Bumble ?" said the matron, sipping " Dear me !" exclaimed Mrs. Corney.
her tea. "Well, that is a good one, too !"
"When, indeed, ma'am !" rejoined Mr. " Yes. Betwixt you and me, ma'am,"
Bumble. 66 Why, here's one man that, returned Mr. Bumble, " that's the great
in consideration of his wife and large principle ; and that's the reason why, if
family, has a quartern loaf and a good you look at any cases that get into them
pound of cheese, full weight. Is he owdacious newspapers, you'll always ob-
grateful, ma'am,-is he grateful ? Not a serve that sick families have been reliev-
copper farthing's worth of it! What ed with slices of cheese. That's the
does he do, ma'am, but ask for a few coals, rule now, Mrs. Corney, all over the coun-
if it's only a pocket-handkerchief full, he try.-But, however," said the beadle,
says ! Coals !-what would he do with stooping to unpack his bundle, " these are
coals ?-Toast his cheese with ' em, and official secrets, ma'am ; not to be spoken
then come back for more. That's the of except, as I may say, among the poro-
way with these people, ma'am ; -give ' em chial officers such as ourselves. This is
a apron full of coals to-day, and they'll the port wine, ma'am, that the board or-
come back for another the day after to- dered for the infirmary,-real fresh, gen-
morrow, as brazen as alabaster !" uine port wine, only out of the cask this
The matron expressed her entire con- afternoon,-clear as a bell, and no sedi-
currence in this intelligible simile, and ment."
the beadle went on. Having held the first bottle up to the
" I never," said Mr. Bumble, " see any- light, and shaken it well to test its excel-
thing like the pitch it's got to. The day lence, Mr. Bumble placed them both on
afore yesterday, a man-you have been a the top of a chest of drawers, folded the
married woman, ma'am, and I may men- handkerchief in which they had been
tion it to you-a man, with hardly a rag wrapped, put it carefully in his pocket,
upon his back, (here Mrs. Corney looked and took up his hat as if to go.
at the floor,) goes to our overseer's door " You'll have a very cold walk, Mr.
when he has got company coming to din- Bumble," said the matron.
ner, and says he must be relieved, Mrs. " It blows, ma'am," replied Mr. Bum-
Corney. As he wouldn't go away, and ble, turning up his coat-collar, " enough
shocked the company very much, our to cut one's ears off."
overseer sent him out a pound of potatoes The matron looked from the little ket-
and half a pint of oatmeal. ' My God !' tle to the beadle, who was moving to-
says the ungrateful villain, what's the wards the door ; and as the beadle cough-
use of this to me ? You might as well ed, preparatory to bidding her good-night,
give me a pair of iron spectacles.'- Very bashfully inquired whether- whether he
good,' says our overseer, taking ' em away wouldn't take a cup of tea ?
again, you won't get anything else here.' Mr. Bumble instantaneously turned
Then I'll die in the streets !' says the back his collar again, laid his hat and
vagrant. ' Oh no, you wo'nt,' says our stick upon a chair, and drew another
overseer." chair up to the table. As he slowly seat-
“ Ha ! ha !—that was very good !-so ed himself, he looked at the lady : she
like Mr. Grannet, wasn't it ?" interposed fixed her eyes upon the little teapot.
the matron. 66 Well, Mr. Bumble ?" Mr. Bumble coughed again, and slightly
66 smiled.
Well, ma'am," rejoined the beadle,
"he went away, and did die in the streets. Mrs. Corney rose to get another cup
There's a obstinate pauper for you !" and saucer from the closet. As she sat
"It beats anything I could have be- down, her eyes once again encountered
lieved !" observed the matron emphatical- those of the gallant beadle ; she coloured ,
ly. "But don't you think out-of-door re- and applied herself to the task of making
lief a very bad thing any way, Mr. Bum- his tea. Again Mr. Bumble coughed,-
ble ? You're a gentleman of experience, louder this time than he had coughed
and ought to know. Come." yet.
94 OLIVER TWIST .
" Sweet, Mr. Bumble ?" inquired the tween them, and fronting the fire, it will
matron, taking up the sugar-basin. be seen that Mr. Bumble, in receding
66
Very sweet, indeed, ma'am," replied from the fire, and still keeping at the ta-
Mr. Bumble. He fixed his eyes on Mrs. ble, increased the distance between him-
Corney as he said this ; and, if ever a self and Mrs. Corney ; which proceeding
beadle looked tender, Mr. Bumble was some prudent readers will doubtless be
that beadle at that moment. disposed to admire, and to consider as an
The tea was made, and handed in act of great heroism on Mr. Bumble's part,
silence. Mr. Bumble, having spread a he being in some sort tempted by time,
handkerchief over his knees to prevent place, and opportunity to give utterance
the crums from sullying the splendour to certain soft nothings, which, however
of his shorts, began to eat and drink, well they may become the lips of the light
varying these amusements occasionally and thoughtless, do seem immeasurably
by fetching a deep sigh, which, however, beneath the dignity of the judges of the
had no injurious effect upon his appetite, land, members of parliament, ministers of
but, on the contrary, rather seemed to state, lord-mayors, and other great public
facilitate his operations in the tea and functionaries, but more particularly be-
toast department. neath the stateliness and gravity of a bea-
"You have a cat, ma'am, I see," said dle, who (as is well known) should be the
Mr. Bumble, glancing at one, who in the sternest and most inflexible among them
centre of her family was basking before all.
the fire; " and kittens too, I declare !" Whatever were Mr. Bumble's inten-
" I am so fond of them, Mr. Bumble, tions, however, and no doubt they were
you can't think," replied the matron. of the best,-whatever they were, it un-
66
They're so happy, so frolicsome, and so fortunately happened, as has twice before
cheerful, that they are quite companions been remarked, that the table was a round
for me.99 one; consequently Mr. Bumble, moving
66
Very nice animals, ma'am," replied his chair by little and little, soon began to
Mr. Bumble approvingly ; " so very do- diminish the distance between himself
mestic." and the matron, and, continuing to travel
66
Oh, yes !" rejoined the matron with round the outer edge of the circle, brought
enthusiasm ; " so fond of their home too, his chair in time close to that in which
that it's quite a pleasure, I'm sure." the matron was seated. Indeed, the two
" Mrs. Corney, ma'am," said Mr. Bum- chairs touched ; and, when they did so,
ble slowly, and marking the time with Mr. Bumble stopped.
his teaspoon, " I mean to say this, ma'am , Now, ifthe matron had moved her chair
that any cat or kitten that could live with to the right, she would have been scorch-
you, ma'am, and not be fond of its home, ed by the fire, and if to the left, she must
must be an ass, ma'am." have fallen into Mr. Bumble's arms ; so
" Oh, Mr. Bumble !" remonstrated Mrs. (being a discreet matron, and no doubt
Corney. foreseeing these consequences at a glance.)
"It's no use disguising facts, ma'am," she remained where she was, and handed
said Mr. Bumble, slowly flourishing the Mr. Bumble another cup of tea.
teaspoon with a kind of amorous dignity, " Hard-hearted, Mrs. Corney ?" said
that made him doubly impressive ; " I Mr. Bumble, stirring his tea, and looking
would drown it myself with pleasure." up into the matron's face ; " are you hard-
" Then you're a cruel man," said the hearted, Mrs. Corney ?"
matron vivaciously, as she held out her "Dear me!" exclaimed the matron,
hand for the beadle's cup, " and a very "what a very curious question from a sin-
hard-hearted man besides." gle man ! What can you want to know
"Hard-hearted, ma'am !" said Mr. Bum- for, Mr. Bumble ?"
ble, "hard " Mr. Bumble resigned his The beadle drank his tea to the last
cup without another word, squeezed Mrs. drop, finished a piece of toast, whisked
Corney's little finger as she took it, and the crums off his knees, wiped his lips,
inflicted two open-handed slaps upon his and deliberately kissed the matron.
laced waistcoat, gave a mighty sigh, and 66 Mr. Bumble," cried that discreet lady
hitched his chair a very little morsel far- in a whisper, for the fright was so great
ther from the fire. that she quite lost her voice, " Mr. Bum-
It was a round table ; and as Mrs. Cor- ble, I shall scream !" Mr. Bumble made
ney and Mr. Bumble had been sitting op- no reply, but in a slow and dignified man-
posite each other, with no great space be- ner put his arm round the matron's waist.
N
Gruickshankes
George
Mr Bumble and
MrsCorney taking tea.
P.94.
OLIVER TWIST . 95
As the lady had stated her intention of CHAPTER THE SECOND.

screaming, of course she would have
Treats of a very poor subject, but is a short one,
screamed at this additional boldness, but and maybe found of importance in this history.
that the exertion was rendered unneces-
sary by a hasty knocking at the door, Ir was no unfit messenger of death that
which was no sooner heard than Mr. had disturbed the quiet of the matron's
Bumble darted with much agility to the room. Her body was bent by age, her
wine-bottles, and began dusting them limbs trembled with palsy, and her face,
with great violence, while the matron distorted into a mumbling leer, resembled
sharply demanded who was there. It is more the grotesque shaping of some wild
worthy of remark, as a curious physical pencil than the work of Nature's hand.
instance of the efficacy of a sudden sur- Alas ! how few of Nature's faces there
prise in counteracting the effects of fear, are to gladden us with their beauty ! The
that her voice had quite recovered all its cares, and sorrows, and hungerings ofthe
official asperity. world change them as they change hearts,
66
If you please, mistress," said a with- and it is only when those passions sleep,
ered old female pauper, hideously ugly, and have lost their hold for ever, that the
putting her head in at the door, " old Sally troubled clouds pass off, and leave hea-
is a-going fast." ven's surface clear. It is a common
“ Well, what's that to me ?" angrily thing for the countenances of the dead,
demanded the matron. " I can't keep her even in that fixed and rigid state, to sub-
alive, can I?" side into the long-forgotten expression of
66
No, no, mistress," replied the old wo- sleeping infancy, and settle into the very
man, raising her hand, " nobody can ; she's look of early life ; so calm, so peaceful
far beyond the reach of help. I've seen do they grow again, that those who knew
many a people die, little babes and great them in their happy childhood kneel by
strong men, and I know when death's the coffin's side in awe, and see the angel
a-coming well enough. But she's trou- even upon earth.
bled in her mind ; and when the fits are The old crone tottered along the pas-
not on her, and that's not often, for she is sages and up the stairs, muttering some
dying very hard, she says she has got indistinct answers to the chidings of her
something to tell which you must hear. companion ; and, being at length compel-
She 'll never die quiet till you come, mis- led to pause for breath, gave the light
tress. " into her hand, and remained behind to
At this intelligence the worthy Mrs. follow as she might, while the more nim-
Corney muttered a variety of invectives ble superior made her way to the room
against old women who couldn't even die where the sick woman lay.
without purposely annoying their betters ; It was a bare garret-room, with a dim
and, muffling herself in a thick shawl light burning at the farther end. There
which she hastily caught up, briefly re- was another old woman watching by the
quested Mr. Bumble to stop till she came bed, and the parish apothecary's appren-
back, lest anything particular should oc- tice was standing by the fire, making a
cur, and bidding the messenger walk fast, toothpick out of a quill.
and not be all night hobbling up the stairs, " Cold night, Mrs. Corney," said this
followed her from the room with a very ill young gentleman as the matron entered.
grace, scolding all the way. " Very cold indeed, sir," replied the
Mr. Bumble's conduct, on being left to mistress in her most civil tones, and
himself, was rather inexplicable. He dropping a curtsey as she spoke.
opened the closet, counted the teaspoons, " You should get better coals out of
weighed the sugar-tongs, closely inspect- your contractors," said the apothecary's
ed a silver milk-pot to ascertain that it deputy, breaking a lump on the top of
was of the genuine metal ; and, having the fire with the rusty poker ; " these are
satisfied his curiosity upon these points, not at all the sort of thing for a cold
put on his cocked-hat corner-wise, and night."
danced with much gravity four distinct " They're the board's choosing, sir,"
times round the table. Having gone returned the matron. "The least they
through this very extraordinary perform- could do would be to keep us pretty
ance, he took off the cocked-hat again, warm, for our places are hard enough."
and, spreading himself before the fire The conversation was here interrupted
with his back towards it, seemed to be by a moan from the sick woman.
mentally engaged in taking an exact in- “ Oh !" said the young man, turning
ventory of the furniture. his face towards the bed, as if he had
6 OLIVER TWIST .
previously quite forgotten the patient, speaker, " when she would have done the
" it's all U. P. there, Mrs. Corney." same, and made rare fun of it afterwards."
" It is, is it, sir ?" asked the matron. 66
Ay, that she would," rejoined the
"If she lasts a couple of hours, I shall other ; " she had a merry heart. A many,
be surprised," said the apothecary's ap- many beautiful corpses she laid out, as
prentice, intent upon the toothpick's point. nice and neat as wax-work. My old eyes
" It's a break-up of the system altogether. have seen them,-ay, and these old hands
Is she dozing, old lady ?" touched them too ; for I have helped her
The attendant stooped over the bed to scores of times."
ascertain, and nodded in the affirmative. Stretching forth her trembling fingers
"Then perhaps she'll go off' in that as she spoke, the old creature shook them
way, if you don't make a row," said the exultingly before her face ; and then,
young man. " Put the light on the floor, fumbling in her pocket, brought out an
-she won't see it there." old time-discoloured tin snuff-box, from
The attendant did as she was bidden, which she shook a few grains into the
shaking her head meanwhile to intimate outstretched palm of her companion, and
that the woman would not die so easily ; a few more into her own. While they
and, having done so, resumed her seat by were thus employed, the matron, who had
the side of the other nurse, who had by been impatiently watching until the dy-
this time returned. The mistress, with ing woman should awaken from her stu-
an expression of impatience, wrapped por, joined them by the fire, and sharply
herself in her shawl, and sat at the foot asked how long she was to wait.
of the bed. " Not long, mistress," replied the se-
The apothecary's apprentice, having cond woman, looking up into her face.
completed the manufacture of the tooth- "We have none of us long to wait for
pick, planted himself in front of the fire, Death. Patience, patience ! he 'll be
and made good use of it for ten minutes here soon enough for us all.”
or so, when, apparently growing rather "Hold your tongue, you doting idiot !"
dull, he wished Mrs. Corney joy of her said the matron sternly. " You, Martha,
job, and took himself off on tiptoe. tell me ; has she been in this way be-
When they had sat in silence for some fore ?"
time, the two old women rose from the " Often," answered the first woman.
bed, and, crouching over the fire, held "But will never be again," added the
out their withered hands to catch the second one ; " that is, she 'll never wake
heat. The flame threw a ghastly light again but once, and mind, mistress, that
on their shrivelled faces, and made their won't be for long. "
ugliness appear perfectly terrible, as in 66
Long or short," said the matron snap-
this position they began to converse in a pishly, "she won't find me here when she
low voice. does, and take care, both of you, how you
" Did she say any more, Anny dear, worry me again for nothing. It's no part
while I was gone ?" inquired the mes- of my duty to see all the old women in
senger. the house die, and I won't,-that's more.
"Not a word," replied the other. " She Mind that, you impudent old harridans !
plucked and tore at her arms for a little If you make a fool of me again, I'll soon
time ; but I held her hands, and she soon cure you, I warrant you !"
dropped off. She hasn't much strength She was bouncing away, when a cry
in her, so I easily kept her quiet. I ain't from the two women, who had turned to-
so weak for an old woman, although I am wards the bed, caused her to look round.
on parish allowance ;-no, no." The sick woman had raised herself up-
"Did she drink the hot wine the doc- right, and was stretching her arms to-
tor said she was to have ?" demanded the wards them .
first. "Who's that ?" she cried in a hollow
" I tried to get it down," rejoined the voice.
other ; "but her teeth were tight set, and " Hush, hush !" said one of the women
she clenched the mug so hard, that it was stooping over her, " lie down, lie down !"
as much as I could do to get it back again. " I'll never lie down again alive !" said
So I drank it, and it did me good." the woman struggling. "I will tell her !
Looking cautiously round to ascertain Come here-nearer. Let me whisper in
that they were not overheard, the two your ear."
nags cowered nearer to the fire, and She clutched the matron by the arm,
chuckled heartily. and forcing her into a chair by the bed-
"I mind the time," said the first side was about to speak, when, looking
OLIVER TWIST . 97
round, she caught sight of the two old child's death, perhaps, is on me besides !
women bending forward in the attitude of They would have treated him better if
eager listeners. they had known it all !"
" Turn them away," said the woman " Known what ?" asked the other.
drowsily; " make haste- make haste !" "Speak !"
The two old crones, chiming in togeth- " The boy grew so like his mother,"
er, began pouring out many piteous la- said the woman, rambling on and not
mentations that the poor dear was too far heeding the question, " that I could never
gone to know her best friends, and utter- forget it when I saw his face. Poor girl !
ing sundry protestations that they would poor girl !—she was so young, too !-- such
never leave her, when the superior pushed a gentle lamb !-Wait ; there's more to
them from the room, closed the door, and tell. I have not told you all, have I ?"
returned to the bedside. On being ex- "No, no," replied the matron, inclining
cluded, the old ladies changed their tone, her head to catch the words as they came
and cried through the keyhole that old more faintly from the dying woman.—“ Be
Sally was drunk ; which, indeed, was not quick, or it may be too late. ”
unlikely, since, in addition to a moderate " The mother," said the woman, mak-
dose of opium prescribed by the apothe- ing a more violent effort than before,—
cary, she was labouring under the effects "the mother, when the pains of death
of a final taste of gin and water, which first came upon her, whispered in my ear,
had been privily administered in the open- that if her baby was born alive, and
ness of their hearts by the worthy old la- thrived, the day might come when it
dies themselves. would not feel disgraced to hear its poor
" Now listen to me !" said the dying young mother named. 6 And oh, my God !'
woman aloud, as if making a great effort she said, folding her thin hands together,
to revive one latent spark of energy. "In whether it be boy or girl, raise up some
this very room- in this very bed-I once friends for it in this troubled world, and
nursed a pretty young creetur', that was take pity upon a lonely desolate child
brought into the house with her feet cut abandoned to its mercy ! "
and bruised with walking, and all soiled "The boy's name ?" demanded the ma-
with dust and blood . She gave birth to a tron.
boy, and died. Let me think-What was " They called him Oliver," replied the
the year again ?" woman 99feebly. " The gold I stole
"Never mind the year," said the impa- was-
tient auditor ; " what about her ?" 66 Yes, yes-what ?" cried the other.
" Ay," murmured the sick woman, re- She was bending eagerly over the wo-
lapsing into her former drowsy state, man to hear her reply, but drew back
" what about her ? -what about I instinctively as she once again rose slowly
know !" she cried, jumping fiercely up, and stiffly into a sitting posture, and,
her face flushed, and her eyes starting clutching the coverlet with both hands,
from her head,-" I robbed her, so I did ! muttered some indistinct sounds in her
She wasn't cold- I tell you she wasn't throat, and fell lifeless on the bed.
cold when I stole it !" * * * ** * *
" Stole what, for God's sake !" cried " Stone dead !" said one of the old wo-
the matron, with a gesture as if she would men, hurrying in as soon as the door was
call for help. opened.
"It!"-replied the woman, laying her 66
And nothing to tell, after all," rejoin-
hand over the other's mouth,-" the only ed the matron, walking carelessly away.
thing she had ! She wanted clothes to The two crones were to all appearance
keep her warm, and food to eat ; but she too busily occupied in the preparations for
had kept it safe, and had it in her bosom. their dreadful duties to make any reply,
It was gold, I tell you !-rich gold, that and were left alone hovering about the
might have saved her life !" body.
Gold !" echoed the matron, bending
eagerly over the woman as she fell back.
"Go on, go on-yes-what of it ? Who CHAPTER THE THIRD,
was the mother ?-when was it ?"
" She charged me to keep it safe," re- Wherein this history reverts to Mr. Fagin and
plied the woman with a groan, " and trust- company.
ed me as the only woman about her. I WHILE these things were passing in
stole it in my heart when she first showed the country workhouse, Mr. Fagin sat in
it me hanging round her neck ; and the the old deň,-the same from which Oliver
9 N
98 OLIVER TWIST.
had been removed by the girl,-brooding he drew half-a-crown from his waistcoat
over a dull smoky fire. He held a pair pocket. " I never see such a feller as
of bellows upon his knee, with which he you, Jack ; you win everything. Even
had apparently been endeavouring to rouse when we've good cards, Charley and I
it into more cheerful action ; but he had can't make nothing of ' em."
fallen into deep thought, and with his arms Either the matter or manner of this
folded upon them, and his chin resting on remark, which was made very ruefully,
his thumbs, fixed his eyes abstractedly on delighted Charley Bates so much, that
the rusty bars. his consequent shout of laughter roused
At a table behind him sat the Artful the Jew from his reverie, and induced
Dodger, Master Charles Bates, and Mr. him to inquire what was the matter.
Chitling, all intent upon a game of whist ; "Matter, Fagin !" cried Charley. “ I
the Artful taking dummy against Master wish you had watched the play. Tommy
Bates and Mr. Chitling. The counte- Chitling hasn't won a point, and I went
nance of the first-námed gentleman, pecu- partners with him against the Artful and
liarly intelligent at all times, acquired dum."
great additional interest from his close "Ay, ay !" said the Jew with a grin,
observance of the game, and his attentive which sufficiently demonstrated that he
perusal of Mr. Chitling's hand, upon was at no loss to understand the reason.
66
which, from time to time, as occasion " Try
66 ' em again, Tom ; try ' em again."
served, he bestowed a variety of earnest No more of it for me, thankee, Fa-
glances, wisely regulating his own play gin," replied Mr. Chitling ; " I've had
by the result of his observations upon his enough. That ' ere Dodger has such a
neighbour's cards. It being a cold night, run of luck, that there's no standing
the Dodger wore his hat, as, indeed, was again' him."
often his custom within doors. He also "Ha! ha ! my dear," replied the Jew,
sustained a clay pipe between his teeth, "you must get up very early in the morn-
which he only removed for a brief space, ing66 to win against the Dodger."
when he deemed it necessary to apply for Morning !" said Charles Bates ; " you
refreshment to a quart-pot upon the table, must put your boots on over night, and
which stood ready filled with gin and have a telescope at each eye, and a opera-
water for the accommodation of the com- glass between your shoulders, if you want
pany. to come over him."
Master Bates was also attentive to the Mr. Dawkins received these handsome
play ; but, being of a more excitable na- compliments with much philosophy, and
ture than his accomplished friend, it was offered to cut any gentleman in company
observable that he more frequently applied for the first picture-card at a shilling a
himself to the gin and water, and more- time. Nobody accepting the challenge,
over indulged in many jests and irrelevant and his pipe being by this time smoked
remarks, all highly unbecoming a scien- out, he proceeded to amuse himself by
tific rubber. Indeed, the Artful, presum- sketching a ground-plan of Newgate on
ing upon their close attachment, more the table with the piece of chalk which
than once took occasion to reason gravely had served him in lieu of counters, whist-
with his companion upon these improprie- ling meantime with peculiar shrillness.
ties : all of which remonstrances Master "How precious dull you are, Tommy !"
Bates took in extremely good part, merely said the Dodger, stopping short when
requesting his friend to be " blowed," or there had been a long silence, and ad-
to insert his hand in a sack, or replying dressing Mr. Chitling. "What do you
with some other neatly-turned witticism think he's thinking of, Fagin ?"
66 How
of a similar kind, the happy application should I know, my dear ?" re-
of which excited considerable admiration plied the Jew, looking round as he plied
in the mind of Mr. Chitling. It was re- the bellows. "About his losses, maybe,
markable that the latter gentleman and -or the little retirement in the country
his partner invariably lost ; and that the that he's just left, eh ?-Ha ! ha ! Is
circumstance, so far from angering Mas- that it, my dear ?"
ter Bates, appeared to afford him the high- "Not a bit of it," replied the Dodger,
est amusement, inasmuch as he laughed stopping the subject of discourse as Mr.
most uproariously at the end of every Chitling was about to reply. "What do
deal, and protested that he had never seen you say, Charley ?"
such a jolly game in all his born days. "I should say," replied Master Bates
"That's two doubles and the rub," said with a grin, " that he was uncommon
Mr. Chitling with a very long face, as sweet upon Betsy. See how he's
OLIVER TWIST . 99
66 you were too stout-hearted for that,-a

a-blushing ! Oh, my eye ! here's a merry-
go-rounder !-Tommy Chitling's in love ! deal too stout, my dear. "
-Oh, Fagin, Fagin ! what a spree !" "Perhaps I was," rejoined Tom, look-
Thoroughly overpowered with the ing round ; " and if I was, what's to
notion of Mr. Chitling being the victim laugh at in that ; eh, Fagin ?"
of the tender passion, Master Bates threw The Jew, perceiving that Mr. Chitling
himself back in his chair with such vio- was considerably roused, hastened to as-
lence, that he lost his balance, and pitch- sure him that nobody was laughing, and,
ed over upon the floor, where (the acci- to prove the gravity of the company, ap-
dent abating nothing of his merriment) pealed to Master Bates, the principal of-
he lay at full length till his laugh was fender ; but unfortunately Charley, in
over, when he resumed his former position opening his mouth to reply that he was
and began another. never more serious in his life, was un-
"Never mind him, my dear," said the able to prevent the escape of such a vio-
Jew, winking at Mister Dawkins, and lent roar, that the abused Mr. Chitling,
giving Master Bates a reproving tap with without any preliminary ceremonies, rush-
the nozzle of the bellows. 66 Betsy's a ed across the room and aimed a blow at
fine girl. Stick up to her, Tom ; stick the offender, who, being skilful in evad-
up to her." ing pursuit, ducked to avoid it, and chose
"What I mean to say, Fagin," replied his time so well, that it lighted on the
Mr. Chitling, very red in the face, " is, chest of the merry old gentleman, and
that that isn't anything to anybody caused him to stagger to the wall, where
here." he stood panting for breath, while Mr.
"No more it is," replied the Jew : Chitling looked on in intense dismay.
66 Charley will talk. Don't mind him, "Hark !" cried the Dodger at this mo-
my dear ; don't mind him. Betsy's a ment, " I heard the tinkler." Catching
fine girl. Do as she bids you, Tom, and up the light, he crept softly up stairs.
you'll make your fortune." The bell rang again with some im-
" So I do do as she bids me," replied patience while the party were in dark-
Mr. Chitling ; "I shouldn't have been ness. After a short pause, the Dodger
milled if it hadn't been for her advice. re-appeared, and whispered Fagin mys-
But it turned out a good job for you ; teriously.
didn't it, Fagin ? And what's six weeks "What!" cried the Jew, " alone ?"
of it ? It must come some time or an- The Dodger nodded in the affirmative,
other, and why not in the winter time, and, shading the flame of the candle with
when you don't want to go out a-walking his hand, gave Charley Bates a private
so much ; eh, Fagin ?" intimation in dumb show that he had bet-
" Ah, to be sure, my dear," replied the ter not be funny just then. Having per-
Jew. formed this friendly office, he fixed his
"You wouldn't mind it again, Tom, eyes on the Jew's face, and awaited his
would you," asked the Dodger, winking directions.
upon Charley and the Jew, "if Bet was The old man bit his yellow fingers,
all66right ?" and meditated for some seconds, his face
"I mean to say that I shouldn't," re- working with agitation the while, as if
plied Tom angrily ; " there, now ! Ah ! he dreaded something, and feared to know
Who'll say as much as that, I should like the worst. At length he raised his head.
to know ; eh, Fagin ?" "Where is he ?" he asked.
66'Nobody, my dear," replied the Jew ; The Dodger pointed to the floor above,
"not a soul, Tom. I don't know one of and made a gesture as if to leave the
'em that would do it besides you ; not one room .
of ' em, my dear." "Yes," said the Jew, answering the
66 -mute inquiry ; " bring him down. Hush !
I might have got clear off if I'd split
upon her ; mightn't I, Fagin ?" angrily Quiet, Charley !-gently, Tom ! Scarce,
pursued the poor half-witted dupe. "A scarce !"
word from me would have done it ; This brief direction to Charley Bates
wouldn't it, Fagin ?" and his recent antagonist to retire, was
"To be sure it would, my dear," re- softly and immediately obeyed. There
plied the Jew. was no sound of their whereabout when
" But I didn't blab it ; did I, Fagin ?" the Dodger descended the stairs bearing
demanded Tom, pouring question upon the light in his hand, and followed by a
question with great volubility. man in a coarse smock-frock, who, after
"No, no, to be sure," replied the Jew ; casting a hurried glance round the room,
94376B
100 OLIVER TWIST .
pulled off a large shawl which had con- " First and foremost, Fagey," said the
cealed the lower portion of his face, and housebreaker, " how's Bill ?"
disclosed-all haggard, unwashed, and "What !" screamed the Jew, starting
unshaven, the features of flash Toby from his seat.
Crackit. "Why, you don't mean to say
" How are you, Fagey ?" said the began Toby, turning pale.
worthy, nodding to the Jew. "Pop that " Mean " cried the Jew, stamping fu-
shawl away in my castor, Dodger, so that riously on the ground. " Where are they?
I may know where to find it when I cut ; -Sikes and the boy- where are they ?-
that's the time of day ! You'll be a where have they been ?-where are they
fine young cracksman afore the old file hiding ?-why have they not been here ?"
now!" " The crack failed," said Toby faintly.
With these words he pulled up the I know it," replied the Jew, tearing a
smock-frock, and, winding it round his newspaper from his pocket and pointing
middle, drew a chair to the fire, and to it. "What more ?"
66 They fired and hit the boy. We cut
placed his feet upon the hob.
" See there, Fagey," he said, pointing over the fields at the back with him be-
disconsolately to his top-boots ; " not a drop tween us-straight as the crow flies-
of Day and Martin since you know when ; through hedge and ditch. They gave
not a bubble of blacking, by -! but chase. D- me! the whole country was
don't look at me in that way, man. All awake, and the dogs upon us !"
in good time ; I can't talk about business " The boy !" gasped the Jew.
tillI've eat and drank ; so produce the "Bill had him on his back, and scudded
sustainance, and let's have a quiet fill-out like the wind. We stopped to take him
for the first time these three days !" again between us ; his head hung down,
The Jew motioned to the Dodger to and he was cold. They were close upon
place what eatables there were, upon the our heels ; every man for himself, and
table ; and, seating himself opposite the each from the gallows ! We parted com-
housebreaker, waited his leisure. pany, and left the youngster lying in a
To judge from appearances, Toby was ditch. Alive or dead, that's all I know
by no means in a hurry to open the con- of him."
versation. At first the Jew contented The Jew stopped to hear no more ; but
himself with patiently watching his coun- uttering a loud yell, and twining his hands
tenance, as if to gain from its expression in his hair, rushed from the room and from
some clue to the intelligence he brought ; the house.
but in vain. He looked tired and worn,
but there was the same complacent re-
pose 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. CHAPTER THE FOURTH.
Then the Jew in an agony of impatience In which a mysterious character appears upon the
watched every morsel he put into his scene, and many things inseparable from this
mouth, pacing up and down the room history are done and performed.
meanwhile with irrepressible excitement.
It was all of no use. Toby continued to THE old man had gained the street cor-
eat with the utmost outward indifference ner before he began to recover the effect
until he could eat no more ; and then, or- of Toby Crackit's intelligence. He had
dering the Dodger out, closed the door, relaxed nothing of his unusual speed, but
mixed a glass of spirits and water, and was still pressing onward in the same
composed himself for talking. wild and disordered manner, when the
"First and foremost, Fagey," said To- sudden dashing past of a carriage, and a
by. boisterous cry from the foot-passengers
"Yes, yes!" interposed the Jew, draw- who saw his danger, drove him back upon
ing up his chair. the pavement. Looking hastily round, as
Mr. Crackit stopped to take a draught if uncertain whither he had been hurry-
of spirits and water, and to declare that ing, he paused for a few moments, and
the gin was excellent ; and then placing turned away in quite an opposite direction
his feet against the low mantelpiece, so to that in which he had before proceeded.
as to bring his boots to about the level of Avoiding as much as possible all the main
his eye, quietly resumed. streets, and skulking only through the by-
OLIVER TWIST . 101
ways and alleys, he at length emerged on pointing in the direction of Saffron Hill,
Snow Hill. Here he walked even faster inquired whether any one was up yonder
than before ; nor did he linger until he to - night.
had again turned into a court, when, as "At the Cripples ?" inquired the man.
if conscious that he was now in his pro- The Jew nodded.
per element, he fell into his usual shuf "Let me see!" pursued the merchant,
fling pace, and seemed to breathe more reflecting. "Yes ; there's some half-
freely. dozen of ' em gone in, that I knows on.
Near to the spot on which Snow Hill I don't think your friend's there."
and Holborn Hill meet, there opens, upon " Sikes is not, I suppose ?" inquired the
the right hand as you come out of the Jew with a disappointed countenance.
city, a narrow and dismal alley leading to "Non istwentus, as the lawyers say,"
Saffron Hill. In its filthy shops are ex- replied the little man, shaking his head,
posed for sale huge bunches of second- and looking amazing sly. Have you
hand silk handkerchiefs of all sizes and got anything in my line to-night ?"
patterns, for here reside the traders who " Nothing to-night,” said the Jew, turn-
purchase them from pickpockets. Hun- ing away.
dreds of these handkerchiefs hang dan- "Are you going up to the Cripples, Fa-
gling from pegs outside the windows, or gin ?" cried the little man, calling after
flaunting from the door-posts ; and the him. " Stop ! I don't mind if I have a
shelves within are piled with them. Con- drain there with you !"
fined as the limits of Field Lane are, it But as the Jew, looking back, waved
has its barber, its coffee-shop, its beer- his hand to intimate that he preferred be-
shop, and its fried-fish warehouse. It is a ing alone ; and, moreover, as the little
commercial colony of itself, the emporium man could not very easily disengage him-
of petty larceny, visited at early morning self from the chair, the sign of the Crip-
and setting-in of dusk by silent merchants, ples was, for a time, bereft of the advan-
who traffic in dark back-parlours, and go tage of Mr. Lively's presence. By the
as strangely as they came. Here the time he had got upon his legs the Jew
clothesman, the shoe-vamper, and the rag- had disappeared ; so Mr. Lively, after in-
merchant display their goods as sign- effectually standing on tip-toe, in the hope
boards to the petty thief; and stores of of catching sight of him, again forced
old iron and bones, and heaps of mildewy himself into the little chair, and, exchang-
fragments of woollen stuff and linen, rusting a shake of the head with a lady in
and rot in the grimy cellars. the opposite shop, in which doubt and
It was into this place that the Jew turn- mistrust were plainly mingled, resumed
ed. He was well known to the sallow his pipe with grave demeanour.
denizens of the lane, for such of them as The Three Cripples, or rather the
were on the look-out to buy or sell, nod- Cripples, which was the sign by which
ded familiarly as he passed along. He the establishment was familiarly known
replied to their salutations in the same to its patrons, wasthe same public-house in
way, but bestowed no closer recognition which Mr. Sikes and his dog have already
until he reached the further end of the figured. Merely making a sign to a man
alley, when he stopped to address a sales in the bar, Fagin walked straight up
man of small stature, who had squeezed stairs, and opening the door of a room,
as much of his person into a child's chair and softly insinuating himself into the
as the chair would hold, and was smoking chamber, looked anxiously about, shading
a pipe at his warehouse-door. his eyes with his hand, as if in search of
66
Why, the sight of you, Mister Fagin, some particular person.
would cure the hoptalmy !" said this re- The room was illuminated by two gas-
spectable trader, in acknowledgment of lights, the glare of which was prevented,
the Jew's inquiry after his health. by the barred shutters and closely-drawn
" The neighbourhood was a little too curtains of faded red, from being visible
hot, Lively !" said Fagin, elevating his outside. The ceiling was blackened, to
eyebrows, and crossing his hands upon his prevent its colour being injured by the
shoulders. flaring of the lamps ; and the place was
"Well ! I've heerd that complaint of so full of dense tobacco-smoke, that at
it once or twice before," replied the tra- first it was scarcely possible to discern
der, " but it soon cools down again ; don't anything further. By degrees, however,
you find it so?" as some of it cleared away through the
Fagin nodded in the affirmative, and, open door, an assemblage of heads, as
9*
102 OLIVER TWIST .
confused as the noises that greeted the apparently without meeting that of which
ear, might be made out ; and, as the eye he was in search. Succeeding at length
grew more accustomed to the scene, the in catching the eye ofthe man who occu-
spectator gradually became aware of the pied the chair, he beckoned to him slight-
presence of a numerous company, male ly, and left the room as quietly as he had
and female, crowded round a long table, entered it.
at the upper end of which sat a chairman "What can I do for you, Mr. Fagin ?"
with a hammer of office in his hand, while softly inquired the man as he followed
a professional gentleman, with a bluish him out to the landing. "Won't you
nose, and his face tied up for the benefit join us ? They'll be delighted, every
of a tooth-ache, presided at a jingling one of 'em."
piano in a remote corner. The Jew shook his head impatiently,
As Fagin stepped softly in, the profes- and said in a whisper, " Is he here ?"
sional gentleman, running over the keys "No," replied the man.
by way of prelude, occasioned a general "And no news of Barney ?" inquired
cry of order for a song ; which having Fagin.
subsided, a young lady proceeded to en- "None," replied the landlord of the
tertain the company with a ballad in four Cripples, for it was he. "He won't stir
verses, between each of which the ac- till it's all safe. Depend on it that
companyist played the melody all through they ' re on the scent down there, and that
as loud as he could. When this was if he moved he'd blow upon the thing at
over, the chairman gave a sentiment ; once. He's all right enough, Barney is ;
after which, the professional gentlemen else I should have heard of him. I'll
on the chairman's right and left volun- pound it that Barney 's managing proper-
teered a duet, and sang it with great ap- Îy. Let him alone for that."
plause. "Will he be here to-night ?" asked the
It was curious to observe some faces Jew, laying the same emphasis on the
which stood out prominently from among pronoun as before.
the group. There was the chairman him- " Monks do you mean ?" inquired the
self, the landlord of the house : a coarse, landlord, hesitating.
rough, heavy-built fellow, who, while the " Hush !" said the Jew. "Yes."
66 Certain," replied the man,
songs were proceeding, rolled his eyes drawing a
hither and thither, and, seeming to give gold watch from his fob ; " I expected
himself up to joviality, had an eye for him here before now. 99 Ifyou 'll wait ten
everything that was done, and an ear for minutes, he 'll be-
everything that was said, and sharp "No, no," said the Jew hastily, as
ones, too. Near him were the singers, though, however desirous he might be to
receiving with professional indifference see the person in question, he was never-
the compliments of the company, and ap- theless relieved by his absence. "Tell
plying themselves in turn to a dozen prof him I came here to see him, and that he
fered glasses of spirits and water tender- must come to me to-night ; no, say to-
ed by their more boisterous admirers, morrow. As he is not here, to-morrow
whose countenances, expressive of almost will be time enough."
every vice in almost every grade, irre- "Good !" said the man. "Nothing
sistibly attracted the attention by their more ?"
very repulsiveness. Cunning, ferocity, "Not a word now," said the Jew, de-
and drunkenness in all its stages, were scending the stairs.
there in their strongest aspects ; and 66 I say," said the other, looking over
women-some with the last lingering the rails, and speaking in a hoarse whis-
tinge of their early freshness almost fa- per ; "what a time this would be for a
ding as you looked, and others with every sell ! I've got Phil Barker here, so drunk,
mark and stamp of their sex utterly that a boy might take him."
beaten out, and presenting but one loath- "Aha! But it's not Phil Barker's
some blank of profligacy and crime ; some time," said the Jew, looking up. " Phil
mere girls, others but young women, and has something more to do before we can
none past the prime of life,-formed the afford to part with him ; so go back to
darkest and saddest portion of this dreary the company, my dear, and tell them to
picture. lead merry lives-while they last. Ha !
Fagin, troubled by no grave emotions, ha ! ha !"
looked eagerly from face to face while The landlord reciprocated the old man's
these proceedings were in progress, but laugh, and returned to his guests. The
OLIVER TWIST . 103
Jew was no sooner alone than his counte- "Ay, I do," returned the girl, meeting
nance resumed its former expression of his gaze. " I shall be glad to have him
anxiety and thought. After a brief re- away from my eyes, and to know thatthe
flection, he called a hack-cabriolet, and worst is over. I can't bear to have him
bade the man drive towards Bethnal about me : the sight of him turns me
Green. He dismissed him within some against myself and all of you."
quarter of a mile of Mr. Sikes's residence, " Pooh !" said the Jew scornfully.
and performed the short remainder of the " You're drunk, girl."
distance on foot. "Am I ?" cried the girl bitterly. " It's
"Now," muttered the Jew as he knock- no fault of yours if I am not ; you'd ne-
ed at the door, " if there is any deep play ver have me anything else if you had
here, I shall have it out of you, my girl, your will, except now !-the humour
cunning as you are. ” doesn't suit you, doesn't it ?"
She was in her room, the woman said ; "No !" rejoined the Jew furiously. "It
so Fagin crept softly up-stairs, and entered does not !"
66
it without any previous ceremony. The Change it, then !" responded the girl
girl was alone, lying with her head upon with a laugh.
the table, and her hair straggling over it. " Change it !" exclaimed the Jew, ex-
" She has been drinking," thought the asperated beyond all bounds by his com-
Jew coolly, " or perhaps she is only mise- panion's unexpected obstinacy and the
rable." vexation of the night, " I'll change it!
The old man turned to close the door Listen to me, you drab ! listen to me, who
as he made this reflection, and the noise with six words can strangle Sikes as sure-
thus occasioned roused the girl. She ly as if I had his bull's throat between my
eyed his crafty face narrowly as she in- fingers now. If he comes back, and
quired whether there was any news, and leaves that boy behind him,-if he gets
listened to his recital of Toby Crackit's off free, and, dead or alive, fails to restore
story. When it was concluded, she sunk him to me, murder him yourself if you
into her former attitude, but spoke not a would have him escape Jack Ketch, and
word . She pushed the candle impatiently do it the moment he sets foot in this room,
away, and once or twice, as she feverishly or, mind me, it will be too late !"
changed her position, shuffled her feet "What is all this ?" cried the girl in-
upon the ground ; but this was all. voluntarily.
During this silence, the Jew looked " What is it !" pursued Fagin, mad with
restlessly about the room, as if to assure rage. "This ! When the boy's worth
himself that there were no appearances hundreds of pounds to me, am I to lose
of Sikes having covertly returned. Ap- what chance threw me in the way of
parently satisfied with his inspection, he getting safely, through the whims of a
coughed twice or thrice, and made as drunken gang that I could whistle away
many efforts to open a conversation ; but the lives of,-and me bound, too, to a born
the girl heeded him no more than if he devil that only wants the 99 will, and has
had been made of stone. At length he got the power to, to-
made another attempt, and, rubbing his Panting for breath, the old man stam-
hands together, said, in his most concilia- mered for a word, and in that one instant
tory tone, checked the torrent of his wrath, and
" And where should you think Bill was changed the whole of his demeanour. A
now, my dear ; eh ?" moment before, his clenched hands had
The girl moaned out some scarcely in- grasped the air, his eyes had dilated, and
telligible reply, that she could not tell ; his face had grown livid with passion ; but
and seemed, from the half-smothered noise now he shrunk into a chair, and, cower-
that escaped her, to be crying. ing together, trembled with the apprehen-
"And the boy, too," said the Jew, sion of having himself disclosed some
straining his eyesto catch a glimpse of her hidden villany. After a short silence he
face. " Poor leetle child !-left in a ditch, ventured to look round at his companion,
Nance ; only think !" and appeared somewhat reassured on be-
" The child," said the girl, suddenly holding her in the same listless attitude
looking up, " is better where he is, than from which he had first roused her.
among us: and, if no harm comes to Bill "Nancy dear !" croaked the Jew in his
from it, I hope he lies dead in the ditch, usual voice. " Did you mind me, dear ?"
and that his young bones may rot there." " Don't worry me now, Fagin !" replied
"What !" cried the Jew in amazement. the girl, raising her head languidly. " If
104 OLIVER TWIST .
Bill has not done it this time, he will ward, leaving his young friend asleep
another he has done many a good job for with her head upon the table.
you, and will do many more when he can ; It was within an hour of midnight, and
and when he can't, he won't, and so no the weather being dark and piercing cold,
more about that." he had no great temptation to loiter.
" Regarding this boy, my dear ?" said The sharp wind that scoured the streets
the Jew, rubbing the palms of his hands seemed to have cleared them of passen-
nervously together. gers as of dust and mud, for few people
" The boy must take his chance with were abroad, and they were to all appear-
the rest," interrupted Nancy hastily ; ance hastening fast home. It blew from
" and I say again, I hope he is dead, the right quarter for the Jew, however ;
and out of harm's way, and out of yours, and straight before it he went, trembling
-that is, if Bill comes to no harm ; and shivering as every fresh gust drove
and, if Toby got clear off, he's pretty him rudely on his way.
sure to, for he's worth two of him any He had reached the corner of his own
time." street, and was already fumbling in his
"And about what I was saying, my pocket for the door-key, when a dark
dear ?" observed the Jew, keeping his figure emerged from a projecting entrance
glistening eye steadily upon her. which lay in deep shadow, and, crossing
"You must say it all over again if it's the road, glided up to him unperceived.
any thing you want me to do," rejoined "Fagin !" whispered a voice close to
Nancy ; 66 and if it is, you had better wait his66 ear.
till to-morrow. You put me up for a Ah !" said the Jew, turning quickly
round. " Is that- 99
minute, but now I'm stupid again."
Fagin put several other questions, all " Yes !" interrupted the stranger harsh-
with the same drift of ascertaining whe- ly. " I have been lingering here these
ther the girl had profited by his unguard- two hours. Where the devil have you
ed hints ; but she answered them so been ?"
readily, and was withal so utterly un- "On your business, my dear," replied
moved by his searching looks, that his the Jew, glancing uneasily at his com-
original impression of her being more panion, and slackening his pace as he
than a trifle in liquor was fully confirmed. spoke. "On your business all night."
Miss Nancy, indeed, was.not exempt from " Oh, of course !" said the stranger,
a failing which was very common among with a sneer. "Well ; and what's come
the Jew's female pupils, and in which in of it ?"
66 Nothing good," said the Jew.
their tender years they were rather en- 66 Nothing bad,
couraged than checked. Her disordered I hope !" said the
appearance, and a wholesome perfume of stranger, stopping short, and turning a
Geneva which pervaded the apartment, startled look upon his companion.
affording strong confirmatory evidence of The Jew shook his head, and was about
the justice of the Jew's supposition ; and to reply, when the stranger, interrupting
when, after indulging in the temporary him, motioned to the house, before which
display of violence above described, she they had by this time arrived, and remark-
subsided, first into dullness, and after- ed that he had better say what he had
wards into a compound of feelings, under got to say, under cover, for his blood was
the influence of which she shed tears one chilled with standing about so long, and
minute, and in the next gave utterance to the wind blew through him.
various exclamations of " Never say die !" Fagin looked as if he could have will-
and divers calculations as to what might ingly excused himself from taking home
be the amount of the odds so long as a a visitor at that unseasonable hour, and
lady or gentleman were happy, Mr. Fa- muttered something about having no fire ;
gin, who had had considerable experience but, his companion repeating his request
of such matters in his time, saw with in a peremptory manner, he unlocked the
great satisfaction that she was very far door, and requested him to close it softly,
gone indeed. while he got a light.
Having eased his mind by this discovery, "It's as dark as the grave," said the
and accomplished his two-fold object of man, groping forward a few steps. " Make
imparting to the girl what he had that haste ; I hate this !"
night heard, and ascertaining with his " Shut the door," whispered Fagin from
own eyes that Sikes had not returned, the end of the passage. As he spoke, it
Mr. Fagin again turned his face home- closed with a loud noise.
OLIVER TWIST . 105
" That wasn't my doing," said the other convicted and sent safely out of the king-
man, feeling his way. " The wind blew dom, perhaps for life ?"
it to, or it shut of its own accord ; one or "Whose turn would that have served,
the other. Look sharp with the light, or my dear ?" inquired the Jew humbly.
I shall knock my brains out against some- "Mine," replied Monks.
thing in this confounded hole." " But not mine," said the Jew submis-
Fagin stealthily descended the kitchen sively. "When there are two parties to
stairs, and, after a short absence, return- a bargain, it is only reasonable that the
ed with a lighted candle, and the intelli- interest of both should be consulted ; is
gence that Toby Crackit was asleep in it not, my good friend ?"
the back-room below, and the boys in the "What then ?" demanded Monks sulk-
front one. Beckoning the other man to ily.
follow him, he led the way up stairs. "I saw it was not easy to train him to
66
We can say the few words we've the business," replied the Jew; " he was
got to say, in here, my dear," said the not like other boys in the same circum-
Jew, throwing open a door on the first stances."
floor ; "and as there are holes in the shut- "Curse him, no !" muttered the man,
ters, and we never show lights to our "or he would have been a thief long
neighbours, we'll set the candle on the ago."
stairs. There !" "I had no hold upon him to make him
With these words, the Jew, stooping worse," pursued the Jew, anxiously watch-
down, placed the candle on an upper ing the countenance of his companion ;
flight of stairs exactly opposite the room " his hand was not in ; I had nothing to
door, and led the way into the apartment, frighten him with ; which we always
which was destitute of all movables save must have in the beginning, or we labour
a broken arm-chair, and an old couch or in vain. What could I do ? Send him
sofa, without covering, which stood be- out with the Dodger and Charley ? We
hind the door. Upon this piece of furni- had enough of that at first, my dear ; I
ture the stranger flung himself with the trembled for us all."
air of a weary man ; and, the Jew draw- " That was not my doing," observed
ing up the arm-chair opposite, they sat Monks.
face to face. It was not quite dark, for 66 No, no, my dear !" renewed the Jew,
the door was partially open, and the can- " and I don't quarrel with it now ; be-
dle outside threw a feeble reflection on cause, if it had never happened, you
the opposite wall. might never have clapped eyes upon the
They conversed for some time in whis- boy to notice him, and so led to the dis-
pers ; and, although nothing of the con- covery that it was him you were looking
versation was distinguishable beyond a for. Well ; I got him back for you by
few disjointed words here and there, a means of the girl, and then she begins to
listener might easily have perceived that favour him."
Fagin appeared to be defending himself "Throttle the girl !" said Monks im-
against some remarks of the stranger, patiently.
and that the latter was in a state of con- 66 Why, we can't afford to do that just
siderable irritation. They might have now, my dear," replied the Jew, smiling ;
been talking thus for a quarter of an hour " and, besides, that sort of thing is not in
or more, when Monks-by which name our way, or one of these days I might be
the Jew had designated the strange man glad to have it done. I know what these
several times in the course of their collo- girls are, Monks, well ; as soon as the
quy-said, raising his voice a little, boy begins to harden, she 'll care no more
"I tell you again it was badly planned. for him than for a block of wood. You
Why not have kept him here among the want him made a thief: if he is alive, I
rest, and made a sneaking, snivelling can make him one from this time ; and if
pickpocket of him at once ?" -if-" said the Jew, drawing nearer to
" Only hear him !" exclaimed the Jew, the other, " it's not likely, mind,-but
shrugging his shoulders. if the worst comes to the worst, and he
66 99
Why ; do you mean to say you is dead-
couldn't have done it if you had chosen ?" "It's no fault of mine if he is !" inter-
demanded Monks sternly. 66 Haven't you posed the other man with a look of terror,
done it with other boys scores of times ? and clasping the Jew's arm with trem-
If you had had patience for a twelve- bling hands. " Mind that, Fagin ! I had
month at most, couldn't you have got him no hand in it. Anything but his death, I
0
106 OLIVER TWIST.
told you from the first. I won't shed CHAPTER THE FIFTH
blood ; it's always found out, and haunts
Atones for the unpoliteness of a former chapter,
a man besides ! If they shot him dead, I which deserted a Lady most unceremoniously.
was not the cause ; do you hear me ?
Fire this infernal den !-what's that ?" As it would be by no means seemly in
"What !" cried the Jew, grasping the a humble author to keep so mighty a per-
coward round the body with both arms as sonage as a beadle waiting with his back
he sprung to his feet. "Where ?" to a fire, and the skirts of his coat gather-
"Yonder!" replied the man, glaring at ed up under his arms, until such time as
the opposite wall. "The shadow- I saw it might suit his pleasure to relieve him ;
the shadow of a woman in a cloak and and as it would still less become his
bonnet pass along the wainscot like a station or his gallantry to involve in the
breath !" same neglect a lady on whom that beadle
The Jew released his hold, and they had looked with an eye of tenderness and
rushed tumultuously from the room. The affection, and in whose ear he had whis-
candle, wasted by the draught, was stand- pered sweet words, which, coming from
ing where it had been placed, and show- such a quarter, might well thrill the
ed them the empty stair-cases, and their bosom of maid or matron of whatsoever
own white faces. They listened intently, degree ; the faithful historian whose pen
but a profound silence reigned through- traces these words, trusting that he knows
out the house. his place, and entertains a becoming re-
" It's your fancy," said the Jew, taking verence for those upon earth to whom
up the light, and turning to his com- high and important authority is delegated,
panion. hastens to pay them that respect which
" I'll swear I saw it !" replied Monks, their position demands, and to treat them
trembling violently. "It was bending with all that duteous ceremony which
forward when I saw it first, and when I their exalted rank and (by consequence)
spoke it darted away." great virtues imperatively claim at his
The Jew glanced contemptuously at hands. Towards this end, indeed, he had
the pale face of his associate, and, telling purposed to introduce in this place a dis-
him he could follow if he pleased, ascend- sertation touching the divine right of
ed the stairs. They looked into all the beadles, and elucidative of the position
rooms ; they were cold, bare, and empty. that a beadle can do no wrong, which
They descended to the passage, and could not fail to have been both pleasur-
thence into the cellars below. The green able and profitable to the right-minded
damp hung upon the low walls, and the reader, but which he is unfortunately
tracks of the snail and slug glistened in compelled by want of time and space to
the light, but all was still as death. postpone to some more convenient and
"What do you think now, my dear ?" fitting opportunity ; on the arrival of
said the Jew, when they had regained which, he will be prepared to show that
the passage. " Besides ourselves, there's a beadle properly constituted-that is to
not a creature in the house except Toby say, a parochial beadle attached to the
and the boys, and they ' re safe enough. parochial workhouse, and attending in
See here !" his official capacity the parochial church,
As a proof of the fact, the Jew drew - is, in right and virtue of his office, pos-
forth two keys from his pocket ; and ex- sessed of all the excellencies and best
plained that when he first went down qualities of humanity ; and that to none
stairs he had locked them in, to prevent of those excellencies can mere com-
any intrusion on the conference. panies' beadles, or court-of-law beadles,
This accumulated testimony effectually or even chapel-of- ease beadles (save the
staggered Mr. Monks. His protestations last in a very lowly and inferior degree,)
had gradually become less and less vehe- lay the remotest sustainable claim .
ment as they proceeded in their search Mr. Bumble had re-counted the tea-
without making any discovery ; and now spoons, re-weighed the sugar-tongs, made
he gave vent to several very grim laughs, a closer inspection of the milk-pot, and
and confessed it could only have been his ascertained to a nicety the exact condi-
excited imagination. He declined any tion of the furniture down to the very
renewal of the conversation however for horse-hair seats of the chairs, and had
that night, suddenly remembering that it repeated each process full half-a-dozen
was past one o'clock ; and so the amiable times, before he began to think that it
couple parted. was time for Mrs. Corney to return.
OLIVER TWIST . 107
Thinking begets thinking ; and, as there | Mr. Bumble soothingly. "A little of the
were no sounds of Mrs. Corney's approach, wine ?"
it occurred to Mr. Bumble that it would "Not for the world !" replied Mrs. Cor
be an innocent and virtuous way of spend- ney. " I couldn't-oh ! The top shelf in
ing the time, if he were further to allay the right-hand corner-oh !" Uttering
his curiosity by a cursory glance at the these words, the good lady pointed dis-
interior of Mrs. Corney's chest of draw- tractedly to the cupboard, and underwent
ers. a convulsion from internal spasms. Mr.
Having listened at the key-hole to as- Bumble rushed to the closet, and, snatch-
sure himself that nobody was approaching ing a pint green-glass bottle from the
the chamber, Mr. Bumble, beginning at shelf thus incoherently indicated, filled a
the bottom, proceeded to make himself tea-cup with its contents, and held it to
acquainted with the contents of the three the lady's lips.
long drawers ; which, being filled with "I'm better now," said Mrs. Corney,
various garments of good fashion and tex- falling back after drinking half of it.
ture, carefully preserved between two Mr. Bumble raised his eyes piously to
layers of old newspaper sprinkled with the ceiling in thankfulness, and, bringing
dried lavender, seemed to yield him ex- them down again to the brim of the cup,
ceeding satisfaction. Arriving in course lifted it to his nose.
of time at the right-hand corner drawer "Peppermint," explained Mrs. Corney
(in which was the key), and beholding in a faint voice, smiling_gently on the
therein a small padlocked box, which, beadle as she spoke. "Try it ; there's
being shaken, gave forth a pleasant sound a little-a little something else in it."
as of the chinking of coin, Mr. Bumble Mr. Bumble tasted the medicine with a
returned with a stately walk to the fire- doubtful look ; smacked his lips, took an-
place, and, resuming his old attitude, said, other taste, and put the cup down empty.
with a grave and determined air, “ I'll "It's very comforting," said Mrs. Ĉor-
do it !" He followed up this remarkable ney.
declaration by shaking his head in a wag- "Very much so indeed, ma'anı " said
gish manner for ten minutes, as though the beadle. As he spoke, he drew a chair
he were remonstrating with himself for beside the matron, and tenderly inquired
being such a pleasant dog ; and then took what had happened to distress her.
66 Nothing," replied Mrs. Corney. 66
a view of his legs in profile with much
seeming pleasure and interest. am a foolish, excitable, weak creetur."
He was still placidly engaged in this 66 Not weak, ma'am," retorted Mr. Burn
latter survey when Mrs. Corney, hurry- ble, drawing his chair a little closer.
ing into the room, threw herself in a "Are you a weak creetur, Mrs. Corney ?"
breathless state on a chair by the fire-side, "We are all weak creeturs," said Mrs.
and covering her eyes with one hand, Corney, laying down a general principle.
placed the other over her heart, and "So we are," said the beadle.
gasped for breath. Nothing was said on either side for a
66 Mrs. Corney," said Mr. Bumble, stoop- minute or two afterwards ; and by the ex-
ing over the matron, " what is this, ma'am ? piration of that time Mr. Bumble had
has anything happened ma'am ? Pray an- illustrated the position by removing his
swer me ; I'm on-on-" Mr. Bumble in left arm from the back of Mrs. Corney's
his alarm could not immediately think of chair, where it had previously rested, to
the word 66 tenterhooks," so he said Mrs. Corney's apron-string, round which
" broken bottles." it gradually became entwined.
66 Oh, Mr. Bumble !" cried the "We are all weak creeturs," said Mr.
lady, " I
have been so dreadfully put out !" Bumble.
"Put out, ma'am !" exclaimed Mr. Mrs. Corney sighed.
Bumble ; " who has dared to- ? I know !" "Don't sigh, Mrs. Corney," said Mr.
said Mr. Bumble, checking himself with Bumble.
native majesty, "this is them wicious "I can't help it," said Mrs. Corney ; and
paupers !" she sighed again.
" It's dreadful to think of!" said the " This is a very comfortable room,
lady, shuddering. ma'am," said Mr. Bumble, looking round.
Then don't think of it, ma'am," re- "Another room and this, ma'am, would
joined Mr. Bumble. be a complete thing."
66 can't help "It would be too much for one," mur
I it," whimpered the lady.
"Then take something, ma'am," said mured the lady.
108 OLIVER TWIST .
"But not for two, ma'am," rejoined Mr. |ping his peppermint. " I'll call at Sow-
Bumble in soft accents. 66 Eh, Mrs. Cor- erberry's as I go home, and tell him to
ney?" send to-morrow morning. Was it that as
Mrs. Corney drooped her head when the frightened you, love ?"
66 It wasn't
beadle said this, and the beadle drooped anything particular, dear,"
his to get a view of Mrs. Corney's face. said the lady evasively.
66 It
Mrs. Corney with great propriety turned must have been something, love,”
her head away, and released her hand to urged Mr. Bumble. "Won't you tell
get at her pocket-handkerchief, but insen- your own B. ?”
sibly replaced it in that of Mr. Bumble. "Not now," rejoined the lady ; " one of
" The board allow you coals, don't they, these days,-after we ' re married, dear !"
Mrs. Corney ?" affectionately inquired the "After we ' re married !" exclaimed Mr.
beadle, pressing her hand. Bumble. 66 It wasn't any impudence from
99
"And candles," replied Mrs. Corney, any of them male paupers as-
66
slightly returning the pressure. No, no, love !" interposed the lady
66 Coals, candles, and house-rent free," hastily.
said Mr. Bumble. 66 Oh, Mrs. Corney, "If I thought it was," continued Mr.
what a angel you are !" Bumble, " if I thought any one of ' em
The lady was not proof against this had dared to lift his wulgar 99 eyes to that
burst of feeling. She sunk into Mr. Bum- lovely countenance-
ble's arms ; and that gentleman, in his 66 They wouldn't have dared to do it,
agitation, imprinted a passionate kiss upon love," responded the lady.
her chaste nose. 66 They had better not !" said Mr. Bum-
" Such porochial perfection !" exclaim- ble, clenching his fist. " Let me see any
ed Mr. Bumble rapturously. " You know man, porochial or extra-porochial, as would
that Mr. Slout is worse to-night, my fas- presume to do it, and I can tell him that
cinator ?" he wouldn't do it a second time !"
66 Yes," replied Unembellished by any violence of ges-
Mrs. Corney bashfully.
66 He can't live a week, the doctor says,"99
ticulation, this might have sounded as no
pursued Mr. Bumble. "He is the master no very high compliment to the lady's
of this establishment ; his death will cause charms ; but, as Mr. Bumble accompanied
a wacancy ; that wacancy must be filled the threat with many warlike gestures,
up. Oh, Mrs. Corney, what a prospect she was much touched with this proof of
this opens ! What a opportunity for a his devotion, and protested with great ad-
joining of hearts and housekeeping !" miration that he was indeed a dove.
Mrs. Corney sobbed. The dove then turned up his coat-col-
" The little word ?" said Mr. Bumble, lar, and put on his cocked-hat, and, hav-
bending over the bashful beauty. " The ing exchanged a long and affectionate
one little, little, little word, my blessed embrace with his future partner, once
Corney ?" again braved the cold wind of the night ;
66
Ye-ye-yes !" sighed out the ma- merely pausing for a few minutes in the
tron. male paupers' ward to abuse them a little,
" One more," pursued the beadle ; with the view of satisfying himself that
66 compose your darling feelings for only he could fill the office of workhouse-mas-
one more. When is it to come off ?" ter with needful acerbity. Assured of
Mrs. Corney twice essayed to speak, his qualifications, Mr. Bumble left the
and twice failed. At length, summoning building with a light heart, and bright vi-
up courage, she threw her arms round Mr. sions of his future promotion, which served
Bumble's neck, and said it might be as to occupy his mind until he reached the
soon as ever he pleased, and that he was shop of the undertaker.
" a irresistible duck." Now, Mr. and Mrs. Sowerberry having
Matters being thus amicably and satis- gone out to tea and supper, and Noah
factorily arranged, the contract was sol- Claypole not being at any time disposed to
emnly ratified in another tea-cup-full of take upon himself a greater amount of
the peppermint mixture, which was ren- physical exertion than is necessary to a
dered the more necessary by the flutter convenient performance of the two func-
and agitation of the lady's spirits. While tions of eating and drinking, the shop
it was being disposed of, she acquainted as not closed, although it was past the
Mr. Bumble with the old woman's de- usual hour of shutting-up. Mr. Bumble
cease. tapped with his cane on the counter se-
" Very good,” said that gentleman, sip. veral times ; but, attracting no attention,
YORK
01
George Gruikshank
MrClaypole ashe appearedwhenhismaster wasout.
P.109
OLIVER TWIST . 109
and beholding a light shining through the "What !" exclaimed Mr. Bumble,
glass-window of the little parlour at the bursting into the room. " Say that again,
back of the shop, he made bold to peep in sir."
and see what was going forward ; and, Charlotte uttered a scream, and hid her
when he saw what was going forward, he face in her apron ; while Mr. Claypole,
was not a little surprised. without making any further change in his
The cloth was laid for supper, and the position than suffering his legs to reach
table was strewed with bread and butter, the ground, gazed at the beadle in drunk-
plates and glasses, a pewter-pot, and a en terror.
wine-bottle. At the upper end of the 66 Say it again, you vile,
owdacious
table Mr. Noah Claypole lolled negligently fellow !" said Mr. Bumble. " How dare
in an easy-chair with his legs thrown over you mention such a thing, sir ? and how
one of the arms, an open clasp-knife in dare you encourage him, you insolent
one hand, and a mass of buttered bread minx ? Kiss her !" exclaimed Mr. Bumble
in the other ; close beside him stood in strong indignation. "Faugh !"
Charlotte, opening oysters from a barrel, "I didn't mean to do it !" said Noah,
which Mr. Claypole condescended to blubbering. " She's always a-kissing of
swallow with remarkable avidity. A more me, whether I like it or not." 1
66 Oh, Noah !” cried Charlotte reproach-
than ordinary redness in the region of the
younggentleman's nose, and a kind of fixed fully.
wink in his right eye, denoted that he was " Yer are, yer know yer are !" retorted
in a slight degree intoxicated ; and these Noah. " She's always a-doing of it, Mr.
symptoms were confirmed by the intense Bumble, sir ; she chucks me under the
relish with which he took his oysters, for chin, please sir, and makes all manner of
which nothing but a strong appreciation love !"
of their cooling properties in cases of "Silence !" cried Mr. Bumble sternly.
internal fever could have sufficiently ac- " Take yourself down stairs, maʼam !
counted. Noah, you shut up the shop, and say an-
"Here's a delicious fat one, Noah dear!" other word till your master comes home
said Charlotte ; " try him, do ; only this at your peril ; and, when he does come
one. home, tell him that Mr. Bumble said he
"What a delicious thing is a oyster !" was to send an old woman's shell after
remarked Mr. Claypole after he had breakfast to-morrow morning. Do you
swallowed it. "What a pity it is a number hear, sir ? Kissing !" cried Mr. Bumble,
of ' em should ever make you feel un- holding up his hands. " The sin and
comfortable, isn't it, Charlotte ?" wickedness of the lower orders in this
"It's quite a cruelty," said Charlotte. porochial district is frightful ; if parlia
"So it is," acquiesced Mr. Claypole. ment don't take their abominable courses
"Ain't yer fond of oysters ?" under consideration, this country's ruined,
"Not over-much," replied Charlotte. and the character of the peasantry gone
"I like to see you eat ' em, Noah dear, for ever !" With these words the beadle
better than eating them myself." strode, with a lofty and gloomy air, from
" Lor" !" said Noah reflectively ; " how the undertaker's premises.
queer !" And now that we have accompanied
" Have another ?" said Charlotte. him so far on his road home, and haye
"Here's one with such a beautiful, deli- made all necessary preparations for the
cate beard !" old woman's funeral, let us set on foot a
66
" I can't manage any more," said Noah. few inquiries after young Oliver Twist,
"I'm very sorry. Come here, Charlotte, and ascertain whether he be still lying in
and I'll kiss yer." the ditch where Toby Crackit left him.
10
110 OLIVER TWIST .
CHAPTER THE SIXTH. it at right angles, and whirling his pistol

high into the air, cleared it at a bound
Looks after Oliver, and proceeds with his ad- and was gone.
ventures.
"Ho, ho, there !" cried a tremulous
"WOLVES, tear your throats !" mutter- voice in the rear. " Pincher, Neptune,
ed Sikes, grinding his teeth ; " I wish I come here, come here !"
was among some of you ; you'd howl the The dogs, which, in common with their
hoarser for it." masters, seemed to have no particular
As Sikes growled forth this impreca- relish for the sport in which they were
tion with the most desperate ferocity that engaged, readily answered to this com-
his desperate nature was capable of, he mand : and three men, who had by this
rested the body of the wounded boy time advanced some distance into the
across his bended knee, and turned his field,
66 stopped to take counsel together.
head for an instant to look back at his ' My advice, or leastways I should say,
pursuers. my orders is," said the fattest man ofthe
There was little to be made out in the party, " that we 'mediately go home
mist and darkness ; but the loud shouting again."
of men vibrated through the air, and the "I am agreeable to anything which is
barking of the neighbouring dogs, roused agreeable to Mr. Giles," said a shorter
by the sound of the alarm bell, resounded man, who was by no means of a slim
in every direction. figure, and who was very pale in the
"Stop, you white-livered hound !" cried face, and very polite, as frightened men
the robber, shouting after Toby Crackit, frequently are.
who, making the best use of his long " I shouldn't wish to appear ill-man-
legs, was already ahead, -" stop !" nered, gentlemen," said the third, who
The repetition of the word brought had called the dogs back, “ Mr. Giles
Toby to a dead stand-still, for he was not ought to know."
66 Certainly," replied the shorter man ;
quite satisfied that he was beyond the
range of pistol-shot, and Sikes was in no " and whatever Mr. Giles says, it isn't
mood to be played with. our place to contradict him. No, no, I
" Bear a hand with the boy," roared know my sitiwation, -thank my stars I
Sikes, beckoning furiously to his confede- know my sitiwation. " To tell the truth,
rate. "Come back !" the little man did seem to know his situa-
Toby made a show of returning, but tion, and to know perfectly well that it
ventured in a low voice, broken for want was by no means a desirable one, for his
of breath, to intimate considerable reluc- teeth chattered in his head as he spoke.
tance as he came slowly along. " You are afraid, Brittles," said Mr.
66
Quicker!" cried Sikes, laying the Giles.
boy in a dry ditch at his feet, and draw- " I ain't," said Brittles.
ing a pistol from his pocket. " Don't play " You are," said Giles.
the booby with me.' " You're a falsehood, Mr. Giles," said
At this moment the noise grew louder, Brittles.
and Sikes again looking round, could dis- “ You're a lie, Brittles," said Mr.
cern that the men who had given chase Giles.
were already climbing the gate of the Now, these four retorts arose from Mr.
field in which he stood, and that a couple Giles's taunt, and Mr. Giles's taunt had
of dogs were some paces in advance of arisen from his indignation at having the
them. responsibility of going home again im-
" It's all up, Bill," cried Toby, " drop posed upon himself under cover of a com-
the kid and show 'em your heels." With pliment. The third man brought the
this parting advice, Mr. Crackit, pre- dispute to a close most philosophically.
ferring the chance of being shot by his " I'll tell you what it is, gentlemen,"
friend to the certainty of being taken by said he, " we're all afraid."
66 Speak
his enemies, fairly turned tail, and darted for yourself, sir," said Mr.
off at full speed. Sikes clenched his Giles, who was the palest of the party.
teeth, took one look round, threw over " So I do," replied the man. " It's
the prostrate form of Oliver the cape in natural and proper to be afraid, under
which he had been hurriedly muffled, ran such circumstances : I am."
along the front of the hedge as if to dis- " So am I," said Brittles, " only there's
tract the attention of those behind, from no call to tell a man he is, so bounce-
the spot where the boy lay, paused for a ably."
second before another hedge which met These frank admissions softened Mr.
OLIVER TWIST . 111
Giles, who at once owned that he was it might have been seen twinkling and
afraid ; upon which they all three faced dancing in the distance, like some exha-
about and ran back again with the com- lation of the damp and gloomy atmo-
pletest unanimity, till Mr. Giles (who sphere through which it was swiftly
had the shortest wind of the party, and borne.
was encumbered with a pitchfork) most The air grew colder as day came
handsomely insisted upon stopping to slowly on, and the mist rolled along the
make an apology for his hastiness of ground like a dense cloud of smoke ; the
speech. grass was wet, the pathways and low
" But it's wonderful," said Mr. Giles, places were all mire and water, and the
when he had explained, "what a man damp breath of an unwholesome wind
will do when his blood is up. I should went languidly by with a hollow moan-
have committed murder, I know I should, ing. Still Oliver lay motionless and in-
if we'd caught one of the rascals. " sensible on the spot where Sikes had left
As the other two were impressed with him.
a similar presentiment, and their blood, Morning drew on apace ; the air be-
like his, had all gone down again, some came more sharp and piercing as its first
speculation ensued upon the cause of this dull hue-the death of night rather than
sudden change in their temperament. the birth of day - glimmered faintly in
“ I know what it was," said Mr. Giles ; the sky. The objects which had looked
" it was the gate." dim and terrible in the darkness grew
" I shouldn't wonder if it was," ex- more and more defined, and gradually re-
claimed Brittles, catching at the idea. solved into their familiar shapes. The
"You may depend upon it," said Giles, rain came down thick and fast, and pat-
" that that gate stopped the flow of the tered noisily among the leafless bushes.
excitement. I felt all mine suddenly But Oliver felt it not, as it beat against
going away as I was climbing over it." him, for he still lay stretched, helpless
By a remarkable coincidence the other and unconscious, on his bed of clay.
two had been visited with the same un- At length a low cry of pain broke the
pleasant sensation at that precise mo- stillness that prevailed, and uttering it,
ment ; so that it was quite conclusive the boy awoke. His left arm, rudely
that it was the gate, especially as there bandaged in a shawl, hung heavy and
was no doubt regarding the time at which useless at his side, and the bandage was
the change had taken place, because all saturated with blood. He was so weak
three remembered that they had come in that he could scarcely raise himself into
sight of the robbers at the very instant a sitting posture, and when he had done
of its occurrence. so, he looked feebly round for help, and
This dialogue was held between the groaned with pain. Trembling in every
two men who had surprised the burglars, joint from cold and exhaustion, he made
and a travelling tinker, who had been an effort to stand upright, but shuddering
sleeping in an outhouse, and who had from head to foot, fell prostrate on the
been roused, together with his two mon- ground.
grel curs, to join in the pursuit. Mr. After a short return of the stupor in
Giles acted in the double capacity of which he had been so long plunged, Oli-
butler and steward to the old lady of the ver, urged by a creeping sickness at his
mansion, and Brittles was a lad of all heart, which seemed to warn him that if
work, who having entered her service a he lay there he must surely die, got upon
mere child, was treated as a promising his feet and essayed to walk. His head
young boy still, though he was something was dizzy, and he staggered to and fro
past thirty. like a drunken man ; but he kept up
Encouraging each other with such con- nevertheless, and, with his head drooping
verse as this, but keeping very close languidly on his breast, went stumbling
together notwithstanding, and looking onward he knew not whither.
apprehensively round whenever a fresh And now, hosts of bewildering and
gust rattled through the boughs, the confused ideas came crowding on his
three men hurried back to a tree, behind mind . He seemed to be still walking
which they had left their lantern, lest its between Sikes and Crackit, who were
light should inform the thieves in what angrily disputing, for the very words they
direction to fire. Catching up the light, said sounded in his ears : and when he
they made the best of their way home at caught his own attention, as it were, by
a good round trot ; and long after their making some violent effort to save him-
dusky forms had ceased to be discernible, self from falling, he found that he was
112 OLIVER TWIST .
talking to them. Then he was alone himself with a lofty affability, which,
with Sikes plodding on as they had done while it gratified, could not fail to remind
the previous day, and as shadowy people them of his superior position in society.
passed them by, he felt the robber's But death, fires, and burglary make all
grasp upon his wrist. Suddenly he start- men equals ; and Mr. Giles sat with his
ed back at the report of fire-arms, and legs stretched out before the kitchen
there rose into the air loud cries and fender, leaning his left arm on the table,
shouts ; lights gleamed before his eyes, while with his right he illustrated a cir-
and all was noise and tumult as some un- cumstantial and minute account of the
seen hand bore him hurriedly away. robbery, to which his hearers (but espe-
Through all these rapid visions there ran cially the cook and housemaid, who were
an undefined, uneasy, consciousness of of the party) listened with breathless in-
pain which wearied and tormented him terest.
incessantly. "It was about half-past two," said Mr.
Thus he staggered on, creeping almost Giles, " or I would n't swear that it
mechanically between the bars of gates, might n't have been a little nearer three,
or through hedge-gaps as they came in when I woke up, and turning round in
his way, until he reached a road ; and my bed, as it might be so, (here Mr. Giles
here the rain began to fall so heavily that turned round in his chair, and pulled the
it roused him. corner of the table-cloth over him to imi-
He looked about, and saw that at no tate bed-clothes,) I fancied I heerd a
great distance there was a house, which noise."
perhaps he could reach. Seeing his con- At this point of the narrative the cook
dition they might have compassion on turned pale, and asked the housemaid to
him, and if they did not, it would be bet- shut the door, who asked Brittles, who
ter, he thought, to die near human beings asked the tinker, who pretended not to
than in the lonely open fields. He sum- hear.
moned up all his strength for one last "I heerd a noise," continued Mr. Giles.
trial, and bent his faltering steps to- " I says at first, 6 this is illusion ;' and
wards it. was composing myself off to sleep, when
As he drew nearer to this house, a I heerd the noise again, distinct."
feeling came over him that he had seen "What sort of a noise ?" asked the
it before. He remembered nothing of its cook.
details, but the shape and aspect of the "A kind of busting noise," replied Mr.
building seemed familiar to him. That Giles, looking round him.
garden wall! On the grass inside he had " More like the noise of powdering a
fallen on his knees last night, and prayed iron bar on a nutmeg-grater," suggested
the two men's mercy. It was the very Brittles.
same house they had attempted to rob. " It was, when you heerd it, sir," re-
Oliver felt such fear come over him joined Mr. Giles ; " but at this time it
when he recognised the place, that for had a busting sound. I turned down the
the instant he forgot the agony of his clothes," continued Giles, rolling back
wound, and thought only of flight. the table-cloth, " sat up in bed, and lis-
Flight ! He could scarcely stand ; and tened."
if he were in full possession of all the The cook and housemaid simultane-
best powers of his slight and youthful ously ejaculated " Lor !" and drew their
frame, where could he fly to ? He push- chairs closer together.
ed against the garden gate ; it was un- "I heerd it now, quite apparent," re-
locked and swung open on its hinges. sumed Mr. Giles. Somebody,' I says,
He tottered across the lawn, climbed the is forcing of a door or window, what's
steps, knocked faintly at the door, and his to be done ! I'll call up that poor lad,
whole strength failing him, sunk down Brittles, and save him from being mur
against one of the pillars of the little dered in his bed ; or his throat,' I says,
portico. may be cut from his right ear to his left,
It happened that about this time Mr. without his ever knowing it.'"
Giles, Brittles, and the tinker were re- Here all eyes were turned upon Brit-
cruiting themselves after the fatigues tles, who fixed his upon the speaker, and
and terrors of the night, with tea and stared at him with his mouth wide open,
sundries in the kitchen. Not that it was and his face expressive of the most un-
Mr. Giles's habit to admit to too great mitigated horror.
familiarity the humbler servants, towards 66 tossed off the clothes," said Giles,
"I
whom it was rather his wont to deport throwing away the table-cloth, and look-
C
George rukshanke
・gYeager
Oliver Twist at Mr.Maylies deur.
P113.
ASIOR L
OLIVER TWIST . 113
ing hard at the cook and housemaid, Mr. Giles, after a short silence, " I am
"got softly out of bed, drew on a pair ready to make one."
of " " So am I," said the tinker, waking up
" Ladies present, Mr. Giles," murmur- as suddenly as he had fallen asleep.
ed the tinker. Brittles capitulated on these terms ;
" Of shoes, sir," said Giles, turning and the party being somewhat re-assured
upon him, and laying great emphasis on by the discovery (made on throwing open
the word, " seized the loaded pistol that the shutters) that it was now broad day,
always goes up stairs with the plate- took their way up stairs with the dogs in
basket, and walked on tip-toes to his front, and the two women, who were
room. •
Brittles,' I says, when I had afraid to stop below, bringing up the
woke him, • don't be frightened ! " rear. By the advice of Mr. Giles they
" So you did," observed Brittles, in a all talked very loud, to warn any evil.
low voice. disposed person outside that they were
" We're dead men, I think, Brittles, strong in numbers ; and by a masterstroke
I says,' continued Giles, " but don't be of policy, originating in the brain of the
under any alarm.' " same ingenious gentleman, the dogs' tails
" Was he frightened ?" asked the cook. were well pinched in the hall to make
"Not a bit of it," replied Mr. Giles. them bark savagely.
" He was as firm -ah ! pretty near as These precautions having been taken,
firm as I was." Mr. Giles held on fast by the tinker's
"I should have died at once, I'm sure, arm, (to prevent his running away, as he
if it had been me," observed the house pleasantly said,) and gave the word of
maid. command to open the door. Brittles
"You ' re a woman," retorted Brittles, obeyed, and the group peeping timorously
plucking up a little. over each other's shoulder, beheld no
" Brittles is right," said Mr. Giles, more formidable object than poor little
nodding his head approvingly ; " from a Oliver Twist, speechless and exhausted,
woman nothing else was to be expected. who raised his heavy eyes, and mutely
But we, being men, took a dark lantern solicited their compassion.
that was standing on Brittle's hob, and "A boy !" exclaimed Mr. Giles, va-
groped our way down stairs in the pitch liantly pushing the tinker into the back
dark, as it might be so." ground. "What's the matter with the
Mr. Giles had risen from his seat and eh ? Why - Brittles - look here-
taken two steps with his eyes shut to ac- don't you know ?"
company his description with appropriate Brittles, who had got behind the door
action, when he started violently in com- to open it, no sooner saw Oliver, than he
mon with the rest of the company, and uttered a loud cry of recognition. Mr.
hurried back to his chair. The cook and Giles seizing the boy by one leg and one
housemaid screamed. arm-fortunately not the broken limb-
" It was a knock," said Mr. Giles, as- lugged him straight into the hall, and de-
suming perfect serenity ; " open the door, posited him at full length on the floor
somebody." thereof. " Here he is !" bawled Giles,
Nobody moved. calling in a great state of excitement up
"It seems a strange sort of thing, a the staircase ; " here's one of the
knock coming at such a time in the morn- thieves, ma'am ! Here's a thief, miss-
ing," said Mr. Giles, surveying the pale wounded, miss ! I shot him, miss, and
faces which surrounded him, and looking Brittles held the light."
very blank himself ; " but the door must “ In a lantern, miss," cried Brittles, ap-
be opened. Do you hear, somebody ?" plying one hand to the side of his mouth,
Mr. Giles, as he spoke, looked at Brit- so that his voice might travel the better.
tles ; but that young man being naturally The two women servants ran up stairs
modest, probably considered himself no- to carry the intelligence that Mr. Giles
body, and so held that the inquiry could had captured a robber ; and the tinker
not have any application to him. At all busied himself in endeavouring to restore
events, he tendered no reply. Mr. Giles Oliver, lest he should die before he could
directed an appealing glance at the be hung. In the midst of all this noise
tinker, but he had suddenly fallen and commotion there was heard a sweet
asleep. The women were out of the female voice which quelled it in an in-
question. stant.
"If Brittles would rather open the "Giles !" whispered the voice from the
door in the presence of witnesses," said stairhead.
P 10 *
114 OLIVER TWIST .
"I'm here, miss," replied Mr. Giles. merest trifle on one side, his left leg ad-
" Don't be frightened, miss ; I ain't much vanced, and his right hand thrust into his
injured. He did n't make a very despe- waistcoat, while his left hung down by
rate resistance, miss ; I was soon too his side grasping a waiter, looked like
many for him." one who laboured under a very agreeable
" Hush !" replied the young lady ; sense of his own merits and importance.
"you frighten my aunt almost as much Of the two ladies, one was well ad-
as the thieves did. Is the poor creature vanced in years, but the high-backed
severely hurt ?" oaken chair in which she sat was not
"Wounded desperate, miss,” replied more upright than she. Dressed with the
Giles, with indescribable complacency. utmost nicety and precision in a quaint
"He looks as if he was a-going, miss," mixture of bygone costume, with some
bawled Brittles, in the same manner as slight concessions to the prevailing taste,
before. "Would n't you like to come and which rather served to point the old style
look at him, miss, in case he should-?" pleasantly than to impair its effect, she
" Hush, pray, there's a good man !" sat in a stately manner with her hands
rejoined the young lady. " Wait quietly folded on the table before her, and her
one instant while I speak to aunt." eyes, of which age had dimmed but little
With a footstep as soft and gentle as of their brightness, attentively fixed upon
the voice, the speaker tripped away, and her young companion.
soon returned with the direction that the The younger lady was in the lovely
wounded person was to be carried care- bloom and spring-time of womanhood ; at
fully up stairs to Mr. Giles's room, and that age when, if ever angels be for
that Brittles was to saddle the pony and God's good purposes enthroned in mortal
betake himself instantly to Chertsey, forms, they may be without impiety sup-
from which place he was to despatch posed to abide in such as hers.
with all speed a constable and doctor. She was not past seventeen. Cast in
" But won't you take one look at him so slight and exquisite a mould, so mild
first, miss ?" said Giles, with as much and gentle, so pure and beautiful, that
pride as if Oliver were some bird of rare earth seemed not her element, nor its
plumage66 that he had skilfully brought rough creatures her fit companions. The
down. Not one little peep, miss." very intelligence that shone in her deep
"Not now for the world," replied the blue eye and was stamped upon her noble
young lady. "Poor fellow ! oh ! treat head, seemed scarcely of her age or of
him kindly Giles, if it is only for my the world, and yet the changing expres
sake !" sion of sweetness and good humour, the
The old servant looked up at the thousand lights that played about the face
speaker, as she turned away, with a and left no shadow there ; above all, the
glance as proud and admiring as if she smile -the cheerful happy smile - were
had been his own child. Then bending entwined with the best sympathies and
over Oliver, he helped to carry him up affections of our nature.
stairs with the care and solicitude of a She was busily engaged in the little
woman. offices of the table, and chancing to raise
her eyes as the elder lady was regarding
her, playfully put back her hair, which
CHAPTER THE SEVENTH was simply braided on her forehead, and
threw into one beaming look such a gush
Has an introductory account of the inmates of of affection and artless loveliness, that
the house to which Oliver resorted, and relates blessed spirits might have smiled to look
what they thought of him. upon her.
The elder lady smiled ; but her heart
In a handsome room-though its furni- was full, and she brushed away a tear as
ture had rather the air of old-fashioned she did so.
comfort, than of modern elegance- there "And Brittles has been gone upwards
sat two ladies at a well-spread breakfast- of an hour, has he ?" asked the old lady
table. Mr. Giles, dressed with scrupu- after a pause.
lous care in a full suit of black, was in "An hour and twelve minutes, ma'am ;"
attendance upon them. He had taken replied Mr. Giles, referring to a silver
his station some half-way between the watch which he drew forth by a black
sideboard and the breakfast-table, and ribbon.
with his body drawn up to its full height, " He is always slow," remarked the
his head thrown back and inclined the old lady.
OLIVER TWIST . 115
"Brittles always was a slow boy, your man at twelve paces. Fancy that
ma'am," replied the attendant. And see- he fired in the air, and you've fought a
ing, by-the-by, that Brittles had been a duel, Giles."
slow boy for upwards of thirty years, Mr. Giles, who thought this light treat-
there appeared no great probability of his ment of the matter an unjust attempt at
ever being a fast one. diminishing his glory, answered respect-
" He gets worse instead of better, I fully, that it was not for the like of him
think," said the elder lady. to judge about that, but he rather thought
" It is very inexcusable in him if he it was no joke to the opposite party.
stops to play with any other boys," said "'Gad, that's true !" said the doctor.
the young lady, smiling. "Where is he ? Show me the way. I'll
Mr. Giles was apparently considering look in again as I come down, Mrs. May-
the propriety of indulging in a respectful lie. That's the little window that he got
smile himself, when a gig drove up to in at, eh? Well, I could n't have be-
the garden-gate, out of which there jump- lieved it." Talking all the way, he fol-
ed a fat gentleman, who ran straight up lowed Mr. Giles up stairs ; and while he
to the door, and getting quickly into the is going up stairs the reader may be in-
house by some mysterious process, burst formed, that Mr. Losberne, a surgeon, in
into the room, and nearly overturned Mr. the neighbourhood, known through a cir-
Giles and the breakfast-table together. cuit of ten miles round as "the doctor,"
" I never heard of such a thing !" ex- had grown fat more from good humour
claimed the fat gentleman. " My dear than from good living, and was as kind
Mrs. Maylie - bless my soul - in the and hearty, and withal as eccentric an
silence of night too — I never heard of old bachelor as will be found in five times
such a thing !" that space by any explorer alive.
With these expressions of condolence, The doctor was absent much longer
the fat gentleman shook hands with both than either he or the ladies had antici-
ladies, and drawing up a chair, inquired pated. A large flat box was fetched out
how they found themselves. of the gig, and a bed-room bell was rung
" You ought to be dead - positively very often , and the servants ran up and
dead with the fright," said the fat gentle- down stairs perpetually, from which to-
man. 66 Why didn't you send ? Bless kens it was justly concluded that some-
me, my man should have come in a min- thing important was going on above. At
ute, or I myself and my assistant would length he returned ; and in reply to an
have been delighted, or anybody : I'm anxious inquiry after his patient, looked
sure, under such circumstances ; dear, very mysterious, and closed the door care-
dear- so unexpected - in the silence of fully.
night too !" " This is a very extraordinary thing,
The doctor seemed especially troubled Mrs. Maylie," said the doctor, standing
by the fact of the robbery having been with his back to the door as if to keep it
unexpected, and attempted in the night shut.
time, as if it were the established custom “ He is not in danger, I hope ?" said
of gentlemen in the house-breaking way the66 old lady.
to transact business at noon, and to make Why, that would not be an extraor-
an appointment by the twopenny post a dinary thing, under the circumstances,"
day or two previous. replied the doctor, " though I don't think
" And you, Miss Rose," said the doc- 99 he is. Have you seen this thief?"
tor, turning to the young lady, “ I— "No," rejoined the old lady.
" Oh ! very much so, indeed," said "Nor heard anything about him ?"
Rose, interrupting him ; " but there is a "No."
poor creature up stairs whom aunt wishes " I beg your pardon, ma'am," inter-
you to see." posed Mr. Giles ; "but I was going to
" Ah ! to be sure," replied the doctor, tell you about him when Doctor Losberne
66 SO there is. That was your handy- came in."
work, Giles, I understand." The fact was, that Mr. Giles had not
Mr. Giles, who had been feverishly at first been able to bring his mind to the
putting the tea-cups to rights, blushed avowal that he had only shot a boy.
very red, and said that he had had that Such commendations had been bestowed
honour. upon his bravery, that he could not for
"Honour, eh ?" said the doctor ; " well, the life of him help postponing the ex-
I don't know, perhaps it's as honourable planation for a few delicious minutes,
to hit a thief in a back kitchen, as to hit during which he had flourished in the
116 OLIVER TWIST .
very zenith of a brief reputation for un- place, or the odour of a flower, or even
daunted courage. the mention of a familiar word, will
" Rose wished to see the man," said sometimes call up sudden dim remem-
Mrs. Maylie, " but I wouldn't hear of brances of scenes that never were, in
it." this life, which vanish like a breath, and
66
Humph !" rejoined the doctor. which some brief memory of a happier
"There's nothing very alarming in his existence long gone by, would seem to
appearance. Have you any objection to have awakened, for no power of the
see him in my presence ?" human mind can ever recal them .
"If it be necessary," replied the old "What can this mean !" exclaimed
lady, " certainly not." the elder lady. " This poor child can
66 Then I think it is necessary," said never
66 have been the pupil of robbers."
the doctor ; "at all events I am quite Vice," sighed the surgeon, replacing
sure that you would deeply regret not the curtain, " takes up her abode in many
having done so, if you postponed it. He temples, and who can say that a fair out-
is perfectly quiet and comfortable now. side shall not enshrine her ?"
66
Allow me - Miss Rose, will you permit "But at so early an age," urged Rose.
me ? not the slightest fear, I pledge you " My dear young lady," rejoined the
my honour." surgeon, mournfully shaking his head,
With many more loquacious assuran- "crime, like death, is not confined to the
ces that they would be agreeably sur- old and withered alone. The youngest
prised in the aspect of the criminal, the and fairest are too often its chosen vic-
doctor drew the young lady's arm through tims."
66 But, can you-
one of his, and offering his disengaged oh, sir ! can you, real-
hand to Mrs. Maylie, led them with much ly believe that this delicate boy has been
ceremony and stateliness up stairs. the voluntary associate of the worst out-
"Now," said the doctor in a whisper casts of society ?" said Rose anxiously.
as he softly turned the handle of a bed- The surgeon shook his head in a man-
room door, " let us hear what you think ner which intimated that he feared it was
of him. He has not been shaved very very possible ; and observing that they
recently, but he doesn't look at all fero- might disturb the patient, led the way
cious notwithstanding. Stop, though : into an adjoining apartment.
let me see that he is in visiting order " But even if he has been wicked,"
first. " pursued Rose, " think how young he is ;
Stepping before them, he looked into think that he may never have known a
the room, and motioning them to advance, mother's love, or even the comfort of a
closed the door when they had entered, home, and that ill-usage and blows, or
and gently drew back the curtains of the the want of bread, may have driven him
bed. Upon it, in lieu of the dogged, to herd with the men who have forced
black-visaged ruffian they had expected him to guilt. Aunt, dear aunt, for mercy's
to behold, there lay a mere child, worn sake think of this before you let them
with pain and exhaustion and sunk into drag this sick child to a prison, which in
a deep sleep. His wounded arm, bound any case must be the grave of all his
and splintered up, was crossed upon his chances of amendment. Oh ! as you
breast, and his head reclined upon the love me, and know that I have never felt
other, which was half hidden by his long the want of parents in your goodness and
hair as it streamed over the pillow. affection, but that I might have done so,
The honest gentleman held the curtain and might have been equally helpless
in his hand, and looked on for a minute and unprotected with this poor child,
or so, in silence. Whilst he was watch- have pity upon him before it is too
ing the patient thus, the younger lady late."
glided softly past, and seating herself in "My dear love !" said the elder lady,
a chair by the bedside gathered Oliver's as she folded the weeping girl to her
hair from his face, and as she stooped bosom ; " do you think I would harm a
over him, her tears fell upon his fore- hair of his head ?"
head. " Oh, no !" replied Rose, eagerly, " not
The boy stirred and smiled in his you, aunt, not you !"
sleep, as though these marks of pity and " No ;" said the old lady with a trem-
compassion had awakened some pleasant bling lip, " my days are drawing to their
dream of a love and affection he had close, and may mercy be shown to me as
never known ; as a strain of gentle I show it to others. What can I do to
music, or the rippling of water in a silent save him, sir ?"
OLIVER TWIST. 117
"Let me think, ma'am," said the doc- 66 He cannot be hardened in vice," said
tor, " let me think." Rose ; "it is impossible. "
Mr. Losberne thrust his hands into his "Very good," retorted the doctor ;
pockets and took several turns up and " then so much the more reason for ac-
down the room, often stopping and balan- ceding to my proposition."
cing himself on his toes and frowning Finally the treaty was entered into,
frightfully. After various exclamations and the parties thereto sat down to wait
of" I've got it now," and " no, I havn't," with some impatience until Oliver should
and as many renewals of the walking wake.
and frowning, he at length made a dead The patience of the two ladies was
halt, and spoke as follows :- destined to undergo a longer trial than
66
I think if you give me a full and un- Mr. Losberne had led them to expect, for
limited commission to bully Giles and hour after hour passed on, and still Oliver
that little boy, Brittles, I can manage it. slumbered heavily. It was evening, in-
He is a faithful fellow and an old servant, deed, before the kind-hearted doctor
I know ; but you can make it up to him brought them the intelligence that he had
in a thousand ways, and reward him for at length roused sufficiently to be spoken
being such a good shot besides. You to. The boy was very ill, he said, and
don't object to that ?" weak from the loss of blood ; but his
"Unless there is some other way of mind was so troubled with anxiety to dis-
preserving the child," replied Mrs. May- close something, that he deemed it better
lie. to give him the opportunity than to insist
"There is no other," said the doctor. upon his remaining quiet until next morn-
"No other, take my word for it." ing, which he should otherwise have
"Then aunt invests you with full pow- done.
er," said Rose, smiling through her tears ; The conference was a long one, for
"but pray don't be harder upon the poor Oliver told them all his simple history,
fellows than is indispensably necessary." and was often compelled to stop by pain
"You seem to think," retorted the doc- and want of strength. It was a solemn
tor, " that everybody is disposed to be thing to hear, in the darkened room, the
hard-hearted to-day except yourself. I feeble voice of the sick child recounting
only hope, for the sake ofthe rising male a weary catalogue of evils and calamities
sex generally, that you may be found in which hard men had brought upon him.
as vulnerable and soft-hearted a mood by Oh ! if, when we oppress and grind our
the very first eligible young fellow who fellow-creatures, we bestowed but one
appeals to your compassion ; and I wish thought on the dark evidences of human
I were a young fellow that I might avail error, which, like dense and heavy clouds
myself on the spot of such a favourable are rising slowly, it is true, but not less
opportunity for doing so, as the present. " surely, to heaven, to pour their after-ven-
"You are as great a boy as poor Brit- geance on our heads - if we heard but
tles himself," returned Rose, blushing. one instant in imagination the deep testi-
"Well," said the doctor, laughing mony of dead men's voices, which no
heartily, " that is no very difficult matter. power can stifle and no pride shut out,
But to return to this boy : the great point where would be the injury and injustice,
of our agreement is yet to come. He the suffering, misery, cruelty, and wrong,
will wake in an hour or so, I dare say ; that each day's life brings with it !
and although I have told that thick-head- Oliver's pillow was smoothed by wo-
ed constable fellow down stairs that he man's hands that night, and loveliness
musn't be moved or spoken to, on peril and virtue watched him as he slept. He
of his life, I think we may converse with felt calm and happy, and could have died
him without danger. Now, I make this without a murmur.
stipulation -- that I shall examine him in The momentous interview was no
your presence, and that if from what he sooner concluded, and Oliver composed
says, we judge, and I can show to the to rest again, than the doctor, after wiping
satisfaction of your cool reason, that he is his eyes and condemning them in the
a real and thorough bad one, (which is usual phrase for being weak all at once,
more than possible,) he shall be left to his betook himself down stairs to open upon
fate, without any further interference, on Mr. Giles. And finding nobody about the
my part, at all events." parlours, it occurred to him that he could
"Oh, no, aunt !" entreated Rose. perhaps originate the proceedings with
"Oh, yes, aunt," said the doctor. "Is better effect in the kitchen ; so into the
it a bargain ?" kitchen he went.
118 OLIVER TWIST .
There were assembled in that lower The doctor, who was universally con-
house of the domestic parliament, the sidered one of the best-tempered crea-
women servants, Mr. Brittles, Mr. Giles, tures on earth, made this demand in such
the tinker, (who had received a special a dreadful tone of anger, that Giles and
invitation to regale himself for the re- Brittles, who were considerably muddled
mainder of the day in consideration of by ale and excitement, stared at each
his services,) and the constable. The other in a state of stupefaction.
latter gentleman had a large staff, a "Pay attention to the reply, constable,
large head, large features, and large will you," said the doctor, shaking his
half- boots, and looked as if he had been forefinger with great solemnity of man-
taking a proportionate allowance of ale, ner, and tapping the bridge of his nose
as indeed he had. with it, to bespeak the exercise of that
66
The adventures of the previous night worthy's utmost acuteness. Something
were still under discussion, for Mr. Giles may come of this before long."
was expatiating upon his presence of The constable looked as wise as he
mind when the doctor entered ; and Mr. could, and took up his staff of office
Brittles, with a mug of ale in his hand, which had been reclining indolently in
was corroborating every thing before his the chimney-corner.
superior said it. "It's a simple question of identity,
" Sit still," said the doctor, waving his you will observe," said the doctor.
hand. " That's what it is, sir," replied the
" Thank you, sir," said Mr. Giles. constable, coughing with great violence ;
" Misses wishes some ale to be given out, for he had finished his ale in a hurry, and
sir, and as I felt noways inclined for my some of it had gone the wrong way.
own little room, sir, and disposed for " Here's a house broken into," said
company, I am taking mine among ' em the doctor, " and a couple of men catch
here." one moment's glimpse of a boy in the
Brittles headed a low murmur by midst of gunpowder smoke, and in all the
which the ladies and gentlemen gene- distraction of alarm and darkness. Here's
rally, were understood to express the a boy comes to that very same house
gratification they derived from Mr. Giles's next morning, and because he happens to
condescension ; and Mr. Giles looked have his arm tied up, those men lay vio-
round with a patronising air, as much as lent hands upon him - by doing which,
to say, that so long as they behaved pro- they place his life in great danger-and
perly, he would never desert them. swear he is the thief. Now, the question
" How is the patient to-night, sir ?" is, whether those men are justified bythe
asked Giles. fact, and if not, what situation do they
" So-so ;" returned the doctor. " I am place themselves in ?"
afraid you have got yourself into a scrape The constable nodded profoundly, and
there, Mr. Giles. said that if that was n't law, he should be
"I hope you do n't mean to say, sir," glad to know what was.
said Mr. Giles, trembling, "that he's " I ask you again," thundered the doc-
going to die. If I thought it, I should tor, " are you on your solemn oaths able
never be happy again. I would n't cut a to identify that boy ?"
boy off, no, not even Brittles here, not for Brittles looked doubtfully at Mr. Giles,
all the plate in the country, sir." Mr. Giles looked doubtfully at Brittles ;
" That's not the point," said the doc- the constable put his hand behind his ear
tor mysteriously. " Mr. Giles, are you a to catch the reply ; the two women and
Protestant ?" the tinker leant forward to listen ; and
" Yes, sir, I hope so ;" faltered Mr. the doctor glanced keenly round, when a
Giles, who had turned very pale. ring was heard at the gate, and at the
"And what are you, boy ?" said the same moment the sound of wheels.
doctor, turning sharply upon Brittles. " It's the runners !" cried Brittles, to
" Lord bless me, sir !" replied Brittles, all appearance much relieved.
starting violently; " I'm the same as " The what !" exclaimed the doctor,
Mr. Giles, sir." aghast in his turn.
"Then tell me this," said the doctor " The Bow-street officers, sir," replied
66 me and
fiercely, " both of you-both of you : are Brittles, taking up a candle,
you going to take upon yourselves to Mr. Giles sent for ' em this morning."
swear that that boy up stairs is the boy " What !" cried the doctor.
that was put through the little window 66 Yes," replied Brittles, " I sent a mes-
last night Out with it ! Come ; we are sage up by the coachman, and I only
prepared for you. wonder they were n't here before, sir."
OLIVER TWIST . 119
" You did, did you. Then confound Mr. Blathers made a bow, and, being
and damn your- slow coaches down desired to sit down, put his hat upon the
here ; that's all," said the doctor, walk- floor, and, taking a chair, motioned Duff
ing away. to do the same. The latter gentleman ,
who did not appear quite so much accus-
tomed to good society, or quite so much
at his ease in it, one of the two, seated
CHAPTER THE EIGHTH himself, after undergoing several muscu-
lar affections of the limbs, and forced the
Involves a critical position. head of his stick into his mouth with
some embarrassment.
"WHO's that ?" inquired Brittles, open- " Now, with regard to this here rob-
ing the door a little way with the chain bery, master," said Blathers. " What are
up, and peeping out, shading the candle the circumstances ?"
with his hand. Mr. Losberne, who appeared desirous
66
Open the door," replied a man out- of gaining time, recounted them at great
side: " it's the officers from Bow-street length and with much circumlocution :
that was sent to, to-day." Messrs. Blathers and Duff looking very
Much comforted by this assurance, knowing meanwhile, and occasionally ex-
Brittles opened the door to its full width, changing a nod.
and confronted a portly man in a great- "I can't say for certain till I see the
coat, who walked in without saying any place, of course," said Blathers ; " but my
thing more, and wiped his shoes on the opinion at once is, I don't mind commit-
mat as coolly as if he lived there. ting myself to that extent, that this
"Just send somebody out to relieve my wasn't done by a yokel—eh, Duff?"
66 Certainly
mate, will you, young man,?" said the not, " replied Duff.
officer: " he's in the gig minding the "And, translating the word yokel for
prad. Have you got a coach'us here that the benefit of the ladies, I apprehend
you could put it up in for five or ten min- your meaning to be that this attempt was
utes ?" not made by a countryman ?" said Mr.
Brittles, replying in the affirmative, Losberne with a smile.
and pointing out the building, the portly " That's it, master," replied Blathers.
man stepped back to the garden gate, and " This is all about the robbery, is it ?"
66 All," replied the doctor.
helped his companion to put up the gig,
while Brittles lighted them in a state of " Now, what is this about this here boy
great admiration. This done, they re- that the servants are talking of ?” said
turned to the house, and, being shown Blathers.
into a parlour, took off their great-coats "Nothing at all," replied the doctor."
and hats, and showed like what they " One of the frightened servants chose to
were. The man who had knocked at the take it into his head that he had some-
door was a stout personage of middle thing to do with this attempt to break
height, aged about fifty, with shiny black into the house ; but it's nonsense- sheer
hair, cropped pretty close, half whiskers, absurdity."
a round face, and sharp eyes. The other "Wery easy disposed of it is," re-
was a red-headed bony man, in top-boots, marked Duff.
with a rather ill-favoured countenance, "What he says is quite correct," ob-
and a turned-up sinister-looking nose. served Blathers, nodding his head in a
"Tell your governor that Blathers and confirmatory way, and playing carelessly
Duff is here, will you ?" said the stouter with the handcuffs, as if they were a pair
man, smoothing down his hair, and laying of castanets. "Who is the boy ? What
a pair of handcuffs on the table. "Oh! account does he give of himself? Where
good evening, master. Can I have a word did he come from ? He did n't drop out
or two with you in private, if you of the clouds, did he, master ?"
please ?" "Of course not," replied the doctor
This was addressed to Mr. Losberne, with a nervous glance at the two ladies.
who now made his appearance ; and that " I know his whole history ;-but we can
gentleman, motioning Brittles to re- talk about that presently. You would
tire, brought in the two ladies and shut like to see the place where the thieves
the door. made their attempt, first, I suppose?"
"This is the lady of the house," said "Certainly," rejoined Mr. Blathers.
Mr. Losberne, motioning towards Mrs. "We had better inspect the premises
Maylie. first, and examine the servants arter-
120 OLIVER TWIST .
wards. That's the usual way of doing have the why and the wherefore, and
business." take nothing for granted. On his own
Lights were then procured, and Messrs. showing, you see, he has been the com-
Blathers and Duff, attended by the native panion of thieves for some time past ; he
constable, Brittles, Giles, and everybody has been carried to a police-office on a
else in short, went into the little room at charge of picking a gentleman's pocket,
the end of the passage, and looked out at and is taken away forcibly from that gen-
the window, and afterwards went round tleman's house to a place which he can-
by way of the lawn, and looked in at the not describe or point out, and ofthe situa-
window, and after that had a candle tion of which he has not the remotest
handed out to inspect the shutter with, idea. He is brought down to Chertsey
and after that a lantern to trace the foot- by men who seem to have taken a violent
steps with, and after that a pitchfork to fancy to him, whether he will or no, and
poke the bushes with. This done amidst put through a window to rob a house, and
the breathless interest of all beholders, then, just at the very moment when he is
they came in again, and Mr. Giles and going to alarm the inmates, and so do the
Brittles were put through a melo-dra- very thing that would set him all to
matic representation of their share in the rights, there rushes into the way that
previous night's adventures, which they blundering dog of a half-bred butler and
performed some six times over, contra- shoots him, as if on purpose to prevent
dicting each other in not more than one his doing any good for himself. Don't
important respect the first time, and in you see all this ?"
not more than a dozen the last. This "I see it, of course," replied Rose,
consummation being arrived at, Blathers smiling at the doctor s impetuosity ; " but
and Duff cleared the room, and held a still I do not see anything in it to crimi-
long council together, compared with nate the poor child."
66" No,"
which, for secrecy and solemnity, a con- replied the doctor ; " of course
sultation of great doctors on the knottiest not ! Bless the bright eyes of your sex !
point in medicine would be mere child's They never see, whether for good or bad,
play. more than one side of any question ; and
Meanwhile the doctor walked up and that is, invariably, the one which first
down the next room in a very uneasy presents itself to them."
state, and Mrs. Maylie and Rose looked Having given. vent to this result of ex-
on with anxious faces. perience, the doctor put his hands into
66 his pockets, and walked up and down the
Upon my word," he said, making a
halt after a great number of very rapid room with even greater rapidity than be-
turns, " I hardly know what to do." fore.
66 Surely," said Rose, " the poor child's "The more I think of it," said the doc-
story, faithfully repeated to these men, tor, " the more I see that it will occasion
will be sufficient to exonerate him." endless trouble and difficulty to put these
"I doubt it, my dear young lady," said men into possession of the boy's real
the doctor, shaking his head. "I don't story. I am certain it will not be be-
think it would exonerate him, either with lieved ; and, even if they can do nothing
them or with legal functionaries of a to him in the end, still the dragging it
higher grade. What is he, after all, they forward, and giving publicity to all the
would say a runaway. Judged by mere doubts that will be cast upon it, must
worldly considerations and probabilities, interfere materially with your benevolent
his story is a very doubtful one." plan of rescuing him from misery."
"You credit it, surely ?" interrupted " Oh ! what is to be done ?" cried Rose.
Rose in haste. "Dear, dear ! why did they send for these
"I believe it, strange as it is, and per- people ?"
haps may be an old fool for doing so," re- "Why, indeed !" exclaimed Mrs. May-
joined the doctor ; " but I don't think it lie. I would not have had them here
is exactly the tale for a practised police for the world !"
officer, nevertheless." "All I know is," said Mr. Losberne at
66 Why not ?" demanded Rose. last, sitting down with a kind of desper-
"Because, my pretty cross-examiner," ate calmness, "that we must try and
replied the doctor, " because, viewed with carry it off with a bold face, that's all !
their eyes, there are so many ugly points The object is a good one, and that must
about it ; he can only prove the parts that be the excuse. The boy has strong
look bad, and none of those that look symptoms of fever upon him, and is in no
well. Confound the fellows, they will condition to be talked to any more ; that's
OLIVER TWIST 121
one comfort. We must make the best front of his chest. " I have seen a good
of it we can ; and, if bad's the best, it's many pieces of business like this in my
no fault of ours. Come in." time, ladies."
"Well, master," said Blathers, enter- " That crack down in the back lane at
ing the room, followed by his colleague, Edmonton, Blathers," said Mr. Duff, as-
and making the door fast before he said sisting his colleague's memory.
any more. " This warn't a put-up "That was something in this way,
thing. " warn't it ?" rejoined Mr. Blathers ; " that
"And what the devil's a put-up thing !" was done by Conkey Chickweed, that
demanded the doctor impatiently. was. "
"We call it a put-up robbery, ladies," " You always gave that to him," re-
said Blathers, turning to them, as if he plied Duff. It was the Family Pet, I
compassioned their ignorance, but had a tell you, and Conkey had n't any more to
contempt for the doctor's " when the ser- do with it than I had."
vants is in it." "Get out!" retorted Mr. Blathers : " I
66 know better. Do you mind that time
Nobody suspected them in this case,"
said Mrs. Maylie. Conkey was robbed of his money, though?
"Wery likely not, ma'am," replied What a start that was ! better than any
Blathers, "but they might have been in novel-book I ever see !"
it, for all that." "What was that ?" inquired Rose,
"More likely on that wery account," anxious to encourage any symptoms of
said Duff. good humour in the unwelcome visitors.
"We find it was a town hand," said "It was a robbery, Miss, that hardly
Blathers, continuing his report ; " for the any body would have been down upon,
style of work is first-rate."" said Blathers. " This here Conkey Chick-
66 Wery pretty indeed, it is," remarked weed— ”
Duff in an under tone. 66 Conkey means Nosey, ma'am," inter-
" There was two of ' em in it," con- posed Duff.
tinued Blathers, " and they had a boy " Of course the lady knows that, don't
with ' em ; that's plain, from the size of she ?" demanded Mr. Blathers. " Always
the window. That's all to be said at interrupting you are, partner. This here
present. We'll see this lad that you've Conkey Chickweed, Miss, kept a public-
got up stairs at once, if you please." house over Battle-bridge way, and had a
" Perhaps they will take something to cellar where a good many young lords
drink first, Mrs. Maylie ?" said the doc- went to see cockfighting, and badger-
tor, his face brightening up as if some drawing, and that ; and a wery intellec-
new thought had occurred to him. tual manner the sports was conducted in,
" Oh! to be sure !" exclaimed Rose, for I've seen 'em off'en. He warn't one
eagerly. "You shall have it immediate- of the family at that time ; and one night
ly, if you will.” he was robbed of three hundred and
"Why, thank you, Miss !" said Blathers, twenty-seven guineas in a canvas-bag,
drawing his coat-sleeve across his mouth : that was stole out of his bedroom in the
" it's dry work this sort of duty. Any- dead of night by a tall man with a black
thing that's handy, Miss ; don't put patch over his eye, who had concealed
yourselfout of the way on our accounts." himself under the bed, and, after com-
"What shall it be ?" asked the doctor, mitting the robbery, jumped slap out of
following the young lady to the side- window, which was only a story high.
board. He was wery quick about it. But Con-
"A little drop of spirits, master, if it's key was quick, too, for he was woke by
all the same," replied Blathers. "It's a the noise, and, darting out of bed, fired a
cold ride from London, ma'am, and I al- blunderbuss arter him, and roused the
ways find that spirits
99 comes home warmer neighbourhood. They set up a hue-and-
to the feelings.' cry directly, and, when they came to
This interesting communication was look about ' em, found that Conkey had
addressed to Mrs. Maylie, who received hit the robber , for there was traces of
it very graciously. While it was being blood all the way to some palings a good
conveyed to her, the doctor slipped out distance off, and there they lost ' em.
of the room. However he had made off with the blunt,
" Ah !" said Mr. Blathers, not holding and, consequently, the name of Mr.
his wine-glass by the stem, but grasping Chickweed, licensed witler, appeared in
the bottom between the thumb and fore- the Gazette among the other bankrupts ;
finger of his left hand, and placing it in and all manner of benefits and subscrip-
11
122 OLIVER TWIST .
tions, and I don't know what all, was got him arterwards, and the other half that
up for the poor man, who was in a wery poor Mr. Chickweed had gone mad with
low state of mind about his loss, and grief."
went up and down the streets for three "What did Jem Spyers say ?" inquired
or four days, pulling his hair off in such the doctor, who had returned to the room
a desperate manner that many people shortly after the commencement of the
was afraid he might be going to make story.
away with himself. One day he come up "Jem Spyers," resumed the officer,
to the office all in a hurry, and had a pri- | “ for a long time said nothing at all, and
vate interview with the magistrate, who, listened to everything without seeming
after a good deal of talk, rings the bell, to, which showed he understood his busi-
and orders Jem Spyers in, (Jem was a ness. But one morning he walked into
active officer,) and tells him to go and as- the bar,6 and, taking out his snuff-box,
sist Mr. Chickweed in apprehending the said, Chickweed, I've found out who's
man that robbed his house. I see him, done this here robbery.'— ' Have you ?'
"
Spyers,' said Chickweed, pass my house said Chickweed. Oh, my dear Spyers,
yesterday morning.'-'Why didn't you only let me have wengeance, and I shall
up and collar him ?' says Spyers-' I was die contented ! Oh, my dear Spyers,
so struck all of a heap that you might where is the villain ?' - Come !" said
have fractured my skull with a toothpick,' Spyers, offering him a pinch of snuff,
says the poor man; but we're sure to none of that gammon! You did it your-
have him, for between ten and eleven self.' So he had, and a good bit of money
o'clock at night he passed again.' Spyers he had made by it, too ; and nobody would
no sooner heard this, than he put some ever have found it out if he hadn't been
clean linen and a comb in his pocket, in so precious anxious to keep up appear-
case he should have to stop for a day or ances, that's more !" said Mr. Blathers,
two ; and away he goes, and sets himself putting down his wine-glass, and clinking
down at one of the public-house windows the handcuffs together.
behind a little red curtain, with his hat "Very curious, indeed," observed the
on, all ready to bolt at a moment's notice. doctor. 66 Now, if you please, you can
He was smoking his pipe here late at walk up stairs. "
night, when all of a sudden Chickweed "If you please, sir," returned Mr.
roars out- Here he is ! Stop thief! Blathers. And, closely following Mr.
Murder !' Jem Spyers dashed out ; and Losberne, the two officers ascended to
there he sees Chickweed tearing down Oliver's bedroom, Mr. Giles preceding
the street full-cry. Away goes Spyers ; the party with a lighted candle.
on keeps Chickweed ; round turn the Oliver had been dozing, but looked
•
people ; every body roars out Thieves !' worse, and was more feverish than he
and Chickweed himself keeps on shout- had appeared yet. Being assisted bythe
ing all the time like mad. Spyers loses doctor, he managed to sit up in bed for a
sight of him a minute as he turns a cor- minute or so, and looked at the strangers
ner,-shoots "round-sees a little crowd- without at all understanding what was
dives in. Which is the man ?" going forward, and, in fact, without seem-
'D-me !' says Chickweed, I've lost ing to recollect where he was, or what
him again !' had been passing.
" It was a remarkable occurrence, but " This," said Mr. Losberne, speaking
he warn't to be seen nowhere, so they softly, but with great vehemence notwith-
went back to the public-house, and next standing, " this is the lad, who, being ac-
morning Spyers took his old place, and cidentally wounded by a spring-gun in
looked out from behind the curtain for a some boyish trespass on Mr. What-d'ye-
tall man with a black patch over his eye, call-him's grounds at the back here,
till his own two eyes ached again. At last comes to the house for assistance this
he could n't help shutting ' em to ease 'em morning, and is immediately laid hold of,
a minute, and the wery moment he did so, and maltreated by that ingenious gentle-
he hears Chickweed roaring out, Here man with the candle in his hand, who has
he is !' Off he starts once more, with placed his life in considerable danger, as
Chickweed half- way down the street I can professionally certify. ""
ahead of him ; and, after twice as long a Messrs. Blathers and Duff looked at
run as the yesterday's one, the man's lost Mr. Giles as he was thus recommended
again ! This was done once or twice to their notice, and the bewildered butler
more, till one-half the neighbours gave gazed from them towards Oliver, and from
out that Mr. Chickweed had been robbed Oliver towards Mr. Losberne, with a most
by the devil who was playing tricks with ludicrous mixture of fear and perplexity.
1
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OLIVER TWIST. 123
"You don't mean to deny that, I sup- which made a considerable impression on
pose ?" said the doctor, laying Oliver everybody but the doctor, who had drawn
gently down again. the ball about ten minutes before. Upon
"It was all done for the-for the best, no one, however, did it make a greater
sir !" answered Giles. " I am sure I impression than on Mr. Giles himself,
thought it was the boy, or I would n't who, after labouring for some hours under
have meddled with him. I am not of an the fear of having mortally wounded a
inhuman disposition, sir." fellow-creature, eagerly caught at this
66 Thought it was what boy ?" inquired new idea, and favoured it to the utmost.
the senior officer. Finally, the officers, without troubling
" The housebreaker's boy, sir !" replied themselves very much about Oliver, left
Giles. "They- they certainly had a boy." the Chertsey constable in the house, and
"Well, do you think so . now ?" in- took up their rest for that night in the
quired Blathers. town, promising to return next morning.
" Think what, now ?" replied Giles, With the next morning there came a
looking vacantly at his questioner. rumour that two men and a boy were in
" Think it's the same boy, stupid- the cage at Kingston, who had been ap-
head ?" rejoined Mr. Blathers impatiently. prehended over-night under suspicious
" I don't know ; I really don't know," circumstances ; and to Kingston Messrs.
said Giles, with a rueful countenance. Blathers and Duff journeyed accordingly.
66'I could n't swear to him." The suspicious circumstances, however,
"What do you think ?" asked Mr. Bla- resolving themselves, on investigation,
thers. into the one fact that they had been dis-
"I don't know what to think," replied covered sleeping under a haystack, which,
poor Giles. " I don't think it is the boy ; although a great crime, is only punish-
indeed I'm almost certain that it isn't. able by imprisonment, and is, in the
You know it can't be." merciful eye of the English law, and its
" Has this man been a-drinking, sir ?" comprehensive love of all the King's
inquired Blathers, turning to the doctor. subjects, held to be no satisfactory proof
"What a precious muddle-headed chap in the absence of all other evidence, that
you are !" said Duff, addressing Mr. Giles the sleeper or sleepers have committed
with supreme contempt. burglary accompanied with violence, and
Mr. Losbere had been feeling the have therefore rendered themselves liable
patient's pulse during this short dialogue ; to the punishment of death,- Messrs.
but he now rose from the chair by the Blathers and Duff came back again as
bedside, and remarked, that if the officers wise as they went.
had any doubts upon the subject they In short, after some more examination,
would perhaps like to step into the next and a great deal more conversation, a
room, and have Brittles before them. neighbouring magistrate was readily in-
Acting upon this suggestion, they ac- duced to take the joint bail of Mrs. May-
cordingly adjourned to a neighbouring lie and Mr. Losberne for Oliver's appear-
apartment, where Mr. Brittles being call- ance if he should ever be called upon ;
ed in, involved himself and his respected and Blathers and Duff, being rewarded
superior in such a wonderful maze of with a couple of guineas, returned to
fresh contradictions and impossibilities as town with divided opinions on the subject
tended to throw no particular light upon of their expedition : the latter gentleman,
anything save the fact of his own strong on a mature consideration of all the cir-
mystification ; except, indeed, his decla- cumstances, inclining to the belief that
rations that he should n't know the real the burglarious attempt had originated
boy if he were put before him that in- with the Family Pet, and the former be-
stant ; that he had only taken Oliver to ing equally disposed to concede the full
be he because Mr. Giles had said he was, merit of it to the great Mr. Conkey
and that Mr. Giles had five minutes pre- Chickweed.
viously admitted in the kitchen that he Meanwhile Oliver gradually throve
began to be very much afraid he had been and prospered under the united care of
a little too hasty. Mrs. Maylie, Rose, and the kind-hearted
Among other ingenious surmises, the Mr. Losberne. If fervent prayers gush-
question was then raised whether Mr. ing from hearts overcharged with grati-
Giles had really hit anybody, and upon tude be heard in heaven, and if they be
examination of the fellow pistol to that not, what prayers are ? -the blessings
which he had fired, it turned out to have which the orphan child called down upon
no more destructive loading than gun- them, sunk into their souls, diffusing
powder and brown paper :- :- a discovery peace and happiness.
124 OLIVER TWIST .
CHAPTER THE NINTH. imagine. Do you understand me ?" she

Of the happy life Oliver began to lead with his inquired,
face.
watching Oliver's thoughtful
kind friends.
"Oh, yes, ma'am, yes !" replied Oliver
OLIVER'S ailings were neither slight eagerly ; "but I was thinking that I am
nor few. In addition to the pain and de- ungrateful now. "
lay attendant upon a broken limb, his ex- To whom ?" inquired the young lady.
posure to the wet and cold had brought "To the kind gentleman and the dear
on fever and ague, which hung about him old nurse who took so much care of me
for many weeks, and reduced him sadly. before," rejoined Oliver. "If they knew
But at length he began by slow degrees how happy99 I am, they would be pleased,
to get better, and to be able to say some- I am sure.'
times, in a few tearful words, how deeply "I am sure they would," rejoined Oli-
he felt the goodness of the two sweet ver's benefactress ; " and Mr. Losberne
ladies, and how ardently he hoped that has already been kind enough to promise
when he grew strong and well again he that when you are well enough to bear the
could do something to show his gratitude ; journey he will carry you to see them."
only something which would let them see "Has he, ma'am !" cried Oliver, his
the love and duty with which his breast face brightening with pleasure. " I don't
was full ; something, however slight, know what I shall do for joy when I see
which would prove to them that their their kind faces once again !"
gentle kindness had not been cast away, In a short time Oliver was sufficiently
but that the poor boy, whom their charity recovered to undergo the fatigue of this
had rescued from misery or death, was expedition ; and one morning he and Mr.
eager and anxious to serve them with all Losberne set out accordingly in a little
his heart and soul. carriage which belonged to Mrs. Maylie.
"Poor fellow !" said Rose, when Oliver When they came to Chertsey Bridge,
had been one day feebly endeavouring to Oliver turned very pale, and uttered a
utter the words of thankfulness that rose loud exclamation.
to his pale lips. " You shall have many "What's the matter with the boy ?"
opportunities of serving us if you will. cried the doctor, as usual all in a bustle.
We are going into the country, and my "Do you see anything-hear anything-
aunt intends that you shall accompany feel anything-eh ?"
us. The quiet place, the pure air, and " That, sir,” cried Oliver, pointing out
all the pleasures and beauties of spring, of the carriage window. " That house !"
will restore you in a few days, and we "Yes ; well, what of it ? Stop, coach-
will employ you in a hundred ways when man. Pull up here," cried the doctor.
you can bear the trouble." "What of the house, my man- eh ?"
"The trouble !" cried Oliver. " Oh ! “ The thieves—the house they took me
dear lady, if I could but work for you,- to,” whispered Oliver.
if I could only give you pleasure by wa- "The devil it is !" cried the doctor.
tering your flowers, or watching your "Halloa, there ! let me out !" But before
birds, or running up and down the whole the coachman could dismount from his
day long to make you happy, what would box he had tumbled out of the coach by
I give to do it !" some means or other, and, running down
"You shall give nothing at all," said to the deserted tenement, began kicking
Miss Maylie smiling; " for, as I told you at the door like a madman.
before, we shall employ you in a hundred " Halloa !" said a little ugly hump-
ways ; and ifyou only take half the trou- backed man, opening the door so suddenly
ble to please us that you promise now, that the doctor, from the very impetus of
you will make me very happy indeed." his last kick, nearly fell forward into the
66 Happy, ma'am !" cried Oliver : " oh, passage. "What's the matter here ?"
how kind of you to say so!" "Matter !" exclaimed the other, collar-
"You will make me happier than I can ing him without a moment's reflection.
tell you," replied the young lady. "To "A good deal. Robbery is the matter."
think that my dear good aunt should have " There'll be murder too," replied the
been the means of rescuing any one from hump-backed man coolly, " if you don't
such sad misery as you have described to take your hands off. Do you hear me ?"
us, would be an unspeakable pleasure to "I hear you," said the doctor, giving
me ; but to know that the object of her his captive a hearty shake. "Where's
goodness and compassion was sincerely - confound the fellow, what's his ras-
grateful and attached in consequence, cally name- Sikes- that's it. Where's
would delight me more than you can well Sikes, you thief?"
OLIVER TWIST . 125
The hump-backed man stared as if in long silence. " Did you know that be-
excess of amazement and indignation ; fore, Oliver ?"
and, twisting himself dexterously from "No, sir."
the doctor's grasp, growled forth a volley "Then don't forget it another time."
of horrid oaths, and retired into the house. "An ass," said the doctor again after a
Before he could shut the door, however, further silence of some minutes. " Even
the doctor had passed into the parlour if it had been the right place, and the
without a word of parley. He looked right fellows had been there, what could
anxiously round : not an article of furni- I have done single-handed ? And if I had
ture, not a vestige of anything, animate had assistance, I see no good that I should
or inanimate, not even the position of the have done except leading to my own ex-
cupboards, answered Oliver's description ! posure, and an unavoidable statement of
" Now," said the hump-backed man, the manner in which I have hushed up
who had watched him keenly, " what do this business. That would have served
you mean by coming into my house in me right, though. I am always involving
this violent way ? Do you want to rob myself in some scrape or other by acting
me, or to murder me ? —which is it ?" upon these impulses,
19 and it might have
"Did you ever know a man come out to done me good.'
do either in a chariot and pair, you ridicu- Now the fact was, that the excellent
lous old vampire ?" said the irritable doctor. doctor had never acted upon anything
"What do you want then ?" demanded else but impulse all through his life ; and
the hunchback fiercely. "Will you take it was no bad compliment to the nature
yourself off before I do you a mischief ? of the impulses which governed him, that
curse you !" so far from being involved in any peculiar
"As soon as I think proper," said Mr. troubles or misfortunes, he had the warm-
Losberne, looking into the other parlour, est respect and esteem of all who knew
which, like the first, bore no resemblance him. " If the truth must be told, he was a
whatever to Oliver's account of it. "I little out of temper for a minute or two
shall find you out some day, my friend." at being disappointed in procuring corro-
"Will you ?" sneered the ill-favoured borative evidence of Oliver's story onthe
cripple. " If you ever want me, I'm very first occasion on which he had a
here. I haven't lived here mad, and all chance of obtaining any. He soon came
alone, for five-and-twenty years, to be round again, however, and finding that
scared by you. You shall pay for this ; Oliver's replies to his questions were still
you shall pay for this." And so saying, as straight-forward and consistent, and
the misshapen little demon set up a hide- still delivered with as much apparent sin-
ous yell, and danced upon the ground as cerity and truth, as they had ever been,
if frantic with rage. he made up his mind to attach full cre-
"Stupid enough, this," muttered the dence to them from that time forth.
doctor to himself: "the boy must have As Oliver knew the name ofthe street
made a mistake. There ; put that in your in which Mr. Brownlow resided, they
pocket, and shut yourself up again." were enabled to drive straight thither.
With these words he flung the hunchback When the coach turned into it, his heart
a piece of money, and returned to the beat so violently that he could scarcely
carriage. draw his breath.
The man followed to the chariot door, "Now, my boy, which house is it ?" in-
uttering the wildest imprecations and quired Mr. Losberne.
curses all the way ; but as Mr. Losberne 66
That, that !" replied Oliver, pointing
turned to speak to the driver, he looked eagerly out of the window. " The white
into the carriage, and eyed Oliver for an house. Oh ! make haste ! Pray make
instant with a glance so sharp and fierce, haste ! I feel as if I should die : it makes
and at the same time so furious and vin- me tremble so."
dictive, that, waking or sleeping, he could "Come, come !" said the good doctor,
not forget it for months afterwards. He patting him on the shoulder. "You will
continued to utter the most fearful impre. see them directly, and they will be over-
cations until the driver had resumed his joyed to find you safe and well."
66
seat, and when they were once more on Oh ! I hope so !" cried Oliver. " They
their way, they could see him some dis- were so good to me ; so very, very good
tance behind, beating his feet upon the to me, sir."
ground, and tearing his hair in transports The coach rolled on. It stopped. No ,
of frenzied rage. that was the wrong house. The next
"I am an ass !" said the doctor after a door. It went on a few paces, and stopped
11*
126 OLIVER TWIST .
again. Oliver looked up at the windows begun, and every tree and flower was
with tears of happy expectation coursing putting forth its young leaves and rich
down his face. blossoms, they made preparations for
Alas ! the white house was empty, and quitting the house at Chertsey for some
there was a bill in the window-" To Let." months. Sending the plate which had
" Knock at the next door," cried Mr. so excited the Jew's cupidity to the
Losberne, taking Oliver's arm in his. banker's, and leaving Giles and another
"What has become of Mr. Brownlow, servant in care ofthe house, they depart-
who used to live in the adjoining house, ed for a cottage some distance in the
do you know ?" country, and took Oliver with them.
The servant did not know ; but would Who can describe the pleasure and de-
go and enquire. She presently returned, light, the peace of mind and soft tran-
and said that Mr. Brownlow had sold off quillity, which the sickly boy felt in the
his goods, and gone to the West Indies balmy air, and among the green hills and
six weeks before. Oliver clasped his rich woods of an inland village ! Who
hands, and sank feebly backwards. can tell how scenes of peace and quie-
" Has his housekeeper gone too ?" in- tude sink into the minds of pain-worn
quired Mr. Losberne, after a moment's dwellers in close and noisy places, and
pause. carry their own freshness deep into their
66 Yes, sir," replied the servant. " The jaded hearts ? Men who have lived in
old gentleman, the housekeeper, and a crowded pent-up streets, through whole
gentleman, a friend of Mr. Brownlow's, lives of toil, and never wished for change;
all went together." men to whom custom has indeed been
"Then turn towards home again," said second nature, and who have come almost
Losberne to the driver, " and don't stop to love each brick and stone that formed
to bait the horse till you get out of this the narrow boundaries of their daily
confounded London !" walks- even they with the hand of death
" The book-stall keeper, sir ?" said upon them, have been known to yearn at
Oliver. " I know the way there. See least for one short glimpse of Nature's
him, pray sir! Do see him !" face, and carried far from the scenes of
66
My poor boy, this is disappointment their old pains and pleasures, have seem-
enough for one day," said the doctor. ed to pass at once into a new state of
"Quite enough for both of us. If we go being, and crawling forth from day to day
to the book-stall keeper's we shall cer- to some green sunny spot, have had such
tainly find that he is dead, or has set his memories wakened up within them by
house on fire, or run away. No ; home the mere sight of sky, and hill, and plain,
again straight !" And, in ohedience to and glistening water, that a foretaste of
the doctor's first impulse, home they went. Heaven itself has soothed their quick de-
This bitter disappointment caused Oli- cline, and they have sunk into their
ver much sorrow and grief even in the tombs as peacefully as the sun, whose
midst of his happiness ; for he had setting they watched from their lonely
pleased himself many times during his chamber window but a few hours before,
illness with thinking of all that Mr. faded from their dim and feeble sight !
Brownlow and Mrs. Bedwin would say to The memories which peaceful country
him, and what delight it would be to tell scenes call up, are not of this world, or
them how many long days and nights he of its thoughts or hopes. Their gentle
had passed in reflecting upon what they influence may teach us to weave fresh
had done for him, and bewailing their garlands for the graves of those we loved,
cruel separation. The hope of eventually may purify our thoughts, and bear down
clearing himself with them, too, and ex- before it old enmity and hatred ; but, be-
plaining how he had been forced away, neath all this there lingers in the least
had buoyed him up and sustained him reflective mind a vague and half-formed
under many of his recent trials ; and consciousness of having held such feel-
now the idea that they should have gone ings long before in some remote and dis-
so far, and carried with them the belief tant time, which calls up solemn thoughts
that he was an impostor and robber, -a of distant times to come, and bends down
belief which might remain uncontradict- pride and worldliness beneath it.
ed to his dying day,-was almost more It was a lovely spot to which they re-
than he could bear. paired, and Oliver, whose days had been
The circumstance occasioned no altera- spent among squalid crowds, and in the
tion, however, in the behaviour of his midst of noise and brawling, seemed to
benefactors. After another fortnight, enter upon a new existence there. The
when the fine warm weather had fairly rose and honey-suckle clung to the
OLIVER TWIST . 127
cottage-walls, the ivy crept round the the birds singing without, and the sweet-
trunks of the trees, and the garden flowers smelling air stealing in at the low porch,
perfumed the air with delicious odours. and filling the homely building with its
Hard by, was a little churchyard : not fragrance. The poor people were so neat
crowded with tall, unsightly gravestones, and clean, and knelt so reverently in
but full of humble mounds covered with prayer, that it seemed a pleasure, not a
fresh turf and moss, beneath which the tedious duty, their assembling there to-
old people of the village lay at rest. gether ; and, though the singing might
Oliver often wandered here, and, thinking be rude, it was real, and sounded more
of the wretched grave in which his mo- musical (to Oliver's ears at least) than
ther lay, would sometimes sit him down any he had ever heard in church before.
and sob unseen ; but, as he raised his eyes Then there were the walks as usual, and
to the deep sky overhead, he would cease many calls at the clean houses of the
to think of her as lying in the ground, labouring men ; and at night Oliver read
and weep for her sadly, but without a chapter or two from the Bible, which
pain. he had been studying all the week, and
It was a happy time. The days were in the performance of which duty he felt
peaceful and serene, and the nights more proud and pleased than if he had
brought with them no fear or care, no been the clergyman himself.
languishing in a wretched prison, or as- In the morning Oliver would be a-foot
sociating with wretched men : nothing by six o'clock, roaming the fields and
but pleasant and happy thoughts. Every surveying the hedges far and wide, for
morning he went to a white-headed old nosegays of wild flowers, with which he
gentleman, who lived near the little would return laden home, and which it
church, who taught him to read better took great care and consideration to ar-
and to write, and spoke so kindly, and range to the best advantage for the em-
took such pains, that Oliver could never bellishment of the breakfast-table. There
try enough to please him. Then he was fresh groundsel, too, for Miss May-
would walk with Mrs. Maylie and Rose, lie's birds, with which Oliver,-who had
and hear them talk of books, or perhaps been studying the subject under the able
sit near them in some shady place, and tuition of the village clerk, -would deco-
listen whilst the young lady read, which rate the cages in the most approved taste.
he could have done till it grew too dark When the birds were made all spruce
to see the letters. Then he had his own and smart for the day, there was usually
lesson for the next day to prepare, and at some little commission of charity to exe-
this he would work hard in a little room cute in the village, or failing that, there
which looked into the garden, till even- was always something to do in the gar-
ing came slowly on, when the ladies den, or about the plants, to which Oliver
would walk out again, and he with them : who had studied this science also under
listening with such pleasure to all they the same master, who was a gardener by
said, and so happy if they wanted a trade,-applied himself with hearty good-
flower that he could climb to reach, or will till Miss Rose made her appearance,
had forgotten anything he could run to when there were a thousand commenda-
fetch, that he could never be quick tions to be bestowed upon all he had done,
enough about it. When it became quite for which one of those light-hearted beauti-
dark, and they returned home, the young ful smiles was an ample recompense.
lady would sit down to the piano, and So three months glided away ; three
play some melancholy air, or sing in a months which, in the life of the most
low and gentle voice some old song blessed and favoured of mortals, would
which it pleased her aunt to hear. There have been unmixed happiness ; but which,
would be no candles at such times as in Oliver's troubled and clouded dawn,
these, and Oliver would sit by one of the were felicity indeed. With the purest
windows, listening to the sweet music, and most amiable generosity on one side,
while tears of tranquil joy stole down and the truest, and warmest, and most
his face. soul-felt gratitude on the other, it is no
And, when Sunday came, how differ- wonder that, by the end of that short
ently the day was spent from any manner time, Oliver Twist had become complete-
in which he had ever spent it yet ! and ly domesticated with the old lady and her
how happily, too, like all the other days niece, and that the fervent attachment of
in that most happy time ! There was the his young and sensitive heart was repaid
little church in the morning, with the by their pride in, and attachment to, him-
green leaves fluttering at the windows, self.
128 OLIVER TWIST .
CHAPTER THE TENTH. young lady. " I don't know what it is ; I

can't describe it ; but I feel so low to-
Wherein the happiness of Oliver and his friends 99
experiences a sudden check. night, and-
"Not ill, my love ?" interposed Mrs.
SPRING flew swiftly by, and summer Maylie.
came ; and if the village had been beau- "No, no ! Oh, not ill !" replied Rose,
tiful at first, it was now in the full glow shuddering as though some deadly chill-
and luxuriance of its richness. The great ness were passing over her while she
trees, which had looked shrunken and spoke ; " at least, I shall be better pre-
bare in the earlier months, had now burst sently. Close the window, pray."
into strong life and health, and, stretching Oliver hastened to comply with the re-
forth their green arms over the thirsty quest ; and the young lady, making an
ground, converted open and naked spots effort to recover her cheerfulness, strove
into choice nooks, where was a deep and to play some livelier tune. But her fin-
pleasant shade from which to look upon gers dropped powerless on the keys, and,
the wide prospect, steeped in sunshine, covering her face with her hands, she
which lay stretched out beyond. The sank upon a sofa, and gave vent to the
earth had donned her mantle of brightest tears which she was now unable to re-
green, and shed her richest perfumes press.
66
abroad. It was the prime and vigour of My child !" said the elder lady, fold-
the year, and all things were glad and ing her arms about her, " I never saw you
flourishing. thus before."
Still the same quiet life went on at the "I would not alarm you if I could avoid
little cottage, and the same cheerful se- it," rejoined Rose ; " but indeed I have
renity prevailed among its inmates. Oli- tried very hard, and cannot help this. I
ver had long since grown stout and fear I am ill, aunt."
healthy; but health or sickness made no She was, indeed ; for, when candles
difference in his warm feelings to those were brought, they saw that in the very
about him, (though they do in the feelings short time which had elapsed since their
of a great many people,) and he was still return home, the hue of her countenance
the same gentle, attached, affectionate had changed to a marble whiteness. Its
creature, that he had been when pain and expression had lost nothing of its beauty,
suffering had wasted his strength, and he but yet it was changed, and there was an
was dependent for every slight attention anxious haggard look about that gentle
and comfort on those who tended him. face which it had never worn before.
One beautiful night they had taken a Another minute, and it was suffused with
longer walk than was customary with a crimson flush, and a heavy wildness
them, for the day had been unusually came over the soft blue eye ; again this
warm, and there was a brilliant moon, disappeared like the shadow thrown by a
and a light wind had sprung up, which passing cloud, and she was once more
was unusually refreshing. Rose had been deadly pale.
in high spirits too, and they had walked Oliver, who watched the old lady anx-
on in merry conversation until they had iously, observed that she was alarmed by
far exceeded their ordinary bounds. Mrs. these appearances, and so, in truth, was
Maylie was fatigued, and they returned he ; but, seeing that she affected to make
more slowly home. The young lady, light of them, he endeavoured to do the
merely throwing off her simple bonnet, same, and they so far succeeded that when
sat down to the piano as usual ; after run- Rose was persuaded by her aunt to retire
ning abstractedly over the keys for a few for the night, she was in better spirits,
minutes, she fell into a low and very and appeared even in better health, and
solemn air, and as she played it they assured them that she felt certain she
heard her sob as if she were weeping. would wake in the morning quite well.
"Rose, my dear ?" said the elder lady. "I hope, ma'am," said Oliver, when
Rose made no reply, but played a little Mrs. Maylie returned, "that nothing se-
quicker, as though the sound had roused rious is the matter. Miss Maylie doesn't
her from some painful thoughts. look well to-night, but-
"Rose, my love !" cried Mrs. Maylie, The old lady motioned him not to speak,
rising hastily, and bending over her. and, sitting herself down in a dark corner
· "What is this ? Your face is bathed in of the room, remained silent for some
tears. My dear child, what distresses time. At length she said, in a trembling
You ?" voice,-
"Nothing, aunt,-nothing," replied the "I hope not, Oliver. I have been very
OLIVER TWIST . 129
nappy with her for some years - too | spoke, became quite composed and firm.
happy, perhaps, and it may be time that He was still more astonished to find that
I should meet with some misfortune ; but this firmness lasted, and that under all
I hope it is not this. " the care and watching which ensued,
"What misfortune, ma'am ?" inquired Mrs. Maylie was ever ready and collect-
Oliver. ed, performing all the duties which de-
" The heavy blow," said the old lady, volved upon her steadily, and, to all ex-
almost inarticulately, " of losing the dear ternal appearance, even cheerfully. But
girl who has so long been my comfort and he was young, and did not know what
happiness." strong minds are capable of under trying
Oh! God forbid !" exclaimed Oliver circumstances. How should he, indeed,
hastily. when their possessors so seldom know
"Amen to that, my child !" said the themselves ?
old lady, wringing her hands. An anxious night ensued, and when
"Surely there is no danger of anything morning came Mrs. Maylie's predictions
so dreadful !" said Oliver." "Two hours were but too well verified. Rose was in
ago she was quite well." the first stage of a high and dangerous
" She is very ill now," rejoined Mrs. fever.
Maylie, " and will be worse, I am sure. "We must be active, Oliver, and not
My dear, dear Rose ! Oh, what should I give way to useless grief," said Mrs.
do without her !" Maylie, laying her finger on her lip as
The lady sank beneath her desponding she looked steadily into his face ; " this
thoughts, and gave way to such great letter must be sent with all possible ex-
grief that Oliver, suppressing his own pedition to Mr. Losberne. It must be
emotion, ventured to remonstrate with carried to the market-town, which is not
her, and to beg earnestly that for the sake more than four miles off by the foot-path
of the dear young lady herself she would across the fields, and thence despatched
be more calm. by an express on horseback straight to
" And consider, ma'am," said Oliver, Chertsey. The people at the inn will
as the tears forced themselves into his undertake to do this, and I can trust you
eyes despite his efforts to the contrary ; to see it done, I know. "
"oh ! consider how young and good she Oliver could make no reply, but looked
is, and what pleasure and comfort she his anxiety to be gone at once.
gives to all about her. I am sure- cer- " Here is another letter," said Mrs.
tain-quite certain-that for your sake, Maylie, pausing to reflect ; "but whether
who are so good yourself, and for her to send it now, or wait until I see how
own, and for the sake of all she makes so Rose goes on, I scarcely know. I would
happy, she will not die. God will never not forward it unless I feared the worst."
let her die yet. " " Is it for Chertsey, too, ma'am ?" in-
"Hush !" said Mrs. Maylie, laying her quired Oliver, impatient to execute his
hand on Oliver's head. " You think like commission, and holding out his trembling
a child, poor boy ; and although what you hand for the letter.
say may be natural, it is wrong. But " No," replied the old lady, giving it
you teach me my duty notwithstanding. him mechanically. Oliver glanced at it,
I had forgotten it for a moment, Oliver, and saw that it was directed to Harry
and I hope I may be pardoned, for I am Maylie, Esquire, at some lord's house in
old, and have seen enough of illness and the country ; where, he could not make
death to know the pain they leave to out.
those behind. I have seen enough, too, " Shall it go, ma'am ?" asked Oliver,
to know that it is not always the youngest looking up impatiently.
and best who are spared to those that "I think not," replied Mrs. Maylie,
love them; but this should give us com- taking it back. " I will wait till to-mor-
fort rather than sorrow, for Heaven is row."
just, and such things teach us impres- With these words she gave Oliver her
sively that there is a far brighter world purse, and he started off without more
than this, and that the passage to it is delay at the greatest speed he could
speedy. God's will be done ! but I love muster.
her, and He alone knows how well !" Swiftly he ran across the fields, and
Oliver was surprised to see that as down the little lanes which sometimes
Mrs. Maylie said these words she check- divided them, now almost hidden by the
ed her lamentations as though by one high corn on either side, and now em-
struggle, and, drawing herself up as she erging into an open field where the
Ꭱ
130 OLIVER TWIST .
mowers and haymakers were busy at " I am sorry, sir," stammered Oliver,
their work ; nor did he stop once, save confused
now and then for a few seconds to reco- 66 I hope Ibyhave
the strange man's wild look.
not hurt you ?"
ver breath, until he emerged in a great "Rot his bones !" murmured the man
heat, and covered with dust, on the little in a horrible passion between his clenched
market-place of the market-town. teeth, " If I had only had the courage to
Here he paused, and looked about for say the word, I might have been free of
the inn. There was a white bank, and a him in a night. Curses light upon your
red brewery, and a yellow town-hall ; and head, and black death upon your heart,
in one corner a large house with all the you imp ! What are you doing here ?"
wood about it painted green, before which The man shook his fist, and gnashed
was the sign of " The George," to which his teeth, as he uttered these words inco-
he hastened directly it caught his eye. herently, and advancing towards Oliver
Oliver spoke to a postboy who was as if with the intention of aiming a blow
dozing under the gateway, and who, af- at him, fell violently on the ground,
ter hearing what he wanted, referred him writhing and foaming, in a fit.
to the hostler ; who, after hearing all he Oliver gazed for a moment at the fear-
had to say again, referred him to the ful struggles of the madman, (for such he
landlord, who was a tall gentleman in a supposed him to be,) and then darted into
blue neckcloth, a white hat, drab breeches, the house for help. Having seen him
and boots with tops to match, and was safely carried into the hotel, he turned
leaning against a pump by the stable his face homewards, running as fast as he
door, picking his teeth with a silver tooth could to make up for lost time, and recall-
pick. ing, with a great deal of astonishment
This gentleman walked with much de- and some fear, the extraordinary be-
liberation to the bar to make out the bill, haviour of the person from whom he had
which took a long time making out, and just parted.
after it was ready, and paid, a horse had The circumstance did not dwell in his
to be saddled, and a man to be dressed, recollection long, however ; for when he
which took up ten good minutes more ; reached the cottage there was enough to
meanwhile Oliver was in such a despe- occupy his mind, and to drive all conside-
rate state of impatience and anxiety that rations of self completely from his me-
he felt as if he could have jumped upon mory.
the horse himself, and galloped away full ! Rose Maylie had rapidly grown worse,
tear to the next stage. At length all was and before midnight was delirious. A
ready, and the little parcel having been medical practitioner, who resided on the
handed up, with many injunctions and spot, was in constant attendance upon
entreaties for its speedy delivery, the her, and, after first seeing the patient, he
man set spurs to his horse, and, rattling had taken Mrs. Maylie aside, and pro-
over the uneven paving of the market- nounced her disorder to be one of a most
place, was out of the town, and galloping alarming nature. “ In fact,” he said, “ it
along the turnpike-road in a couple of would be little short of a miracle if she
minutes. recovered."
It was something to feel certain that How often did Oliver start from his bed
assistance was sent for, and that no time that night, and, stealing out with noise-
had been lost. Oliver hurried up the inn- less footstep to the staircase, listen for
yard with a somewhat lighter heart, and the slightest sound from the sick cham-
was turning out of the gateway when he ber ! How often did a tremble shake his
accidentally stumbled against a tall man frame, and cold drops of terror start upon
wrapped in a cloak, who was at that mo- his brow, when a sudden trampling of
ment coming out at the inn-door. feet caused him to fear that something
“ Hah !” cried the man, fixing his eyes too dreadful to think of had even then
on Oliver, and suddenly recoiling. “ What occurred. And what had been the fer-
the devil's this !" vency of all the prayers he had ever ut-
“ I beg your pardon, sir,” said Oliver ; tered, compared with those he poured
“I was in a great hurry to get home, and forth now, in the agony and passion of his
did n't see you were coming." supplication, for the life and health of the
" Death !" muttered the man to him- gentle creature who was tottering on the
self, glaring at the boy with his large deep grave's verge !
dark eyes. " Who'd have thought it ! The suspense, the fearful acute sus-
Grind him to ashes ! he'd start up from a pense, of standing idly by while the life
marble coffin to come in my way of one we dearly love is trembling in the
OLIVER TWIST. 131
balance the racking thoughts that crowd stood, uncovered, by a grave ; and there
upon the mind, and make the heart beat was a mother-a mother once- among
violently, and the breath come thick, by the weeping train. But the sun shone
the force of the images they conjure up brightly, and the birds sang on.
before it-the desperate anxiety to be do- Öliver turned homewards, thinking on
ing something to relieve the pain, or the many kindnesses he had received from
lessen the danger which we have no the young lady, and wishing that the time
power to alleviate ; and the sinking of could come over again, that he might
soul and spirit which the sad remem- never cease showing her how grateful
brance of our helplessness produces, and attached he was. He had no cause
what tortures can equal these, and what for self-reproach on the score of neglect
reflections or efforts can, in the full tide or want of thought, for he had been de-
and fever of the time, allay them ! voted to her service ; and yet a hundred
Morning came ; and the little cottage little occasions rose up before him on
was lonely and still. People spoke in which he fancied he might have been
whispers ; anxious faces appeared at the more zealous and more earnest, and wish-
gate from time to time, and women and ed he had been. We need be careful how
children went away in tears. All the we deal with those about us, for every
livelong day, and for hours after it had death carries with it to some small circle
grown dark, Oliver paced softly up and of survivors thoughts of so much omitted,
down the garden, raising his eyes every and so little done ; of so many things for-
instant to the sick-chamber, and shudder- gotten, and so many more which might
ing to see the darkened window looking have been repaired, that such recollec-
as if death lay stretched inside. Late at tions are among the bitterest we can have.
night Mr. Losberne arrived. " It is There is no remorse so deep as that which
hard," said the good doctor, turning away is unavailing ; if we would be spared its
as he spoke, "so young-so much beloved tortures, let us remember this in time.
-but there is very little hope." When he reached home, Mrs. Maylie
Another morning the sun shone bright- was sitting in the little parlour. Oliver's
ly, as brightly as if it looked upon no heart sank at sight of her, for she had
misery or care ; and, with every leaf and never left the bedside of her niece, and
flower in full bloom about her, with life, he trembled to think what change could
and health, and sounds and sights of joy have driven her away. He learnt that
surrounding her on every side, the fair she had fallen into a deep sleep, from
young creature lay wasting fast. Oliver which she would waken again either to
crept away to the old church-yard, and, recovery and life, or to bid them farewell,
sitting down on one ofthe green mounds, and die.
wept for her in silence. They sat, listening, and afraid to speak,
There was such peace and beauty in for hours. The untasted meal was re-
the scene, so much of brightness and moved ; and, with looks which showed
mirth in the sunny landscape, such blithe- that their thoughts were elsewhere, they
some music in the songs of the summer watched the sun as he sankower and
birds, such freedom in the rapid flight of lower, and at length cast over sky and
the rook careering overhead, so much of earth those brilliant hues which herald
life and joyousness in all, that when the his departure. Their quick ears caught
boy raised his aching eyes, and looked the sound of an approaching footstep, and
about, the thought instinctively occurred they both involuntarily darted towards the
to him that this was not a time for death ; door as Mr. Losberne entered.
that Rose could surely never die when "What of Rose ?" cried the old lady.
humbler things were all so glad and gay ; " Tell me at once. I can bear it ; any-
that graves were for cold and cheerless thing but suspense. Oh, tell me ! in the
winter, not for sunlight and fragrance. name of Heaven !"
He almost thought that shrouds were for "You must compose yourself," said the
the old and shrunken, and never wrapped doctor, supporting99 her. " Be calm , my
the young and graceful form within their dear ma'am, pray.'
ghastly folds. " Let me go, in God's name !" gasped
A knell from the church-bell broke Mrs. Maylie. " My dear child ! She is
harshly on these youthful thoughts. An- dead ! She is dying!"
other again ! It was tolling for the fu- " No!" cried the doctor, passionately.
neral service. A group of humble mourn- " As He is good and merciful, she will
ers entered the gate, and they wore white live to bless us all for years to come. "
favours, for the corpse was young. They The lady fell upon her knees, and triea
132 OLIVER TWIST .
to fold her hands together ; but the energy "Better- much better," replied Oliver
which had supported her so long fled to hastily.
Heaven with her first thanksgiving, and "Thank Heaven !" exclaimed the gcn-
she sunk back into the friendly arms tleman. "You are sure ?"
which were extended to receive her. 66 Quite, sir," replied Oliver ; "the
change took place only a few hours ago,
and Mr. Losberne says that all danger is
at an end."
CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH, The gentleman said not another word,
Contains some introductory particulars relative to but opening the chaise-door leaped out,
a young gentleman who now arrives upon the and, taking Oliver hurriedly by the arm,
scene, and a new adventure which happened to led him aside.
Oliver. " This is quite certain ?-there is no
Ir was almost too much happiness to possibility of any mistake on your part,
bear. Oliver felt stunned and stupified my boy, is there ?" demanded the gentle.
66 Pray do not
by the unexpected intelligence ; he could man in a tremulous voice.
not weep, or speak, or rest. He had deceive me by awakening any hopes that
scarcely the power of understanding any- are not to be fulfilled."
thing that had passed, until after a long " I would not for the world, sir," re-
ramble in the quiet evening air a burst of plied Oliver. "Indeed you may believe
tears came to his relief, and he seemed to me. Mr. Losberne's words were, that she
awaken all at once to a full sense of the would live to bless us all for many years
joyful change that had occurred, and the to come. I heard him say so."
almost insupportable load of anguish The tears stood in Oliver's eyes as he
which had been taken from his breast. recalled the scene which was the begin-
The night was fast closing in when he ning of so much happiness, and the gen-
returned homewards, laden with flowers tleman turned his face away, and re-
which he had culled with peculiar care mained silent for some minutes. Oliver
for the adornment of the sick chamber. thought he heard him sob more than once,
As he walked briskly along the road, he but he feared to interrupt him by any
heard behind him the noise of some ve- farther remark,-for he could well guess
hicle approaching at a furious pace. Look what his feelings were, -and so stood
ing round, he saw that it was a post- apart, feigning to be occupied with his
chaise driven at great speed ; and as the nosegay.
horses were galloping, and the road was All this time Mr. Giles, with the white
narrow, he stood leaning against a gate night-cap on, had been sitting upon the
until it should have passed him by. steps of the chaise, supporting an elbow
As it dashed on, Oliver caught a on each knee, and wiping his eyes with a
glimpse of a man in a white night-cap, blue cotton pocket-handkerchief dotted
whose face seemed familiar to him, al- with white spots. That the honest fellow
though his view was so brief that he could had not been feigning emotion was abun-
not identify the person. In another second dantly demonstrated by the very red eyes
or two the nightcap was thrust out of the with which he regarded the young gen-
chaise window, and a stentorian voice bel- tleman, when he turned round and ad-
lowed to the driver to stop, which he did dressed him.
as soon as he could pull up his horses, "I think you had better go on to my
when the nightcap once again appeared, mother's in the chaise, Giles," said he.
and the same voice called Oliver by his " I would rather walk slowly on, so as to
name. gain a little time before I see her. You
"Here !" cried the voice. "Master can say I am coming."
Oliver, what's the news ? Miss Rose- 66 I beg your pardon, Mr. Harry," said
Master O-li-ver." Giles, giving a final polish to his ruffled
66
Is it you, Giles ?" cried Oliver, run- countenance with the handkerchief, " but
ring up to the chaise door. ifyou would leave the postboy to say that,
Giles popped out his nightcap again, I should be very much obliged to you. It
preparatory to making some reply, when wouldn't be proper for the maids to see
he was suddenly pulled back by a young me in this state, sir ; I should never have
gentleman who occupied the other corner any more authority with them if they did."
of the chaise, and who eagerly demanded "Well," rejoined Harry Maylie, smil-
what was the news. ing, " you can do as you like. Let him
" In a word," cried the gentleman, go on with the portmanteaus, if you wish
"better or worse ?" it, and do you follow with us. Only first
OLIVER TWIST . 133
exchange that night-cap for some more som, when I take what99 seems to me to be
appropriate covering, or we shall be taken the strict line of duty.' 1
for madmen." " This is unkind, mother," said Harry.
Mr. Giles, reminded of his unbecoming " Do you still suppose that I am so much
costume, snatched off and pocketed his a boy as not to know my own mind, or to
night-cap, and substituted a hat of grave mistake the impulses of my own soul ?"
and sober shape which he took out of the "I think, my dear fellow," returned
chaise. This done, the postboy drove off, Mrs. Maylie, laying her hand upon his
and Giles, Mr. Maylie, and Oliver followed shoulder, " that youth has many generous
at their leisure. impulses which do not last, and that
As they walked along, Oliver glanced among them are some which, being gra-
from time to time with much interest and tified, become only the more fleeting.
curiosity at the new-comer. He seemed Above all, I think," said the lady, fixing
about five-and-twenty years of age, and her eyes on her son's face, "that if an
was of the middle height ; his countenance enthusiastic, ardent, ambitious young man
was frank and handsome, and his de- has a wife on whose name is a stain,
meanour singularly easy and prepossess- which, though it originate in no fault of
ing. Notwithstanding the differences be- hers, may be visited by cold and sordid
tween youth and age, he bore so strong a people upon her, and upon his children
likeness to the old lady, that Oliver would also, and, in exact proportion to his suc-
have had no great difficulty in imagining cess in the world, be cast in his teeth, and
their relationship, even if he had not made the subject of sneers against him,
already spoken of her as his mother. he may-no matter how generous and
Mrs. Maylie was anxiously waiting to good his nature-one day repent of the
receive her son when he reached the cot- connection he formed in early life, and
tage, and the meeting did not take place she may have the pain and torture of
without great emotion on both sides. knowing that he does so."
"Oh, mother," whispered the young "Mother," said the young man impa-
man, " why did you not write before ?" tiently, “ he would be a mere selfish brute,
" I did write," replied Mrs. Maylie ; unworthy alike of the name of man and of
"but, on reflection, I determined to keep the woman you describe, who acted thus."
back the letter until I had heard Mr. Los- "You think so now, Harry," replied
berne's opinion." his mother.
“ But why," said the young man, 66 why "And ever will," said the young man.
run the chance of that occurring which "The mental agony I have suffered during
so nearly happened ? If Rose had-I can- the last two days wrings from me the
not utter that word now- if this illness undisguised avowal to you of a passion
had terminated differently, how could you which, as you well know, is not one of
ever have forgiven yourself, or I been yesterday, nor one I have lightly formed.
happy again ?" On Rose, sweet gentle girl, my heart is
66
If that had been the case, Harry," set as firmly as ever heart of man was
said Mrs. Maylie, " I fear your happiness set on woman. I have no thought, or
would have been effectually blighted, and view, or hope in life beyond her ; and if
that your arrival here a day sooner or a you oppose me in this great stake, you
day later would have been of very, very take my peace and happiness in your
little import." hands and cast them to the wind. Mo-
“ And who can wonder if it be so, mother, think better of this, and of me, and
ther?" rejoined the young man ; " or why do not disregard the warm feelings of
should I say if?—It is-it is—you know which you seem to think so little."
it, mother-you must know it." 66 Harry," said Mrs. Maylie, " it is be-
"I know that she well deserves the cause I think so much of warm and sensi-
best and purest love that the heart of man tive hearts that I would spare them from
can offer," said Mrs. Maylie ; "I know being wounded. But we have said
that the devotion and affection of her na- enough, and more than enough, on this
ture require no ordinary return, but one matter just now."
that shall be deep and lasting. If I did "Let it rest with Rose, then," inter-
not feel this, and know, besides, that a posed Harry. " You will not press these
changed behaviour in one she loved would overstrained opinions of yours so far as to
break her heart, I should not feel my task throw any obstacle in my way?"
so difficult of performance, or have to en- " I will not," rejoined Mrs. Maylie ;
counter so many struggles in my own bo- "but I would have you consider-
12
134 OLIVER TWIST .
"I have considered," was the impatient of promise as Oliver's statement had en
reply, "I have considered for years, couraged him to hope, and to the whole
considered almost since I have been capa- of which Mr. Giles, who affected to be
ble of serious reflection. My feelings re- busy about the luggage, listened with
main unchanged, as they ever will ; and greedy ears.
why should I suffer the pain of a delay in "Have you shot anything particular
giving them vent, which can be produc- lately, Giles ? " inquired the doctor, when
tive of no earthly good ? No. Before 99 I he had concluded.
leave this place, Rose shall hear me. "Nothing particular, sir," replied Mr.
66 Giles, colouring up to the eyes.
She shall," said Mrs. Maylie.
" There is something in your manner "Nor catching any thieves, nor identi-
which would almost imply that she will fying any house-breakers ?" said the doc-
hear me coldly, mother," said the young tor maliciously.
man anxiously. “ None at all, sir,” replied Mr. Giles
66
Not coldly," rejoined the old lady ; with much gravity.
"far from it." 66 Well," said the doctor, " I am sorry
"How then ?" urged the young man. to hear it, because you do that sort of
"She has formed no other attachment ?" thing so well. Pray, how is Brittles ?"
66 No, indeed," replied his mother.
"The boy is very well, sir," said Mr.
"You have, or I mistake, too strong a Giles, recovering his usual tone of patron-
hold on her affections already." age, "and sends his respectful duty, sir."
"What I would say," resumed the old "That's well," said the doctor. " See-
lady, stopping her son as he was about to ing you here, reminds me, Mr. Giles, that
speak, "is this. Before you stake your all on the day before that on which I was
on this chance, before you suffer your- called away so hurriedly, I executed, at
self to be carried to the highest point of the request of your good mistress, a small
hope, reflect for a few moments, my dear commission in your favour. Just step into
child, on Rose's history, and consider what this corner a moment, will you ?"
effect the knowledge of her doubtful birth Mr. Giles walked into the corner with
may have on her decision,-devoted as much importance and some wonder, and
she is to us with all the intensity of her was honoured with a short whispering
noble mind, and that perfect sacrifice of conference with the doctor, on the termi-
self which in all matters, great or trifling, nation of which he made a great many
has always been her characteristic." bows, and retired with steps of unusual
"What do you mean ?” stateliness. The subject matter of this
"That I leave you to discover,” replied conference was not disclosed in the par-
Mrs. Maylie. "I must go back to Rose. lour, but the kitchen was speedily en-
God bless you !" lightened concerning it ; for Mr. Giles
" I shall see you again to-night ?" said walked straight thither, and having called
the young man eagerly. for a mug of ale, announced, with an air
" By and by," replied the lady, " when of majestic mystery which was highly
I leave Rose." effective, that it had pleased his mistress,
"You will tell her I am here ?" said in consideration of his gallant behaviour
Harry. on the occasion of that attempted robbery,
" Of course," replied Mrs. Maylie. to deposit in the local savings bank the
"And say how anxious I have been, sum of twenty-five pounds for his sole use
and how much I have suffered, and how I and benefit. At this the two women ser-
long to see her-you will not refuse to do vants lifted up their hands and eyes, and
this, mother ?" supposed that Mr. Giles would begin to be
" No," said the old lady, " I will tell quite proud now ; whereunto Mr. Giles,
her that ;" and, pressing her son's hand pulling out ' his shirt-frill, replied, " No,
affectionately, she hastened from the room . no"-and that if they observed at any
Mr. Losberne and Oliver had remained time that he was at all haughty to his in-
at another end of the apartment while feriors, he would thank them to tell him
this hurried conversation was proceeding. so. And then he made a great many
The former now held out his hand to other remarks, no less illustrative of his
Harry Maylie, and hearty salutations humility, which were received with equal
were exchanged between them. The doc- favour and applause, and were withal as
tor then communicated, in reply to multi- original and as much to the purpose as
farious questions from his young friend, a the remarks of great men commonly are.
precise account of his patient's situation, Above stairs, the remainder of the even-
which was quite as consolatory and full ing passed cheerfully away, for the doctor
OLIVER TWIST. 135
was in high spirits, and however fatigued mer air stream in and revive her with its
or thoughtful Harry Maylie might have freshness ; but there always stood in wa-
been at first, he was not proof against the ter, just inside the lattice , one particular
worthy gentleman's good humour, which little bunch which was made up with
displayed itself in a great variety of sal- great care every morning. Oliver could
lies and professional recollections, and an not help noticing that the withered flow-
abundance of small jokes, which struck ers were never thrown away, although
Oliver as being the drollest things he had the little vase was regularly replenished ;
ever heard, and caused him to laugh pro- nor could he help observing that when-
portionately, to the evident satisfaction of ever the doctor came into the garden he
the doctor, who laughed immoderately at invariably cast his eyes up to that particu-
himself, and made Harry laugh almost as lar corner, and nodded his head most ex-
heartily by the very force of sympathy. pressively as he set forth on his morning's
So they were as pleasant a party as, un- walk. Pending these observations, the
der the circumstances, they could well days were flying by, and Rose was rapidly
have been, and it was late before they re- and surely recovering.
tired, with light and thankful hearts, to Nor did Oliver's time hang heavy upon
take that rest of which, after the doubt his hands, although the young lady had
and suspense they had recently under- not yet left her chamber, and there were
gone, they stood so much in need. no evening walks, save now and then for
Oliver rose next morning in better a short distance with Mrs. Maylie. He
heart, and went about his usual early oc- applied himself with redoubled assiduity
cupations with more hope and pleasure to the instructions of the white-headed
than he had known for many days. The old gentleman, and laboured so hard that
birds were once more hung out to sing in his quick progress surprised even himself.
their old places, and the sweetest wild It was while he was engaged in this pur-
flowers that could be found were once suit that he was greatly startled and dis-
more gathered to gladden Rose with their tressed by a most unexpected occurrence.
beauty and fragrance. The melancholy The little room in which he was accus-
which had seemed to the sad eyes of the tomed to sit when busy at his books was
anxious boy to hang for days past over on the ground-floor, at the back of the
every object, beautiful as they all were, house. It was quite a cottage-room, with
was dispelled as though by magic. The a lattice-window, around which were clus-
dew seemed to sparkle more brightly on ters of jessamine and honey-suckle, that
the green leaves, the air to rustle among crept over the casement, and filled the
them with a sweeter music, and the sky place with their delicious perfume. It
itself to look more blue and bright. Such looked into a garden, whence a wicket-
is the influence which the condition of our gate opened into a small paddock ; all be-
own thoughts exercises even over the ap- yond was fine meadowland and wood.
pearance of external objects. Men who There was no other dwelling near, in that
look on nature and their fellow men, and direction, and the prospect it commanded
cry that all is dark and gloomy, are in the was very extensive.
right ; but the sombre colours are reflected One beautiful evening, when the first
from their own jaundiced eyes and hearts. shades of twilight were beginning to set-
The real hues are delicate, and require a tle upon the earth, Oliver sat at this win-
clearer vision. dow intent upon his books. He had been
It is worthy of remark, and Oliver did poring over them for some time ; and as
not fail to note at the time, that his morn- the day had been uncommonly sultry and
ing expeditions were no longer made he had exerted himself a great deal, it is
alone. Harry Maylie, after the very first no disparagement to the authors, whoever
morning when he met Oliver coming they may have been, to say that gradu-
laden home, was seized with such a pas- ally and by slow degrees he fell asleep.
sion for flowers, and displayed such a taste There is a kind of sleep that steals
in their arrangement, as left his young upon us sometimes which, while it holds
companion far behind. If Oliver were be- the body prisoner, does not free the mind
hindhand in these respects, however, he from a sense of things about it, and enable
knew where the best were to be found, it to ramble as it pleases. So far as an
and morning after morning they scoured overpowering heaviness, a prostration of
the country together, and brought home strength, and an utter inability to control
the fairest that blossomed. The window our thoughts or power of motion, can be
of the young lady's chamber was opened called sleep, this is it ; and yet we have
now, for she loved to feel the rich sum- a consciousness of all that is going on
136 OLIVER TWIST .
about us, and even if we dream, words their look was as firmly impressed upon
which are really spoken, or sounds which his memory as if it had been deeply carved
really exist at the moment, accommodate in stone, and set before him from his birth.
themselves with surprising readiness to He stood transfixed for a moment, and
our visions, until reality and imagination then, leaping from the window into the
Decome so strangely blended that it is garden, called loudly for help.
afterwards almost a matter of impossibility
to separate the two. Nor is this the most
striking phenomenon incidental to such a
state. It is an ascertained fact, that CHAPTER THE TWELFTH,
although our senses of touch and sight
be for the time dead, yet our sleeping Containing the unsatisfactory result of Oliver's
thoughts, and the visionary scenes that adventure, and a conversation of some import-
pass before us, will be influenced, and ance between Harry Maylie and Rose.
materially influenced, by the mere silent WHEN the inmates of the house, attract-
presence of some external object which ed by Oliver's cries, hurried to the spot
may not have been near us when we from which they proceeded, they found
closed our eyes, and of whose vicinity we him , pale and agitated, pointing in the
have had no waking consciousness. direction of the meadows behind the house,
Oliver knew perfectly well that he was and scarcely able to articulate the words
in his own little room, that his books were 66 The Jew ! the Jew !"
lying on the table before him, and that the Mr. Giles was at a loss to comprehend
sweet air was stirring among the creeping what this outcry meant ; but Harry May-
plants outside, and yet he was asleep. lie, whose perceptions were something
Suddenly the scene changed, the air be- quicker, and who had heard Oliver's his-
came close and confined, and he thought tory from his mother, understood it at once.
with a glow of terror that he was in the "What direction did he take ?" he
Jew's house again. There sat the hideous asked, catching up a heavy stick which
old man in his accustomed corner pointing was standing in a corner.
66 That,"
at him, and whispering to another man replied Oliver, pointing out
with his face averted, who sat beside him. the course the men had taken. "I missed
" Hush, my dear !" he thought he heard them all in an instant."
the Jew say99; " it is him, sure enough. "Then they are in the ditch !" said
Come away.' Harry. 66 Follow, and keep as near me as
"He !" the other man seemed to an- you can. So saying he sprang over the
swer; " could I mistake him, think you ? hedge, and darted off with a speed which
If a crowd of devils were to put themselves rendered it matter of exceeding difficulty
into his exact shape, and he stood amongst for the others to keep near him.
them, there is something that would tell Giles followed as well as he could, and
me how to point him out. If you buried Oliver followed too, and in the course ofa
him fifty feet deep, and took me across his minute or two, Mr. Losberne, who had
grave, I should know, if there wasn't a been out walking, and just then returned,
mark above it, that he lay buried there. tumbled over the hedge after them, and
Wither his flesh, I should !" picking himself up with more agility than
The man seemed to say this with such he could have been supposed to possess,
dreadful hatred, that Oliver awoke with struck into the same course at no con-
the fear and started up. temptible speed, shouting all the while
Good God ! what was that which sent most prodigiously to know what was the
the blood tingling to his heart, and de- matter.
prived him of voice or power to move ! On they all went ; nor stopped they
There-there-at the window- close be- once to breathe until the leader, striking
fore him—so close, that he could have al- off into an angle of the field indicated by
most touched him before he started back- Oliver, began to search narrowly the ditch
with his eyes peering into the room, and and hedge adjoining, which afforded time
meeting his-there stood the Jew ! -and for the remainder of the party to come up,
beside him, white with rage, or fear, or and for Oliver to communicate to Mr.
both, were the scowling features of the Losberne the circumstances that had led
very man who had accosted him at the to so vigorous a pursuit.
inn yard ! The search was all in vain. There
It was but an instant, a glance, a flash were not even the traces of recent foot-
before his eyes, and they were gone. But steps to be seen. They stood now on the
they had recognised him, and he them, and summit of a little hill, commanding the
C
Geor ruiksha er
ge nk J.Ojeag Sc.
hinks andthefor
2:38
OLIVER TWIST . 137
open fields in every direction for three or all events sufficiently remarkable to be
four miles. There was the village in the remembered, supposing he had been seen
hollow on the left ; but, in order to gain drinking, or loitering about ; but he re-
that, after pursuing the track Oliver had turned without any intelligence calculated
pointed out, the men must have made a to dispel or lessen the mystery.
circuit of open ground which it was im- On the next day further search was
possible they could have accomplished in made, and the inquiries renewed, but with
so short a time. A thick wood skirted no better success. On the day following,
the meadowland in another direction ; but Oliver and Mr. Maylie repaired to the
they could not have gained that covert for market-town, in the hope of seeing or
the same reason. hearing something of the men there ; but
"It must have been a dream, Oliver ?" this effort was equally fruitless ; and, after
said Harry Maylie, taking him aside. a few days, the affair began to be forgot
"Oh no, indeed, sir," replied Oliver, ten, as most affairs are, when wonder,
shuddering at the very recollection of the having no fresh food to support it, dies
old wretch's countenance ; "I saw him awayof itself.
too plainly for that. I saw them both as Meanwhile Rose was rapidly recover-
plainly as I see you now." ing. She had left her room, was able to
"Who was the other ?" inquired Harry go out, and, mixing once more with the
and Mr. Losberne together. family, carried joy into the hearts of all.
"The very same man that I told you But although this happy change had a
of, that came upon me so suddenly at the visible effect on the little circle, and al-
inn," said Oliver. " We had our eyes though cheerful voices and merry laugh-
fixed full upon each other, and I could ter were once more heard in the cottage,
swear to him." there was at times an unwonted restraint
"They took this way ?" demanded Har- upon some there - even upon Rose her-
ry; " are you certain of that ?" self- which Oliver could not fail to re-
"As I am that the men were at the mark. Mrs. Maylie and her son were
window," replied Oliver, pointing down often closeted together for a long time,
as he spoke to the hedge which divided and more than once Rose appeared with
the cottage-garden from the meadow. traces of tears upon her face. After Mr.
" The tall man leaped over just there ; Losberne had fixed a day for his depar-
and the Jew, running a few paces to the ture to Chertsey, these symptoms increas-
right, crept through that gap." ed, and it became evident that something
The two gentlemen watched Oliver's was in progress which affected the peace
earnest face as he spoke, and looking from of the young lady and of somebody else
him to each other, seemed to feel satisfied besides.
of the accuracy of what he said. Still, in At length one morning, when Rose was
no direction were there any appearances alone in the breakfast parlour, Harry
of the trampling of men in hurried flight. Maylie entered, and with some hesitation
The grass was long, but it was trodden begged permission to speak with her for
down nowhere save where their own feet a few moments.
had crushed it. The sides and brinks of "A few -a very few- will suffice,
the ditches were of damp clay, but in no Rose," said the young man, drawing his
one place could they discern the prints of chair towards her. "What I shall have
men's shoes, or the slightest mark which to say has already presented itself to your
would indicate that any feet had pressed mind ; the most cherished hopes of my
the ground for hours before. heart are not unknown to you, though
" This is strange !" said Harry. from my lips you have not yet heard them
"Strange ?" echoed the doctor. " Blath- stated."
ers and Duff themselves could make no- Rose had been very pale from the mo-
thing of it." ment of his entrance, although that might
Notwithstanding the evidently ineffi- have been the effect of her recent illness.
cacious nature of their search, however, She merely bowed, and bending over
they did not desist until the coming on of some plants that stood near, waited in
night rendered its further prosecution silence for him to proceed.
hopeless, and even then they gave it up "I-I-ought to have left here before,"
with reluctance. Giles was despatched said Harry.
to the different alehouses in the village, "You should indeed,” replied Rose.
furnished with the best description Oliver 66 Forgive me for saying so, but I wish
could give of the appearance and dress of you had."
the strangers ; of whom the Jew was at " I was brought here by the most dread-
12 * S
138 OLIVER TWIST .
ful and agonizing of all apprehensions," noble pursuits again -to pursuits well
said the young man, " the fear of losing worthy of you."
the one dear being on whom my every " There is no pursuit more worthy of
wish and hope are centered. You had me - more worthy of the highest nature
been dying - trembling between earth that exists-than the struggle to win such
and heaven. We know that when the a heart as yours," said the young man,
young, the beautiful, and good, are visit- taking her hand. 66 Rose, my own dear
ed with sickness, their pure spirits in- Rose, for years — for years I have loved
sensibly turn towards their bright home you, hoping to win my way to fame, and
of lasting rest, and hence it is that the then come proudly home ; in my day-
best and fairest of our kind so often fade dreams how I would remind you in that
in blooming." happy moment and tell you it had been
There were tears in the eyes of the sought, only for you to share ; thinking
gentle girl as these words were spoken, of the many silent tokens I had given of
and when one fell upon the flower over a boy's attachment and rally you who had
which she bent, and glistened brightly in blushed to mark them, and then claim
its cup, making it more beautiful, it seem- your hand, as if in redemption of some
ed as though the outpourings of a fresh old mute contract that had been sealed
young heart claimed common kindred between us. That time has not arrived ;
with the loveliest things in nature. but here, with no fame won and no young
" An angel," continued the young man vision realized, I give to you the heart so
passionately, " a creature as fair and in- long your own, and stake my all upon the
nocent of guile as one of God's own words with which you greet the offer."
angels, fluttered between life and death. "Your behaviour has ever been kind
Oh! who could hope, when the distant and noble," said Rose, mastering the emo-
world to which she was akin half opened tions by which she was agitated. " As
to her view, that she would return to the you believe that I am not insensible or
sorrow and calamity of this ! Rose, ungrateful, so hear my answer."
Rose, to know that you were passing " It is that I may endeavour to deserve
away like some soft shadow, which a light you-is it, dear Rose ?"
from above casts upon the earth- to have "It is," replied Rose, " that you must
no hope that you would be spared to those endeavour to forget me ---- not as your old
who linger here, and to know no reason and dearly-attached companion, for that
why you should-to feel that you belong- would wound me deeply, but as the object
ed to that bright sphere whither so many of your love. Look into the world ; think
gifted creatures in infancy and youth have how many hearts you would be equally
winged their early flight-and yet to pray, proud to gain are there. Confide some
amid all these consolations, that you other passion to me if you will, and I will
might be restored to those who loved you be the truest, warmest, most faithful friend
-these are distractions almost too great you have."
to bear. They were mine by day and There was a pause, during which Rose,
night, and with them came such a rush- who had covered her face with one hand,
ing torrent of fears and apprehensions, gave free vent to her tears. Harry still
and selfish regrets lest you should die and retained the other.
never know how devotedly I loved you, "And your reasons, Rose," he said, at
as almost bore down sense and reason in length, in a low voice, " your reasons for
its course. You recovered-day by day, this decision- may I ask them ?"
and almost hour by hour, some drop of "You have a right to know them," re-
health came back, and mingling with the joined Rose. "You can say nothing to
spent and feeble stream of life which alter my resolution. It is a duty that I
circulated languidly within you, swelled must perform. I owe it alike to others,
it again to a high and rushing tide. I and to myself."
have watched you change almost from "To yourself?"
death to life, with eyes that moistened "Yes, Harry, I owe it to myself that
with their own eagerness and deep affec- I, a friendless, portionless girl, with a
tion. Do not tell me that you wish I had blight upon my name, should not give the
lost this ; for it has softened my heart to world reason to suspect that I had sor-
all mankind." didly yielded to your first passion, and
"I did not mean that," said Rose, weep fastened myself a clog, upon all your
ing; "I only wished you had left here, hopes and projects. I owe it to you and
that you might have turned to high and yours to prevent you from opposing, in
OLIVER TWIST . 139
the warmth of your generous nature, this my destiny, -if I had been poor, sick,
great obstacle to your progress in the helpless, would you have turned from
world." me then ? or has my probable advance-
" If your inclinations chime with your ment to riches and honour given this
sense of duty- -" Harry began. scruple birth ?"
66 They do not," replied "Do not press me to reply," answered
Rose, colouring
deeply. Rose. "The question does not arise, and
" Then you return my love ?" said never will. It is unfair, unkind, to urge
Harry. 66' Say but that, Rose ; say but it."
that, and soften the bitterness of this hard " Ifyour answer be what I almost dare
disappointment." to hope it is," retorted Harry, " it will
"If I could have done so without doing shed a gleam of happiness upon my lonely
heavy wrong to him I 99loved," rejoined way, and light the dreary path before me.
Rose, " I could have- It is not an idle thing to do so much, by
" Have received this declaration very the utterance of a few brief words, for
differently ?" said Harry, with great ea- one who loves us beyond all else. Oh,
gerness. "Do not conceal that from me, Rose, in the name of my ardent and en-
at least, Rose." during attachment,-in the name of all I
" I could," said Rose. " Stay," she have suffered for you, and all you doom
added, disengaging her hand. 66 Why me to undergo, - answer me that one
should we prolong this painful interview ; question. "
most painful to me, and yet productive "Then if your lot had been differently
of lasting happiness, notwithstanding ; cast," rejoined Rose ; " if you had been
for it will be happiness to know that I even a little, but not so far above me ; if
once held the high place in your regard I could have been a help and comfort to
which I now occupy, and every triumph you in some humble scene of peace and
which you achieve in life will animate retirement, and not a blot and drawback
me with new fortitude and firmness. in ambitious and distinguished crowds ; I
Farewell, Harry ! for as we have met to- should have been spared this trial.. I
day, we meet no more : but in other rela- have every reason to be happy, very
tions than those in which this conversa- happy, now ; but then, Harry, I own I
tion would have placed us, may we be should have been happier."
long and happily entwined ; and may Busy recollections of old hopes, cherish-
every blessing that the prayers of a true ed as a girl long ago, crowded into the
and earnest heart can call down from mind of Rose while making this avowal ;
where all is truth and sincerity, cheer but they brought tears with them, as old
and prosper you." hopes will when they come back with-
" Another word, Rose," said Harry. ered, and they relieved her.
66 I cannot help this weakness,
" Your reason in your own words. From and it
your own lips let me hear it." makes my purpose stronger," said Rose,
"The prospect before you," answered extending her hand. " I must leave you
Rose firmly, "is a brilliant one ; all the now, indeed.”
honours to which great talents and pow- " I ask one promise," said Harry.
erful connections can help men in public " Once, and only once more,-say within
life are in store for you. But those con- a year, but it may be much sooner,-let
nections are proud, and I will neither me speak to you again on this subject for
mingle with such as hold in scorn the the last time.”
mother who gave me life, nor bring dis- "Not to press me to alter my right de-
grace or failure upon the son of her who termination," replied Rose, with a melan-
has so well supplied that mother's place. choly smile : " it will be useless."
66 No,"
In a word," said the young lady, turning said Harry; " to hear you repeat
away as her temporary firmness forsook it, if you will ; finally repeat it. I will
her, "there is a stain upon my name lay at your feet whatever of station or
which the world visits upon innocent fortune I may possess, and if you still ad-
heads ; I will carry it into no blood but here to your present resolution, will not
my own, and the reproach shall rest alone seek by word or act to change it."
on me.99 "Then let it be so," rejoined Rose.
" One word more, Rose - dear Rose, "It is but one pang the more, and by
one more," cried Harry, throwing him- that time I may be enabled to bear it
self before her. " If I had been less, less better."
fortunate, as the world would call it,-if She extended her hand again, but the
some obscure and peaceful life had been young man caught her to his bosom, and,
142 OLIVER TWIST .
66 Well," cried the lady. of weakness, and so far tacit admissions

" Have the goodness to look at me," of his own power, pleased and exalted him.
said Mr. Bumble, fixing his eyes upon her. He eyed his good lady with looks of great
" If she stands such a eye as that," said satisfaction, and begged in an encouraging
Mr. Bumble to himself, 66' she can stand mannerthat she would cry her hardest, the
anything. It is a eye I never knew to exercise being looked upon by the faculty
fail with paupers, and if it fails with her as strongly conducive to health.
my power is gone." "It opens the lungs, washes the coun-
Whether an exceedingly small expan- tenance, exercises the eyes, and softens
sion of eye is sufficient to quell paupers, down the temper," said Mr. Bumble ; “ so
who, being lightly fed, are in no very high cry away.”
condition, or whether the late Mrs. Cor- As he discharged himself of this plea-
ney was particularly proof against eagle santry, Mr. Bumble took his hat from a
glances, are matters of opinion. The mat- peg, and putting it on rather rakishly on
ter of fact is, that the matron was in no one side, as a man might do who felt he
way overpowered by Mr. Bumble's scowl, had asserted his superiority in a becoming
but, on the contrary, treated it with great manner, thrust his hands into his pockets,
disdain, and even raised a laugh thereat, and sauntered towards the door with much
which sounded as though it were genuine. ease and waggishness depicted in his
On hearingthis most unexpected sound, whole appearance.
Mr. Bumble looked first incredulous, and Now Mrs. Corney that was, had tried
afterwards amazed. He then relapsed the tears, because they were less trouble-
into his former state ; nor did he rouse some than a manual assault ; but she was
himself until his attention was again quite prepared to make trial of the latter
awakened by the voice of his partner. mode of proceeding, as Mr. Bumble was
"Are you agoing to sit snoring there not long in discovering.
all day ?" inquired Mrs. Bumble. The first proof he experienced of the
"I am going to sit here as long as I fact was conveyed in a hollow sound, im-
think proper, ma'am," rejoined Mr. Bum- mediately succeeded by the sudden flying
ble ; " and although I was not snoring, I off of his hat to the opposite end of the
shall snore, gape, sneeze, laugh, or cry, as room. This preliminary proceeding lay-
the humour strikes me, such being my ing bare his head, the expert lady, clasp
prerogative. " ing him tight round the throat with one
66
"Your prerogative !" sneered Mrs. Bum- hand, inflicted a shower of blows (dealt
ble, with ineffable contempt. with singular vigour and dexterity) upon
" I said the word, ma'am," observed Mr. it with the other. This done, she cre-
Bumble. "The prerogative of a man is ated a little variety by scratching his face
to command." and tearing his hair off, and having by
" And what's the prerogative of a wo- this time inflicted as much punishment as
man, in the name of goodness ?" cried the she deemed necessary for the offence, she
relict of Mr. Corney deceased. pushed him over a chair, which was luck-
"To obey, ma'am," thundered Mr. Bum- ily well situated for the purpose, and de-
ble. "Your late unfort'nate husband fied him to talk about his prerogative
should have taught it you, and then, per- again if he dared.
haps, he might have been alive now. I 66 Get up," said Mrs. Bumble, in a voice
wish he was, poor man !" of command, and take yourself away
Mrs. Bumble, seeing at a glance that from here, unless you want me to do
the decisive moment had now arrived, and something desperate. "
that a blow struck for the mastership on Mr. Bumble rose with a very rueful
one side or other must necessarily be final countenance, wondering much what some-
and conclusive, no sooner heard this allu- thing desperate might be, and picking up
sion to thedead and gone, than she dropped his hat, looked towards the door,
into a chair, and, with a loud scream that "Are you going ?" demanded Mrs.
Mr. Bumble was a hard-hearted brute, fell Bumble.
into a paroxysm of tears. "Certainly, my dear, certainly," rejoin-
But tears were not the things to find ed Mr. Bumble, making a quicker motion
their way to Mr. Bumble's soul ; his heart towards the door. " I did n't intend to—
was water-proof. Like washable beaver I'm going, my dear-you 99 are so very vio-
hats, that improve with rain, his nerves lent, that really I-
were rendered stouter and more vigorous At this instant Mrs. Bumble stepped
by showers of tears, which, being tokens hastily forward to replace the carpet,
OLIVER TWIST . 141
" Drive on !" he cried, " hard, fast, full Nor was Mr. Bumble's gloom the only
gallop. Nothing short of flying will thing calculated to awaken a pleasing
keep pace with me to-day." melancholy in the bosom of a spectator.
66 Holloa !" cried the doctor, letting There were not wanting other appear-
down the front glass in a great hurry, ances, and those closely connected with
and shouting to the postilion, " something his own person, which announced that a
very far short of flying will keep pace great change had taken place in the posi-
with me. Do you hear ?" tion of his affairs. The laced coat and the
Jingling and clattering till distance cocked hat, where were they ? He still
rendered its noise inaudible, and its rapid wore knee-breeches and dark cotton stock-
progress only perceptible to the eye, the ings on his nether limbs, but they were
vehicle wound its way along the road not the breeches. The coat was wide-
almost hidden in a cloud of dust, now skirted, and in that respect like the coat,
wholly disappearing, and now becoming but, oh, how different ! The mighty cocked
visible again, as intervening objects or hat was replaced by a modest round one.
the intricacies of the way permitted. It Mr. Bumble was no longer a beadle.
was not until even the dusty cloud was There are some promotions in life which,
no longer to be seen, that the gazers dis- independent of the more substantial re-
persed . wards they offer, acquire peculiar value
And there was one looker-on, who re- and dignity from the coats and waistcoats
mained with eyes fixed upon the spot connected with them. A field-marshal
where the carriage had disappeared , long has his uniform, a bishop his silk apron,
after it was many miles away ; for behind a counsellor his silk gown, a beadle his
the white curtain which had shrouded her cocked hat. Strip the bishop of his apron,
from view, when Harry raised his eyes or the beadle of his cocked hat and gold 1
towards the window, sat Rose herself. lace, what are they ? Men,-mere men.
"He seems in high spirits and happy," | Dignity, and even holiness too, sometimes,
she said at length. " I feared for a time are more questions of coat and waistcoat
he might be otherwise. I was mistaken. than some people imagine.
I am very, very glad. " Mr. Bumble had married Mrs. Corney,
Tears are signs of gladness as well as and was master of the workhouse. An-
grief, but those which coursed down Rose's other beadle had come into power, and on
face as she sat pensively at the window, him the cocked hat, gold-laced coat, and
still gazing in the same direction, seemed staff, had all three descended.
to tell more of sorrow, than of joy. " And to-morrow two months it was
done !" said Mr.99 Bumble, with a sigh.
" It seems a age."
Mr. Bumble might have meant that he
had concentrated a whole existence of
CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH , happiness into the short space of eight
weeks ; but the sigh - there was a vast
In which the reader, if he or she resort to the fifth deal of meaning in the sigh.
chapter of this second book, will perceive a con- 66 I sold myself," said Mr. Bumble, pur-
trast not uncommon in matrimonial cases.
suing the same train of reflection, " for six
MR. BUMBLE sat in the workhouse par- tea-spoons, a pair of sugar-tongs, and a
lour, with his eyes moodily fixed on the milk-pot, with a small quantity of second-
cheerless grate, whence, as it was sum- hand furniter, and twenty pound in mo-
mer time, no brighter gleam proceeded ney. I went very reasonable- cheap, dirt
than the reflection of certain sickly rays cheap."
of the sun, which were sent back from its "Cheap !" cried a shrill voice in Mr.
cold and shining surface. A paper fly- Bumble's ear : " You would have been
cage dangled from the ceiling, to which dear at any price ; and dear enough I paid
he occasionally raised his eyes in gloomy for you, Lord above knows that."
thought ; and, as the heedless insects ho- Mr. Bumble turned and encountered
vered round the gaudy net-work, Mr. the face of his interesting companion,
Bumble would heave a deep sigh, while a who, imperfectly comprehending the few
more gloomy shadow overspread his coun- words she had overheard of his complaint,
tenance. Mr. Bumble was meditating, had hazarded the foregoing remark at a
and it might be that the insects brought venture.
to mind some painful passage in his own "Mrs. Bumble, ma'am !" said Mr. Bum-
past life. ble, with sentimental sternness.
142 OLIVER TWIST .
"Well," cried the lady. of weakness, and so far tacit admissions

" Have the goodness to look at me," ofhis own power, pleased and exalted him.
said Mr. Bumble, fixing his eyes upon her. He eyed his good lady with looks of great
"Ifshe stands such a eye as that," said satisfaction, and begged in an encouraging
Mr. Bumble to himself, " she can stand manner that she would cry her hardest, the
anything. It is a eye I never knew to exercise being looked upon by the faculty
fail with paupers, and if it fails with her as strongly conducive to health .
my power is gone." "It opens the lungs, washes the coun-
Whether an exceedingly small expan- tenance, exercises the eyes, and softens
sion of eye is sufficient to quell paupers, down the temper," said Mr. Bumble ; 66 SO
who, being lightly fed, are in no very high cry away."
condition, or whether the late Mrs. Cor- As he discharged himself of this plea-
ney was particularly proof against eagle santry, Mr. Bumble took his hat from a
glances, are matters ofopinion. The mat- peg, and putting it on rather rakishly on
ter of fact is, that the matron was in no one side, as a man might do who felt he
way overpowered by Mr. Bumble's scowl, had asserted his superiority in a becoming
but, on the contrary, treated it with great manner, thrust his hands into his pockets,
disdain, and even raised a laugh thereat, and sauntered towards the door with much
which sounded as though it were genuine. ease and waggishness depicted in his
On hearing this most unexpected sound, whole appearance.
Mr. Bumble looked first incredulous, and Now Mrs. Corney that was, had tried
afterwards amazed. He then relapsed the tears, because they were less trouble-
into his former state ; nor did he rouse some than a manual assault ; but she was
himself until his attention was again quite prepared to make trial of the latter
awakened by the voice of his partner. mode of proceeding, as Mr. Bumble was
" Are you agoing to sit snoring there not long in discovering.
all day ?" inquired Mrs. Bumble. The first proof he experienced of the
"I am going to sit here as long as I fact was conveyed in a hollow sound, im-
think proper, ma'am," rejoined Mr. Bum- mediately succeeded by the sudden flying
ble ; " and although I was not snoring, I off of his hat to the opposite end of the
shall snore, gape, sneeze, laugh, or cry, as room . This preliminary proceeding lay-
the humour strikes me, such being my ing bare his head, the expert lady, clasp-
prerogative." ing him tight round the throat with one
66
Your prerogative !" sneered Mrs. Bum- hand, inflicted a shower of blows (dealt
ble, with ineffable contempt. with singular vigour and dexterity) upon
" I said the word, ma'am," observed Mr. it with the other. This done, she cre-
Bumble. "The prerogative of a man is ated a little variety by scratching his face
to command." and tearing his hair off, and having by
" And what's the prerogative of a wo- this time inflicted as much punishment as
man, in the name of goodness ?" cried the she deemed necessary for the offence, she
relict pushed him over a chair, which was luck-
66 of Mr. Corney deceased.
To obey, ma'am," thundered Mr. Bum- ily well situated for the purpose, and de-
ble. "Your late unfort'nate husband fied him to talk about his prerogative
should have taught it you, and then, per- again if he dared.
haps, he might have been alive now. I "Get up," said Mrs. Bumble, in a voice
wish he was, poor man !" of command, " and take yourself away
Mrs. Bumble, seeing at a glance that from here, unless you want me to do
the decisive moment had now arrived, and something desperate."
that a blow struck for the mastership on Mr. Bumble rose with a very rueful
one side or other must necessarily be final countenance, wondering much what some-
and conclusive, no sooner heard this allu- thing desperate might be, and picking up
sion to the dead and gone, than she dropped his hat, looked towards the door,
into a chair, and, with a loud scream that " Are you going ?" demanded Mrs.
Mr. Bumble was a hard-hearted brute, fell Bumble.
into a paroxysm of tears. 66
Certainly, my dear, certainly," rejoin-
But tears were not the things to find ed Mr. Bumble, making a quicker motion
their way to Mr. Bumble's soul ; his heart towards the door. " I did n't intend to-
was water-proof. Like washable beaver I'm going, my dear-you 99 are so very vio-
hats, that improve with rain, his nerves lent, that really I-
were rendered stouter and more vigorous At this instant Mrs. Bumble stepped
by showers of tears, which, being tokens hastily forward to replace the carpet,
U Pumbiedegradedin the eyes ofthe Pauperis.
OLIVER TWIST. 143
which had been kicked up in the scuffle, "What business is it of yours ?" de-
and Mr. Bumble immediately darted out manded Mrs. Bumble again.
of the room without bestowing another "It's very true you're matron here,
thought on his unfinished sentence, leav- my dear," submitted Mr. Bumble ; " but
ing the late Mrs. Corney in full posses- I thought you might n't be in the way
sion of the field. just then."
Mr. Bumble was fairly taken by sur- “ I'll tell you what, Mr. Bumble,” re-
prise, and fairly beaten. He had a de- turned his lady, " we don't want any of
cided bullying propensity, derived no in- your interference, and you're a great deal
considerable pleasure from the exercise too fond of poking your nose into things
of petty cruelty, and consequently was that do n't concern you, making everybody
(it is needless to say) a coward. This is in the house laugh the moment your back
by no means a disparagement to his cha- is turned, and making yourself look like
racter ; for many official personages, who a fool every hour in the day. Be off;
are held in high respect and admiration, come !"
are the victims of similar infirmities. The Mr. Bumble, seeing with excruciating
remark is made, indeed, rather in his fa- feelings the delight of the two old pau-
vour than otherwise, and with the view pers who were tittering together most
of impressing the reader with a just sense rapturously, hesitated for an instant.
of his qualifications for office. Mrs. Bumble, whose patience brooked no
But the measure of his degradation was delay, caught up a bowl of soap-suds, and
not yet full. After making a tour of the motioning him towards the door, ordered
house, and thinking for the first time that him instantly to depart, on pain of receiv-
the poor laws really were too hard upon ing the contents on his portly person.
people, and that men who ran away from What could Mr. Bumble do ? He look-
their wives, leaving them chargeable to ed dejectedly round, and slunk away ;
the parish, ought in justice to be visited and as he reached the door, the titterings
with no punishment at all, but rather re- of the paupers broke into a shrill chuckle
warded as meritorious individuals who had of irrepressible delight. It wanted but
suffered much, Mr. Bumble came to a this. He was degraded in their eyes ; he
room where some of the female paupers had lost caste and station before the very
were usually employed in washing the paupers ; he had fallen from all the
parish linen, and whence the sound of height and pomp of beadleship to the
voices in conversation now proceeded. lowest depth of the most snubbed hen-
" Hem !" said Mr. Bumble, summoning peckery.
up all his native dignity. " These women " All in two months !" said Mr. Bum-
at least shall continue to respect the pre- ble, filled with dismal thoughts. "Two
rogative. Hallo ! hallo there ! —what do months— not more than two months ago I
you mean by this noise, you hussies ?" was not only my own master, but every-
With these words Mr. Bumble opened body else's, so far as the porochial work-
the door, and walked in with a very fierce house was concerned, and now !—"
and angry manner, which was at once It was too much. Mr. Bumble boxed
exchanged for a most humiliated and the ears of the boy who opened the gate
cowering air as his eyes unexpectedly for him, (for he had reached the portal in
rested on the form of his lady wife. his reverie,) and walked distractedly into
66 My dear," said Mr. Bumble, " I didn't the street.
know you were here." He walked up one street and down
"Didn't know I was here !" repeated another, until exercise had abated the
Mrs. Bumble. "What do you do here ?" first passion of his grief, and then the
" I thought they were talking rather revulsion of feeling made him thirsty.
too much to be doing their work properly, He passed a great many public-houses,
my dear," replied Mr. Bumble, glancing and at length paused before one in a by-
distractedly at a couple of old women at way, whose parlour, as he gathered from
the wash-tub, who were comparing notes a hasty peep over the blinds, was desert-
of admiration at the workhouse-master's ed save by one solitary customer. It
humility. began to rain heavily at the moment, and
"You thought they were talking too this determined him ; Mr. Bumble stepped
much ?" said Mrs. Bumble. " What busi- in, and ordering something to drink as he
ness is it of yours ?" passed the bar, entered the apartment
66 Why, my into which he had looked from the street.
dear-" urged Mr. Bumble,
submissively. The man who was seated there was
144 OLIVER TWIST .
tall and dark, and wore a large cloak. "I was," said Mr. Bumble, in some
He had the air of a stranger, and seem- surprise. 66 Porochial beadle."
ed, by a certain haggardness in his look, "Just so," rejoined the other, nodding
as well as by the dusty soils on his dress, his head. " It was in that character I
to have travelled some distance. He saw you. What are you now ?"
66 Master of the workhouse," rejoined
eyed Bumble askance as he entered , but
scarcely deigned to nod his head in ac- Mr. Bumble, slowly and impressively, to
knowledgment of his salutation. check any undue familiarity the stranger
Mr. Bumble had quite dignity enough might otherwise assume. " Master of
for two, supposing even that the stranger the workhouse, young man !"
had been more familiar, so he drank his “ You have the same eye to your own
gin-and-water in silence, and read the interest that you always have had, I
paper with great show of pomp and im- doubt not ?" resumed the stranger, look-
portance. ing keenly into Mr. Bumble's eyes as he
It so happened, however, -as it will raised them in astonishment at the ques-
happen very often when men fall into tion. "Don't scruple to answer freely,
company under such circumstances, - man. I know you pretty well, you see.'
that Mr. Bumble felt every now and then " I suppose a married man," replied
a powerful inducement, which he could | Mr. Bumble, shading his eyes with his
not resist, to steal a look at the stranger, hand, and surveying the stranger from
and that whenever he did so he withdrew head to foot in evident perplexity, “ is
his eyes in some confusion, to find that not more averse to turning an honest
the stranger was at that moment stealing penny when he can than a single one.
a look at him. Mr. Bumble's awkward- Porochial officers are not so well paid
ness was enhanced by the very remark- that they can afford to refuse any little
able expression of the stranger's eye, extra fee, when it comes to them in a
which was keen and bright, but shadow- civil and proper manner."
ed by a scowl of distrust and suspicion The stranger smiled, and nodded his
unlike anything he had observed before, head again, as much as to say he found
and most repulsive to behold. he had not mistaken his man : then rang
When they had encountered each the bell.
other's glance several times in this way, " Fill this glass again," he said, hand-
the stranger, in a harsh, deep voice, ing Mr. Bumble's empty tumbler to the
broke silence. landlord. " Let it be strong and hot.
"Were you looking for me," he said, You like it so, I suppose ?"
66 Not too strong," replied Mr. Bumble,
"when you peered in at the window ?"
"Not that I am 99 aware of, unless with a delicate cough.
you're Mr. Here Mr. Bumble "You understand what that means,
stopped short, for he was curious to landlord !" said the stranger, drily.
know the stranger's name, and thought The host smiled, disappeared, and short-
in his impatience he might supply the ly afterwards returned with a steaming
blank. jorum, of which the first gulph brought
“ I see you were not," said the stranger, the water into Mr. Bumble's eyes.
an expression of quiet sarcasm playing "Now listen to me," said the stranger,
about his mouth, " or you would have after closing the door and window. "I
known my name. You don't know it, came down to this place to-day to find
and I should recommend you not to in- you out, and, by one of those chances
quire." which the devil throws in the way of his
" I meant no harm, young man," ob- friends sometimes, you walked into the
served Mr. Bumble, majestically. very room I was sitting in while you
" And have done none," said the were uppermost in my mind. I want
stranger. some information from you, and don't ask
Another silence succeeded this short you to give it for nothing, slight as it is.
dialogue, which was again broken by the Put up that to begin with."
stranger. As he spoke he pushed a couple of
" I have seen you before, I think," said sovereigns across the table to his com
he. " You were differently dressed at panion carefully, as though unwilling that
that time, and I only passed you in the the clinking of the money should be heard
street, but I should know you again. without ; and when Mr. Bumble had
You were beadle here once. were you scrupulously examined the coins to see
not ?" that they were genuine, and put them up
OLIVER TWIST . 145
with much satisfaction in his waistcoated that it was no great matter, and rose
pocket, he went on. as if to depart.
"Carry your memory back-let me see Mr. Bumble was cunning enough, and
-twelve years last winter." he at once saw that an opportunity was
"It's a long time," said Mr. Bumble. opened for the lucrative disposal of some
"Very good. I've done it." secret in the possession of his better half.
66 The scene, the workhouse."
He well remembered the night of old
" Good !" Sally's death, which the occurrences of
" And the time, night." that day had given him good reason to
" Yes." recollect as the occasion on which he had
"And the place the crazy hole, wher- proposed to Mrs. Corney ; and although
ever it was, in which miserable drabs that lady had never confided to him the
brought forth the life and health so often disclosure of which she had been the soli-
denied to themselves-gave birth to pul- tary witness, he had heard enough to
ing children for the parish to rear, and hid know that it related to something that
their shame, rot ' em, in the grave." had occurred in the old woman's atten-
" The lying-in room, I suppose that dance, as workhouse nurse, upon the
means ?" said Mr. Bumble, not quite fol- young mother of Oliver Twist. Hastily
lowing the stranger's excited description. calling this circumstance to mind, he in-
"Yes," said the stranger. "Aboy was formed the stranger with an air of mys-
born there." tery, that one woman had been closeted
“ A many boys,” observed Mr. Bumble, with the old harridan shortly before she
shaking his head despondingly. died, and that she could, as he had reason
"A murrain on the young devils !" to believe, throw some light on the sub-
cried the stranger impatiently ; " I speak ject of his inquiry.
of one, a meek-looking, pale-faced hound, " How can I find her ?" said the
who was apprenticed, down here, to a stranger, thrown off his guard, and plain-
coffin-maker, (I wish he had made his ly showing that all his fears (whatever
coffin, and screwed his body in it,) and they were) were aroused afresh by the
who afterwards ran away to London, as intelligence.
it was supposed." " Only through me," rejoined Mr. Bum-
66 Why, you mean Oliver - young ble.
Twist !" said Mr. Bumble ; " I remember "When ?" cried the stranger, hastily.
him of course. There wasn't a obsti- 66
To-morrow," rejoined Bumble.
nater young rascal— " " At nine in the evening," said the
"It's not of him I want to hear ; I've stranger, producing a scrap of paper, and
heard enough of him," said the stranger, writing down an obscure address, by the
stopping Mr. Bumble in the very outset water-side, upon it, in characters that be-
of a tirade on the subject of poor Oliver's trayed his agitation, " at nine in the even-
vices. 66 It's of a woman, the hag that ing, bring her to me there. I need n't
nursed his mother. Where is she ?" tell you to be secret, for it's your inter-
"Where is she ?" said Mr. Bumble, est."
whom the gin-and-water had rendered With these words he led the way to
facetious. "It would be hard to tell. the door, after stopping to pay for the
There's no midwifery there, whichever liquor that had been drunk ; and shortly
place she's gone to ; so I suppose she's remarking that their roads were different,
out of employment any way.' departed without more ceremony than an
"What do you mean ?" demanded the emphatic repetition of the hour of ap-
stranger, sternly. pointment for the following night.
"That she died last winter," rejoined On glancing at the address, the paro-
Mr. Bumble. chial functionary observed that it contain-
The man looked fixedly at him when ed no name. The stranger had not gone
he had given this information, and al- far, so he made after him to ask it.
though he did not withdraw his eyes for "Who's that ?" cried the man, turning
some time afterwards, his gaze gradually quickly round as Bumble touched him on
became vacant and abstracted, and he the arm. "Following me !"
seemed lost in thought. For some time "Only to ask a question," said the
he appeared doubtful whether he ought other, pointing to the scrap of paper.
to be relieved or disappointed by the in- "What name am I to ask for ?"
telligence, but at length he breathed more " MONKS !" rejoined the man, and strode
freely, and withdrawing his eyes, observ- hastily away.
13 T
146 OLIVER TWIST .
BOOK THE THIRD .
CHAPTER THE FIRST, played would have led a passer-by with-

out much difficulty to the conjecture
Containing an accountof what passed between they were disposed there, rather for that
the
Mr. and Mrs. Bumble and Monks at their noc-
turnal interview. preservation of appearances than with
any view to their being actually em-
It was a dull, close, overcast summer ployed.
evening, when the clouds, which had been In the heart of this cluster of huts, and
threatening all day, spread out in a dense skirting the river, which its upper stories
and sluggish mass of vapour, already overhung, stood a large building formerly
yielded large drops of rain, and seemed used as a manufactory of some kind, and
to presage a violent thunder-storm, as Mr. which had in its day probably furnished
and Mrs. Bumble, turning out of the main employment to the inhabitants of the sur-
street of the town, directed their course rounding tenements. But it had long
towards a scattered little colony of ruin- since gone to ruin. The rat, the worm,
ous houses, distant from it some mile and and the action ofthe damp, had weakened
and a half, or thereabouts, and erected on and rotted the piles on which it stood, and
a low unwholesome swamp, bordering a considerable portion of the building had
upon the river. already sunk down into the water be-
They were both wrapped in old and neath, while the remainder, tottering and
shabby outer garments, which might per- bending over the dark stream, seemed but
haps serve the double purpose of protect- to wait a favourable opportunity of fol-
ing their persons from the rain, and shel- lowing its old companion, and involving
tering them from observation ; the hus- itself in the same fate.
band carried a lantern, from which, how- It was before this ruinous building that
ever, no light yet shone, and trudged on the worthy couple paused as the first peal
a few paces in front, as though-the way of distant thunder reverberated in the air,
being dirty-to give his wife the benefit and the rain commenced pouring violently
of treading in his heavy foot-prints. They down.
went on in profound silence ; every now " The place should be somewhere here,"
and then Mr. Bumble relaxed his pace, said Bumble, consulting a scrap of paper
and turned his head round, as if to make he held in his hand.
sure that his helpmate was following, and, "Halloa there !" cried a voice from
discovering that she was close at his heels, above.
mended his rate of walking, and proceed- Following the sound, Bumble raised his
ed at a considerable increase of speed to- head, and descried a man looking out of
wards their place of destination. a door, breast-high, on the second story.
This was far from being a place of "Stand still a minute," cried the voice ;
doubtful character, for it had long been " I'll be with you directly. " With which
known as the residence of none but low the head disappeared, and the door closed.
and desperate ruffians, who, under vari- 66 Is that the man ?" asked Mr. Bumble's
ous pretences of living by their labour, good lady.
subsisted chiefly on plunder and crime. Mr. Bumble nodded in the affirmative.
It was a collection of mere hovels, some 66 Then, mind what I told you," said
hastily built with loose bricks, and others the matron, " and be careful to say as lit-
of old worm-eaten ship timber, jumbled tle as you can, or you'll betray us at
together without any attempt at order or once.
arrangement, and planted, for the most Mr. Bumble, who had eyed the build-
part, within a few feet of the river's bank. ing with very rueful looks, was apparently
A few leaky boats drawn up on the mud, about to express some doubts relative to
and made fast to the dwarf wall which the advisability of proceeding any farther
skirted it, and here and there an oar or with the enterprise just then, when he
coil of rope, appeared at first to indicate was prevented by the appearance of
that the inhabitants of these miserable Monks, who opened a small door, near
cottages pursued some avocation on the which they stood, and beckoned them in-
river ; but a glance at the shattered and wards.
aseless condition of the articles thus dis- "Come !" he cried impatiently, stamp-
OLIVER TWIST . 147
ing his foot upon the ground. "Don't streamed down the aperture, and a peal
keep me here !" of thunder followed, which shook the
The woman, who had hesitated at first, crazy building to its centre.
66 Hear it !" he cried, shrinking back.
walked boldly in without any further in-
vitation, and Mr. Bumble, who was "Hear it rolling and crashing away as if
ashamed, or afraid to hang behind, fol- it echoed through a thousand caverns,
lowed, obviously very ill at his ease, and where the devils are hiding from it. Fire
with scarcely any of that remarkable dig- the sound ! I hate it. "
nity which was usually his chief charac- He remained silent for a few moments,
teristic. and then removing his hands suddenly
"What the devil made you stand lin- from his face, showed, to the unspeakable
gering there in the wet ?" said Monks, discomposure of Mr. Bumble, that it was
turning round, and addressing Bumble, much distorted, and nearly black.
after he had bolted the door behind them. " These fits come over me now and
“ We — we were only cooling our- then," said Monks, observing his alarm,
selves," stammered Bumble, looking ap- "and thunder sometimes brings them on.
prehensively about him. Don't mind me now ; it's all over this
66 once."
Cooling yourselves !" retorted Monks.
"Not all the rain that ever fell, or ever Thus speaking, he led the way up the
will fall, will put as much of hell's fire ladder, and hastily closing the window-
out as a man can carry about with him. shutter of the room into which it led, low-
You won't cool yourself so easily, don't ered a lantern which hung at the end of
think it !" a rope and pulley passed through one of
With this agreeable speech Monks the heavy beams in the ceiling, and
turned short upon the matron, and bent which cast a dim light upon an old table
his fierce gaze upon her, till even she, and three chairs that were placed be-
who was not easily cowed, was fain to neath it.
withdraw her eyes, and turn them towards 66
Now," said Monks, when they had all
the ground. three seated themselves, "the sooner we
"This is the woman, is it ?" demanded come to our business, the better for all.
Monks. The woman knows what it is, does she ?"
"Hem ! That is the woman," replied The question was addressed to Bumble ;
Mr. Bumble, mindful of his wife's cau- but his wife anticipated the reply, by in-
tion. timating that she was perfectly acquaint-
"You think women never can keep seed with it.
crets, I suppose ?" said the matron, inter- "He is right in saying that you were
posing, and returning as she spoke the with this hag the night she died, and that
searching look of Monks. she told you something-"
" I know they will always keep one till "About the mother of the boy you
it's found out," said Monks contemptu- named," replied the matron interrupting
ously. him. "Yes."
" And what may that be ?" asked the "The first question is, of what nature
matron in the same tone. was her communication ?" said Monks.
"The loss of their own good name," "That's the second," observed the wo-
replied Monks : " so, by the same rule, if man with much deliberation. "The first
a woman's a party to a secret that might is, what may the communication be
hang or transport her, I'm not afraid of worth ?"
her telling it to anybody, not I. Do you "Who the devil can tell that, without
understand ine ?" knowing of what kind it is ?" asked
“ No,” rejoined the matron, slightly Monks.
colouring as she spoke. 66"Nobody better
than you, I am per-
" Of course you don't !" said Monks suaded," answered Mrs. Bumble, who did
ironically. " How should you ?" not want for spirit, as her yokefellow
Bestowing something half- way between could
66 abundantly testify.
a sneer and a scowl upon his two compa- Humph !" said Monks significantly,
nions, and again beckoning them to follow and with a look of eager inquiry, “ there
him, the man hastened across the apart- may be money's worth to get, eh ?"
ment, which was of considerable extent, "Perhaps there may," was the com-
but low in the roof, and was preparing to posed reply.
66 Something that was taken from her,”
ascend a steep staircase, or rather ladder,
leading to another floor of warehouses said Monks eagerly ; " something that she
above, when a bright flash of lightning wore-something that— "
148 OLIVER TWIST .
"You had better bid," interrupted Mrs. As Mr. Bumble spoke, he made a me-
Bumble. " I have heard enough already lancholy feint of grasping his lantern with
to assure me that you are the man I ought fierce determination, and plainly showed,
to talk to." by the alarmed expression of every fea-
Mr. Bumble, who had not yet been ad- ture, that he did want a little rousing,
mitted by his better half into any greater and not a little, prior to making any war-
share of the secret than he had originally like demonstration, unless, indeed, against
possessed, listened to this dialogue with paupers, or other person or persons trained
outstretched neck and distended eyes, down for the purpose.
which he directed towards his wife and 66 You are a fool," said Mrs. Bumble in
Monks by turns in undisguised astonish- reply, " and had better hold your tongue."
ment; increased, if possible, when the "He had better have cut it out before
latter sternly demanded what sum was he came, if he can't speak in a lower
required for the disclosure. tone," said Monks grimly. "So he's
"What's it worth to you ?" asked the your husband, eh ?"
woman, as collectedly as before. “ He my husband !" tittered the ma-
"It may be nothing ; it may be twenty tron, parrying the question.
pounds," replied Monks ; " speak out, and "I thought as much when you came
let me know which." in," rejoined Monks, marking the angry
" Add five pounds to the sum you have glance which the lady darted at her spouse
named ; give me five-and-twenty pounds as she spoke. "So much the better ; I
in gold," said the woman, " and I'll tell have less hesitation in dealing with two
you all I know- not before." people, when I find that there's only one
"Five-and-twenty pounds !" exclaimed will between them. I'm in earnest-see
Monks, drawing back. here."
" I spoke as plainly as I could," replied He thrust his hand into a side-pocket,
Mrs. Bumble, " and it's not a large sum and producing a canvas bag, told out
either." twenty-five sovereigns on the table, and
"Not a large sum for a paltry secret, pushed them over to the woman.
that may be nothing when it's told !" "Now," he said, " gather them up ; and
cried Monks impatiently, " and which has when this cursed peal of thunder, that I
been lying dead for twelve years past, or feel is coming up to break over the house-
more !" top, is gone, let's hear your story."
" Such matters keep well, and, like The roar of thunder, which seemed in
good wine, often double their value in fact much nearer, and to shiver and break
course of time," answered the matron, almost over their heads, having subsided,
still preserving the resolute indifference Monks, raising his face from the table,
she had assumed . " As to lying dead, bent forward to listen to what the woman
there are those who will lie dead for twelve should say. The faces of the three nearly
thousand years to come, or twelve mil- touched as the two men leant over the
lion, for anything you or I know, who will small table in their eagerness to hear, and
tell strange tales at last." the woman also leant forward to render
"What if I pay it for nothing ?" asked her whisper audible. The sickly rays of
Monks, hesitating. the suspended lantern falling directly
"You can easily take it away again," upon them, aggravated the paleness and
replied the matron. “ I am but a woman, anxiety of their countenances, which, en-
alone here, and unprotected." circled by the deepest gloom and dark-
" Not alone, my dear, nor unprotected ness, looked ghastly in the extreme.
neither," submitted Mr. Bumble, in a 66 When this woman, that we call old
voice tremulous with fear ; " I am here, Sally, died," the matron began, " she and
my dear. And besides," said Mr. Bum- I were alone."
ble, his teeth chattering as he spoke, "Was there no one by ?" asked Monks
"Mr. Monks is too much of a gentleman in the same hollow whisper, " no sick
to attempt any violence on porochial per- wretch or idiot in some other bed ?-no
sons. Mr. Monks is aware that I am not one who could hear, and might by possi-
a young man, my dear, and also that I bility understand ?"
am a little run to seed, as I may say ; but " Not a soul," replied the woman ; 66 we
he has heerd-I say I have no doubt Mr. were alone : I stood alone beside the body
Monks has heerd, my dear-that I am a when death came over it."
very determined officer, with very uncom- " Good," said Monks, regarding her at-
mon strength, if I'm once roused. I only tentively : "go on."
want a little rousing, that's all. " "She spoke of a young creature,” re-
*
Geo Bruk er
ag
rge sh F.Ye So
ank
e
The evidence destroyed

.
4140.
OLIVER TWIST . 149
sumed the matron, " who had brought a as if glad to be relieved of it, she hastily
child into the world some years before : threw upon the table a small kid bag
not merely in the same room , but in the scarcely large enough for a French watch,
same bed in which she then lay dying." which Monks pouncing upon, tore open
"Ay ?" said Monks with quivering lip, with trembling hands. It contained a lit-
and glancing over his shoulder. " Blood ! tle gold locket, in which were two locks
How things come about at last !" of hair, and a plain gold wedding-ring.
“The child was the one you named to "It has the wordAgnes ' engraved on
him last night," said the matron, nodding the inside, " said the woman. " There is
carelessly towards her husband ; " the a blank left for the surname, and then fol-
mother this nurse had robbed." lows the date, which is within a year be-
66 In life ?" asked Monks. fore the child was born ; I found out that."
66 And this is all ?" said Monks, after a
" In death," replied the woman with
something like a shudder. " She stole close and eager scrutiny of the contents
from the corpse, when it had hardly turned of the little packet.
to one, that which the dead mother had "All," replied the woman.
prayed her with her last breath to keep Mr. Bumble drew a long breath, as if
for the infant's sake." he were glad to find that the story was
"She sold it ?" cried Monks with des- over, and no mention made of taking the
perate eagerness ; " did she sell it ? five-and-twenty pounds back again ; and
where ? -when - to whom ? -how long now took courage to wipe off the perspi-
before ?" ration, which had been trickling over his
"As she told me with great difficulty nose unchecked during the whole of the
that she had done this," said the matron, previous conversation.
" she fell back and died." "I know nothing of the story beyond
"Without saying more ?" cried Monks what I can guess at," said his wife, ad-
in a voice which, from its very suppres- dressing Monks after a short silence,
sion, seemed only the more furious. " It's " and I want to know nothing, for it's
a lie ! I'll not be played with. She said safer not. But I may ask you two ques-
more I'll tear the life out of you both, tions, may I ?"
but I'll know what it was." "You may ask," said Monks, with some
"She didn't utter another word," said show of surprise, " but whether I answer
the woman, to all appearance unmoved or not is another question."
(as Mr. Bumble was very far from being) " Which makes three," observed Mr.
by the strange man's violence ; " but she Bumble, essaying a stroke of facetious-
clutched my gown violently with one ness.
hand, which was partly closed, and when " Is that what you expected to get from
I saw that she was dead, and so removed me ?" demanded the matron.
the hand by force, "I found it clasped a "It is," replied Monks. " The other
scrap of dirty paper." question ? "
"Which contained- 19
interposed "What you propose to do with it. Can
Monks, stretching forward. it be used against me ?"
"Nothing," replied the woman ; "it " Never," rejoined Monks ; " nor against
was a pawnbroker's duplicate." me either. See here ; but don't move a
"For what," demanded Monks. step forward, or your life's not worth a
"In good time I'll tell you," said the bulrush !"
woman. " I judge that she had kept the With these words he suddenly wheeled
trinket for some time, in the hope of turn- the table aside, and pulling an iron ring
ing it to better account, and then pawned in the boarding, threw back a large trap-
it, and saved or scraped together money door which opened close at Mr. Bumble's
to pay the pawnbroker's interest year by feet, and caused that gentleman to retire
year, and prevent its running out, so that several paces backward with great pre-
if anything came of it, it could still be re- cipitation.
deemed. Nothing had come of it ; and, " Look down," said Monks, lowering
as I tell you, she died with the scrap of the lantern into the gulf. " Don't fear
paper, all worn and tattered, in her hand. me. I could have let you down quietly
The time was out in two days ; I thought enough when you were seated over it, if
something might one day come of it too, that had been my game."
and so redeemed the pledge." Thus encouraged, the matron drew
"Where is it now ?" asked Monks near to the brink, and even Mr. Bumble
quickly. himself, impelled by curiosity, ventured
" There," replied the woman. And, to do the same. The turbid water, swol-
13 *
150 OLIVER TWIST.
len by the heavy rain, was rushing rapidly | brought up the rear, after pausing on the
on below, and all other sounds were lost steps to satisfy himself that there were
in the noise of its plashing and eddying no other sounds to be heard than the beat-
against the green and slimy piles. There ing of the rain without, and the rushing
had once been a water-mill beneath, and of the water.
the tide foaming and chafing round the They traversed the lower room slowly,
few rotten stakes, and fragments of ma- and with caution, for Monks started at
chinery, that yet remained, seemed to every shadow, and Mr. Bumble, holding
dart onward with a new impulse when his lantern a foot above the ground, walked
freed from the obstacles which had una- not only with remarkable care, but with
vailingly attempted to stem its headlong a marvellously light step for a gentleman
course. of his figure : looking nervously about
"Ifyou flung a man's body down there, him for hidden trap-doors. The gate at
where would it be to-morrow morning ?" which they had entered was softly unfast-
said Monks, swinging the lantern to and ened and opened by Monks, and merely
fro in the dark well. exchanging a nod with their mysterious
" Twelve miles down the river, and cut acquaintance, the married couple emerged
to pieces besides," replied Bumble, recoil- into the wet and darkness outside.
ing at the very notion. They were no sooner gone, than Monks,
Monks drew the little packet from his who appeared to entertain an invincible
breast, into which he had hurriedly thrust repugnance to being left alone, called to
it, and tying it firmly to a leaden weight a boy who had been hidden somewhere
which had formed a part of some pulley, below, and bidding him go first, and bear
and was lying on the floor, dropped it into the light, returned to the chamber he had
the stream. It fell straight, and true as just quitted.
a die, clove the water with a scarcely au-
dible splash, and was gone.
The three looked into each other's faces,
and seemed to breathe more freely. CHAPTER THE SECOND,
"There !" said Monks, closing the trap-
door, which fell heavily back into its for- Introduces some respectable characters with whorn
mer position. " If the sea ever gives up the reader is already acquainted, and shows how
Monks and the Jew laid their worthy heads to-
its dead- as books say it will- it will gether.
keep its gold and silver to itself, and that
trash among it. We have nothing more It was about two hours earlier on the
to say, and may break up our pleasant evening following that upon which the
party." three worthies mentioned in the last chap-
"By all means," observed Mr. Bumble ter disposed of their little matter of busi-
with great alacrity. ness as therein narrated, when Mr. Wil-
"You'll keep a quiet tongue in your liam Sikes, awakening from a nap, drow-
head, will you ?" said Monks, with a sily growled forth an inquiry what time
threatening look. " I am not afraid of of night it was.
your wife." The room in which Mr. Sikes propound-
"You may depend on me, young man," ed this question was not one of those he
answered Mr. Bumble, bowing himself had tenanted previous to the Chertsey ex-
gradually towards the ladder with exces- pedition, although it was in the same quar-
sive politeness. " On everybody's acter of the town, and was situated at no
count, young man ; on my own, you great distance from his former lodgings.
know, Mr. Monks." It was not in appearance so desirable a
" I am glad for your sake to hear it," habitation as his old quarters, being a
remarked Monks. " Light your lantern, mean and badly-furnished apartment of
and get away from here as fast as you can." very limited size, lighted only by one
It was fortunate that the conversation small window in the shelving roof, and
terminated at this point, or Mr. Bumble, abutting upon a close and dirty lane. Nor
who had bowed himself to within six were there wanting other indications of
inches of the ladder, would infallibly have the good gentleman's having gone down
pitched headlong into the room below. in the world of late ; for a great scarcity
He lighted his lantern from that which of furniture, and total absence of comfort,
Monks had detached from the rope, and together with the disappearance of all
now carried in his hand, and, making no such moveables as spare clothes and linen,
effort to prolong the discourse, descended bespoke a state of extreme poverty, while
in silence, followed by his wife. Monks the meagre and attenuated condition of
er
ag
I.Ye
George Grukshanbe
MrTayin andhis
pupilrevering
. Vancy
,
P151.
&
OLIVER TWIST . 151
Mr. Sikes himself would have fully con- “ Well, then,” rejoined Mr. Sikes, “ I
firmed these symptoms if they had stood wouldn't. Why, damme, now, the girl's
in need of corroboration. whining again !"
The housebreaker was lying on the bed " It's nothing," said the girl, throwing
wrapped in his white great-coat, by way herself into a chair. "Don't you seem to
ofdressing-gown, and displaying a set of mind me, and it'll soon be over."
features in no degree improved by the ca- "What'll be over ?" demanded Mr.
daverous hue of illness, and the addition Sikes in a savage voice. "What foolery
of a soiled nightcap, and a stiff, black are you up to now again ? Get up, and
beard of a week's growth. The dog sat bustle about, and don't come over me with
at the bedside, now eyeing his master with your woman's nonsense."
a wistful look, and now pricking his ears, At any other time this remonstrance,
and uttering a low growl as some noise and the tone in which it was delivered,
in the street, or in the lower part of the would have had the desired effect ; but
house, attracted his attention. Seated by the girl being really weak and exhausted,
the window, busily engaged in patching dropped her head over the back of the
an old waistcoat which formed a portion chair, and fainted, before Mr. Sikes could
of the robber's ordinary dress, was a fe- get out a few of the appropriate oaths with
male, so pale and reduced with watching which on similar occasions he was accus-
and privation that there would have been tomed to garnish his threats. Not know-
considerable difficulty in recognizing hering very well what to do in this uncom-
as the same Nancy who has already mon emergency, for Miss Nancy's hyste
figured in this tale, but for the voice in rics were usually of that violent kind
which she replied to Mr. Sikes's question. which the patient fights and struggles out
"Not long gone seven," said the girl. of without much assistance, Mr. Sikes
"How do you feel to-night, Bill?" tried a little blasphemy, and, finding that
"As weak as water," replied Mr. Sikes, mode of treatment wholly ineffectual,
with an imprecation on his eyes and limbs. called for assistance.
66'Here ; lend us a hand, and let me get "What's the matter here, my dear?"
off this thundering bed, anyhow." said the Jew, looking in.
Illness had not improved Mr. Sikes's "Lend a hand to the girl, can't you?u ?"
temper, for, as the girl raised him up, and replied Sikes impatiently, " and don't
led him to a chair, he muttered various stand chattering and grinning at me !"
curses upon her awkwardness, and struck With an exclamation of surprise, Fagin
her. hastened to the girl's assistance, while
66 Whining, are you ?" said Sikes.
Mr. John Dawkins, (otherwise the Artful
"Come ; don't stand snivelling there. If Dodger,) who had followed his venerable
you can't do anything better than that, friend into the room, hastily deposited on
cut off altogether. D'ye hear me ?" the floor a bundle with which he was
" I hear you,” replied the girl, turning laden, and, snatching a bottle from the
her face aside, and forcing a laugh. grasp of Master Charles Bates who came
" What fancy have you got in your head close at his heels, uncorked it in a twink-
now ?" ling with his teeth, and poured a portion
"Oh ! you've thought better of it, have of its contents down the patient's throat ;
you ?" growled Sikes, marking the tear previously taking a taste himself to pre-
which trembled in her eye. "All the vent mistakes.
better for you, you have." "Give her a whiff of fresh air with the
66
Why, you don't mean to say you'd be bellows, Charley," said Mr. Dawkins ;
hard upon me to-night, Bill ?" said the "and you slap her hands, Fagin, while
girl, laying her hand upon his shoulder. Bill undoes the petticuts."
"No!" cried Mr. Sikes. ""Why not ?" These united restoratives, administered
"Such a number of nights," said the with great energy, especially that depart-
girl, with a touch of woman's tenderness, ment consigned to Master Bates, who ap-
which communicated something like peared to consider his share in the pro-
sweetness of tone even to her voice, ceeding a piece of unexampled pleasantry,
" such a number of nights as I've been were not long in producing the desired
patient with you, nursing and caring for effect. The girl gradually recovered her
you as if you had been a child, and this senses, and, staggering to a chair by the
the first that I've seen you like yourself; bedside, hid her face upon the pillow,
you wouldn't have served me as you did leaving Mr. Sikes to confront the new-
just now, ifyouI'd thought of that, would comers, in some astonishment at their un-
you ? Come, come ; say you wouldn't." looked-for appearance.
152 OLIVER TWIST .
66 Why, what evil wind has blowed you

"I never see such a jolly dog as that,"
here ?" he asked of Fagin. cried Master Bates, doing as he was de-
"No evil wind at all, my dear,” replied sired. "Smellin the grub like a old lady
the Jew ; " for ill winds blow nobody any a-going to market ! He'd make his for-
good, and I've brought something good tun' on the stage that dog would, and re-
with me that you'll be glad to see. Dod- wive the drayma besides."
ger, my dear, open the bundle, and give "Hold your din," cried Sikes, as the
Bill the little trifles that we spent all our dog retreated under the bed, still growl-
money on this morning." ing angrily. "And what have you got
In compliance with Mr. Fagin's request, to say for yourself, you withered old fence,
the Artful untied his bundle, which was eh ?"
of large size, and formed of an old table- "I was away from London a week and
cloth, and handed the articles it contained, more, my dear, on a plant,” replied the
one by one, to Charley Bates, who placed Jew.
them on the table, with various encomi- "And what about the other fortnight ?"
ums on their rarity and excellence. demanded Sikes. " What about the other
" Sitch a rabbit pie, Bill !" exclaimed fortnight that you've left me lying here,
that young gentleman, disclosing to view like a sick rat in his hole ?”
a huge pasty ; " sitch delicate creeturs,. "I couldn't help it, Bill," replied the
sitch tender limbs, Bill, that the wery Jew. "I can't go into a long explanation
bones melt in your mouth, and there's no before company ; but I couldn't help it,
occasion to pick ' em ; half a pound of upon my honour."
66 Upon
seven and sixpenny green, so precious your what ?" growled Sikes
strong that if you mix it with boiling wa- with excessive disgust . 66 Here, cut me
ter, it'll go nigh to blow the lid of the off a piece of the pie, one of you boys, to
teapot off; a pound and a half of moist take the taste of that out of my mouth, or
sugar that the niggers didn't work at all it'll choke me dead."
at afore they got it to sitch a pitch of " Don't be out of temper, my dear,"
goodness, oh no! two half-quartern urged the Jew submissively. "I have
brans ; pound of best fresh ; piece of dou- never forgot you, Bill ; never once."
ble Glo'ster, and, to wind up all, some of " No, I'll pound it, that you han't,” re-
the rightest sort you ever lushed." Ut- plied Sikes with a bitter grin. “ You've
tering this last panegyric, Master Bates been scheming and plotting away every
produced from one of his extensive pock- hour that I've laid shivering and burning
ets a full-sized wine-bottle, carefully here ; and Bill was to do this, and Bill
corked, while Mr. Dawkins at the same was to do that, and Bill was to do it all
instant poured out a wine-glassful of raw dirt cheap, as soon as he got well, and
spirits from the bottle he carried, which was quite poor enough for your work. If
the invalid tossed down his throat without it hadn't been for the girl, I might have
a moment's hesitation. died."
"Ah !" said the Jew, rubbing his hands "There now, Bill," remonstrated the
with great satisfaction. " You'll do, Bill ; Jew, eagerly catching at the word. " If
you'll do now." it hadn't been for the girl ! Who was
66
Do ! " exclaimed Mr. Sikes ; " I might the means of your having such a handy
have been done for twenty times over, girl about you but me ?"
afore you'd have done anything to help "He says true enough there, God
me. What do you mean by leaving a knows !" said Nancy, coming hastily for-
man in this state three weeks and more, ward. "Let him be, let him be."
you false-hearted wagabond ?" Nancy's appearance gave a new turn
66
' Only hear him, boys ! " said the Jew, to the conversation, for the boys, receiving
shrugging his shoulders ; " and us come a sly wink from the wary old Jew, began
to bring him all these beautiful things." to ply her with liquor, of which, however,
"The things is well enough in their she partook very sparingly ; while Fagin,
way," observed Mr. Sikes, a little soothed assuming an unusual flow of spirits, gradu-
as he glanced over the table ; " but what ally brought Mr. Sikes into a better tem-
have you got to say for yourself why you per, by affecting to regard his threats as
should leave me here, down in the mouth, a little pleasant banter, and, moreover,
health, blunt, and everything else, and laughing very heartily at one or two
take no more notice of me all this mortal rough jokes, which, after repeated appli-
time than if I was that ere dog.-Drive cations to the spirit-bottle, he condescend-
him down, Charley." ed to make.
OLIVER TWIST . 153
"It's all very well," said Mr. Sikes ; as dull as swipes. You ought to stand
"but I must have some blunt from you to something handsome, Fagin, to recom-
night." pense me for keeping house so long.
" I haven't a piece of coin about me," Damme, I'm as flat as a juryman, and
replied the Jew. should have gone to sleep as fast as New-
" Then you've got lots at home," re- gate, if I hadn't had the good natur' to
torted Sikes, " and I must have some from amuse this youngster, Horrid dull, I'm
there." Blessed if I an't."
"Lots !" cried the Jew, holding up his With these and other ejaculations of
hands. " I haven't so much as would-" the same kind, Mr. Toby Crackit swept
"I don't know how much you've got, up his winnings, and crammed them into
and I dare say you hardly know yourself, his waistcoat pocket with a haughty air,
as it would take a pretty long time to as though such small pieces of silver were
count it," said Sikes ; " but I must have wholly beneath the consideration of a man
some to-night, and that's flat." of his figure, and swaggered out of the
66 Well, well," said the Jew with a room with so much elegance and gentility,
sigh, " I'll send the Artful round pres- that Mr. Chitling, bestowing numerous
ently." admiring glances on his legs and boots
"You won't do nothing of the kind," till they were out of sight, assured the
rejoined Mr. Sikes. " The Artful's a company that he considered his acquaint-
deal too artful, and would forget to come, ance cheap at fifteen sixpences an inter-
or lose his way, or get dodged by traps view, and that he didn't value his losses
and so be perwented, or anything for an the snap of a little finger.
excuse, if you put him up to it. Nancy "Wot a rum chap you are, Tom,” said
shall go to the ken and fetch it, to make Master Bates, highly amused by this de-
all sure, and I'll lie down and have a claration.
snooze while she's gone." 66 Not a bit of it," replied Mr. Chitling :
After a great deal of haggling and "am I, Fagin ?"
squabbling, the Jew beat down the amount “ A very clever fellow, my dear,” said
of the required advance from five pounds the Jew, patting him on the shoulder, and
to three pounds four and sixpence, pro- winking to his other pupils.
testing with many solemn asseverations "And Mr. Crackit is a heavy swell,
that that would only leave him eighteen- an't he, Fagin ?" asked Tom.
pence to keep house with ; Mr. Sikes, sul- "No doubt at all of that, my dear," re-
Îenly remarking that if he couldn't get plied the Jew.
any more he must be content with that, " And it is a creditable thing to have
Nancy prepared to accompany him home, his acquaintance, an't it, Fagin ?" pursued
while the Dodger and Master Bates put Tom.
66
the eatables in the cupboard. The Jew Very much so indeed, my dear," re-
then, taking leave of his affectionate plied the Jew. 66 They ' re only jealous,
friend, returned homewards, attended by Tom, because he won't give it to them."
Nancy and the boys, Mr. Sikes meanwhile "Ah!" cried Tom triumphantly, "that's
flinging himself on the bed, and composing where it is. He has cleaned me out ; but
himself to sleep away the time until the I can go and earn some more when I like,
young lady's return. -can't I, Fagin ?"
In due time they arrived at the Jew's "To be sure you can," replied the Jew ;
abode, where they found Toby Crackit " and the sooner you go, the better, Tom ;
and Mr. Chitling, intent upon their fif- so make up your loss at once, and don't
teenth game at cribbage, which it is lose any more time. Dodger, Charley,
scarcely necessary to say the latter gen- it's time you were on the lay :-come,
tleman lost, and with it his fifteenth and it's near ten, and nothing done yet."
last sixpence, much to the amusement of In obedience to this hint, the boys nod-
his young friends. Mr. Crackit, appa- ding to Nancy, took up their hats and left
rently somewhat ashamed at being found the room ; the Dodger and his vivacious
relaxing himself with a gentleman so friend indulging as they went in many
much his inferior in station and mental witticisms at the expense of Mr. Chitling,
endowments, yawned heavily, and, in- in whose conduct, it is but justice to say,
quiring after Sikes, took up his hat to go. there was nothing very conspicuous or
66
Has nobody been, Toby ?" asked the peculiar, inasmuch as there are a great
Jew. number of spirited young bloods upon
"Not a living leg," answered Mr. town who pay a much higher price than
Crackit, pulling up his collar : "it's been Mr. Chitling for being seen in good soci-
U
154 OLIVER TWIST .
ety, and a great number of fine gentle- "Great."

men (composing the good society afore- "And-and- good ?" asked the Jew
said) who establish their reputation upon hesitatingly, as though he feared to vex
very much the same footing as flash Toby the other man by being too sanguine.
Crackit. "Not bad any way," replied Monks
66 with a smile. " I have been prompt
Now," said the Jew, when they had
left the room, " I'll go and get you that enough this time. Let me have a word
cash, Nancy. This is only the key of a with you."
little cupboard where I keep a few odd The girl drew closer to the table, and
things the boys get, my dear. I never made no offer to leave the room, although
lock up my money, for I've got none to she could see that Monks was pointing to
lock up, my dear-ha ! ha ! ha ! -none to her. The Jew-perhaps fearing that she
lock. It's a poor trade, Nancy, and no might say something aloud about the mo-
thanks ; but I'm fond of seeing the young ney, if he endeavoured to get rid ofher-
people about me, and I bear it all ; I bear pointed upwards, and took Monks out of
it all. Hush !" he said, hastily conceal- the room.
ing the key in his breast ; " who's that ? " Not that infernal hole we were in be-
Listen !" fore," she could hear the man say as they
The girl, who was sitting at the table went up-stairs. The Jew laughed , and
with her arms folded, appeared in no way making some reply which did not reach
interested in the arrival, or to care whe- her, seemed by the creaking of the boards
ther the person, whoever he was, came or to lead his companion to the second story.
went, until the murmur of a man's voice Before the sound of their footsteps had
reached her ears. The instant she caught ceased to echo through the house, the girl
the sound she tore off her bonnet and had slipped off her shoes, and drawing her
shawl with the rapidity of lightning, and gown loosely over her head, and muffling
thrust them under the table. The Jew her arms in it, stood at the door listening
turning round immediately afterwards, with breathless interest. The moment
she muttered a complaint of the heat in a the noise ceased she glided from the room,
Lone of languor that contrasted very re- ascended the stairs with incredible soft-
markably with the extreme haste and vio- ness and silence, and was lost in the gloom
lence of this action, which, however, had above.
been unobserved by Fagin, who had his The room remained deserted for a quar-
back towards her at the time. ter of an hour or more ; the girl glided
" Bah !" whispered the Jew, as though back with the same unearthly tread, and
nettled by the interruption ; " it's the immediately afterwards the two men were
man I expected before ; he's coming down heard descending. Monks went at once
stairs. Not a word about the money while into the street, and the Jew crawled up
he's here, Nance. He won't stop long- stairs again for the money. When he re-
not ten minutes, my dear." turned, the girl was adjusting her shawl
Laying his skinny fore-finger upon his and bonnet, as if preparing to be gone.
lip, the Jew carried a candle to the door "Why, Nance," exclaimed the Jew,
as a man's step was heard upon the stairs starting back as he put down the candle,
without, and reached it at the same mo- "how pale you are !"
ment as the visiter, who coming hastily "Pale !" echoed the girl, shading her
into the room, was close upon the girl be- eyes with her hand as if to look steadily
fore he observed her. at him.
It was Monks. "Quite horrible," said the Jew. "What
" Only one of my young people," said have you been doing to yourself?"
the Jew, observing that Monks drew back 66
Nothing that I know of, except sitting
on beholding a stranger. " Don't move, in this close place for I don't know how
Nancy." long and all," replied the girl carelessly.
The girl drew closer to the table, and "Come, let me get back ; that's a dear."
glancing at Monks with an air of careless With a sigh for every piece of money,
levity, withdrew her eyes ; but as he Fagin told the amount into her hand, and`
turned his towards the Jew, she stole an- they parted without more conversation
other look, so keen and searching, and than interchanging a " good-night."
full of purpose, that if there had been any When the girl got into the open street
bystander to observe the change he could she sat down on a door- step, and seemed
hardly have believed the two looks to have for a few moments wholly bewildered and
proceeded from the same person. unable to pursue her way. Suddenly she
"Any news ?" inquired the Jew. arose, and hurrying on in a direction quite
OLIVER TWIST . 155
opposite to that in which Sikes was await- ment increased, and, when night came on,
ing her return, quickened her pace, until and she sat by, watching till the house-
it gradually resolved into a violent run. breaker should drink himself asleep, there
After completely exhausting herself, she was an unusual paleness in her cheek,
stopped to take breath, and, as if suddenly and fire in her eye, that even Sikes ob-
recollecting herself, and deploring her served with astonishment.
inability to do something she was bent Mr. Sikes, being weak from the fever,
upon, wrung her hands, and burst into was lying in bed, taking hot water with
tears. his gin to render it less inflammatory, and
It might be that her tears relieved her, had pushed his glass towards Nancy to be
or that she felt the full hopelessness of her replenished for the third or fourth time,
condition ; but she turned back, and hur- when 66 these symptoms first struck him.
rying with nearly as great rapidity in the Why, burn my body !" said the man,
contrary direction, partly to recover lost raising himself on his hands as he stared
time, and partly to keep pace with the the girl in the face. "You look like a
violent current of her own thoughts, soon corpse come to life again. What's the
reached the dwelling where she had left matter ?"
the housebreaker. "Matter !" replied the girl. " Nothing.
If she betrayed any agitation by the What do you look at me so hard for ?"
time she presented herself to Mr. Šikes, "What foolery is this ?" demanded
he did not observe it ; for merely inquiring Sikes, grasping her by the arm, and shak-
if she had brought the money, and receiving her roughly. "What is it ? What
ing a reply in the affirmative, he laid his do you mean ? What are you thinking
head upon his pillow, and resumed the of, ha ?"
slumbers which her arrival had inter- " Of many things, Bill," replied the
rupted. girl, shuddering, and as she did so, 66press-
ing her hands upon her eyes. But,
Lord! what odds in that ?"
The tone offorced gaiety in which the
CHAPTER THE THIRD. last words were spoken seemed to produce
A strange interview, which is a sequel to the last a deeper impression on Sikes than the
chapter. wild and rigid look which had preceded
them.
It was fortunate for the girl that the "I tell you wot it is," said Sikes, " if
possession of money occasioned Mr. Sikes you havn't caught the fever, and got it
so much employment next day in the way comin' on now, there's something more
of eating and drinking, and withal had so than usual in the wind, and something
beneficial an effect in smoothing down the dangerous too. You're not a-going to
asperities of his temper, that he had nei- No, damme ! wouldn't do
you
ther time nor inclination to be very criti- that !"
cal upon her behaviour and deportment. " Do what ?" asked the girl.
That she had all the abstracted and nerv- " There ain't," said Sikes, fixing his
ous manner of one who is on the eve of eyes upon her, and muttering the words
some bold and hazardous step, which it to himself, “ there ain't a stauncher-heart-
has required no common struggle to re- ed gal going, or I'd have cut her throat
solve upon, would have been obvious to three months ago. She's got the fever
his lynx-eyed friend, the Jew, who would coming on ; that's it."
most probably have taken the alarm at Fortifying himself with this assurance,
once ; but Mr. Sikes lacking the niceties Sikes drained the glass to the bottom, and
of acute discrimination , and being trou- then, with many grumbling oaths, called
bled with no more subtle misgivings than for his physic. The girl jumped up with
those which resolve themselves into a alacrity, poured it quickly out, but with
dogged roughness of behaviour towards her back towards him : and held the ves-
everybody ; and being, furthermore, in an sel to his lips while he drank it off.
unusually amiable condition, as has been "Now," said the robber, " come and
already observed, saw nothing unusual in sit aside of me, and put on your own face,
her demeanour, and, indeed, troubled him- or I'll alter it so that you won't know it
self so little about her, that, had her agi- again when you do want it."
tation been far more perceptible than it The girl obeyed, and Sikes, locking her
was, it would have been very unlikely to hand in his, fell back upon the pillow,
have awakened his suspicions. turning his eyes upon her face. They
As the day closed in, the girl's excite- closed, opened again ; closed once more,
156 OLIVER TWIST .
again opened ; the housebreaker shifted looked back, surprised at her undiminish-
his position restlessly, and, after dozing ed speed, but they fell off one by one ; and
again and again for two or three minutes, when she neared her place of destination
and as often springing up with a look of she was alone.
terror, and gazing vacantly about him, It was a family hotel, in a quiet but
was suddenly stricken, as it were, while handsome street near Hyde Park. As
in the very attitude of rising, into a deep the brilliant light of the lamp which burnt
and heavy sleep. The grasp of his hand before the door guided her to the spot, the
relaxed, the upraised arm fell languidly clock struck eleven. She had loitered
by his side, and he lay like one in a pro- for a few paces as though irresolute, and
found trance. making up her mind to advance ; but the
"The laudanum has taken effect at sound determined her, and she stepped
last," murmured the girl as she rose from into the hall. The porter's seat was va-
the bedside. " I may be too late even cant. She looked round with an air of
now." incertitude, and advanced towards the
She hastily dressed herself in her bon- stairs.
net and shawl, looking fearfully round "Now, young woman," said a smartly-
from time to time, as if, despite the sleep- dressed female, looking out from a door
ing draught, she expected every moment behind her, " who do you want here ?"
to feel the pressure of Sikes's heavy hand 66
A lady who is stopping in this house,"
upon her shoulder ; then stooping softly answered the girl.
over the bed, she kissed the robber's lips, " A lady !" was the reply, accompani-
and opening and closing the room-door ed with a scornful look. " What lady,
with noiseless touch, hurried from the pray ?"
house. "Miss Maylie," said Nancy.
A watchman was crying half-past nine The young woman, who had by this
down a dark passage through which she time noted her appearance, replied only
had to pass in gaining the main thorough- by a look of virtuous disdain, and sum-
fare. moned a man to answer her. To him
"Has it long gone the half hour ?" Nancy repeated her request.
asked the girl. "What name am I to say ?" asked the
"It'll strike the hour in another quar- waiter.
ter," said the man, raising his lantern to " It's of no use saying any," replied
her face. Nancy.
" And I cannot get there in less than "Nor business ?" said the man.
an hour or more," muttered Nancy, brush- "No, nor that neither," rejoined the
ing swiftly past him, and gliding rapidly girl. " I must see the lady."
66 Come,"
down the street. said the man, pushing her
Many of the shops were already closing towards the door, " none of this ! Take
in the back lanes and avenues through yourself off, will you ?"
which she tracked her way in making " I shall be carried out if I go !" said
from Spitalfields towards the West-End the girl violently, “ and I can make that
of London. The clock struck ten, in- a job that two of you won't like to do.
creasing her impatience. She tore along Isn't there any body here," she said , look-
the narrow pavement, elbowing the pas- ing round, " that will see a simple mes-
sengers from side to side, and darting al- sage carried for a poor wretch like me ?"
most under the horses' heads, crossed This appeal produced an effect on a
crowded streets, where clusters of per- good-tempered-faced man-cook, who with
sons were eagerly watching their oppor- some other of the servants was looking
tunity to do the like. on, and who stepped forward to interfere.
"The woman is mad !" said the people, "Take it up for her Joe, can't you ?”
turning to look after her as she rushed said this person.
away. "What's the good ?" replied the man.
When she reached the more wealthy " You don't suppose the young lady will
quarter of the town, the streets were see such as her, do you ?"
comparatively deserted, and here her This allusion to Nancy's doubtful char-
headlong progress seemed to excite a acter raised a vast quantity of chaste
greater curiosity in the stragglers whom wrath in the bosoms of four housemaids,
she hurried past. Some quickened their who remarked with great fervour that the
pace behind, as though to see whither creature was a disgrace to her sex, and
she was hastening at such an unusual strongly advocated her being thrown ruth-
rate ; and a few made head upon her, and lessly into the kennel.
OLIVER TWIST . 157
" Do what you like with me," said the ble companion of thieves and ruffians, the
girl, turning to the men again, " but do fallen outcast of low haunts, the associate
what I ask you first; and I ask you to give of the scourings of the jails and hulks,
this message for God Almighty's sake." living within the shadow of the gallows
The soft-hearted cook added his inter- itself,-even this degraded being felt too
cession, and the result was that the man proud to betray one feeble gleam of the
who had first appeared undertook its de- womanly feeling which she thought a
livery. weakness, but which alone connected her
"What's it to be ?" said the man, with with that humanity, of which her wasting
one foot on the stairs. life had obliterated all outward traces
" That a young woman earnestly asks when a very child.
to speak66 to Miss Maylie alone," said She raised her eyes sufficiently to ob-
Nancy ; and, that if the lady will only serve that the figure which presented
hear the first word she has to say, she will itself was that of a slight and beautiful
know whether to hear her business, or girl, and then bending them onthe ground,
have her turned out of doors as an im- tossed her head with affected carelessness
postor. " as she said,
"I say," said the man, " you're coming "It's a hard matter to get to see you,
it strong!" lady. If I had taken offence, and gone
"You give the message," said the girl "" away, as many would have done, you'd
firmly, "and let me hear the answer." have been sorry for it one day, and not
The man ran up stairs, and Nancy re- without reason either."
mained pale and almost breathless, listen- " I am very sorry if any one has be-
ing with quivering lip to the very audible haved harshly to you," replied Rose.
expressions of scorn, of which the chaste " Do not think of it ; but tell me why
housemaids were very prolific ; and be- you wished to see me. I am the person
came still more so whenthe man returned, you inquired for."
and said the young woman was to walk The kind tone of this answer, the
up stairs. sweet voice, the gentle manner, the ab-
"It's no good being proper in this sence of any accent of haughtiness or
world," said the first housemaid. displeasure, took the girl completely by
66 surprise, and she burst into tears.
Brass can do better than the gold what
has stood the fire," said the second. "Oh, lady, lady !" she said, clasping
The third contented herself with won- her hands passionately before her face,
dering " what ladies were made of;" and " if there was more like you, there would
the fourth took the first in a quartette of be fewer like me,-there would-there
" Shameful !" with which the Dianas con- would !"
cluded. " Sit down," said Rose earnestly ;
Regardless of all this -for she had "you distress me. If you are in poverty
weightier matters at heart--Nancy follow- or affliction, I shall be truly happy to
ed the man with trembling limbs to a relieve you if I can,-I shall indeed. Sit
small ante-chamber, lighted by a lamp down."
from the ceiling, in which he left her, and " Let me stand, lady," said the girl,
retired. still weeping, " and do not speak so kindly
The girl's life had been squandered in till you know me better. It is growing
the streets, and the most noisome of the late. Is-is-that door shut ?"
stews and dens of London, but there was "Yes," said Rose, recoiling a few steps,
something ofthe woman's original nature as if to be near assistance in case she
left in her still ; and when she heard a should require it. 66 Why ?"
66
light step approaching the door opposite Because," said the girl, " I am about
to that by which she had entered, and to put my life and the lives of others in
thought of the wide contrast which the your hands. I am the girl that dragged
small room would in another moment little Oliver back to old Fagin's, the
contain, she felt burdened with the sense Jew's, on the night he went out from the
of her own deep shame, and shrunk as house in Pentonville."
66 You !" said Rose Maylie.
though she could scarcely bear the pre-
sence of her with whom she had sought "I, lady," replied the girl. " I am the
this interview. infamous creature you have heard of, that
But struggling with these better feel- lives among the thieves, and that never
ings was pride, the vice of the lowest from the first moment I can recollect my
and most debased creatures no less than eyes and senses opening on London streets
ofthe high and self-assured. The misera- have known any better life, or kinder
14
158 OLIVER TWIST .
words than they have given me, so help out," said the girl ; " and there are not
me God ! Do not mind shrinking openly many people besides me that could have
from me, lady. I am younger than you got out of their way in time to escape
would think, to look at me, but I am well discovery. But I did ; and I saw him no
used to it ; the poorest women fall back more till last night.”
as I make my way along the crowded "And what occurred then ?"
pavement. " “ I'll tell you , lady. Last night he
"What dreadful things are these !" said
came again. Again they went up stairs,
Rose, involuntarily falling from her and I, wrapping myself up so that my
strange companion. shadow should not betray me, again
“ Thank Heaven upon your knees, dear listened at the door. The first words I
lady," cried the girl, " that you had heard Monks say were these. So, the
friends to care for and keep you in your only proofs of the boy's identity lie at
childhood , and that you were never in the the bottom of the river, and the old hag
midst of cold and hunger, and riot and that received them from the mother is
drunkenness, and—and something worse rotting in her coffin.' They laughed and
than all—as I have been from my cradle ; talked of his success in doing this ; and
I may use the word, for the alley and the Monks, talking on about the boy, and get-
gutter were mine, as they will be my ting very wild , said that though he had
death-bed."
got the young devil's money safely now,
"I pity you !" said Rose in a broken he'd rather have had it the other way ; for,
voice. "It wrings my heart to hear you !", what a game it would have been to have
" God bless you for your goodness !" brought down the boast of the father's
rejoined the girl. “ If you knew what I
will, by driving him through every jail in
am sometimes , you would pity me, indeed . town, and then hauling him up for some
But I have stolen away from those who
capital felony, which Fagin could easily
would surely murder me if they knew I manage, after having made good profit
had been here to tell you what I have of him besides."
overheard. Do you know a man named "What is all this !" said Rose.
Monks?"
"No," said Rose. “ The truth , lady, though it comes from
my lips," replied the girl. 66 Then he
“ He knows you,” replied the girl ; said, with oaths common enough in my
"and knew you were here, for it was by
hearing him tell the place that I found ears, but strangers to yours, that if he
you out." could gratify his hatred by taking the
boy's life without bringing his own neck
"I never heard the name," said Rose.
in danger, he would ; but as he couldn't,
" Then he goes by some other amongst he'd be upon the watch to meet him at
us," rejoined the girl, " which I more | every turn in life, and if he took advan-
than thought before. Some time ago, tage of his birth and history, he might
and soon after Oliver was put in your house ļ harm him yet. In short, Fagin,' he
on the night of the robbery, I-suspecting says, ' Jew as you are, you never laid such
this man-listened to a conversation held
snares as I'll contrive for my young
between him and Fagin in the dark. I brother, Oliver.” ”
found out from what I heard that Monks
the man I asked you about, you "His brother !" exclaimed Rose, clasp-
know— ” ing her hands.
"Yes," said Rose, " I understand. " "Those were his words," said Nancy,
" That Monks," pursued the girl, glancing uneasily round, as she had
“ had seen him accidentally with two of scarcely ceased to do since she began to
our boys on the day we first lost him , and speak, for a vision of Sikes haunted her
had known him directly to be the same perpetually. " And more. When he
child that he was watching for, though I spoke of you and the other lady, and said
couldn't make out why. A bargain was it seemed contrived by heaven, or the
struck with Fagin, that if Oliver was got devil, against him, that Oliver should
back he should have a certain sum ; and come into your hands, he laughed, and
he was to have more for making him a said there was some comfort in that too,
thief, which this Monks wanted for some for how many thousands and hundreds of
purpose of his own." thousands of pounds would you not give,
"For what purpose ?" asked Rose. if you had them, to know who your two-
"He caught sight of my shadow on the legged spaniel was. "
wall as I listened in the hope of finding "You do not mean," said Rose, turning
OLIVER TWIST . 159
very pale, " to tell me that this was said would be sure to die. He is the boldest,
in earnest." and has been so cruel. "
" He spoke in hard and angry earnest, if "Is it possible," cried Rose, " that for
a man ever did," replied the girl, shaking such a inan as this you can resign every
her head. "He is an earnest man when future hope, and the certainty of imme-
his hatred is up. I know many who do diate rescue ? It is madness."
worse things ; but I'd rather listen to them "I don't know what it is," answered
all a dozen times than to that Monks once. the girl ; " I only know that it is so, and
It is growing late, and I have to reach not with me alone, but with hundreds of
home without suspicion of having been others as bad and as wretched as myself.
on such an errand as this. I must get I must go back. Whether it is God's
back quickly." wrath for the wrong I have done, I do not
" But what can I do ?" said Rose. know ; but I am drawn back to him
"To what use can I turn this communica- through every suffering and ill-usage, and
tion without you ! Back ! Why do you should be I believe, if I knew that I was
wish to return to companions you paint in to die by his hand at last."
such terrible colours ? If you repeat this "What am I to do ?" said Rosc. " I
information to a gentleman whom I can should not let you depart from me thus."
summon in one instant from the next " You should, lady, and I know you
room, you can be consigned to some place will," rejoined the girl, rising. " You
of safety without half an hour's delay." will not stop my going because I have
" I wish to go back," said the girl. " I trusted in your goodness, and forced no
wish to go back, because -how can I tell promise from you as I might have done.”
such things to an innocent lady like you ? "Of what use, then, is the communica-
because among the men I have told tion you have made ?" said Rose. " This
you of, there is one the most desperate mystery must be investigated, or how will
of them all that I can't leave ; no- not its disclosure to me benefit Oliver, whom
even to be saved from the life I am lead- you are anxious to serve ?"
ing now." "You must have some kind gentleman
" Your having interfered in this dear about you that will hear it as a secret,
boy's behalf before," said Rose ; " your and advise you what to do," rejoined the
coming here at so great a risk to tell me | girl.
what you have heard ; your manner, "But where can I find you again when
which convinces me of the truth of what it is necessary ?" asked Rose. " I do not
you say ; your evident contrition, and seek to know where these dreadful people
sense of shame, all lead me to believe that live, but where you will be walking or
you might yet be reclaimed. Oh !" passing at any settled period from this
said the earnest girl, folding her hands as time ?"
the tears coursed down her face, " do "Will you promise me that you will
not turn a deaf ear to the entreaties of one have my secret strictly kept, and come
of your own sex ; the first —the first, I alone, or with the only other person that
do believe, who ever appealed to you in knows it, and that I shall not be watched
the voice of pity and compassion. Do or 66followed ?" asked the girl.
hear my words, and let me save you yet " I promise you solemnly," answered
for better things." Rose.
“ Lady,” cried the girl , sinking on her "Every Sunday night, from eleven
knees, “ dear, sweet, angel lady, you are until the clock strikes twelve," said the
the first that ever blessed me with such girl without hesitation , “ I will walk on
words as these, and if I had heard them London Bridge, if I am alive.”
years ago, they might have turned me 66 Stay another moment," interposed
from a life of sin and sorrow ; but it is Rose, as the girl moved hurriedly towards
too late- it is too late." the door. "Think once again on your
"It is never too late," said Rose, " for own condition, and the opportunity you
penitence and atonement." have of escaping from it. You have a
66 It is," cried the girl writhing in the claim on me ; not only as the voluntary
agony ofher mind ; " I cannot leave him bearer of this intelligence, but as a woman
now I could not be his death." lost almost beyond redemption. Will you
66 Why should you be ?" asked Rose. return to this gang of robbers, and this
66 Nothing could save him," cried the man, when a word can save you ? What
girl. " If I told others what I have told fascination is it that can take you back,
you, and led to their being taken, he and make you cling to wickedness and
160 OLIVER TWIST.
misery ? - Oh ! is there no chord in your penetrate the mystery in which Oliver's

heart that I can touch is there nothing history was enveloped, she could not but
left to which I can appeal against this hold sacred the confidence which the
terrible infatuation ?" miserable woman with whom she hadjust
"When ladies as young, and good, and conversed had reposed in her, as a young
beautiful as you are," replied the girl and guileless girl. Her words and man-
steadily, " give away your hearts, love ner had touched Rose Maylie's heart and
will carry you all lengths-- even such as mingled with her love for her young
you who have home, friends, other ad- charge, and scarcely less intense in its
mirers, every thing to fill them. When truth and fervour was her fond wish to
such as me, who have no certain roof win the outcast back to repentance and
but the coffin-lid, and no friend in sick- hope.
ness or death but the hospital nurse, set They only proposed remaining in Lon-
our rotten hearts on any man, and let him don three days, prior to departing for
fill the place that parents, home, and some weeks to a distant part of the coast.
friends filled once, or that has been a blank It was now midnight of the first day.
through all our wretched lives, who can What course of action could she deter-
hope to cure us ? Pity us, lady, -pity mine upon which could be adopted in
us for having only one feeling of the eight-and-forty hours ? or how could she
woman left, and for having that turned postpone the journey without exciting
by a heavy judgment from a comfort and suspicion ?
a pride into a new means of violence and Mr. Losberne was with them, and
suffering." would be for the next two days ; but Rose
" You will," said Rose, after a pause, was too well acquainted with the excel-
"take some money from me, which may lent gentleman's impetuosity, and foresaw
enable you to live without dishonesty - - too clearly the wrath with which, in the
at all events until we meet again ?" first explosion of his indignation, he would
" Not a penny," replied the girl, wav- regard the instrument of Oliver's recap-
ing her hand. ture to trust him with the secret, when
"Do not close your heart against all her representations in the girl's behalf
my efforts to help you," said Rose, step- could be seconded by no experienced per-
ping gently forward. " I wish to serve son. These were all reasons for the
you, indeed." greatest caution and the most circumspect
"You would serve me best, lady," re- behaviour in communicating it to Mrs.
plied the girl, wringing her hands, " if Maylie, whose first impulse would infal
you could take my life at once ; for I have libly be to hold a conference with the
felt more grief to think of what I am to- worthy doctor on the subject. As to re-
night than I ever did before, and it would sorting to any legal adviser, even if she
be something not to die in the same hell had known how to do so, it was scarcely
in which I have lived. God bless you, to be thought of, for the same reasons.
sweet lady, and send as much happiness Once the thought occurred to her of seek-
on your head as I have brought shame on ing assistance from Harry ; but this
mine !" awakened the recollection of their last
Thus speaking, and sobbing aloud, the parting, and it seemed unworthy of her
unhappy creature turned away ; while to call him back, when -the tears rose
Rose Maylie, overpowered by this extra- to her eyes as she pursued this train of
ordinary interview, which bore more the reflection-- he might have by this time
semblance of a rapid dream than an actual learnt to forget her, and to be happier
occurrence, sank into a chair, and endea- away.
voured to collect her wandering thoughts. Disturbed by these different reflections,
and inclining now to one course and then
to another, and again recoiling from all
as each successive consideration presented
CHAPTER THE FOURTH, itself to her mind, Rose passed a sleepless
Containing fresh discoveries, and showing that and anxious night, and, after communing
surprises , like misfortunes, seldom come alone. with herself next day, arrived at the des-
perate conclusion of consulting Harry
HER situation was indeed one of no Maylie.
common trial and difficulty, for while she "If it be painful to him," she thought,
felt the most eager and burning desire to "to come back here, how painful will it
OLIVER TWIST. 161
be to me ! But perhaps he will not come ; out for an hour, and be ready as soon as
be may write, or he may come himself, you are."
and studiously abstain from meeting me Oliver needed no prompting to des-
-he did when he went away. I hardly patch, and in a little more than five
thought he would ; but it was better for minutes they were on their way to Cra-
us both a great deal better. " And here ven Street. When they arrived there,
Rose dropped the pen and turned away, Rose left Oliver in the coach under pre-
as though the very paper which was to tence of preparing the old gentleman to
be her messenger should not see her receive him, and sending up her card by
weep. the servant, requested to see Mr. Brown-
She had taken up the same pen and low on very pressing business. The ser-
laid it down fifty times, and had consid- vant soon returned to beg that she would
ered and re-considered the very first line walk up stairs, and, following him into an
of her letter without writing the first upper room, Miss Maylie was presented
word, when Oliver, who had been walking to an elderly gentleman of benevolent
in the streets with Mr. Giles for a body- appearance, in a bottle-green coat ; at no
guard, entered the room in such breathless great distance from whom was seated
haste and violent agitation, as seemed to another old gentleman, in nankeen breech-
betoken some new cause of alarm , es and gaiters, who did not look particu-
"What makes you look so flurried ?" larly benevolent, and was sitting with his
asked
66'SpeakRose, advancing to meet him. hands clasped on the top of a thick stick,
to me, Oliver. " and his chin propped thereupon.
" I hardly know how ; I feel as if I " Dear me," said the gentleman in the
should be choked," replied the boy. bottle-green coat, hastily rising with great
" Oh dear ! to think that I should see him politeness, "I beg your pardon, young
at last, and you should be able to know lady- I imagined it was some importunate
that I have told you all the truth !" person who I beg you will excuse me.
" I never thought you had told us any- Be seated , pray.'99
thing but the truth, dear," said Rose, " Mr. Brownlow, I believe, sir ?" said
soothing him. "But what is this ?- Rose, glancing from the other gentleman
of whom do you speak ?" to the one who had spoken.
" I have seen the gentleman," replied "That is my name," said the old gen-
Oliver, scarcely able to articulate, "the tleman. "This is my friend , Mr. Grim-
gentleman who was so good to me Mr. wig. Grimwig, will you leave us for a
Brownlow, that we have so often talked few minutes ?"
about." "I believe," interposed Miss Maylie,
" Where ?" asked Rose. " that at this period of our interview I
66
Getting out of a coach," replied need not give that gentleman the trouble
Oliver shedding tears of delight, " and of going away. IfI am correctly inform-
going into a house. I didn't speak to him ed, he is cognizant of the business on
-I couldn't speak to him, for he didn't which I wish to speak to you. "
see me, and I trembled so, that I was not Mr. Brownlow inclined his head, and
able to go up to him. But Giles asked Mr. Grimwig, who had made one very
for me whether he lived there, and they stiff bow, and risen from his chair, made
said he did. Look here," said Oliver, another very stiff bow, and dropped into
opening a paper, "here it is ; here's it again.
where he lives- I'm going there directly. " I shall surprise you very much, I
Oh, dear me, dear me ! what shall I do have no doubt," said Rose, naturally em-
when I come to see him and hear him barrassed ; " but you once showed great
speak again !" benevolence and goodness to a very dear
With her attention not a little distract- young friend of mine, and I am sure you
ed by these and a great many other inco- will take an interest in hearing of him
herent exclamations of joy, Rose read again."
the address, which was Craven Street, 66 Indeed !" said Mr. Brownlow. " May
in the Strand, and very soon determined I ask his name ?"
upon turning the discovery to account. " Oliver Twist you knew him as," re-
"Quick !" she said, " tell them to plied Rose.
fetch a hackney-coach, and be ready to The words no sooner escaped her lips
go with me. I will take you there di- than Mr. Grimwig, who had been affect-
rectly, without a minute's loss of time. ing to dip into a large book that lay on the
I will only tell my aunt that we are going table, upset it with a great crash, and
14 * V
160 OLIVER TWIST.
misery ? — Oh ! is there no chord in your penetrate the mystery in which Oliver's

heart that I can touch ― is there nothing history was enveloped, she could not but
left to which I can appeal against this hold sacred the confidence which the
terrible infatuation ?" miserable woman with whom she had just
"When ladies as young, and good, and conversed had reposed in her, as a young
beautiful as you are," replied the girl and guileless girl. Her words and man-
steadily, "give away your hearts, love ner had touched Rose Maylie's heart and
-
will carry you all lengths —even such as mingled with her love for her young
you who have home, friends, other ad- charge, and scarcely less intense in its
mirers, every thing to fill them. When truth and fervour was her fond wish to
such as me, who have no certain roof win the outcast back to repentance and
but the coffin-lid, and no friend in sick- hope.
ness or death but the hospital nurse, set They only proposed remaining in Lon-
our rotten hearts on any man, and let him don three days, prior to departing for
fill the place that parents, home, and some weeks to a distant part of the coast.
friends filled once, or that has been a blank It was now midnight of the first day.
through all our wretched lives, who can What course of action could she deter-
hope to cure us ? Pity us, lady, pity mine upon which could be adopted in
us for having only one feeling of the eight-and-forty hours ? or how could she
woman left, and for having that turned postpone the journey without exciting
by a heavy judgment from a comfort and suspicion ?
a pride into a new means of violence and Mr. Losberne was with them, and
suffering. would be for the next two days ; but Rose
" You will," said Rose, after a pause, was too well acquainted with the excel-
"take some money from me, which may lent gentleman's impetuosity, and foresaw
enable you to live without dishonesty - too clearly the wrath with which, in the
at all events until we meet again ?" first explosion of his indignation, he would
“ Not a penny,” replied the girl, wav- regard the instrument of Oliver's recap-
ing her hand. ture to trust him with the secret, when
" Do not close your heart against all her representations in the girl's behalf
my efforts to help you," said Rose, step- could be seconded by no experienced per-
ping gently forward. " I wish to serve son. These were all reasons for the
you, indeed." greatest caution and the most circumspect
"You would serve me best, lady," re- behaviour in communicating it to Mrs.
plied the girl, wringing her hands, " if Maylie, whose first impulse would infal-
you could take my life at once ; for I have libly be to hold a conference with the
felt more grief to think of what I am to- worthy doctor on the subject. As to re-
night than I ever did before , and it would sorting to any legal adviser, even if she
be something not to die in the same hell had known how to do so, it was scarcely
in which I have lived. God bless you, to be thought of, for the same reasons.
sweet lady, and send as much happiness Once the thought occurred to her of seek-
on your head as I have brought shame on ing assistance from Harry ; but this
mine !" awakened the recollection of their last
Thus speaking, and sobbing aloud, the parting, and it seemed unworthy of her
unhappy creature turned away ; while to call him back, when - the tears rose
Rose Maylie, overpowered by this extra- to her eyes as she pursued this train of
ordinary interview, which bore more the reflection -he might have by this time
semblance of a rapid dream than an actual learnt to forget her, and to be happier
occurrence, sank into a chair, and endea- away.
voured to collect her wandering thoughts. Disturbed by these different reflections,
and inclining now to one course and then
to another, and again recoiling from all
as each successive consideration presented
CHAPTER THE FOURTH, itself to her mind, Rose passed a sleepless
Containing fresh discoveries, and showing that and anxious night, and, after communing
surprises, like misfortunes, seldom come alone. with herself next day, arrived at the des-
perate conclusion of consulting Harry
HER situation was indeed one of no Maylie.
common trial and difficulty, for while she “ If it be painful to him," she thought,
felt the most eager and burning desire to "to come back here, how painful will it
OLIVER TWIST. 161
be to me! But perhaps he will not come ; out for an hour, and be ready as soon as
he may write, or he may come himself, you are.”
and studiously abstain from meeting me Oliver needed no prompting to des-
-he did when he went away. I hardly patch, and in a little more than five
thought he would ; but it was better for minutes they were on their way to Cra-
us both a great deal better. " And here ven Street. When they arrived there,
Rose dropped the pen and turned away, Rose left Oliver in the coach under pre-
as though the very paper which was to tence of preparing the old gentleman to
be her messenger should not see her receive him, and sending up her card by
weep. the servant, requested to see Mr. Brown-
She had taken up the same pen and low on very pressing business. The ser-
laid it down fifty times, and had consid- vant soon returned to beg that she would
ered and re-considered the very first line walk up stairs, and, following him into an
of her letter without writing the first upper room, Miss Maylie was presented
word, when Oliver, who had been walking to an elderly gentleman of benevolent
in the streets with Mr. Giles for a body- appearance, in a bottle-green coat ; at no
guard, entered the room in such breathless great distance from whom was seated
haste and violent agitation, as seemed to another old gentleman, in nankeen breech-
betoken some new cause of alarm, es and gaiters, who did not look particu-
"What makes you look so flurried ?" larly benevolent, and was sitting with his
asked Rose, advancing to meet him. hands clasped on the top of a thick stick,
66'Speak to me, Oliver." and his chin propped thereupon.
" I hardly know how ; I feel as if I " Dear me," said the gentleman in the
should be choked," replied the boy. bottle-green coat, hastily rising with great
" Oh dear ! to think that I should see him politeness, " I beg your pardon, young
at last, and you should be able to know lady-I imagined it was some importunate
that I have told you all the truth !" person who I beg you will excuse me.
" I never thought you had told us any- Be seated, pray."
thing but the truth, dear," said Rose, " Mr. Brownlow, I believe, sir ?" said
soothing him. " But what is this ?- Rose, glancing from the other gentleman
of whom do you speak ?" to the one who had spoken.
" I have seen the gentleman," replied "That is my name," said the old gen-
Oliver, scarcely able to articulate, "the tleman. " This is my friend , Mr. Grim-
gentleman who was so good to me Mr. wig. Grimwig, will you leave us for a
Brownlow, that we have so often talked few minutes ?"
about. " " I believe," interposed Miss Maylie,
" Where ?" asked Rose. "that at this period of our interview I
66
Getting out of a coach," replied need not give that gentleman the trouble
Oliver shedding tears of delight, " and of going away. IfI am correctly inform-
going into a house. I didn't speak to him ed, he is cognizant of the business on
-I couldn't speak to him, for he didn't which I wish to speak to you."
see me, and I trembled so, that I was not Mr. Brownlow inclined his head, and
able to go up to him. But Giles asked Mr. Grimwig, who had made one very
for me whether he lived there, and they stiff bow, and risen from his chair, made
said he did. Look here," said Oliver, another very stiff bow, and dropped into
opening a paper, " here it is ; here's it again.
where he lives-I'm going there directly. "I shall surprise you very much, I
Oh, dear me, dear me ! what shall I do have no doubt,” said Rose, naturally em-
when I come to see him and hear him barrassed ; " but you once showed great
speak again !" benevolence and goodness to a very dear
With her attention not a little distract- young friend of mine, and I am sure you
ed by these and a great many other inco- will take an interest in hearing of him
herent exclamations of joy, Rose read again."
the address, which was Craven Street, "Indeed !" said Mr. Brownlow. "' May
in the Strand, and very soon determined I ask his name ?"
upon turning the discovery to account. "Oliver Twist you knew him as," re-
66
Quick !" she said, " tell them to plied Rose.
fetch a hackney-coach, and be ready to The words no sooner escaped her lips
go with me. I will take you there di- than Mr. Grimwig, who had been affect-
rectly, without a minute's loss of time. ing to dip into a large book that lay on the
I will only tell my aunt that we are going table, upset it with a great crash, and
14* V
162 OLIVER TWIST.
falling back in his chair, discharged from tlemen severally took snuff, and after-
his features every expression but one of wards shook hands, according to their in-
the most unmitigated wonder, and indul- variable custom.
ged in a prolonged and vacant stare ; then, 66 Now, Miss Maylie," said Mr. Brown
as if ashamed of having betrayed so much low, " to return to the subject in which
emotion, he jerked himself, as it were by your humanity is so much interested.
a convulsion, into his former attitude, and Will you let me know what intelligence
looking out straight before him emitted a you have of this poor child : allowing me
long deep whistle, which seemed at last to premise that I had exhausted every
not to be discharged on empty air, but to means in my power of discovering him,
die away in the inmost recesses of his and that since I have been absent from
stomach. this country, my first impression that he
Mr. Brownlow was no less surprised, had imposed upon me, and been persuaded
although his astonishment was not ex- by his former associates to rob me, has
pressed in the same eccentric manner. been considerably shaken. ”
He drew his chair nearer to Miss Maylie's, Rose, who had had time to collect her
and said, thoughts, at once related in a few natural
"Do me the favour, my dear young words all that had befallen Oliver since
lady, to leave entirely out of the question he left Mr. Brownlow's house, reserving
that goodness and benevolence of which Nancy's information for that gentleman's
you speak, and of which nobody else private ear, and concluding with the assu-
knows anything, and if you have it in rance that his only sorrow for some months
your power to produce any evidence past had been, that he had not been able
which will alter the unfavourable opinion to meet with his former benefactor and
I was once induced to entertain of that friend.
poor child, in Heaven's name put me in " Thank God !" said the old gentleman ;
possession of it." "this is great happiness to me, great hap-
" A bad one—I'll eat my head if he is piness. But you have not told me where
not a bad one," growled Mr. Grimwig, he is now, Miss Maylie. You must pardon
speaking by some ventriloquial power, my finding fault with you,—but why not
without moving a muscle of his face. have brought him?"
" He is a child of a noble nature and a "He is waiting in a coach at the door,"
warm heart," said Rose, colouring ; “ and replied Rose.
that Power which has thought fit to try " At this door !" cried the old gentle-
him beyond his years has planted in his man. With which he hurried out of the
breast affections and feelings which would room, down the stairs, up the coach-steps,
do honour to many who have numbered and into the coach without uttering an-
his days six times over."` other word.
" I'm only sixty-one," said Mr. Grim- When the room-door closed behind him,
wig with the same rigid face, “ and, as Mr. Grimwig lifted up his head, and con-
the devil's in it if this Oliver is not verting one of the hind legs of his chair
twelve at least, I don't see the application into a pivot described three distinct circles
of that remark. " with the assistance of his stick and the
" Do not heed my friend, Miss Maylie," table ; sitting in it all the time. After
said Mr. Brownlow ; " he does not mean performing this evolution, he rose and
what he says." limped as fast as he could up and down
66
Yes, he does," growled Mr. Grim- the room at least a dozen times, and then
wig. stopping suddenly before Rose, kissed her
66 No, he does not," exclaimed Mr. without the slightest preface.
Brownlow, obviously rising in wrath as “ Hush !” he said, as the young lady
he spoke. rose in some alarm at this unusual
" He'll eat his head if he doesn't," proceeding, "don't be afraid ; I'm old
growled Mr. Grimwig. enough to be your grandfather. You're
" He would deserve to have it knocked a sweet girl, and I like you. Here they
off, if he does," said Mr. Brownlow. are."
"And he'd uncommonly like to see In fact, as he threw himself at one
any man offer to do it," responded Mr. dexterous dive into his former seat, Mr.
Grimwig, knocking his stick upon the Brownlow returned accompanied by
floor. Oliver, whom Mr. Grimwig received very
Having gone thus far, the two old gen- graciously ; and ifthe gratification of that
OLIVER TWIST. 163
moment had been the only reward for all and readily undertook to hold solemn
her anxiety and care in Oliver's behalf, conference with the worthy doctor him-
Rose Maylie would have been well repaid self. To afford him an early opportunity
for her exertions. for the execution of this design, it was
" There is somebody else who should arranged that he should call at the hotel
not be forgotten, by the bye," said Mr. at eight o'clock that evening, and that in
Brownlow, ringing the bell. "Send Mrs. the mean time Mrs. Maylie should be
Bedwin here, if you please." informed of all that had occurred. These
The old housekeeper answered the preliminaries adjusted, Rose and Oliver
summons with all possible despatch, and returned home.
dropping a curtsy at the door, waited for Rose had by no means overrated the
orders. measure of the good doctor's wrath, for
66
Why, you get blinder every day, Nancy's history was no sooner unfolded,
Bedwin," said Mr. Brownlow, rather than he poured forth a shower of mingled
testily. threats and execrations ; threatened to
66
Well, that I do, sir," replied the old make her the first victim of the combined
lady. " People's eyes, at my time of life, ingenuity of Messrs. Blathers and Duff,
don't improve with age, sir." • and actually put on his hat preparatory to
" I could have told you that," rejoined sallying forth immediately to obtain the
Mr. Brownlow ; " but put on your glasses, assistance of those worthies. And doubt-
and see if you can't find out what you less he would, in this outbreak, have carri-
were wanted for, will you ?" ed the intention into effect without a mo-
The old lady began to rummage in her ment's consideration of the consequences,
pocket for her spectacles ; but Oliver's if he had not been restrained, in part, by
patience was not proof against this new corresponding violence on the side of Mr.
trial, and yielding to his first impulse, he Brownlow, who was himself of an irasci-
sprang into her arms. ble temperament, and partly by such argu-
" God be good to me !" cried the old ments and representations as seemed best
lady, embracing him ; " it is my innocent calculated to dissuade him from his hot-
boy!" brained purpose.
66 " Then what the devil is to be done ?"
' My dear old nurse !" cried Oliver, af-
fectionately. said the impetuous doctor, when they had
"He would come back - I knew he rejoined the two ladies. " Are we to pass a
would," said the old lady, holding him in vote of thanks to all these vagabonds.
her arms. " How well he looks, and how male and female, and beg them to accept
like a gentleman's son he is dressed again. a hundred pounds or so apiece as a trifling
Where have you been this long, long mark of our esteem, and some slight
while ? Ah ! the same sweet face, but acknowledgment of their kindness to
not so pale ; the same soft eye, but not so Oliver?"
sad. I have never forgotten them or his "Not exactly that," rejoined Mr.
quiet smile, but seen them every day side Brownlow laughing, " but we must pro-
by side with those of my own dear chil- ceed gently and with great care."
dren, dead and gone since I was a young " Gentleness and care !" exclaimed
and lightsome creature." Running on the doctor. " I'd send them, one and all
99
thus, and now holding Oliver from her to-
to mark how he had grown, now clasp- " Never mind where," interposed Mr.
ing him to her and passing her fingers Brownlow. "But reflect whether send-
fondly through his hair, the poor soul ing them anywhere is likely to attain the
laughed and wept upon his neck by object we have in view."
turns. "What object?" asked the doctor.
Leaving her and Oliver to compare 60
Simply the discovery of Oliver's pa-
notes at leisure, Mr. Brownlow led the rentage, and regaining for him his inheri-
way into another room, and there heard tance, of which, if this story be true, he
from Rose a full narration of her inter- has been fraudulently deprived."
view with Nancy, which occasioned him " Ah !" said Mr. Losberne, cooling him-
no little surprise and perplexity. Rose self with his pocket-handkerchief; " I
also explained her reasons for not making almost forgot that."
a confidant of her friend Mr. Losberne in "You see," pursued Mr. Brownlow,
the first instance ; the old gentleman " placing this poor girl entirely out of the
considered that she had acted prudently, question, and supposing it were possible
164 OLIVER TWIST .
to bring these scoundrels to justice with main perfectly quiet, and keep these
out compromising her safety, what good matters secret even from Oliver him-
should we bring about ?" self."
66 Hanging a few of them at least, in Although Mr. Losberne received with
all probability," suggested the doctor, many wry faces a proposal involving a
"and transporting the rest." delay of five whole days, he was fain to
66 Very good," replied Mr. Brownlow admit that no better course occurred to
smiling, "but no doubt they will bring him just then ; and as both Rose and Mrs.
that about themselves in the fullness of Maylie sided very strongly with Mr.
time, and if we step in to forestall them, Brownlow, that gentleman's proposition
it seems to me that we shall be perform was carried unanimously.
ing a very Quixotic act in direct opposi- "I should like," he said, " to call in
tion to our own interest, or at least to the aid of my friend Grimwig. He is a
Oliver's, which is the same thing.” strange creature, but a shrewd one, and
"How ?" inquired the doctor. might prove of material assistance to us ;
"Thus. It is quite clear that we shall I should say that he was bred a lawyer
have the most extreme difficulty in get- and quitted the bar in disgust because he
ting to the bottom of this mystery, unless had only one brief and a motion of course
we can bring this man, Monks, upon his in ten years, though whether that is a
knees. That can only be done by strata- recommendation or not, you must deter-
gem, and by catching him when he is not mine yourselves."
66 have
surrounded by these people. For, suppose I no objections to your calling
he were apprehended, we have no proof in your friend if I may call in mine,"
against him. He is not even (so far as said the doctor.
we know, or as the facts appear to us,) "We must put it to the vote," replied
concerned with the gang in any of their Mr. Brownlow, " who may he be ?"
robberies. If he were not discharged, it " That lady's son, and this young lady's
is very unlikely that he could receive any very old friend," said the doctor, mo-
further punishment than being committed tioning towards Mrs. Maylie, and conclu-
to prison as a rogue and vagabond, and of ding with an expressive glance at her
course ever afterwards his mouth is so niece.
obstinately closed that he might as well, Rose blushed deeply, but she did not
for our purposes, be deaf, dumb, blind, and make any audible objection to this motion
an idiot." (possibly she felt in a hopeless minority)
"Then," said the doctor impetuously, and Harry Maylie and Mr. Grimwig were
"I put it to you again, whether you think accordingly added to the committee.
it reasonable that this promise to the girl "We stay in town of course," said
should be considered binding ; a promise Mrs. Maylie, " while there remains the
made with the best and kindest inten- slightest prospect of prosecuting this in-
tions, but really— ” quiry with a chance of success. I will
"Do not discuss the point, my dear spare neither trouble nor expense in be-
young lady, pray," said Mr. Brownlow half of the object in whom we are all so
interrupting Rose as she was about to deeply interested, and I am content to
speak. " The promise shall be kept. I remain here, if it be for twelve months,
don't think it will in the slightest degree so long as you assure me that any hope
interfere with our proceedings. But be- remains."
fore we can resolve upon any precise 66
" Good," rejoined Mr. Brownlow, " and
course of action, it will be necessary to as I see on the faces about me a disposi-
see the girl, to ascertain from her whether tion to inquire how it happened that I
she will point out this Monks on the un- was not in the way to corroborate Oliver's
derstanding that she is to be dealt with tale, and had so suddenly left the king-
by us, and not by the law ; or if she will dom, let me stipulate that I shall be asked
not or cannot do that, to procure from her no questions until such time as I may
such an account of his haunts and descrip- deem it expedient to forestall them by
tion of his person as will enable us to iden- telling my own story. Believe me that
tify him. She cannot be seen until next I make this request with good reason, for
Sunday night this is Tuesday. I would I might otherwise excite hopes destined
suggest that, in the mean time, we re- never to be realized, and only increase
OLIVER TWIST . 165
difficulties and disappointments already Thus they toiled along the dusty road,
quite numerous enough. Come ; supper taking little heed of any object within
has been announced, and young Oliver, sight, save when they stepped aside to
who is all alone in the next room, will allow a wider passage for the mail-coach-
have begun to think, by this time, that we es which were whirling out of town, until
have wearied of his company, and entered they passed through Highgate Archway,
into some dark conspiracy to thrust him when the foremost traveller stopped, and
forth upon the world." called impatiently to his companion,
With these words the old gentleman "Come on, can't yer ? What a lazy-
gave his hand to Mrs. Maylie, and escort- bones yer ar, Charlotte."
ed her into the supper room. Mr. Los- " It's a heavy load, I can tell you,"
berne followed, leading Rose, and the said the female, coming up almost breath-
council was for the present effectually less with fatigue.
broken up. " Heavy ! What are yer talking
about ? What are yer made for ?" re-
joined the male traveller, changing his
own little bundle as he spoke to the other
shoulder. "Oh, there yer are, resting
again. Well, if yer ain't enough to tire
CHAPTER THE FIFTH. anybody's patience out, I don't know what
is."
An old acquaintance of Oliver's exhibiting decided " Is it much further ?" asked the wo-
marks of genius, becomes a public character in man, resting herself on a bank, and look-
the metropolis.
ing up, with the perspiration streaming
from her face.
UPONthe very same night when Nancy, "Much further ! Yer as good as there,"
having lulled Mr. Sikes to sleep, hurried said the long-legged tramper, pointing out
on her self-imposed mission to Rose May- before him. “ Look there,—those are the
lie, there advanced towards London by lights of London."
the Great North Road two persons, upon "They're a good two miles off at least,”
whom it is expedient that this history said the woman despondingly.
should bestow some attention. "Never mind whether they're two
They were a man and woman, or per- miles off or twenty," said Noah Clay-
haps they would be better described as a pole, for he it was ; "but get up and come
male and female ; for the former was one on, or I'll kick yer ; and so I give yer
of those long-limbed, knock-kneed, sham- notice. "
bling, bony figures to whom it is difficult As Noah's red nose grew redder with
to assign any precise age, -looking as anger, and as he crossed the road while
they do, when they are yet boys, like un- speaking, as if fully prepared to put his
der-grown men, and when they are almost threat into execution, the woman rose
men, like over-grown boys. The woman without any further remark, and trudged
was young, but of a robust and hardy onward by his side.
make, as she need have been to bear the “Where do you mean to stop for the
weight of the heavy bundle which was night, Noah ?" she asked, after they had
strapped to her back. Her companion walked a few hundred yards.
was not encumbered with much luggage, " How should I know ?" replied Noah,
as there merely dangled from a stick whose temper had been considerably im-
which he carried over his shoulder, a paired by walking.
small parcel wrapped in a common hand- "Near, I hope," said Charlotte.
kerchief, and apparently light enough. " No, not near,” replied Mr. Claypole ;
This circumstance, added to the length " there-not near ; so don't think it."
of his legs which were of unusual extent, 66 Why not ?"
enabled him with much ease to keep some "When I tell yer that I don't mean to
half-dozen paces in advance of his com- do a thing, that's enough, without any
panion, to whom he occasionally turned why, or because either," replied Mr.
with an impatient jerk of the head, as if Claypole with dignity.
reproaching her tardiness, and urging her " Well, you needn't be so cross," said
to greater exertion. his companion .
166 OLIVER TWIST .
"A pretty thing it would be, wouldn't walked, dragging Charlotte after him,
it, to go and stop at the very first public now slipping into the kennel to embrace
house outside the town, so that Sower- at a glance the whole external character
berry, ifhe come up after us, might poke of some small public houses, and now
in his old nose, and have us taken back jogging on again as some fancied appear-
in a cart with handcuffs on," 66 said Mr. ance induced him to believe it too public
Claypole in a jeering tone. No, I shall for his purpose. At length he stopped in
go and lose myself among the narrowest front of one more humble in appearance
streets I can find, and not stop till we and more dirty than any he had yet seen,
come to the very out-of-the-wayest house and having crossed over and surveyed it
I can set eyes on. 'Cod, you may thank from the opposite pavement, graciously
your stars I've got a head on : for if we announced his intention of putting up
hadn't gone at first the wrong road on there for the night.
purpose, and come back across country, " So give us the bundle," said Noah,
you'd have been locked up hard and fast unstrapping it from the woman's shoul-
a week ago, my lady, and serve you right ders, and slinging it over his own ; " and
for being a fool." don't yer speak except when yer spoken
"I know I ain't as cunning as you are," to. What's the name of the house-
replied Charlotte ; " but don't put all the t-h-r- three what ?"
blame on me, and say I should have been 66 Cripples," said Charlotte.
locked up. You would have been, if I "Three Cripples," repeated Noah,
had been, any way. " "and a very good sign, too. Now, then,
+
" Yer took the money from the till, yer keep close at my heels, and come along."
know yer did," said Mr. Claypole. With these injunctions, he pushed the
"I took it for you, Noah, dear," re- rattling door with his shoulder, and en-
joined Charlotte. tered the house, followed by his com
66" Did I keep it ?"
asked Mr. Claypole. panion.
"No ; you trusted in me, and let me There was nobody in the bar but a
carry it, like a dear, and so you are, " said young Jew, who, with his two elbows on
the lady, chucking him under the chin, the counter, was reading a dirty newspa-
aud drawing her arm through his. per. He stared very hard at Noah, and
This was indeed the case ; but, as it Noah stared very hard at him.
was not Mr. Claypole's habit to repose a If Noah had been attired in his Chari-
blind and foolish confidence in anybody, ty-boy's dress, there might have been
it should be observed, in justice to that some reason for the Jew's opening his
gentleman, that he had trusted Charlotte eyes so wide ; but as he had discarded the
to this extent, in order that if they were coat, and badge, and wore a short smock-
pursued, the money might be found on frock over his leathers, there seemed no
her, which would leave him an opportu- particular reason for his appearance ex-
nity of asserting his utter innocence of citing so much attention in a public
any theft, and greatly facilitate his house.
chances of escape. Of course he entered " Is this the 6 Three Cripples ? " asked
at this juncture into no explanation of his Noah.
motives, and they walked on very loving- " That is the dabe of this house," re-
ly together. plied the Jew.
In pursuance of his cautious plan, Mr. "A gentleman we met on the road
Claypole went on without halting until coming up from the country, recommend-
he arrived at the Angel, at Islington, ed us here," said Noah, nudging Char-
where he wisely judged, from the crowd lotte, perhaps to call her attention to this
ofpassengers and number of vehicles that most ingenious device for attracting re-
London began in earnest. Just pausing spect, and perhaps to warn her to betray
to observe which appeared the most no surprise.
crowded streets, and consequently the "We want to sleep here to-night."
most to be avoided, he crossed into Saint "I'b dot certaid you cad," said Barney,
John's Road, and was soon deep in the who was the attendant sprite ; " but I'll
obscurity of the intricate and dirty ways idquire."
66 Show us the tap, and give us a bit of
which, lying between Gray's Inn Lane
and Smithfield, render that part of the cold meat and a drop of beer while yer
town one of the lowest and worst that inquiring, will yer ?" said Noah.
improvement has left in the midst of Lon- Barney complied by ushering them into
don. a small back-room, and setting the re-
Through these streets Noah Claypole quired viands before them ; having done
OLIVER TWIST . 167
which, he informed the travellers that " I should like that well enough, dear,"
they could be lodged that night, and replied Charlotte ; " but tills an't to be
left the amiable couple to their refresh- emptied every day, and people to get clear
ment. off after it."
Now, this back-room was immediately " Tills be blowed !" said Mr. Claypole ;
behind the bar, and some steps lower, so "there's more things besides tills to be
that any person connected with the house, emptied."
undrawing a small curtain which con- " What do you mean ?" asked his com-
cealed a single pane of glass fixed in the panion.
wall of the last-named apartment, about " Pockets, women's ridicules, houses,
five feet from its flooring, could not only mail-coaches, banks," said Mr. Claypole,
look down upon any guests in the back- rising with the porter.
room without any great hazard of being " But you can't do all that, dear," said
observed, (the glass being in a dark angle Charlotte.
of the wall, between which and a large "I shall look out to get into company
upright beam the observer had to thrust with them as can," replied Noah. "They'll
himself,) but could, by applying his ear be able to make us useful some way or
to the partition, ascertain with tolerable another. Why, you yourself are worth
distinctness their subject of conversation. fifty women. I never see such a precious
The landlord of the house had not with- sly and deceitful creetur as yer can be
drawn his eye from this place of espial when I let yer. "
for five minutes, and Barney had only just " Lor, how nice it is to hear you say
returned from making the communication so," exclaimed Charlotte, imprinting a
above related, when Fagin, in the course kiss upon his ugly face.
of his evening's business, came into the 66
There, that'll do ; don't yer be too
bar to inquire after some of his young affectionate, in case I'm cross with yer,"
pupils. said Noah, disengaging himself with
" Hush !" said Barney : " stradegers id great gravity. " I should like to be the
the next roob." captain of some band, and have the whop-
" Strangers !" repeated the old man in ping of ' em, and follering ' em about, un-
a whisper. beknown to themselves. That would
" Ah ! ad rub uds too," added Barney. suit me, if there was good profit ; and if
"Frob the cuttry, but subthig in your we could only get in with some gentle-
way, or I'b bistaked." men of this sort, I say it would be cheap
Fagin appeared to receive this commu- at that twenty pound note you've got,-
nication with great interest, and, mount- espicially as we don't very well know
ing on a stool, cautiously applied his eye how to get rid of it ourselves. "
to the pane of glass, from which secret After expressing this opinion, Mr. Clay-
post he could see Mr. Claypole taking pole looked into the porter-pot with an
cold beef from the dish and porter from aspect of deep wisdom, and having well
the pot, and administering homœopathic shaken its contents, nodded condescend-
doses of both to Charlotte, who sat pa- ingly to Charlotte, and took a draught,
tiently by, eating and drinking at his wherewith he appeared greatly refreshed.
pleasure. He was meditating another, when the
"Aha !" whispered the Jew, looking sudden opening of the door and appear-
round to Barney. " I like the fellow's ance of a stranger interrupted him .
looks. He'd be of use to us ; he knows The stranger was Mr. Fagin, and very
how to train the girl already. Don't make amiable he looked, and a very low bow
as much noise as a mouse, my dear, and he made as he advanced, and, sitting
let me hear ' em talk-let me hear 'em." himself down at the nearest table, ordered
The Jew again applied his eye to the something to drink of the grinning Barney.
glass, and turning his ear to the partition, " A pleasant night, sir, but cool for the
listened attentively, with a subtle and ea- time of year," said Fagin, rubbing his
ger look upon his face that might have hands. "From the country, I see, sir ?"
appertained to some old goblin. " How do you see that ?" asked Noah
" So I mean to be a gentleman," said Claypole.
Mr. Claypole, kicking out his legs, and "We have not so much dust as that in
continuing a conversation, the commence- London," replied the Jew, pointing from
ment of which Fagin had arrived too late Noah's shoes to those of his companion,
to hear. 66 No more jolly old coffins, and66 from them to the two bundles.
Charlotte, but a gentleman's life for me ; Ye'r a sharp feller," said Noah. " Ha!
and if yer like, yer shall be a lady. " ha ! only hear that, Charlotte."
168 OLIVER TWIST.
"Why, one need be sharp in this town, after he had re-assured the girl, by dint
my dear," replied the Jew, sinking his of friendly nods and muttered encourage-
voice to a confidential whisper, " and ments. 66 I have got a friend that I think
that's the truth. " can gratify your darling wish and put you
The Jew followed up this remark by in the right way, where you can take
striking the side of his nose with his right whatever department of the business you
forefinger, a gesture which Noah at- think will suit you best at first, and be
tempted to imitate, though not with com- taught all the others."
plete success, in consequence of his nose "Yer speak as if yer were in earnest,”
not being large enough for the purpose. replied Noah.
However, Mr. Fagin seemed to interpret " What advantage would it be to me
the endeavour as expressing a perfect co- to be anything else ?" inquired the Jew,
incidence with his opinion, and put about shrugging his shoulders. "Here. Let
the liquor which Barney re-appeared me have a word with you outside."
with, in a very friendly manner. "There's no occasion to trouble our-
"Good stuff that," observed Mr. Clay- selves to move," said Noah, getting his
pole, smacking his lips. legs by gradual degrees abroad again.
" Dear," said Fagin, " a man need be "She'll take the luggage up-stairs the
always emptying a till, or a pocket, or a while. Char-lotte, see to them bundles."
woman's reticule, or a house, or a mail- This mandate, which had been delivered
coach, or a bank, if he drinks it regu- with great majesty, was obeyed without
larly." the slightest demur, and Charlotte made
Mr. Claypole no sooner heard this ex- the best of her way off with the packages,
tract from his own remarks than he fell while Noah held the door open, and
back in his chair, and looked from the watched her out.
Jew to Charlotte with a countenance of "She's kept tolerably well under, ain't
ashy paleness and excessive terror. she, sir !" he asked as he resumed his
" Don't mind me, my dear," said Fagin, seat, in the tone of a keeper who has
drawing his chair closer. " Ha! ha! it tamed some wild animal.
66 Quite perfect," rejoined Fagin, clap-
was lucky it was only me that heard you
"You're a
by chance. It was very lucky it was ping him on the shoulder.
only me. genius, my dear. "
" I didn't take it," stammered Noah, 66 Why, I suppose if I wasn't I shouldn't
66 But, I say,
no longer stretching out his legs like an be here," replied Noah.
independent gentleman, but coiling them she'll be back if yer lose time."
66 Now, what do you think ?" said the
up as well as he could under his chair ;
" it was all her doing ; yer've got it now, Jew. " If you was to like my friend,
Charlotte, yer know yer have." could you do better than join him ?"
"No matter who's got, or who did it, "Is he in a good way of business, that's
my dear !" replied Fagin, glancing, ne- where it is ?" responded Noah, winking
vertheless, with a hawk's eye at the girl one of his little eyes.
and the two bundles . I'm in that way "The top of the tree," said the Jew;
myself, and I like you for it." "employs a power of hands ; and has the
"In what way ?" asked Mr. Claypole, very best society in the profession."
66 Regular
a little recovering. town-maders ?" asked Mr.
"In that way of business," rejoined Claypole .
Fagin, " and so are the people of the "Not a countryman among ' em ; and
house. You've hit the right nail upon the I don't think he'd take you even on my
head, and are as safe here as you could recommendation, if he didn't run rather
be. There is not a safer place in all this short of assistants just now,” replied the
town than is the Cripples ; that is, when Jew.
I like to make it so, and I've taken a fancy " Should I have to hand over ?" said
to you and the young woman ; so I've said Noah, slapping his breeches ' pocket.
the word, and you may make your minds " It couldn't possibly be done without,"
easy." replied Fagin, in a most decided manner.
Noah Claypole's mind might have been 66 Twenty pounds, though,—it's a lot of
99
at ease after this assurance, but his body money.'
certainly was not, for he shuffled and "Not when it's in a note you can't get
writhed about into various uncouth posi- rid of," retorted Fagin. " Number and
tions, eyeing his new friend meanwhile date taken, I suppose ; payment stopped
with mingled fear and suspicion. at the bank ? Ah! its not worth much
"I'll tell you more," said the Jew, to him ; it'll have to go abroad, and he
ger c
Crus
hunk IYea s.
er
The Jew &

Mer isBotter
,begin to understand eachother.
7168
OLIVER TWIST . 169
couldn't sell it for a great deal in the " Stop," said the Jew, laying his hand
market." on Noah's knee. " The kinchin lay."
"When could I see him ?" asked Noah "What's that ?" demanded Mr. Clay-
doubtfully. pole.
" To-morrow morning," replied the " The kinchins, my dear," said the
Jew. Jew, " is the young children that's sent
"Where ?" on errands by their mothers, with six-
"Here." pences and shillings, and the lay is just
"Um !" said Noah. "What's the to take their money away-they've al-
wages ?" ways got it ready in their hands,—and
" Live like a gentleman,-board and then knock ' em into the kennel, and walk
lodging, pipes and spirits free,-half of off very slow, as if there was nothing else
all you earn, and half of all the young the matter but a child fallen down and
woman earns," replied Mr. Fagin. hurt itself. Ha ! ha ha !"
Whether Noah Claypole, whose rapa- " Ha ha !" roared Mr. Claypole, kick-
city was none of the least comprehensive, ing up his legs in an ecstasy. " Lor,
would have acceded even to these glow- that's the very thing !"
ing terms had he been a perfectly free • " To be sure it is," replied Fagin ;
agent, is very doubtful ; but as he recol- " and you can have a few good beats
lected that, in the event of his refusal, it chalked out in Camden-Town, and Battle-
was in the power of his new acquaintance Bridge and neighbourhoods like that,
to give him up to justice immediately, where they 're always going errands, and
(and more unlikely things had come to upset as many kinchins as you want any
pass,) he gradually relented, and said he hour in the day. Ha ! ha ! ha !" With
thought that would suit him. this Fagin poked Mr. Claypole in the side,
"But, yer see," observed Noah, " as and they joined in a burst of laughter
she will be able to do a good deal, I should both long and loud.
like to take something very light." "Well, that's all right !" said Noah
"A little fancy-work ?" suggested Fa- when he had recovered himself, and Char-
gin. lotte had returned. " What time to-
"Ah ! something of that sort," replied morrow shall we say ?"
Noah. "What do you think would suit "Will ten do ?" asked the Jew, adding,
me now? Something not too trying for as Mr. Claypole nodded assent, " What
the strength, and not very dangerous, you name shall I tell my good friend ?"
know ; that's the sort of thing !" "Mr. Bolter," replied Noah, who had
" I heard you talk of something in the prepared himself for such an emergency.
spy way upon the others, my dear," said " Mr. Morris Bolter. This is Mrs. Bolter."
the Jew. " My friend wants somebody " Mrs. Bolter's humble servant," said
who would do that well very much." Fagin, bowing with grotesque politeness.
66 Why, I did mention that, and I "I hope I shall know her better very
shouldn't mind turning my hand to it shortly."
sometimes," rejoined Mr. Claypole slow- " Do you hear the gentleman, Char-
ly; " but it wouldn't pay by itself, you lotte ? " thundered Mr. Claypole.
know." "Yes, Noah, dear !" replied Mrs. Bolter,
" That's true !" observed the Jew, ru- extending her hand.
minating, or pretending to ruminate. " She calls me Noah, as a sort of fond
" No, it might not." way of talking," said Mr. Morris Bolter,
"What do you think, then ?" asked late Claypole, turning tothe Jew. "You
Noah, anxiously regarding him. " Some- understand ?"
thing in the sneaking way, where it was " Oh, yes, I understand,-perfectly,"
pretty sure work, and not much more replied Fagin, telling the truth for once.
risk than being at home." "Good night ! good night !"
"What do you think of the old ladies ?" With many adieus and good wishes,
asked the Jew. " There's a good deal Mr. Fagin went his way ; and Noah Clay-
of money made in snatching their bags pole, bespeaking his good lady's attention,
and ‫و‬parcels, and running round the cor- proceeded to enlighten her relative to the
ner. ‫و‬ arrangement he had made, with all that
"Don't they holler out a good deal, and haughtiness and air of superiority becom-
scratch sometimes ?" asked Noah, shaking not only a member of the sterner sex,
66
ing his head. “ I don't think that would but a gentleman who appreciates the dig-
answer my purpose. Ain't there any other nity of a special appointment on the kin-
line open ?" chin lay in London and its vicinity.
15 W
170 OLIVER TWIST .
CHAPTER THE SIXTH. " Only think," said the Jew, shrugging
his shoulders and stretching out his hands,
Wherein is shown how the artful Dodger got into " only consider. You've done what's
trouble.
a very pretty thing, and what I love you
" AND so it was you that was your own for doing ; but what at the same time
friend, was it ?" asked Mr. Claypole, would put the cravat round your throat
otherwise Bolter, when , by virtue of the that's so very easily tied, and so very dif-
compact entered into between them, he ficult to unloose in plain English, the
had removed next day to the Jew's house. halter."
66 'Cod, I thought as much last night !" Mr. Bolter put his hand to his necker-
66 Every man's his own friend, my
chief, as if he felt it inconveniently tight,
dear," replied Fagin, with his most in- and murmured an assent, qualified in tone
sinuating grin. " He has'nt as good a but not in substance.
one as himself anywhere." "The gallows," continued Fagin, " the
66
Except sometimes," replied Morris gallows, my dear, is an ugly finger-post,
Bolter, assuming the air of a man of the which points out a very short and sharp
world. " Some people are nobody's ene- turning that has stopped many a bold fel-
mies but their own, you know." low's career on the broad highway. To
" Don't believe that," said the Jew. keep in the easy road, and to keep it at
"When a man's his own enemy, it's only a distance, is object number one with
because he's too much his own friend, not you."
because he's careful for everybody but " Of course it is," replied Mr. Bolter.
himself. Pooh ! pooh ! there ain't such a "What do yer talk about such things
thing in nature." for?"
66
"There oughtn't to be, ifthere is," re- Only to show you my meaning clear-
plied Mr. Bolter. ly," said the Jew, raising his eyebrows.
" That stands to reason," said the Jew. "To be able to do that, you depend upon
" Some conjurers say that number three me ; to keep my little business all snug, I
is the magic_number, and some say num- depend upon you. The first is your num-
ber seven. It's neither, my friend, nei- ber one, the second my number one. The
ther. It's number one." more you value your number one, the
" Ha! ha!" cried Mr. Bolter. " Num- more careful you must be of mine ; so we
ber one for ever!" come at last to what I told you at first-
"In a little community like ours, my that a regard for number one holds us all
dear," said the Jew, who felt it necessary together, and must do so, unless we would
to qualify this position, "we have a gen- all go to pieces in company."
eral number one ; that is, you can't con- " That's true," rejoined Mr. Bolter
sider yourself as number one without thoughtfully. " Oh ! yer a cunning old
considering me too as the same, and all codger !"
the other young people." ' Mr. Fagin saw with delight that this
" Oh, the devil !" exclaimed Mr. Bolter. tribute to his powers was not mere com-
" You see," pursued the Jew, affecting pliment, but that he had really impressed
to disregard this interruption, " we are so his recruit with a sense of his wily ge-
mixed up together and identified in our nius, which it was most important that he
interests that it must be so. For instance, should entertain in the outset of their ac-
it's your object to take care of number quaintance. To strengthen an impression
one-meaning yourself." so desirable and useful, he followed up
" Certainly," replied Mr. Bolter. " Yer the blow by acquainting him in some de-
about right there." tail with the magnitude and extent of his
"Well, you can't take care of yourself, operations ; blending truth and fiction to-
number one, without taking care of me, gether as best served his purpose, and
number one." bringing both to bear with so much art
"Number two, you mean," said Mr. that Mr. Bolter's respect visibly increased,
Bolter, who was largely endowed with and became tempered, at the same time,
the quality of selfishness. with a degree of wholesome fear, which
66
No, I don't !" retorted the Jew. " I'm it was highly desirable to awaken.
of the same importance to you as you are " It's this mutual trust we have in each
to yourself." other that consoles me under heavy loss-
" I say," interrupted Mr. Bolter, " yer es," said the Jew. 66 My best hand was
a very nice man, and I'm very fond of taken from me yesterday morning."
yer ; but we ain't quite so thick together "Yer don't mean to say he died ?"
as all that comes to." cried Mr. Bolter.
OLIVER TWIST. 171
" No, no," replied Fagin, " not so bad under a gold watch, chain, and seals, at
as that. Not quite so bad." 29 the lowest. Oh, why did'nt he rob some
66 What, I suppose he was- rich old gentleman of all his walables,
"Wanted," interposed the Jew. " Yes, and go out as a gentleman, and not like
he was wanted." a common prig, without no honour nor
66
Very particular ?" inquired Mr. Bol- glory ?"
ter. With this expression of feeling for his
"No," replied the Jew, " not very. unfortunate friend, Master Bates sat him-
He was charged with attempting to pick self on the nearest chair with an aspect
a pocket, and they found a silver snuff of chagrin and despondency.
box on him, his own, my dear, his own , “ What do you talk about his having
for he took snuff himself, and was very neither honour nor glory for ?" exclaimed
fond of it. They remanded him till to- Fagin, darting an angry look at his pupil.
day, for they thought they knew the "Wasn't he always top-sawyer among you
owner. Ah ! he was worth fifty boxes, all ?-is there one of you that could touch
and I'd give the price of as many to have him or come near him on any scent- eh ?”
him back. You should have known the “ Not one,” replied Master Bates, in a
Dodger, my dear ; you should have known voice rendered husky by regret, " not
the Dodger." one. 99
66 Well , but I shall know him, I hope ; "Then what do you talk of?" replied
don't yer think so ?" said Mr. Bolter. the Jew angrily ; what are you blubbering
" I'm doubtful about it," replied the for ?"
Jew, with a sigh. 66 If they don't get "'Cause it isn't on the rec-ord, is it ?"
any fresh evidence it'll only be a sum- said Charley, chafed into perfect defiance
mary conviction, and we shall have him of his venerable friend by the current of
back again after six weeks or so ; but, if his regrets ; "'cause it can't come out in
they do, it's a case of lagging. They the indictment ; ' cause nobody will never
know what a clever lad he is ; he'll be a know half of what he was. How will he
lifer : they'll make the Artful nothing stand in the Newgate Calendar ? P'r'aps
less than a lifer." not be there at all. Oh, my eye, my eye,
"What do yer mean by lagging and a wot a blow it is !"
lifer ?" demanded Mr. Bolter. " What's "Ha ha !" cried the Jew extending
the good of talking in that way to me ; his right hand, and turning to Mr. Bolter
why don't yer speak so as I can under- in a fit of chuckling which shook him as
stand yer ? ‫יי‬ though he had the palsy ; "see what a pride
Fagin was about to translate these mys- they take in their profession, my dear.
terious expressions into the vulgar tongue, Isn't it beautiful ?"
and, being interpreted , Mr. Bolter would Mr. Bolter nodded assent, and the Jew,
have been informed that they represented after contemplating the grief of Charley
that combination of words, "transporta- Bates for some seconds with evident sa-
tion for life," when the dialogue was cut tisfaction, stepped up to that young gen-
short by the entry of Master Bates with tleman and patted him on the shoulder.
his hands in his breeches-pockets, and his "Never mind, Charley," said Fagin
66
face twisted into a look of semi-comical soothingly ; " it'll come out, it'll be sure
woe. to come out. They'll all know what a
" It's all up, Fagin," said Charley, clever fellow he was ; he'll show it him-
when he and his new companion had self, and not disgrace his old pals and
been made known to each other. teachers. Think how young he is, too !
"What do you mean ?" asked the Jew What a distinction, Charley, to be lagged
with trembling lips. at his time of life !"
66 66 Well, it is a honour, that is !" said
They've found the gentleman as owns
the box ; two or three more's a coming Charley, a little consoled.
to 'dentify him, and the Artful's booked "He shall have all he wants," conti-
for a passage out," replied Master Bates. nued the Jew. "He shall be kept in the
" I must have a full suit of mourning, Fa- Stone Jug, Charley, like a gentleman—
gin, and a hatband to wisit him in, afore like a gentleman, with his beer every
he sets out upon his travels. To think day, and money in his pocket to pitch and
of Jack Dawkins -lummy Jack - the toss with, ifhe can't spend it."
Dodger--the Artful Dodger-going abroad “ No, shall he though ?" cried Charley
for a common twopenny-halfpenny sneeze- Bates.
box ! I never thought he'd ha' done it "Ay, that he shall," replied the Jew,
172 OLIVER TWIST.
"and we'll have a big-wig, Charley, gin, turning to Mr. Bolter, " really no-
one that's got the greatest gift of the thing."
gab,-to carry on his defence, and he 66
Oh, I dare say about that, yer know,"
shall make a speech for himself, too, if observed Noah, backing towards the door,
he likes, and we'll read it all in the pa- and shaking his head with a kind of sober
pers- Artful Dodger-shrieks of laugh- alarm. " No, no- none of that. It's not
ter-here the court was convulsed'- eh, in my department, that isn't."
Charley, eh ?" "Wot department has he got, Fagin ?"
"Ha ! ha !" laughed Master Bates, inquired Master Bates, surveying Noah's
" what a lark that would be, wouldn't it, lanky form with much disgust. " The
Fagin ? I say, how the Artful would cutting away when there's anything
bother ' em, wouldn't he?" wrong, and the eating all the wittles when
“Would !” cried the Jew ; " he shall there's everything right ; is that his
he will !" branch ?"
"Ah, to be sure, so he will," repeated "Never mind," retorted Mr. Bolter ;
Charley, rubbing his hands. "and don't yer take liberties with yer su-
" I think I see him now," cried the periors, little boy, or yer'll find yerself
Jew, bending his eyes upon his pupil. in the wrong shop."
" So do I," cried Charley Bates-" ha ! Master Bates laughed so vehemently
ha ha! so do 1. I see it all afore me, at this magnificent threat, that it was
upon my soul I do, Fagin. What a game ! some time before Fagin could interpose
what a regular game ! All the big-wigs and represent to Mr. Bolter that he in-
trying to look solemn, and Jack Dawkins curred no possible danger in visiting the
addressing of 'em as intimate and com- police office ; that inasmuch as no account
fortable as if he was the judge's own son of the little affair in which he had been
making a speech arter dinner-ha ! ha ! engaged, nor any description of his per-
ha !" son, had yet been forwarded to the metro-
In fact the Jew had so well humoured polis, it was very probable that he was
his young friend's eccentric disposition, not even suspected of having resorted to
that Master Bates, who had at first been it for shelter ; and that, if he were pro-
disposed to consider the imprisoned Dod- perly disguised, it would be as safe a spot
ger rather in the light of a victim , now for him to visit as any in London, inas-
looked upon him as the chief actor in a much as it would be of all places the very
scene of most uncommon and exquisite last to which he could be supposed likely
humour, and felt quite impatient for the to resort of his own free will.
arrival of the time when his old compa- Persuaded, in part, by these represent-
nion should have so favourable an oppor- ations, but overborne in a much greater
tunity of displaying his abilities. degree by his fear of the Jew, Mr. Bolter
"We must know how he gets on to-day at length consented, with a very bad
by some handy means or other," said Fa- grace, to undertake the expedition . By
gin. " Let me think." Fagin's directions, he immediately sub-
" Shall I go ?" asked Charley. stituted for his own attire a wagoner's
"Not for the world," replied the Jew. frock, velveteen breeches, and leather
"Are you mad, my dear ? -stark mad, leggings, all of which articles the Jew
that you'd walk into the very place had at hand. He was likewise furnished
where- No, Charley, no-one is with a felt hat, well garnished with turn-
enough to lose at a time." pike tickets, and a carter's whip. Thus
66
You do not mean to go yourself, I sup- equipped, he was to saunter into the
pose ?" said Charley, with a humorous office, as some country fellow from
leer. Covent Garden market might be supposed
" That wouldn't quite fit," replied Fa- to do, for the gratification of his curiosity;
gin, shaking his head. and as he was as awkward, ungainly, and
" Then why don't you send this new raw-boned a fellow as need be, Mr. Fagin
cove ?" asked Master Bates, laying his had no fear but that he would look the
hand on Noah's arm ; "nobody knows part to perfection.
him." These arrangements completed, he was
66
Why, if he didn't mind," observed informed of the necessary signs and to-
the Jew. kens by which to recognise the artful
"Mind !" interposed Charley. " What Dodger, and was conveyed by Master
should he have to mind ?" Bates through dark and winding ways to
66 within a very short distance of Bow street.
Really nothing my dear," said Fa-
OLIVER TWIST. 173
Having described the precise situation of mother or sister, and more than one man
the office, and accompanied it with copious who might be supposed to bear a strong
directions how he was to walk straight resemblance to his father, nobody at all
up the passage, and when he got into the answering the description given him of
yard take the door up the steps on the Mr. Dawkins was to be seen. He waited
right-hand side, and pull off his hat as he in a state of much suspense and uncer-
went into the room, Charley Bates bade tainty until the women, being committed
him hurry on alone, and promised to bide for trial, went flaunting out, and then was
his return on the spot of their parting. quickly relieved by the appearance of an-
Noah Claypole, or Morris Bolter, as the other prisoner, whom he felt at once could
reader pleases, punctually followed the be no other than the object of his visit.
directions he had received, which- Mas- It was indeed Mr. Dawkins, who, shuf-
ter Bates being pretty well acquainted fling into the office with the big coat
with the locality-were so exact that he sleeves tucked up as usual, his left hand
was enabled to gain the magisterial pre- in his pocket, and his hat in his right,
sence without asking any question, or preceded the jailer with a rolling gait
meeting with any interruption by the altogether indescribable, and, taking his
way. He found himself jostled among a place in the dock, requested in an audible
crowd of people, chiefly women, who voice to know what he was placed in that
were huddled together in a dirty frowsy ' ere
room , at the upper end of which was a 66 disgraceful sitivation for.
Hold your tongue, will you ?" said the
raised platform railed off from the rest, jailer.
66
with a dock for the prisoners on the left " I'm an Englishman, ain't I ?” rejoined
hand against the wall, a box for the wit- the Dodger. "Where are my privileges ?"
nesses in the middle, and a desk for the " You'll get your privileges soon
magistrates on the right ; the awful lo- enough," retorted the jailer, " and pepper
cality last named being screened off by a with ' em."
partition which concealed the bench from "We'll see wot the Secretary of State
the common gaze, and left the vulgar to for the Home Affairs has got to say tothe
imagine (if they could) the full majesty beaks, if I don't," replied Mr. Dawkins.
of justice. "Now then, wot is this here business ?
There were only a couple of women in I shall thank the madg'strates to dispose
the dock, who were nodding to their ad- of this here little affair, and not to keep
miring friends, while the clerk read some me while they read the paper, for I've
depositions to a couple of policemen and got an appointment with a gentleman in
a man in plain clothes who leant over the the city, and as I'm a man of my word
table. A jailer stood reclining against and wery punctual in business matters,
the dock-rail, tapping his nose listlessly he'll go away if I ain't there to my time,
with a large key, except when he re- and then p'raps there won't be an action
pressed an undue tendency to conversa- for damage against those as kept me
tion among the idlers, by proclaiming away. Oh no, certainly not !"
silence, or looked sternly up to bid some At this point the Dodger, with a show
woman " take that baby out," when the of being very particular with a view to
gravity of justice was disturbed by feeble proceedings to be had thereafter, desired
cries, half-smothered in the mother's the jailer to communicate " the names of
shawl, from some meagre infant. The them two old files as was on the bench,"
room smelt close and unwholesome ; the which so tickled the spectators that they
walls were dirt-discoloured, and the ceil- laughed almost as heartily as Master
ing blackened. There was an old smoky Bates could have done if he had heard
bust over the mantel-shelf, and a dusty the request.
clock above the dock-the only thing pre- "Silence there !" cried the jailer.
sent that seemed to go on as it ought ; for "What is this ?" inquired one of the
depravity, or poverty, or an habitual ac- magistrates.
quaintance with both, had left a taint on "A pick- pocketing case, your worship."
all the animate matter, hardly less un- "Has that boy ever been here be-
pleasant than the thick greasy scum on fore ?"
every inanimate object that frowned upon " He ought to have been a many times,"
it. replied the jailer. "He has been pretty
Noah looked eagerly about him for well everywhere else. I know him well ,
the Dodger, but although there were sev- your worship."
eral women who would have done very "Oh ! you know me, do you ?" cried
well for that distinguished character's the Artful, making a note of the state-
15 *
174 OLIVER TWIST .
ment. 66 Werry good. That's a case of they let ' em come out this morning to
deformation of character, any way." try it on upon me. I'll-"
Here there was another laugh, and an- 66 There, he 's fully committed !" inter-
other cry of silence. posed the clerk. “ Ťake him away.”
"Now then, where are the witnesses ?" "Come on," said the jailer.
said the clerk. " Oh, ah ! I'll come on," replied the
"Ah ! that's right," added the Dodger. Dodger, brushing his hat with the palm
"Where are they ? I should like to see of his hand. "Ah ! (to the Bench) it's
'em." no use your looking frightened ; I won't
This wish was immediately gratified, show you no mercy, not a ha'porth of it.
for a policeman stepped forward who had You'll pay for this, my fine fellers : I
seen the prisoner attempt the pocket of wouldn't be you for something. I wouldn't
an unknown gentleman in a crowd, and go free now, if you wos to fall down on
indeed take a handkerchief therefrom, your knees and ask me. Here,"9 carry me
which being a very old one, he delibe- off to prison. Take me away.'
rately put back again, after trying it on With these last words, the Dodger suf-
his own countenance. For this reason he fered himself to be led off by the collar,
took the Dodger into custody as soon as threatening till he got into the yard to
he could get near him, and the said make a parliamentary business of it, and
Dodger being searched had upon his per- then grinning in the officer's face with
son a silver snuff-box with the owner's great glee and self-approval.
name engraved upon the lid. This gen- Having seen him locked up by himself
tleman had been discovered on reference in a little cell, Noah made the best of his
to the Court Guide, and being then and way back to where he had left Master
there present, swore that the snuff-box Bates. After waiting here some time,
was his, and that he had missed it on the he was joined by that young gentleman,
previous day, the moment he had disen- who had prudently abstained from show-
gaged himself from the crowd before re- ing himself until he had looked carefully
ferred to. He had also remarked a young abroad from a snug retreat, and ascer-
gentleman in the throng particularly ac- tained that his new friend had not been
tive in making his way about, and that followed by any impertinent person.
the young gentleman was the prisoner The two hastened back together to
before him. bear to Mr. Fagin the animating news
"Have you anything to ask this wit- that the Dodger was doing full justice to
ness, boy ?" said the magistrate. his bringing-up, and establishing for him-
"I wouldn't abase myself by descend- self a glorious reputation.
ing to hold any conversation with him,"
replied the Dodger.
" Have you anything to say at all ?"
"Do you hear his worship ask if you've CHAPTER THE SEVENTH.
anything to say ?" inquired the jailer, The time arrives for Nancy to redeem her pledge to
nudging the silent Dodger with his Rose Maylie. She fails. Noah Claypole is em-
elbow. ployed by Fagin on a secret mission.
"I beg your pardon," said the Dodger,
looking up with an air of abstraction. ADEPT as she was in all the arts of
" Did you address yourself to me, my cunning and dissimulation, the girl Nan-
man ?" cy could not wholly conceal the effect
"I never see such an out-and-out young which the knowledge of the step she had
wagabone, your worship," observed the taken worked upon her mind. She re-
officer with a grin. "Do you mean to membered that both the crafty Jew and
say anything, you young shaver ?" the brutal Sikes had confided to her
"No," replied the Dodger, "not here, schemes which had been hidden from all
for this ain't the shop for justice ; besides others, in the full confidence that she was
which my attorney is a-breakfasting this trustworthy, and beyond the reach of their
morning with the Wice President of the suspicions ; and vile as those schemes
House of Commons ; but I shall have were, desperate as were their originators,
something to say elsewhere, and so will and bitter as were her feelings towards
he, and so will a werry numerous and the Jew, who had led her step by step,
respectable circle of acquaintance, as ' ll deeper and deeper down into an abyss of
make them beaks wish they'd never been crime and misery, whence was no escape,
born, or that they'd got their footman to still there were times when even towards
hang ' em up to their own hat-pegs, ' afore him she felt some relenting, lest her dis-
OLIVER TWIST . 175
closure should bring him within the iron the shoulder, " It does me good to hear
grasp he had so long eluded, and he should you."
fall at last-richly as he merited such a " Does you good, does it !" cried Sikes.
fate-by her hand. "Well, so be it."
But these were the mere wanderings " Ha ! ha ! ha !" laughed the Jew, as
of a mind unable wholly to detach itself if he were relieved by even this conces
from old companions and associations, sion. " You're like yourself to- night, Bill,
though enabled to fix itself steadily on quite like yourself."
one object, resolved not to be turned aside " I don't feel like myself when you lay
by any consideration. Her fears for Sikes that withered old claw on my shoulder,
would have been more powerful induce- so take it away," said Sikes, casting off
ments to recoil while there was yet time, the Jew's hand.
but she had stipulated that her secret " It makes you nervous, Bill-reminds
should be rigidly kept ; she had dropped you of being nabbed, does it ?" said the
no clue which could lead to his discovery ; Jew, determined not to be offended.
she had refused even for his sake a refuge 66 Reminds me of being nabbed by the
from all the guilt and wretchedness that Devil," returned Sikes. "Not by a trap.
encompassed her : and what more could There never was another man with such
she do ? She was resolved. a face as yours, unless it was your father,
Though every mental struggle termi- and I suppose he is singeing his grizzled
nated in this conclusion, they forced red beard by this time, unless you came
themselves upon her again and again, straight from the old ' un without any fa-
and left their traces too. She grew pale ther at all betwixt you, which I shouldn't
and thin even within a few days. At wonder at a bit."
times she took no heed of what was pass- Fagin offered no reply to this compli-
ing before her, or no part in conversations ment, but pulling Sikes_by_the_sleeve,
where once she would have been the pointed his finger towards Nancy, who
loudest. At others she laughed without had taken advantage of the foregoing
merriment, and was noisy without cause conversation to put on her bonnet, and
or meaning. At others often within a was now leaving the room.
moment afterwards- she sat silent and " Hallo !" cried Sikes. " Nance.
dejected, brooding with her head upon Where's the gal going to at this time of
her hands, while the very effort by which night ?”
she roused herself told more forcibly than " Not far."
even these indications that she was ill at "What answer's that ?" returned ,
ease, and that her thoughts were occu- Sikes. 66 Where are you going ?"
pied with matters very different and dis- "I say, not far."
tant from those in course of discussion by "And I say where ?" retorted Sikes
her companions. in a loud voice. "Do you hear me ?"
It was Sunday night, and the bell of "I don't know where," replied the
the nearest church struck the hour. girl.
Sikes and the Jew were talking, but they "Then I do," said Sikes, more in the
paused to listen. The girl looked up spirit of obstinacy than because he had
from the low seat on which she crouched any real objection to the girl going where
and listened too, intently. Eleven. she listed. " Nowhere. Sit down."
"An hour this side of midnight," said " I'm not well. I told you that before,"
Sikes, raising the blind to look out, and rejoined the girl. " I want a breath of
returning to his seat. " Dark and heavy air."
it is too. A good night for business this." "Put your head out of the window and
“ Ah !” replied the Jew, " what a pity, take it there,” replied Sikes.
Bill, my dear, that there's none quite "There's not enough there," said the
ready to be done." girl ; " I want it in the street."
"You're right for once," replied Sikes "Then you won't have it," replied
gruffly. " It is a pity, for I'm in the hu- Sikes, with which assurance he rose, lock-
mour too." ed the door, took the key out, and , pull-
The Jew sighed and shook his head ing her bonnet from her head, flung it up
despondingly. to the top of an old press. 66"There," said
"We must make up for lost time when the robber : " now stop quietly where you
we've got things into a good train, that's are, will you ?”
all I know," said Sikes. "It's not such a matter as a bonnet
" That's the way to talk, my dear," would keep me," said the girl, turning
replied the Jew, venturing to pat him on very pale.
176 OLIVER TWIST .
"What do you mean, Bill ? Do you pose, my dear," replied the Jew, shrug-
know what you're doing ?" ging his shoulders.
"Know what I'm-oh !" cried Sikes, 66 Well, I suppose it is," growled Sikes.
turning to Fagin, " she's out of her senses, " I thought I had tamed her, but she's as
you know,99 or she daren't talk to me in bad as ever. "
that way. "Worse," said the Jew thoughtfully.
" You'll drive me to something despe- "I never knew her like this, for such a
rate," muttered the girl, placing both little cause."
hands upon her breast, as though to keep "Nor I," said Sikes. " I think she's
down by force some violent outbreak. got a touch of that fever in her blood yet,
" Let me go, will you, this moment-this and it won't come out-eh ?"
instant." "Like enough," replied the Jew.
" No,"-roared Sikes. "I'll let her a little blood without
"Tell him to let me go, Fagin. He troubling the doctor, if she's took that
had better. It'll be better for him. Do way again," said Sikes.
you hear me ?" said Nancy, stamping her The Jew nodded an expressive approval
foot upon the ground. of this mode of treatment.
" Hear you !" repeated Sikes, turning " She was hanging about me all day
round in his chair, to confront her. " Ay, and night too when I was stretched on
and if I hear you for half a minute longer, my back, and you, like a black-hearted
the dog shall have such a grip on your wolf as you are, kept yourself aloof," said
throat as ' ll tear some of that screaming Sikes. "We was very poor too all the
voice out. Wot has come over you, you time, and I think one way or other it's
jade, wot is it ?" worried and fretted her, and that being
" Let me go," said the girl, with shut up here so long has made her rest-
great earnestness. Then sitting herself less-eh ?"
down on the floor, before the door, she " That's it, my dear," replied the Jew
said, " Bill, let me go ; you don't know in a whisper-" Hush !"
what you're doing, you don't, indeed. For As he uttered these words, the girl
only one hour- do-do." herself appeared and resumed her former
" Cut my limbs off one by one," cried seat. Her eyes were swollen and red ;
Sikes, seizing her roughly by the arm, she rocked herself to and fro, tossed her
" if I don't think the gal's stark raving head, and after a little time burst out
mad. Get up.'99 laughing.
"Not till you let me go- not till you 66 Why now she's on the other tack !"
let me go. Never-never !" -screamed exclaimed Sikes, turning a look of exces-
the girl. sive surprise upon his companion.
Sikes looked on for a minute, watching The Jew nodded to him to take no fur-
his opportunity, and suddenly pinioning ther notice just then, and in a few minutes
her hands, dragged her, struggling and the girl subsided into her accustomed de-
wrestling with him by the way, into a meanour. Whispering Sikes that there
small room adjoining, where he sat him- was no fear of her relapsing, Fagin took
self on a bench, and thrusting her into a up his hat and bade him good night. He
chair, held her down by force. She paused when he reached the door, and
struggled and implored by turns, until looking round asked if somebody would
twelve o'clock had struck, and then, wea- light him down the dark stairs.
ried and exhausted, ceased to contest the " Light him down," said Sikes, who
point any further. With a caution, was filling his pipe. "It's a pity he
backed by many oaths, to make no more should break his neck himself, and disap-
efforts to go out that night, Sikes left point the sight-seers. There, show him
her to recover at leisure, and rejoined the a light."
Jew. · Nancy followed the old man down
"Phew !" said the housebreaker, wip- stairs with the candle. When they
ing the perspiration from his face. " Wot reached the passage, he laid his fingers
a precious strange gal that is !" on his lip, and drawing close to the girl,
" You may say that, Bill,” replied the said in a whisper-
Jew thoughtfully. "You may say that." "What is it, Nancy dear ?"
" Wot did she take it into her head to "What do you mean ?" replied the
go out to-night for, do you think ?" asked girl in the same tone.
Sikes. "Come ; you should know her "The reason of all this," replied Fa-
better than me-wot does it mean ?" gin. "If he" -he pointed with his skinny
66
Obstinacy, woman's obstinacy, I sup- forefinger up the stairs-" is so hard with
OLIVER TWIST. 177
you (he's a brute, Nance,

99 a brute beast,) girl, with the knowledge of this crime to
why don't you- back it, unlimited."
"Well !" said the girl, as Fagin paused These things passed through the mind
with his mouth almost touching her ear, of Fagin during the short time he sat
and his eyes looking into hers. alone in the housebreaker's room ; and
" No matter just now," said the Jew, with them uppermost in his thoughts he
"we'll talk of this again. You have a had taken the opportunity afterwards af
friend in me, Nance, a staunch friend. I forded him of sounding the girl in the
have the means at hand, quiet and close. broken hints he threw out at parting.
If you want revenge on those that treat There was no expression of surprise, no
you like a dog- like a dog ! worse than assumption of an inability to understand
his dog, for he humours him sometimes his meaning. The girl clearly compre-
come to me. I say come to me. He is hended it. Her glance at parting showed
the mere hound of a day, but you know that.
me of old, Nance-of old." But perhaps she would recoil from a
"I know you well," replied the girl, plot to take the life of Sikes, and that was
without manifesting the least emotion. one of the chief ends to be attained.
"Good night." 66 How"-thought the Jew as he crept
She shrunk back as Fagin offered to homewards, " can I increase my influence
lay his hand on her, but said good night with her ? What new power can I ac-
again in a steady voice, and, answering quire ?"
his parting look with a nod of intelligence, Such brains are fertile in expedients.
closed the door between them. If without extracting a confession from
Fagin walked towards his own house, herself, he laid a watch, discovered the
intent upon the thoughts that were work- object of her altered regard, and threat-
ing within his brain. He had conceived ened to reveal the whole history to Sikes
the idea-not from what had just passed, (of whom she stood in no common fear)
though that had tended to confirm him- unless she entered into his designs, could
but slowly and by degrees, that Nancy, he not secure her compliance ?
wearied of the house-breaker's brutality, " I can," said Fagin almost aloud.
had conceived an attachment for some " She durst not refuse me then- not for
new friend. Her altered manner, her her life, not for her life. I have it all.
repeated absences from home alone, her The means are ready ! and I shall set to
comparative indifference to the interests work ; I shall have you yet."
of the gang for which she had once been He cast back a dark look and a threat-
so zealous, and added to these her despe- ening motion of the hand towards the spot
rate impatience to leave home that night where he had left the bolder villain, and
at a particular hour, all favoured the sup- went on his way, burying his bony hands
position, and rendered it- to him at least in the folds of his tattered garment, and
almost a matter of certainty. The ob- wrenching them tightly in his grasp, as
ject of this new liking was not among his though there were a hated enemy crushed
myrinidons. He would be a valuable ac- with every motion of his fingers.
quisition with such an assistant as Nancy, He rose betimes next morning, and
and must (so Fagin argued) be secured waited impatiently for the appearance of
without delay. his new associate, who, after a delay that
There was another and a darker object seemed interminable, at length presented
to be gained. Sikes knew too much, and himself and commenced a voracious as-
his ruffian taunts had not galled the Jew sault upon the breakfast.
the less because the wounds were hidden. "Bolter," said the Jew, drawing up a
The girl must know well that if she shook chair, and seating himself opposite. " Mor-
him off, she could never be safe from his ris Bolter."
fury, and that it would be surely wreaked "Well, here I am," returned Noah.
-to the maiming of limbs or perhaps the "What's the matter. Don't yer ask me
loss of life-on the object of her more re- to do anything till I have done eating.
cent fancy. " With a little persuasion," That's a great fault in this place. Yer
thought Fagin, " what more likely than never get time enough over yer meals."
that she would consent to poison him ? "You can talk as you eat, can't you ?"
Women have done such things and worse, said Fagin, cursing his dear young friend's
to secure the same object, before now. greediness from the very bottom of his
There would be the dangerous villain heart.
the man I hate-gone ; another secured 66 Oh ! yes, I can talk ; I can get on bet-
in his place, and my influence over the ter when I talk," said Noah, cutting a
X
178 OLIVER TWIST.
monstrous slice of bread. "Where's setting down his cup, and looking his em-
Charlotte ?" ployer eagerly in the face.
" Out," said Fagin, " I sent her out 66
If you do it well, a pound, my dear-
this morning with the other young wo- one pound," said Fagin, wishing to inte-
man, because I wanted us to be alone." rest him in the scent as much as possible.
" Oh !" said Noah, " I wish yer'd or- " And that's what I never gave yet for
dered her to make some buttered toast any job of work where there wasn't valu-
first. Well, talk away. Yer won't in- able consideration to be gained."
terrupt me." "Who is she ?" inquired Noah.
There seemed indeed no great fear of " One of us.
anything interrupting him, as he had evi- " Oh Lor !" cried Noah, curling up his
dently sat down with a determination to nose. " Yer doubtful of her, are yer?"
do a great deal of business. "She has found out some new friends,
" You did well yesterday my dear," my dear, and I must know who they are,”
said the Jew, "beautiful ! six shillings replied the Jew.
and ninepence-halfpenny on the very first "I see," said Noah, " just to have the
day ! The kinchin lay will be a fortune pleasure of knowing them , if they're re-
to you." spectable people- eh ? Ha ! ha ! ha !—
99
"Don't yer forget to add three pint-pots I'm your man.'
and a milk-can," said Mr. Bolter. "I knew you would be," cried Fagin,
" No, no, my dear," replied the Jew ; elated by the success of his proposal.
"the pint-pots were great strokes of ge- " Of course, of course," replied Noah.
nius, but the milk-can was a perfect mas- "Where is she ? Where am I to wait for
terpiece. " her ? When am I to go ?
" Pretty well, I think, for a beginner," "All that, my dear, you shall hear from
remarked Mr. Bolter complacently. "The me. I'll point her out at the proper
pots I took off airy railings, and the milk- time," said Fagin, " ""you keep ready, and
can was standing by itself outside a pub- leave the rest to me."
lic house, so I thought it might get rusty That night, and the next, and the next
with the rain, or take cold, yer know. again, the spy sat booted and equipped in
Ha ha ha !" his carter's dress, ready to turn out at a
The Jew affected to laugh very heartily, word from Fagin. Six nights passed-
and Mr. Bolter had his laugh out, took a six long weary nights-and on each Fa-
series of large bites, which finished his gin came home with a disappointed face,
first hunk of bread and butter, and assisted and briefly intimated that it was not yet
himself to a second. time. On the seventh he returned ear-
" I want you, Bolter," said Fagin lean- lier, and with an exultation he could not
ing over the table, " to do a piece of work conceal. It was Sunday.
for me, my dear, that needs great care " She goes abroad to-night," said Fa-
and caution." gin, " and on the right errand, I'm sure ;
"I say," rejoined Bolter, " don't yer for she has been alone all day, and the
go shoving me into danger, or sending me man she is afraid of will not be back
to any more police offices. That don't much before day-break. Come with me.
suit me, that don't, and so I tell yer." Quick."
"There's not the smallest danger in it Noah started up without saying a word,
-not the very smallest," said the Jew. for the Jew was in a state of such intense
"It's only to dodge a woman." excitement that it infected him. They
" An old woman ?" demanded Mr. Bol- left the house stealthily, and hurrying
ter. through a labyrinth of streets, arrived at
" A young one,” replied Fagin. length before a public house, which Noah
" I can do that pretty well, I know," recognized as the same in which he had
said Bolter ; " I was a regular cunning slept on the night of his arrival in Lon-
sneak when I was at school. What am don.
I to dodge her for ? —not to- 99 It was past eleven o'clock, and the door
"Not to do anything," interrupted the was closed. It opened softly on its hinges,
Jew, " but to tell me where she goes to, as the Jew gave a low whistle. They
who she sees, and, if possible, what she entered without noise, and the door closed
says: to remember the street, if it is a behind them.
street, or the house, if it's a house, and Scarcely venturing to whisper, but sub-
to bring me back all the information you stituting dumb-show for words, Fagin and
can." the young Jew who had admitted them
"What'll yer give me ?" asked Noah, pointed out the pane of glass to Noah, and
OLIVER TWIST . 179
signed to him to climb up and observe the commodated his pace to hers, stopping
person in the adjoining room. when she stopped, and as she moved,
"Is that the woman ?" he asked, again creeping stealthily on ; but never
scarcely above his breath. allowing himself, in the ardour of his pur-
The Jew nodded ' yes.' suit, to gain upon her footsteps. Thus
"I can't see her face well," whispered they crossed the bridge from the Middle-
Noah. " She is looking down, and the sex to the Surrey shore, where the wo-
candle is behind her." man, apparently disappointed in her
66
Stay there," whispered Fagin. He anxious scrutiny of the foot-passengers,
signed to Barney, who withdrew. In an turned back. The movement was sudden,
instant the lad entered the room adjoin- but he who watched her was not thrown
ing, and under pretence of snuffing the off his guard by it ; for shrinking into
candle, moved it into the required posi- one of the recesses which surmount the
tion, and speaking to the girl, caused her piers of the bridge, and leaning over the
to raise her face. parapet the better to conceal his figure,
66 I see her now," cried the spy. he suffered her to pass by on the opposite
66 Plainly ?" asked the Jew. pavement ; and when she was about the
"I should know her among a thousand. " same distance in advance as she had been
He hastily descended as the room-door before, he slipped quietly down and fel-
opened, and the girl came out. Fagin lowed her again. At nearly the centre
drew him behind a small partition which of the bridge she stopped. The man
was curtained off, and they held their stopped too.
breath as she passed within a few feet of It was a very dark night. The day
their place of concealment, and emerged had been unfavourable, and at that hour
by the door at which they had entered. and place there were few people stirring.
" Hist !" cried the lad who held the Such as there were hurried quickly past,
door. " Noah." very possibly without seeing, but certain-
Noah exchanged a look with Fagin, ly without noticing, either the woman or
and darted out. the man who kept her in view. Their
"To the left," whispered the lad. appearance was not calculated to attract
" Take the99 left hand, and keep on the the importunate regards of such of Lon-
other side.' don's destitute population as chanced to
He did so, and by the light of the lamps take their way over the bridge that night
saw the girl's retreating figure already in search of some cold arch or doorless
at some distance before him. He ad- hovel whereon to lay their head. They
vanced as near as he considered prudent, stood there in silence, neither speaking
and kept on the opposite side of the street, nor spoken to by any one who passed.
the better to observe her motions. She A mist hung over the river, deepening
looked nervously round twice or thrice, the glare of the fires that burnt upon the
and once stopped to let two men who small craft moored off the different wharfs,
were following close behind her pass on. and rendering darker and more indistinct
She seemed to gather courage as she ad- the murky buildings on the banks. The
vanced, and to walk with a steadier and old smoke-stained storehouses on either
firmer step. The spy preserved the same side rose heavy and dull from the dense
relative distance between them, and fol- mass of roofs and gables, and frowned
lowed with his eye upon her. sternly upon water too black to reflect
even their lumbering shapes. The tower
of old Saint Saviour's church, and the
spire of Saint Magnus, so long the giant
warders of the ancient bridge, were visi-
CHAPTER THE EIGHTH. ble in the gloom, but the forest of shipping
The appointment kept. below the bridge, and the thickly scat-
tered spires of churches above, were near-
THE church clocks chimed three quar- ly all hidden from the sight.
ters past eleven, as two figures emerged The girl had taken a few restless turns
on London Bridge. One which advanced to and fro- closely watched, meanwhile,
with a swift and rapid step, was that of by her hidden observer-when the heavy
a woman, who looked eagerly about her bell of Saint Paul's tolled for the death of
as though in quest of some expected ob- another day. Midnight had come upon
ject ; the other figure was that of a man, the crowded city. The palace, the night-
who slunk along in the deepest shadow cellar, the jail, the mad-house, the cham-
he could find, and at some distance, ac- bers of birth and death, of health and
180 OLIVER TWIST .
sickness, the rigid face of the corpse, and place, and so eager was the spy to pene-
the calm sleep of the child-midnight was trate the motives of an interview so dif
upon them all. ferent from what he had been led to ex-
The hour had not struck two minutes, pect, that he more than once gave the
when a young lady, accompanied by a matter up for lost, and persuaded himself
grey-haired gentleman, alighted from a either they had stopped far above, or re-
hackney-carriage within a short distance sorted to some entirely different spot to
of the bridge, and, having dismissed the hold their mysterious conversation. He
vehicle, walked straight towards it. They was on the very point of emerging from
had scarcely set foot upon the pavement, his hiding-place, and regaining the road
when the girl started, and immediately above, when he heard the sound of foot-
made towards them. steps, and directly afterwards of voices
They walked onwards, looking about almost close to his ear.
them with the air of persons who enter- He drew himself straight upright
tained some very slight expectation which against the wall, and scarcely breathing,
had little chance of being realized, when listened attentively.
they were suddenly joined by this new " This is far enough," said a voice
associate. They halted with an exclama- which was evidently that of the gentle-
tion of surprise, but suppressed it imme- man. "I will not suffer the young lady
diately, for a man in the garments of a to go any further. Many people would
countryman came close up — brushed have distrusted you too much to have
against them indeed-at that precise mo- come even so far, but you see I am wil-
ment. ling to humour you."
" Not here," said Nancy, hurriedly. " To humour me !" cried the voice of
" I am afraid to speak to you here. Come the girl whom he had followed. " You're
away-out of the public road- down the considerate, indeed, sir. 6 To humour me !'
steps yonder." Well, well, it's no matter."
As she uttered these words, and indi- " Why; for what, " said the gentle-
cated with her hand the direction in which man, in a kinder tone, " for what purpose
she wished them to proceed, the country- can you have brought us to this strange
man looked round, and roughly asking place ? Why not have let mespeak to
what they took up the whole pavement you above there, where it is light, and
for, passed on. there is something stirring instead of
The steps to which the girl had pointed bringing us to this dark and dismal
were those which, on the Surrey bank hole ?"
and on the same side of the bridge as "I told you before," replied Nancy,
Saint Saviour's church, form a landing- " that I was afraid to speak to you there.
stairs from the river. To this spot the I don't know why it is," said the girl
man, bearing the appearance ,of a country-
and after a sh
shuddering,
dread " but
upon me I havethat
to-night such a fear
I can and
hardly
man, hastened unobserved ;
moment's survey of the place, he began Stand"
to descend. " A fear of what ?" asked the gentle-
These stairs aare a part of the bridge ; man, who seemed to pity her.
they consist of three flights. Just below I scarcely know of what," replied the
the end of the second going down, the girl. " I wish I did. Horrible thoughts
stone wall on the left terminates in an of death, and shrouds with blood upon
ornamental pilaster, facing towards the them, and a fear that has made me burn
Thames. At this point the lower steps as if I was on fire, have been upon me all
widen, so that a person turning that angle day. I was reading a book to-night to
of the wall is necessarily unseen by any while the time away, and the same things
others on the stairs who chance to be came into the print."
above him, if only a step. "Imagination," said the gentleman,
Noah looked hastily round when he soothing her.
reached this point, and as there seemed "No imagination," replied the girl in
no better place of concealment, and, the a hoarse voice. " I'll swear I saw cof-
tide being out, there was plenty of room, fin' written in every page of the book in
he slipped aside, with his back to the large black letters - ay, and they car-
pilaster, and there waited, pretty certain ried one close to me in the streets to-
that they would come no lower, and that night."
even if he could not hear what was said, "There is nothing unusual in that,"
he could follow them again with safety. said the gentleman. 66 They have passed
So tardily stole the time in this lonely me often."
GeorgeCrunshanke er
I.Yeag So
C The с Meet
ing.
P. 180.
178 OLIVER TWIST.
monstrous slice of bread. "Where's setting down his cup, and looking his em-
Charlotte ?" ployer eagerly in the face.
" Out," said Fagin, " I sent her out " Ifyou do it well, a pound, my dear-
this morning with the other young wo- one pound," said Fagin, wishing to inte
man, because I wanted us to be alone." rest him in the scent as much as possible.
"Oh !" said Noah, " I wish yer'd or- "And that's what I never gave yet for
dered her to make some buttered toast any job of work where there wasn't valu-
first. Well , talk away. Yer won't in- able consideration to be gained.”
terrupt me." "Who is she ?" inquired Noah.
There seemed indeed no great fear of " One of us."
anything interrupting him, as he had evi- " Oh Lor !" cried Noah, curling up his
dently sat down with a determination to nose. "Yer doubtful of her, are yer?"
do a great deal of business. " She has found out some new friends,
“ You did well yesterday my dear," my dear, and I must know who they are,'
said the Jew, " beautiful ! six shillings replied the Jew.
and ninepence-halfpenny on the very first "I see," said Noah, " just to have the
day ! The kinchin lay will be a fortune pleasure of knowing them, if they 're re-
to you." spectable people 99 - eh ? Ha ! ha ! ha !—
"Don't yer forget to add three pint-pots I'm66 Iyour man.
and a milk-can," said Mr. Bolter. knew you would be," cried Fagin,
" No, no, my dear," replied the Jew ; elated by the success of his proposal.
"the pint-pots were great strokes of ge- " Of course, of course," replied Noah.
nius, but the milk-can was a perfect mas- "Where is she ? Where am I to wait for
terpiece." her? When am I to go?
66 Pretty "All that, my dear, you shall hear from
well, I think, for a beginner,"
remarked Mr. Bolter complacently. " The me. I'll point her out at the proper
pots I took off airy railings, and the milk- time," said Fagin, " 99you keep ready, and
can was standing by itself outside a pub- leave the rest to me."
lic house, so I thought it might get rusty That night, and the next, and the next
with the rain, or take cold, yer know. again, the spy sat booted and equipped in
Ha ha ha !" his carter's dress, ready to turn out at a
The Jew affected to laugh very heartily, word from Fagin. Six nights passed-
and Mr. Bolter had his laugh out, took a six long weary nights-and on each Fa-
series of large bites, which finished his gin came home with a disappointed face,
first hunk of bread and butter, and assisted and briefly intimated that it was not yet
himself to a second. time. On the seventh he returned ear-
66
" I want you, Bolter," said Fagin lean- lier, and with an exultation he could not
ing over the table, “ to do a piece of work | conceal. It was Sunday.
for me, my dear, that needs great care "She goes abroad to-night," said Fa-
and caution." gin, " and on the right errand, I'm sure ;
"I say," rejoined Bolter, " don't yer for she has been alone all day, and the
go shoving me into danger, or sending me man she is afraid of will not be back
to any more police offices. That don't much before day-break. Come with me.
suit me, that don't, and so I tell yer." Quick."
"There's not the smallest danger in it Noah started up without saying a word,
-not the very smallest," said 99 the Jew. for the Jew was in a state of such intense
"It's only to dodge a woman.' excitement that it infected him . They
"An old woman ?" demanded Mr. Bol- left the house stealthily, and hurrying
ter. through a labyrinth of streets, arrived at
“ A young one,” replied Fagin. length before a public house, which Noah
"I can do that pretty well, I know," recognized as the same in which he had
said Bolter ; " I was a regular cunning slept on the night of his arrival in Lon-
sneak when I was at school. What am don.
99
I to dodge her for ?—not to———————” It was past eleven o'clock, and the door
"Not to do anything," interrupted the was closed. It opened softly on its hinges,
Jew, "but to tell me where she goes to, as the Jew gave a low whistle. They
who she sees, and, if possible, what she entered without noise, and the door closed
says: to remember the street, if it is a behind them.
street, or the house, if it's a house, and Scarcely venturing to whisper, but sub-
to bring me back all the information you stituting dumb-show for words, Fagin and
can." the young Jew who had admitted them
"What'll yer give me ?" asked Noah, pointed out the pane of glass to Noah, and
OLIVER TWIST . 179
signed to him to climb up and observe the commodated his pace to hers, stopping
the adjoining room. when she stopped, and as she moved,
66 Is in
person
that the woman ?" he asked, again creeping stealthily on ; but never
scarcely above his breath. allowing himself, in the ardour of his pur-
The Jew nodded ' yes. ' suit, to gain upon her footsteps. Thus
66
I can't see her face well," whispered they crossed the bridge from the Middle-
Noah. " She is looking down, and the sex to the Surrey shore, where the wo-
candle is behind her." man, apparently disappointed in her
66
Stay there," whispered Fagin. He anxious scrutiny of the foot-passengers,
signed to Barney, who withdrew. In an turned back. The movement was sudden,
instant the lad entered the room adjoin- but he who watched her was not thrown
ing, and under pretence of snuffing the off his guard by it ; for shrinking into
candle, moved it into the required posi- one of the recesses which surmount the
tion, and speaking to the girl, caused her piers of the bridge, and leaning over the
to raise her face. parapet the better to conceal his figure,
"I see her now," cried the spy. he suffered her to pass by on the opposite
66 Plainly ?" asked the Jew. pavement ; and when she was about the
"I should know her among a thousand. " same distance in advance as she had been
He hastily descended as the room-door before, he slipped quietly down and fol
opened, and the girl came out. Fagin lowed her again. At nearly the centre
drew him behind a small partition which of the bridge she stopped. The man
was curtained off, and they held their stopped too.
breath as she passed within a few feet of It was a very dark night. The day
their place of concealment, and emerged had been unfavourable, and at that hour
by the door at which they had entered. and place there were few people stirring.
66 Hist !" cried the lad who held the
Such as there were hurried quickly past,
door. " Noah." very possibly without seeing, but certain-
Noah exchanged a look with Fagin, ly without noticing, either the woman or
and darted out. the man who kept her in view. Their
" To the left," whispered the lad. appearance was not calculated to attract
" Take the left hand, and keep on the the importunate regards of such of Lon-
other side." don's destitute population as chanced to
He did so, and by the light ofthe lamps take their way over the bridge that night
saw the girl's retreating figure already in search of some cold arch or doorless
at some distance before him. He ad- hovel whereon to lay their head. They
vanced as near as he considered prudent, stood there in silence, neither speaking
and kept on the opposite side of the street, nor spoken to by any one who passed.
the better to observe her motions. She A mist hung over the river, deepening
looked nervously round twice or thrice, the glare of the fires that burnt upon the
and once stopped to let two men who small craft moored off the different wharfs,
were following close behind her pass on. and rendering darker and more indistinct
She seemed to gather courage as she ad- the murky buildings on the banks. The
vanced, and to walk with a steadier and old smoke-stained storehouses on either
firmer step. The spy preserved the same side rose heavy and dull from the dense
relative distance between them, and fol- mass of roofs and gables, and frowned
lowed with his eye upon her. sternly upon water too black to reflect
even their lumbering shapes. The tower
of old Saint Saviour's church, and the
spire of Saint Magnus, so long the giant
warders of the ancient bridge, were visi-
CHAPTER THE EIGHTH. ble in the gloom, but the forest of shipping
The appointment kept. below the bridge, and the thickly scat-
tered spires of churches above, were near-
THE church clocks chimed three quar- | ly all hidden from the sight.
ters past eleven, as two figures emerged The girl had taken a few restless turns
on London Bridge. One which advanced to and fro- closely watched, meanwhile,
with a swift and rapid step, was that of by her hidden observer-when the heavy
a woman, who looked eagerly about her bell of Saint Paul's tolled for the death of
as though in quest of some expected ob- another day. Midnight had come upon
ject ; the other figure was that of a man, the crowded city. The palace, the night-
who slunk along in the deepest shadow cellar, the jail, the mad-house, the cham-
he could find, and at some distance, ac- bers of birth and death, of health and
180 OLIVER TWIST .
sickness, the rigid face of the corpse, and place, and so eager was the spy to pene
the calm sleep of the child-midnight was trate the motives of an interview so dif-
upon them all. ferent from what he had been led to ex-
The hour had not struck two minutes, pect, that he more than once gave the
when a young lady, accompanied by a matter up for lost, and persuaded himself
grey-haired gentleman, alighted from a either they had stopped far above, or re-
hackney-carriage within a short distance sorted to some entirely different spot to
of the bridge, and, having dismissed the hold their mysterious conversation. He
vehicle, walked straight towards it. They was on the very point of emerging from
had scarcely set foot upon the pavement, his hiding-place, and regaining the road
when the girl started, and immediately above, when he heard the sound of foot-
made towards them. steps, and directly afterwards of voices
They walked onwards, looking about almost close to his ear.
them with the air of persons who enter- He drew himself straight upright
tained some very slight expectation which against the wall, and scarcely breathing,
had little chance of being realized, when listened attentively.
they were suddenly joined by this new " This is far enough," said a voice
associate. They halted with an exclama- which was evidently that of the gentle-
tion of surprise, but suppressed it imme- man. " I will not suffer the young lady
diately, for a man in the garments of a to go any further. Many people would
countryman came close up - brushed have distrusted you too much to have
against them indeed—at that precise mo- come even so far, but you see I am wil-
mente ling to humour you."
"Not here," said Nancy, hurriedly. " To humour me !" cried the voice of
" I am afraid to speak to you here. Come the girl whom he had followed. 66 You're
away-out of the public road- down the considerate, indeed, sir. 6 To humour me !'
steps yonder." Well, well, it's no matter."
As she uttered these words, and indi- 66 Why ; for what, " said the gentle-
cated with her hand the direction in which man, in a kinder tone, " for what purpose
she wished them to proceed, the country- can you have brought us to this strange
man looked round, and roughly asking place ? Why not have let me speak to
what they took up the whole pavement you above there, where it is light, and
for, passed on. there is something stirring instead of
The steps to which the girl had pointed bringing us to this dark and dismal
were those which, on the Surrey bank hole ?"
and on the same side of the bridge as " I told you before," replied Nancy,
Saint Saviour's church, form a landing- " that I was afraid to speak to you there.
stairs from the river. To this spot the I don't know why it is," said the girl
man, bearing the appearance of a country- shuddering, " but I have such a fear and
man, hastened unobserved ; and after a dread upon me to-night that I can hardly
moment's survey of the place, he began stand."
to descend. " A fear of what ?" asked the gentle-
These stairs are a part of the bridge ; man, who seemed to pity her.
they consist of three flights. Just below " I scarcely know of what," replied the
the end of the second going down, the girl. " I wish I did. Horrible thoughts
stone wall on the left terminates in an of death, and shrouds with blood upon
ornamental pilaster, facing towards the them, and a fear that has made me burn
Thames. At this point the lower steps as if I was on fire, have been upon me all
widen, so that a person turning that angle day. I was reading a book to-night to
of the wall is necessarily unseen by any while the time away, and the same things
others on the stairs who chance to be came
66 into the print.'
above him, if only a step. Imagination," said the gentleman,
Noah looked hastily round when he soothing her.
reached this point, and as there seemed “ No imagination," replied the girl in
no better place of concealment, and, the a hoarse voice. " I'll swear I saw ' cof-
tide being out, there was plenty of room, fin' written in every page of the book in
he slipped aside, with his back to the large black letters - ay, and they car
pilaster, and there waited, pretty certain ried one close to me in the streets to-
that they would come no lower, and that night. " 99
even if he could not hear what was said, "There is nothing unusual in that,"
he could follow them again with safety. said the gentleman. 66 They have passed
So tardily stole the time in this lonely me often."
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OLIVER TWIST. 181
" Real ones," rejoined the girl. " This "Good," said the gentleman : " now lis-
was not." ten to me."
There was something so uncommon in " I am ready," replied the girl, as he
her manner that the flesh of the concealed paused for a moment.
listener crept as he heard the girl utter "This young lady," the gentleman be
these words, and the blood chilled within gan, " has communicated to me and some
him. He had never experienced a greater other friends, who can be safely trusted,
relief than hearing the sweet voice of what you told her nearly a fortnight since.
the young lady, as she begged her to be I confess to you that I had doubts at first,
calm and not allow herself to become the whether you were to be implicitly relied
prey of such fearful fancies. upon, but now I firmly believe you are."
"Speak to her kindly," said the young " I am," said the girl earnestly.
lady to her companion. " Poor creature ! . " I repeat, that I firmly believe it. To
she seems to need it." prove to you that I am disposed to trust
" Your haughty religious people would you, I tell you without reserve, that we
have held their heads up to see me as I purpose to extort the secret, whatever it
am to-night, and preached of flames and may be, from the fears of this man Monks.
vengeance," cried the girl. " Oh dear But if-if-" said the gentleman, “ he
lady, why ain't those who claim to be cannot be secured, or, if secured, he can-
God's own folks as gentle and as kind to not be acted upon as we wish, you must
us poor wretches as you, who, having deliver up the Jew."
youth and beauty and all that they have "Fagin !" cried the girl, recoiling.
lost, might be a little proud instead of so "That man must be delivered up by
much humbler ?" you," said the gentleman.
"Ah !" said the gentleman. " A Turk "I will not do it-I will never do it"-
turns his face, after washing it well, to replied the girl. "Devil that he is, and
the East when he says his prayers ; these worse than devil as he has been to me, I
good people, after giving their faces such will never do that."
a rub with the world as takes the smiles "You will not ?" said the gentleman,
off, turn with no less regularity to the who seemed fully prepared for this answer.
darkest side of heaven. Between the 66
Never," returned the girl.
Mussulman and the Pharisee, commend "Tell me why."
me to the former." "For one reason," rejoined the girl
These words appeared to be addressed firmly,-" for one reason that the lady
to the younger lady, and were perhaps knows and will stand by me in-I know
uttered with the view of affording Nancy she will, for I have her promise ; and for
time to recover herself. The gentleman this other reason besides, that bad life as
shortly afterwards addressed himself to he has led, I have led a bad life too : there
her. are many of us who have kept the same
"You were not here last Sunday night," courses together, and I'll not turn upon
he said. them, who might, any of them, have
"I couldn't come," replied Nancy, " I turned upon me, but didn't, bad as they
was kept by force." are."
66 By whom ?" " Then," said the gentleman quickly,
" Bill him that I told the young as if this had been the point he had been
lady of before." aiming to attain, " put Monks into my
You were not suspected of holding hands, and leave me to deal with him."
any communication with anybody on the "What ifhe turns against the others ?"
subject which has brought us here to- "I promise you in that case, if the truth
night, I hope ?" asked the old gentleman is forced from him, there the matter will
anxiously. rest. There must be circumstances in
1 "No," replied the girl shaking her Oliver's little history which it would be
head. "It's not very easy for me to painful to drag before the public eye, and
leave him unless he knows why ; I if the truth is once elicited, they will go
could n't have seen the lady when I did, Scot free."
but that I gave him a drink of laudanum "And if it is not ?" suggested the girl.
· before I came away." "Then," pursued the gentleman, " this
" Did he awake before you returned ?" Jew shall not be brought to justice with-
rejoined the gentleman. out your consent. In such a case I could
66
No, and neither he nor any of them show you reasons, I think, which would
suspect me." induce you to yield it."
16
182 OLIVER TWIST.
"Have I the lady's promise for that ?" | neckerchief when he turns his face, there
asked the girl eagerly. is-
"You have," replied Rose, " my true " A broad red mark, like a burn or
and faithful pledge . " scald," cried the gentleman.
" Monks would never learn how you "How's this ?" said the girl ; " you
knew what you do ?" said the girl, after know him. ”
a short pause. The young lady uttered a cry of ex-
66
Never," replied the gentleman. " The treme surprise, and for a few moments
intelligence should be so brought to bear they were so still that the listener could
upon him that he could never even guess." distinctly hear them breathe.
" I have been a liar and among liars " I think I do," said the gentleman,
from a little child," said the girl, after breaking silence. " I should, by your de
another interval of silence, " but I will scription ; we shall see. Many people
take your words." are singularly like each other though—it
After receiving an assurance from both, may not be the same."
that she might safely do so, she proceed- As he expressed himself to this effect,
ed in a voice so low that it was often diffi- with assumed carelessness, he took a step
cult for the listener to discover even the or two nearer Noah, as he could tell from
purport of what she said, to describe by the distinctness with which he heard him
name and situation the public house utter-" It must be he !"
whence she had been followed that night. " Now," he said, returning - so it
From the manner in which she occasion- seemed by the sound- to the spot where
ally paused, it appeared as if the gentle- he had stood before, " you have given us
man were making some hasty notes of the most valuable assistance, young woman,
information she communicated. When and I wish you to be the better for it.
do to serve you ?"
she had thoroughly explained the locali- What 66 can I
ties of the place, the best position from Nothing," replied Nancy.
which to watch it without exciting obser- "You will not persist in saying that,"
vation, and the night and hour on which rejoined the gentleman with a voice and
Monks was most in the habit of frequent- emphasis of kindness that might have
ing it, she seemed to consider a few mo- touched a much harder and more obdurate
ments for the purpose of recalling his fea- heart. "Think now ; tell me."
tures and appearance more forcibly to her "Nothing, sir," rejoined the girl, weep-
recollection. ing. " You can do nothing to help me. I
"He is tall," said the girl, " and a am past all hope, indeed."
strongly made man, but not stout ; he has "You put yourself beyond its pale,"
a lurking walk, and, as he walks, con- said the gentleman ; "the past has been
stantly looks over his shoulder, first on a dreary waste with you of youthful ener-
one side and then on the other. Don't gies misspent, and such priceless trea-
forget that, for his eyes are sunk in his sures lavished as the Creator bestows but
head so much deeper than any other once, and never grants again ; but for the
man's, that you might almost tell him by future you may hope. I do not say that
this alone. His face is dark like his hair it is in our power to offer you peace of
and eyes ; but, although he can't be more heart and mind, for that must come as you
than six or eight and twenty, withered seek it, but a quiet asylum either in Eng-
and haggard. His lips are often disco- land, or, if you fear to remain here, in
loured and disfigured with the marks of some foreign country, it is not only within
teeth, for he has desperate fits, and some- the compass of our ability, but our most
times even bites his hands, and covers anxious wish to secure to you. Before
them with wounds-why did you start ?" the dawn of morning, before this river
said the girl, stopping suddenly. wakes to the fresh glimpse of daylight,
The gentleman replied in a hurried you shall be placed as entirely beyond the
manner, that he was not conscious of hav- reach of your former associates, and leave
ing done so, and begged her to proceed. as utter an absence of all traces behind
"Part of this," said the girl, " I've you, as if you were to disappear from the
drawn out from other people at the house earth this moment. Come. I would not
I tell you of, for I have only seen him have you go back to exchange one word
twice, and both times he was covered up with any old companion , or take one look
in a large cloak. Ithink that's all I can at any old haunt, or breathe the very air
give you to know him by. Stay though," which is pestilence and death to you.
she added, " upon his throat, so high that Quit them all while there is time and
you can see a part of it below his opportunity."
OLIVER TWIST. 183
"She will be persuaded now," cried the apprehension of some discovery which
the young lady ; " she hesitates, I am would subject her to ill-usage and vio-
sure. lence, seemed to determine the gentleman
" I fear not, my dear," said the gentle- to leave her as she requested. The sound
man. of retreating footsteps were audible, and
" No, sir, I do not," replied the girl the voices ceased.
after a short struggle. " I am chained to The two figures of the young lady and
my old life, and loathe and hate it now, her companion soon afterwards appeared
but I cannot leave it ; I must have gone upon the bridge. They stopped at the
too far to turn back,-and yet I don't summit of the stairs.
know, for if you had spoken to me so " Hark !" cried the young lady, listen-
sometime ago, I should have laughed it ing. "Did she call ? I thought I heard
off. But"-she said, looking hastily round her voice."
"this fear comes over me again. I "No, my love," replied Mr. Brownlow,
must go home." looking sadly back. " She has not moved,
"Home " replied the young lady, with and will not till we are gone."
great stress upon the word. Rose Maylie lingered, but the old gen-
“ Home, lady,” rejoined the girl. " To tleman drew her arm through his and led
such a home as I have raised for myself, her with gentle force away. As they
with the work of my whole life. Let us disappeared, the girl sunk down nearly
part. I shall be watched, or seen. Go ; at her full length upon one of the stone
go. If I have done you any service, all stairs, and vented the anguish of her heart
I ask is that you leave me, and let me go in bitter tears.
my way alone. " After a time she rose, and with feeble
" It is useless," said the gentleman, and tottering steps ascended to the street.
with a sigh. "We compromise her safety, The astonished listener remained motion-
perhaps, by staying here. We may have less on his post for some minutes after-
detained her longer than she expected, wards, and having ascertained with many
already." cautious glances round him that he was
66 again alone, crept slowly from his hiding-
Yes, yes," urged the girl, " you
have." place and returned, stealthily and in the
"What," cried the young lady, " can shade of the walk, in the same manner
be the end of this poor creature's life !" as he had descended.
"What !" repeated the girl. " Look Peeping out more than once when he
before you, lady. Look at that dark reached the top to make sure that he was
water. How many times do you read of unobserved, the spy darted away at his
such as me who spring into the tide, and utmost speed, and made for the Jew's
1 leave no living thing to care for or bewail house as fast as his legs would carry him.
them. It may be years hence, or it may
be only months ; but I shall come to that
at last."
" Do not speak thus, pray," returned CHAPTER THE NINTH.
the young lady, sobbing. Fatal Consequences.
" It will never reach your ears, dear
lady, and God forbid such horrors should,” Ir was nearly two hours before day-
replied the girl. " Good night, good break-that time, which in the autumn
night." of the year, may be truly called the dead
The gentleman turned away. of night, when the streets are silent and
" This purse," cried the young lady, deserted, when even sound appears to
" take it for my sake, that you may have slumber, and profligacy and riot have
some resource in an hour of need and staggered home to dream- it was at this
trouble." still and silent hour that the Jew sat
"No, no,” replied the girl, " I have not watching in his old lair with face so dis-
done this for money. Let me have that torted and pale, and eyes so red and
to think of. And yet-give me something bloodshot, that he looked less like a man
that you have worn : I should like to have than like some hideous phantom , moist.
something - no, no, not a ring, your from the grave, and worried by an evil
gloves, or handkerchief-anything that I spirit.
can keep as having belonged to you, He sat crouching over a cold hearth
sweet lady. There, bless you, God bless wrapped in an old torn coverlet, with his
you. Good night, good night, good night. " face turned towards a wasting candle that
The violent agitation of the girl, and stood upon a table by his side. His righ
184 OLIVER TWIST .
hand was raised to his lips, and as, ab- The Jew raised his right hand, and
sorbed in thought, he bit his long black shook his trembling forefinger in the air ;
nails, he disclosed among his toothless but his passion was so great that the
gums a few such fangs as should have power of speech was for the moment
been a dog's or rat's. gone.
Stretched upon a mattress on the floor "Damme !" said Sikes, feeling in his
lay Noah Claypole, fast asleep. Towards breast, with a look of alarm. " He's
him the old man sometimes directed his gone66 mad. I must look to myself here."
eyes for an instant, then brought them No, no," rejoined Fagin, finding his
back again to the candle, which, with voice. " It's not-you're not the person,
long burnt wick drooping almost double, Bill. I've no-no fault to find with you.'
and hot grease falling down in clots upon "Oh! you haven't, haven't you," said
the table, plainly showed that his thoughts Sikes, looking sternly at him, and osten-
were busy elsewhere. tatiously passing a pistol into a more con-
Indeed they were. Mortification at venient pocket. " That's lucky-for one
the overthrow of his notable scheme, ha- of us. Which one that is don't matter."
tred of the girl who had dared to palter "I've got that to tell you, Bill," said
with strangers, an utter distrust of the the Jew, drawing his chair nearer, " will
99
sincerity of her refusal to yield him up, make you worse than me.
bitter disappointment at the loss of his " Ay ?" returned the robber, with an
revenge on Sikes, the fear of detection incredulous air. " Tell away. Look
and ruin and death, and a fierce and sharp, or Nance will think I'm lost."
deadly rage kindled by all-these were " Lost !" cried Fagin. "She has pret-
the passionate considerations, that follow- ty well settled that in her own mind al-
ing upon each other with rapid and cease- ready."
less whirl, shot through the brain of Fa- Sikes looked with an aspect of great
gin, as every evil thought and blackest perplexity into the Jew's face, and read-
purpose lay working at his heart. ing no satisfactory explanation of the
He sat without changing his attitude riddle there, clenched his coat-collar in
in the least, or appearing to take the his huge hand and shook him soundly.
smallest heed of time, until his quick ear 66 66
Speak, will you," he said ; or if
seemed to be attracted by a footstep in you don't, it shall be for want of breath.
the street. Open your mouth, and say wot you've
" At last," muttered the Jew, wiping got to say in plain words. Out with it,
his dry and fevered mouth. " At last." you thundering old cur, out with it. "
66
The bell rang gently as he spoke. He Suppose that lad that's lying there—”
crept up stairs to the door, and presently Fagin began.
returned accompanied by a man muffled Sikes turned round to where Noah was
to the chin, who carried a bundle under sleeping, as if he had not previously ob-
one arm. Sitting down and throwing served him. “ Well," he said, resuming
back his outer coat, the man displayed his former position.
the burly frame of Sikes. " Suppose that lad," pursued the Jew,
"There," he said, laying the bundle "was to beach- blow upon us all-first
on the table. "Take care of that, and seeking out the right folks for the pur-
do the most you can with it. It's been pose, and then having a meeting with 'em
trouble enough to get it ; I thought I in the street to paint our likenesses, de-
should have been here three hours ago." scribe every mark that they might know
Fagin laid his hand upon the bundle, us by, and the crib where we might be
and locking it in the cupboard, sat down most easily taken. Suppose he was to
again without speaking. But he did not do all this, and besides, to blow upon a
take his eyes off the robber for an instant plant we've all been in, more or less-
during this action, and now that they of his own fancy ; not grabbed, trapped,
sat over against each other face to face, tried, ear-wigged by the parson, and
he looked fixedly at him, with his lips brought to it on bread and water, but of
quivering so violently, and his face so his own fancy, to please his own taste,
altered by the emotions which had mas- stealing out at nights to find those most
tered him, that the house-breaker invo- interested against us, and peaching to
luntarily drew back his chair and surveyed them. Do you hear me ?" cried the Jew,
him with a look of real affright. his eyes flashing with rage. "Suppose
"Wot now ?" cried Sikes. " Wot do he did all this; what then?"
you look at a man so for ? Speak, will "What then !" replied Sikes, with a
vou?' tremendous oath. "Ifhe were left alive
OLIVER TWIST . 185
till I came, I'd grind his skull under the " A gentleman and a lady, that she
iron heel of my boot into as many grains had gone to of her own accord before,
as there are hairs upon his head." who asked her to give up all her pals,
" What if I did it !" cried the Jew, and Monks first, which she did-and to
almost in a yell. " I, that know so much, describe him, which she did-to tell her
and could hang so many besides your- what house it was we meet at and go to,
self!" which she did- and where it would be
" I don't know," replied Sikes, clench- best watched from , which she did-and
ing his teeth, and turning white at the what time the people went there, which
mere suggestion. " I'd do something in she did. She did all this ; she told it
the jail that'd get me put in irons, and if all, every word, without a threat, without
I was tried along with you, I'd fall upon a murmur-she did. Didn't she ?" cried
you with them in the open court, and beat the Jew, half mad with fury.
your brains out afore the people. I should "All right," replied Noah, scratching
have such strength,” muttered the robber, his head. " That's just what it was. "
poising his brawny arm, " that I could "What did they say about last Sun-
smash your head as if a loaded wagon day ?" demanded the Jew.
had gone over it.' "About last Sunday !" replied Noah,
" You would?" considering; " why I told you that be-
" Would I !" said the housebreaker. fore."
46 Try me." 66
" Again- tell it again,” cried Fagin,
" If it was
99 Charley, or the Dodger, or tightening his grasp on Sikes, and bran-
Bet, or- dishing his other hand aloft, as the foam
" I don't care who,” replied Sikes, im- flew
66 from his lips.
patiently. "Whoever it was, I'd serve They asked her," said Noah, who, as
them the same." he grew more wakeful, seemed to have
Fagin again looked hard at the robber, a dawning perception who Sikes was,-
and motioning him to be silent, stooped "they asked her why she didn't come last
over the bed upon the floor, and shook the Sunday, as she promised ? She said
sleeper to rouse him. Sikes leant for- ' she couldn't." "
66
ward in his chair, looking on with his Why, why ?" interrupted the Jew
hands upon his knees, as if wondering triumphantly. " Tell him that."
much what all this questioning and pre- " Because she was forcibly kept at
paration was to end in. home by Bill, the man she had told them
66 Bolter, Bolter. Poor lad !" said Fa- of before," replied Noah.
gin , looking up with an expression of "What more of him ?" cried the Jew.
devilish anticipation, and speaking slow- "What more of the man she had told
ly, and with marked emphasis. " He's them of before ? Tell him that, tell him
tired-tired with watching for her so long that. "
-watching for her, Bill." "Why, that she couldn't very easily
"Wot d'ye mean ?" asked Sikes, draw- get out of doors unless he knew where
ing back. she was going to," said Noah ; " and so
The Jew made no answer, but bending the first time she went to see the lady,
over the sleeper again, hauled him into a she-ha ! ha ! ha !.---- it made me laugh
sitting position. When his assumed when she said it-that it did- she gave
name had been repeated several times, him a drink of laudanum !"
Noah rubbed his eyes, and giving a heavy " Hell's fire !" cried Sikes, breaking
yawn, looked sleepily about him. fiercely from the Jew. " Let me go !"
" Tell me that again - once again ; Flinging the old man from him, he rush-
just for him to hear," said the Jew, ed from the room, and darted wildly and
pointing to Sikes as he spoke. furiously up the stairs.
66 Bill, Bill !" cried the Jew, following
" Tell yer what ?" asked the sleepy
Noah, shaking himself pettishly. him hastily. " A word-only a word."
" That about NANCY," said the Jew, The word would not have been ex-
clutching Sikes by the wrist, as if to pre- changed, but that the housebreaker was
vent his leaving the house before he had unable to open the door, on which he was
heard enough. "You followed her ?" expending fruitless oaths and violence
" Yes." when the Jew came panting up.
“ To London Bridge ?" " Let me out," said Sikes. " Don't
" Yes." speak to me--it's not safe. Let me out,
"Where she met two people ?" I say !""
" So she did." " Hear me speak a word," rejoined the
16 * Y
186 OLIVER TWIST .
Jew, laying his hand upon the lock. with the strength of mortal fear, “ 1—I
"You won't be- 99 -won't scream or cry-not once-hear
"Well," replied the other. me-speak to me-tell me what I have
"You won't be-too-violent, Bill ?" done."
whined the Jew. "You know, you she-devil," returned
The day was breaking, and there was the robber, suppressing his breath. “ You
light enough for the men to see each were watched to-night ; and every word
other's faces. They exchanged one brief you said was heard."
glance ; there was a fire in the eyes of "Then spare my life, for the love of
both which could not be mistaken. Heaven, as I spared yours," rejoined the
66 girl, clinging to him. 66 Bill, dear Bill,
I mean," said Fagin, showing that he
felt all disguise was now useless-" not you cannot have the heart to kill me.
too violent for safety. Be crafty, Bill, and Oh ! think of all I have given up this one
not too bold." night for you. You shall have time to
Sikes made no reply ; but, pulling open think and save yourself this crime ; I
the door of which the Jew had turned will not loose my hold, you cannot throw
the lock, dashed into the silent streets. me off. Bill, Bill, for dear God's sake,
Without one pause or moment's consi- for your own, for mine, stop before you
deration, without once turning his head spill my blood. I have been true to you,
to the right or left, or raising his eyes to upon my guilty soul I have."
the sky, or lowering them to the ground, The man struggled violently to release
but looking straight before him with his arms, but those of the girl were
savage resolution, his teeth so tightly clasped round his, and tear her as he
compressed, that the strained jaw seem- would, he could not tear them away.
66 Bill,"
ed starting through his skin, the robber cried the girl, striving to lay
held on his headlong course, nor muttered her head upon his breast, " the gentleman
a word, nor relaxed a muscle, until he and that dear lady told me to- night of a
reached his own door. He opened it home in some foreign country, where I
softly with a key, strode lightly up the could end my days in solitude and peace.
stairs, and entering his own room, double- Let me see them again, and beg them on
locked the door, and lifting a heavy table my knees to show the same mercy and
against it, drew back the curtain of the goodness to you, and let us both leave
bed. this dreadful place, and, far apart, lead
The girl was lying half-dressed upon better lives, and forget how we have lived,
it. He had roused her from her sleep, except in prayers, and never see each
for she raised herself with a hurried and other more. It is never too late to re-
startled look. pent. They told me so ; I feel it now ;
" Get up," said the man. but we must have time-a little, little
"It is you, Bill !" cried the girl, time !"
with an expression of pleasure at his re- The housebreaker freed one arm , and
turn. grasped his pistol. The certainty of im-
" It is," was the reply. " Get up." mediate detection if he fired, flashed
There was a candle burning, but the across his mind, even in the midst of his
man hastily drew it from the candlestick fury, and he beat it twice, with all the
and hurled it under the grate. Seeing force he could summon, uponthe upturned
the faint light of early day without, the face that almost touched his own.
girl rose to undraw the curtain. She staggered and fell, nearly blinded
" Let it be," said Sikes, thrusting his with the blood that rained down from a
hand before her. " There's light enough deep gash in her forehead, but raising her-
for what I've got to do." self with difficulty on her knees, drew
" Bill," said the girl, in the low voice from her bosom a white handkerchief-
of alarm. " Why do you look like that Rose Maylie's own-and holding it up in
at me ?" her folded hands as high towards heaven
The robber sat regarding her for a few as her feeble strength would let her,
seconds with dilated nostrils and heaving breathed one prayer for mercy to her
breast, and then grasping her by the head Maker.
and throat, dragged her into the middle It was a ghastly figure to look upon.
of the room, and looking once towards the The murderer, staggering backward to
door, placed his heavy hand upon her the wall, and shutting out the sight with
inouth. his hand, seized a heavy club and struck
66
Bill, Bill," gasped the girl, wrestling her down.
OLIVER TWIST . 187
CHAPTER THE TENTH. tain still drawn which she would have
The flight of Sikes. opened to admit the light she never saw
again. It lay nearly under there. He
Or all bad deeds that, under cover of knew that. God ! how the sun poured
the darkness, had been committed within down upon the very spot !
wide London's bounds since night hung The glance was instantaneous. It was
over it, that was the worst. Of all the a relief to have got free of the room.
horrors that rose with an ill scent upon He whistled on the dog, and walked ra-
the morning air, that was the foulest and pidly away.
most cruel. He went through Islington, strode up
The sun-the bright sun, that brings the hill at Highgate, on which stands the
back not light alone, but new life and stone in honour of Whittington ; turned
hope and freshness to man,-burst upon down to Highgate Hill, unsteady of pur-
the crowded city in clear and radiant glo- pose, and uncertain where to go ; struck
ry. Through costly coloured glass and off to the right again almost as soon as
paper-mended window, through cathedral he began to descend it, and taking the
dome and rotten crevice, it shed its equal footpath across the fields, skirted Carn
ray. It lighted up the room where the Wood, and came out on Hampstead
murdered woman lay. It did. He tried Heath. Traversing the hollow by the
to shut it out, but it would stream in. If Vale of Health, he mounted the opposite
the sight had been a ghastly one in the bank, and crossing the road which joins
dull morning, what was it now in all that the villages of Hampstead and Highgate,
brilliant light ? made along the remaining portion of the
He had not moved : he had been afraid Heath to the Fields at North End, in one
to stir. There had been a moan and mo- of which he laid himself down under a
tion of the hand ; and, with terror added hedge and slept.
to hate, he had struck and struck again. Soon he was up again and away,—not
Once he threw a rug over it—but it was far into the country, but back towards
worse to fancy the eyes and imagine them London by the High Road—then back
moving towards him, than to see them again-then over another part ofthe same
glaring upwards, as if watching the re- ground as he had already traversed-then
flection of the pool of gore, that quivered wandering up and down in fields, and
and danced in the sunlight on the ceiling. lying on ditches' banks to rest, and start-
He had plucked it off again. And there ing up to make for some other spot and
was the body- mere flesh and blood, no do the same, and ramble on again.
more- but such flesh and such blood ! Where could he go to, that was near,
He struck a light, kindled a fire, and and not too public, to get some meat and
thrust the club into it. There was hu- drink ? Hendon. That was a good
man hair upon the end which blazed, and place, not far off, and out of most people's
shrunk into a light cinder, and, caught by way. Thither he directed his steps-
the air, whirled up the chimney. Even running sometimes, and sometimes with
that frightened him, sturdy as he was, but a strange perversity loitering at a snail's
he held the weapon till it broke, and then pace, or stopping altogether, and idly
piled it on the coals to burn away and breaking the hedges with his stick. But
smoulder into ashes. He washed him- when he got there, all the people he met
self and rubbed his clothes ; there were -the very children at the doors- seemed
spots that would not be removed, but he to view him with suspicion. Back he
cut the pieces out and burnt them. How turned again, without the courage to pur-
those stains were dispersed about the chase a bit or drop, though he had tasted
room ! The very feet of the dog were no food for many hours ; and once more
bloody. he lingered on the heath uncertain where
All this time he had never once turned to go.
his back upon the corpse ; no, not for a He wandered over miles and miles of
moment. Such preparations completed, ground, and still came back to the old
he moved backwards towards the door, place ; morning and noon had passed , and
dragging the dog with him, lest he should the day was on the wane, and still he
carry out new evidences of the crime rambled to and fro, and up and down, and
into the streets. He shut it softly, locked round and round, and still lingered about
it, took the key, and left the house. the same spot. At last he got away, and
He crossed over, and glanced up at the shaped his course to Hatfield.
window, to be sure that nothing was visi- It was nine o'clock at night when the
ble from the outside. There was the cur- man quite tired out, and the dog limping
188 OLIVER TWIST.
and lame from the unaccustomed exercise, need to bolt one little square and he has
turned down the hill by the church of the put it beyond question-for it's quite as
quiet village, and plodding along the little satisfactory as a pistol-bullet, and a great
street, crept into a small public-house, deal nastier in the flavour, consequently
whose scanty light had guarded them to the more credit in taking it. One penny
the spot. There was a fire in the tap- a square. With all these virtues, one
room, and some country labourers were penny a square."
drinking before it. They made room for There were two buyers directly, and
the stranger, but he sat down in the far- more of the listeners plainly hesitated.
thest corner, and eat and drank alone, or The vender observing this, increased in
rather with his dog, to whom he cast a loquacity.
morsel of food from time to time. " It's all bought up as fast as it can be
The conversation of the men assembled made," said the fellow. " There are four-
here turned upon the neighbouring land teen water-mills, six steam-engines, and
and farmers, and when these topics were a galvanic battery, always working upon
exhausted, upon the age of some old man it, and they can't make it fast enough,
who had been buried on the previous Sun- though the men work so hard that they
day ; the young men present considering die off, and the widows is pensioned
him very old, and the old men present directly with twenty pounds a year for
declaring him to have been quite young- each of the children, and a premium of
not older, one white-haired grandfather fifty for twins. One penny a square, two
said, than he was, with ten or fifteen half-pence are all the same, and four far-
years of life in him at least-if he had things is received with joy. One penny
taken care ; if he had taken care. a square. Wine-stains, fruit-stains, beer-
There was nothing to attract attention stains, water-stains, paint-stains, pitch-
or excite alarm in this. The robber, stains, mud-stains, blood-stains- here is a
after paying his reckoning, sat silent and stain upon the hat of a gentleman in com-
unnoticed in his corner, and had almost pany that I'll take clean out before he
dropped asleep, when he was half waken- can order me a pint of ale."
ed by the noisy entrance of a new-comer. " Ha !" cried Sikes, starting up, “ give
This was an antic fellow, half pedlar that back !"
and half mountebank, who travelled about "I'll take it clean out, sir," replied the
the country on foot to vend hones, strops, man, winking to the company, " before
razors, washballs, harness-paste, medi- you can come across the room to get it.
cines for dogs and horses, cheap per- Gentlemen, all, observe the dark stain
fumery, cosmetics, and such-like wares, upon this gentleman's hat, no wider than
which he carried in a case slung to his a shilling, but thicker than a half- crown.
back. His entrance was the signal for Whether it is a wine-stain, fruit-stain,
various homely jokes with the country- beer-stain, water-stain, paint-stain, pitch-
men, which slackened not until he had stain, mud-stain, or blood-stain-
made his supper and opened his box of The man got no further, for Sikes, with
treasures, when he ingeniously contrived a hideous imprecation, overthrew the
to unite business with amusement. table, and, tearing the hat from him, burst
" And what be that stoof-good to eat, out of the house.
Harry ?" asked a grinning countryman , With the same perversity of feeling
pointing to some composition cakes in one and irresolution that had fastened upon
corner. him despite himself, all day, the murderer
"This"-said the fellow, producing finding that he was not followed, and that
one, " this is the infallible and invaluable they most probably considered him some
composition for removing all sorts of drunken sullen fellow, turned back up the
stain, rust, dirt, mildew, spick, speck, town, and getting out of the glare of the
spot, or spatter, from silk, satin, linen lamps of a stage-coach that was standing
cambric, cloth, crape, stuff, carpet, me- in the street, was walking past, when he
rino, muslin, bombazeen, or woollen stuff. recognised the mail from London, and saw
Wine-stains, fruit-stains, beer-stains, wa- that it was standing at the little post-
ter-stains, paint-stains, pitch-stains, any office. He almost knew what was to
stains all comes out at one rub with the come, but he crossed over and listened.
infallible and invaluable composition. If The guard was standing at the door
a lady stains her honour, she has only waiting for the letter-bag. A man dressed
need to swallow one cake, and she's like a game-keeper came up at the mo-
cured at once- for it's poison. If a gen- ment, and he handed him a basket which
tleman wants to prove his, he has only lay ready on the pavement.
OLIVER TWIST. 189
" That's for your people," said the with the mere machinery of life, and
guard. 66 Now look alive in there, will borne upon one slow melancholy wind
you ? Damn that ' ere bag, it warn't that never rose or fell.
ready night afore last ; this won't do, you At times he turned with desperate de-
know." termination, resolved to beat this phantom
66
Any thing new up in town, Ben ?" off, though it should look him dead ; but
asked the game-keeper, drawing back to his hair rose from his head, and his blood
the window-shutters, the better to admire stood still ; for it had turned with him,
the horses. and was behind him then. He had kept
66
'No, nothing that I know on," replied it before him that morning, but it was
the man, pulling on his gloves. "Corn's behind him now-always. He leant his
up a little. I heerd talk of a murder, too, back against a bank, and felt that it stood
down Spitalfields way, but I don't reckon above him, visibly out against the cold
much upon it." night's sky. He threw himself upon the
66
Ah, that's quite true," said a gentle- road-on his back upon the road. At his
man inside, who was looking out of the head it stood, silent, erect, and still - a
window ; " and a very dreadful murder it living grave-stone, with its epitaph in
was." blood.
"Was it, sir ?" rejoined the guard, Let no man talk of murderers escaping
touching his hat. " Man or woman, pray justice, and hint that Providence must
sir ?" sleep. There were twenty score of vio-
"A woman," replied
99 the gentleman, lent deaths in one long minute of that
it is supposed- agony of fear.
" Now, Ben," cried the coachman, im- There was a shed in a field he passed
patiently. that offered shelter for the night. Before
" Damn that ' ere bag," said the guard. the door were three tall poplar trees,
gone to sleep in there ?" which made it very dark within, and the
66 you
"Are
Coming," cried the office-keeper, run- wind moaned through them with a dismal
ning out. wail. He could not walk on till daylight
66 came again, and here he stretched him-
Coming !" growled the guard. " Ah !
and so's the young ' ooman of property self close to the wall to undergo new
that's going to take a fancy to me ; but I torture. "
don't know when. Here, give hold. All For now a vision came before him , as
ri-ight." constant and more terrible than that from
The horn sounded a few cheerful notes, which he had escaped. Those widely-
and the coach was gone. staring eyes, so lustreless and so glassy,
Sikes remained standing in the street, that he had better borne to see than think
apparently unmoved by what he had just upon, appeared in the midst of the dark-
heard, and agitated by no stronger feeling ness ; light in themselves, but giving
than a doubt where to go. At length he light to nothing. There were but two,
went back again, and took the road which but they were everywhere. If he shut
leads from Hatfield to Saint Alban's. out the sight, then came the room with
He went on doggedly, but as he left every well-known object, --- some indeed
the town behind him, and plunged further that he would have forgotten if he had
and further into the solitude and darkness gone over its contents from memory-
of the road, he felt a dread and awe creep- each in its accustomed place. The body
ing upon him which shook him to the was in its place, and its eyes were as he
core. Every object before him, substance saw them when he stole away. He got
or shadow, still or moving, took the sem- up and rushed into the field without. The
blance of some fearful thing ; but these figure was behind him. He re-entered
fears were nothing, compared to the sense the shed, and shrunk down once more.
that haunted him of that morning's ghastly The eyes were there before he had lain
figure following at his heels. He could himself along.
trace its shadow in the gloom, supply the And here he remained in such terror
smallest item ofthe outline, and note how as none but he can know, trembling in
stiff and solemn it seemed to stalk along. every limb, and the cold sweat starting
He could hear its garments rustling in from every pore, when suddenly there
the leaves, and every breath of wind came arose upon the night wind the noise of
laden with that last low cry. If he stop- distant shouting, and the roar of voices
ped, it did the same ; if he ran, it follow- mingled in alarm and wonder. Any
ed -not running too, that would have sound of men in that lonely place, even
been a relief, but like a corpse endowed though it conveyed a real cause of alarm,
190 OLIVER TWIST .
was something to him. He regained his turned with tenfold force the dreadful
strength and energy at the prospect of consciousness of his crime. He looked
personal danger, and springing to his feet, suspiciously about him, for the men were
rushed into the open air. conversing in groups, and he feared to be
The broad sky seemed on fire. Rising the subject of their talk. The dog obeyed
into the air with showers of sparks, and the significant beck of his finger, and they
rolling one above the other, were sheets drew off stealthily together. He passed
of flame, lighting the atmosphere for near an engine where some men were
miles round, and driving clouds of smoke seated, and they called to him to share in
in the direction where he stood. their refreshment. He took some bread
The shouts grew louder as new voices and meat, and as he drank a draught of
swelled the roar, and he could hear the beer, heard the firemen, who were from
cry of fire- mingled with the ringing of London, talking about the murder. " He
an alarm-bell, the fall of heavy bodies, has gone
66 to Birmingham, they say," said
and the crackling of flames as they turn one, but they'll have him yet ; for the
ed round some new obstacle, and shot scouts are out, and by to-morrow night
aloft as though refreshed by food. The there'll be a cry all through the coun
noise increased as he looked. There try."
were people there- men and women He hurried off, and walked till he al-
light, and bustle. It was like new life to most dropped upon the ground ; then lay
him. He darted onward-straight, head- down in a lane, and had a long, but
long, dashing through brier and brake, broken and uneasy sleep. He wandered
and leaping gate and fence, as madly as on again, unresolved and undecided, and
the dog who careered with loud and oppressed with the fear of another soli-
sounding bark before him. tary night.
He came upon the spot ; there were Suddenly he took the desperate resolu-
half-dressed figures, tearing to and fro, tion of going back to London .
some endeavouring to drag the frightened " There's somebody to speak to there,
horses from the stables, others driving the at all events," he thought. " A good
cattle from the yard and out-houses, and hiding place, too. They'll never expect
others coming laden from the burning to nab me there, after this country scent.
pile, amidst a shower of falling sparks, Why can't I lay by for a week or so, and
and the tumbling down of hot beams. forcing blunt from Fagin, get abroad to
The apertures where doors and windows France ? Damme, I'll risk it."
stood an hour ago, disclosed a chaos of He acted upon this impulse without
raging fire ; walls rocked and crumbled delay ; and choosing the least frequented
into the burning well ; the molten lead roads, began his journey back, resolved
and iron poured down upon the ground : to lie concealed within a short distance
women and children shrieked, and men of the metropolis, and entering it at dusk,
encouraged each other with noisy shouts by a circuitous route, to proceed straight
and cheers. The clanking of the engine- to that part of it which he had fixed on
pumps, and the spouting and hissing of for his destination.
the water as it fell upon the blazing The dog, though-if any descriptions
wood, added to the tremendous roar. He ofhim were out, it would not be forgotten
shouted too till he was hoarse, and, flying that the dog was missing, and had proba
from memory and himself, plunged into bly gone with him. This might lead to
the thickest of the throng. his apprehension as he passed along the
Hither and thither he dived that night, streets. He resolved to drown him, and
now working at the pumps, and now hur- walked on, looking about for a pond ;
rying through the smoke and flame, but picking up a heavy stone, and tying it to
never ceasing to engage himself wherever his handkerchief as he went.
noise and men were thickest. Up and The animal looked up into his master's
down the ladders, upon the roofs of build- face while these preparations were mak-
ings, over floors that quaked and trembled ing, and, whether his instinct apprehend-
with his weight, under the lee of falling ed something of their purpose, or the
bricks and stones - in every part of that robber's sidelong glance at him was
great fire was he-but he bore a charmed sterner than ordinary, skulked a little
life, and had neither scratch nor bruise, further in the rear than usual, and cow-
nor weariness nor thought, till morning ered as he came more slowly along.
dawned again, and only smoke and black- When Iris master halted at the brink of
ened ruins remained. a pool, and looked round to call him, he
This mad excitement over, ther re- stopped outright.
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OLIVER TWIST. 191
"Do you hear me call ? Come here," | charge of fraud and robbery. I am reso-
cried Sikes, whistling. lute and immoveable. If you are deter
The animal came up from the very mined to be the same, your blood be upon
force of habit ; but as Sikes stooped to at- your own head."
tach the handkerchief to his throat, he 66
By what authority am I kidnapped in
uttered a low growl, and started back. the street and brought here by these
" Come back," said the robber, stamp- dogs ?" asked Monks, looking from one to
ing on the ground. The dog wagged his the other of the men, who stood beside
tail, but moved not. Sikes made a run- him.
ning noose, and called him again. "By mine," replied Mr. Brownlow.
The dog advanced, retreated, paused " These persons are indemnified by me.
an instant, turned, and scoured away at If you complain of being deprived of your
his hardest speed. liberty, you had power and opportunity to
The man whistled again and again, retrieve it as you came along, but you
and sat down and waited in the expecta- deemed it advisable to remain quiet. I
tion that he would return . But no dog say again, throw yourself for protection
appeared, and he resumed his journey. upon the law. I will appeal to the law
too ; but when you have gone too far to
recede, do not sue to me for leniency,
when the power will have passed into
CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH. other hands, and do not say I plunged you
down the gulf into which you rushed
Monks aud Mr. Brownlow at length meet. Their
yourself. "
conversation, and the intelligence that inter-
rupts it. Monks was plainly disconcerted, and
alarmed besides. He hesitated.
THE twilight was beginning to close in " You will decide quickly," said Mr.
when Mr. Brownlow alighted from a Brownlow, with perfect firmness and com-
hackney coach at his own door, and posure. 66 If you wish me to prefer my
knocked softly. The door being opened, charges publicly, and consign you to a
a sturdy man got out of the coach, and punishment, the extent of which, although
stationed himself on one side of the steps, I can, with a shudder, foresee, I cannot
while another man, who had been seated control, once more, I say, you know the
on the box, dismounted too, and stood way. If not, and you appeal to my for-
upon the other side. At a sign from Mr. bearance, and the mercy of those you
Brownlow, they helped out a third man, have deeply injured, seat yourself with-
and taking him between them, hurried out a word in that chair. It has waited
him into the house. This man was for you two whole days.'99
Monks. Monks muttered some unintelligible
They walked in the same manner up words, but wavered still.
66 You will be prompt," said Mr. Brown-
the stairs without speaking, and Mr.
Brownlow preceding them, led the way low. "A word from me, and the alter-
into a back room. At the door of this native is gone for ever."
apartment, Monks, who had ascended Still the man hesitated.
with evident reluctance, stopped . The " I have not the inclination to parley
two men looked to the old gentleman as further," said Mr. Brownlow, " and as I
if for instructions. advocate the dearest interests of others, I
" He knows the alternative," said Mr. have not the right."
Brownlow. " If he hesitates, or moves a "Is there " demanded Monks with a
finger but as you bid him, drag him into faltering tongue, "is there—no middle
the street, call for the aid of the police,99 course ?"
and impeach him as a felon in my name." "None ; emphatically none."
"How dare you say this of me ?"-ask- Monks looked at the old gentleman
ed Monks. with an anxious eye, but reading in his
"How dare you urge me to it, young countenance nothing but severity and de-
man ?" -replied Mr. Brownlow, confront- termination, walked into the room, and
ing him with a steady look. " Are you shrugging his shoulders, sat down.
mad enough to leave this house ? Un- " Lock the door on the outside," said
hand him. There, sir. 'You are free to go, Mr. Brownlow to the attendants, " and
and we to follow. But I warn you by all come when I ring."
I hold most solemn and most sacred, that The men obeyed, and the two were
the instant you set foot in the street, that left alone together.
instant I will have you apprehended on a "This is pretty treatment, sir," said
192 OLIVER TWIST .
Monks, throwing down his hat and cloak, "I don't care for hard names," inter-
"from my father's oldest friend. " rupted Monks, with a jeering laugh.
"It was because I was your father's "You know the fact, and that's enough
oldest friend, young man," returned Mr. for me."
Brownlow. " It is because the hopes and "But I also know," pursued the old
wishes of young and happy years were gentleman, " the misery, the slow torture,
bound up with him and that fair creature the protracted anguish of that ill-assorted
of his blood and kindred, who rejoined her union : I know how listlessly and wearily
God in youth and left me here a solitary each of that wretched pair dragged on
lonely man- it is because he knelt with their heavy chain through a world that
me beside his only sister's death-bed, was poisoned to them both. I know how
when he was yet a boy, on the morning cold formalities were succeeded by open
that would but Heaven willed it other- taunts ; how indifference gave place to
wise- have made her my young wife- dislike, dislike to hate, and hate to loath-
it is because my seared heart clung to ing, until at last they wrenched the
him from that time forth, through all his clanking bond asunder, and retiring a
trials and errors, till he died— it is be- wide space apart, carried each a galling
cause old recollections and associations fragment of which nothing but death
fill my heart, and even the sight of you could break the rivets, to hide it in new
brings with it old thoughts of him—it is society, beneath the gayest looks they
all these things that move me to treat you could assume. Your mother succeeded ;
gently now. -Yes, Edward Leeford, even she forgot it soon - but it rusted and
now-and blush for your unworthiness, cankered
99 at your father's heart for
who bear the name." years.
"What has the name to do with it ?" "Well, they were separated," said
asked the other after contemplating, half Monks, " and what of that ?"
in silence and half in dogged wonder, the "When they had been separated for
agitation of his companion . " What is some time," returned Mr. Brownlow,
the name to me ?" "and your mother, wholly given up to
66
Nothing," replied Mr. Brownlow, continental frivolities, had utterly forgot
"nothing to you. But it was her's, and ten the young husband, ten good years
even at this distance of time, brings back her junior, who with prospects blighted
to me, an old man, the glow and thrill lingered on at home, he fell among new
which I once felt, only to hear it repeated friends ; this circumstance you know al
by a stranger. I am very glad you have ready. "
changed it- very-very.' "Not I," said Monks, turning away his
" This is all mighty fine," said Monks eyes, and beating his foot upon the ground,
(to retain his assumed designation) after as a man who is determined to deny
a long silence, during which he had jerked everything, “ Not I."
himself, in sullen defiance, to and fro, and " Your manner no less than your ac-
Mr. Brownlow had sat shading his face tions assures me that you have never for-
with his hand. "But what do you want gotten it, or cease to think of it with bit-
with me ?" terness," returned Mr. Brownlow. " 1
"You have a brother," said Mr. Brown- speak of fifteen years ago, when you were
low rousing himself, " a brother, the whis- not more than eleven years old, and your
per of whose name in your ear, when I father but one-and-thirty-for he was, I
came behind you in the street, was in repeat, a boy when his father ordered him
itself almost enough to make you accom- to marry. Must I go back to events that
pany me hither in wonder and alarm." cast a shade upon the memory of your
"I have no brother," replied Monks. parent, or will you spare it and disclose
"You know I was an only child. Why to me the truth ?"
do you talk to me of brothers ? You know 66 I have nothing to disclose," rejoined
that as well as I." Monks, in evident confusion. " You must
"Attend to what I do know and you talk on, if you will."
may not," said Mr. Brownlow. " I shall "These new friends, then," said Mr.
interest you bye and bye. I know that Brownlow, "were a naval officer retired
of the wretched marriage, into which fa- from active service, whose wife had died
mily pride and the most sordid and nar- some half year before, and left him with
rowest of all ambition forced your un- two children-there had been more, but
happy father, when a mere boy, you of all their family happily but two sur-
were the sole and most unnatural issue," vived. They were both daughters ; one
returned Mr. Brownlow. a beautiful creature of nineteen, and the
OLIVER TWIST . 193
other a mere child of two or three years but savouring more of disagreeable sur-
old." prise.
"What's that to me ?" asked Monks. "He came to me, and left with me
" They resided," said Mr. Brownlow, among other things a picture-a portrait
without seeming to hear the interruption, painted by himself-a likeness of this
"in a part of the country to which your poor girl-which he did not wish to leave
father, in his wanderings, had repaired, behind, and could not carry forward in his
and where he had taken up his abode. hasty journey. He was worn by anxiety
Acquaintance, intimacy, friendship, fast and remorse almost to a shadow, talked
followed each other. Your father was in a wild and distracted strain of ruin and
gifted as few men are—he had his sister's dishonour worked by him, confided to me
soul and person. As the old officer knew his intention to convert his whole property
him more and more, he grew to love him. at any loss into money, and having settled
I would that it had ended there. His on his wife and you a portion of his recent
daughter did the same." acquisition, to fly the country-I guessed
The old gentleman paused. Monks too well he would not fly alone-and ne-
was biting his lips, with his eyes fixed on ver see it more. Even from me, his old
the floor ; seeing this he immediately re- and early friend, whose strong attachment
sumed- had taken root in the earth that covered
"The end of a year found him con- one most dear to both, even from me he
tracted, solemnly contracted, to that withheld any more particular confession,
daughter, the object of the first, true, ar- promising to write and tell me all, and
dent, only passion, of a guileless, untried after that to see me-once again for the
girl." last time on earth. Alas ! that was the
"Your tale is of the longest," observed last time. I had no letter, and I never
Monks, moving restlessly in his chair. saw him more."
"It is a true tale ofgrief, and trial, and 66 I went," said Mr. Brownlow, after a
sorrow, young man ," returned Mr. Brown- short pause, " I went, when all was over,
low, " and such tales usually are. If it to the scene of his-I will not use the
were one of unmixed joy and happiness, it term the world would use, for harshness
would be very brief. At length one of or favour are now alike to him - of his
those rich relations, to strengthen whose guilty love ; resolved , if my fears were
interest and importance your father had realized, that erring child should find one
been sacrificed-as others are often, it is heart and home open to shelter and com-
no uncommon case-died, and to repair passionate her. The family had left that
the misery he had been instrumental in part a week before ; they had called in
occasioning, left his panacea for all griefs such trifling debts as were outstanding,
-money. It was necessarythat he should discharged them, and left the place by
immediately repair to Rome, whither this night. Why or whither, none could tell."
man had sped for health, and where he Monks drew his breath yet more freely,
had died, leaving his affairs in great con- and looked round with a smile of triumph.
fusion. He went, was seized with mortal "Whenyour brother," said Mr. Brown-
illness there, was followed the moment low, drawing nearer to the other's chair,
the intelligence reached Paris by your "when your brother-a feeble, ragged,
mother, who carried you with her ; he neglected child-was cast in my way by
died the day after her arrival, leaving no a stronger hand than chance, and rescued
will- no will-so that the whole property by me from a life of vice and infamy-"
fell to her and you." "What!" cried Monks, starting.
At this point of the recital, Monks " By me," said Mr. Brownlow-" I told
held his breath and listened with a face you I should interest you before long. I
of intense eagerness, though his eyes say by me-I see that your cunning asso-
were not directed towards the speaker. ciate suppressed my name, although, for
As Mr. Brownlow paused he changed his aught he knew, it would be quite strange
position, with the air of one who has ex- to your ears. When he was rescued by
perienced a sudden relief, and wiped his me then, and lay recovering from sick-
hot face and hands. ness in my house, his strong resemblance
"Before he went abroad, as he passed to the picture I have spoken of struck me
through London on his way," said Mr. with astonishment. Even when I first
Brownlow, slowly, and fixing his eyes 99 saw him, in all his dirt and misery, there
upon the other's face, " he came to me.' was a lingering expression in his face that
"I never heard of that," interposed came upon me like a glimpse of some old
Monks, in a tone to appear incredulous, friend flashing on one in a vivid dream .
17 Ꮓ
194 OLIVER TWIST.
I will not tell you that he was snared29 own words to your accomplice the Jew,
away before I knew his history- 'the only proofs of the boy's identity lie
66
Why not ?" asked Monks, hastily. at the bottom of the river,' and the old hag
"Because you know it well." that received them from the mother is
" I !" rotting in her coffin. Unworthy son, cow-
" Denial to me is vain," replied Mr. ard, liar - you, who hold your councils
Brownlow. " I shall show you that I with thieves and murderers in dark rooms
know more than that." at night-you, whose plots and wiles have
" You - you - can't prove anything hurled a violent death upon the head of
against me," stammered Monks. " I defy one worth millions such as you-you, who
you to do it." from your cradle were gall and bitterness
"We shall see," returned the old gen- to your own father's heart, and in whom
tleman, with a searching glance. " I lost all evil passions vie, and profligacy fes-
the boy, and no efforts of mine could re- tered, till they found a vent in a hideous
cover him. Your mother being dead, I disease which has made your face an in-
knew that you alone could solve the mys- dex even to your mind- you, Edward
tery, if anybody could, and as when I had Leeford, do you brave me still !"
last heard of you, you were on your own " No, no, no," returned the coward,
estate in the West Indies- whither, as overwhelmed by these accumulated
you well know, you retired upon your charges. 66
mother's death, to escape the conse- Every word," cried the old gentle-
quences of vicious courses here,-I made man, 66 every word that has passed be-
the voyage. You had left it months between you and this detested villain, is
1 fore, and were supposed to be in London, known to me. Shadows on the wall
but no one could tell where. I returned. have caught your whispers, and brought
Your agents had no clue to your resi- them to my ear ; the sight of the perse-
dence. You came and went, they said, cuted child has turned vice itself, and
as strangely as you had ever done ; some- given it the courage, and almost the attri-
times for days together, and sometimes butes of virtue. Murder has been done,
not for months, keeping, to all appear- to which you were morally, if not really
ance, the same low haunts, and mingling a party.
66 No, "no," interposed Monks. " I-I
with the same infamous herd who had
been your associates when a fierce ungo--know nothing of that. I was going to
vernable boy. I wearied them with new inquire the truth of the story when you
applications ; I paced the streets by night overtook me. I didn't know the cause ;
and day ; but, until two hours ago, all my I thought it was a common quarrel."
efforts were fruitless, and I never saw "It was the partial disclosure of your
you for an instant." secrets," replied Mr. Brownlow. "Will
"And now you do see me," said Monks, you disclose the whole ?"
rising boldly, "what then ? Fraud and "Yes, I will."
robbery are high-sounding words ; justi- "Set your hand to a statement of truth
fied, you think, by a fancied resemblance and facts, and repeat it before witness-
in some young imp to an idle daub of a es ?"
dead man's. Brother ! you don't even "That I promise, too."
know that a child was born of this maud- “ Remain quietly here until such a
lin pair ; you don't even know that." document is drawn up, and proceed with
"I did not," replied Mr. Brownlow, me to such a place as I may deem most
rising too; " but within this last fortnight advisable, for the purpose of attesting
I have learnt it all. You have a brother ; it ?"
you know it and him. There was a will, "If you insist upon that, I'll do that,
which your mother destroyed, leaving the also," replied Monks.
secret and the gain to you at her own " You must do more than that," said
death. It contained a reference to some Mr. Brownlow. "Make restitution to an
child likely to be the result of this sad innocent and unoffending child, for such
connexion, which child was born, and he is, although the offspring of a guilty
accidentally encountered by you, when and most miserable love. You have not
your suspicions were first awakened by forgotten the provisions of the will. Car-
his resemblance to his father. You re- ry them into execution so far as your
paired to the place of his birth. There brother is concerned, and then go where
existed proofs- proofs long suppressed you please. In this world, you need meet
of his birth and parentage. Those proofs no more."
were destroyed by you, and now, in your While Monks was pacing up and down,
OLIVER TWIST . 195
meditating with dark and evil looks on of firmness than either you or I can quite
this proposal, and the possibilities of evad- foresee just now. But my blood boils to
ing it-torn by his fears on the one hand, avenge this poor murdered creature-
and his hatred on the other-the door which way have they taken ?"
was hurriedly unlocked, and a gentleman " Drive straight to the office, and you
-Mr. Losberne-entered the room in will be in time," replied Mr. Losberne.
violent agitation . "I will remain here."
"The man will be taken," he cried. The two gentlemen hastily separated ;
"He will be taken to-night." each in a fever of excitement wholly un-
"The murderer ?" asked Mr. Brown- controllable.
low.
"Yes, yes," replied the other. " His
dog has been seen lurking about some
old haunt, and there seems little doubt CHAPTER THE TWELFTH.
that his master either is, or will be there
The pursuit and escape.
under cover of the darkness. Spies are
hovering about in every direction. I have NEAR to that part of the Thames on
spoken to the men who are charged with which the church of Rotherhithe abuts,
his capture, and they tell me he can where the buildings on the banks are dir-
never escape. A reward of a hundred tiest, and the vessels on the river black-
pounds is proclaimed by government to- est with the dust of colliers, and the
night." smoke of close-built, low-roofed houses,
" I will give fifty more," said Mr. there exists at the present day, the fil-
Brownlow, "and proclaim it with my own thiest, the strangest, the most extraordi-
lips upon the spot, if I can reach it. nary of the many localities that are hid-
Where is Mr. Maylie ?" den in London, wholly unknown by name
66 Harry ?" to the great mass of its inhabitants.
" As soon as he had seen your friend To reach this place, the visiter has to
here safe in a coach with you, he turned penetrate through a maze of close, nar-
off to where he heard this ;" replied the row, and muddy streets, thronged by the
66
doctor ; " and mounting his horse, sallied roughest and poorest of water-side people,
forth to join the first party at some place and devoted to the traffic they may be
in the outskirts agreed upon between supposed to occasion. The cheapest and
them." least delicate provisions are heaped in the
" The Jew," said Mr. Brownlow. shops, the coarsest and commonest arti-
" What of him ?" cles of wearing apparel dangle at the
"When I last heard, he had not been salesman's door, and stream from the
taken ; but he will be, or is by this time. house parapet and windows. Jostling
They're sure of him . " with unemployed labourers of the lowest
"Have you made up your mind ?" class, ballast-heavers, coal-whippers, bra-
asked Mr. Brownlow, in a low voice, of zen women, ragged children, and the
Monks. very raff and refuse of the river, he
66 Yes," he replied. 66
You-you-will makes his way with difficulty along, as-
be secret with me ?" sailed by offensive sights and smells from
"I will. Remain here till I return ; it the narrow alleys which branch off on
is your only hope of safety." the right and left, and deafened by the
They left the room, and the door was clash of ponderous wagons that bear great
again locked. piles of merchandise from the stacks of
"What have you done ?" asked the warehouses that rise from every corner.
doctor, in a whisper. Arriving at length in streets remoter and
"All that I could hope to do, and even less-frequented than those through which
more. Coupling the poor girl's intelli- he had passed, he walks beneath totter-
gence with my previous knowledge, and ing house-fronts projecting over the pave-
the result of our good friend's inquiries ment, dismantled walls that seem to
on the spot, I left him no loophole of totter as he passes, chimneys half crush-
escape, and laid bare the villany, which, ed , half hesitating to fall, windows guard-
by these lights, became plain as day. ed by rusty iron bars, that time and dust
Write, and appoint the evening after to- have almost eaten away, and every ima
morrow, at seven, for the meeting. We ginable sign of desolation and neglect.
shall be down there a few hours before, In such a neighbourhood, beyond Dock-
but shall require rest, and especially the head, in the Borough of Southwark,
young lady, who may have greater need stands Jacob's Island, surrounded by a
196 OLIVER TWIST .
muddy ditch six or eight feet deep, and years, whose nose had been almost beaten
fifteen or twenty wide, when the tide is in in some old scuffle, and whose face bore
in, once called Mill Pond, but known in a frightful scar, which might probably be
these days as Folly Ditch. It is a creek traced back to the same occasion. This
or inlet from the Thames, and can always man was a returned transport, and his
be filled up at high water by opening the name was Kags.
sluices at the head mills from which it " I wish," said Toby, turning to Mr.
took its old name. At such times, a Chitling, " that you had picked out some
stranger, looking from one of the wooden other crib when the two old ones got too
bridges thrown across it at Mill Lane, warm, and not come here, my fine feller."
will see the inhabitants of the houses on "Why didn't you, blunder-head ?" said
either side lowering from their back doors Kags.
and windows, buckets, jars, domestic " Well, I thought you'd have been a
utensils of all kinds, in which to haul the little more glad to see me than this," re-
water up ; and when his eye is turned plied Mr. Chitling with a melancholy
from these operations to the houses them- air.
selves, his utmost astonishment will be 66 Why lookee, young gentleman," said
excited by the scene before him. Crazy Toby, " when a man keeps himself so
wooden galleries, common to the backs very ex-clusive, as I have done, and by
of half-a-dozen houses, with holes from that means has a snug house over his
which to look upon the sluice beneath ; head, with nobody prying and smelling
windows broken and patched, with poles about it, it's rather a startling thing to
thrust out on which to dry linen that is have the honour of a wisit from a young
never there ; rooms so small, so filthy, so gentleman (however respectable and plea-
confined, that the air would seem too sant a person he may be to play cards
tainted evenfor the dirt and squalor which with at conveniency) circumstanced as
they shelter ; wooden chambers thrusting you are."
themselves out above the mud, and threat- 66
Especially when the exclusive young
ening to fall into it-as some have done ; man has got a friend stopping with him,
dirt-besmeared walls and decaying foun- that's arrived sooner than was expected,
dations ; every repulsive lineament of from foreign parts, and too modest to
poverty, every loathsome indication of want to be presented to the Judges on his
filth, rot, and garbage- all these orna- return," added Mr. Kags.
ment the banks of Folly Ditch. There was a short silence, after which
In Jacob's Island the warehouses are Toby Crackit, seeming to abandon as
roofless and empty, the walls are crum- hopeless, any further effort to maintain
bling down, the windows are windows no his usual devil-may-care swagger, turned
more, the doors are falling into the street, to Chitling and said-
the chimneys are blackened, but they "When was Fagin took, then ?"
yield no smoke. Thirty or forty years "Just at dinner time-two o'clock this
ago, before losses and chancery suits afternoon," was the reply. " Charley and
came upon it, it was a thriving place ; I made our lucky up the washer's chim-
but now it is a desolate island indeed. ney, and Bolter got into the empty water-
The houses have no owners ; they are butt, head downwards, but his legs were
broken open and entered upon by those so precious long that they stuck out at
who have the courage, and there they the top, and so they took him too."
live and there they die. They must have "And Bet ?"
powerful motives for a secret residence, " Poor Bet ! she went to see the body
or be reduced to a destitute condition in- to speak to who it was," replied Chitling,
deed, who seek a refuge in Jacob's Island. his countenance falling more and more,
In an upper room of one of the houses " and went off mad, screaming and raving
-a detached house of a fair size-ruin- and beating her head against the boards,
ous in other respects, but strongly defend- so they put a strait weskut on her and
ed at door and window, of which the back took her to the hospital-and there she
commanded the ditch, in manner already is."
described, there were assembled three "Wot's come of young Bates ?" de-
men, who, regarding each other every manded Kags.
now then with looks expressive of per- " He hung about, not to come over here
plexity and expectation, sat for some time afore dark, but he'll be here soon," re-
in profound and gloomy silence. One of plied Chitling. " There's no where else
these was Toby Crackit, another Mr. to go to now, for the people at the Crip-
Chitling, and the third a robber of fifty ples are all in custody, and the bar of the
OLIVER TWIST . 197
ken-I went up there and saw it with kens, of course, and finding them filled
my own eyes- is filled with traps." with strangers, come on here, where he's
" This is a smash," observed Toby, bit- been many a time, and often. But where
ing his lips. "There's more than one can he have come from first, and how
will go with this." comes he here alone, without the other ?"
" The Sessions are on," said Kags ; " if “ He, (none of them called the mur-
they get the inquest over ; if Bolter turns derer by his old name,) he can't have
King's evidence, as of course he will made away with himself; what do you
from what he's said already ; they can think ?" said Chitling.
prove Fagin an accessary before the fact, Toby shook his head.
and get the trial on on Friday ; he'll swing “ If he had,” said Kags, “ the dog ' ud
in six days from this, by G- !" want to lead us away to where he did it.
"You should have heard the people No. I think he's got out of the country,
groan," said Chitling ; " the officers fought and left the dog behind. He must have
like devils, or they'd have torn him away. given him the slip somehow, or he wouldn't
He was down once, but they made a ring be so easy."
round him, and fought their way along. This solution appearing the most pro-
You should have seen how he looked bable one, was adopted as the right, and
about him, all muddy and bleeding, and the dog creeping under a chair, coiled
clung to them as if they was his dearest himself up to sleep, without further notice
friends. I can see ' em now, not able to from anybody.
stand upright with the pressing of the It being now dark, the shutter was
mob, and dragging him along amongst closed, and a candle lighted and placed
them ; I can see the people jumping up, upon the table. The terrible events of
one behind another, and snarling with the two days had made a deep impression
their teeth, and making at him like wild upon all three, increased by the danger
beasts ; I can see the blood upon his hair and uncertainty of their own position.
and beard, and hear the dreadful cries, They drew their chairs close together,
with which the women worked themselves starting at every sound. They spoke
into the centre of the crowd, at the street little, and that in whispers, and were as
corner, and swore they'd tear his heart silent and awe-stricken as if the remains
out !" The horror-stricken witness of of the murdered woman lay in the next
this scene pressed his hands upon his ears, room .
and with his eyes fast closed, got up and They had sat thus some time, when
paced violently to and fro like one dis- suddenly was heard a hurried knock at
tracted. the door below.
Whilst he was thus engaged, and the "Young Bates," said Kags, looking
two men sat in silence with their eyes angrily round to check the fear he felt
fixed upon the floor, a pattering noise was himself.
heard upon the stairs, and Sikes's dog The knocking came again. " No, it
bounded into the room. They ran to the wasn't he -- he never knocked like
window, down stairs, and into the street. that."
The dog had jumped in at an open win- Crackit went to the window, and, shak-
dow ; he made no attempt to follow them, ing all over, drew in his head.
nor was his master to be seen. There was no need to tell them who it
"What's the meaning of this !" said was ; his pale face was enough. The
Toby, when they had returned. "He dog, too, was on the alert in an instant,
can't be coming here. I - I - hope and ran whining to the door.
not." "We must let him in,” he said, taking
"If he was coming here, he'd have up the candle.
66 Isn't there any
come with the dog," said Kags, stooping help for it ?" asked
down to examine the animal, who lay the other man in a hoarse voice.
panting on the floor. "Here ; give us "None. He must come in."
some water for him, he has run himself "Don't leave us in the dark," said
faint." Kags, taking down a candle from the
" He's drunk it all up, every drop," chimney-piece, and lighting it with such
said Kags, after watching the dog some a trembling hand that the knocking was
time in silence, " covered with mud- twice repeated before he had finished.
lame-half blind-he must have come a Crackit went down to the door, and
long way." returned followed by a man with the
"Where can he have come from !" ex- lower part of his face buried in a hand-
claimed Toby. " He's been to the other kerchief, and another tied over his head
17*
198 OLIVER TWIST.
under his hat. He drew them slowly off " Let me go into some other room,"
-blanched face, sunken eyes, hollow said the boy, retreating still further.
cheeks, beard of three days' growth, 66
Why, Charley," said Sikes, stepping
wasted flesh, short thick breath-it was forward, " Don't you - don't you know
the very ghost of Sikes. me ?"
He laid his hand upon a chair which "Don't come nearer me," answered
stood in the middle of the room, but shud- the boy, still retreating, and looking with
dering as he was about to drop into it, horror in his eyes upon the murderer's
and seeming to glance over his shoulder, face. "You monster !"
dragged it back close to the wall-as The man stepped half-way, and they
close as it would go-ground it against looked at each other, but Sikes's eye sunk
it-and sat down. gradually to the ground.
Not a word had been exchanged. He "Witness you three," cried the boy,
looked from one to another in silence. shaking his clenched fist, and becoming
If an eye was furtively raised and met more and more excited as he spoke.
his, it was instantly averted. When his "Witness you three-I'm not afraid of
hollow voice broke silence, they all three him-if they come here after him, I'll
started. They had never heard its tones give him up ; I will. I tell you out at
before. once ; he may kill me for it, if he likes,
"How came that dog here ?" he asked. or if he dares, but if I'm here I'll give
"Alone. Three hours ago." him up. I'd give him up if he was to be
"To-night's paper says that Fagin's boiled alive. Murder ! Help ! If there's
taken. Is it true, or a lie ?" the pluck of a man among you three,
66 Quite true." you'll help me. Murder ! Help ! Down
They were silent again. with him."
" Damn you all," said Sikes, passing Pouring out these cries, and accompa-
his hand across his forehead. "Have you nying them with violent gesticulations,
nothing to say to me ?" the boy actually threw himself single-
There was an uneasy movement among handed upon the strong man, and in the
them, but nobody spoke. intensity of his energy, and the sudden-
66
You, that keep this house," said ness of the surprise, brought him heavily
Sikes, turning his face to Crackit ; "do to the ground.
you mean to sell me, or to let me be here The three spectators seemed quite
till this hunt is over ?" transfixed and stupefied. They offered
"You must stop here, if you think it no interference, and the boy and man
safe," returned the person addressed, after rolled on the ground together, the former,
some hesitation. heedless of the blows that showered upon
Sikes carried his eyes slowly up the him, wrenching his hand tighter and
wall behind him, rather trying to turn tighter in the garments about the mur-
his head than actually doing it, and said, derer's breast, and never ceasing to call
"Is it-the body-is it buried ?" for help with all his might.
They shook their heads. The contest, however, was too unequal
66 Why isn't it ?" said the man, in the to last long. Sikes had him down, and
same glance behind him. "Wot do they his knee was on his throat, when Crackit
keep such ugly things as that above the pulled him back with a look of alarm,
ground for ?-who's that knocking ?" and pointed to the window. There were
Crackit intimated by a motion of his lights gleaming below, voices in loud and
hand, as he left the room, that there was earnest conversation, the tramp of hurried
nothing to fear, and directly came back footsteps- endless they seemed in num-
with Charley Bates behind him. Sikes ber-crossing the nearest wooden bridge.
sat opposite the door, so that the moment One man on horseback seemed to be
the boy entered the room he encountered among the crowd, for there was the noise
his figure. of hoofs rattling on the uneven pavement ;
"Toby," said the boy, falling back as the gleam of light increased, the foot-
Sikes turned his eyes towards him, " why steps came more thickly and noisily on.
didn't you tell me this down stairs ?" Then came a loud knocking at the door,
There had been something so tremen- and then a hoarse murmur from such a
dous in the shrinking off of the three, that multitude of angry voices as would have
the wretched man was willing to propiti- made the boldest quail.
ate even this lad. Accordingly he nod- " Help !" shrieked the boy, in a voice
ded, and made as though he would shake that rent the air. " He's here ; he's
hands with him. here. Break down the door !"
OLIVER TWIST . 199
"In the King's name," cried voices staggered back into the room and shut
without ; and the hoarse cry rose again, the faces out. "The tide was in as I
but louder. came up. Give me a rope, a long rope.
"Break down the door," screamed the They ' re all in front. I may drop into the
boy. " I tell you they'll never open it. Folly Ditch, and clear off that way. Give
Run straight to the room where the light me a rope, or I shall do three more mur-
is. Break down the door." ders and kill myself at last."
Strokes, thick and heavy, rattled upon The panic-stricken men pointed to
the door and lower window-shutters as he where such articles were kept ; the mur-
ceased to speak, and a loud huzza burst derer, hastily selecting the longest and
from the crowd-giving the listener, for strongest cord, hurried up to the house-
the first time, some adequate idea of its top.
immense extent. All the windows in the rear of the
66
Open the door of some place where 99 house had been long ago bricked up ex-
I can lock this screeching hell-babe,' cept one small trap in the room where
cried Sikes fiercely, running to and fro, the boy was locked, and that was too
and dragging the boy, now, as easily as small even for the passage of his body.
if he were an empty sack. "That door. But from this aperture he had never ceased
Quick." He flung him in, bolted it and to call on those without to guard the back,
turned the key. "Is the down-stairs door and thus, when the murderer emerged at
fast ?" last on the house-top, by the door in the
" Double-locked and chained," replied roof, a loud shout proclaimed the fact to
Crackit, who, with the other two men, those in front, who immediately began to
still remained quite helpless and bewil- pour round, pressing upon each other in
dered. one unbroken stream .
"The panels, are they strong ?" He planted a board, which he had car-
" Lined with sheet-iron." ried up with him for the purpose, so firmly
" And the windows too ?"" against the door that it must be matter of
66 Yes, and the windows." great difficulty to open it from the inside,
" Damn you," cried the desperate ruf- and creeping over the tiles, looked over
fian, throwing up the sash and menacing the low parapet.
the crowd, " do your worst ; I'll cheat The water was out, and the ditch a bed
you yet!" of mud.
Of all the terrific yells that ever fell The crowd had been hushed during
on mortal ears, none could exceed the cry these few moments, watching his motions
of that infuriated throng-some shouted and doubtful of his purpose, but the in-
to those who were nearest to set the stant they perceived it and knew it was
house on fire ; others roared to the offi- defeated, they raised a cry of triumphant
cers to shoot him dead. Among them all, execration, to which all their previous
none showed such fury as the man on shoutings had been whispers. Again and
horseback, who, throwing himself out of again it rose ; those who were at too great
the saddle and bursting through the crowd a distance to know its meaning, took up
as if he were parting water, cried beneath the sound ; it echoed and re-echoed ; it
the window in a voice that rose above all seemed as though the whole city had
others, " Twenty guineas to the man who poured its population out to curse him.
brings a ladder." On pressed the people from the front
The nearest voices took up the cry, and -on, on, on, in one strong struggling
a hundred echoed it. Some called for current of angry faces, with here and
ladders, some for sledgehammers ; some there glaring torch to light them up
ran with torches to and fro as if to seek and show them out in all their wrath and
them, and still came back and roared passion. The houses on the opposite side,
again ; some spent their breath in impo- ofthe ditch had been entered by the mob ;
tent curses and execrations ; some pressed sashes were thrown up or torn bodily out ;
forward with the ecstasy of madmen, and there were tiers and tiers of faces in
thus impeded the progress of those below ; every window, and cluster upon cluster
some among the boldest attempted to of people clinging to every house-top.
climb up by the water-spout and crevices Each little bridge (and there were three
in the wall ; and all waved to and fro in in sight) bent beneath the weight of the
the darkness beneath, like a field of corn crowd upon it, and still the current pour-
moved by an angry wind, and joined from ed on to find some nook or hole from
time to time in one loud, furious roar. which to vent their shouts, and only for
"The tide !" cried the murderer, as he an instant see the wretch.
196 OLIVER TWIST .
muddy ditch six or eight feet deep, and years, whose nose had been almost beaten
fifteen or twenty wide, when the tide is in in some old scuffle, and whose face bore
in, once called Mill Pond, but known in a frightful scar, which might probably be
these days as Folly Ditch. It is a creek traced back to the same occasion. This
or inlet from the Thames, and can always man was a returned transport, and his
be filled up at high water by opening the name was Kags.
sluices at the head mills from which it " I wish," said Toby, turning to Mr.
took its old name. At such times, a Chitling, "that you had picked out some
stranger, looking from one of the wooden other crib when the two old ones got too
bridges thrown across it at Mill Lane, warm, and not come here, my fine feller."
will see the inhabitants of the houses on "Why didn't you, blunder-head ?" said
either side lowering from their back doors Kags.
66 Well, I thought you'd have been
and windows, buckets, jars, domestic a
utensils of all kinds, in which to haul the little more glad to see me than this," re-
water up ; and when his eye is turned plied Mr. Chitling with a melancholy
from these operations to the houses them- air.
selves, his utmost astonishment will be "Why lookee, young gentleman," said
excited by the scene before him. Crazy Toby, " when a man keeps himself so
wooden galleries, common to the backs very ex-clusive, as I have done, and by
of half-a-dozen houses, with holes from that means has a snug house over his
which to look upon the sluice beneath ; head, with nobody prying and smelling
windows broken and patched, with poles about it, it's rather a startling thing to
thrust out on which to dry linen that is have the honour of a wisit from a young
never there ; rooms so small, so filthy, so gentleman (however respectable and plea-
confined, that the air would seem too sant a person he may be to play cards
tainted even for the dirt and squalor which with at conveniency) circumstanced as
they shelter ; wooden chambers thrusting you are."
themselves out above the mud, and threat- 66
Especially when the exclusive young
ening to fall into it—as some have done ; man has got a friend stopping with him,
dirt-besmeared walls and decaying foun- that's arrived sooner than was expected,
dations ; every repulsive lineament of from foreign parts, and too modest to
poverty, every loathsome indication of want to be presented to the Judges onhis
filth, rot, and garbage - all these orna- return," added Mr. Kags.
ment the banks of Folly Ditch. There was a short silence, after which
In Jacob's Island the warehouses are Toby Crackit, seeming to abandon as
roofless and empty, the walls are crum- hopeless, any further effort to maintain
bling down, the windows are windows no his usual devil-may-care swagger, turned
more, the doors are falling into the street, to Chitling and said-
the chimneys are blackened, but they "When was Fagin took, then ?"
yield no smoke. Thirty or forty years "Just at dinner time- two o'clock this
ago, before losses and chancery suits afternoon," was the reply. 66 Charley and
came upon it, it was a thriving place ; I made our lucky up the washer's chim-
but now it is a desolate island indeed. ney, and Bolter got into the empty water-
The houses have no owners ; they are butt, head downwards, but his legs were
broken open and entered upon by those so precious long that they stuck out at
who have the courage, and there they the top, and so they took him too."
live and there they die. They must have " And Bet ?"
powerful motives for a secret residence, "Poor Bet ! she went to see the body
or be reduced to a destitute condition in- to speak to who it was," replied Chitling,
deed, who seek a refuge in Jacob's Island. his countenance falling more and more,
In an upper room of one of the houses "and went off mad, screaming and raving
-a detached house of a fair size-ruin- and beating her head against the boards,
ous in other respects, but strongly defend- so they put a strait weskut on her and
ed at door and window, of which the back took her to the hospital-and there she
commanded the ditch, in manner already is."
described, there were assembled three "Wot's come of young Bates ?" de-
men, who, regarding each other every manded Kags.
now then with looks expressive of per- "He hung about, not to come over here
plexity and expectation, sat for some time afore dark, but he'll be here soon," re-
in profound and gloomy silence. One of plied Chitling. "There's no where else
these was Toby Crackit, another Mr. to go to now, for the people at the Crip-
Chitling, and the third a robber of fifty ples are all in custody, and the bar of the
OLIVER TWIST . 197
ken-I went up there and saw it with kens, of course, and finding them filled
my own eyes-is filled with traps. " with strangers, come on here, where he's
" This is a smash," observed Toby, bit- been many a time, and often. But where
ing his lips. "There's more than one can he have come from first, and how
will go with this." comes he here alone, without the other ?"
“ The Sessions are on," said Kags ; " if " He, (none of them called the mur-
they get the inquest over ; if Bolter turns derer by his old name,) he can't have
King's evidence, as of course he will made away with himself; what do you
from what he's said already ; they can think ?" said Chitling.
prove Fagin an accessary before the fact, Toby shook his head.
and get the trial on on Friday ; he'll swing "If he had," said Kags, "the dog 'ud
in six days from this, by G- !" want to lead us away to where he did it.
"You should have heard the people No. Ithink he's got out of the country,
groan,," said Chitling ; "the officers fought and left the dog behind. He must have
like devils, or they'd have torn him away. 99 slip somehow, or he wouldn't
given him the
He was down once, but they made a ring be so easy.'
round him, and fought their way along. This solution appearing the most pro-
You should have seen how he looked bable one, was adopted as the right, and
about him, all muddy and bleeding, and the dog creeping under a chair, coiled
clung to them as if they was his dearest himself up to sleep, without further notice
friends. I can see ' em now, not able to from anybody.
stand upright with the pressing of the It being now dark, the shutter was
mob, and dragging him along amongst closed, and a candle lighted and placed
them ; I can see the people jumping up, upon the table. The terrible events of
one behind another, and snarling with the two days had made a deep impression
their teeth, and making at him like wild upon all three, increased by the danger
beasts ; I can see the blood upon his hair and uncertainty of their own position.
and beard, and hear the dreadful cries, They drew their chairs close together,
with which the women worked themselves starting at every sound. They spoke
into the centre of the crowd, at the street little, and that in whispers, and were as
corner, and swore they'd tear his heart silent and awe-stricken as if the remains
out !" The horror-stricken witness of of the murdered woman lay in the next
this scene pressed his hands upon his ears, room.
and with his eyes fast closed, got up and They had sat thus some time, when
paced violently to and fro like one dis- suddenly was heard a hurried knock at
tracted. the door below.
Whilst he was thus engaged, and the 66
Young Bates," said Kags, looking
two men sat in silence with their eyes angrily round to check the fear he felt
fixed upon the floor, a pattering noise was himself.
heard upon the stairs, and Sikes's dog The knocking came again. "No, it
bounded into the room. They ran to the wasn't he he never knocked like
window, down stairs, and into the street. that."
The dog had jumped in at an open win- Crackit went to the window, and, shak-
dow ; he made no attempt to follow them, ing all over, drew in his head.
nor was his master to be seen. There was no need to tell them who it
" What's the meaning of this !" said was ; his pale face was enough. The
Toby, when they had returned. "He dog, too, was on the alert in an instant,
can't be coming here. I- I - hope and ran whining to the door.
not." "We must let him in," he said, taking
" If he was coming here, he'd have up the candle.
come with the dog," said Kags, stooping "Isn't there any help for it ?" asked
down to examine the animal, who lay the other man in a hoarse voice.
panting on the floor. " Here ; give us "None. He must come in.'99
some water for him, he has run himself "Don't leave us in the dark," said
faint." Kags, taking down a candle from the
" He's drunk it all up, every drop," chimney-piece, and lighting it with such
said Kags, after watching the dog some a trembling hand that the knocking was
time in silence, " covered with mud- twice repeated before he had finished.
lame-half blind-he must have come a Crackit went down to the door, and
long way." returned followed by a man with the
" Where can he have come from !" ex- lower part of his face buried in a hand-
claimed Toby. " He's been to the other kerchief, and another tied over his head
17*
198 OLIVER TWIST.
under his hat. He drew them slowly off "Let me go into some other room,"
-blanched face, sunken eyes, hollow said the boy, retreating still further.
66
cheeks, beard of three days' growth, Why, Charley," said Sikes, stepping
wasted flesh, short thick breath- it was forward, " Don't you - don't you know
the very ghost of Sikes. me ?"
He laid his hand upon a chair which " Don't come nearer me," answered
stood in the middle of the room, but shud- the boy, still retreating, and looking with
dering as he was about to drop into it, horror in his eyes upon the murderer's
and seeming to glance over his shoulder, face. 66 You monster !"
dragged it back close to the wall-as The man stepped half-way, and they
close as it would go-ground it against looked at each other, but Sikes's eye sunk
it-and sat down. gradually to the ground.
Not a word had been exchanged. He "Witness you three," cried the boy,
looked from one to another in silence. shaking his clenched fist, and becoming
If an eye was furtively raised and met more and more excited as he spoke.
his, it was instantly averted. When his "Witness you three-I'm not afraid of
hollow voice broke silence, they all three him- if they come here after him, I'll
started. They had never heard its tones give him up ; I will. I tell you out at
before. once ; he may kill me for it, if he likes,
"How came that dog here ?" he asked. or if he dares, but if I'm here I'll give
"Alone. Three hours ago." him up. I'd give him up if he was to be
" To-night's paper says that Fagin's boiled alive. Murder ! Help ! If there's
taken. Is it true, or a lie ?" the pluck of a man among you three,
"Quite true." you'll help me. Murder ! Help ! Down
They were silent again. with him."
"Damn you all," said Sikes, passing Pouring out these cries, and accompa-
his hand across his forehead. "Have you nying them with violent gesticulations,
nothing to say to me ?" the boy actually threw himself single-
There was an uneasy movement among handed upon the strong man, and in the
them, but nobody spoke. intensity of his energy, and the sudden-
66
You, that keep this house," said ness of the surprise, brought him heavily
Sikes, turning his face to Crackit ; " do to the ground.
you mean to sell me, or to let me be here The three spectators seemed quite
till this hunt is over ?" transfixed and stupefied. They offered
"You must stop here, if you think it no interference, and the boy and man
safe," returned the person addressed, after rolled on the ground together, the former,
some hesitation. heedless ofthe blows that showered upon
Sikes carried his eyes slowly up the him, wrenching his hand tighter and
wall behind him, rather trying to turn tighter in the garments about the mur-
his head than actually doing it, and said , derer's breast, and never ceasing to call
"Is it-the body-is it buried ?" for help with all his might.
They shook their heads. The contest, however, was too unequal
66
Why isn't it ?" said the man, in the to last long. Sikes had him down, and
same glance behind him. "Wot do they his knee was on his throat, when Crackit
keep such ugly things as that above the pulled him back with a look of alarm,
ground for ?-who's that knocking ?" and pointed to the window. There were
Crackit intimated by a motion of his lights gleaming below, voices in loud and
hand, as he left the room, that there was earnest conversation, the tramp of hurried
nothing to fear, and directly came back footsteps-endless they seemed in num-
with Charley Bates behind him. Sikes ber-crossing the nearest wooden bridge.
sat opposite the door, so that the moment One man on horseback seemed to be
the boy entered the room he encountered among the crowd, for there was the noise
his figure. of hoofs rattling on the uneven pavement ;
66 the gleam of light increased, the foot-
Toby," said the boy, falling back as
Sikes turned his eyes towards him, " why steps came more thickly and noisily on.
didn't you tell me this down stairs ?" Then came a loud knocking at the door,
There had been something so tremen- and then a hoarse murmur from such a
dous in the shrinking off of the three, that multitude of angry voices as would have
the wretched man was willing to propiti- made the boldest quail.
66 Help
ate even this lad. Accordingly he nod- !" shrieked the boy, in a voice
ded, and made as though he would shake that rent the air. "He's here ; he's
hands with him. here. Break down the door !"
OLIVER TWIST . 199
"In the King's name," cried voices | staggered back into the room and shut
without ; and the hoarse cry rose again, the faces out. "The tide was in as I
but louder. came up. Give me a rope, a long rope.
"Break down the door," screamed the They ' re all in front. I may drop into the
boy. "I tell you they'll neveropen it. Folly Ditch, and clear off that way. Give
Run straight to the room where the light me a rope, or I shall do three more mur-
is. Break down the door." ders and kill myself at last."
Strokes, thick and heavy, rattled upon The panic-stricken men pointed to
the door and lower window-shutters as he where such articles were kept ; the mur-
ceased to speak, —and a loud huzza burst derer, hastily selecting the longest and
from the crowd-giving the listener, for strongest cord, hurried up to the house-
the first time, some adequate idea of its top.
immense extent. All the windows in the rear of the
66
Open the door of some place where house had been long ago bricked up ex-
I can lock this screeching hell-babe," cept one small trap in the room where
cried Sikes fiercely, running to and fro, the boy was locked, and that was too
and dragging the boy, now, as easily as small even for the passage of his body.
if he were an empty sack. "That door. But fromthis aperture he had never ceased
Quick." He flung him in, bolted it and to call on those without to guard the back,
turned the key. " Is the down-stairs door and thus, when the murderer emerged at
fast ?" last on the house-top, by the door in the
"Double-locked and chained," replied roof, a loud shout proclaimed the fact to
Crackit, who, with the other two men, those in front, who immediately began to
still remained quite helpless and bewil- pour round, pressing upon each other in
dered. one unbroken stream.
"The panels, are they strong ?" He planted a board, which he had car-
" Lined with sheet-iron." ried up with him for the purpose, so firmly
" And the windows too ?" against the door that it must be matter of
" Yes, and the windows." great difficulty to open it from the inside,
" Damn you," cried the desperate ruf- and creeping over the tiles, looked over
fian, throwing up the sash and menacing the low parapet.
the crowd, " do your worst ; I'll cheat The water was out, and the ditch a bed
you yet !" of mud.
Of all the terrific yells that ever fell The crowd had been hushed during
on mortal ears, none could exceed the cry these few moments, watching his motions
of that infuriated throng-some shouted and doubtful of his purpose, but the in-
to those who were nearest to set the stant they perceived it and knew it was
house on fire ; others roared to the offi- defeated, they raised a cry of triumphant
cers to shoot him dead. Among them all, execration, to which all their previous
none showed such fury as the man on shoutings had been whispers. Again and
horseback, who, throwing himself out of again it rose ; those who were at too great
the saddle and bursting through the crowd a distance to know its meaning, took up
as if he were parting water, cried beneath the sound ; it echoed and re-echoed ; it
the window in a voice that rose above all seemed as though the whole city had
others, " Twenty guineas to the man who poured its population out to curse him.
brings a ladder.” On pressed the people from the front
The nearest voices took up the cry, and -on, on, on, in one strong struggling
a hundred echoed it. Some called for current of angry faces, with here and
ladders, some for sledgehammers ; some there a glaring torch to light them up
ran with torches to and fro as if to seek and show them out in all their wrath and
them, and still came back and roared passion. The houses on the opposite side,
again ; some spent their breath in impo- of the ditch had been entered by the mob;
tent curses and execrations ; some pressed sashes were thrown up or torn bodily out ;
forward with the ecstasy of madmen, and there were tiers and tiers of faces in
thus impeded the progress of those below ; every window, and cluster upon cluster
some among the boldest attempted to of people clinging to every house-top.
climb up by the water-spout and crevices Each little bridge (and there were three
in the wall ; and all waved to and fro in in sight) bent beneath the weight of the
the darkness beneath, like a field of corn crowd upon it, and still the current pour-
moved by an angry wind, and joined from ed on to find some nook or hole from
time to time in one loud, furious roar. which to vent their shouts, and only for
"The tide !" cried the murderer, as he an instant see the wretch.
200 OLIVER TWIST .
"They have him now," cried a man beneath his arm-pits, and when the old
on the nearest bridge. " Hurrah !" gentleman before mentioned (who had
The crowd grew light with uncovered clung so tight to the railings of the
heads, and again the shout uprose. bridge as to resist the force of the crowd,
"I promise fifty pounds," cried an old and retain his position) earnestly warned
gentleman from the same quarter ; " fifty those about him that the man was about
pounds to the man who takes him alive. to lower himself down - at that very in-
I will remain here till he comes to ask stant the murderer, looking behind him
me for it." on the roof, threw his arms above his
There was another roar. At this mo- head, and uttered a yell of terror.
ment the word was passed among the The eyes again !" he cried, in an un-
crowd that the door was forced at last, earthly screech. Staggering as if struck
and that he who had first called for the by lightning, he lost his balance and tum-
ladder had mounted into the room . The bled over the parapet : the noose was at
stream abruptly turned as this intelligence his neck ; it ran up with his weight tight
ran from mouth to mouth, and the people as a bow-string, and swift as the arrow it
at the windows seeing those upon the speeds. He fell for five-and-thirty feet.
bridges pouring back, quitted their sta- There was a sudden jerk, a terrific con-
tions, and running into the street, joined vulsion of the limbs, and there he hung,
the concourse that now thronged pell- with the open knife clenched in his stif
mell to the spot they had left, each man fening hand.
crushing and striving with his neighbour, The old chimney quivered with the
and all panting with impatience to get shock, but it stood it bravely. The mur-
near the door and look upon the criminal, derer swung lifeless against the wall, and
as the officers brought him out. The the boy, thrusting aside the dangling body,
cries and shrieks of those who were which obscured his view, called to the
pressed almost to suffocation, or trampled people to come and take him out for God's
down and trodden under foot in the con- sake.
fusion, were dreadful : the narrow ways A dog, which had lain concealed till
were completely blocked up ; and at this now, ran backwards and forwards on the
time, between the rush of some to regain parapet with a dismal howl, and, collect-
the space in front of the house, and the ing himself for a spring, jumped for the
unavailing struggles ofothers to extricate dead man's shoulders. Missing his aim,
themselves from the mass, the immediate he fell into the ditch, turning completely
attention was distracted from the mur- over as he went, and striking his head
derer, although the universal eagerness against a stone, dashed out his brains.
for his capture was, if possible, increased.
The man had shrunk down, thoroughly
quelled by the ferocity of the crowd and
the impossibility of escape, but seeing CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH,
this sudden change with no less rapidity
than it occurred, he sprang upon his feet, Affording an explanation of more mysteries than
determined to make one last effort for his one, and comprehending a proposal of marriage,
with no word of settlement or pin-money.
life by dropping into the ditch, and at the
risk of being stifled, endeavouring to THE events narrated in the last chap-
creep away in the darkness and confu- ter were yet but two days old, when Oli-
sion. ver found himself at three o'clock in the
Roused into new strength and energy, afternoon, in a travelling carriage rolling
and stimulated by the noise within the fast towards his native town. Mrs. May-
house, which announced that an entrance lie and Rose, and Mrs. Bedwin and the
had really been effected, he set his foot good Doctor, were with him, and Mr.
against the stack of chimneys, fastened Brownlow followed in a post-chaise, ac-
one end of the rope tightly and firmly companied by one other person, whose
round it, and with the other made a strong name had not been mentioned.
running noose by the aid of his hands They had not talked much upon the
and teeth almost in a second. He could way, for Oliver was in a flutter of agita-
let himself down by the cord to within a tion and uncertainty, which deprived him
less distance of the ground than his own of the power of collecting his thoughts,
height, and had his knife ready in his and almost of speech, and appeared to
hand to cut it then and drop. have scarcely less effect on his compa-
At the very instant that he brought the nions, who shared it in at least an equal
loop over his head previous to slipping it degree. Ile and the two ladies had been
7
I
Ye.
a
ge
S r
.c
PUBLI
OLIVER TWIST . 201
very carefully made acquainted by Mr. will make you cry, I know, to hear what
Brownlow, with the nature of the admis- he can tell, but never mind, never mind,
sions which had been forced from Monks, it will be all over, and you will smile
and although they knew that the object again - I know that too-to think how
of their present journey was to complete changed he is ; you did the same with
the work which had been so well begun, me. He said, God bless you' to me
still the whole matter was enveloped in when I ran away," cried the boy with a
enough of doubt and mystery to leaye burst of affectionate emotion, " and I will
them in endurance of the most intense say, God bless you' now, and show him
suspense. how I love him for it!"
The same kind friend had, with Mr. As they approached the town, and at
Losberne's assistance, cautiously stopped length drove through its narrow streets,
all channels of communication through it became matter of no small difficulty to
which they could receive intelligence of restrain the boy within reasonable bounds.
the dreadful occurrences that had so re- There was Sowerberry's, the underta-
cently taken place. " It is quite true," ker's, just as it used to be, smaller and
he said, " that they must know them be- less imposing in appearance than he re-
fore long, but it might be at a better time membered it-all the well-known shops
than the present, and it could not be at a and houses, with almost every one of
worse." So they travelled on in silence, which he had some slight incident con-
each busied with reflections on the object nected-Gamfield's cart, the very cart he
which had brought them together, and used to have, standing at the old public-
no one disposed to give utterance to the house door-the workhouse, the dreary
thoughts which crowded upon all. prison of his youthful days, with its dis-
But if Oliver, under these inferences, mal windows frowning on the streets-
had remained silent, while they journeyed the same lean porter standing at the gate,
towards his birth-place by a road he had at sight of whom Oliver involuntarily
never seen, how the whole current of his shrunk back, and then laughed at himself
recollections ran back to old times, and for being so foolish, then cried, then
what a crowd of emotions were wakened laughed again scores of faces at the
up in his breast when they turned into doors and windows that he knew quite
that which he had traversed on foot, a well- nearly everything as if he had left
poor, houseless, wandering boy, without a it but yesterday, and all his recent life
friend to help him, or a roof to shelter his had been but a happy dream.
head . But it was pure, earnest, joyful reality.
"See there - there," cried Oliver, They drove straight to the door of the
eagerly clasping the hand of Rose, and chief hotel, (which Oliver used to stare
pointing out at the carriage-window, up at with awe, and think a mighty pal-
that's the stile I came over ; there are ace, but which had somehow fallen off in
the hedges I crept behind for fear any one grandeur and size,) and here was Mr.
should overtake me and force me back; Grimwig, all ready to receive them,
yonder is the path across the fields lead- kissing the young lady and the old one
ing to the old house when I was a little too, when they got out of the coach, as if
child. Oh, Dick ! Dick ! my dear old he were the grandfather of the whole
friend, if I could only see you now !" party, all smiles and kindness, and not
"You will see him soon," replied Rose, offering to eat his head no, not once ;
gently taking his folded hands between not even when he contradicted a very old
her own. "You shall tell him how happy postboy about the nearest road to London,
you are, and how rich you have grown, and maintained he knew it best, though
and that, in all your happiness, you have he had only come that way once, and that
none so great as the coming back to make time fast asleep. There was dinner pre-
him happy too." pared, and there were bed-rooms ready,
" Yes, yes," said Oliver, " and we'll- and everything was arranged, as if by
we'll take him away from here, and have magic.
him clothed and taught, and send him to Notwithstanding all this, when the
some quiet country place, where he may first half-hour was over, the same silence
grow strong and well-shall we ?" and constraint prevailed that had marked
Rose nodded " yes ;" for the boy was their journey down. Mr. Brownlow did
smiling through such happy tears that not join them at dinner, but remained in
she could not speak. a separate room. The two other gentle-
"You will be kind and good to him, for men hurried in and out with anxious
you are to every one," said Oliver. " It faces, and during the short intervals that
2A
202 OLIVER TWIST .
they were present conversed apart. Once father being taken ill at Rome, as you
Mrs. Maylie was called away, and after know, was joined by his wife, my mother,
being absent for nearly an hour, returned from whom he had been long separated,
with eyes swollen with weeping . All who went from Paris, and took me with
these things made Rose and Oliver, who her-to look after his property for what
were not in any new secrets, nervous and I know, for she had no great affection for
uncomfortable. They sat wondering in him, nor he for her. He knew nothing
silence, or, if they exchanged a few words, of us, for his senses were gone ; and he
spoke in whispers, as if they were afraid slumbered on till next day, when he died.
to hear the sound of their own voices. Among the papers in his desk, were two
At length, when nine o'clock had come, dated on the night his illness first came
and they began to think they were to hear on, directed to yourself, and enclosed in
no more that night, Mr. Losberne and a few short lines to you, with an intima-
Mr. Grimwig entered the room, followed tion on the cover of the package that it
by Mr. Brownlow and a man whom Oliver was not to be forwarded till he was dead.
almost shrieked with surprise to see ; for One of these papers was a letter to this
they told him it was his brother, and it girl Agnes, and the other a will."
was the same man he had met at the "What of the letter ?" asked Mr.
market-town, and seen looking in with Brownlow.
66 The letter ! a sheet of paper crossed
Fagin at the window of his little room.
He cast a look of hate, which even then and crossed again with a penitent confes-
he could not dissemble, at the astonished sion, and prayers to God to help her. He
boy, and sat down near the door. Mr. had palmed a tale upon the girl, that
Brownlow, who had papers in his hand, some secret mystery - to be explained
walked to a table, near which Rose and one day - prevented his marrying her
Oliver were seated. just then, and so she had gone on, trust-
" This is a painful task," said he. " But ing patiently to him, until she trusted
these declarations, which have been sign- too far, and lost what none could give
ed in London before many gentlemen, her back. She was at that time within
must be in substance repeated here. I a few months of her confinement. He
would have spared you the degradation, told her all he had meant to do to hide
but we must have them from your own her shame if he had lived, and prayed her,
lips before we part, and you know why. " if he died, not to curse his memory, or
" Go on," said the person addressed, think the consequences of their sin would
turning away his face. 66 Quick. I have be visited on her or their young child ;
done enough. Don't keep me here." for all the guilt was his. He reminded
" This child," said Mr. Brownlow, her of the day he had given her the little
drawing Oliver to him, and laying his locket and the ring with her christian
hand upon his head, " is your half-brother, name engraved upon it, and a blank left
the illegitimate son of your father, and for that which he hoped one day to have
my dear friend Edwin Leeford, by poor bestowed upon her- prayed her yet to
young Agnes Fleming, who died in giv- keep it, and wear it next her heart, as
ing him birth." she had done before- and then ran on
66
Yes," said Monks, scowling at the wildly in the same words over and over
trembling boy, the beating of whose heart again, as if he had gone distracted-as I
he might have heard. " That is their believe he had."
bastard child." " The will," said Mr. Brownlow, as Oli-
" The term you use, said Mr. Brown- ver's tears fell fast. " I will go on to
low, sternly, " is a reproach to those who that. The will was in the same spirit.
long since passed beyond the feeble cen- He talked of miseries, which his wife had
sure of this world. It reflects true dis- brought upon him, of the rebellious dispo-
grace on no one living except you who sition, vice, malice, and premature bad
use it. Let that pass. He was born in passions of you, his only son, who had
this town ?" been trained to hate him, and left you and
" In the workhouse of this town," was your mother each an annuity of eight
the sullen reply. " You have the story hundred pounds. The bulk of his pro-
there." He pointed emphatically to the perty he divided into two equal portions
papers as he spoke. -one for Agnes Fleming, and the other
" I must have it here, too," said Mr. for their child, if it should be born alive
Brownlow, looking round upon the list and ever come of age. If it was a girl,
eners. it was to come into the money uncondi
" Listen, then," returned Monks. " His tionally ; but if a boy, only on one stipu
OLIVER TWIST . 203
lation, that in his minority he should ne- the impression that a male child had been
ver have stained his name with any public born, and was alive. I swore to her, if
act of dishonour, meanness, cowardice, or ever it crossed my path, to hunt it down ;
wrong. He did this, he said, to mark his never to let it rest, to pursue it with the
confidence in the mother, and his convic- bitterest and most unrelenting animosity ;
tion-only strengthened by approaching to vent upon it the hatred that I deeply
death-that the child would share her felt ; and to spit upon the empty vaunt
gentle heart and noble nature. If he of that insulting will by dragging it, if I
was disappointed in this expectation, could, to the very gallows' foot. She
then the money was to come to you, for was right. He came in my way at last ;
then, and not till then, when both chil- I began well, and, but for babbling drabs,
dren were equal, would he recognise your I would have finished as I began ; I
prior claim upon his purse, who had none would, I would !"
upon his heart, but had, from an infant, As the villain folded his arms tight to-
repulsed him with coldness and aver- gether, and muttered curses on himself
sion." in the impotence of baffled malice, Mr.
66
My mother," said Monks in a louder Brownlow turned to the terrified group
tone, 66 did what a woman should have beside him, and explained that the Jew,
done she burnt this will. The letter who had been his old accomplice and con-
never reached its destination, but that and fidant, had a large reward for keeping
other proofs she kept, in case they ever Oliver ensnared, of which some part was
tried to lie away the blot. The girl's fa- to be given up in the event of his being
ther had the truth from her, with every rescued, and that a dispute on this head
aggravation that her violent hate-I love had led to their visit to the country-house
her for it now- could add. Goaded by for the purpose of identifying him.
shame and dishonour, he fled with his "The locket and ring ?" said Mr. Brown-
children into a remote corner of Wales, low, turning to Monks.
changing his very name, that his friends "I bought them from the man and wo-
might never know of his retreat ; and man I told you of, who stole them from
here, no great while afterwards, he was the corpse," answered Monks, without
found dead in his bed. The girl had left raising his eyes. " You know what be-
her home in secret some weeks before ; came of them."
he had searched for her on foot in every Mr. Brownlow merely nodded to Mr.
town and village near, and it was on the Grimwig, who, disappearing with great
night that he returned home, assured that alacrity, shortly returned, pushing in
she had destroyed herself, to hide her Mrs. Bumble, and dragging her unwilling
shame and his, that his old heart broke." consort after him.
There was a short silence here, until "Do my hi's deceive me !" cried Mr.
Mr. Brownlow took up the thread of the Bumble, with ill-feigned enthusiasm , " or
narrative. is that little Oliver? Oh, O-li-ver, if you
"Years after this," he said, " this man's know'd how I've been grieving for you !"
-Edward Leeford's- mother came to me. " Hold your tongue, fool," murmured
He had left her when only eighteen ; rob- Mrs. Bumble.
bed her of jewels and money ; gambled, " Isn't natur natur, Mrs. Bumble ?"
squandered, forged, and fled to London, remonstrated the work-house master.
where, for two years, he had associated " Can't I be suffered to feel-I as brought
with the owest outcasts. She was sink him up porochially-when I see him a
ing under a painful and incurable disease, setting here among ladies and gentlemen
and wished to recover him before she died. of the very affablest description ! I al-
Enquiries were set on foot ; strict searches ways loved that boy as if he'd been my-
made-unavailing for a long time-but my -my own grandfather," said Mr.
ultimately successful-and he went back Bumble, halting for an appropriate com-
with her to France." parison. "Master Oliver, my dear, you
" There she died," said Monks, " after remember the blessed gentleman in the
a lingering illness ; and on her death-bed white waistcoat? Ah ! he went to hea-
she bequeathed these secrets to me, to- ven last week in a oak coffin with plated
gether with her unquenchable and deadly handles, Oliver."
hatred of all whom they involved, though "Come, sir," said Mr. Grimwig, tartly,
she need not have left me that, for I had 66 suppress your feelings."
inherited it long before. She would not "I will do my endeavours, sir," replied
believe that the girl had destroyed her- Mr. Bumble. " How do you do, sir ? I
selfand the child too, but was filled with hope you are very well."
204 OLIVER TWIST.
This salutation was addressed to Mr. | care that you are neither ofyou employed
Brownlow, who had stepped up to within in a situation of99 trust again. You may
a short distance of the respectable couple, leave the room.'
and who inquired as he pointed to Monks, " I hope," said Mr. Bumble, looking
"Do you know that person !" about him with great ruefulness, as Mr.
66 Grimwig disappeared with the two old
No," replied Mrs. Bumble, flatly.
66
Perhaps you don't," said Mr. Brown- women, " I hope that this unfortunate
low, addressing her spouse. little circumstance will not deprive me
"I never saw him in all my life," said of my porochial office ?"
Mr. Bumble. “ Indeed it will," replied Mr. Brown-
"Nor sold him anything, perhaps ?" low. 66 You must make up your mind to
66"No," replied Mrs. Bumble. that, and think yourself well off besides. ”
66"You never had, perhaps, a certain " It was all Mrs. Bumble. She would
gold locket and ring ?" said Mr. Brown- do it," urged Mr. Bumble ; first looking
low. round to ascertain that his partner had
66
Certainly not," replied the matron. left the room.
"What are we brought here to answer "That is no excuse," returned Mr.
to such nonsense as this for ?" Brownlow. "You were present on the
Again Mr. Brownlow nodded to Mr. occasion of the destruction of these trink-
Grimwig, and again that gentleman limp- ets, and, indeed, are the more guilty of
ed away with extraordinary readiness. the two in the eye of the law, for the law
But not again did he return with a stout supposes that your wife acts under your
man and wife ; for this time he led in two direction.”
palsied women, who shook and tottered " If the law supposes that," said Mr.
as they walked. Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically
"You shut the door the night old in both hands, " the law is an ass-an
Sally died," said the foremost one, rais- idiot. If that is the eye of the law, the
ing her shrivelled head ; 66 but you law's a bachelor ; and the worst I wish
couldn't shut out the sound, nor stop the the law is, that his eye may be opened
chinks." by experience- by experience."
" No, no," said the other, looking Laying great stress on the repetition
round her, and wagging her toothless of these two words, Mr. Bumble fixed his
jaws ; " no, no, no. hat on very tight, and putting his hands
" We heard her try to tell you what in his pockets, followed his helpmate
she'd done, and saw you take a paper down stairs.
from her hand ; and watched you, too, "Young lady," said Mr. Brownlow,
next day, to the pawnbroker's shop," said turning to Rose, " give me your hand.
the first. Do not tremble : you need not fear to
66 Yes," added the second ; " and it was hear the few remaining words we have
a locket and gold ring. We found out to say."
that, and saw it given you. We were 66 If they have-I do not know how
by. Oh ! we were by." they can- but if they have any reference
"And we know more than that," re- to me, " said Rose, " pray let me hear
sumed the first ; " for she told us often, them at some other time. I have not
long ago, that the young mother had told strength or spirits now. "
her, that feeling she should never get 66 Nay," returned the old gentleman,
over it, she was on her way, at the time drawing her arm through his, " you
she was taken ill, to die near the grave have more fortitude than this, I am sure.
of the father of the child." Do you know this young lady, sir ?"
“ Would you like to see the pawn- "Yes," replied Monks.
broker, himself ?" asked Mr. Grimwig, " I never saw you before," said Rose,
with a motion towards the door. faintly.
"No," replied the woman. "If he," "I have seen you often," returned
she pointed to Monks, "has been coward Monks.
enough to confess, as I see he has, and "The father of the unhappy Agnes had
you have sounded all these hags till you two daughters," said Mr. Brownlow.
found the right ones, I have nothing "What was the fate of the other-the
more to say. I did sell them, and child ?”
they're where you'll never get them. "The child," replied Monks, " when
What then ?" her father died, in a strange place, in a
66
Nothing," replied Mr. Brownlow, strange name, without a letter, book, or
" except that it remains for us to take scrap of paper, that yielded the faintest
OLIVER TWIST . 205
clue by which his friends or relatives dearly from the first. Rose, dear, darling
could be traced-the child was taken by Rose."
some wretched cottagers, who reared it Let the tears which fell, and the broken
as their own." words which were exchanged, in the long
" Go on," said Mr. Brownlow, signing close embrace between the orphans, be
to Mrs. Maylie to approach, " go on." sacred. A father, sister, and mother
" You couldn't find the spot to which were gained and lost in that one moment.
these people had repaired," said Monks ; Joy and grief were mingled in the cup,
"but where friendship fails, hatred will but there were no bitter tears, for even
often force a way. My mother found it, grief itself arose so softened, and clothed
after a year of cunning search- ay, and in such sweet and tender recollections,
found the child." that it became a solemn pleasure and lost
"She took it, did she ?" all character of pain.
"No. The people were poor, and be- They were a long, long time alone. A
gan to sicken-at least the man did-of soft tap at the door at length announced
their fine humanity, so she left it with that some one was without. Oliver
them, giving them a small present of mo- opened it, glided away, and gave place to
ney, which would not last long, and pro- Harry Maylie.
mising more, which she never meant to " I know it all," he said, taking a seat
send. She didn't quite rely, however, beside the lovely girl. "Dear Rose, I
on their discontent and poverty for the know it all. "
child's unhappiness, but told the history "I am not here by accident," he added,
of the sister's shame (with such altera- after a lengthened silence, “ nor have I
tions as suited her), bade them take good heard all this to-night, for I knew it yes-
heed of the child, for she came of bad terday -only yesterday. Do you guess
blood, and told them she was illegitimate, that I have come here to remind you of a
and sure to go wrong one time or other. promise ?"
The circumstances countenanced all this ; "Stay," said Rose. "You do know
the people believed it, and there the child all ?'
dragged on an existence miserable enough " All. You gave me leave at any time
to satisfy us, until a widow, residing then within a year to renew the subject of our
at Chester, saw the girl by chance-pitied last discourse."
her, and took her home. There was some " I did."
cursed spell against us ; for, in spite of "Not to press you to alter your deter-
all our efforts, she remained there and mination," pursued the young man, " but
was happy ; I lost sight of her two or to hear you reject it if you would. I was
three years ago, and saw her no more un- to lay whatever of station or fortune I
til a few months back." might possess at your feet ; and if you
" Do you see her now ?" still adhered to your former determina-
" Yes, leaning on your arm." tion, I pledged myself by no word or act
" But not the less my niece," cried to seek to change it."
Mrs. Maylie, folding the fainting girl in "The same reasons which influenced
her arms ; " not the less my dearest child. me then, will influence me now," said
I wouldn't lose her now for all the trea- Rose firmly. "If I ever owed a strict
sures of the world-my sweet companion and rigid duty to her whose goodness
-my own dear girl." saved me from a life of indigence and
"The only friend I ever had," cried suffering, when should I ever feel it as I
Rose, clinging to her ; " the kindest, best do to-night ? It is a struggle," said Rose,
of friends. My heart will burst- I can- 66 but one I am
proud to make ; it is a
not, cannot bear all this." pang, but one my heart shall bear."
" You have borne more, and been, "The disclosure of to-night," Harry
1
through all, the best and gentlest crea- began.
ture that ever shed happiness on every " The disclosure of to-night," replied
one she knew," said Mrs. Maylie, em- Rose softly, " leaves me in the same posi-
bracing her tenderly. " Come, come, my tion with reference to you, as that in
love, remember who this is who waits to which I stood before."
clasp you in his arms. Poor child ! see 66" You harden your heart against me,
here-look, look, my dear." Rose," urged her lover.
"Not aunt," cried Oliver, throwing his "Oh Harry, Harry," said the young
arms about her neck ; " I'll never call her lady, bursting into tears. "I wish I
aunt-sister, my own dear sister, that could, and spare myself this pain. "
something taught my heart to love so "Then why inflict it on yourself¹´
18
206 OLIVER TWIST .
said Harry, taking her hand. "Think, girl, and the example being contagious,
dear Rose, what you have heard to-night." was followed both by the Doctor and Mr.
66" And what have I heard ? what have Brownlow. Some people affirm that
I heard ?" cried Rose. " That a sense Harry Maylie had been observed to set it
of his deep disgrace so worked upon my originally in a dark room adjoining ; but
own father that he shunned all- there ; the best authorities consider this down-
we have said enough, Harry, we have right scandal, he being young and a
said enough ." clergyman.
"Not yet, not yet," said the young "Oliver, my child," said Mrs. Maylie,
man, detaining her as she rose. 66 My " where have you been ? and why do you
hopes, my wishes, prospects, feelings, look so sad ? There are tears stealing
every thought in life-except my love for down your face at this moment. What
you-have undergone a change. I offer is the matter !"
you now no distinction among a bustling It is a world of disappointment-often
crowd, no mingling with a world of to hopes we most cherish, and hopes that
malice and detraction, where the blood is do our nature the greatest honour. Poor
called into honest cheeks by aught but Dick was dead !
real disgrace and shame : but a home- a
heart and home - yes, dearest Rose, and
those, and those alone, are all I have to
offer." CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH.
"What does this mean ?" faltered the
The Jew's last night alive.
young lady.
"It means but this.- that when I left THE Court was paved from floor to
you last, I left you with the firm deter- roof with human faces. Inquisitive and
mination to level all fancied barriers be- eager eyes peered from every inch of
tween yourself and me ; resolved that if space ; from the rail before the dock,
my world could not be yours, I would away into the sharpest angle ofthe small-
make yours mine ; that no pride of birth est corner in the galleries. All looks
should curl the lip at you, for I would were fixed upon one man- the Jew.
turn from it. This I have done. Those Before him and behind, above, below, on
who have shrunk from me because of this, the right and on the left-he seemed to
have shrunk from you and proved you so stand surrounded by a firmament all
far right. Such power and patronage bright with gleaming eyes. He stood
such relatives of influence and rank, as there in all this glare of living light, with
smiled upon me then, look coldly now, one hand resting on the wooden slab be-
but there are smiling friends and waving fore him, the other held to his ear, and
trees in England's richest county, and by his head thrust forward to enable him to
one village church- mine, Rose, my own catch with greater distinctness every
-- word that fell from the presiding judge,
- there stands a rustic dwelling, which
you can make me prouder of than all the who was delivering his charge to the
hopes I have renounced, increased a thou- jury. At times he turned his eyes upon
sand-fold. This is my rank and station them to observe the effect of the slightest
now, and here I lay it down." feather-weight in his favour ; and when
* * * * * * * * the points against him were stated with
"It's a trying thing waiting supper terrible distinctness, looked towards his
for lovers," said Mr. Grimwig, waking up, counsel in mute appeal that he would
and pulling his pocket-handkerchief from even then urge something in his behalf.
over his head. Beyond these manifestations of anxiety,
Truth to tell, the supper had been he stirred not hand or foot. He had
waiting a most unreasonable time. Nei- scarcely moved since the trial began, and
ther Mrs. Maylie, nor Harry, nor Rose now that the judge ceased to speak, he
(who all came in together,) could offer a still remained in the same strained atti-
word in extenuation. tude of close attention, with his gaze bent
" I had serious thoughts of eating my on him as though he listened still.
head off to-night," said Mr. Grimwig, A slight bustle in the court recalled
"for I began to think I should get nothing him to himself, and looking round, he saw
else. I'll take the liberty, if you'll al- that the jurymen had turned together to
low me, of saluting the bride that is to consider of their verdict. As his eyes
be." wandered to the gallery, he could see the
Mr. Grimwig lost no time in carrying people rising above each other to see his
this notice into effect upon the blushing face : some hastily applying their glasses
OLIVER TWIST. 207
to their eyes, and others whispering their gallows and the scaffold, and stopped to
neighbours with looks expressive of ab- watch a man sprinkling the floor to cool
horrence. A few there were who seemed it, and then went on to think again.
unmindful of him, and looked only to the At length there was a cry of silence,
jury in impatient wonder how they could and a breathless look from all towards
delay, but in noone face -not even among the door. The jury returned , and passed
the women, of whom there were many him close. He could glean nothing from
there could be read the faintest sym- their faces ; they might as well have been
pathy with him, or any feeling but one of stone. Perfect stillness ensued- not a
of all-absorbing interest that he should rustle- not a breath- Guilty !
be condemned. The building rang with a tremendous
As he saw all this in one bewildered shout, and another, and another, and then
glance, the death-like stillness came it echoed deep loud groans, that gathered
again, and, looking back, he saw that the strength as they swelled out, like angry
jurymen had turned towards the judge. thunder. It was a peal of joy from the
Hush! populace outside, greeting the news that
They only sought permission to retire. he would die on Monday.
He looked wistfully into their faces one The noise subsided, and he was asked
by one when they passed out, as though if he had anything to say why sentence
to see which way the greater number of death should not be passed upon him.
bent ; but that was fruitless. The jailer He had resumed his listening attitude,
touched him on the shoulder. He fol- and looked intently at his questioner
lowed mechanically to the end of the while the demand was made ; but it was
dock, and sat down on a chair. The man twice repeated before he seemed to hear
pointed it out, or he would not have seen it, and then he only muttered that he
it. was an old man -an old man - an old
He looked up into the gallery again. man- -and so dropping into a whisper,
Some of the people were eating, and was silent again.
some fanning themselves with handker- The judge assumed the black cap, and
chiefs, for the crowded place was very the prisoner still stood with the same air
hot. There was one young man sketch- and gesture. A woman in the gallery
ing his face in a little note-book. He uttered some exclamation, called forth
wondered whether it was like, and looked by this dread solemnity ; he looked has-
on when the artist broke his pencil-point, tily up, as if angry at the interruption,
and made another with his knife, as any and bent forward yet more attentively.
idle spectator might have done. The address was solemn and impres-
In the same way, when he turned his sive-the sentence fearful to hear ; but
eyes towards the judge, his mind began he stood like a marble figure, without
to busy itselfwith the fashion of his dress, the motion of a nerve. His haggard
and about its cost, and how he put it on. face was still bent forward, his under-jaw
There was an old fat gentleman on the hanging down, and his eyes staring out
bench, too, who had gone out some half before him, when the jailer put his hand
an hour before, and now came back. He upon his arm, and beckoned him away.
wondered within himself whether this He gazed stupidly about him for an in-
man had been to get his dinner, what he stant, and obeyed.
had had, and where he had had it, and They led him through a paved room
pursued this train of careless thought under the court, where some prisoners
until some new object caught his eye and were waiting until their turn came, and
roused another. others were talking to their friends, who
Not that all this time his mind was crowded round a grate which looked into
for an instant free from one oppressive the open yard. There was nobody there
overwhelming sense of the grave that to speak to him ; but, as he passed, the
opened at his feet ; it was ever present prisoners fell back to render him more
to him, but in a vague and general way, visible to the people who were cling-
and he could not fix his thoughts upon it. ing to the bars, and they assailed him
Thus, even while he trembled and turned with opprobrious names, and screeched
burning hot at the idea of speedy death, and hissed . He shook his fist, and would
he fell to counting the iron spikes before have spat upon them, but his conductors
him, and wondering how the head of hurried him on through a gloomy passage,
one had been broken off, and whether lighted by a few dim lamps, into the inte-
they would mend it, or leave it as it was. rior of the prison.
Then he thought of all the horrors of the Here he was searched, that he might
204 OLIVER TWIST.
This salutation was addressed to Mr. | care that you are neither ofyou employed
Brownlow, who had stepped up to within in a situation of trust again. You may
a short distance of the respectable couple, leave the room."
66
and who inquired as he pointed to Monks, I hope," said Mr. Bumble, looking
"Do you know that person ?" about him with great ruefulness, as Mr.
"No," replied Mrs. Bumble, flatly. Grimwig disappeared with the two old
66
Perhaps you don't," said Mr. Brown- women, " I hope that this unfortunate
low, addressing her spouse. little circumstance will not deprive me
"I never saw him in all my life," said of my porochial office ?"
Mr. Bumble. 66
Indeed it will," replied Mr. Brown-
"Nor sold him anything, perhaps ?" low. " You must make up your mind to
66 No," replied Mrs. Bumble. that, and think yourself well off besides."
"You never had, perhaps, a certain " It was all Mrs. Bumble. She would
gold locket and ring ?" said Mr. Brown- do it," urged Mr. Bumble ; first looking
low. round to ascertain that his partner had
66 Certainly not," replied the matron. left the room.
"What are we brought here to answer " That is no excuse," returned Mr.
to such nonsense as this for ?" Brownlow. "You were present on the
Again Mr. Brownlow nodded to Mr. occasion of the destruction of these trink-
Grimwig, and again that gentleman limp- ets, and, indeed, are the more guilty of
ed away with extraordinary readiness. the two in the eye of the law, for the law
But not again did he return with a stout supposes that your wife acts under your
man and wife ; for this time he led in two direction."
palsied women, who shook and tottered "If the law supposes that," said Mr.
as they walked. Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically
" You shut the door the night old in both hands, "the law is an ass-an
Sally died," said the foremost one, rais- idiot. If that is the eye of the law, the
ing her shrivelled head ; " but you law's a bachelor ; and the worst I wish
couldn't shut out the sound, nor stop the the law is, that his eye may be opened
chinks." by experience- by experience."
"No, no," said the other, looking Laying great stress on the repetition
round her, and wagging
99 her toothless of these two words, Mr. Bumble fixed his
jaws ; " no, no, no.' hat on very tight, and putting his hands
" We heard her try to tell you what in his pockets, followed his helpmate
she'd done, and saw you take a paper down stairs.
from her hand ; and watched you, too, "Young lady," said Mr. Brownlow,
next day, to the pawnbroker's shop," said turning to Rose, " give me your hand.
the first. Do not tremble : you need not fear to
" Yes," added the second ; " and it was hear the few remaining words we have
a locket and gold ring. We found out to say."
that, and saw it given you. We were "If they have-I do not know how
by. Oh! we were by." they can-but if they have any reference
" And we know more than that," re- to me," said Rose, " pray let me hear
sumed the first ; " for she told us often, them at some other time. 99 I have not
long ago, that the young mother had told strength or spirits now."
her, that feeling she should never get " Nay," returned the old gentleman,
over it, she was on her way, at the time drawing her arm through his, " you
she was taken ill, to die near the grave have more fortitude than this, I am sure.
ofthe father of the child." Do you know this young lady, sir ?"
"Would you like to see the pawn- 66 Yes," replied Monks.
broker, himself ?" asked Mr. Grimwig, "I never saw you before," said Rose,
with a motion towards the door. faintly.
"No," replied the woman. "If he," " I have seen you often," returned
she pointed to Monks, " has been coward Monks.
enough to confess, as I see he has, and "The father of the unhappy Agnes had
you have sounded all these hags till you two daughters," said Mr. Brownlow.
found the right ones, I have nothing " What was the fate of the other-the
more to say. I did sell them, and child ?"
they're where you'll never get them . "The child," replied Monks, " when
What then ?" her father died, in a strange place, in a
66
Nothing," replied Mr. Brownlow, strange name, without a letter, book, or
except that it remains for us to take scrap of paper, that yielded the faintest
OLIVER TWIST . 205
clue by which his friends or relatives dearly from the first. Rose, dear, darling
could be traced-the child was taken by Rose."
some wretched cottagers, who reared it Let the tears which fell, and the broken
as their own." words which were exchanged, in the long
"Go on," said Mr. Brownlow, signing close embrace between the orphans, be
to Mrs. Maylie to approach, " go on." sacred. A father, sister, and mother
" You couldn't find the spot to which were gained and lost in that one moment.
these people had repaired, " said Monks ; Joy and grief were mingled in the cup,
"but where friendship fails, hatred will but there were no bitter tears, for even
often force a way. My mother found it, grief itself arose so softened, and clothed
after a year of cunning search -ay, and in such sweet and tender recollections,
found the child." that it became a solemn pleasure and lost
"She took it, did she ?" all character of pain.
"No. The people were poor, and be- They were a long, long time alone. A
gan to sicken at least the man did- of soft tap at the door at length announced
their fine humanity, so she left it with that some one was without. Oliver
them, giving them a small present of mo- opened it, glided away, and gave place to
ney, which would not last long, and pro- Harry Maylie.
mising more, which she never meant to "I know it all," he said, taking a seat
send. She didn't quite rely, however, beside the lovely girl. "Dear Rose, I
on their discontent and poverty for the know it all."
child's unhappiness, but told the history "I am not here by accident," he added,
of the sister's shame (with such altera- after a lengthened silence, " nor have I
tions as suited her), bade them take good | heard all this to-night, for I knew it yes-
heed of the child, for she came of bad terday —only yesterday. Do you guess
blood, and told them she was illegitimate, that I have come here to remind you of a
and sure to go wrong one time or other. promise ?"
The circumstances countenanced all this ; "Stay," said Rose. " You do know
the people believed it, and there the child all ? '
dragged on an existence miserable enough "All. You gave me leave at any time
to satisfy us, until a widow, residing then within a year to renew the subject of our
at Chester, saw the girl by chance-pitied last discourse.”
her, and took her home. There was some " I did."
cursed spell against us ; for, in spite of "Not to press you to alter your deter-
all our efforts, she remained there and mination," pursued the young man, "but
was happy ; I lost sight of her two or to hear you reject it if you would. I was
three years ago, and saw her no more un- to lay whatever of station or fortune I
til a few months back." might possess at your feet ; and if you
" still adhered to your former determina-
66 Do you see her now ?"
Yes, leaning on your arm ." tion, I pledged myself by no word or act
"But not the less my niece," cried to seek to change it."
Mrs. Maylie, folding the fainting girl in "The same reasons which influenced
her arms ; " not the less my dearest child. me then, will influence me now," said
I wouldn't lose her now for all the trea- Rose firmly. " If I ever owed a strict
sures of the world-my sweet companion and rigid duty to her whose goodness
-my own dear girl." saved me from a life of indigence and
66
The only friend I ever had," cried suffering, when should I ever feel it as I
Rose, clinging to her ; " the kindest, best do to-night ? It is a struggle," said Rose,
of friends. My heart will burst-I can- "but one I am proud to make ; it is a
not, cannot bear allthis." pang, but one my heart shall bear."
" You have borne more, and been, " The disclosure of to-night," Harry
through all, the best and gentlest crea- began.
ture that ever shed happiness on every "The disclosure of to-night," replied
one she knew," said Mrs. Maylie, em- Rose softly, " leaves me in the same posi-
bracing her tenderly. "Come, come, my tion with reference to you, as that in
love, remember who this is who wants to which I stood before."
clasp you in his arms. Poor child ! see "You harden your heart against me,
here-look, look, my dear. " Rose," urged her lover.
"Not aunt," cried Oliver, throwing his " Oh Harry, Harry," said the young
arms about her neck ; " I'll never call her lady, bursting into tears. " I wish I
aunt-sister, my own dear sister, that could, and spare myself this pain."
something taught my heart to love so "Then why inflict it on yourself ?
18
206 OLIVER TWIST .
said Harry, taking her hand. " Think, girl, and the example being contagious,
dear Rose, what you have heard to-night." was followed both by the Doctor and Mr.
"And what have I heard ? what have Brownlow. Some people affirm that
I heard ?" cried Rose. "That a sense Harry Maylie had been observed to set it
of his deep disgrace so worked upon my originally in a dark room adjoining ; but
own father that he shunned all--there ; the best authorities consider this down-
we have said enough, Harry, we have right scandal, he being young and a
said enough." clergyman.
66
"Not yet, not yet," said the young Oliver, my child,” said Mrs. Maylie,
66 My "where have you been ? and why do you
man, detaining her as she rose.
hopes, my wishes, prospects, feelings, look so sad ? There are tears stealing
every thought in life-except my love for down your face at this moment. What
you-have undergone a change. I offer is the matter?"
you now no distinction among a bustling It is a world of disappointment-often
crowd, no mingling with a world of to hopes we most cherish, and hopes that
malice and detraction, where the blood is do our nature the greatest honour. Poor
called into honest cheeks by aught but Dick was dead !
real disgrace and shame : but a home- a
heart and home--yes, dearest Rose, and
those, and those alone, are all I have to
offer." CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH.
"What does this mean ?" faltered the
The Jew's last night alive.
young lady.
66 It means but this- that when I left
THE Court was paved from floor to
you last, I left you with the firm deter- roof with human faces. Inquisitive and
mination to level all fancied barriers be- eager eyes peered from every inch of
tween yourself and me ; resolved that if space ; from the rail before the dock,
my world could not be yours, I would away into the sharpest angle of the small-
make yours mine ; that no pride of birth est corner in the galleries. All looks
should curl the lip at you, for I would were fixed upon one man -the Jew.
turn from it. This I have done. Those Before him and behind, above, below, on
who have shrunk from mc because of this, the right and on the left-he seemed to
have shrunk from you and proved you so stand surrounded by a firmament all
far right. Such power and patronage- bright with gleaming eyes. He stood
such relatives of influence and rank, as there in all this glare of living light, with
smiled upon me then, look coldly now, one hand resting on the wooden slab be-
but there are smiling friends and waving fore him, the other held to his ear, and
trees in England's richest county, and by his head thrust forward to enable him to
one village church-mine, Rose, my own catch with greater distinctness every
there stands a rustic dwelling, which word that fell from the presiding judge,
you can make me prouder of than all the who was delivering his charge to the
hopes I have renounced, increased a thou- jury. At times he turned his eyes upon
sand-fold. This is my rank and station them to observe the effect of the slightest
now, and here I lay it down." feather-weight in his favour ; and when
* * * * * * * * the points against him were stated with
"It's a trying thing waiting supper terrible distinctness, looked towards his
for lovers," said Mr. Grimwig, waking up, counsel in mute appeal that he would
and pulling his pocket-handkerchief from even then urge something in his behalf.
over his head. Beyond these manifestations of anxiety,
Truth to tell, the supper had been he stirred not hand or foot. He had
waiting a most unreasonable time. Nei- scarcely moved since the trial began, and
ther Mrs. Maylie, nor Harry, nor Rose now that the judge ceased to speak, he
(who all came in together, ) could offer a still remained in the same strained atti-
word in extenuation. tude of close attention, with his gaze bent
" I had serious thoughts of eating my on him as though he listened still.
head off to-night," said Mr. Grimwig, A slight bustle in the court recalled
"for I began to think I should get nothing him to himself, and looking round, he saw
else. I'll take the liberty, if you'll al- that the jurymen had turned together to
low me, of saluting the bride that is to consider of their verdict. As his eyes
be." wandered to the gallery, he could see the
Mr. Grimwig lost no time in carrying people rising above each other to see his
this notice into effect upon the blushing face : some hastily applying their glasses
OLIVER TWIST. 207
to their eyes, and others whispering their gallows and the scaffold, and stopped to
neighbours with looks expressive of ab- watch a man sprinkling the floor to cool
horrence. A few there were who seemed it, and then went on to think again.
unmindful of him, and looked only to the At length there was a cry of silence,
jury in impatient wonder how they could and a breathless look from all towards
delay, but in no one face-not even among the door. The jury returned, and passed
the women, of whom there were many him close. He could glean nothing from
there could be read the faintest sym- their faces ; they might as well have been
pathy with him, or any feeling but one of stone. Perfect stillness ensued—not a
of all-absorbing interest that he should rustle- not a breath- Guilty !
be condemned. The building rang with a tremendous
As he saw all this in one bewildered shout, and another, and another, and then
glance, the death-like stillness came it echoed deep loud groans, that gathered
again, and, looking back, he saw that the strength as they swelled out, like angry
jurymen had turned towards the judge. thunder. It was a peal of joy from the
Hush ! populace outside, greeting the news that
They only sought permission to retire. he would die on Monday.
He looked wistfully into their faces one The noise subsided, and he was asked
by one when they passed out, as though if he had anything to say why sentence
to see which way the greater number of death should not be passed upon him.
bent; but that was fruitless. The jailer He had resumed his listening attitude,
touched him on the shoulder. He fol- and looked intently at his questioner
lowed mechanically to the end of the while the demand was made ; but it was
dock, and sat down on a chair. The man twice repeated before he seemed to hear
pointed it out, or he would not have seen it, and then he only muttered that he
it. was an old man - an old man- an old
He looked up into the gallery again. man - and so dropping into a whisper,
Some of the people were eating, and was silent again.
some fanning themselves with handker- The judge assumed the black cap, and
chiefs, for the crowded place was very the prisoner still stood with the same air
hot. There was one young man sketch- and gesture. A woman in the gallery
ing his face in a little note-book. He uttered some exclamation, called forth
wondered whether it was like, and looked by this dread solemnity ; he looked has-
on when the artist broke his pencil-point, tily up, as if angry at the interruption,
and made another with his knife, as any and bent forward yet more attentively.
idle spectator might have done. The address was solemn and impres-
In the same way, when he turned his sive-the sentence fearful to hear ; but
eyes towards the judge, his mind began he stood like a marble figure, without
to busy itself with the fashion of his dress, the motion of a nerve. His haggard
and about its cost, and how he put it on. face was still bent forward, his under-jaw
There was an old fat gentleman on the hanging down, and his eyes staring out
bench, too, who had gone out some half before him, when the jailer put his hand
an hour before, and now came back. He upon his arm, and beckoned him away.
wondered within himself whether this He gazed stupidly about him for an in-
man had been to get his dinner, what he stant, and obeyed.
had had, and where he had had it, and They led him through a paved room
pursued this train of careless thought under the court, where some prisoners
until some new object caught his eye and were waiting until their turn came, and
roused another. others were talking to their friends, who
Not that all this time his mind was crowded round a grate which looked into
for an instant free from one oppressive the open yard. There was nobody there
overwhelming sense of the grave that to speak to him ; but, as he passed, the
opened at his feet ; it was ever present prisoners fell back to render him more
to him, but in a vague and general way, visible to the people who were cling-
and he could not fix his thoughts upon it. ing to the bars, and they assailed him
Thus, even while he trembled and turned with opprobrious names, and screeched
burning hot at the idea of speedy death, and hissed. He shook his fist, and would
he fell to counting the iron spikes before have spat upon them, but his conductors
him, and wondering how the head of hurried him on through a gloomy passage,
one had been broken off, and whether lighted by a few dim lamps, into the inte-
they would mend it, or leave it as it was. rior of the prison.
Then he thought of all the horrors ofthe Here he was searched, that he might
208 OLIVER TWIST .
not have about him the means of antici- night came on again ; night so long, and
pating the law ; this ceremony performed, yet so short ; long in its dreadful silence,
they led him to one of the condemned and short in its fleeting hours. One time
cells, and left him there-alone. he raved and blasphemed, and at another
He sat down on a stone bench opposite howled and tore his hair. Venerable men
the door, which served for seat and bed- of his own persuasion had come to pray
stead, and casting his bloodshot eyes upon beside him, but he had driven them away
the ground, tried to collect his thoughts. with curses. They renewed their chari-
After awhile he began to remember a few table efforts, and he beat them off.
disjointed fragments of what the judge Saturday night ! he had only one night
had said, though it had seemed to him at more to live. And as he thought of this,
the time that he could not hear a word. the day broke- Sunday. It was not until
These gradually fell into their proper the night of this last awful day, that a
places, and, by degrees, suggested more, withering sense of his helpless, desperate
so that in a little time he had the whole state came in its full intensity upon his
almost as it was delivered. To be hanged blighted soul ; not that he had ever held
by the neck till he was dead -that was any defined or positive hopes of mercy,
the end. To be hanged by the neck till but that he had never been able to con-
he was dead. sider more than the dim probability of
As it came on very dark, he began to dying so soon. He had spoken little to
think of all the men he had known who either of the two men who relieved each
had died upon the scaffold- some of them other in their attendance upon him, and
through his means. They rose up in such they, for their parts, made no effort to
quick succession that he could hardly rouse his attention. He had sat there
count them. He had seen some of them awake, but dreaming. Now he started
die - and joked too, because they died up every minute, and with gasping mouth
with prayers upon their lips. With what and burning skin hurried to and fro in
a rattling noise the drop went down ; and such a paroxysm of fear and wrath that
how suddenly they changed from strong even they-used to such sights- recoiled
and vigorous men to dangling heaps of from him with horror. He grew so ter-
clothes ! rible at last in all the tortures of his evil
Some of them might have inhabited conscience, that one man could not bear
that very cell-sat upon that very spot. to sit there, eyeing him alone, and so the
It was very dark ; why did'nt they bring two kept watch together.
a light ? The cell had been built for He cowered down upon his stone bed,
many years-scores of men must have and thought of the past. He had been
passed their last hours there-it was like wounded with some missiles from the
sitting in a vault strewn with dead bodies crowd on the day of his capture, and his
-the cap, the noose,-the pinioned arms head was bandaged with a linen cloth.
-the faces that he knew even beneath His red hair hung down upon his blood-
that hideous veil-Light, light ! less face ; his beard was torn and twisted
At length, when his hands were raw into knots ; his eyes shone with a terrible
with beating against the heavy door and light ; his unwashed flesh crackled with the
walls, two men appeared, one bearing a fever that burnt him up. Eight- nine-
candle which he thrust into an iron can- ten. If it was not a trick to frighten
dlestick fixed against the wall, and the him, and those were the real hours tread-
other dragging in a mattress on which to ing on each others' heels, where would he
pass the night ; for the prisoner was to be when they came round again ! Eleven.
be left alone no more. Another struck ere the voice of the hour
Then came night-dark, dismal, silent before had ceased to vibrate. At eight
night. Other wretches are glad to hear he would be the only mourner in his own
the church-clocks strike, for they tell of funeral train ; at eleven-
life and coming day. To the Jew they Those dreadful walls of Newgate,
brought despair. The boom of every iron which have hidden so much misery and
bell came laden with the one deep hollow such unspeakable anguish-not only from
sound - death. What availed the noise the eyes, but too often and too long from
and bustle of cheerful morning, which the thoughts of men, never held so dread
penetrated even there, to him ? It was a spectacle as that. The few who lin-
another form of knell, with mockery add- gered as they passed, and wondered what
ed to the warning. the man was doing who was to be hanged
The day passed off-day, there was no to-morrow, would have slept but ill that
day ; it was gone as soon as come - and night, if they could have seen him then.
ORDEREDBY ThePro
The Sherriffs
hanne
Y
1. eagerSc. GeoCruiks
Fagin inthe condemned Cell.
P.208.
THE
SY
OLIVER TWIST . 209
From early in the evening until mid- with a row of strong doors on the left
night, little groups of two or three pre- hand. Motioning them to remain where
sented themselves at the lodge-gate, and they were, the turnkey knocked at one
inquired with anxious faces whether any of these with his bunch of keys. The
reprieve had been received. These being two attendants, after a little whispering,
answered in the negative, communicated came out into the passage, stretching
the welcome intelligence to others in the themselves, as if glad of the temporary
street, who pointed out to one another the relief, and motioned the visiters to follow
door from which he must come out, and the jailer into the cell. They did so.
showed where the scaffold would be built, The condemned criminal was seated on
and, walking with unwilling steps away, his bed, rocking himself from side to side,
turned back to conjure up the scene. By with a countenance more like that of a
degrees they fell off one by one ; and for snared beast than the face of a man. His
an hour, in the dead of night, the street mind was evidently wandering to his old
was left to solitude and darkness. The life, for he continued to mutter, without
space before the prison was cleared, and seeming conscious of their presence other-
a few strong barriers, painted black, had wise than as a part of his vision.
been already thrown across the road to "Good boy, Charley-well done," he
break the pressure of the expected crowd, mumbled— “ Oliver too—ha, ha, ha,—Oli-
when Mr. Brownlow and Oliver appeared ver too-quite the gentleman now-quite
at the wicket, and presented an order of the-take that boy away to bed."
admission to the prison, signed by one of The jailer took the disengaged hand
the sheriffs. They were immediately ad- of Oliver, and whispering him not to be
mitted into the lodge. alarmed, looked on without speaking.
" Is the young gentleman to come too, "Take him away to bed," cried the
sir ?" said the man whose duty it was to Jew. " Do you hear me, some of you?
conduct them. 66" It's not a sight for chil- He has been the-the-the somehow the
dren, sir." cause of all this. It's worth the money
" It is not indeed, my friend," rejoined to bring him up to it-Bolter's throat, Bill,
Mr. Brownlow, "but my business with never mind the girl. Bolter's throat as
this man is intimately connected with deep as you can cut. Saw his head off."
him, and as this child has seen him in the 66
Fagin," said the jailer.
full career of his success and villany, I "That's me !" cried the Jew, falling
think it better-even at the cost of some instantly into precisely the same attitude
pain and fear - that he should see him of listening that he had assumed upon his
now." trial. " An old man, my lord ; a very old,
99
These few words had been said apart, old , man.'
so as to be inaudible to Oliver. The man 66
Here," said the turnkey, laying his
touched his hat, and, glancing at him with hand upon his breast to keep him down.
66 Here's somebody wants to see you, to
some curiosity, opened another gate oppo-
site to that at which they had entered, ask you some questions, I suppose. Fa-
and led them on, through dark and wind- gin, Fagin, are you a man ?"
ing ways, towards the cells. "I shan't be one long," replied the
"This," said the man, stopping in a Jew, looking up with a face retaining no
gloomy passage where a couple of work- human expression but rage and terror.
men were making some preparations in " Strike them all dead ; what right have
profound silence-" This is the place he they to butcher me ?"
passes through. If you step this way, As he spoke, he caught sight of Oliver
you can see the door he goes out at." and Mr. Brownlow, and, shrinking to the
He led them into a store-kitchen, fitted furthest corner of the seat, demanded to
with coppers for dressing the prison food, know what they wanted there.
and pointed to a door. There was an 66
Steady," said the turnkey, still hold-
open grating above it, through which ing him down. " Now, sir, tell him what
came the sound of men's voices, mingled you want - quick, if you please, for he
with the noise of hammering and the grows worse as the time gets on."
throwing down of boards. They were "You have some papers," said Mr.
putting up the scaffold. Brownlow, advancing, "which were placed
From this place they passed through in your hands for better security, by a
several strong gates, opened by other man called Monks."
turnkeys, from the inner side, and having "It's all a lie together," replied the
crossed an open yard, ascended a flight Jew. " I haven't one- not one."
of narrow steps and came into a passage "For the love of God," said Mr. Brown-
18 * 2B
210 OLIVER TWIST
TWIST.
low solemnly, " do not say that now, up- to beguile the time ; the crowd were
on the very verge of death ; but tell me pushing, quarrelling and joking. Every
where they are. You know that Sikes is thing told of life and animation, but one
dead, that Monks has confessed, that there dark cluster of objects in the very centre
is no hope of any further gain. Where of all-the black stage, the cross beam,
are those papers ?" the rope, and all the hideous apparatus
" Oliver," cried the Jew, beckoning to of death.
him. " Here, here. Let me whisper to
you."
" I am not afraid," said Oliver in a low CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH,
voice, as he relinquished Mr. Brownlow's
hand. And Last.
" The papers," said the Jew, drawing THE fortunes of those who have figured
him towards him, " are in a canvas bag, in this tale are nearly closed, and what
in a hole a little way up the chimney in little remains to their historian to relate,
the top front-room. I want to talk to you, is told in few and simple words.
my dear, I want to talk to you. " Before three months had passed, Rose
.6
Yes, yes," returned Oliver. " Let Fleming and Harry Maylie were married
me say a prayer. Do. Let me say one in the village church which was hence-
prayer ; say only one upon your knees forth to be the scene of the young clergy-
with me; and we will talk till morning." man's labours ; on the same day they en-
"Outside-outside," replied the Jew, tered into possession of their new and
pushing the boy before him towards the happy home.
door, and looking vacantly over his head. Mrs. Maylie took up her abode with
66 Say I've gone to sleep-they'll believe her son and daughter-in-law , to enjoy du-
you. You can get me out if you take me ring the tranquil remainder of her days
SO. Now then, now then." the greatest felicity that age and worth
" Oh ! God forgive this wretched man !" can know-the contemplation of the hap-
cried the boy with a burst of tears. piness of those on whom the warmest af-
“ That's right, that's right," said the fections and tenderest cares of a well-
Jew ; " that'll help us on. This door spent life have been unceasingly bestowed.
first. If I shake and tremble as we pass It appeared on a full and careful inves-
the gallows, don't you mind, but hurry tigation, that if the wreck of property
on. Now, now, now." remainingin the custody of Monks (which
"Have you nothing else to ask him, had never prospered in his hands or those
sir ?" inquired the turnkey. • of his mother,) were equally divided be-
"No other question , replied Mr. Brown- tween himself and Oliver, it would yield
low. " If I hoped we could recal 99 him to to each little more than three thousand
a sense of his real position- pounds. By the provisions of his father's
"Nothing will do that, sir," replied will, Oliver would have been entitled to
the man, shaking his head. " You had the whole ; but Mr. Brownlow, unwilling
better leave him." to deprive the elder son of the opportu
The door of the cell opened, and the nity of retrieving his former vices, and
attendants returned. pursuing an honest career, proposed this
"Press on, press on," cried the Jew. mode of distribution, to which his young
"Softly, but not so slow. Faster, faster." charge most joyfully acceded.
The man laid hands upon him, and dis- Monks, still bearing that assumed
engaging Oliver from his grasp, held him name, retired with his portion to a distant
back. He writhed and struggled with part of the New World, where, hav-
the power of desperation, and sent up ing quickly squandered it, he once more
shriek upon shrick that penetrated even fell into his old courses, and after under-
those massive walls, and rung in their going a long confinement for some fresh
ears until they reached the open yard. act of fraud and knavery, at length sunk
It was some time before they left the under an attack of his old disorder, and
prison, for Oliver nearly swooned after died in prison.
this frightful scene, and was so weak that Mr. Brownlow adopted Oliver as his
for an hour or more he had not the own son, and removing with him and the
strength to walk. old housekeeper to within a mile of the
Day was dawning when they again parsonage-house where his dear friends
emerged. A great multitude had already resided, gratified the only remaining wish
assembled. The windows were filled of Oliver's warm and earnest heart, and
with people, smoking and playing cards, thus linked together a little society whose
SKCTIVANCE
ONY I
bru
Geo
cks
rge
han
ke ger 0.1
I.Yea 3
OLIVER TWIST . 211
condition approached as nearly to one of too much work. After some considera-
perfect happiness as can ever be known tion, he went into business as an informer,
in this changing world. in which calling he realizes a genteel
Soon after the marriage of the young subsistence. His plan is to walk out
people, the worthy doctor returned to once a week during church-time, attend-
Chertsey, where, bereft of the presence ed by Charlotte, in respectable attire.
of his old friends, he would have been The lady faints away at the doors of
discontented, if his temperament had ad- charitable publicans, and the gentleman,
mitted of such a feeling, and would have being accommodated with three penny-
turned quite feverish if he had known worth of brandy to restore her, lays an
how. information next day, and pockets half
For two or three months, he contented the penalty. Sometimes, Mr. Claypole
himself with hinting that he feared the faints himself, but the result is the same.
air began to disagree, with him ; and Mr. and Mrs. Bumble, deprived oftheir
then, finding that the place really was to situations, were gradually reduced to
him no longer what it had been before, great indigence and misery, and finally
settled his business on his assistant, took became paupers in that very same work-
a bachelor's cottage just outside the vil- house in which they had once lorded it
lage of which his young friend was pas over others. Mr. Bumble has been heard
tor, and instantaneously recovered. Here to say, that in this reverse and degrada-
he took to gardening, planting, fishing, tion, he has not even spirits to be thank-
carpentering, and various other pursuits, ful for being separated from his wife.
of a similar kind, all undertaken with his As to Mr. Giles and Brittles, they
characteristic impetuosity ; and in each still remain in their old posts, although
and all he has since become famous the former is bald, and the last-named
throughout the neighbourhood as a most boy quite grey. They sleep at the par-
profound authority. sonage, but divide their attention so
Before his removal, he had managed equally between its inmates and Oliver,
to contract a strong friendship for Mr. and Mr. Brownlow, and Mr. Losberne,
Grimwig, which that eccentric gentle- that to this day the villagers have never
man cordially reciprocated. He is ac- been able to discover to what establish-
cordingly visited by him a great many ment they properly belong.
times in the course of the year ; and on Master Charles Bates, appalled by
all such occasions, Mr. Grimwig plants, Sikes's crime, fell into a train of reflec-
fishes, and carpenters with great ardour, tion whether an honest life was not, after
doing every thing in a very singular and all, the best. Arriving at the conclusion
unprecedented manner, but always main- that it certainly was, he turned his back
taining, with his favourite asseveration, upon the scenes of his past life, resolved
that his mode is the right one. On Sun- to amend it in some new sphere of action.
days, he never fails to criticise the ser- He struggled hard , and suffered much
mon to the young clergyman's face, al- for some time ; but, having a contented
ways informing Mr. Losberne, in strict disposition and a good purpose, succeeded
confidence, afterwards, that he considers in the end, and from being a farmer's
it an excellent performance, but thinks it drudge and a carrier's lad, is now the
it as well not to say so. It is a standing merriest young grazier in all Northamp-
and very favourite joke for Mr. Brownlow, tonshire.
to rally him on his old prophecy concern- And now, the hand that traces these
ing Oliver, and to remind himof the words, falters as it approaches the con-
night on which they sat with the watch clusion of its task, and would weave, for
between them, waiting his return ; but a little longer space, the thread of these
Mr. Grimwig contends that he was right adventures.
in the main, and in proof thereof remarks, I would fain linger yet with a few of
that Oliver did not come back, after all, those among whom I have so long moved,
which always calls forth a laugh on his and share their happiness by endeavour-
side, and increases his good humour. ing to depict it. I would show Rose
Mr. Noah Claypole receiving a free Maylie in all the bloom and grace of
pardon from the crown, in consequence early womanhood, shedding upon her se-
of being admitted approver against the cluded path in life such soft and gentle
Jew, and considering his profession not light as fell on all who trod it with her,
altogether so safe a one as he could wish, and shone into their hearts. I would paint
was for some little time at a loss for the her the life and joy of the fireside circle,
means of a livelihood, not burthened with and the evening summer group ; I would
212 OLIVER TWIST .
follow her through the sultry fields at awakened in his own bosom old remem-
noon, and hear the low tones of her sweet brances, melancholy, and yet sweet and
voice in the moonlit evening walk ; I soothing-how the two orphans, tried by
would watch her in all her goodness and adversity, remembered its lessons in mer-
charity abroad, and the smiling, untiring cy to others, and mutual love, and fervent
discharge of domestic duties at home ; I thanks to Him who had protected and
would paint her and her dead sister's preserved them - these are all matters
child, happy in their mutual love, and which need not to be told ; for I have
passing whole hours together in picturing said that they were truly happy, and
the friends whom they had so sadly lost ; without strong affection and humanity
I would summon before me once again of heart, and gratitude to that Being
those joyous little faces that clustered whose code is mercy, and whose great
round her knee, and listen to their merry attribute is benevolence to all things that
prattle ; I would recall the tones of that breathe, true happiness can never be at-
clear merry laugh, and conjure up the tained.
sympathising tear that glistened in that Within the altar of the old village
soft blue eye. These, and a thousand church stands a white marble tablet,
looks and smiles, and turns of thought which bears as yet but one word, ' Agnes.'
and speech- I would fain recall them, There is no coffin in that tomb, and may
every one. it be many, many years, before another
How Mr. Brownlow went on from day name is placed above it ! But if the spi-
to day filling the mind of his adopted rits of the dead ever come back to earth,
child with stores of knowledge, and be- to visit spots hallowed by the love - the
coming attached to him more and more love beyond the grave — of those whom
as his nature developed itself, and showed they knew in life, I do believe that the
the thriving seeds of all he could wish shade of that poor girl often hovers about
nim to become -how he traced in him that solemn nook -ay, though it is a
new traits of his early friend, that church, and she was weak and erring.
THE END.
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This is a reproduction of a library book that was digitized

by Google as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the

" PICKWICK PAPERS," " NICHOLAS NICKLEBY,"

"SKETCHES OF EVERY-DAY LIFE,"

&c. &c. &c.

LEA & BLANCHARD ,

OLIVER ASKING FOR MORE .. Page 19

BOOK THE FIRST .

BOOK THE SECOND.

CHAPTER THE FIRST, CHAPTER THE SECOND

" PICKWICK PAPERS," " NICHOLAS NICKLEBY,"

" SKETCHES OF EVERY-DAY LIFE,"

&c. &c. &c.

LEA & BLANCHARD ,

OLIVER ASKING FOR MORE . Page 19

BOOK THE FIRST .

BOOK THE SECOND .

CHAPTER THE FIRST, CHAPTER THE SECOND

CHAPTER THE THIRD, CHAPTER THE TENTH,

BOOK THE THIRD .

THE PARISH BOY'S PROGRESS .

BOOK THE FIRST.

CHAPTER THE FIRST gasping on a little flock mattress, rather

" PICKWICK PAPERS," " NICHOLAS NICKLEBY,"

"SKETCHES OF EVERY-DAY LIFE ,"

&c. &c. &c.

LEA & BLANCHARD ,

BOOK THE FIRST .

BOOK THE SECOND .

CHAPTER THE FIRST, CHAPTER THE SECOND

OLIVER RECOVERING FROM THE FEVER ...

OLIVER TWIST AT MRS. MAYLIE'S DOOR ………………….

S ANLE ...THE EYES OF THE PAUPERS ….

THE EVIDENCE DESTROYED ...

THE LAST CHANCE ....

BOOK THE FIRST .

BOOK THE SECOND .

CHAPTER THE FIRST, CHAPTER THE SECOND

66 Yes," replied Oliver. other sound inaudible. Sowerberry re-

Early on the seventh morning after he | altogether as roystering and swaggering

"Got any lodgings ?" the turnpike at Islington. They crossed

Oliver introdwordtothe respectableOldGentleman

Oliver amazed attheDodgers mode ofgoingto work "

Oliver recoveringfrom thefever

upon a door-step, and rolled thereon in a 66

Licensed to sel BeerbyRetail

lir dismal 17 his effectonalefiends.

0222. 2 uimalby his affectionate fiends

erNancy and me has got nothing else to do

Oliver's rexption byFazon andthe boys.

MasterBates explains apropfsimaltechnicality

know the devil when he's got a great-

earnest in the matter as Toby Crackit | shall come back to us again. Ha ! ha !

Oliver murmured his comprehension and good-humour ; in proof whereof it

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST. It was market-morning. The ground

BOOK THE SECOND .

equanimity of our frail minds ! The

As the lady had stated her intention of CHAPTER THE SECOND.

66 you were too stout-hearted for that,-a

MrClaypole ashe appearedwhenhismaster wasout.

CHAPTER THE SIXTH. it at right angles, and whirling his pistol

Oliver Twist at Mr.Maylies deur.

CHAPTER THE NINTH. imagine. Do you understand me ?" she