第2章

However，menalwaysthinktheyknowbest。There！Getdownstairs，littlebago\'bones。\'Withthis，theundertaker\'swifeopenedasidedoor，andpushedOliverdownasteepflightofstairsintoastonecell，dampanddark:formingtheante-roomtothecoal-cellar，anddenominated\'kitchen\'；whereinsataslatternlygirl，inshoesdownatheel，andblueworstedstockingsverymuchoutofrepair。

\'Here，Charlotte，\'saidMr。Sowerberry，whohadfollowedOliverdown，\'givethisboysomeofthecoldbitsthatwereputbyforTrip。Hehasn\'tcomehomesincethemorning，sohemaygowithout\'em。Idaresaytheboyisn\'ttoodaintytoeat\'em——areyou，boy?\'

Oliver，whoseeyeshadglistenedatthementionofmeat，andwhowastremblingwitheagernesstodevourit，repliedinthenegative；andaplatefulofcoarsebrokenvictualswassetbeforehim。

Iwishsomewell-fedphilosopher，whosemeatanddrinkturntogallwithinhim；whosebloodisice，whoseheartisiron；couldhaveseenOliverTwistclutchingatthedaintyviandsthatthedoghadneglected。IwishhecouldhavewitnessedthehorribleaviditywithwhichOlivertorethebitsasunderwithalltheferocityoffamine。ThereisonlyonethingIshouldlikebetter；andthatwouldbetoseethePhilosophermakingthesamesortofmealhimself，withthesamerelish。

\'Well，\'saidtheundertaker\'swife，whenOliverhadfinishedhissupper:whichshehadregardedinsilenthorror，andwithfearfulauguriesofhisfutureappetite:\'haveyoudone?\'

Therebeingnothingeatablewithinhisreach，Oliverrepliedintheaffirmative。

\'Thencomewithme，\'saidMrs。Sowerberry:takingupadimanddirtylamp，andleadingthewayupstairs；\'yourbed\'sunderthecounter。Youdon\'tmindsleepingamongthecoffins，Isuppose?

Butitdoesn\'tmuchmatterwhetheryoudoordon\'t，foryoucan\'tsleepanywhereelse。Come；don\'tkeepmehereallnight！\'

Oliverlingerednolonger，butmeeklyfollowedhisnewmistress。

CHAPTERV

OLIVERMINGLESWITHNEWASSOCIATES。GOINGTOAFUNERALFORTHE

FIRSTTIME，HEFORMSANUNFAVOURABLENOTIONOFHISMASTER\'S

BUSINESS

Oliver，beinglefttohimselfintheundertaker\'sshop，setthelampdownonaworkman\'sbench，andgazedtimidlyabouthimwithafeelingofaweanddread，whichmanypeopleagooddealolderthanhewillbeatnolosstounderstand。Anunfinishedcoffinonblacktressels，whichstoodinthemiddleoftheshop，lookedsogloomyanddeath-likethatacoldtremblecameoverhim，everytimehiseyeswanderedinthedirectionofthedismalobject:

fromwhichhealmostexpectedtoseesomefrightfulformslowlyrearitshead，todrivehimmadwithterror。Againstthewallwereranged，inregulararray，alongrowofelmboardscutinthesameshape:lookinginthedimlight，likehigh-shoulderedghostswiththeirhandsintheirbreechespockets。

Coffin-plates，elm-chips，bright-headednails，andshredsofblackcloth，layscatteredonthefloor；andthewallbehindthecounterwasornamentedwithalivelyrepresentationoftwomutesinverystiffneckcloths，ondutyatalargeprivatedoor，withahearsedrawnbyfourblacksteeds，approachinginthedistance。

Theshopwascloseandhot。Theatmosphereseemedtaintedwiththesmellofcoffins。Therecessbeneaththecounterinwhichhisflockmattresswasthrust，lookedlikeagrave。

NorwerethesetheonlydismalfeelingswhichdepressedOliver。

Hewasaloneinastrangeplace；andweallknowhowchilledanddesolatethebestofuswillsometimesfeelinsuchasituation。

Theboyhadnofriendstocarefor，ortocareforhim。Theregretofnorecentseparationwasfreshinhismind；theabsenceofnolovedandwell-rememberedfacesankheavilyintohisheart。

Buthisheartwasheavy，notwithstanding；andhewished，ashecreptintohisnarrowbed，thatthatwerehiscoffin，andthathecouldbelaininacalmandlastingsleepinthechurchyardground，withthetallgrasswavinggentlyabovehishead，andthesoundoftheolddeepbelltosoothehiminhissleep。

Oliverwasawakenedinthemorning，byaloudkickingattheoutsideoftheshop-door:which，beforehecouldhuddleonhisclothes，wasrepeated，inanangryandimpetuousmanner，abouttwenty-fivetimes。Whenhebegantoundothechain，thelegsdesisted，andavoicebegan。

\'Openthedoor，willyer?\'criedthevoicewhichbelongedtothelegswhichhadkickedatthedoor。

\'Iwill，directly，sir，\'repliedOliver:undoingthechain，andturningthekey。

\'Isupposeyerthenewboy，ain\'tyer?\'saidthevoicethroughthekey-hole。

\'Yes，sir，\'repliedOliver。

\'Howoldareyer?\'inquiredthevoice。

\'Ten，sir，\'repliedOliver。

\'ThenI\'llwhopyerwhenIgetin，\'saidthevoice；\'youjustseeifIdon\'t，that\'sall，mywork\'usbrat！\'andhavingmadethisobligingpromise，thevoicebegantowhistle。

Oliverhadbeentoooftensubjectedtotheprocesstowhichtheveryexpressivemonosyllablejustrecordedbearsreference，toentertainthesmallestdoubtthattheownerofthevoice，whoeverhemightbe，wouldredeemhispledge，mosthonourably。Hedrewbacktheboltswithatremblinghand，andopenedthedoor。

Forasecondortwo，Oliverglancedupthestreet，anddownthestreet，andovertheway:impressedwiththebeliefthattheunknown，whohadaddressedhimthroughthekey-hole，hadwalkedafewpacesoff，towarmhimself；fornobodydidheseebutabigcharity-boy，sittingonapostinfrontofthehouse，eatingasliceofbreadandbutter:whichhecutintowedges，thesizeofhismouth，withaclasp-knife，andthenconsumedwithgreatdexterity。

\'Ibegyourpardon，sir，\'saidOliveratlength:seeingthatnoothervisitormadehisappearance；\'didyouknock?\'

\'Ikicked，\'repliedthecharity-boy。

\'Didyouwantacoffin，sir?\'inquiredOliver，innocently。

Atthis，thecharity-boylookedmonstrousfierce；andsaidthatOliverwouldwantonebeforelong，ifhecutjokeswithhissuperiorsinthatway。

\'Yerdon\'tknowwhoIam，Isuppose，Work\'us?\'saidthecharity-boy，incontinuation:descendingfromthetopofthepost，meanwhile，withedifyinggravity。

\'No，sir，\'rejoinedOliver。

\'I\'mMisterNoahClaypole，\'saidthecharity-boy，\'andyou\'reunderme。Takedowntheshutters，yeridleyoungruffian！\'Withthis，Mr。ClaypoleadministeredakicktoOliver，andenteredtheshopwithadignifiedair，whichdidhimgreatcredit。Itisdifficultforalarge-headed，small-eyedyouth，oflumberingmakeandheavycountenance，tolookdignifiedunderanycircumstances；

butitismoreespeciallyso，whensuperaddedtothesepersonalattractionsarearednoseandyellowsmalls。

Oliver，havingtakendowntheshutters，andbrokenapaneofglassinhisefforttostaggerawaybeneaththeweightofthefirstonetoasmallcourtatthesideofthehouseinwhichtheywerekeptduringtheday，wasgraciouslyassistedbyNoah:whohavingconsoledhimwiththeassurancethat\'he\'dcatchit，\'

condescendedtohelphim。Mr。Sowerberrycamedownsoonafter。

Shortlyafterwards，Mrs。Sowerberryappeared。Oliverhaving\'caughtit，\'infulfilmentofNoah\'sprediction，followedthatyounggentlemandownthestairstobreakfast。

\'Comenearthefire，Noah，\'saidCharlotte。\'Isavedanicelittlebitofbaconforyoufrommaster\'sbreakfast。Oliver，shutthatdooratMisterNoah\'sback，andtakethembitsthatI\'veputoutonthecoverofthebread-pan。There\'syourtea；

takeitawaytothatbox，anddrinkitthere，andmakehaste，forthey\'llwantyoutomindtheshop。D\'yehear?\'

\'D\'yehear，Work\'us?\'saidNoahClaypole。

\'Lor，Noah！\'saidCharlotte，\'whatarumcreatureyouare！Whydon\'tyoulettheboyalone?\'

\'Lethimalone！\'saidNoah。\'Whyeverybodyletshimaloneenough，forthematterofthat。Neitherhisfathernorhismotherwilleverinterferewithhim。Allhisrelationslethimhavehisownwayprettywell。Eh，Charlotte?He！he！he！\'

\'Oh，youqueersoul！\'saidCharlotte，burstingintoaheartylaugh，inwhichshewasjoinedbyNoah；afterwhichtheybothlookedscornfullyatpoorOliverTwist，ashesatshiveringontheboxinthecoldestcorneroftheroom，andatethestalepieceswhichhadbeenspeciallyreservedforhim。

Noahwasacharity-boy，butnotaworkhouseorphan。Nochance-childwashe，forhecouldtracehisgenealogyallthewaybacktohisparents，wholivedhardby；hismotherbeingawasherwoman，andhisfatheradrunkensoldier，dischargedwithawoodenleg，andadiurnalpensionoftwopence-halfpennyandanunstateablefraction。Theshop-boysintheneighbourhoodhadlongbeeninthehabitofbrandingNoahinthepublicstreets，withtheignominiousepithetsof\'leathers，\'\'charity，\'andthelike；andNoahhadbournethemwithoutreply。But，nowthatfortunehadcastinhiswayanamelessorphan，atwhomeventhemeanestcouldpointthefingerofscorn，heretortedonhimwithinterest。Thisaffordscharmingfoodforcontemplation。Itshowsuswhatabeautifulthinghumannaturemaybemadetobe；

andhowimpartiallythesameamiablequalitiesaredevelopedinthefinestlordandthedirtiestcharity-boy。

Oliverhadbeensojourningattheundertaker\'ssomethreeweeksoramonth。Mr。andMrs。Sowerberry——theshopbeingshutup——weretakingtheirsupperinthelittleback-parlour，whenMr。

Sowerberry，afterseveraldeferentialglancesathiswife，said，\'Mydear——\'Hewasgoingtosaymore；but，Mrs。Sowerberrylookingup，withapeculiarlyunpropitiousaspect，hestoppedshort。

\'Well，\'saidMrs。Sowerberry，sharply。

\'Nothing，mydear，nothing，\'saidMr。Sowerberry。

\'Ugh，youbrute！\'saidMrs。Sowerberry。

\'Notatall，mydear，\'saidMr。Sowerberryhumbly。\'Ithoughtyoudidn\'twanttohear，mydear。Iwasonlygoingtosay——\'

\'Oh，don\'ttellmewhatyouweregoingtosay，\'interposedMrs。

Sowerberry。\'Iamnobody；don\'tconsultme，pray。_I_don\'twanttointrudeuponyoursecrets。\'AsMrs。Sowerberrysaidthis，shegaveanhystericallaugh，whichthreatenedviolentconsequences。

\'But，mydear，\'saidSowerberry，\'Iwanttoaskyouradvice。\'

\'No，no，don\'taskmine，\'repliedMrs。Sowerberry，inanaffectingmanner:\'asksomebodyelse\'s。\'Here，therewasanotherhystericallaugh，whichfrightenedMr。Sowerberryverymuch。Thisisaverycommonandmuch-approvedmatrimonialcourseoftreatment，whichisoftenveryeffectiveItatoncereducedMr。Sowerberrytobegging，asaspecialfavour，tobeallowedtosaywhatMrs。Sowerberrywasmostcurioustohear。Afterashortduration，thepermissionwasmostgraciouslyconceded。

\'It\'sonlyaboutyoungTwist，mydear，\'saidMr。Sowerberry。\'A

verygood-lookingboy，that，mydear。\'

\'Heneedbe，forheeatsenough，\'observedthelady。

\'There\'sanexpressionofmelancholyinhisface，mydear，\'

resumedMr。Sowerberry，\'whichisveryinteresting。Hewouldmakeadelightfulmute，mylove。\'

Mrs。Sowerberrylookedupwithanexpressionofconsiderablewonderment。Mr。Sowerberryremarkeditand，withoutallowingtimeforanyobservationonthegoodlady\'spart，proceeded。

\'Idon\'tmeanaregularmutetoattendgrown-uppeople，mydear，butonlyforchildren\'spractice。Itwouldbeverynewtohaveamuteinproportion，mydear。Youmaydependuponit，itwouldhaveasuperbeffect。\'

Mrs。Sowerberry，whohadagooddealoftasteintheundertakingway，wasmuchstruckbythenoveltyofthisidea；but，asitwouldhavebeencompromisingherdignitytohavesaidso，underexistingcircumstances，shemerelyinquired，withmuchsharpness，whysuchanobvioussuggestionhadnotpresenteditselftoherhusband\'smindbefore?Mr。Sowerberryrightlyconstruedthis，asanacquiescenceinhisproposition；itwasspeedilydetermined，therefore，thatOlivershouldbeatonceinitiatedintothemysteriesofthetrade；and，withthisview，thatheshouldaccompanyhismasterontheverynextoccasionofhisservicesbeingrequired。

Theoccasionwasnotlongincoming。Halfanhourafterbreakfastnextmorning，Mr。Bumbleenteredtheshop；andsupportinghiscaneagainstthecounter，drewforthhislargeleathernpocket-book:fromwhichheselectedasmallscrapofpaper，whichhehandedovertoSowerberry。

\'Aha！\'saidtheundertaker，glancingoveritwithalivelycountenance；\'anorderforacoffin，eh?\'

\'Foracoffinfirst，andaporochialfuneralafterwards，\'repliedMr。Bumble，fasteningthestrapoftheleathernpocket-book:

which，likehimself，wasverycorpulent。

\'Bayton，\'saidtheundertaker，lookingfromthescrapofpapertoMr。Bumble。\'Ineverheardthenamebefore。\'

Bumbleshookhishead，ashereplied，\'Obstinatepeople，Mr。

Sowerberry；veryobstinate。Proud，too，I\'mafraid，sir。\'

\'Proud，eh?\'exclaimedMr。Sowerberrywithasneer。\'Come，that\'stoomuch。\'

\'Oh，it\'ssickening，\'repliedthebeadle。\'Antimonial，Mr。

Sowerberry！\'

\'Soitis，\'asquiescedtheundertaker。

\'Weonlyheardofthefamilythenightbeforelast，\'saidthebeadle；\'andweshouldn\'thaveknownanythingaboutthem，then，onlyawomanwholodgesinthesamehousemadeanapplicationtotheporochialcommitteeforthemtosendtheporochialsurgeontoseeawomanaswasverybad。Hehadgoneouttodinner；buthis\'prentice(whichisaverycleverlad)sent\'emsomemedicineinablacking-bottle，offhand。\'

\'Ah，there\'spromptness，\'saidtheundertaker。

\'Promptness，indeed！\'repliedthebeadle。\'Butwhat\'stheconsequence；what\'stheungratefulbehaviouroftheserebels，sir?Why，thehusbandsendsbackwordthatthemedicinewon\'tsuithiswife\'scomplaint，andsosheshan\'ttakeit——sayssheshan\'ttakeit，sir！Good，strong，wholesomemedicine，aswasgivenwithgreatsuccesstotwoIrishlabourersandacoal-heaver，onyaweekbefore——sent\'emfornothing，withablackin\'-bottlein，——andhesendsbackwordthatsheshan\'ttakeit，sir！\'

AstheatrocitypresenteditselftoMr。Bumble\'smindinfullforce，hestruckthecountersharplywithhiscane，andbecameflushedwithindignation。

\'Well，\'saidtheundertaker，\'Ine——ver——did——\'

\'Neverdid，sir！\'ejaculatedthebeadle。\'No，nornobodyneverdid；butnowshe\'sdead，we\'vegottoburyher；andthat\'sthedirection；andthesoonerit\'sdone，thebetter。\'

Thussaying，Mr。Bumbleputonhiscockedhatwrongsidefirst，inafeverofparochialexcietment；andflouncedoutoftheshop。

\'Why，hewassoangry，Oliver，thatheforgoteventoaskafteryou！\'saidMr。Sowerberry，lookingafterthebeadleashestrodedownthestreet。

\'Yes，sir，\'repliedOliver，whohadcarefullykepthimselfoutofsight，duringtheinterview；andwhowasshakingfromheadtofootatthemererecollectionofthesoundofMr。Bumble\'svoice。

Heneedn\'thaventakenthetroubletoshrinkfromMr。Bumble\'sglance，however；forthatfunctionary，onwhomthepredictionofthegentlemaninthewhitewaistcoathadmadeaverystrongimpression，thoughtthatnowtheundertakerhadgotOliverupontrialthesubjectwasbetteravoided，untilsuchtimeasheshouldbefirmlyboundforsevenyears，andalldangerofhisbeingreturneduponthehandsoftheparishshouldbethuseffectuallyandlegallyovercome。

\'Well，\'saidMr。Sowerberry，takinguphishat。\'thesoonerthisjobisdone，thebetter。Noah，lookaftertheshop。Oliver，putonyourcap，andcomewithme。\'Oliverobeyed，andfollowedhismasteronhisprofessionalmission。

Theywalkedon，forsometime，throughthemostcrowdedanddenselyinhabitedpartofthetown；andthen，strikingdownanarrowstreetmoredirtyandmiserablethananytheyhadyetpassedthrough，pausedtolookforthehousewhichwastheobjectoftheirsearch。Thehousesoneithersidewerehighandlarge，butveryold，andtenantedbypeopleofthepoorestclass:astheirneglectedappearancewouldhavesufficientlydentoed，withouttheconcurrenttestimonyaffordedbythesqualidlooksofthefewmenandwomenwho，withfoldedarmsandbodieshalfdoubled，occasionallyskulkedalong。Agreatmanyofthetenementshadshop-fronts；butthesewerefastclosed，andmoulderingaway；onlytheupperroomsbeinginhabited。Somehouseswhichhadbecomeinsecurefromageanddecay，werepreventedfromfallingintothestreet，byhugebeamsofwoodrearedagainstthewalls，andfirmlyplantedintheroad；buteventhesecrazydensseemedtohavebeenselectedasthenightlyhauntsofsomehouselesswretches，formanyoftheroughboardswhichsuppliedtheplaceofdoorandwindow，werewrenchedfromtheirpositions，toaffordanaperturewideenoughforthepassageofahumanbody。Thekennelwasstagnantandfilthy。

Theveryrats，whichhereandtherelayputrefyinginitsrottenness，werehideouswithfamine。

Therewasneitherknockernorbell-handleattheopendoorwhereOliverandhismasterstopped；so，gropinghiswaycautiouslythroughthedarkpassage，andbiddingOliverkeepclosetohimandnotbeafraidtheundertakermountedtothetopofthefirstflightofstairs。Stumblingagainstadooronthelanding，herappedatitwithhisknuckles。

Itwasopenedbyayounggirlofthirteenorfourteen。Theundertakeratoncesawenoughofwhattheroomcontained，toknowitwastheapartmenttowhichhehadbeendirected。Hesteppedin；Oliverfollowedhim。

Therewasnofireintheroom；butamanwascrouching，mechanically，overtheemptystove。Anoldwoman，too，haddrawnalowstooltothecoldhearth，andwassittingbesidehim。

Thereweresomeraggedchildreninanothercorner；andinasmallrecess，oppositethedoor，therelayupontheground，somethingcoveredwithanoldblanket。Olivershudderedashecasthiseyestowardtheplace，andcreptinvoluntarilyclosertohismaster；forthoughitwascoveredup，theboyfeltthatitwasacorpse。

Theman\'sfacewasthinandverypale；hishairandbeardweregrizzly；hiseyeswereblookshot。Theoldwoman\'sfacewaswrinkled；hertworemainingteethprotrudedoverherunderlip；

andhereyeswerebrightandpiercing。Oliverwasafriadtolookateitherherortheman。Theyseemedsoliketheratshehadseenoutside。

\'Nobodyshallgonearher，\'saidtheman，startingfiercelyup，astheundertakerapproachedtherecess。\'Keepback！Damnyou，keepback，ifyou\'vealifetolose！\'

\'Nonsense，mygoodman，\'saidtheundertaker，whowasprettywellusedtomiseryinallitsshapes。\'Nonsense！\'

\'Itellyou，\'saidtheman:clenchinghishands，andstampingfuriouslyonthefloor，——\'ItellyouIwon\'thaveherputintotheground。Shecouldn\'trestthere。Thewormswouldworryher——noteather——sheissowornaway。\'

Theundertakerofferednoreplytothisraving；butproducingatapefromhispocket，kneltdownforamomentbythesideofthebody。

\'Ah！\'saidtheman:burstingintotears，andsinkingonhiskneesatthefeetofthedeadwoman；\'kneeldown，kneeldown——kneelroundher，everyoneofyou，andmarkmywords！Isayshewasstarvedtodeath。Ineverknewhowbadshewas，tillthefevercameuponher；andthenherboneswerestartingthroughtheskin。Therewasneitherfirenorcandle；shediedinthedark——inthedark！Shecouldn\'tevenseeherchildren\'sfaces，thoughweheardhergaspingouttheirnames。Ibeggedforherinthestreets:andtheysentmetoprison。WhenIcameback，shewasdying；andallthebloodinmyhearthasdriedup，fortheystarvedhertodeath。IswearitbeforetheGodthatsawit！

Theystarvedher！\'Hetwinedhishandsinhishair；and，withaloudscream，rolledgrovellinguponthefloor:hiseyesfixed，andthefoamcoveringhislips。

Theterrifiedchildrencriedbitterly；buttheoldwoman，whohadhithertoremainedasquietasifshehadbeenwhollydeaftoallthatpassed，menacedthemintosilence。Havingunloosenedthecravatofthemanwhostillremainedextendedontheground，shetotteredtowardstheundertaker。

\'Shewasmydaughter，\'saidtheoldwoman，noddingherheadinthedirectionofthecorpse；andspeakingwithanidioticleer，moreghastlythaneventhepresenceofdeathinsuchaplace。

\'Lord，Lord！Well，itISstrangethatIwhogavebirthtoher，andwasawomanthen，shouldbealiveandmerrynow，andshelyingther:socoldandstiff！Lord，Lord！——tothinkofit；

it\'sasgoodasaplay——asgoodasaplay！\'

Asthewretchedcreaturemumbledandchuckledinherhideousmerriment，theundertakerturnedtogoaway。

\'Stop，stop！\'saidtheoldwomaninaloudwhisper。\'Willshebeburiedto-morrow，ornextday，orto-night?Ilaidherout；andImustwalk，youknow。Sendmealargecloak:agoodwarmone:

foritisbittercold。Weshouldhavecakeandwine，too，beforewego！Nevermind；sendsomebread——onlyaloafofbreadandacupofwater。Shallwehavesomebread，dear?\'shesaideagerly:

catchingattheundertaker\'scoat，asheoncemoremovedtowardsthedoor。

\'Yes，yes，\'saidtheundertaker，\'ofcourse。Anythingyoulike！\'

Hedisengagedhimselffromtheoldwoman\'sgrasp；and，drawingOliverafterhim，hurriedaway。

Thenextday，(thefamilyhavingbeenmeanwhilerelievedwithahalf-quarternloafandapieceofcheese，leftwiththembyMr。

Bumblehimself，)Oliverandhismasterreturnedtothemiserableabode；whereMr。Bumblehadalreadyarrived，accompaniedbyfourmenfromtheworkhouse，whoweretoactasbearers。Anoldblackcloakhadbeenthrownovertheragsoftheoldwomanandtheman；

andthebarecoffinhavingbeenscreweddown，washoistedontheshouldersofthebearers，andcarriedintothestreet。

\'Now，youmustputyourbestlegforemost，oldlady！\'whisperedSowerberryintheoldwoman\'sear；\'weareratherlate；anditwon\'tdo，tokeeptheclergymanwaiting。Moveon，mymen，——asquickasyoulike！\'

Thusdirected，thebearerstrottedonundertheirlightburden；

andthetwomournerskeptasnearthem，astheycould。Mr。

BumbleandSowerberrywalkedatagoodsmartpaceinfront；andOliver，whoselegswerenotsolongashismaster\'s，ranbytheside。

TherewasnotsogreatanecessityforhurryingasMr。Sowerberryhadanticipated，however；forwhentheyreachedtheobscurecornerofthechurchyardinwhichthenettlesgrew，andwheretheparishgravesweremade，theclergymanhadnotarrived；andtheclerk，whowassittingbythevestry-roomfire，seemedtothinkitbynomeansimprobablethatitmightbeanhourorso，beforehecame。So，theyputthebieronthebrinkofthegrave；andthetwomournerswaitedpatientlyinthedampclay，withacoldraindrizzlingdown，whiletheraggedboyswhomthespectaclehadattractedintothechurchyardplayedanoisygameathide-and-seekamongthetombstones，orvariedtheiramusementsbyjumpingbackwardsandforwardsoverthecoffin。Mr。SowerberryandBumble，beingpersonalfriendsoftheclerk，satbythefirewithhim，andreadthepaper。

Atlength，afteralapseofsomethingmorethananhour，Mr。

Bumble，andSowerberry，andtheclerk，wereseenrunningtowardsthegrave。Immediatelyafterwards，theclergymanappeared:

puttingonhissurpliceashecamealong。Mr。Bumblethenthrashedaboyortwo，tokeepupappearances；andthereverendgentleman，havingreadasmuchoftheburialserviceascouldbecompressedintofourminutes，gavehissurplicetotheclerk，andwalkedawayagain。

\'Now，Bill！\'saidSowerberrytothegrave-digger。\'Fillup！\'

Itwasnoverydifficulttask，forthegravewassofull，thattheuppermostcoffinwaswithinafewfeetofthesurface。Thegrave-diggershovelledintheearth；stampeditlooselydownwithhisfeet:shoulderedhisspade；andwalkedoff，followedbytheboys，whomurmuredveryloudcomplaintsatthefunbeingoversosoon。

\'Come，mygoodfellow！\'saidBumble，tappingthemanontheback。

\'Theywanttoshutuptheyard。\'

Themanwhohadneveroncemoved，sincehehadtakenhisstationbythegraveside，started，raisedhishead，staredatthepersonwhohadaddressedhim，walkedforwardforafewpaces；andfelldowninaswoon。Thecrazyoldwomanwastoomuchoccupiedinbewailingthelossofhercloak(whichtheundertakerhadtakenoff)，topayhimanyattention；sotheythrewacanofcoldwateroverhim；andwhenhecameto，sawhimsafelyoutofthechurchyard，lockedthegate，anddepartedontheirdifferentways。

\'Well，Oliver，\'saidSowerberry，astheywalkedhome，\'howdoyoulikeit?\'

\'Prettywell，thankyou，sir\'repliedOliver，withconsiderablehesitation。\'Notverymuch，sir。\'

\'Ah，you\'llgetusedtoitintime，Oliver，\'saidSowerberry。

\'NothingwhenyouAREusedtoit，myboy。\'

Oliverwondered，inhisownmind，whetherithadtakenaverylongtimetogetMr。Sowerberryusedtoit。Buthethoughtitbetternottoaskthequestion；andwalkedbacktotheshop:

thinkingoverallhehadseenandheard。

CHAPTERVI

OLIVER，BEINGGOADEDBYTHETAUNTSOFNOAH，ROUSESINTOACTION，ANDRATHERASTONISHESHIM

Themonth\'strialover，Oliverwasformallyapprenticed。Itwasanicesicklyseasonjustatthistime。Incommercialphrase，coffinswerelookingup；and，inthecourseofafewweeks，Oliveracquiredagreatdealofexperience。ThesuccessofMr。

Sowerberry\'singeniousspeculation，exceededevenhismostsanguinehopes。Theoldestinhabitantsrecollectednoperiodatwhichmeasleshadbeensoprevalent，orsofataltoinfantexistence；andmanywerethemournfulprocessionswhichlittleOliverheaded，inahat-bandreachingdowntohisknees，totheindescribableadmirationandemotionofallthemothersinthetown。AsOliveraccompaniedhismasterinmostofhisadultexpeditionstoo，inorderthathemightacquirethatequanimityofdemeanourandfullcommandofnervewhichwasessentialtoafinishedundertaker，hehadmanyopportunitiesofobservingthebeautifulresignationandfortitudewithwhichsomestrong-mindedpeoplebeartheirtrialsandlosses。

Forinstance；whenSowerberryhadanorderfortheburialofsomericholdladyorgentleman，whowassurroundedbyagreatnumberofnephewsandnieces，whohadbeenperfectlyinconsolableduringthepreviousillness，andwhosegriefhadbeenwhollyirrepressibleevenonthemostpublicoccasions，theywouldbeashappyamongthemselvesasneedbe——quitecheerfulandcontented——conversingtogetherwithasmuchfreedomandgaiety，asifnothingwhateverhadhappenedtodisturbthem。Husbands，too，borethelossoftheirwiveswiththemostheroiccalmness。

Wives，again，putonweedsfortheirhusbands，asif，sofarfromgrievinginthegarbofsorrow，theyhadmadeuptheirmindstorenderitasbecomingandattractiveaspossible。Itwasobservable，too，thatladiesandgentlemenwhowereinpassionsofanguishduringtheceremonyofinterment，recoveredalmostassoonastheyreachedhome，andbecamequitecomposedbeforethetea-drinkingwasover。Allthiswasverypleasantandimprovingtosee；andOliverbehelditwithgreatadmiration。

ThatOliverTwistwasmovedtoresignationbytheexampleofthesegoodpeople，Icannot，althoughIamhisbiographer，undertaketoaffirmwithanydegreeofconfidence；butIcanmostdistinctlysay，thatformanymonthshecontinuedmeeklytosubmittothedominationandill-treatmentofNoahClaypole:whousedhimfarworsethanbefore，nowthathisjealousywasrousedbyseeingthenewboypromotedtotheblackstickandhatband，whilehe，theoldone，remainedstationaryinthemuffin-capandleathers。Charlottetreatedhimill，becauseNoahdid；andMrs。

Sowerberrywashisdecidedenemy，becauseMr。Sowerberrywasdisposedtobehisfriend；so，betweenthesethreeononeside，andaglutoffuneralsontheother，Oliverwasnotaltogetherascomfortableasthehungrypigwas，whenhewasshutup，bymistake，inthegraindepartmentofabrewery。

Andnow，IcometoaveryimportantpassageinOliver\'shistory；

forIhavetorecordanact，slightandunimportantperhapsinappearance，butwhichindirectlyproducedamaterialchangeinallhisfutureprospectsandproceedings。

Oneday，OliverandNoahhaddescendedintothekitchenattheusualdinner-hour，tobanquetuponasmalljointofmutton——apoundandahalfoftheworstendoftheneck——whenCharlottebeingcalledoutoftheway，thereensuedabriefintervaloftime，whichNoahClaypole，beinghungryandvicious，consideredhecouldnotpossiblydevotetoaworthierpurposethanaggravatingandtantalisingyoungOliverTwist。

Intentuponthisinnocentamusement，Noahputhisfeetonthetable-cloth；andpulledOliver\'shair；andtwitchedhisears；andexpressedhisopinionthathewasa\'sneak\'；andfurthermoreannouncedhisintentionofcomingtoseehimhanged，wheneverthatdesirableeventshouldtakeplace；andentereduponvarioustopicsofpettyannoyance，likeamaliciousandill-conditionedcharity-boyashewas。But，makingOlivercry，Noahattemptedtobemorefacetiousstill；andinhisattempt，didwhatmanysometimesdotothisday，whentheywanttobefunny。Hegotratherpersonal。

\'Work\'us，\'saidNoah，\'how\'syourmother?\'

\'She\'sdead，\'repliedOliver；\'don\'tyousayanythingabouthertome！\'

Oliver\'scolourroseashesaidthis；hebreathedquickly；andtherewasacuriousworkingofthemouthandnostrils，whichMr。

Claypolethoughtmustbetheimmediateprecursorofaviolentfitofcrying。Underthisimpressionhereturnedtothecharge。

\'Whatdidshedieof，Work\'us?\'saidNoah。

\'Ofabrokenheart，someofouroldnursestoldme，\'repliedOliver:moreasifheweretalkingtohimself，thanansweringNoah。\'IthinkIknowwhatitmustbetodieofthat！\'

\'Tolderollollol，rightfollairy，Work\'us，\'saidNoah，asatearrolleddownOliver\'scheek。\'What\'ssetyouasnivellingnow?\'

\'NotYOU，\'repliedOliver，sharply。\'There；that\'senough。Don\'tsayanythingmoretomeabouther；you\'dbetternot！\'

\'Betternot！\'exclaimedNoah。\'Well！Betternot！Work\'us，don\'tbeimpudent。YOURmother，too！Shewasanice\'unshewas。Oh，Lor！\'Andhere，Noahnoddedhisheadexpressively；andcurledupasmuchofhissmallrednoseasmuscularactioncouldcollecttogether，fortheoccasion。

\'Yerknow，Work\'us，\'continuedNoah，emboldenedbyOliver\'ssilence，andspeakinginajeeringtoneofaffectedpity:ofalltonesthemostannoying:\'Yerknow，Work\'us，itcan\'tbehelpednow；andofcourseyercouldn\'thelpitthen；andIamverysorryforit；andI\'msureweallare，andpityyerverymuch。Butyermustknow，Work\'us，yermotherwasaregularright-downbad\'un。\'

\'Whatdidyousay?\'inquiredOliver，lookingupveryquickly。

\'Aregularright-downbad\'un，Work\'us，\'repliedNoah，coolly。

\'Andit\'sagreatdealbetter，Work\'us，thatshediedwhenshedid，orelseshe\'dhavebeenhardlabouringinBridewell，ortransported，orhung；whichismorelikelythaneither，isn\'tit?\'

Crimsonwithfury，Oliverstartedup；overthrewthechairandtable；seizedNoahbythethroat；shookhim，intheviolenceofhisrage，tillhisteethchatteredinhishead；andcollectinghiswholeforceintooneheavyblow，felledhimtotheground。

Aminuteago，theboyhadlookedthequietchild，mild，dejectedcreaturethatharshtreatmenthadmadehim。Buthisspiritwasrousedatlast；thecruelinsulttohisdeadmotherhadsethisbloodonfire。Hisbreastheaved；hisattitudewaserect；hiseyebrightandvivid；hiswholepersonchanged，ashestoodglaringoverthecowardlytormentorwhonowlaycrouchingathisfeet；anddefiedhimwithanenergyhehadneverknownbefore。

\'He\'llmurderme！\'blubberedNoah。\'Charlotte！missis！Here\'sthenewboyamurderingofme！Help！help！Oliver\'sgonemad！

Char——lotte！\'

Noah\'sshoutswererespondedto，byaloudscreamfromCharlotte，andalouderfromMrs。Sowerberry；theformerofwhomrushedintothekitchenbyaside-door，whilethelatterpausedonthestaircasetillshewasquitecertainthatitwasconsistentwiththepreservationofhumanlife，tocomefurtherdown。

\'Oh，youlittlewretch！\'screamedCharlotte:seizingOliverwithherutmostforce，whichwasaboutequaltothatofamoderatelystrongmaninparticularlygoodtraining。\'Oh，youlittleun-grate-ful，mur-de-rous，hor-ridvillain！\'Andbetweeneverysyllable，CharlottegaveOliverablowwithallhermight:

accompanyingitwithascream，forthebenefitofsociety。

Charlotte\'sfistwasbynomeansalightone；but，lestitshouldnotbeeffectualincalmingOliver\'swrath，Mrs。Sowerberryplungedintothekitchen，andassistedtoholdhimwithonehand，whileshescratchedhisfacewiththeother。Inthisfavourablepositionofaffairs，Noahrosefromtheground，andpommelledhimbehind。

Thiswasrathertooviolentexercisetolastlong。Whentheywereallweariedout，andcouldtearandbeatnolonger，theydraggedOliver，strugglingandshouting，butnothingdaunted，intothedust-cellar，andtherelockedhimup。Thisbeingdone，Mrs。Sowerberrysunkintoachair，andburstintotears。

\'Blessher，she\'sgoingoff！\'saidCharlotte。\'Aglassofwater，Noah，dear。Makehaste！\'

\'Oh！Charlotte，\'saidMrs。Sowerberry:speakingaswellasshecould，throughadeficiencyofbreath，andasufficiencyofcoldwater，whichNoahhadpouredoverherheadandshoulders。\'Oh！

Charlotte，whatamercywehavenotallbeenmurderedinourbeds！\'

\'Ah！mercyindeed，ma\'am，\'wasthereply。Ionlyhopethis\'llteachmasternottohaveanymoreofthesedreadfulcreatures，thatareborntobemurderersandrobbersfromtheirverycradle。

PoorNoah！Hewasallbutkilled，ma\'am，whenIcomein。\'

\'Poorfellow！\'saidMrs。Sowerberry:lookingpiteouslyonthecharity-boy。

Noah，whosetopwaistcoat-buttonmighthavebeensomewhereonalevelwiththecrownofOliver\'shead，rubbedhiseyeswiththeinsideofhiswristswhilethiscommiserationwasbestoweduponhim，andperformedsomeaffectingtearsandsniffs。

\'What\'stobedone！\'exclaimedMrs。Sowerberry。\'Yourmaster\'snotathome；there\'snotamaninthehouse，andhe\'llkickthatdoordownintenminutes。\'Oliver\'svigorousplungesagainstthebitoftimberinquestion，renderedthisoccurancehighlyprobable。

\'Dear，dear！Idon\'tknow，ma\'am，\'saidCharlotte，\'unlesswesendforthepolice-officers。\'

\'Orthemillingtary，\'suggestedMr。Claypole。

\'No，no，\'saidMrs。Sowerberry:bethinkingherselfofOliver\'soldfriend。\'RuntoMr。Bumble，Noah，andtellhimtocomeheredirectly，andnottoloseaminute；nevermindyourcap！Makehaste！Youcanholdaknifetothatblackeye，asyourunalong。

It\'llkeeptheswellingdown。\'

Noahstoppedtomakenoreply，butstartedoffathisfullestspeed；andverymuchitastonishedthepeoplewhowereoutwalking，toseeacharity-boytearingthroughthestreetspell-mell，withnocaponhishead，andaclasp-knifeathiseye。

CHAPTERVII

OLIVERCONTINUESREFRACTORY

NoahClaypoleranalongthestreetsathisswiftestpace，andpausednotonceforbreath，untilhereachedtheworkhouse-gate。

Havingrestedhere，foraminuteorso，tocollectagoodburstofsobsandanimposingshowoftearsandterror，heknockedloudlyatthewicket；andpresentedsucharuefulfacetotheagedpauperwhoopenedit，thatevenhe，whosawnothingbutruefulfacesabouthimatthebestoftimes，startedbackinastonishment。

\'Why，what\'sthematterwiththeboy！\'saidtheoldpauper。

\'Mr。Bumble！Mr。Bumble！\'criedNoah，witwell-affecteddismay:

andintonessoloudandagitated，thattheynotonlycaughttheearofMr。Bumblehimself，whohappenedtobehardby，butalarmedhimsomuchthatherushedintotheyardwithouthiscockedhat，——whichisaverycuriousandremarkablecircumstance:asshowingthatevenabeadle，acteduponasuddenandpowerfulimpulse，maybeafflictedwithamomentaryvisitationoflossofself-possession，andforgetfulnessofpersonaldignity。

\'Oh，Mr。Bumble，sir！\'saidNoah:\'Oliver，sir，——Oliverhas——\'

\'What?What?\'interposedMr。Bumble:withagleamofpleasureinhismetalliceyes。\'Notrunaway；hehasn\'trunaway，hashe，Noah?\'

\'No，sir，no。Notrunaway，sir，buthe\'sturnedwicious，\'

repliedNoah。\'Hetriedtomurderme，sir；andthenhetriedtomurderCharlotte；andthenmissis。Oh！whatdreadfulpainitis！

Suchagony，please，sir！\'Andhere，Noahwrithedandtwistedhisbodyintoanextensivevarietyofeel-likepositions；therebygivingMr。Bumbletounderstandthat，fromtheviolentandsanguinaryonsetofOliverTwist，hehadsustainedsevereinternalinjuryanddamage，fromwhichhewasatthatmomentsufferingtheacutesttorture。

WhenNoahsawthattheintelligencehecommunicatedperfectlyparalysedMr。Bumble，heimpartedadditionaleffectthereunto，bybewailinghisdreadfulwoundstentimeslouderthanbefore；andwhenheobservedagentlemaninawhitewaistcoatcrossingtheyard，hewasmoretragicinhislamentationsthanever:rightlyconceivingithighlyexpedienttoattractthenotice，androusetheindignation，ofthegentlemanaforesaid。

Thegentleman\'snoticewasverysoonattracted；forhehadnotwalkedthreepaces，whenheturnedangrilyround，andinquiredwhatthatyoungcurwashowlingfor，andwhyMr。Bumbledidnotfavourhimwithsomethingwhichwouldrendertheseriesofvocularexclamationssodesignated，aninvoluntaryprocess?

\'It\'sapoorboyfromthefree-school，sir，\'repliedMr。Bumble，\'whohasbeennearlymurdered——allbutmurdered，sir，——byyoungTwist。\'

\'ByJove！\'exclaimedthegentlemaninthewhitewaistcoat，stoppingshort。\'Iknewit！Ifeltastrangepresentimentfromtheveryfirst，thatthataudaciousyoungsavagewouldcometobehung！\'

\'Hehaslikewiseattempted，sir，tomurderthefemaleservant，\'

saidMr。Bumble，withafaceofashypaleness。

\'Andhismissis，\'interposedMr。Claypole。

\'Andhismaster，too，Ithinkyousaid，Noah?\'addedMr。Bumble。

\'No！he\'sout，orhewouldhavemurderedhim，\'repliedNoah。\'Hesaidhewantedto。\'

\'Ah！Saidhewantedto，didhe，myboy?\'inquiredthegentlemaninthewhitewaistcoat。

\'Yes，sir，\'repliedNoah。\'Andplease，sir，missiswantstoknowwhetherMr。Bumblecansparetimetostepupthere，directly，andfloghim——\'causemaster\'sout。\'

\'Certainly，myboy；certainly，\'saidthegentlemaninthewhitewaistcoat:smilingbenignly，andpattingNoah\'shead，whichwasaboutthreeincheshigherthanhisown。\'You\'reagoodboy——averygoodboy。Here\'sapennyforyou。Bumble，juststepuptoSowerberry\'swithyourcane，andseedwhat\'sbesttobedone。

Don\'tsparehim，Bumble。\'

\'No，Iwillnot，sir，\'repliedthebeadle。Andthecockedhatandcanehavingbeen，bythistime，adjustedtotheirowner\'ssatisfaction，Mr。BumbleandNoahClaypolebetookthemselveswithallspeedtotheundertaker\'sshop。

Herethepositionofaffairshadnotatallimproved。Sowerberryhadnotyetreturned，andOlivercontinuedtokick，withundiminishedvigour，atthecellar-door。TheaccountsofhisferocityasrelatedbyMrs。SowerberryandCharlotte，wereofsostartlinganature，thatMr。Bumblejudgeditprudenttoparley，beforeopeningthedoor。Withthisviewhegaveakickattheoutside，bywayofprelude；and，then，applyinghismouthtothekeyhole，said，inadeepandimpressivetone:

\'Oliver！\'

\'Come；youletmeout！\'repliedOliver，fromtheinside。

\'Doyouknowthisherevoice，Oliver?\'saidMr。Bumble。

\'Yes，\'repliedOliver。

\'Ain\'tyouafraidofit，sir?Ain\'tyoua-tremblingwhileI

speak，sir?\'saidMr。Bumble。

\'No！\'repliedOliver，boldly。

Ananswersodifferentfromtheonehehadexpectedtoelicit，andwasinthehabitofreceiving，staggeredMr。Bumblenotalittle。Hesteppedbackfromthekeyhole；drewhimselfuptohisfullheight；andlookedfromonetoanotherofthethreebystanders，inmuteastonishment。

\'Oh，youknow，Mr。Bumble，hemustbemad，\'saidMrs。Sowerberry。

\'Noboyinhalfhissensescouldventuretospeaksotoyou。\'

\'It\'snotMadness，ma\'am，\'repliedMr。Bumble，afterafewmomentsofdeepmeditation。\'It\'sMeat。\'

\'What?\'exclaimedMrs。Sowerberry。

\'Meat，ma\'am，meat，\'repliedBumble，withsternemphasis。

\'You\'veover-fedhim，ma\'am。You\'veraisedaartificialsoulandspiritinhim，ma\'amunbecomingapersonofhiscondition:astheboard，Mrs。Sowerberry，whoarepracticalphilosophers，willtellyou。Whathavepauperstodowithsoulorspirit?It\'squiteenoughthatwelet\'emhavelivebodies。Ifyouhadkepttheboyongruel，ma\'am，thiswouldneverhavehappened。\'

\'Dear，dear！\'ejaculatedMrs。Sowerberry，piouslyraisinghereyestothekitchenceiling:\'thiscomesofbeingliberal！\'

TheliberalityofMrs。SowerberrytoOliver，hadconsistedofaprofusebestowaluponhimofallthedirtyoddsandendswhichnobodyelsewouldeat；sotherewasagreatdealofmeeknessandself-devotioninhervoluntarilyremainingunderMr。Bumble\'sheavyaccusation。Ofwhich，todoherjustice，shewaswhollyinnocent，inthought，word，ordeed。

\'Ah！\'saidMr。Bumble，whentheladybroughthereyesdowntoearthagain；\'theonlythingthatcanbedonenow，thatIknowof，istoleavehiminthecellarforadayorso，tillhe\'salittlestarveddown；andthentotakehimout，andkeephimongruelallthroughtheapprenticeship。Hecomesofabadfamily。

Excitablenatures，Mrs。Sowerberry！Boththenurseanddoctorsaid，thatthatmotherofhismadeherwayhere，againstdifficultiesandpainthatwouldhavekilledanywell-disposedwoman，weeksbefore。\'

AtthispointofMr。Bumble\'sdiscourse，Oliver，justhearingenoughtoknowthatsomeallusionwasbeingmadetohismother，recommencedkicking，withaviolencethatrenderedeveryothersoundinaudible。Sowerberryreturnedatthisjuncture。Oliver\'soffencehavingbeenexplainedtohim，withsuchexaggerationsastheladiesthoughtbestcalculatedtorousehisire，heunlockedthecellar-doorinatwinkling，anddraggedhisrebelliousapprenticeout，bythecollar。

Oliver\'sclotheshadbeentorninthebeatinghehadreceived；

hisfacewasbruisedandscratched；andhishairscatteredoverhisforehead。Theangryflushhadnotdisappeared，however；andwhenhewaspulledoutofhisprison，hescowledboldlyonNoah，andlookedquiteundismayed。

\'Now，youareaniceyoungfellow，ain\'tyou?\'saidSowerberry；

givingOliverashake，andaboxontheear。

\'Hecalledmymothernames，\'repliedOliver。

\'Well，andwhatifhedid，youlittleungratefulwretch?\'saidMrs。Sowerberry。\'Shedeservedwhathesaid，andworse。\'

\'Shedidn\'t\'saidOliver。

\'Shedid，\'saidMrs。Sowerberry。

\'It\'salie！\'saidOliver。

Mrs。Sowerberryburstintoafloodoftears。

ThisfloodoftearsleftMr。Sowerberrynoalternative。IfhehadhesitatedforoneinstanttopunishOlivermostseverely，itmustbequitecleartoeveryexperiencedreaderthathewouldhavebeen，accordingtoallprecedentsindisputesofmatrimonyestablished，abrute，anunnaturalhusband，aninsultingcreature，abaseimitationofaman，andvariousotheragreeablecharacterstoonumerousforrecitalwithinthelimitsofthischapter。Todohimjustice，hewas，asfarashispowerwent——itwasnotveryextensive——kindlydisposedtowardstheboy；perhaps，becauseitwashisinteresttobeso；perhaps，becausehiswifedislikedhim。Thefloodoftears，however，lefthimnoresource；

soheatoncegavehimadrubbing，whichsatisfiedevenMrs。

Sowerberryherself，andrenderedMr。Bumble\'ssubsequentapplicationoftheparochialcane，ratherunnecessary。Fortherestoftheday，hewasshutupinthebackkitchen，incompanywithapumpandasliceofbread；andatnight，Mrs。Sowerberry，aftermakingvariousremarksoutsidethedoor，bynomeanscomplimentarytothememoryofhismother，lookedintotheroom，and，amidstthejeersandpointingsofNoahandCharlotte，orderedhimupstairstohisdismalbed。

Itwasnotuntilhewasleftaloneinthesilenceandstillnessofthegloomyworkshopoftheundertaker，thatOlivergavewaytothefeelingswhichtheday\'streatmentmaybesupposedlikelytohaveawakenedinamerechild。Hehadlistenedtotheirtauntswithalookofcontempt；hehadbornethelashwithoutacry:

forhefeltthatprideswellinginhisheartwhichwouldhavekeptdownashriektothelast，thoughtheyhadroastedhimalive。Butnow，whentherewerenonetoseeorhearhim，hefelluponhiskneesonthefloor；and，hidinghisfaceinhishands，weptsuchtearsas，Godsendforthecreditofournature，fewsoyoungmayeverhavecausetopouroutbeforehim！

Foralongtime，Oliverremainedmotionlessinthisattitude。Thecandlewasburninglowinthesocketwhenherosetohisfeet。

Havinggazedcautiouslyroundhim，andlistenedintently，hegentlyundidthefasteningsofthedoor，andlookedabroad。

Itwasacold，darknight。Thestarsseemed，totheboy\'seyes，fartherfromtheearththanhehadeverseenthembefore；therewasnowind；andthesombreshadowsthrownbythetreesupontheground，lookedsepulchralanddeath-like，frombeingsostill。

Hesoftlyreclosedthedoor。Havingavailedhimselfoftheexpiringlightofthecandletotieupinahandkerchiefthefewarticlesofwearingapparelhehad，sathimselfdownuponabench，towaitformorning。

Withthefirstrayoflightthatstruggledthroughthecrevicesintheshutters，Oliverarose，andagainunbarredthedoor。Onetimidlookaround——onemoment\'spauseofhesitation——hehadcloseditbehindhim，andwasintheopenstreet。

Helookedtotherightandtotheleft，uncertainwhithertofly。

Herememberedtohaveseenthewaggons，astheywentout，toilingupthehill。Hetookthesameroute；andarrivingatafootpathacrossthefields:whichheknew，aftersomedistance，ledoutagainintotheroad；struckintoit，andwalkedquicklyon。

Alongthissamefootpath，Oliverwell-rememberedhehadtrottedbesideMr。Bumble，whenhefirstcarriedhimtotheworkhousefromthefarm。Hiswaylaydirectlyinfrontofthecottage。

Hisheartbeatquicklywhenhebethoughthimselfofthis；andhehalfresolvedtoturnback。Hehadcomealongwaythough，andshouldloseagreatdealoftimebydoingso。Besides，itwassoearlythattherewasverylittlefearofhisbeingseen；sohewalkedon。

Hereachedthehouse。Therewasnoappearanceofitsinmatesstirringatthatearlyhour。Oliverstopped，andpeepedintothegarden。Achildwasweedingoneofthelittlebeds；ashestopped，heraisedhispalefaceanddisclosedthefeaturesofoneofhisformercompanions。Oliverfeltgladtoseehim，beforehewent；for，thoughyoungerthanhimself，hehadbeenhislittlefriendandplaymate。Theyhadbeenbeaten，andstarved，andshutuptogether，manyandmanyatime。

\'Hush，Dick！\'saidOliver，astheboyrantothegate，andthrusthisthinarmbetweentherailstogreethim。\'Isanyoneup?\'

\'Nobodybutme，\'repliedthechild。

\'Youmusn\'tsayyousawme，Dick，\'saidOliver。\'Iamrunningaway。Theybeatandill-useme，Dick；andIamgoingtoseekmyfortune，somelongwayoff。Idon\'tknowwhere。Howpaleyouare！\'

\'IheardthedoctortellthemIwasdying，\'repliedthechildwithafaintsmile。\'Iamverygladtoseeyou，dear；butdon\'tstop，don\'tstop！\'

\'Yes，yes，Iwill，tosaygood-b\'yetoyou，\'repliedOliver。\'I

shallseeyouagain，Dick。IknowIshall！Youwillbewellandhappy！\'

\'Ihopeso，\'repliedthechild。\'AfterIamdead，butnotbefore。Iknowthedoctormustberight，Oliver，becauseIdreamsomuchofHeaven，andAngels，andkindfacesthatIneverseewhenIamawake。Kissme，\'saidthechild，climbingupthelowgate，andflinginghislittlearmsroundOliver\'sneck。

\'Good-b\'ye，dear！Godblessyou！\'

Theblessingwasfromayoungchild\'slips，butitwasthefirstthatOliverhadeverheardinvokeduponhishead；andthroughthestrugglesandsufferings，andtroublesandchanges，ofhisafterlife，heneveronceforgotit。

CHAPTERVIII

OLIVERWALKSTOLONDON。HEENCOUNTERSONTHEROADASTRANGESORT

OFYOUNGGENTLEMAN

Oliverreachedthestileatwhichtheby-pathterminated；andoncemoregainedthehigh-road。Itwaseighto\'clocknow。Thoughhewasnearlyfivemilesawayfromthetown，heran，andhidbehindthehedges，byturns，tillnoon:fearingthathemightbepursuedandovertaken。Thenhesatdowntorestbythesideofthemilestone，andbegantothink，forthefirsttime，wherehehadbettergoandtrytolive。

Thestonebywhichhewasseated，bore，inlargecharacters，anintimationthatitwasjustseventymilesfromthatspottoLondon。Thenameawakenedanewtrainofideasintheboy\'smind。

London！——thatgreatplace！——nobody——notevenMr。Bumble——couldeverfindhimthere！Hehadoftenheardtheoldmenintheworkhouse，too，saythatnoladofspiritneedwantinLondon；

andthattherewerewaysoflivinginthatvastcity，whichthosewhohadbeenbredupincountrypartshadnoideaof。Itwastheveryplaceforahomelessboy，whomustdieinthestreetsunlesssomeonehelpedhim。Asthesethingspassedthroughhisthoughts，hejumpeduponhisfeet，andagainwalkedforward。

HehaddiminishedthedistancebetweenhimselfandLondonbyfullfourmilesmore，beforeherecollectedhowmuchhemustundergoerehecouldhopetoreachhisplaceofdestination。Asthisconsiderationforceditselfuponhim，heslackenedhispacealittle，andmeditateduponhismeansofgettingthere。Hehadacrustofbread，acoarseshirt，andtwopairsofstockings，inhisbundle。Hehadapennytoo——agiftofSowerberry\'saftersomefuneralinwhichhehadacquittedhimselfmorethanordinarilywell——inhispocket。\'Acleanshirt，\'thoughtOliver，\'isaverycomfortablething；andsoaretwopairsofdarnedstockings；andsoisapenny；buttheysmallhelpstoasixty-fivemiles\'walkinwintertime。\'ButOliver\'sthoughts，likethoseofmostotherpeople，althoughtheywereextremelyreadyandactivetopointouthisdifficulties，werewhollyatalosstosuggestanyfeasiblemodeofsurmountingthem；so，afteragooddealofthinkingtonoparticularpurpose，hechangedhislittlebundleovertotheothershoulder，andtrudgedon。

Oliverwalkedtwentymilesthatday；andallthattimetastednothingbutthecrustofdrybread，andafewdraughtsofwater，whichhebeggedatthecottage-doorsbytheroad-side。Whenthenightcame，heturnedintoameadow；and，creepingcloseunderahay-rick，determinedtoliethere，tillmorning。Hefeltfrightenedatfirst，forthewindmoaneddismallyovertheemptyfields:andhewascoldandhungry，andmorealonethanhehadeverfeltbefore。Beingverytiredwithhiswalk，however，hesoonfellasleepandforgothistroubles。

Hefeltcoldandstiff，whenhegotupnextmorning，andsohungrythathewasobligedtoexchangethepennyforasmallloaf，intheveryfirstvillagethroughwhichhepassed。Hehadwalkednomorethantwelvemiles，whennightclosedinagain。

Hisfeetweresore，andhislegssoweakthattheytrembledbeneathhim。Anothernightpassedinthebleakdampair，madehimworse；whenhesetforwardonhisjourneynextmorninghecouldhardlycrawlalong。

Hewaitedatthebottomofasteephilltillastage-coachcameup，andthenbeggedoftheoutsidepassengers；buttherewereveryfewwhotookanynoticeofhim:andeventhosetoldhimtowaittilltheygottothetopofthehill，andthenletthemseehowfarhecouldrunforahalfpenny。PoorOlivertriedtokeepupwiththecoachalittleway，butwasunabletodoit，byreasonofhisfatigueandsorefeet。Whentheoutsidessawthis，theyputtheirhalfpencebackintotheirpocketsagain，declaringthathewasanidleyoungdog，anddidn\'tdeserveanything；andthecoachrattledawayandleftonlyacloudofdustbehind。

Insomevillages，largepaintedboardswerefixedup:warningallpersonswhobeggedwithinthedistrict，thattheywouldbesenttojail。ThisfrightenedOliververymuch，andmadehimgladtogetoutofthosevillageswithallpossibleexpedition。Inothers，hewouldstandabouttheinn-yards，andlookmournfullyateveryonewhopassed:aproceedingwhichgenerallyterminatedinthelandlady\'sorderingoneofthepost-boyswhowereloungingabout，todrivethatstrangeboyoutoftheplace，forshewassurehehadcometostealsomething。Ifhebeggedatafarmer\'shouse，tentoonebuttheythreatenedtosetthedogonhim；andwhenheshowedhisnoseinashop，theytalkedaboutthebeadle——whichbroughtOliver\'sheartintohismouth，——veryoftentheonlythinghehadthere，formanyhourstogether。

Infact，ifithadnotbeenforagood-heartedturnpike-man，andabenevolentoldlady，Oliver\'stroubleswouldhavebeenshortenedbytheverysameprocesswhichhadputanendtohismother\'s；inotherwords，hewouldmostassuredlyhavefallendeadupontheking\'shighway。Buttheturnpike-mangavehimamealofbreadandcheese；andtheoldlady，whohadashipwreckedgrandsonwanderingbarefootinsomedistantpartoftheearth，tookpityuponthepoororphan，andgavehimwhatlittleshecouldafford——andmore——withsuchkindandgentlywords，andsuchtearsofsympathyandcompassion，thattheysankdeeperintoOliver\'ssoul，thanallthesufferingshehadeverundergone。

Earlyontheseventhmorningafterhehadlefthisnativeplace，OliverlimpedslowlyintothelittletownofBarnet。Thewindow-shutterswereclosed；thestreetwasempty；notasoulhadawakenedtothebusinessoftheday。Thesunwasrisinginallitssplendidbeauty；butthelightonlyservedtoshowtheboyhisownlonesomenessanddesolation，ashesat，withbleedingfeetandcoveredwithdust，uponadoor-step。

Bydegrees，theshutterswereopened；thewindow-blindsweredrawnup；andpeoplebeganpassingtoandfro。SomefewstoppedtogazeatOliverforamomentortwo，orturnedroundtostareathimastheyhurriedby；butnonerelievedhim，ortroubledthemselvestoinquirehowhecamethere。Hehadnohearttobeg。

Andtherehesat。

Hehadbeencrouchingonthestepforsometime:wonderingatthegreatnumberofpublic-houses(everyotherhouseinBarnetwasatavern，largeorsmall)，gazinglistlesslyatthecoachesastheypassedthrough，andthinkinghowstrangeitseemedthattheycoulddo，withease，inafewhours，whatithadtakenhimawholeweekofcourageanddeterminationbeyondhisyearstoaccomplish:whenhewasrousedbyobservingthataboy，whohadpassedhimcarelesslysomeminutesbefore，hadreturned，andwasnowsurveyinghimmostearnestlyfromtheoppositesideoftheway。Hetooklittleheedofthisatfirst；buttheboyremainedinthesameattitudeofcloseobservationsolong，thatOliverraisedhishead，andreturnedhissteadylook。Uponthis，theboycrossedover；andwalkingcloseuptoOliver，said\'Hullo，mycovey！What\'stherow?\'

Theboywhoaddressedthisinquirytotheyoungwayfarer，wasabouthisownage:butoneofthequeerestlookingboysthatOliverhadevenseen。Hewasasnub-nosed，flat-browed，common-facedboyenough；andasdirtyajuvenileasonewouldwishtosee；buthehadabouthimalltheairsandmannersofaman。Hewasshortofhisage:withratherbow-legs，andlittle，sharp，uglyeyes。Hishatwasstuckonthetopofhisheadsolightly，thatitthreatenedtofalloffeverymoment——andwouldhavedoneso，veryoften，ifthewearerhadnothadaknackofeverynowandthengivinghisheadasuddentwitch，whichbroughtitbacktoitsoldplaceagain。Heworeaman\'scoat，whichreachednearlytohisheels。Hehadturnedthecuffsback，half-wayuphisarm，togethishandsoutofthesleeves:

apparentlywiththeultimatedviewofthrustingthemintothepocketsofhiscorduroytrousers；fortherehekeptthem。Hewas，altogether，asroysteringandswaggeringayounggentlemanaseverstoodfourfeetsix，orsomethingless，inthebluchers。

\'Hullo，mycovey！What\'stherow?\'saidthisstrangeyounggentlemantoOliver。

\'Iamveryhungryandtired，\'repliedOliver:thetearsstandinginhiseyesashespoke。\'Ihavewalkedalongway。Ihavebeenwalkingthesesevendays。\'

\'Walkingforsivindays！\'saidtheyounggentleman。\'Oh，Isee。

Beak\'sorder，eh?But，\'headded，noticingOliver\'slookofsurprise，\'Isupposeyoudon\'tknowwhatabeakis，myflashcom-pan-i-on。\'

Olivermildlyreplied，thathehadalwaysheardabird\'smouthdescribedbytheterminquestion。

\'Myeyes，howgreen！\'exclaimedtheyounggentleman。\'Why，abeak\'samadgst\'rate；andwhenyouwalkbyabeak\'sorder，it\'snotstraightforerd，butalwaysagoingup，andniveracomingdownagin。Wasyouneveronthemill?\'

\'Whatmill?\'inquiredOliver。

\'Whatmill！Why，THEmill——themillastakesupsolittleroomthatit\'llworkinsideaStoneJug；andalwaysgoesbetterwhenthewind\'slowwithpeople，thanwhenit\'shigh；acosthentheycan\'tgetworkmen。Butcome，\'saidtheyounggentleman；\'youwantgrub，andyoushallhaveit。I\'matlow-water-markmyself——onlyonebobandamagpie；but，asfarasitgoes，I\'llforkoutandstump。Upwithyouonyourpins。There！Nowthen！

Morrice！\'

AssistingOlivertorise，theyounggentlemantookhimtoanadjacentchandler\'sshop，wherehepurchasedasufficiencyofready-dressedhamandahalf-quarternloaf，or，ashehimselfexpressedit，\'afourpennybran！\'thehambeingkeptcleanandpreservedfromdust，bytheingeniousexpedientofmakingaholeintheloafbypullingoutaportionofthecrumb，andstuffingittherein。Takingthebreadunderhisarm，theyounggentlmanturnedintoasmallpublic-house，andledthewaytoatap-roomintherearofthepremises。Here，apotofbeerwasbroughtin，bydirectionofthemysteriousyouth；andOliver，fallingto，athisnewfriend\'sbidding，madealongandheartymeal，duringtheprogressofwhichthestrangeboyeyedhimfromtimetotimewithgreatattention。

\'GoingtoLondon?\'saidthestrangeboy，whenOliverhadatlengthconcluded。

\'Yes。\'

\'Gotanylodgings?\'

\'No。\'

\'Money?\'

\'No。\'

Thestrangeboywhistled；andputhisarmsintohispockets，asfarasthebigcoat-sleeveswouldletthemgo。

\'DoyouliveinLondon?\'inquiredOliver。

\'Yes。Ido，whenI\'mathome，\'repliedtheboy。\'Isupposeyouwantsomeplacetosleepinto-night，don\'tyou?\'

\'Ido，indeed，\'answeredOliver。\'IhavenotsleptunderaroofsinceIleftthecountry。\'

\'Don\'tfretyoureyelidsonthatscore。\'saidtheyounggentleman。\'I\'vegottobeinLondonto-night；andIknowa\'spectableoldgentlemanaslivesthere，wot\'llgiveyoulodgingsfornothink，andneveraskforthechange——thatis，ifanygenelmanheknowsinterducesyou。Anddon\'theknowme?Oh，no！

Notintheleast！Bynomeans。Certainlynot！\'