第3章

Theyounggentelmansmiled，asiftointimatethatthelatterfragmentsofdiscoursewereplayfullyironical；andfinishedthebeerashedidso。

Thisunexpectedofferofshelterwastootemptingtoberesisted；

especiallyasitwasimmediatelyfollowedup，bytheassurancethattheoldgentlemanreferredto，woulddoubtlessprovideOliverwithacomfortableplace，withoutlossoftime。Thisledtoamorefriendlyandconfidentialdialogue；fromwhichOliverdiscoveredthathisfriend\'snamewasJackDawkins，andthathewasapeculiarpetandprotegeoftheelderlygentlemanbeforementioned。

Mr。Dawkin\'sappearancedidnotsayavastdealinfavourofthecomfortswhichhispatron\'sinterestobtainedforthosewhomhetookunderhisprotection；but，ashehadaratherflightlyanddissolutemodeofconversing，andfurthermoreavowedthatamonghisintimatefriendshewasbetterknownbythesobriquetof\'TheArtfulDodger，\'Oliverconcludedthat，beingofadissipatedandcarelessturn，themoralpreceptsofhisbenefactorhadhithertobeenthrownawayuponhim。Underthisimpression，hesecretlyresolvedtocultivatethegoodopinionoftheoldgentlemanasquicklyaspossible；and，ifhefoundtheDodgerincorrigible，ashemorethanhalfsuspectedheshould，todeclinethehonourofhisfartheracquaintance。

AsJohnDawkinsobjectedtotheirenteringLondonbeforenightfall，itwasnearlyeleveno\'clockwhentheyreachedtheturnpikeatIslington。TheycrossedfromtheAngelintoSt。

John\'sRoad；struckdownthesmallstreetwhichterminatesatSadler\'sWellsTheatre；throughExmouthStreetandCoppiceRow；

downthelittlecourtbythesideoftheworkhouse；acrosstheclassicgroundwhichonceborethenameofHockley-in-the-Hole；

thenceintoLittleSaffronHill；andsointoSaffronHilltheGreat:alongwhichtheDodgerscuddedatarapidpace，directingOlivertofollowcloseathisheels。

AlthoughOliverhadenoughtooccupyhisattentioninkeepingsightofhisleader，hecouldnothelpbestowingafewhastyglancesoneithersideoftheway，ashepassedalong。Adirtierormorewretchedplacehehadneverseen。Thestreetwasverynarrowandmuddy，andtheairwasimpregnatedwithfilthyodours。

Therewereagoodmanysmallshops；buttheonlystockintradeappearedtobeheapsofchildren，who，evenatthattimeofnight，werecrawlinginandoutatthedoors，orscreamingfromtheinside。Thesoleplacesthatseemedtoprosperamidthegeneralblightoftheplace，werethepublic-houses；andinthem，thelowestordersofIrishwerewranglingwithmightandmain。

Coveredwaysandyards，whichhereandtheredivergedfromthemainstreet，disclosedlittleknotsofhouses，wheredrunkenmenandwomenwerepositivelywallowinginfilth；andfromseveralofthedoor-ways，greatill-lookingfellowswerecautiouslyemerging，bound，toallappearance，onnoverywell-disposedorharmlesserrands。

Oliverwasjustconsideringwhetherhehadn\'tbetterrunaway，whentheyreachedthebottomofthehill。Hisconductor，catchinghimbythearm，pushedopenthedoorofahousenearFieldLane；anddrawinghimintothepassage，closeditbehindthem。

\'Now，then！\'criedavoicefrombelow，inreplytoawhistlefromtheDodger。

\'Plummyandslam！\'wasthereply。

Thisseemedtobesomewatchwordorsignalthatallwasright；

forthelightofafeeblecandlegleamedonthewallattheremoteendofthepassage；andaman\'sfacepeepedout，fromwhereabalustradeoftheoldkitchenstaircasehadbeenbrokenaway。

\'There\'stwoonyou，\'saidtheman，thrustingthecandlefartherout，andshieldinghiseyeswithhishand。\'Who\'sthet\'otherone?\'

\'Anewpal，\'repliedJackDawkins，pullingOliverforward。

\'Wheredidhecomefrom?\'

\'Greenland。IsFaginupstairs?\'

\'Yes，he\'sasortin\'thewipes。Upwithyou！\'Thecandlewasdrawnback，andthefacedisappeared。

Oliver，gropinghiswaywithonehand，andhavingtheotherfirmlygraspedbyhiscompanion，ascendedwithmuchdifficultythedarkandbrokenstairs:whichhisconductormountedwithaneaseandexpeditionthatshowedhewaswellacquaintedwiththem。

Hethrewopenthedoorofaback-room，anddrewOliverinafterhim。

Thewallsandceilingoftheroomwereperfectlyblackwithageanddirt。Therewasadealtablebeforethefire:uponwhichwereacandle，stuckinaginger-beerbottle，twoorthreepewterpots，aloafandbutter，andaplate。Inafrying-pan，whichwasonthefire，andwhichwassecuredtothemantelshelfbyastring，somesausageswerecooking；andstandingoverthem，withatoasting-forkinhishand，wasaveryoldshrivelledJew，whosevillainous-lookingandrepulsivefacewasobscuredbyaquantityofmattedredhair。Hewasdressedinagreasyflannelgown，withhisthroatbare；andseemedtobedividinghisattentionbetweenthefrying-panandtheclothes-horse，overwhichagreatnumberofsilkhandkerchiefslwerehanging。Severalroughbedsmadeofoldsacks，werehuddledsidebysideonthefloor。Seatedroundthetablewerefourorfiveboys，noneolderthantheDodger，smokinglongclaypipes，anddrinkingspiritswiththeairofmiddle-agedmen。TheseallcrowdedabouttheirassociateashewhisperedafewwordstotheJew；andthenturnedroundandgrinnedatOliver。SodidtheJewhimself，toasting-forkinhand。

\'Thisishim，Fagin，\'saidJackDawkins；\'myfriendOliverTwist。\'

TheJewgrinned；and，makingalowobeisancetoOliver，tookhimbythehand，andhopedheshouldhavethehonourofhisintimateacquaintance。Uponthis，theyounggentlemanwiththepipescameroundhim，andshookbothhishandsveryhard——especiallytheoneinwhichheheldhislittlebundle。Oneyounggentlemanwasveryanxioustohanguphiscapforhim；andanotherwassoobligingastoputhishandsinhispockets，inorderthat，ashewasverytired，hemightnothavethetroubleofemptyingthem，himself，whenhewenttobed。Thesecivilitieswouldprobablybeextendedmuchfarther，butforaliberalexerciseoftheJew\'stoasting-forkontheheadsandshouldersoftheaffectionateyouthswhoofferedthem。

\'Weareverygladtoseeyou，Oliver，very，\'saidtheJew。

\'Dodger，takeoffthesausages；anddrawatubnearthefireforOliver。Ah，you\'rea-staringatthepocket-handkerchiefs！eh，mydear。Thereareagoodmanyof\'em，ain\'tthere?We\'vejustlooked\'emout，readyforthewash；that\'sall，Oliver；that\'sall。Ha！ha！ha！\'

Thelatterpartofthisspeech，washailedbyaboisterousshoutfromallthehopefulpupilsofthemerryoldgentleman。Inthemidstofwhichtheywenttosupper。

Oliveratehisshare，andtheJewthenmixedhimaglassofhotgin-and-water:tellinghimhemustdrinkitoffdirectly，becauseanothergentlemanwantedthetumbler。Oliverdidashewasdesired。Immediatelyafterwardshefelthimselfgentlyliftedontooneofthesacks；andthenhesunkintoadeepsleep。

CHAPTERIX

CONTAININGFURTHERPARTICULARSCONCERNINGTHEPLEASANTOLD

GENTLEMAN，ANDHISHOPEFULPUPILS

ItwaslatenextmorningwhenOliverawoke，fromasound，longsleep。TherewasnootherpersonintheroombuttheoldJew，whowasboilingsomecoffeeinasaucepanforbreakfast，andwhistlingsoftlytohimselfashestirreditroundandround，withanironspoon。Hewouldstopeverynowandthentolistenwhentherewastheleastnoisebelow:andwhenhehadsatistifiedhimself，hewouldgoonwhistlingandstirringagain，asbefore。

AlthoughOliverhadrousedhimselffromsleep，hewasnotthoroughlyawake。Thereisadrowsystate，betweensleepingandwaking，whenyoudreammoreinfiveminuteswithyoureyeshalfopen，andyourselfhalfconsciousofeverythingthatispassingaroundyou，thanyouwouldinfivenightswithyoureyesfastclosed，andyoursenseswraptinperfectunconsciousness。Atsuchtime，amortalknowsjustenoughofwhathismindisdoing，toformsomeglimmeringconceptionofitsmightypowers，itsboundingfromearthandspurningtimeandspace，whenfreedfromtherestraintofitscorporealassociate。

Oliverwaspreciselyinthiscondition。HesawtheJewwithhishalf-closedeyes；heardhislowwhistling；andrecognisedthesoundofthespoongratingagainstthesaucepan\'ssides:andyettheself-samesenseswerementallyengaged，atthesametime，inbusyactionwithalmosteverybodyhehadeverknown。

Whenthecoffeewasdone，theJewdrewthesaucepantothehob。

Standing，theninanirresoluteattitudeforafewminutes，asifhedidnotwellknowhowtoemployhimself，heturnedroundandlookedatOliver，andcalledhimbyhisname。Hedidnotanswer，andwastoallappearancesasleep。

Aftersatisfiyinghimselfuponthishead，theJewsteppedgentlytothedoor:whichhefastened。Hethendrewforth:asitseemedtoOliver，fromsometrapinthefloor:asmallbox，whichheplacedcarefullyonthetable。Hiseyesglistenedasheraisedthelid，andlookedin。Dragginganoldchairtothetable，hesatdown；andtookfromitamagnificentgoldwatch，sparklingwithjewels。

\'Aha！\'saidtheJew，shrugginguphisshoulders，anddistortingeveryfeaturewithahideousgrin。\'Cleverdogs！Cleverdogs！

Staunchtothelast！Nevertoldtheoldparsonwheretheywere。

NeverpoacheduponoldFagin！Andwhyshouldthey?Itwouldn\'thaveloosenedtheknot，orkeptthedropup，aminutelonger。

No，no，no！Finefellows！Finefellows！\'

Withthese，andothermutteredreflectionsofthelikenature，theJewoncemoredepositedthewatchinitsplaceofsafety。Atleasthalfadozenmorewereseverallydrawnforthfromthesamebox，andsurveyedwithequalpleasure；besidesrings，brooches，bracelet，andotherarticlesofjewellery，ofsuchmagnificentmaterials，andcostlyworkmanship，thatOliverhadnoidea，evenoftheirnames。

Havingreplacedthesetrinkets，theJewtookoutanother:sosmallthatitlayinthepalmofhishand。Thereseemedtobesomeveryminuteinscriptiononit；fortheJewlaiditflatuponthetable，andshadingitwithhishand，poredoverit，longandearnestly。Atlengthheputitdown，asifdespairingofsuccess；and，leaningbackinhischair，muttered:

\'Whatafinethingcapitalpunishmentis！Deadmenneverrepent；

deadmenneverbringawkwardstoriestolight。Ah，it\'safinethingforthetrade！Fiveof\'emstrungupinarow，andnonelefttoplaybooty，orturnwhite-livered！\'

AstheJewutteredthesewords，hisbrightdarkeyes，whichhadbeenstaringvacantlybeforehim，fellonOliver\'sface；theboy\'seyeswerefixedonhisinmutecuriousity；andalthoughtherecognitionwasonlyforaninstant——forthebriefestspaceoftimethatcanpossiblybeconceived——itwasenoughtoshowtheoldmanthathehadbeenobserved。

Heclosedthelidoftheboxwithaloudcrash；and，layinghishandonabreadknifewhichwasonthetable，startedfuriouslyup。Hetrembledverymuchthough；for，eveninhisterror，Olivercouldseethattheknifequiveredintheair。

\'What\'sthat?\'saidtheJew。\'Whatdoyouwatchmefor?Whyareyouawake?Whathaveyouseen?Speakout，boy！Quick——quick！

foryourlife。

\'Iwasn\'tabletosleepanylonger，sir，\'repliedOliver，meekly。

\'IamverysorryifIhavedisturbedyou，sir。\'

\'Youwerenotawakeanhourago?\'saidtheJew，scowlingfiercelyontheboy。

\'No！No，indeed！\'repliedOliver。

\'Areyousure?\'criedtheJew:withastillfiercerlookthanbefore:andathreateningattitude。

\'UponmywordIwasnot，sir，\'repliedOliver，earnestly。\'Iwasnot，indeed，sir。\'

\'Tush，tush，mydear！\'saidtheJew，abruptlyresuminghisoldmanner，andplayingwiththeknifealittle，beforehelaiditdown；asiftoinducethebeliefthathehadcaughtitup，inmeresport。\'OfcourseIknowthat，mydear。Ionlytriedtofrightenyou。You\'reabraveboy。Ha！ha！you\'reabraveboy，Oliver。\'TheJewrubbedhishandswithachuckle，butglanceduneasilyatthebox，notwithstanding。

\'Didyouseeanyoftheseprettythings，mydear?\'saidtheJew，layinghishanduponitafterashortpause。

\'Yes，sir，\'repliedOliver。

\'Ah！\'saidtheJew，turningratherpale。\'They——they\'remine，Oliver；mylittleproperty。AllIhavetoliveupon，inmyoldage。Thefolkscallmeamiser，mydear。Onlyamiser；that\'sall。\'

Oliverthoughttheoldgentlemanmustbeadecidedmisertoliveinsuchadirtyplace，withsomanywatches；but，thinkingthatperhapshisfondnessfortheDodgerandtheotherboys，costhimagooddealofmoney，heonlycastadeferentiallookattheJew，andaskedifhemightgetup。

\'Certainly，mydear，certainly，\'repliedtheoldgentleman。

\'Stay。There\'sapitcherofwaterinthecornerbythedoor。

Bringithere；andI\'llgiveyouabasintowashin，mydear。\'

Olivergotup；walkedacrosstheroom；andstoopedforaninstanttoraisethepitcher。Whenheturnedhishead，theboxwasgone。

Hehadscarcelywashedhimself，andmadeeverythingtidy，byemptyingthebasinoutofthewindow，agreeablytotheJew\'sdirections，whentheDodgerreturned:accompaniedbyaverysprightlyyoungfriend，whomOliverhadseensmokingonthepreviousnight，andwhowasnowformallyintroducedtohimasCharleyBates。Thefoursatdown，tobreakfast，onthecoffee，andsomehotrollsandhamwhichtheDodgerhadbroughthomeinthecrownofhishat。

\'Well，\'saidtheJew，glancingslylyatOliver，andaddressinghimselftotheDodger，\'Ihopeyou\'vebeenatworkthismorning，mydears?\'

\'Hard，\'repliedtheDodger。

\'Asnails，\'addedCharleyBates。

\'Goodboys，goodboys！\'saidtheJew。\'Whathaveyougot，Dodger?\'

\'Acoupleofpocket-books，\'repliedthatyounggentlman。

\'Lined?\'inquiredtheJew，witheagerness。

\'Prettywell，\'repliedtheDodger，producingtwopocket-books；

onegreen，andtheotherred。

\'Notsoheavyastheymightbe，\'saidtheJew，afterlookingattheinsidescarefully；\'butveryneatandnicelymade。Ingeniousworkman，ain\'the，Oliver?\'

\'Veryindeed，sir，\'saidOliver。AtwhichMr。CharlesBateslaugheduproariously；verymuchtotheamazementofOliver，whosawnothingtolaughat，inanythingthathadpassed。

\'Andwhathaveyougot，mydear?\'saidFagintoCharleyBates。

\'Wipes，\'repliedMasterBates；atthesametimeproducingfourpocket-handkerchiefs。

\'Well，\'saidtheJew，inspectingthemclosely；\'they\'reverygoodones，very。Youhaven\'tmarkedthemwell，though，Charley；sothemarksshallbepickedoutwithaneedle，andwe\'llteachOliverhowtodoit。Shallus，Oliver，eh?Ha！ha！ha！\'

\'Ifyouplease，sir，\'saidOliver。

\'You\'dliketobeabletomakepocket-handkerchiefsaseasyasCharleyBates，wouldn\'tyou，mydear?\'saidtheJew。

\'Verymuch，indeed，ifyou\'llteachme，sir，\'repliedOliver。

MasterBatessawsomethingsoexquisitelyludicrousinthisreply，thatheburstintoanotherlaugh；whichlaugh，meetingthecoffeehewasdrinking，andcarryingitdownsomewrongchannel，verynearlyterminatedinhisprematuresuffocation。

\'Heissojollygreen！\'saidCharleywhenherecovered，asanapologytothecompanyforhisunpolitebehaviour。

TheDodgersaidnothing，buthesmoothedOliver\'shairoverhiseyes，andsaidhe\'dknowbetter，byandby；uponwhichtheoldgentleman，observingOliver\'scolourmounting，changedthesubjectbyaskingwhethertherehadbeenmuchofacrowdattheexecutionthatmorning?Thismadehimwondermoreandmore；foritwasplainfromtherepliesofthetwoboysthattheyhadbothbeenthere；andOlivernaturallywonderedhowtheycouldpossiblyhavefoundtimetobesoveryindustrious。

Whenthebreakfastwasclearedaway；themerryoldgentlmanandthetwoboysplayedataverycuriousanduncommongame，whichwasperformedinthisway。Themerryoldgentleman，placingasnuff-boxinonepocketofhistrousers，anote-caseintheother，andawatchinhiswaistcoatpocket，withaguard-chainroundhisneck，andstickingamockdiamondpininhisshirt:

buttonedhiscoattightroundhim，andputtinghisspectacle-caseandhandkerchiefinhispockets，trottedupanddowntheroomwithastick，inimitationofthemannerinwhicholdgentlmenwalkaboutthestreetsanyhourintheday。Sometimeshestoppedatthefire-place，andsometimesatthedoor，makingbelievethathewasstaringwithallhismightintoshop-windows。Atsuchtimes，hewouldlookconstantlyroundhim，forfearofthieves，andwouldkeepslappingallhispocketsinturn，toseethathehadn\'tlostanything，insuchaveryfunnyandnaturalmanner，thatOliverlaughedtillthetearsrandownhisface。Allthistime，thetwoboysfollowedhimcloselyabout:gettingoutofhissight，sonimbly，everytimeheturnedround，thatitwasimpossibletofollowtheirmotions。Atlast，theDodgertroduponhistoes，orranuponhisbootaccidently，whileCharleyBatesstumbledupagainsthimbehind；andinthatonemomenttheytookfromhim，withthemostextraordinaryrapidity，snuff-box，note-case，watch-guard，chain，shirt-pin，pocket-handkerchief，eventhespectacle-case。Iftheoldgentlmanfeltahandinanyoneofhispockets，hecriedoutwhereitwas；andthenthegamebeganalloveragain。

Whenthisgamehadbeenplayedagreatmanytimes，acoupleofyoungladiescalledtoseetheyounggentleman；oneofwhomwasnamedBet，andtheotherNancy。Theyworeagooddealofhair，notveryneatlyturnedupbehind，andwereratheruntidyabouttheshoesandstockings。Theywerenotexactlypretty，perhaps；

buttheyhadagreatdealofcolourintheirfaces，andlookedquitestoutandhearty。Beingremarkablyfreeandagreeableintheirmanners，Oliverthoughtthemverynicegirlsindeed。Asthereisnodoubttheywere。

Thevisitorsstoppedalongtime。Spiritswereproduced，inconsequenceofoneoftheyoungladiescomplainingofacoldnessinherinside；andtheconversationtookaveryconvivialandimprovingturn。Atlength，CharleyBatesexpressedhisopinionthatitwastimetopadthehoof。This，itoccurredtoOliver，mustbeFrenchforgoingout；fordirectlyafterwards，theDodger，andCharley，andthetwoyoungladies，wentawaytogether，havingbeenkindlyfurnishedbytheamiableoldJewwithmoneytospend。

\'There，mydear，\'saidFagin。\'That\'sapleasantlife，isn\'tit?

Theyhavegoneoutfortheday。\'

\'Havetheydonework，sir?\'inquiredOliver。

\'Yes，\'saidtheJew；\'thatis，unlesstheyshouldunexpectedlycomeacrossany，whentheyareout；andtheywon\'tneglectit，iftheydo，mydear，dependuponit。Make\'emyourmodels，mydear。

Make\'emyourmodels，\'tappingthefire-shovelonthehearthtoaddforcetohiswords；\'doeverythingtheybidyou，andtaketheiradviceinallmatters——especiallytheDodger\'s，mydear。

He\'llbeagreatmanhimself，andwillmakeyouonetoo，ifyoutakepatternbyhim——Ismyhandkerchiefhangingoutofmypocket，mydear?\'saidtheJew，stoppingshort。

\'Yes，sir，\'saidOliver。

\'Seeifyoucantakeitout，withoutmyfeelingit；asyousawthemdo，whenwewereatplaythismorning。\'

Oliverheldupthebottomofthepocketwithonehand，ashehadseentheDodgerholdit，anddrewthehandkerchieflightyoutofitwiththeother。

\'Isitgone?\'criedtheJew。

\'Hereitis，sir，\'saidOliver，showingitinhishand。

\'You\'reacleverboy，mydear，\'saidtheplayfuloldgentleman，pattingOliverontheheadapprovingly。\'Ineversawasharperlad。Here\'sashillingforyou。Ifyougoon，inthisway，you\'llbethegreatestmanofthetime。Andnowcomehere，andI\'llshowyouhowtotakethemarksoutofthehandkerchiefs。\'

Oliverwonderedwhatpickingtheoldgentleman\'spocketinplay，hadtodowithhischancesofbeingagreatman。But，thinkingthattheJew，beingsomuchhissenior，mustknowbest，hefollowedhimquietlytothetable，andwassoondeeplyinvolvedinhisnewstudy。

CHAPTERX

OLIVERBECOMESBETTERACQUAINTEDWITHTHECHARACTERSOFHISNEW

ASSOCIATES；ANDPURCHASESEXPERIENCEATAHIGHPRICE。BEINGA

SHORT，BUTVERYIMPORTANTCHAPTER，INTHISHISTORY

Formanydays，OliverremainedintheJew\'sroom，pickingthemarksoutofthepocket-handkerchief，(ofwhichagreatnumberwerebroughthome，)andsometimestakingpartinthegamealreadydescribed:whichthetwoboysandtheJewplayed，regularly，everymorning。Atlength，hebegantolanguishforfreshair，andtookmanyoccasionsofearnestlyentreatingtheoldgentlemantoallowhimtogoouttoworkwithhistwocompanions。

Oliverwasrenderedthemoreanxioustobeactivelyemployed，bywhathehadseenofthesternmoralityoftheoldgentleman\'scharacter。WhenevertheDodgerorCharleyBatescamehomeatnight，empty-handed，hewouldexpatiatewithgreatvehemenceonthemiseryofidleandlazyhabits；andwouldenforceuponthemthenecessityofanactivelife，bysendingthemsupperlesstobed。Ononeoccasion，indeed，heevenwentsofarastoknockthembothdownaflightofstairs；butthiswascarryingouthisvirtuouspreceptstoanunusualextent。

Atlength，onemorning，Oliverobtainedthepermissionhehadsoeagerlysought。Therehadbeennohandkerchiefstoworkupon，fortwoorthreedays，andthedinnershadbeenrathermeagre。

Perhapsthesewerereasonsfortheoldgentleman\'sgivinghisassent；but，whethertheywereorno，hetoldOliverhemightgo，andplacedhimunderthejointguardianshipofCharleyBates，andhisfriendtheDodger。

Thethreeboyssalliedout；theDodgerwithhiscoat-sleevestuckedup，andhishatcocked，asusual；MasterBatessaunteringalongwithhishandsinhispockets；andOliverbetweenthem，wonderingwheretheyweregoing，andwhatbranchofmanufacturehewouldbeinstructedin，first。

Thepaceatwhichtheywent，wassuchaverylazy，ill-lookingsaunter，thatOliversoonbegantothinkhiscompanionsweregoingtodeceivetheoldgentleman，bynotgoingtoworkatall。

TheDodgerhadaviciouspropensity，too，ofpullingthecapsfromtheheadsofsmallboysandtossingthemdownareas；whileCharleyBatesexhibitedsomeveryloosenotionsconcerningtherightsofproperty，bypilferingdiversapplesandonionsfromthestallsatthekennelsides，andthrustingthemintopocketswhichweresosurprisinglycapacious，thattheyseemedtounderminehiswholesuitofclothesineverydirection。Thesethingslookedsobad，thatOliverwasonthepointofdeclaringhisintentionofseekinghiswayback，inthebestwayhecould；

whenhisthoughtsweresuddenlydirectedintoanotherchannel，byaverymysteriouschangeofbehaviouronthepartoftheDodger。

TheywerejustemergingfromanarrowcourtnotfarfromtheopensquareinClerkenwell，whichisyetcalled，bysomestrangeperversionofterms，\'TheGreen\':whentheDodgermadeasuddenstop；and，layinghisfingeronhislip，drewhiscompanionsbackagain，withthegreatestcautionandcircumspection。

\'What\'sthematter?\'demandedOliver。

\'Hush！\'repliedtheDodger。\'Doyouseethatoldcoveatthebook-stall?\'

\'Theoldgentlemanovertheway?\'saidOliver。\'Yes，Iseehim。\'

\'He\'lldo，\'saidtheDoger。

\'Aprimeplant，\'observedMasterCharleyBates。

Oliverlookedfromonetotheother，withthegreatestsurprise；

buthewasnotpermittedtomakeanyinquiries；forthetwoboyswalkedstealthilyacrosstheroad，andslunkclosebehindtheoldgentlemantowardswhomhisattentionhadbeendirected。Oliverwalkedafewpacesafterthem；and，notknowingwhethertoadvanceorretire，stoodlookingoninsilentamazement。

Theoldgentlemanwasaveryrespectable-lookingpersonage，withapowderedheadandgoldspectacles。Hewasdressedinabottle-greencoatwithablackvelvetcollar；worewhitetrousers；andcarriedasmartbamboocaneunderhisarm。Hehadtakenupabookfromthestall，andtherehestood，readingaway，ashardasifhewereinhiselbow-chair，inhisownstudy。Itisverypossiblethathefanciedhimselfthere，indeed；foritwasplain，fromhisabstraction，thathesawnotthebook-stall，northestreet，northeboys，nor，inshort，anythingbutthebookitself:whichhewasreadingstraightthrough:turningovertheleafwhenhegottothebottomofapage，beginningatthetoplineofthenextone，andgoingregularlyon，withthegreatestinterestandeagerness。

WhatwasOliver\'shorrorandalarmashestoodafewpacesoff，lookingonwithhiseyelidsaswideopenastheywouldpossiblygo，toseetheDodgerplungehishandintotheoldgentleman\'spocket，anddrawfromthenceahandkerchief！ToseehimhandthesametoCharleyBates；andfinallytobeholdthem，bothrunningawayroundthecorneratfullspeed！

Inaninstantthewholemysteryofthehankerchiefs，andthewatches，andthejewels，andtheJew，rushedupontheboy\'smind。

Hestood，foramoment，withthebloodsotinglingthroughallhisveinsfromterror，thathefeltasifhewereinaburningfire；then，confusedandfrightened，hetooktohisheels；and，notknowingwhathedid，madeoffasfastashecouldlayhisfeettotheground。

Thiswasalldoneinaminute\'sspace。IntheveryinstantwhenOliverbegantorun，theoldgentleman，puttinghishandtohispocket，andmissinghishandkerchief，turnedsharpround。Seeingtheboyscuddingawayatsucharapidpace，heverynaturallyconcludedhimtobethedepredator；andshouting\'Stopthief！\'

withallhismight，madeoffafterhim，bookinhand。

Buttheoldgentlemanwasnottheonlypersonwhoraisedthehue-and-cry。TheDodgerandMasterBates，unwillingtoattractpublicattentionbyrunningdowntheopenstreet，hadmerelyreturedintotheveryfirstdoorwayroundthecorner。Theynosoonerheardthecry，andsawOliverrunning，than，guessingexactlyhowthematterstood，theyissuedforthwithgreatpromptitude；and，shouting\'Stopthief！\'too，joinedinthepursuitlikegoodcitizens。

AlthoughOliverhadbeenbroughtupbyphilosophers，hewasnottheoreticallyacquaintedwiththebeautifulaxiomthatself-preservationisthefirstlawofnature。Ifhehadbeen，perhapshewouldhavebeenpreparedforthis。Notbeingprepared，however，italarmedhimthemore；soawayhewentlikethewind，withtheoldgentlemanandthetwoboysroaringandshoutingbehindhim。

\'Stopthief！Stopthief！\'Thereisamagicinthesound。Thetradesmanleaveshiscounter，andthecar-manhiswaggon；thebutcherthrowsdownhistray；thebakerhisbasket；themilkmanhispail；theerrand-boyhisparcels；theschool-boyhismarbles；

thepaviourhispickaxe；thechildhisbattledore。Awaytheyrun，pell-mell，helter-skelter，slap-dash:tearing，yelling，screaming，knockingdownthepassengersastheyturnthecorners，rousingupthedogs，andastonishingthefowls:andstreets，squares，andcourts，re-echowiththesound。

\'Stopthief！Stopthief！\'Thecryistakenupbyahundredvoices，andthecrowdaccumulateateveryturning。Awaytheyfly，splashingthroughthemud，andrattlingalongthepavements:

upgothewindows，outrunthepeople，onwardbearthemob，awholeaudiencedesertPunchintheverythickestoftheplot，and，joiningtherushingthrong，swelltheshout，andlendfreshvigourtothecry，\'Stopthief！Stopthief！\'

\'Stopthief！Stopthief！\'ThereisapassionFORHUNTING

SOMETHINGdeeplyimplantedinthehumanbreast。Onewretchedbreathlesschild，pantingwithexhaustion；terrorinhislooks；

agaonyinhiseyes；largedropsofperspirationstreamingdownhisface；strainseverynervetomakeheaduponhispursuers；andastheyfollowonhistrack，andgainuponhimeveryinstant，theyhailhisdecreasingstrengthwithjoy。\'Stopthief！\'Ay，stophimforGod\'ssake，wereitonlyinmercy！

Stoppedatlast！Acleverblow。Heisdownuponthepavement；

andthecrowdeagerlygatherroundhim:eachnewcomer，jostlingandstrugglingwiththeotherstocatchaglimpse。\'Standaside！\'\'Givehimalittleair！\'\'Nonsense！hedon\'tdeserveit。\'\'Where\'sthegentleman?\'\'Herehisis，comingdownthestreet。\'\'Makeroomthereforthegentleman！\'\'Isthistheboy，sir！\'\'Yes。\'

Oliverlay，coveredwithmudanddust，andbleedingfromthemouth，lookingwildlyroundupontheheapoffacesthatsurroundedhim，whentheoldgentlemanwasofficiouslydraggedandpushedintothecirclebytheforemostofthepursuers。

\'Yes，\'saidthegentleman，\'Iamafraiditistheboy。\'

\'Afraid！\'murmuredthecrowd。\'That\'sagood\'un！\'

\'Poorfellow！\'saidthegentleman，\'hehashurthimself。\'

\'_I_didthat，sir，\'saidagreatlubberlyfellow，steppingforward；\'andpreciouslyIcutmyknuckleagin\'hismouth。I

stoppedhim，sir。\'

Thefollowtouchedhishatwithagrin，expectingsomethingforhispains；but，theoldgentleman，eyeinghimwithanexpressionofdislike，lookanxiouslyround，asifhecontemplatedrunningawayhimself:whichitisverypossiblehemighthaveattemptedtodo，andthushaveaffordedanotherchase，hadnotapoliceofficer(whoisgenerallythelastpersontoarriveinsuchcases)atthatmomentmadehiswaythroughthecrowd，andseizedOliverbythecollar。

\'Come，getup，\'saidtheman，roughly。

\'Itwasn\'tmeindeed，sir。Indeed，indeed，itwastwootherboys，\'saidOliver，claspinghishandspassionately，andlookinground。\'Theyareheresomewhere。\'

\'Ohno，theyain\'t，\'saidtheofficer。Hemeantthistobeironical，butitwastruebesides；fortheDodgerandCharleyBateshadfiledoffdownthefirstconvenientcourttheycameto。

\'Come，getup！\'

\'Don\'thurthim，\'saidtheoldgentleman，compassionately。

\'Ohno，Iwon\'thurthim，\'repliedtheofficer，tearinghisjackethalfoffhisback，inproofthereof。\'Come，Iknowyou；

itwon\'tdo。Willyoustanduponyourlegs，youyoungdevil?\'

Oliver，whocouldhardlystand，madeashifttoraisehimselfonhisfeet，andwasatonceluggedalongthestreetsbythejacket-collar，atarapidpace。Thegentlemanwalkedonwiththembytheofficer\'sside；andasmanyofthecrowdascouldachievethefeat，gotalittleahead，andstaredbackatOliverfromtimetotime。Theboysshoutedintriumph；andontheywent。

CHAPTERXI

TREATSOFMR。FANGTHEPOLICEMAGISTRATE；ANDFURNISHESASLIGHT

SPECIMENOFHISMODEOFADMINISTERINGJUSTICE

Theoffencehadbeencommittedwithinthedistrict，andindeedintheimmediateneighborhoodof，averynotoriousmetropolitanpoliceoffice。ThecrowdhadonlythesatisfactionofaccompanyingOliverthroughtwoorthreestreets，anddownaplacecalledMuttonHill，whenhewasledbeneathalowarchway，andupadirtycourt，intothisdispensaryofsummaryjustice，bythebackway。Itwasasmallpavedyardintowhichtheyturned；

andheretheyencounteredastoutmanwithabunchofwhiskersonhisface，andabunchofkeysinhishand。

\'What\'sthematternow?\'saidthemancarelessly。

\'Ayoungfogle-hunter，\'repliedthemanwhohadOliverincharge。

\'Areyouthepartythat\'sbeenrobbed，sir?\'inquiredthemanwiththekeys。

\'Yes，Iam，\'repliedtheoldgentleman；\'butIamnotsurethatthisboyactuallytookthehandkerchief。I——Iwouldrathernotpressthecase。\'

\'Mustgobeforethemagistratenow，sir，\'repliedtheman。\'Hisworshipwillbedisengagedinhalfaminute。Now，younggallows！\'

ThiswasaninvitationforOlivertoenterthroughadoorwhichheunlockedashespoke，andwhichledintoastonecell。Herehewassearched；andnothingbeingfounduponhim，lockedup。

Thiscellwasinshapeandsizesomethinglikeanareacellar，onlynotsolight。Itwasmostintolablydirty；foritwasMondaymorning；andithadbeentenantedbysixdrunkenpeople，whohadbeenlockedup，elsewhere，sinceSaturdaynight。Butthisislittle。Inourstation-houses，menandwomenareeverynightconfinedonthemosttrivialcharges——thewordisworthnoting——indungeons，comparedwithwhich，thoseinNewgate，occupiedbythemostatrociousfelons，tried，foundguilty，andundersentenceofdeath，arepalaces。Letanyonewhodoubtsthis，comparethetwo。

TheoldgentlemanlookedalmostasruefulasOliverwhenthekeygratedinthelock。Heturnedwithasightothebook，whichhadbeentheinnocentcauseofallthisdisturbance。

\'Thereissomethinginthatboy\'sface，\'saidtheoldgentlemantohimselfashewalkedslowlyaway，tappinghischinwiththecoverofthebook，inathoughtfulmanner；\'somethingthattouchesandinterestsme。CANhebeinnocent?Helookedlike——Byethebye，\'exclaimedtheoldgentleman，haltingveryabruptly，andstaringupintothesky，\'Blessmysoul！——wherehaveIseensomethinglikethatlookbefore?\'

Aftermusingforsomeminutes，theoldgentlemanwalked，withthesamemeditativeface，intoabackanteroomopeningfromtheyard；

andthere，retiringintoacorner，calledupbeforehismind\'seyeavastamphitheatreoffacesoverwhichaduskycurtainhadhungformanyyears。\'No，\'saidtheoldgentleman，shakinghishead；\'itmustbeimagination。

Hewanderedoverthemagain。Hehadcalledthemintoview，anditwasnoteasytoreplacetheshroudthathadsolongconcealedthem。Therewerethefacesoffriends，andfoes，andofmanythathadbeenalmoststrangerspeeringintrusivelyfromthecrowd；therewerethefacesofyoungandbloominggirlsthatwerenowoldwomen；therewerefacesthatthegravehadchangedandclosedupon，butwhichthemind，superiortoitspower，stilldressedintheiroldfreshnessandbeauty，callingbackthelustreoftheeyes，thebrightnessofthesmile，thebeamingofthesoulthroughitsmaskofclay，andwhisperingofbeautybeyondthetomb，changedbuttobeheightened，andtakenfromearthonlytobesetupasalight，toshedasoftandgentleglowuponthepathtoHeaven。

ButtheoldgentlemancouldrecallnoonecountenanceofwhichOliver\'sfeaturesboreatrace。So，heheavedasighovertherecollectionsheawakened；andbeing，happilyforhimself，anabsentoldgentleman，buriedthemagaininthepagesofthemustybook。

Hewasrousedbyatouchontheshoulder，andarequestfromthemanwiththekeystofollowhimintotheoffice。Heclosedhisbookhastily；andwasatonceusheredintotheimposingpresenceoftherenownedMr。Fang。

Theofficewasafrontparlour，withapanelledwall。Mr。Fangsatbehindabar，attheupperend；andononesidethedoorwasasortofwoodenpeninwhichpoorlittleOliverwasalreadydeposited；tremblingverymuchattheawfulnessofthescene。

Mr。Fangwasalean，long-backed，stiff-necked，middle-sizedman，withnogreatquantityofhair，andwhathehad，growingonthebackandsidesofhishead。Hisfacewasstern，andmuchflushed。Ifhewerereallynotinthehabitofdrinkingrathermorethanwasexactlygoodforhim，hemighthavebroughtactionagainsthiscountenanceforlibel，andhaverecoveredheavydamages。

Theoldgentlemanbowedrespectfully；andadvancingtothemagistrate\'sdesk，saidsuitingtheactiontotheword，\'Thatismynameandaddress，sir。\'Hethenwithdrewapaceortwo；and，withanotherpoliteandgentlemanlyinclinationofthehead，waitedtobequestioned。

Now，itsohappenedthatMr。Fangwasatthatmomentperusingaleadingarticleinanewspaperofthemorning，advertingtosomerecentdecisionofhis，andcommendinghim，forthethreehundredandfiftiethtime，tothespecialandparticularnoticeoftheSecretaryofStatefortheHomeDepartment。Hewasoutoftemper；andhelookedupwithanangryscowl。

\'Whoareyou?\'saidMr。Fang。

Theoldgentlemanpointed，withsomesurprise，tohiscard。

\'Officer！\'saidMr。Fang，tossingthecardcontemptuouslyawaywiththenewspaper。\'Whoisthisfellow?\'

\'Myname，sir，\'saidtheoldgentleman，speakingLIKEagentleman，\'myname，sir，isBrownlow。Permitmetoinquirethenameofthemagistratewhooffersagratuitousandunprovokedinsulttoarespectableperson，undertheprotectionofthebench。\'Sayingthis，Mr。Brownlowlookedaroundtheofficeasifinsearchofsomepersonwhowouldaffordhimtherequiredinformation。

\'Officer！\'saidMr。Fang，throwingthepaperononeside，\'what\'sthisfellowchargedwith?\'

\'He\'snotchargedatall，yourworship，\'repliedtheofficer。\'Heappearsagainstthisboy，yourworship。\'

Hisworshpknewthisperfectlywell；butitwasagoodannoyance，andasafeone。

\'Appearsagainsttheboy，doeshe?\'saidMr。Fang，surveyingMr。

Brownlowcontemptuouslyfromheadtofoot。\'Swearhim！\'

\'BeforeIamsworn，Imustbegtosayoneword，\'saidMr。

Brownlow；\'andthatis，thatIreallynever，withoutactualexperience，couldhavebelieved——\'

\'Holdyourtongue，sir！\'saidMr。Fang，peremptorily。

\'Iwillnot，sir！\'repliedtheoldgentleman。

\'Holdyourtonguethisinstant，orI\'llhaveyouturnedoutoftheoffice！\'saidMr。Fang。\'You\'reaninsolentimpertinentfellow。Howdareyoubullyamagistrate！\'

\'What！\'exclaimedtheoldgentleman，reddening。

\'Swearthisperson！\'saidFangtotheclerk。\'I\'llnothearanotherword。Swearhim。\'

Mr。Brownlow\'sindignatonwasgreatlyroused；butreflectingperhaps，thathemightonlyinjuretheboybygivingventtoit，hesuppressedhisfeelingsandsubmittedtobeswornatonce。

\'Now，\'saidFang，\'what\'sthechargeagainstthisboy?Whathaveyougottosay，sir?\'

\'Iwasstandingatabookstall——\'Mr。Brownlowbegan。

\'Holdyourtongue，sir，\'saidMr。Fang。\'Policeman！Where\'sthepoliceman?Here，swearthispoliceman。Now，policeman，whatisthis?\'

Thepoliceman，withbecominghumility，relatedhowhehadtakenthecharge；howhehadsearchedOliver，andfoundnothingonhisperson；andhowthatwasallheknewaboutit。

\'Arethereanywitnesses?\'inquiredMr。Fang。

\'None，yourworship，\'repliedthepoliceman。

Mr。Fangsatsilentforsomeminutes，andthen，turningroundtotheprosecutor，saidinatoweringpassion。

\'Doyoumeantostatewhatyourcomplaintagainstthisboyis，man，ordoyounot?Youhavebeensworn。Now，ifyoustandthere，refusingtogiveevidence，I\'llpunishyoufordisrespecttothebench；Iwill，by——\'

Bywhat，orbywhom，nobodyknows，fortheclerkandjailorcoughedveryloud，justattherightmoment；andtheformerdroppedaheavybookuponthefloor，thuspreventingthewordfrombeingheard——accidently，ofcourse。

Withmanyinterruptions，andrepeatedinsults，Mr。Brownlowcontrivedtostatehiscase；observingthat，inthesurpriseofthemoment，hehadrunaftertheboybecausehehadsawhimrunningaway；andexpressinghishopethat，ifthemagistrateshouldbelievehim，althoughnotactuallythethief，tobeconnectedwiththethieves，hewoulddealaslenientlywithhimasjusticewouldallow。

\'Hehasbeenhurtalready，\'saidtheoldgentlemaninconclusion。

\'AndIfear，\'headded，withgreatenergy，lookingtowardsthebar，\'Ireallyfearthatheisill。\'

\'Oh！yes，Idaresay！\'saidMr。Fang，withasneer。\'Come，noneofyourtrickshere，youyoungvagabond；theywon\'tdo。What\'syourname?\'

Olivertriedtoreplybuthistonguefailedhim。Hewasdeadlypale；andthewholeplaceseemedturningroundandround。

\'What\'syourname，youhardenedscoundrel?\'demandedMr。Fang。

\'Officer，what\'shisname?\'

Thiswasaddressedtoabluffoldfellow，inastripedwaistcoat，whowasstandingbythebar。HebentoverOliver，andrepeatedtheinquiry；butfindinghimreallyincapableofunderstandingthequestion；andknowingthathisnotreplyingwouldonlyinfuriatethemagistratethemore，andaddtotheseverityofhissentence；hehazardedaguess。

\'Hesayshisname\'sTomWhite，yourworship，\'saidthekind-heartedthief-taker。

\'Oh，hewon\'tspeakout，won\'the?\'saidFang。\'Verywell，verywell。Wheredoeshelive?\'

\'Wherehecan，yourworship，\'repliedtheofficer；againpretendingtoreceiveOliver\'sanswer。

\'Hasheanyparents?\'inquiredMr。Fang。

\'Hesaystheydiedinhisinfancy，yourworship，\'repliedtheofficer:hazardingtheusualreply。

Atthispointoftheinquiry，Oliverraisedhishead；and，lookingroundwithimploringeyes，murmuredafeebleprayerforadraughtofwater。

\'Stuffandnonsense！\'saidMr。Fang:\'don\'ttrytomakeafoolofme。\'

\'Ithinkhereallyisill，yourworship，\'remonstratedtheofficer。

\'Iknowbetter，\'saidMr。Fang。

\'Takecareofhim，officer，\'saidtheoldgentleman，raisinghishandsinstinctively；\'he\'llfalldown。\'

\'Standaway，officer，\'criedFang；\'lethim，ifhelikes。\'

Oliveravailedhimselfofthekindpermission，andfelltothefloorinafaintingfit。Themenintheofficelookedateachother，butnoonedaredtostir。

\'Iknewhewasshamming，\'saidFang，asifthiswereincontestableproofofthefact。\'Lethimliethere；he\'llsoonbetiredofthat。\'

\'Howdoyouproposetodealwiththecase，sir?\'inquiredtheclerkinalowvoice。

\'Summarily，\'repliedMr。Fang。\'Hestandscommittedforthreemonths——hardlabourofcourse。Cleartheoffice。\'

Thedoorwasopenedforthispurpose，andacoupleofmenwerepreparingtocarrytheinsensibleboytohiscell；whenanelderlymanofdecentbutpoorappearance，cladinanoldsuitofblack，rushedhastilyintotheoffice，andadvancedtowardsthebench。

\'Stop，stop！don\'ttakehimaway！ForHeaven\'ssakestopamoment！\'criedthenewcomer，breathlesswithhaste。

AlthoughthepresidingGeniiinsuchanofficeasthis，exerciseasummaryandarbitrarypowerovertheliberties，thegoodname，thecharacter，almostthelives，ofHerMajesty\'ssubjects，expeciallyofthepoorerclass；andalthough，withinsuchwalls，enoughfantastictricksaredailyplayedtomaketheangelsblindwithweeping；theyareclosedtothepublic，savethroughthemediumofthedailypress。(Footnote:Orwerevirtually，then。)

Mr。Fangwasconsequentlynotalittleindignanttoseeanunbiddenguestenterinsuchirreverentdisorder。

\'Whatisthis?Whoisthis?Turnthismanout。Cleartheoffice！\'criedMr。Fang。

\'IWILLspeak，\'criedtheman；\'Iwillnotbeturnedout。Isawitall。Ikeepthebook-stall。Idemandtobesworn。Iwillnotbeputdown。Mr。Fang，youmusthearme。Youmustnotrefuse，sir。\'

Themanwasright。Hismannerwasdetermined；andthematterwasgrowingrathertooserioustobehushedup。

\'Sweartheman，\'growledMr。Fang。withaveryillgrace。\'Now，man，whathaveyougottosay?\'

\'This，\'saidtheman:\'Isawthreeboys:twoothersandtheprisonerhere:loiteringontheoppositesideoftheway，whenthisgentlemanwasreading。Therobberywascommittedbyanotherboy。Isawitdone；andIsawthatthisboywasperfectlyamazedandstupifiedbyit。\'Havingbythistimerecoveredalittlebreath，theworthybook-stallkeeperproceededtorelate，inamorecoherentmannertheexactcircumstancesoftherobbery。

\'Whydidn\'tyoucomeherebefore?\'saidFang，afterapause。

\'Ihadn\'tasoultomindtheshop，\'repliedtheman。\'Everybodywhocouldhavehelpedme，hadjoinedinthepursuit。Icouldgetnobodytillfiveminutesago；andI\'verunherealltheway。\'

\'Theprosecutorwasreading，washe?\'inquiredFang，afteranotherpause。

\'Yes，\'repliedtheman。\'Theverybookhehasinhishand。\'

\'Oh，thatbook，eh?\'saidFang。\'Isitpaidfor?\'

\'No，itisnot，\'repliedtheman，withasmile。

\'Dearme，Iforgotallaboutit！\'exclaimedtheabsentoldgentleman，innocently。

\'Anicepersontopreferachargeagainstapoorboy！\'saidFang，withacomicalefforttolookhumane。\'Iconsider，sir，thatyouhaveobtainedpossessionofthatbook，underverysuspiciousanddisreputablecircumstances；andyoumaythinkyourselfveryfortunatethattheownerofthepropertydeclinestoprosecute。

Letthisbealessontoyou，myman，orthelawwillovertakeyouyet。Theboyisdischarged。Cleartheoffice！\'

\'D——nme！\'criedtheoldgentleman，burstingoutwiththeragehehadkeptdownsolong，\'d——nme！I\'ll——\'

\'Cleartheoffice！\'saidthemagistrate。\'Officers，doyouhear?

Cleartheoffice！\'

Themandatewasobeyed；andtheindignantMr。Brownlowwasconveyedout，withthebookinonehand，andthebamboocaneintheother:inaperfectphrenzyofrageanddefiance。Hereachedtheyard；andhispassionvanishedinamoment。LittleOliverTwistlayonhisbackonthepavement，withhisshirtunbuttoned，andhistemplesbathedwithwater；hisfaceadeadlywhite；andacoldtrembleconvulsinghiswholeframe。

\'Poorboy，poorboy！\'saidMr。Brownlow，bendingoverhim。\'Callacoach，somebody，pray。Directly！\'

Acoachwasobtained，andOliverhavingbeencarefullylaidontheseat，theoldgentlemangotinandsathimselfontheother。

\'MayIaccompanyyou?\'saidthebook-stallkeeper，lookingin。

\'Blessme，yes，mydearsir，\'saidMr。Brownlowquickly。\'I

forgotyou。Dear，dear！Ihavethisunhappybookstill！Jumpin。Poorfellow！There\'snotimetolose。\'

Thebook-stallkeepergotintothecoach；andawaytheydrove。

CHAPTERXII

INWHICHOLIVERISTAKENBETTERCAREOFTHANHEEVERWASBEFORE。

ANDINWHICHTHENARRATIVEREVERTSTOTHEMERRYOLDGENTLEMANAND

HISYOUTHFULFRIENDS。

Thecoachrattledaway，overnearlythesamegroundasthatwhichOliverhadtraversedwhenhefirstenteredLondonincompanywiththeDodger；and，turningadifferentwaywhenitreachedtheAngelatIslington，stoppedatlengthbeforeaneathouse，inaquietshadystreetnearPentonville。Here，abedwasprepared，withoutlossoftime，inwhichMr。Brownlowsawhisyoungchargecarefullyandcomfortablydeposited；andhere，hewastendedwithakindnessandsolicitudethatknewnobounds。

But，formanydays，Oliverremainedinsensibletoallthegoodnessofhisnewfriends。Thesunroseandsank，androseandsankagain，andmanytimesafterthat；andstilltheboylaystretchedonhisuneasybed，dwindlingawaybeneaththedryandwastingheatoffever。Thewormdoesnotworkmoresurelyonthedeadbody，thandoesthisslowcreepingfireuponthelivingframe。

Weak，andthin，andpallid，heawokeatlastfromwhatseemedtohavebeenalongandtroubleddream。Feeblyraisinghimselfinthebed，withhisheadrestingonhistremblingarm，helookedanxiouslyaround。

\'Whatroomisthis?WherehaveIbeenbroughtto?\'saidOliver。

\'ThisisnottheplaceIwenttosleepin。\'

Heutteredthesewordsinafeeblevoice，beingveryfaintandweak；buttheywereoverheardatonce。Thecurtainatthebed\'sheadwashastilydrawnback，andamotherlyoldlady，veryneatlyandpreciselydressed，roseassheundrewit，fromanarm-chaircloseby，inwhichshehadbeensittingatneedle-work。

\'Hush，mydear，\'saidtheoldladysoftly。\'Youmustbeveryquiet，oryouwillbeillagain；andyouhavebeenverybad，——asbadasbadcouldbe，prettynigh。Liedownagain；there\'sadear！\'Withthosewords，theoldladyverygentlyplacedOliver\'sheaduponthepillow；and，smoothingbackhishairfromhisforehead，lookedsokindlyandlovinginhisface，thathecouldnothelpplacinghislittlewitheredhandinhers，anddrawingitroundhisneck。

\'Saveus！\'saidtheoldlady，withtearsinhereyes。\'Whatagratefullittledearitis。Prettycreetur！WhatwouldhismotherfeelifshehadsatbyhimasIhave，andcouldseehimnow！\'

\'Perhapsshedoesseeme，\'whisperedOliver，foldinghishandstogether；\'perhapsshehassatbyme。Ialmostfeelasifshehad。\'

\'Thatwasthefever，mydear，\'saidtheoldladymildly。

\'Isupposeitwas，\'repliedOliver，\'becauseheavenisalongwayoff；andtheyaretoohappythere，tocomedowntothebedsideofapoorboy。ButifsheknewIwasill，shemusthavepitiedme，eventhere；forshewasveryillherselfbeforeshedied。Shecan\'tknowanythingaboutmethough，\'addedOliverafteramoment\'ssilence。\'Ifshehadseenmehurt，itwouldhavemadeheresorrowful；andherfacehasalwayslookedsweetandhappy，whenIhavedreamedofher。\'

Theoldladymadenoreplytothis；butwipinghereyesfirst，andherspectacles，whichlayonthecounterpane，afterwards，asiftheywerepartandparcelofthosefeatures，broughtsomecoolstuffforOlivertodrink；andthen，pattinghimonthecheek，toldhimhemustlieveryquiet，orhewouldbeillagain。

So，Oliverkeptverystill；partlybecausehewasanxioustoobeythekindoldladyinallthings；andpartly，totellthetruth，becausehewascompletelyexhaustedwithwhathehadalreadysaid。Hesoonfellintoagentledoze，fromwhichhewasawakenedbythelightofacandle:which，beingbroughtnearthebed，showedhimagentlemanwithaverylargeandloud-tickinggoldwatchinhishand，whofelthispulse，andsaidhewasagreatdealbetter。

\'YouAREagreatdealbetter，areyounot，mydear?\'saidthegentleman。

\'Yes，thankyou，sir，\'repliedOliver。

\'Yes，Iknowyouare，\'saidthegentleman:\'You\'rehungrytoo，an\'tyou?\'

\'No，sir，\'answeredOliver。

\'Hem！\'saidthegentleman。\'No，Iknowyou\'renot。Heisnothungry，Mrs。Bedwin，\'saidthegentleman:lookingverywise。

Theoldladymadearespectfulinclinationofthehead，whichseemedtosaythatshethoughtthedoctorwasaverycleverman。

Thedoctorappearedmuchofthesameopinionhimself。

\'Youfeelsleepy，don\'tyou，mydear?\'saidthedoctor。

\'No，sir，\'repliedOliver。

\'No，\'saidthedoctor，withaveryshrewdandsatisfiedlook。

\'You\'renotsleepy。Northirsty。Areyou?\'

\'Yes，sir，ratherthirsty，\'answeredOliver。

\'JustasIexpected，Mrs。Bedwin，\'saidthedoctor。\'It\'sverynaturalthatheshouldbethirsty。Youmaygivehimalittletea，ma\'am，andsomedrytoastwithoutanybutter。Don\'tkeephimtoowarm，ma\'am；butbecarefulthatyoudon\'tlethimbetoocold；willyouhavethegoodness?\'

Theoldladydroppedacurtsey。Thedoctor，aftertastingthecoolstuff，andexpressingaqualifiedapprovalofit，hurriedaway:hisbootscreakinginaveryimportantandwealthymannerashewentdownstairs。

Oliverdozedoffagain，soonafterthis；whenheawoke，itwasnearlytwelveo\'clock。Theoldladytenderlybadehimgood-nightshortlyafterwards，andlefthiminchargeofafatoldwomanwhohadjustcome:bringingwithher，inalittlebundle，asmallPrayerBookandalargenightcap。Puttingthelatteronherheadandtheformeronthetable，theoldwoman，aftertellingOliverthatshehadcometositupwithhim，drewherchairclosetothefireandwentoffintoaseriesofshortnaps，chequeredatfrequentintervalswithsundrytumblingsforward，anddiversmoansandchokings。These，however，hadnoworseeffectthancausinghertorubhernoseveryhard，andthenfallasleepagain。

Andthusthenightcreptslowlyon。Oliverlayawakeforsometime，countingthelittlecirclesoflightwhichthereflectionoftherushlight-shadethrewupontheceiling；ortracingwithhislanguideyestheintricatepatternofthepaperonthewall。

Thedarknessandthedeepstillnessoftheroomwereverysolemn；

astheybroughtintotheboy\'smindthethoughtthatdeathhadbeenhoveringthere，formanydaysandnights，andmightyetfillitwiththegloomanddreadofhisawfulpresence，heturnedhisfaceuponthepillow，andferventlyprayedtoHeaven。

Gradually，hefellintothatdeeptranquilsleepwhicheasefromrecentsufferingaloneimparts；thatcalmandpeacefulrestwhichitispaintowakefrom。Who，ifthisweredeath，wouldberousedagaintoallthestrugglesandturmoilsoflife；toallitscaresforthepresent；itsanxietiesforthefuture；morethanall，itswearyrecollectionsofthepast！

Ithadbeenbrightday，forhours，whenOliveropenedhiseyes；

hefeltcheerfulandhappy。Thecrisisofthediseasewassafelypast。Hebelongedtotheworldagain。

Inthreedays\'timehewasabletositinaneasy-chair，wellproppedupwithpillows；and，ashewasstilltooweaktowalk，Mrs。Bedwinhadhimcarrieddownstairsintothelittlehousekeeper\'sroom，whichbelongedtoher。Havinghimset，here，bythefire-side，thegoodoldladysatherselfdowntoo；and，beinginastateofconsiderabledelightatseeinghimsomuchbetter，forthwithbegantocrymostviolently。

\'Nevermindme，mydear，\'saidtheoldlady；\'I\'monlyhavingaregulargoodcry。There；it\'sallovernow；andI\'mquitecomfortable。\'

\'You\'revery，verykindtome，ma\'am，\'saidOliver。

\'Well，neveryoumindthat，mydear，\'saidtheoldlady；\'that\'sgotnothingtodowithyourbroth；andit\'sfulltimeyouhadit；

forthedoctorsaysMr。Brownlowmaycomeintoseeyouthismorning；andwemustgetupourbestlooks，becausethebetterwelook，themorehe\'llbepleased。\'Andwiththis，theoldladyappliedherselftowarmingup，inalittlesaucepan，abasinfullofbroth:strongenough，Oliverthought，tofurnishanampledinner，whenreducedtotheregulationstrength，forthreehundredandfiftypaupers，atthelowestcomputation。

\'Areyoufondofpictures，dear?\'inquiredtheoldlady，seeingthatOliverhadfixedhiseyes，mostintently，onaportraitwhichhungagainstthewall；justoppositehischair。

\'Idon\'tquiteknow，ma\'am，\'saidOliver，withouttakinghiseyesfromthecanvas；\'IhaveseensofewthatIhardlyknow。Whatabeautiful，mildfacethatlady\'sis！\'

\'Ah！\'saidtheoldlady，\'paintersalwaysmakeladiesoutprettierthantheyare，ortheywouldn\'tgetanycustom，child。

Themanthatinventedthemachinefortakinglikenessesmighthaveknownthatwouldneversucceed；it\'sadealtoohonest。A

deal，\'saidtheoldlady，laughingveryheartilyatherownacuteness。

\'Is——isthatalikeness，ma\'am?\'saidOliver。

\'Yes，\'saidtheoldlady，lookingupforamomentfromthebroth；

\'that\'saportrait。\'

\'Whose，ma\'am?\'askedOliver。

\'Why，really，mydear，Idon\'tknow，\'answeredtheoldladyinagood-humouredmanner。\'It\'snotalikenessofanybodythatyouorIknow，Iexpect。Itseemstostrikeyourfancy，dear。\'

\'Itissopretty，\'repliedOliver。

\'Why，sureyou\'renotafraidofit?\'saidtheoldlady:observingingreatsurprise，thelookofawewithwhichthechildregardedthepainting。

\'Ohno，no，\'returnedOliverquickly；\'buttheeyeslooksosorrowful；andwhereIsit，theyseemfixeduponme。Itmakesmyheartbeat，\'addedOliverinalowvoice，\'asifitwasalive，andwantedtospeaktome，butcouldn\'t。\'

\'Lordsaveus！\'exclaimedtheoldlady，starting；\'don\'ttalkinthatway，child。You\'reweakandnervousafteryourillness。

Letmewheelyourchairroundtotheotherside；andthenyouwon\'tseeit。There！\'saidtheoldlady，suitingtheactiontotheword；\'youdon\'tseeitnow，atallevents。\'

OliverDIDseeitinhismind\'seyeasdistinctlyasifhehadnotalteredhisposition；buthethoughtitbetternottoworrythekindoldlady；sohesmiledgentlywhenshelookedathim；

andMrs。Bedwin，satisfiedthathefeltmorecomfortable，saltedandbrokebitsoftoastedbreadintothebroth，withallthebustlebefittingsosolemnapreparation。Olivergotthroughitwithextraordinaryexpedition。Hehadscarcelyswallowedthelastspoonful，whentherecameasoftrapatthedoor。\'Comein，\'saidtheoldlady；andinwalkedMr。Brownlow。

Now，theoldgentlemancameinasbriskasneedbe；but，hehadnosoonerraisedhisspectaclesonhisforehead，andthrusthishandsbehindtheskirtsofhisdressing-gowntotakeagoodlonglookatOliver，thanhiscountenanceunderwentaverygreatvarietyofoddcontortions。Oliverlookedverywornandshadowyfromsickness，andmadeanineffectualattempttostandup，outofrespecttohisbenefactor，whichterminatedinhissinkingbackintothechairagain；andthefactis，ifthetruthmustbetold，thatMr。Brownlow\'sheart，beinglargeenoughforanysixordinaryoldgentlemenofhumanedisposition，forcedasupplyoftearsintohiseyes，bysomehydraulicprocesswhichwearenotsufficientlyphilosophicaltobeinaconditiontoexplain。