第4章

\'Poorboy，poorboy！\'saidMr。Brownlow，clearinghisthroat。

\'I\'mratherhoarsethismorning，Mrs。Bedwin。I\'mafraidIhavecaughtcold。\'

\'Ihopenot，sir，\'saidMrs。Bedwin。\'Everythingyouhavehad，hasbeenwellaired，sir。\'

\'Idon\'tknow，Bedwin。Idon\'tknow，\'saidMr。Brownlow；\'I

ratherthinkIhadadampnapkinatdinner-timeyesterday；butnevermindthat。Howdoyoufeel，mydear?\'

\'Veryhappy，sir，\'repliedOliver。\'Andverygratefulindeed，sir，foryourgoodnesstome。\'

\'Goodby，\'saidMr。Brownlow，stoutly。\'Haveyougivenhimanynourishment，Bedwin?Anyslops，eh?\'

\'Hehasjusthadabasinofbeautifulstrongbroth，sir，\'repliedMrs。Bedwin:drawingherselfupslightly，andlayingstrongemphasisonthelastword:tointimatethatbetweenslops，andbrothwillcompounded，thereexistednoaffinityorconnectionwhatsoever。

\'Ugh！\'saidMr。Brownlow，withaslightshudder；\'acoupleofglassesofportwinewouldhavedonehimagreatdealmoregood。

Wouldn\'tthey，TomWhite，eh?\'

\'MynameisOliver，sir，\'repliedthelittleinvalid:withalookofgreatastonishment。

\'Oliver，\'saidMr。Brownlow；\'Oliverwhat?OliverWhite，eh?\'

\'No，sir，Twist，OliverTwist。\'

\'Queername！\'saidtheoldgentleman。\'WhatmadeyoutellthemagistrateyournamewasWhite?\'

\'Inevertoldhimso，sir，\'returnedOliverinamazement。

Thissoundedsolikeafalsehood，thattheoldgentlemanlookedsomewhatsternlyinOliver\'sface。Itwasimpossibletodoubthim；therewastruthineveryoneofitsthinandsharpenedlineaments。

\'Somemistake，\'saidMr。Brownlow。But，althoughhismotiveforlookingsteadilyatOlivernolongerexisted，theoldideaoftheresemblancebetweenhisfeaturesandsomefamiliarfacecameuponhimsostrongly，thathecouldnotwithdrawhisgaze。

\'Ihopeyouarenotangrywithme，sir?\'saidOliver，raisinghiseyesbeseechingly。

\'No，no，\'repliedtheoldgentleman。\'Why！what\'sthis?Bedwin，lookthere！\'

Ashespoke，hepointedhastilytothepictureoverOliver\'shead，andthentotheboy\'sface。Therewasitslivingcopy。Theeyes，thehead，themouth；everyfeaturewasthesame。Theexpressionwas，fortheinstant，sopreciselyalike，thattheminutestlineseemedcopiedwithstartlingaccuracy！

Oliverknewnotthecauseofthissuddenexclamation；for，notbeingstrongenoughtobearthestartitgavehim，hefaintedaway。Aweaknessonhispart，whichaffordsthenarrativeanopportunityofrelievingthereaderfromsuspense，inbehalfofthetwoyoungpupilsoftheMerryOldGentleman；andofrecording——

ThatwhentheDodger，andhisaccomplishedfriendMasterBates，joinedinthehue-and-crywhichwasraisedatOliver\'sheels，inconsequenceoftheirexecutinganillegalconveyanceofMr。

Brownlow\'spersonalproperty，ashasbeenalreadydescribed，theywereactuatedbyaverylaudableandbecomingregardforthemselves；andforasmuchasthefreedomofthesubjectandthelibertyoftheindividualareamongthefirstandproudestboastsofatrue-heartedEnglishman，so，Ineedhardlybegthereadertoobserve，thatthisactionshouldtendtoexaltthemintheopinionofallpublicandpatrioticmen，inalmostasgreatadegreeasthisstrongproofoftheiranxietyfortheirownpreservationandsafetygoestocorroborateandconfirmthelittlecodeoflawswhichcertainprofoundandsound-judgingphilosophershavelaiddownasthemain-springsofallNature\'sdeedsandactions:thesaidphilosophersverywiselyreducingthegoodlady\'sproceedingstomattersofmaximandtheory:and，byaveryneatandprettycomplimenttoherexaltedwisdomandunderstanding，puttingentirelyoutofsightanyconsiderationsofheart，orgenerousimpulseandfeeling。For，thesearematterstotallybeneathafemalewhoisacknowledgedbyuniversaladmissiontobefarabovethenumerouslittlefoiblesandweaknessesofhersex。

IfIwantedanyfurtherproofofthestrictlyphilosophicalnatureoftheconductoftheseyounggentlemenintheirverydelicatepredicament，Ishouldatoncefinditinthefact(alsorecordedinaforegoingpartofthisnarrative)，oftheirquittingthepursuit，whenthegeneralattentionwasfixeduponOliver；andmakingimmediatelyfortheirhomebytheshortestpossiblecut。AlthoughIdonotmeantoassertthatitisusuallythepracticeofrenownedandlearnedsages，toshortentheroadtoanygreatconclusion(theircourseindeedbeingrathertolengthenthedistance，byvariouscircumlocationsanddiscursivestaggerings，likeuntothoseinwhichdrunkenmenunderthepressureofatoomightyflowofideas，arepronetoindulge)；still，Idomeantosay，anddosaydistinctly，thatitistheinvariablepracticeofmanymightyphilosophers，incarryingouttheirtheories，toevincegreatwisdomandforesightinprovidingagainsteverypossiblecontingencywhichcanbesupposedatalllikelytoaffectthemselves。Thus，todoagreatright，youmaydoalittlewrong；andyoumaytakeanymeanswhichtheendtobeattained，willjustify；theamountoftheright，ortheamountofthewrong，orindeedthedistinctionbetweenthetwo，beingleftentirelytothephilosopherconcerned，tobesettledanddeterminedbyhisclear，comprehensive，andimpartialviewofhisownparticularcase。

Itwasnotuntilthetwoboyshadscoured，withgreatrapidity，throughamostintricatemazeofnarrowstreetsandcourts，thattheyventuredtohaltbeneathalowanddarkarchway。Havingremainedsilenthere，justlongenoughtorecoverbreathtospeak，MasterBatesutteredanexclamationofamusementanddelight；and，burstingintoanuncontrollablefitoflaughter，flunghimselfuponadoorstep，androlledthereoninatransportofmirth。

\'What\'sthematter?\'inquiredtheDodger。

\'Ha！ha！ha！\'roaredCharleyBates。

\'Holdyournoise，\'remonstratedtheDodger，lookingcautiouslyround。\'Doyouwanttobegrabbed，stupid?\'

\'Ican\'thelpit，\'saidCharley，\'Ican\'thelpit！Toseehimsplittingawayatthatpace，andcuttingroundthecorners，andknockingupagain\'theposts，andstartingonagainasifhewasmadeofironaswellasthem，andmewiththewipeinmypocket，singingoutarterhim——oh，myeye！\'ThevividimaginationofMasterBatespresentedthescenebeforehimintoostrongcolours。Ashearrivedatthisapostrophe，heagainrolleduponthedoor-step，andlaughedlouderthanbefore。

\'What\'llFaginsay?\'inquiredtheDodger；takingadvantageofthenextintervalofbreathlessnessonthepartofhisfriendtopropoundthequestion。

\'What?\'repeatedCharleyBates。

\'Ah，what?\'saidtheDodger。

\'Why，whatshouldhesay?\'inquiredCharley:stoppingrathersuddenlyinhismerriment；fortheDodger\'smannerwasimpressive。\'Whatshouldhesay?\'

Mr。Dawkinswhistledforacoupleofminutes；then，takingoffhishat，scratchedhishead，andnoddedthrice。

\'Whatdoyoumean?\'saidCharley。

\'Toorrullolloo，gammonandspinnage，thefroghewouldn\'t，andhighcockolorum，\'saidtheDodger:withaslightsneeronhisintellectualcountenance。

Thiswasexplanatory，butnotsatisfactory。MasterBatesfeltitso；andagainsaid，\'Whatdoyoumean?\'

TheDodgermadenoreply；butputtinghishatonagain，andgatheringtheskirtsofhislong-tailedcoatunderhisarm，thrusthistongueintohischeek，slappedthebridgeofhisnosesomehalf-dozentimesinafamiliarbutexpressivemanner，andturningonhisheel，slunkdownthecourt。MasterBatesfollowed，withathoughtfulcountenance。

Thenoiseoffootstepsonthecreakingstairs，afewminutesaftertheoccurrenceofthisconversation，rousedthemerryoldgentlemanashesatoverthefirewithasaveloyandasmallloafinhishand；apocket-knifeinhisright；andapewterpotonthetrivet。Therewasarascallysmileonhiswhitefaceasheturnedround，andlookingsharplyoutfromunderhisthickredeyebrows，benthiseartowardsthedoor，andlistened。

\'Why，how\'sthis?\'mutteredtheJew:changingcountenance；\'onlytwoof\'em?Where\'sthethird?Theycan\'thavegotintotrouble。Hark！\'

Thefootstepsapproachednearer；theyreachedthelanding。Thedoorwasslowlyopened；andtheDodgerandCharleyBatesentered，closingitbehindthem。

CHAPTERXIII

SOMENEWACQUAINTANCESAREINTRODUCEDTOTHEINTELLIGENTREADER，CONNECTEDWITHWHOMVARIOUSPLEASANTMATTERSARERELATED，APPERTAININGTOTHISHISTORY

\'Where\'sOliver?\'saidtheJew，risingwithamenacinglook。

\'Where\'stheboy?\'

Theyoungthieveseyedtheirpreceptorasiftheywerealarmedathisviolence；andlookeduneasilyateachother。Buttheymadenoreply。

\'What\'sbecomeoftheboy?\'saidtheJew，seizingtheDodgertightlybythecollar，andthreateninghimwithhorridimprecations。\'Speakout，orI\'llthrottleyou！\'

Mr。Faginlookedsoverymuchinearnest，thatCharleyBates，whodeemeditprudentinallcasestobeonthesafeside，andwhoconceiveditbynomeansimprobablethatitmightbehisturntobethrottledsecond，droppeduponhisknees，andraisedaloud，well-sustained，andcontinuousroar——somethingbetweenamadbullandaspeakingtrumpet。

\'Willyouspeak?\'thunderedtheJew:shakingtheDodgersomuchthathiskeepinginthebigcoatatall，seemedperfectlymiraculous。

\'Why，thetrapshavegothim，andthat\'sallaboutit，\'saidtheDodger，sullenly。\'Come，letgoo\'me，willyou！\'And，swinginghimself，atonejerk，cleanoutofthebigcoat，whichheleftintheJew\'shands，theDodgersnatchedupthetoastingfork，andmadeapassatthemerryoldgentleman\'swaistcoat；

which，ifithadtakeneffect，wouldhaveletalittlemoremerrimentout，thancouldhavebeeneasilyreplaced。

TheJewsteppedbackinthisemergency，withmoreagilitythancouldhavebeenanticipatedinamanofhisapparentdecrepitude；

and，seizingupthepot，preparedtohurlitathisassailant\'shead。ButCharleyBates，atthismoment，callinghisattentionbyaperfectlyterrifichowl，hesuddenlyaltereditsdestination，andflungitfullatthatyounggentleman。

\'Why，whattheblazesisinthewindnow！\'growledadeepvoice。

\'Whopitchedthat\'ereatme?It\'swellit\'sthebeer，andnotthepot，ashitme，orI\'dhavesettledsomebody。Imighthaveknow\'d，asnobodybutaninfernal，rich，plundering，thunderingoldJewcouldaffordtothrowawayanydrinkbutwater——andnotthat，unlesshedonetheRiverCompanyeveryquarter。Wot\'sitallabout，Fagin?D——me，ifmyneck-handkercheran\'tlinedwithbeer！Comein，yousneakingwarmint；wotareyoustoppingoutsidefor，asifyouwasashamedofyourmaster！Comein！\'

Themanwhogrowledoutthesewords，wasastoutly-builtfellowofaboutfive-and-thirty，inablackvelveteencoat，verysoileddrabbreeches，lace-uphalfboots，andgreycottonstockingswhichinclosedabulkypairoflegs，withlargeswellingcalves；——thekindoflegs，whichinsuchcostume，alwayslookinanunfinishedandincompletestatewithoutasetoffetterstogarnishthem。Hehadabrownhatonhishead，andadirtybelcherhandkerchiefroundhisneck:withthelongfrayedendsofwhichhesmearedthebeerfromhisfaceashespoke。Hedisclosed，whenhehaddoneso，abroadheavycountenancewithabeardofthreedays\'growth，andtwoscowlingeyes；oneofwhichdisplayedvariousparti-colouredsymptomsofhavingbeenrecentlydamagedbyablow。

\'Comein，d\'yehear?\'growledthisengagingruffian。

Awhiteshaggydog，withhisfacescratchedandtornintwentydifferentplaces，skulkedintotheroom。

\'Whydidn\'tyoucomeinafore?\'saidtheman。\'You\'regettingtooproudtoownmeaforecompany，areyou?Liedown！\'

Thiscommandwasaccompaniedwithakick，whichsenttheanimaltotheotherendoftheroom。Heappearedwellusedtoit，however；forhecoiledhimselfupinacornerveryquietly，withoututteringasound，andwinkinghisveryill-lookingeyestwentytimesinaminute，appearedtooccupyhimselfintakingasurveyoftheapartment。

\'Whatareyouupto?Ill-treatingtheboys，youcovetous，avaricious，in-sa-ti-a-bleoldfence?\'saidtheman，seatinghimselfdeliberately。\'Iwondertheydon\'tmurderyou！IwouldifIwasthem。IfI\'dbeenyour\'prentice，I\'dhavedoneitlongago，and——no，Icouldn\'thavesoldyouafterwards，foryou\'refitfornothingbutkeepingasacuriousityofuglinessinaglassbottle，andIsupposetheydon\'tblowglassbottleslargeenough。\'

\'Hush！hush！Mr。Sikes，\'saidtheJew，trembling；\'don\'tspeaksoloud！\'

\'Noneofyourmistering，\'repliedtheruffian；\'youalwaysmeanmischiefwhenyoucomethat。Youknowmyname:outwithit！I

shan\'tdisgraceitwhenthetimecomes。\'

\'Well，well，then——BillSikes，\'saidtheJew，withabjecthumility。\'Youseemoutofhumour，Bill。\'

\'PerhapsIam，\'repliedSikes；\'Ishouldthinkyouwasratheroutofsortstoo，unlessyoumeanaslittleharmwhenyouthrowpewterpotsabout，asyoudowhenyoublaband——\'

\'Areyoumad?\'saidtheJew，catchingthemanbythesleeve，andpointingtowardstheboys。

Mr。Sikescontentedhimselfwithtyinganimaginaryknotunderhisleftear，andjerkinghisheadoverontherightshoulder；apieceofdumbshowwhichtheJewappearedtounderstandperfectly。Hethen，incantterms，withwhichhiswholeconversationwasplentifullybesprinkled，butwhichwouldbequiteunintelligibleiftheywererecordedhere，demandedaglassofliquor。

\'Andmindyoudon\'tpoisonit，\'saidMr。Sikes，layinghishatuponthetable。

Thiswassaidinjest；butifthespeakercouldhaveseentheevilleerwithwhichtheJewbithispalelipasheturnedroundtothecupboard，hemighthavethoughtthecautionnotwhollyunnecessary，orthewish(atallevents)toimproveuponthedistiller\'singenuitynotveryfarfromtheoldgentleman\'smerryheart。

Afterswallowingtwoofthreeglassesofspirits，Mr。Sikescondescendedtotakesomenoticeoftheyounggentlemen；whichgraciousactledtoaconversation，inwhichthecauseandmannerofOliver\'scapturewerecircumstantiallydetailed，withsuchalterationsandimprovementsonthetruth，astotheDodgerappearedmostadvisableunderthecircumstances。

\'I\'mafraid，\'saidtheJew，\'thathemaysaysomethingwhichwillgetusintotrouble。\'

\'That\'sverylikely，\'returnedSikeswithamaliciousgrin。

\'You\'reblowedupon，Fagin。\'

\'AndI\'mafraid，yousee，addedtheJew，speakingasifhehadnotnoticedtheinterruption；andregardingtheothercloselyashedidso，——\'I\'mafraidthat，ifthegamewasupwithus，itmightbeupwithagoodmanymore，andthatitwouldcomeoutratherworseforyouthanitwouldforme，mydear。\'

Themanstarted，andturnedroundupontheJew。Buttheoldgentleman\'sshoulderswereshruggeduptohisears；andhiseyeswerevacantlystaringontheoppositewall。

Therewasalongpause。Everymemberoftherespectablecoterieappearedplungedinhisownreflections；notexceptingthedog，whobyacertainmaliciouslickingofhislipsseemedtobemeditatinganattackuponthelegsofthefirstgentlemanorladyhemightencounterinthestreetswhenhewentout。

\'Somebodymustfindoutwot\'sbeendoneattheoffice，\'saidMr。

Sikesinamuchlowertonethanhehadtakensincehecamein。

TheJewnoddedassent。

\'Ifhehasn\'tpeached，andiscommitted，there\'snofeartillhecomesoutagain，\'saidMr。Sikes，\'andthenhemustbetakencareon。Youmustgetholdofhimsomehow。\'

AgaintheJewnodded。

Theprudenceofthislineofaction，indeed，wasobvious；but，unfortunately，therewasoneverystrongobjectiontoitsbeingadopted。Thiswas，thattheDodger，andCharleyBates，andFagin，andMr。WilliamSikes，happened，oneandall，toentertainaviolentanddeeply-rootedantipathytogoingnearapolice-officeonanygroundorpretextwhatever。

Howlongtheymighthavesatandlookedateachother，inastateofuncertaintynotthemostpleasantofitskind，itisdifficulttoguess。Itisnotnecessarytomakeanyguessesonthesubject，however；forthesuddenentranceofthetwoyoungladieswhomOliverhadseenonaformeroccasion，causedtheconversationtoflowafresh。

\'Theverything！\'saidtheJew。\'Betwillgo；won\'tyou，mydear?\'

\'Wheres?\'inquiredtheyounglady。

\'Onlyjustuptotheoffice，mydear，\'saidtheJewcoaxingly。

Itisduetotheyoungladytosaythatshedidnotpositivelyaffirmthatshewouldnot，butthatshemerelyexpressedanemphaticandearnestdesiretobe\'blessed\'ifshewould；apoliteanddelicateevasionoftherequest，whichshowstheyoungladytohavebeenpossessedofthatnaturalgoodbreedingwhichcannotbeartoinflictuponafellow-creature，thepainofadirectandpointedrefusal。

TheJew\'scountenancefell。Heturnedfromthisyounglady，whowasgaily，nottosaygorgeouslyattired，inaredgown，greenboots，andyellowcurl-papers，totheotherfemale。

\'Nancy，mydear，\'saidtheJewinasoothingmanner，\'whatdoYOU

say?\'

\'Thatitwon\'tdo；soit\'snousea-tryingiton，Fagin，\'repliedNancy。

\'Whatdoyoumeanbythat?\'saidMr。Sikes，lookingupinasurlymanner。

\'WhatIsay，Bill，\'repliedtheladycollectedly。

\'Why，you\'rejusttheverypersonforit，\'reasonedMr。Sikes:

\'nobodyabouthereknowsanythingofyou。\'

\'AndasIdon\'twant\'emto，neither，\'repliedNancyinthesamecomposedmanner，\'it\'srathermorenothanyeswithme，Bill。\'

\'She\'llgo，Fagin，\'saidSikes。

\'No，shewon\'t，Fagin，\'saidNancy。

\'Yes，shewill，Fagin，\'saidSikes。

AndMr。Sikeswasright。Bydintofalternatethreats，promises，andbribes，theladyinquestionwasultimatelyprevailedupontoundertakethecommission。Shewasnot，indeed，withheldbythesameconsiderationsasheragreeablefriend；for，havingrecentlyremovedintotheneighborhoodofFieldLanefromtheremotebutgenteelsuburbofRatcliffe，shewasnotunderthesameapprehensionofbeingrecognisedbyanyofhernumerousacquaintance。

Accordingly，withacleanwhiteaprontiedoverhergown，andhercurl-paperstuckedupunderastrawbonnet，——botharticlesofdressbeingprovidedfromtheJew\'sinexhaustiblestock，——MissNancypreparedtoissueforthonhererrand。

\'Stopaminute，mydear，\'saidtheJew，producing，alittlecoveredbasket。\'Carrythatinonehand。Itlooksmorerespectable，mydear。\'

\'Giveheradoor-keytocarryinhert\'otherone，Fagin，\'saidSikes；\'itlooksrealandgenivinelike。\'

\'Yes，yes，mydear，soitdoes，\'saidtheJew，hangingalargestreet-doorkeyontheforefingeroftheyounglady\'srighthand。

\'There；verygood！Verygoodindeed，mydear！\'saidtheJew，rubbinghishands。

\'Oh，mybrother！Mypoor，dear，sweet，innocentlittlebrother！\'

exclaimedNancy，burstingintotears，andwringingthelittlebasketandthestreet-doorkeyinanagonyofdistress。\'Whathasbecomeofhim！Wherehavetheytakenhimto！Oh，dohavepity，andtellmewhat\'sbeendonewiththedearboy，gentlemen；

do，gentlemen，ifyouplease，gentlemen！\'

Havingutteredthosewordsinamostlamentableandheart-brokentone:totheimmeasurabledelightofherhearers:MissNancypaused，winkedtothecompany，noddedsmilinglyround，anddisappeared。

\'Ah，she\'saclevergirl，mydears，\'saidtheJew，turningroundtohisyoungfriends，andshakinghisheadgravely，asifinmuteadmonitiontothemtofollowthebrightexampletheyhadjustbeheld。

\'She\'sahonourtohersex，\'saidMr。Sikes，fillinghisglass，andsmitingthetablewithhisenormousfist。\'Here\'sherhealth，andwishingtheywasalllikeher！\'

Whilethese，andmanyotherencomiums，werebeingpassedontheaccomplishedNancy，thatyoungladymadethebestofherwaytothepolice-office；whither，notwithstandingalittlenaturaltimidityconsequentuponwalkingthroughthestreetsaloneandunprotected，shearrivedinperfectsafetyshortlyafterwards。

Enteringbythebackway，shetappedsoftlywiththekeyatoneofthecell-doors，andlistened。Therewasnosoundwithin:soshecoughedandlistenedagain。Stilltherewasnoreply:soshespoke。

\'Nolly，dear?\'murmuredNancyinagentlevoice；\'Nolly?\'

Therewasnobodyinsidebutamiserableshoelesscriminal，whohadbeentakenupforplayingtheflute，andwho，theoffenceagainstsocietyhavingbeenclearlyproved，hadbeenveryproperlycommittedbyMr。FangtotheHouseofCorrectionforonemonth；withtheappropriateandamusingremarkthatsincehehadsomuchbreathtospare，itwouldbemorewholesomelyexpendedonthetreadmillthaninamusicalinstrument。Hemadenoanswer:

beingoccupiedmentallybewailingthelossoftheflute，whichhadbeenconfiscatedfortheuseofthecounty:soNancypassedontothenextcell，andknockedthere。

\'Well！\'criedafaintandfeeblevoice。

\'Istherealittleboyhere?\'inquiredNancy，withapreliminarysob。

\'No，\'repliedthevoice；\'Godforbid。\'

Thiswasavagrantofsixty-five，whowasgoingtoprisonforNOT

playingtheflute；or，inotherwords，forbegginginthestreets，anddoingnothingforhislivelihood。Inthenextcellwasanotherman，whowasgoingtothesameprisonforhawkingtinsaucepanswithoutlicense；therebydoingsomethingforhisliving，indefianceoftheStamp-office。

But，asneitherofthesecriminalsansweredtothenameofOliver，orknewanythingabouthim，Nancymadestraightuptothebluffofficerinthestripedwaistcoat；andwiththemostpiteouswailingsandlamentations，renderedmorepiteousbyapromptandefficientuseofthestreet-doorkeyandthelittlebasket，demandedherowndearbrother。

\'Ihaven\'tgothim，mydear，\'saidtheoldman。

\'Whereishe?\'screamedNancy，inadistractedmanner。

\'Why，thegentleman\'sgothim，\'repliedtheofficer。

\'Whatgentleman！Oh，graciousheavens！Whatgentleman?\'

exclaimedNancy。

Inreplytothisincoherentquestioning，theoldmaninformedthedeeplyaffectedsisterthatOliverhadbeentakenillintheoffice，anddischargedinconsequenceofawitnesshavingprovedtherobberytohavebeencommittedbyanotherboy，notincustody；andthattheprosecutorhadcarriedhimaway，inaninsensiblecondition，tohisownresidence:ofandconcerningwhich，alltheinformantknewwas，thatitwassomewhereinPentonville，hehavingheardthatwordmentionedinthedirectionstothecoachman。

Inadreadfulstateofdoubtanduncertainty，theagonisedyoungwomanstaggeredtothegate，andthen，exchangingherfalteringwalkforaswiftrun，returnedbythemostdeviousandcomplicatedrouteshecouldthinkof，tothedomicileoftheJew。

Mr。BillSikesnosoonerheardtheaccountoftheexpeditiondelivered，thanheveryhastilycalledupthewhitedog，and，puttingonhishat，expeditiouslydeparted:withoutdevotinganytimetotheformalityofwishingthecompanygood-morning。

\'Wemustknowwhereheis，mydears；hemustbefound，\'saidtheJewgreatlyexcited。\'Charley，donothingbutskulkabout，tillyoubringhomesomenewsofhim！Nancy，mydear，Imusthavehimfound。Itrusttoyou，mydear，——toyouandtheArtfulforeverything！Stay，stay，\'addedtheJew，unlockingadrawerwithashakinghand；\'there\'smoney，mydears。Ishallshutupthisshopto-night。You\'llknowwheretofindme！Don\'tstophereaminute。Notaninstant，mydears！\'

Withthesewords，hepushedthemfromtheroom:andcarefullydouble-lockingandbarringthedoorbehindthem，drewfromitsplaceofconcealmenttheboxwhichhehadunintentionallydisclosedtoOliver。Then，hehastilyproceededtodisposethewatchesandjewellerybeneathhisclothing。

Arapatthedoorstartledhiminthisoccupation。\'Who\'sthere?\'hecriedinashrilltone。

\'Me！\'repliedthevoiceoftheDodger，throughthekey-hole。

\'Whatnow?\'criedtheJewimpatiently。

\'Ishetobekidnappedtotheotherken，Nancysays?\'inquiredtheDodger。

\'Yes，\'repliedtheJew，\'wherevershelayshandsonhim。Findhim，findhimout，that\'sall。Ishallknowwhattodonext；

neverfear。\'

Theboymurmuredareplyofintelligence:andhurrieddownstairsafterhiscompanions。

\'Hehasnotpeachedsofar，\'saidtheJewashepursuedhisoccupation。\'Ifhemeanstoblabusamonghisnewfriends，wemaystophismouthyet。\'

CHAPTERXIV

COMPRISINGFURTHERPARTICULARSOFOLIVER\'SSTAYATMR。

BROWNLOW\'S，WITHTHEREMARKABLEPREDICTIONWHICHONEMR。GRIMWIG

UTTEREDCONCERNINGHIM，WHENHEWENTOUTONANERRAND

Oliversoonrecoveringfromthefainting-fitintowhichMr。

Brownlow\'sabruptexclamationhadthrownhim，thesubjectofthepicturewascarefullyavoided，bothbytheoldgentlemanandMrs。

Bedwin，intheconversationthatensued:whichindeedborenoreferencetoOliver\'shistoryorprospects，butwasconfinedtosuchtopicsasmightamusewithoutexcitinghim。Hewasstilltooweaktogetuptobreakfast；but，whenhecamedownintothehousekeeper\'sroomnextday，hisfirstactwastocastaneagerglanceatthewall，inthehopeofagainlookingonthefaceofthebeautifullady。Hisexpectationsweredisappointed，however，forthepicturehadbeenremoved。

\'Ah！\'saidthehousekeeper，watchingthedirectionofOliver\'seyes。\'Itisgone，yousee。\'

\'Iseeitisma\'am，\'repliedOliver。\'Whyhavetheytakenitaway?\'

\'Ithasbeentakendown，child，becauseMr。Brownlowsaid，thatasitseemedtoworryyou，perhapsitmightpreventyourgettingwell，youknow，\'rejoinedtheoldlady。

\'Oh，no，indeed。Itdidn\'tworryme，ma\'am，\'saidOliver。\'I

likedtoseeit。Iquitelovedit。\'

\'Well，well！\'saidtheoldlady，good-humouredly；\'yougetwellasfastaseveryoucan，dear，anditshallbehungupagain。

There！Ipromiseyouthat！Now，letustalkaboutsomethingelse。\'

ThiswasalltheinformationOlivercouldobtainaboutthepictureatthattime。Astheoldladyhadbeensokindtohiminhisillness，heendeavouredtothinknomoreofthesubjectjustthen；sohelistenedattentivelytoagreatmanystoriesshetoldhim，aboutanamiableandhandsomedaughterofhers，whowasmarriedtoanamiableandhandsomeman，andlivedinthecountry；

andaboutason，whowasclerktoamerchantintheWestIndies；

andwhowas，also，suchagoodyoungman，andwrotesuchdutifullettershomefourtimesa-year，thatitbroughtthetearsintohereyestotalkaboutthem。Whentheoldladyhadexpatiated，alongtime，ontheexcellencesofherchildren，andthemeritsofherkindgoodhusbandbesides，whohadbeendeadandgone，poordearsoul！justsix-and-twentyyears，itwastimetohavetea。

AfterteashebegantoteachOlivercribbage:whichhelearntasquicklyasshecouldteach:andatwhichgametheyplayed，withgreatinterestandgravity，untilitwastimefortheinvalidtohavesomewarmwineandwater，withasliceofdrytoast，andthentogocosilytobed。

Theywerehappydays，thoseofOliver\'srecovery。Everythingwassoquiet，andneat，andorderly；everybodysokindandgentle；

thatafterthenoiseandturbulenceinthemidstofwhichhehadalwayslived，itseemedlikeHeavenitself。Hewasnosoonerstrongenoughtoputhisclotheson，properly，thanMr。Brownlowcausedacompletenewsuit，andanewcap，andanewpairofshoes，tobeprovidedforhim。AsOliverwastoldthathemightdowhathelikedwiththeoldclothes，hegavethemtoaservantwhohadbeenverykindtohim，andaskedhertosellthemtoaJew，andkeepthemoneyforherself。Thissheveryreadilydid；

and，asOliverlookedoutoftheparlourwindow，andsawtheJewrollthemupinhisbagandwalkaway，hefeltquitedelightedtothinkthattheyweresafelygone，andthattherewasnownopossibledangerofhiseverbeingabletowearthemagain。Theyweresadrags，totellthetruth；andOliverhadneverhadanewsuitbefore。

Oneevening，aboutaweekaftertheaffairofthepicture，ashewassittingtalkingtoMrs。Bedwin，therecameamessagedownfromMr。Brownlow，thatifOliverTwistfeltprettywell，heshouldliketoseehiminhisstudy，andtalktohimalittlewhile。

\'Blessus，andsaveus！Washyourhands，andletmepartyourhairnicelyforyou，child，\'saidMrs。Bedwin。\'Dearheartalive！Ifwehadknownhewouldhaveaskedforyou，wewouldhaveputyouacleancollaron，andmadeyouassmartassixpence！\'

Oliverdidastheoldladybadehim；and，althoughshelamentedgrievously，meanwhile，thattherewasnoteventimetocrimpthelittlefrillthatborderedhisshirt-collar；helookedsodelicateandhandsome，despitethatimportantpersonaladvantage，thatshewentsofarastosay:lookingathimwithgreatcomplacencyfromheadtofoot，thatshereallydidn\'tthinkitwouldhavebeenpossible，onthelongestnotice，tohavemademuchdifferenceinhimforthebetter。

Thusencouraged，Olivertappedatthestudydoor。OnMr。

Brownlowcallingtohimtocomein，hefoundhimselfinalittlebackroom，quitefullofbooks，withawindow，lookingintosomepleasantlittlegardens。Therewasatabledrawnupbeforethewindow，atwhichMr。Brownlowwasseatedreading。WhenhesawOliver，hepushedthebookawayfromhim，andtoldhimtocomenearthetable，andsitdown。Olivercomplied；marvellingwherethepeoplecouldbefoundtoreadsuchagreatnumberofbooksasseemedtobewrittentomaketheworldwiser。WhichisstillamarveltomoreexperiencedpeoplethanOliverTwist，everydayoftheirlives。

\'Thereareagoodmanybooks，aretherenot，myboy?\'saidMr。

Brownlow，observingthecuriositywithwhichOliversurveyedtheshelvesthatreachedfromthefloortotheceiling。

\'Agreatnumber，sir，\'repliedOliver。\'Ineversawsomany。\'

\'Youshallreadthem，ifyoubehavewell，\'saidtheoldgentlemankindly；\'andyouwilllikethat，betterthanlookingattheoutsides，——thatis，somecases；becausetherearebooksofwhichthebacksandcoversarebyfarthebestparts。\'

\'Isupposetheyarethoseheavyones，sir，\'saidOliver，pointingtosomelargequartos，withagooddealofgildingaboutthebinding。

\'Notalwaysthose，\'saidtheoldgentleman，pattingOliveronthehead，andsmilingashedidso；\'thereareotherequallyheavyones，thoughofamuchsmallersize。Howshouldyouliketogrowupacleverman，andwritebooks，eh?\'

\'IthinkIwouldratherreadthem，sir，\'repliedOliver。

\'What！wouldn\'tyouliketobeabook-writer?\'saidtheoldgentleman。

Oliverconsideredalittlewhile；andatlastsaid，heshouldthinkitwouldbeamuchbetterthingtobeabook-seller；uponwhichtheoldgentlemanlaughedheartily，anddeclaredhehadsaidaverygoodthing。WhichOliverfeltgladtohavedone，thoughhebynomeansknewwhatitwas。

\'Well，well，\'saidtheoldgentleman，composinghisfeatures。

\'Don\'tbeafraid！Wewon\'tmakeanauthorofyou，whilethere\'sanhonesttradetobelearnt，orbrick-makingtoturnto。\'

\'Thankyou，sir，\'saidOliver。Attheearnestmannerofhisreply，theoldgentlemanlaughedagain；andsaidsomethingaboutacuriousinstinct，whichOliver，notunderstanding，paidnoverygreatattentionto。

\'Now，\'saidMr。Brownlow，speakingifpossibleinakinder，butatthesametimeinamuchmoreseriousmanner，thanOliverhadeverknownhimassumeyet，\'Iwantyoutopaygreatattention，myboy，towhatIamgoingtosay。Ishalltalktoyouwithoutanyreserve；becauseIamsureyouarewellabletounderstandme，asmanyolderpersonswouldbe。\'

\'Oh，don\'ttellyouaregoingtosendmeaway，sir，pray！\'

exclaimedOliver，alarmedattheserioustoneoftheoldgentleman\'scommencement！\'Don\'tturnmeoutofdoorstowanderinthestreetsagain。Letmestayhere，andbeaservant。Don\'tsendmebacktothewretchedplaceIcamefrom。Havemercyuponapoorboy，sir！\'

\'Mydearchild，\'saidtheoldgentleman，movedbythewarmthofOliver\'ssuddenappeal；\'youneednotbeafraidofmydesertingyou，unlessyougivemecause。\'

\'Inever，neverwill，sir，\'interposedOliver。

\'Ihopenot，\'rejoinedtheoldgentleman。\'Idonotthinkyoueverwill。Ihavebeendeceived，before，intheobjectswhomI

haveendeavouredtobenefit；butIfeelstronglydisposedtotrustyou，nevertheless；andIammoreinterestedinyourbehalfthanIcanwellaccountfor，eventomyself。ThepersonsonwhomIhavebestowedmydearestlove，liedeepintheirgraves；but，althoughthehappinessanddelightofmylifelieburiedtheretoo，Ihavenotmadeacoffinofmyheart，andsealeditup，forever，onmybestaffections。Deepafflictionhasbutstrengthenedandrefinedthem。\'

Astheoldgentlemansaidthisinalowvoice:moretohimselfthantohiscompanion:andasheremainedsilentforashorttimeafterwards:Oliversatquitestill。

\'Well，well！\'saidtheoldgentlemanatlength，inamorecheerfultone，\'Ionlysaythis，becauseyouhaveayoungheart；

andknowingthatIhavesufferedgreatpainandsorrow，youwillbemorecareful，perhaps，nottowoundmeagain。Yousayyouareanorphan，withoutafriendintheworld；alltheinquiriesI

havebeenabletomake，confirmthestatement。Letmehearyourstory；whereyoucomefrom；whobroughtyouup；andhowyougotintothecompanyinwhichIfoundyou。Speakthetruth，andyoushallnotbefriendlesswhileIlive。\'

Oliver\'ssobscheckedhisutteranceforsomeminutes；whenhewasonthepointofbeginningtorelatehowhehadbeenbroughtupatthefarm，andcarriedtotheworkhousebyMr。Bumble，apeculiarlyimpatientlittledouble-knockwasheardatthestreet-door:andtheservant，runningupstairs，announcedMr。

Grimwig。

\'Ishecomingup?\'inquiredMr。Brownlow。

\'Yes，sir，\'repliedtheservant。\'Heaskediftherewereanymuffinsinthehouse；and，whenItoldhimyes，hesaidhehadcometotea。\'

Mr。Brownlowsmiled；and，turningtoOliver，saidthatMr。

Grimwigwasanoldfriendofhis，andhemustnotmindhisbeingalittleroughinhismanners；forhewasaworthycreatureatbottom，ashehadreasontoknow。

\'ShallIgodownstairs，sir?\'inquiredOliver。

\'No，\'repliedMr。Brownlow，\'Iwouldratheryouremainedhere。\'

Atthismoment，therewalkedintotheroom:supportinghimselfbyathickstick:astoutoldgentleman，ratherlameinoneleg，whowasdressedinabluecoat，stripedwaistcoat，nankeenbreechesandgaiters，andabroad-brimmedwhitehat，withthesidesturnedupwithgreen。Averysmall-plaitedshirtfrillstuckoutfromhiswaistcoat；andaverylongsteelwatch-chain，withnothingbutakeyattheend，dangledlooselybelowit。Theendsofhiswhiteneckerchiefweretwistedintoaballaboutthesizeofanorange；thevarietyofshapesintowhichhiscountenancewastwisted，defydescription。Hehadamannerofscrewinghisheadononesidewhenhespoke；andoflookingoutofthecornersofhiseyesatthesametime:whichirresistiblyremindedthebeholderofaparrot。Inthisattitude，hefixedhimself，themomenthemadehisappearance；and，holdingoutasmallpieceoforange-peelatarm\'slength，exclaimed，inagrowling，discontentedvoice。

\'Lookhere！doyouseethis！Isn\'titamostwonderfulandextraordinarythingthatIcan\'tcallataman\'shousebutIfindapieceofthispoorsurgeon\'sfriendonthestaircase?I\'vebeenlamedwithorange-peelonce，andIknoworange-peelwillbemydeath，orI\'llbecontenttoeatmyownhead，sir！\'

ThiswasthehandsomeofferwithwhichMr。Grimwigbackedandconfirmednearlyeveryassertionhemade；anditwasthemoresingularinhiscase，because，evenadmittingforthesakeofargument，thepossibilityofscientificimprovementsbeingbroughttothatpasswhichwillenableagentlemantoeathisownheadintheeventofhisbeingsodisposed，Mr。Grimwig\'sheadwassuchaparticularlylargeone，thatthemostsanguinemanalivecouldhardlyentertainahopeofbeingabletogetthroughitatasitting——toputentirelyoutofthequestion，averythickcoatingofpowder。

\'I\'lleatmyhead，sir，\'repeatedMr。Grimwig，strikinghisstickupontheground。\'Hallo！what\'sthat！\'lookingatOliver，andretreatingapaceortwo。

\'ThisisyoungOliverTwist，whomwewerespeakingabout，\'saidMr。Brownlow。

Oliverbowed。

\'Youdon\'tmeantosaythat\'stheboywhohadthefever，Ihope?\'

saidMr。Grimwig，recoilingalittlemore。\'Waitaminute！

Don\'tspeak！Stop——\'continuedMr。Grimwig，abruptly，losingalldreadofthefeverinhistriumphatthediscovery；\'that\'stheboywhohadtheorange！Ifthat\'snottheboy，sir，whohadtheorange，andthrewthisbitofpeeluponthestaircase，I\'lleatmyhead，andhistoo。\'

\'No，no，hehasnothadone，\'saidMr。Brownlow，laughing。

\'Come！Putdownyourhat；andspeaktomyyoungfriend。\'

\'Ifeelstronglyonthissubject，sir，\'saidtheirritableoldgentleman，drawingoffhisgloves。\'There\'salwaysmoreorlessorange-peelonthepavementinourstreet；andIKNOWit\'sputtherebythesurgeon\'sboyatthecorner。Ayoungwomanstumbledoverabitlastnight，andfellagainstmygarden-railings；

directlyshegotupIsawherlooktowardshisinfernalredlampwiththepantomime-light。“Don\'tgotohim，“Icalledoutofthewindow，“he\'sanassassin！Aman-trap！“Soheis。Ifheisnot——\'Heretheirascibleoldgentlemangaveagreatknockonthegroundwithhisstick；whichwasalwaysunderstood，byhisfriends，toimplythecustomaryoffer，wheneveritwasnotexpressedinwords。Then，stillkeepinghisstickinhishand，hesatdown；and，openingadoubleeye-glass，whichheworeattachedtoabroadblackriband，tookaviewofOliver:who，seeingthathewastheobjectofinspection，coloured，andbowedagain。

\'That\'stheboy，isit?\'saidMr。Grimwig，atlength。

\'That\'stheboy，\'repliedMr。Brownlow。

\'Howareyou，boy?\'saidMr。Grimwig。

\'Agreatdealbetter，thankyou，sir，\'repliedOliver。

MrBrownlow，seemingtoapprehendthathissingularfriendwasabouttosaysomethingdisagreeable，askedOlivertostepdownstairsandtellMrs。Bedwintheywerereadyfortea；which，ashedidnothalflikethevisitor\'smanner，hewasveryhappytodo。

\'Heisanice-lookingboy，ishenot?\'inquiredMr。Brownlow。

\'Idon\'tknow，\'repliedMr。Grimwig，pettishly。

\'Don\'tknow?\'

\'No。Idon\'tknow。Ineverseeanydifferenceinboys。Ionlyknewtwosortofboys。Mealyboys，andbeef-facedboys。\'

\'AndwhichisOliver?\'

\'Mealy。Iknowafriendwhohasabeef-facedboy；afineboy，theycallhim；witharoundhead，andredcheeks，andglaringeyes；ahorridboy；withabodyandlimbsthatappeartobeswellingoutoftheseamsofhisblueclothes；withthevoiceofapilot，andtheappetiteofawolf。Iknowhim！Thewretch！\'

\'Come，\'saidMr。Brownlow，\'thesearenotthecharacteristicsofyoungOliverTwist；soheneedn\'texciteyourwrath。\'

\'Theyarenot，\'repliedMr。Grimwig。\'Hemayhaveworse。\'

Here，Mr。Brownlowcoughedimpatiently；whichappearedtoaffordMr。Grimwigthemostexquisitedelight。

\'Hemayhaveworse，Isay，\'repeatedMr。Grimwig。\'Wheredoeshecomefrom！Whoishe?Whatishe?Hehashadafever。Whatofthat?Feversarenotpeculiartogoodpeope；arethey?Badpeoplehavefeverssometimes；haven\'tthey，eh?IknewamanwhowashunginJamaicaformurderinghismaster。Hehadhadafeversixtimes；hewasn\'trecommendedtomercyonthataccount。Pooh！

nonsense！\'

Now，thefactwas，thatintheinmostrecessesofhisownheart，Mr。GrimwigwasstronglydisposedtoadmitthatOliver\'sappearanceandmannerwereunusuallyprepossessing；buthehadastrongappetiteforcontradiction，sharpenedonthisoccasionbythefindingoftheorange-peel；and，inwardlydeterminingthatnomanshoulddictatetohimwhetheraboywaswell-lookingornot，hehadresolved，fromthefirst，toopposehisfriend。WhenMr。

Brownlowadmittedthatonnoonepointofinquirycouldheyetreturnasatisfactoryanswer；andthathehadpostponedanyinvestigationintoOliver\'sprevioushistoryuntilhethoughttheboywasstrongenoughtohearit；Mr。Grimwigchuckledmaliciously。Andhedemanded，withasneer，whetherthehousekeeperwasinthehabitofcountingtheplateatnight；

becauseifshedidn\'tfindatable-spoonortwomissingsomesunshinymorning，why，hewouldbecontentto——andsoforth。

Allthis，Mr。Brownlow，althoughhimselfsomewhatofanimpetuousgentleman:knowinghisfriend\'speculiarities，borewithgreatgoodhumour；asMr。Grimwig，attea，wasgraciouslypleasedtoexpresshisentireapprovalofthemuffins，matterswentonverysmoothly；andOliver，whomadeoneoftheparty，begantofeelmoreathiseasethanhehadyetdoneinthefierceoldgentleman\'spresence。

\'Andwhenareyougoingtohearatfull，true，andparticularaccountofthelifeandadventuresofOliverTwist?\'askedGrimwigofMr。Brownlow，attheconclusionofthemeal；lookingsidewaysatOliver，asheresumedhissubject。

\'To-morrowmorning，\'repliedMr。Brownlow。\'Iwouldratherhewasalonewithmeatthetime。Comeuptometo-morrowmorningatteno\'clock，mydear。\'

\'Yes，sir，\'repliedOliver。Heansweredwithsomehesitation，becausehewasconfusedbyMr。Grimwig\'slookingsohardathim。

\'I\'lltellyouwhat，\'whisperedthatgentlemantoMr。Brownlow；

\'hewon\'tcomeuptoyouto-morrowmorning。Isawhimhesitate。

Heisdeceivingyou，mygoodfriend。\'

\'I\'llswearheisnot，\'repliedMr。Brownlow，warmly。

\'Ifheisnot，\'saidMr。Grimwig，\'I\'ll——\'anddownwentthestick。

\'I\'llanswerforthatboy\'struthwithmylife！\'saidMr。

Brownlow，knockingthetable。

\'AndIforhisfalsehoodwithmyhead！\'rejoinedMr。Grimwig，knockingthetablealso。

\'Weshallsee，\'saidMr。Brownlow，checkinghisrisinganger。

\'Wewill，\'repliedMr。Grimwig，withaprovokingsmile；\'wewill。\'

Asfatewouldhaveit，Mrs。Bedwinchancedtobringin，atthismoment，asmallparcelofbooks，whichMr。Brownlowhadthatmorningpurchasedoftheidenticalbookstall-keeper，whohasalreadyfiguredinthishistory；havinglaidthemonthetable，shepreparedtoleavetheroom。

\'Stoptheboy，Mrs。Bedwin！\'saidMr。Brownlow；\'thereissomethingtogoback。\'

\'Hehasgone，sir，\'repliedMrs。Bedwin。

\'Callafterhim，\'saidMr。Brownlow；\'it\'sparticular。Heisapoorman，andtheyarenotpaidfor。Therearesomebookstobetakenback，too。\'

Thestreet-doorwasopened。Oliverranoneway；andthegirlrananother；andMrs。Bedwinstoodonthestepandscreamedfortheboy；buttherewasnoboyinsight。Oliverandthegirlreturned，inabreathlessstate，toreportthattherewerenotidingsofhim。

\'Dearme，Iamverysorryforthat，\'exclaimedMr。Brownlow；\'I

particularlywishedthosebookstobereturnedto-night。\'

\'SendOliverwiththem，\'saidMr。Grimwig，withanironicalsmile；\'hewillbesuretodeliverthemsafely，youknow。\'

\'Yes；doletmetakethem，ifyouplease，sir，\'saidOliver。

\'I\'llrunalltheway，sir。\'

TheoldgentlemanwasjustgoingtosaythatOlivershouldnotgooutonanyaccount；whenamostmaliciouscoughfromMr。Grimwigdeterminedhimthatheshould；andthat，byhispromptdischargeofthecommission，heshouldprovetohimtheinjusticeofhissuspicions:onthisheadatleast:atonce。

\'YouSHALLgo，mydear，\'saidtheoldgentleman。\'Thebooksareonachairbymytable。Fetchthemdown。\'

Oliver，delightedtobeofuse，broughtdownthebooksunderhisarminagreatbustle；andwaited，capinhand，tohearwhatmessagehewastotake。

\'Youaretosay，\'saidMr。Brownlow，glancingsteadilyatGrimwig；\'youaretosaythatyouhavebroughtthosebooksback；

andthatyouhavecometopaythefourpoundtenIowehim。Thisisafive-poundnote，soyouwillhavetobringmeback，tenshillingschange。\'

\'Iwon\'tbetenminutes，sir，\'saidOliver，eagerly。Havingbuttonedupthebank-noteinhisjacketpocket，andplacedthebookscarefullyunderhisarm，hemadearespectfulbow，andlefttheroom。Mrs。Bedwinfollowedhimtothestreet-door，givinghimmanydirectionsaboutthenearestway，andthenameofthebookseller，andthenameofthestreet:allofwhichOliversaidheclearlyunderstood。Havingsuperaddedmanyinjunctionstobesureandnottakecold，theoldladyatlengthpermittedhimtodepart。

\'Blesshissweetface！\'saidtheoldlady，lookingafterhim。\'I

can\'tbear，somehow，tolethimgooutofmysight。\'

Atthismoment，Oliverlookedgailyround，andnoddedbeforeheturnedthecorner。Theoldladysmilinglyreturnedhissalutation，and，closingthedoor，wentback，toherownroom。

\'Letmesee；he\'llbebackintwentyminutes，atthelongest，\'

saidMr。Brownlow，pullingouthiswatch，andplacingitonthetable。\'Itwillbedarkbythattime。\'

\'Oh！youreallyexpecthimtocomeback，doyou?\'inquiredMr。

Grimwig。

\'Don\'tyou?\'askedMr。Brownlow，smiling。

ThespiritofcontradictionwasstronginMr。Grimwig\'sbreast，atthemoment；anditwasrenderedstrongerbyhisfriend\'sconfidentsmile。

\'No，\'hesaid，smitingthetablewithhisfist，\'Idonot。Theboyhasanewsuitofclothesonhisback，asetofvaluablebooksunderhisarm，andafive-poundnoteinhispocket。He\'lljoinhisoldfriendsthethieves，andlaughatyou。Ifeverthatboyreturnstothishouse，sir，I\'lleatmyhead。\'

Withthesewordshedrewhischairclosertothetable；andtherethetwofriendssat，insilentexpectation，withthewatchbetweenthem。

Itisworthyofremark，asillustratingtheimportanceweattachtoourownjudgments，andthepridewithwhichweputforthourmostrashandhastyconclusions，that，althoughMr。Grimwigwasnotbyanymeansabad-heartedman，andthoughhewouldhavebeenunfeignedlysorrytoseehisrespectedfrienddupedanddeceived，hereallydidmostearnestlyandstronglyhopeatthatmoment，thatOliverTwistmightnotcomeback。

Itgrewsodark，thatthefiguresonthedial-platewerescarcelydiscernible；buttherethetwooldgentlemencontinuedtosit，insilence，withthewatchbetweenthem。

CHAPTERXV

SHOWINGHOWVERYFONDOFOLIVERTWIST，THEMERRYOLDJEWANDMISS

NANCYWERE

Intheobscureparlourofalowpublic-house，inthefilthiestpartofLittleSaffronHill；adarkandgloomyden，whereaflaringgas-lightburntalldayinthewinter-time；andwherenorayofsunevershoneinthesummer:theresat，broodingoveralittlepewtermeasureandasmallglass，stronglyimpregnatedwiththesmellofliquor，amaninavelveteencoat，drabshorts，half-bootsandstockings，whomevenbythatdimlightnoexperiencedagentofthepolicewouldhavehesitatedtorecogniseasMr。WilliamSikes。Athisfeet，satawhite-coated，red-eyeddog；whooccupiedhimself，alternately，inwinkingathismasterwithbotheyesatthesametime；andinlickingalarge，freshcutononesideofhismouth，whichappearedtobetheresultofsomerecentconflict。

\'Keepquiet，youwarmint！Keepquiet！\'saidMr。Sikes，suddenlybreakingsilence。Whetherhismeditationsweresointenseastobedisturbedbythedog\'swinking，orwhetherhisfeelingsweresowroughtuponbyhisreflectionsthattheyrequiredallthereliefderivablefromkickinganunoffendinganimaltoallaythem，ismatterforargumentandconsideration。Whateverwasthecause，theeffectwasakickandacurse，bestoweduponthedogsimultaneously。

Dogsarenotgenerallyapttorevengeinjuriesinflicteduponthembytheirmasters；butMr。Sikes\'sdog，havingfaultsoftemperincommonwithhisowner，andlabouring，perhaps，atthismoment，underapowerfulsenseofinjury，madenomoreadobutatoncefixedhisteethinoneofthehalf-boots。Havinggiveninaheartyshake，heretired，growling，underaform；justescapingthepewtermeasurewhichMr。Sikeslevelledathishead。

\'Youwould，wouldyou?\'saidSikes，seizingthepokerinonehand，anddeliberatelyopeningwiththeotheralargeclasp-knife，whichhedrewfromhispocket。\'Comehere，youborndevil！Comehere！D\'yehear?\'

Thedognodoubtheard；becauseMr。Sikesspokeintheveryharshestkeyofaveryharshvoice；but，appearingtoentertainsomeunaccountableobjectiontohavinghisthroatcut，heremainedwherehewas，andgrowledmorefiercelythanbefore:atthesametimegraspingtheendofthepokerbetweenhisteeth，andbitingatitlikeawildbeast。

ThisresistanceonlyinfuriatedMr。Sikesthemore；who，droppingonhisknees，begantoassailtheanimalmostfuriously。Thedogjumpedfromrighttoleft，andfromlefttoright；snapping，growling，andbarking；themanthrustandswore，andstruckandblasphemed；andthestrugglewasreachingamostcriticalpointforoneorother；when，thedoorsuddenlyopening，thedogdartedout:leavingBillSikeswiththepokerandtheclasp-knifeinhishands。

Theremustalwaysbetwopartiestoaquarrel，saystheoldadage。Mr。Sikes，beingdisappointedofthedog\'sparticipation，atoncetransferredhisshareinthequarreltothenewcomer。

\'Whatthedevildoyoucomeinbetweenmeandmydogfor?\'saidSikes，withafiercegesture。

\'Ididn\'tknow，mydear，Ididn\'tknow，\'repliedFagin，humbly；

fortheJewwasthenewcomer。

\'Didn\'tknow，youwhite-liveredthief！\'growledSikes。\'Couldn\'tyouhearthenoise?\'

\'Notasoundofit，asI\'malivingman，Bill，\'repliedtheJew。

\'Ohno！Youhearnothing，youdon\'t，\'retortedSikeswithafiercesneer。\'Sneakinginandout，soasnobodyhearshowyoucomeorgo！Iwishyouhadbeenthedog，Fagin，halfaminuteago。\'

\'Why?\'inquiredtheJewwithaforcedsmile。

\'Causethegovernment，ascaresforthelivesofsuchmenasyou，ashaven\'thalfthepluckofcurs，letsamankilladoghowhelikes，\'repliedSikes，shuttinguptheknifewithaveryexpressivelook；\'that\'swhy。\'

TheJewrubbedhishands；and，sittingdownatthetable，affectedtolaughatthepleasantryofhisfriend。Hewasobviouslyveryillatease，however。

\'Grinaway，\'saidSikes，replacingthepoker，andsurveyinghimwithsavagecontempt；\'grinaway。You\'llneverhavethelaughatme，though，unlessit\'sbehindanightcap。I\'vegottheupperhandoveryou，Fagin；and，d——me，I\'llkeepit。There！IfIgo，yougo；sotakecareofme。\'

\'Well，well，mydear，\'saidtheJew，\'Iknowallthat；

we——we——haveamutualinterest，Bill，——amutualinterest。\'

\'Humph，\'saidSikes，asifhethoughtheinterestlayrathermoreontheJew\'ssidethanonhis。\'Well，whathaveyougottosaytome?\'

\'It\'sallpassedsafethroughthemelting-pot，\'repliedFagin，\'andthisisyourshare。It\'srathermorethanitoughttobe，mydear；butasIknowyou\'lldomeagoodturnanothertime，and——\'

\'Stowthatgammon，\'interposedtherobber，impatiently。\'Whereisit?Handover！\'

\'Yes，yes，Bill；givemetime，givemetime，\'repliedtheJew，soothingly。\'Hereitis！Allsafe！\'Ashespoke，hedrewforthanoldcottonhandkerchieffromhisbreast；anduntyingalargeknotinonecorner，producedasmallbrown-paperpacket。Sikes，snatchingitfromhim，hastilyopenedit；andproceededtocountthesovereignsitcontained。

\'Thisisall，isit?\'inquiredSikes。

\'All，\'repliedtheJew。

\'Youhaven\'topenedtheparcelandswallowedoneortwoasyoucomealong，haveyou?\'inquiredSikes，suspiciously。\'Don\'tputonaninjuredlookatthequestion；you\'vedoneitmanyatime。

Jerkthetinkler。\'

Thesewords，inplainEnglish，conveyedaninjunctiontoringthebell。ItwasansweredbyanotherJew:youngerthanFagin，butnearlyasvileandrepulsiveinappearance。

BillSikesmerelypointedtotheemptymeasure。TheJew，perfectlyunderstandingthehint，retiredtofillit:previouslyexchangingaremarkablelookwithFagin，whoraisedhiseyesforaninstant，asifinexpectationofit，andshookhisheadinreply；soslightlythattheactionwouldhavebeenalmostimperceptibletoanobservantthirdperson。ItwaslostuponSikes，whowasstoopingatthemomenttotietheboot-lacewhichthedoghadtorn。Possibly，ifhehadobservedthebriefinterchangeofsignals，hemighthavethoughtthatitbodednogoodtohim。

\'Isanybodyhere，Barney?\'inquiredFagin；speaking，nowthatthatSikeswaslookingon，withoutraisinghiseyesfromtheground。

\'Dotashoul，\'repliedBarney；whosewords:whethertheycamefromtheheartornot:madetheirwaythroughthenose。

\'Nobody?\'inquiredFagin，inatoneofsurprise:whichperhapsmightmeanthatBarneywasatlibertytotellthetruth。

\'DobodybutBissDadsy，\'repliedBarney。

\'Nancy！\'exclaimedSikes。\'Where?Strikemeblind，ifIdon\'thonourthat\'eregirl，forhernativetalents。\'

\'She\'sbidhavidaplateofboiledbeefidthebar，\'repliedBarney。

\'Sendherhere，\'saidSikes，pouringoutaglassofliquor。\'Sendherhere。\'

BarneylookedtimidlyatFagin，asifforpermission；theJewreaminingsilent，andnotliftinghiseyesfromtheground，heretired；andpresentlyreturned，usheringinNancy；whowasdecoratedwiththebonnet，apron，basket，andstreet-doorkey，complete。

\'Youareonthescent，areyou，Nancy?\'inquiredSikes，profferingtheglass。

\'Yes，Iam，Bill，\'repliedtheyounglady，disposingofitscontents；\'andtiredenoughofitIam，too。Theyoungbrat\'sbeenillandconfinedtothecrib；and——\'

\'Ah，Nancy，dear！\'saidFagin，lookingup。

Now，whetherapeculiarcontractionoftheJew\'sredeye-brows，andahalfclosingofhisdeeply-seteyes，warnedMissNancythatshewasdisposedtobetoocommunicative，isnotamatterofmuchimportance。Thefactisallweneedcareforhere；andthefactis，thatshesuddenlycheckedherself，andwithseveralgracioussmilesuponMr。Sikes，turnedtheconversationtoothermatters。

Inabouttenminutes\'time，Mr。Faginwasseizedwithafitofcoughing；uponwhichNancypulledhershawloverhershoulders，anddeclareditwastimetogo。Mr。Sikes，findingthathewaswalkingashortpartofherwayhimself，expressedhisintentionofaccompanyingher；theywentawaytogether，followed，atalittledistant，bythedog，whoslunkoutofaback-yardassoonashismasterwasoutofsight。

TheJewthrusthisheadoutoftheroomdoorwhenSikeshadleftit；lookedafterhimaswewalkedupthedarkpassage；shookhisclenchedfist；mutteredadeepcurse；andthen，withahorriblegrin，reseatedhimselfatthetable；wherehewassoondeeplyabsorbedintheinterestingpagesoftheHue-and-Cry。

Meanwhile，OliverTwist，littledreamingthathewaswithinsoveryshortadistanceofthemerryoldgentleman，wasonhiswaytothebook-stall。WhenhegotintoClerkenwell，heaccidentlyturneddownaby-streetwhichwasnotexactlyinhisway；butnotdiscoveringhismistakeuntilhehadgothalf-waydownit，andknowingitmustleadintherightdirection，hedidnotthinkitworthwhiletoturnback；andsomarchedon，asquicklyashecould，withthebooksunderhisarm。

Hewaswalkingalong，thinkinghowhappyandcontentedheoughttofeel；andhowmuchhewouldgiveforonlyonelookatpoorlittleDick，who，starvedandbeaten，mightbeweepingbitterlyatthatverymoment；whenhewasstartledbyayoungwomanscreamingoutveryloud。\'Oh，mydearbrother！\'Andhehadhardlylookedup，toseewhatthematterwas，whenhewasstoppedbyhavingapairofarmsthrowntightroundhisneck。

\'Don\'t，\'criedOliver，struggling。\'Letgoofme。Whoisit?

Whatareyoustoppingmefor?\'

Theonlyreplytothis，wasagreatnumberofloudlamentationsfromtheyoungwomanwhohadembracedhim；andwhohadalittlebasketandastreet-doorkeyinherhand。

\'Ohmygracious！\'saidtheyoungwoman，\'Ihavefoundhim！Oh！

Oliver！Oliver！Ohyounaughtyboy，tomakemesuffersuchdistressonyouraccount！Comehome，dear，come。Oh，I\'vefoundhim。Thankgraciousgoodnessheavins，I\'vefoundhim！\'Withtheseincoherentexclamations，theyoungwomanburstintoanotherfitofcrying，andgotsodreadfullyhysterical，thatacoupleofwomenwhocameupatthemomentaskedabutcher\'sboywithashinyheadofhairanointedwithsuet，whowasalsolookingon，whetherhedidn\'tthinkhehadbetterrunforthedoctor。Towhich，thebutcher\'sboy:whoappearedofalounging，nottosayindolentdisposition:replied，thathethoughtnot。

\'Oh，no，no，nevermind，\'saidtheyoungwoman，graspingOliver\'shand；\'I\'mbetternow。Comehomedirectly，youcruelboy！

Come！\'

\'Oh，ma\'am，\'repliedtheyoungwoman，\'heranaway，nearamonthago，fromhisparents，whoarehard-workingandrespectablepeople；andwentandjoinedasetofthievesandbadcharacters；

andalmostbrokehismother\'sheart。\'

\'Youngwretch！\'saidonewoman。

\'Gohome，do，youlittlebrute，\'saidtheother。

\'Iamnot，\'repliedOliver，greatlyalarmed。\'Idon\'tknowher。

Ihaven\'tanysister，orfatherandmothereither。I\'manorphan；IliveatPentonville。\'

\'Onlyhearhim，howhebravesitout！\'criedtheyoungwoman。

\'Why，it\'sNancy！\'exclaimedOliver；whonowsawherfaceforthefirsttime；andstartedback，inirrepressibleastonishment。

\'Youseeheknowsme！\'criedNancy，appealingtothebystanders。

\'Hecan\'thelphimself。Makehimcomehome，there\'sgoodpeople，orhe\'llkillhisdearmotherandfather，andbreakmyheart！\'

\'Whatthedevil\'sthis?\'saidaman，burstingoutofabeer-shop，withawhitedogathisheels；\'youngOliver！Comehometoyourpoormother，youyoungdog！Comehomedirectly。\'

\'Idon\'tbelongtothem。Idon\'tknowthem。Help！help！criedOliver，strugglingintheman\'spowerfulgrasp。

\'Help！\'repeatedtheman。\'Yes；I\'llhelpyou，youyoungrascal！

Whatbooksarethese?You\'vebeenastealing\'em，haveyou?

Give\'emhere。\'Withthesewords，themantorethevolumesfromhisgrasp，andstruckhimonthehead。

\'That\'sright！\'criedalooker-on，fromagarret-window。\'That\'stheonlywayofbringinghimtohissenses！\'

\'Tobesure！\'criedasleepy-facedcarpenter，castinganapprovinglookatthegarret-window。

\'It\'lldohimgood！\'saidthetwowomen。

\'Andheshallhaveit，too！\'rejoinedtheman，administeringanotherblow，andseizingOliverbythecollar。\'Comeon，youyoungvillain！Here，Bull\'s-eye，mindhim，boy！Mindhim！\'