第5章

Weakwithrecentillness；stupifiedbytheblowsandthesuddennessoftheattack；terrifiedbythefiercegrowlingofthedog，andthebrutalityoftheman；overpoweredbytheconvictionofthebystandersthathereallywasthehardenedlittlewretchhewasdescribedtobe；whatcouldonepoorchilddo！Darknesshadsetin；itwasalowneighborhood；nohelpwasnear；

resistancewasuseless。Inanothermomenthewasdraggedintoalabyrinthofdarknarrowcourts，andwasforcedalongthematapacewhichrenderedthefewcrieshedaredtogiveutteranceto，unintelligible。Itwasoflittlemoment，indeed，whethertheywereintelligibleorno；fortherewasnobodytocareforthem，hadtheybeeneversoplain。

*********

Thegas-lampswerelighted；Mrs。Bedwinwaswaitinganxiouslyattheopendoor；theservanthadrunupthestreettwentytimestoseeiftherewereanytracesofOliver；andstillthetwooldgentlemensat，perseveringly，inthedarkparlour，withthewatchbetweenthem。

CHAPTERXVI

RELATESWHATBECAMEOFOLIVERTWIST，AFTERHEHADBEENCLAIMEDBY

NANCY

Thenarrowstreetsandcourts，atlength，terminatedinalargeopenspace；scatteredaboutwhich，werepensforbeasts，andotherindicationsofacattle-market。Sikesslackenedhispacewhentheyreachedthisspot:thegirlbeingquiteunabletosupportanylonger，therapidrateatwhichtheyhadhithertowalked。TurningtoOliver，heroughlycommandedhimtotakeholdofNancy\'shand。

\'Doyouhear?\'growledSikes，asOliverhesitated，andlookedround。

Theywereinadarkcorner，quiteoutofthetrackofpassengers。

Oliversaw，buttooplainly，thatresistancewouldbeofnoavail。Heheldouthishand，whichNancyclaspedtightinhers。

\'Givemetheother，\'saidSikes，seizingOliver\'sunoccupiedhand。\'Here，Bull\'s-Eye！\'

Thedoglookedup，andgrowled。

\'Seehere，boy！\'saidSikes，puttinghisotherhandtoOliver\'sthroat；\'ifhespeakseversosoftaword，holdhim！D\'yemind！\'

Thedoggrowledagain；andlickinghislips，eyedOliverasifhewereanxioustoattachhimselftohiswindpipewithoutdelay。

\'He\'saswillingasaChristian，strikemeblindifheisn\'t！\'

saidSikes，regardingtheanimalwithakindofgrimandferociousapproval。\'Now，youknowwhatyou\'vegottoexpect，master，socallawayasquickasyoulike；thedogwillsoonstopthatgame。Geton，young\'un！\'

Bull\'s-eyewaggedhistailinacknowledgmentofthisunusuallyendearingformofspeech；and，givingventtoanotheradmonitorygrowlforthebenefitofOliver，ledthewayonward。

ItwasSmithfieldthattheywerecrossing，althoughitmighthavebeenGrosvenorSquare，foranythingOliverknewtothecontrary。

Thenightwasdarkandfoggy。Thelightsintheshopscouldscarecelystrugglethroughtheheavymist，whichthickenedeverymomentandshroudedthestreetsandhousesingloom；renderingthestrangeplacestillstrangerinOliver\'seyes；andmakinghisuncertaintythemoredismalanddepressing。

Theyhadhurriedonafewpaces，whenadeepchurch-bellstruckthehour。Withitsfirststroke，histwoconductorsstopped，andturnedtheirheadsinthedirectionwhencethesoundproceeded。

\'Eighto\'clock，Bill，\'saidNancy，whenthebellceased。

\'What\'sthegoodoftellingmethat；Icanhearit，can\'tI！\'

repliedSikes。

\'IwonderwhetherTHEYcanhearit，\'saidNancy。

\'Ofcoursetheycan，\'repliedSikes。\'ItwasBartlemytimewhenIwasshopped；andtherewarn\'tapennytrumpetinthefair，asI

couldn\'thearthesqueakingon。ArterIwaslockedupforthenight，therowanddinoutsidemadethethunderingoldjailsosilent，thatIcouldalmosthavebeatmybrainsoutagainsttheironplatesofthedoor。\'

\'Poorfellow！\'saidNancy，whostillhadherfaceturnedtowardsthequarterinwhichthebellhadsounded。\'Oh，Bill，suchfineyoungchapsasthem！\'

\'Yes；that\'sallyouwomenthinkof，\'answeredSikes。\'Fineyoungchaps！Well，they\'reasgoodasdead，soitdon\'tmuchmatter。\'

Withthisconsolation，Mr。Sikesappearedtorepressarisingtendencytojealousy，and，claspingOliver\'swristmorefirmly，toldhimtostepoutagain。

\'Waitaminute！\'saidthegirl:\'Iwouldn\'thurryby，ifitwasyouthatwascomingouttobehung，thenexttimeeighto\'clockstruck，Bill。I\'dwalkroundandroundtheplacetillIdropped，ifthesnowwasontheground，andIhadn\'tashawltocoverme。\'

\'Andwhatgoodwouldthatdo?\'inquiredtheunsentimentalMr。

Sikes。\'Unlessyoucouldpitchoverafileandtwentyyardsofgoodstoutrope，youmightaswellbewalkingfiftymileoff，ornotwalkingatall，forallthegooditwoulddome。Comeon，anddon\'tstandpreachingthere。\'

Thegirlburstintoalaugh；drewhershawlmorecloselyroundher；andtheywalkedaway。ButOliverfeltherhandtremble，and，lookingupinherfaceastheypassedagas-lamp，sawthatithadturnedadeadlywhite。

Theywalkedon，bylittle-frequentedanddirtyways，forafullhalf-hour:meetingveryfewpeople，andthoseappearingfromtheirlookstoholdmuchthesamepositioninsocietyasMr。

Sikeshimself。Atlengththeyturnedintoaveryfilthynarrowstreet，nearlyfullofold-clothesshops；thedogrunningforward，asifconsciousthattherewasnofurtheroccasionforhiskeepingonguard，stoppedbeforethedoorofashopthatwasclosedandapparentlyuntenanted；thehousewasinaruinouscondition，andonthedoorwasnailedaboard，intimatingthatitwastolet:whichlookedasifithadhungthereformanyyears。

\'Allright，\'criedSikes，glancingcautiouslyabout。

Nancystoopedbelowtheshutters，andOliverheardthesoundofabell。Theycrossedtotheoppositesideofthestreet，andstoodforafewmomentsunderalamp。Anoise，asifasashwindowweregentlyraised，washeard；andsoonafterwardsthedoorsoftlyopened。Mr。Sikesthenseizedtheterrifiedboybythecollarwithverylittleceremony；andallthreewerequicklyinsidethehouse。

Thepassagewasperfectlydark。Theywaited，whilethepersonwhohadletthemin，chainedandbarredthedoor。

\'Anybodyhere?\'inquiredSikes。

\'No，\'repliedavoice，whichOliverthoughthehadheardbefore。

\'Istheold\'unhere?\'askedtherobber。

\'Yes，\'repliedthevoice，\'andpreciousdowninthemouthhehasbeen。Won\'thebegladtoseeyou?Oh，no！\'

Thestyleofthisreply，aswellasthevoicewhichdeliveredit，seemedfamiliartoOliver\'sears:butitwasimpossibletodistinguisheventheformofthespeakerinthedarkness。

\'Let\'shaveaglim，\'saidSikes，\'orweshallgobreakingournecks，ortreadingonthedog。Lookafteryourlegsifyoudo！\'

\'Standstillamoment，andI\'llgetyouone，\'repliedthevoice。

Therecedingfootstepsofthespeakerwereheard；and，inanotherminute，theformofMr。JohnDawkins，otherwisetheArtfulDodger，appeared。Heboreinhisrighthandatallowcandlestuckintheendofacleftstick。

TheyounggentlemandidnotstoptobestowanyothermarkofrecognitionuponOliverthanahumourousgrin；but，turningaway，beckonedthevisitorstofollowhimdownaflightofstairs。

Theycrossedanemptykitchen；and，openingthedoorofalowearthy-smellingroom，whichseemedtohavebeenbuiltinasmallback-yard，werereceivedwithashoutoflaughter。

\'Oh，mywig，mywig！\'criedMasterCharlesBates，fromwhoselungsthelaughterhadproceeded:\'hereheis！oh，cry，hereheis！Oh，Fagin，lookathim！Fagin，dolookathim！Ican\'tbearit；itissuchajollygame，Icant\'bearit。Holdme，somebody，whileIlaughitout。\'

Withthisirrepressibleebullitionofmirth，MasterBateslaidhimselfflatonthefloor:andkickedconvulsivelyforfiveminutes，inanectasyoffacetiousjoy。Thenjumpingtohisfeet，hesnatchedthecleftstickfromtheDodger；and，advancingtoOliver，viewedhimroundandround；whiletheJew，takingoffhisnightcap，madeagreatnumberoflowbowstothebewilderedboy。TheArtful，meantime，whowasofarathersaturninedisposition，andseldomgavewaytomerrimentwhenitinterferedwithbusiness，rifledOliver\'spocketswithsteadyassiduity。

\'Lookathistogs，Fagin！\'saidCharley，puttingthelightsoclosetohisnewjacketasnearlytosethimonfire。\'Lookathistogs！Superfinecloth，andtheheavyswellcut！Oh，myeye，whatagame！Andhisbooks，too！Nothingbutagentleman，Fagin！\'

\'Delightedtoseeyoulookingsowell，mydear，\'saidtheJew，bowingwithmockhumility。\'TheArtfulshallgiveyouanothersuit，mydear，forfearyoushouldspoilthatSundayone。Whydidn\'tyouwrite，mydear，andsayyouwerecoming?We\'dhavegotsomethingwarmforsupper。\'

Athis，MasterBatesroaredagain:soloud，thatFaginhimselfrelaxed，andeventheDodgersmiled；butastheArtfuldrewforththefive-poundnoteatthatinstant，itisdoubtfulwhetherthesallyofthediscoveryawakenedhismerriment。

\'Hallo，what\'sthat?\'inquiredSikes，steppingforwardastheJewseizedthenote。\'That\'smine，Fagin。\'

\'No，no，mydear，\'saidtheJew。\'Mine，Bill，mine。Youshallhavethebooks。\'

\'Ifthatain\'tmine！\'saidBillSikes，puttingonhishatwithadeterminedair；\'mineandNancy\'sthatis；I\'lltaketheboybackagain。\'

TheJewstarted。Oliverstartedtoo，thoughfromaverydifferentcause；forhehopedthatthedisputemightreallyendinhisbeingtakenback。

\'Come！Handover，willyou?\'saidSikes。

\'Thisishardlyfair，Bill；hardlyfair，isit，Nancy?\'inquiredtheJew。

\'Fair，ornotfair，\'retortedSikes，\'handover，Itellyou！DoyouthinkNancyandmehasgotnothingelsetodowithourprecioustimebuttospenditinscoutingarter，andkidnapping，everyyoungboyasgetsgrabbedthroughyou?Giveithere，youavariciousoldskeleton，giveithere！\'

Withthisgentleremonstrance，Mr。SikespluckedthenotefrombetweentheJew\'sfingerandthumb；andlookingtheoldmancoollyintheface，foldeditupsmall，andtieditinhisneckerchief。

\'That\'sforourshareofthetrouble，\'saidSikes；\'andnothalfenough，neither。Youmaykeepthebooks，ifyou\'refondofreading。Ifyouain\'t，sell\'em。\'

\'They\'reverypretty，\'saidCharleyBates:who，withsundrygrimaces，hadbeenaffectingtoreadoneofthevolumesinquestion；\'beautifulwriting，isn\'tis，Oliver?\'AtsightofthedismayedlookwithwhichOliverregardedhistormentors，MasterBates，whowasblessedwithalivelysenseoftheludicrous，fellintoanotherectasy，moreboisterousthanthefirst。

\'Theybelongtotheoldgentleman，\'saidOliver，wringinghishands；\'tothegood，kind，oldgentlemanwhotookmeintohishouse，andhadmenursed，whenIwasneardyingofthefever。

Oh，praysendthemback；sendhimbackthebooksandmoney。Keepmehereallmylifelong；butpray，praysendthemback。He\'llthinkIstolethem；theoldlady:allofthemwhoweresokindtome:willthinkIstolethem。Oh，dohavemercyuponme，andsendthemback！\'

Withthesewords，whichwereutteredwithalltheenergyofpassionategrief，OliverfelluponhiskneesattheJew\'sfeet；

andbeathishandstogether，inperfectdesperation。

\'Theboy\'sright，\'remarkedFagin，lookingcovertlyround，andknittinghisshaggyeyebrowsintoahardknot。\'You\'reright，Oliver，you\'reright；theyWILLthinkyouhavestolen\'em。Ha！

ha！\'chuckledtheJew，rubbinghishands，\'itcouldn\'thavehappenedbetter，ifwehadchosenourtime！\'

\'Ofcourseitcouldn\'t，\'repliedSikes；\'Iknow\'dthat，directlyIseehimcomingthroughClerkenwell，withthebooksunderhisarm。It\'sallrightenough。They\'resoft-heartedpsalm-singers，ortheywouldn\'thavetakenhiminatall；andthey\'llasknoquestionsafterhim，feartheyshouldbeobligedtoprosecute，andsogethimlagged。He\'ssafeenough。\'

Oliverhadlookedfromonetotheother，whilethesewordswerebeingspoken，asifhewerebewildered，andcouldscarecelyunderstandwhatpassed；butwhenBillSikesconcluded，hejumpedsuddenlytohisfeet，andtorewildlyfromtheroom:utteringshrieksforhelp，whichmadethebareoldhouseechototheroof。

\'Keepbackthedog，Bill！\'criedNancy，springingbeforethedoor，andclosingit，astheJewandhistwopupilsdartedoutinpursuit。\'Keepbackthedog；he\'llteartheboytopieces。\'

\'Servehimright！\'criedSikes，strugglingtodisengagehimselffromthegirl\'sgrasp。\'Standofffromme，orI\'llsplityourheadagainstthewall。\'

\'Idon\'tcareforthat，Bill，Idon\'tcareforthat，\'screamedthegirl，strugglingviolentlywiththeman，\'thechildshan\'tbetorndownbythedog，unlessyoukillmefirst。\'

\'Shan\'the！\'saidSikes，settinghisteeth。\'I\'llsoondothat，ifyoudon\'tkeepoff。\'

Thehousebreakerflungthegirlfromhimtothefurtherendoftheroom，justastheJewandthetwoboysreturned，draggingOliveramongthem。

\'What\'sthematterhere！\'saidFagin，lookinground。

\'Thegirl\'sgonemad，Ithink，\'repliedSikes，savagely。

\'No，shehasn\'t，\'saidNancy，paleandbreathlessfromthescuffle；\'no，shehasn\'t，Fagin；don\'tthinkit。\'

\'Thenkeepquiet，willyou?\'saidtheJew，withathreateninglook。

\'No，Iwon\'tdothat，neither，\'repliedNancy，speakingveryloud。\'Come！Whatdoyouthinkofthat?\'

Mr。FaginwassufficientlywellacquaintedwiththemannersandcustomsofthatparticularspeciesofhumanitytowhichNancybelonged，tofeeltolerablycertainthatitwouldberatherunsafetoprolonganyconversationwithher，atpresent。Withtheviewofdivertingtheattentionofthecompany，heturnedtoOliver。

\'Soyouwantedtogetaway，mydear，didyou?\'saidtheJew，takingupajaggedandknottedclubwhichlawinacornerofthefireplace；\'eh?\'

Olivermadenoreply。ButhewatchedtheJew\'smotions，andbreathedquickly。

\'Wantedtogetassistance；calledforthepolice；didyou?\'

sneeredtheJew，catchingtheboybythearm。\'We\'llcureyouofthat，myyoungmaster。\'

TheJewinflictedasmartblowonOliver\'sshoulderswiththeclub；andwasraisingitforasecond，whenthegirl，rushingforward，wresteditfromhishand。Sheflungitintothefire，withaforcethatbroughtsomeoftheglowingcoalswhirlingoutintotheroom。

\'Iwon\'tstandbyandseeitdone，Fagin，\'criedthegirl。

\'You\'vegottheboy，andwhatmorewouldyouhave?——Lethimbe——lethimbe——orIshallputthatmarkonsomeofyou，thatwillbringmetothegallowsbeforemytime。\'

Thegirlstampedherfootviolentlyonthefloorassheventedthisthreat；andwithherlipscompressed，andherhandsclenched，lookedalternatelyattheJewandtheotherrobber:

herfacequitecolourlessfromthepassionofrageintowhichshehadgraduallyworkedherself。

\'Why，Nancy！\'saidtheJew，inasoothingtone；afterapause，duringwhichheandMr。Sikeshadstaredatoneanotherinadisconcertedmanner；\'you，——you\'remorecleverthaneverto-night。Ha！ha！mydear，youareactingbeautifully。\'

\'AmI！\'saidthegirl。\'TakecareIdon\'toverdoit。Youwillbetheworseforit，Fagin，ifIdo；andsoItellyouingoodtimetokeepclearofme。\'

Thereissomethingaboutarousedwoman:especiallyifsheaddtoallherotherstrongpassions，thefierceimpulsesofrecklessnessanddespair；whichfewmenliketoprovoke。TheJewsawthatitwouldbehopelesstoaffectanyfurthermistakeregardingtherealityofMissNancy\'srage；and，shrinkinginvoluntarilybackafewpaces，castaglance，halfimploringandhalfcowardly，atSikes:asiftohintthathewasthefittestpersontopursuethedialogue。

Mr。Sikes，thusmutelyappealedto；andpossiblyfeelinghispersonalprideandinfluenceinterestedintheimmediatereductionofMissNancytoreason；gaveutterancetoaboutacoupleofscoreofcursesandthreats，therapidproductionofwhichreflectedgreatcreditonthefertilityofhisinvention。

Astheyproducednovisibleeffectontheobjectagainstwhomtheyweredischarged，however，heresortedtomoretangiblearguments。

\'Whatdoyoumeanbythis?\'saidSikes；backingtheinquirywithaverycommonimprecationconcerningthemostbeautifulofhumanfeatures:which，ifitwereheardabove，onlyonceoutofeveryfiftythousandtimesthatitisutteredbelow，wouldrenderblindnessascommonadisorderasmeasles:\'whatdoyoumeanbyit?Burnmybody！Doyouknowwhoyouare，andwhatyouare?\'

\'Oh，yes，Iknowallaboutit，\'repliedthegirl，laughinghysterically；andshakingherheadfromsidetoside，withapoorassumptionofindifference。

\'Well，then，keepquiet，\'rejoinedSikes，withagrowllikethathewasaccustomedtousewhenaddressinghisdog，\'orI\'llquietyouforagoodlongtimetocome。\'

Thegirllaughedagain:evenlesscomposedlythanbefore；and，dartingahastylookatSikes，turnedherfaceaside，andbitherliptillthebloodcame。

\'You\'reaniceone，\'addedSikes，ashesurveyedherwithacontemptuousair，\'totakeupthehumaneandgen——teelside！A

prettysubjectforthechild，asyoucallhim，tomakeafriendof！\'

\'GodAlmightyhelpme，Iam！\'criedthegirlpassionately；\'andI

wishIhadbeenstruckdeadinthestreet，orhadchangedplaceswiththemwepassedsonearto-night，beforeIhadlentahandinbringinghimhere。He\'sathief，aliar，adevil，allthat\'sbad，fromthisnightforth。Isn\'tthatenoughfortheoldwretch，withoutblows?\'

\'Come，come，Sikes，\'saidtheJewappealingtohiminaremonstratorytone，andmotioningtowardstheboys，whowereeagerlyattentivetoallthatpassed；\'wemusthavecivilwords；

civilwords，Bill。\'

\'Civilwords！\'criedthegirl，whosepassionwasfrightfultosee。\'Civilwords，youvillain！Yes，youdeserve\'emfromme。

IthievedforyouwhenIwasachildnothalfasoldasthis！\'

pointingtoOliver。\'Ihavebeeninthesametrade，andinthesameservice，fortwelveyearssince。Don\'tyouknowit?Speakout！Don\'tyouknowit?\'

\'Well，well，\'repliedtheJew，withanattemptatpacification；

\'and，ifyouhave，it\'syourliving！\'

\'Aye，itis！\'returnedthegirl；notspeaking，butpouringoutthewordsinonecontinuousandvehementscream。\'Itismyliving；andthecold，wet，dirtystreetsaremyhome；andyou\'rethewretchthatdrovemetothemlongago，andthat\'llkeepmethere，dayandnight，dayandnight，tillIdie！\'

\'Ishalldoyouamischief！\'interposedtheJew，goadedbythesereproaches；\'amischiefworsethanthat，ifyousaymuchmore！\'

Thegirlsaidnothingmore；but，tearingherhairanddressinatransportofpassion，madesucharushattheJewaswouldprobablyhaveleftsignalmarksofherrevengeuponhim，hadnotherwristsbeenseizedbySikesattherightmoment；uponwhich，shemadeafewineffectualstruggles，andfainted。

\'She\'sallrightnow，\'saidSikes，layingherdowninacorner。

\'She\'suncommonstronginthearms，whenshe\'supinthisway。\'

TheJewwipedhisforehead:andsmiled，asifitwerearelieftohavethedisturbanceover；butneitherhe，norSikes，northedog，northeboys，seemedtoconsideritinanyotherlightthanacommonoccuranceincidentaltobusiness。

\'It\'stheworstofhavingtodowithwomen，\'saidtheJew，replacinghisclub；\'butthey\'reclever，andwecan\'tgeton，inourline，without\'em。Charley，showOlivertobed。\'

\'Isupposehe\'dbetternotwearhisbestclothestomorrow，Fagin，hadhe?\'inquiredCharleyBates。

\'Certainlynot，\'repliedtheJew，reciprocatingthegrinwithwhichCharleyputthequestion。

MasterBates，apparentlymuchdelightedwithhiscommission，tookthecleftstick:andledOliverintoanadjacentkitchen，wherethereweretwoorthreeofthebedsonwhichhehadsleptbefore；

andhere，withmanyuncontrollableburstsoflaughter，heproducedtheidenticaloldsuitofclotheswhichOliverhadsomuchcongratulatedhimselfuponleavingoffatMr。Brownlow\'s；

andtheaccidentaldisplayofwhich，toFagin，bytheJewwhopurchasedthem，hadbeentheveryfirstcluereceived，ofhiswhereabout。

\'Putoffthesmartones，\'saidCharley，\'andI\'llgive\'emtoFagintotakecareof。Whatfunitis！\'

PoorOliverunwillinglycomplied。MasterBatesrollingupthenewclothesunderhisarm，departedfromtheroom，leavingOliverinthedark，andlockingthedoorbehindhim。

ThenoiseofCharley\'slaughter，andthevoiceofMissBetsy，whoopportunelyarrivedtothrowwateroverherfriend，andperformotherfeminineofficesforthepromotionofherrecovery，mighthavekeptmanypeopleawakeundermorehappycircumstancesthanthoseinwhichOliverwasplaced。Buthewassickandweary；andhesoonfellsoundasleep。

CHAPTERXVII

OLIVER\'SDESTINYCONTINUINGUNPROPITIOUS，BRINGSAGREATMANTO

LONDONTOINJUREHISREPUTATION

Itisthecustomonthestage，inallgoodmurderousmelodramas，topresentthetragicandthecomicscenes，inasregularalternation，asthelayersofredandwhiteinasideofstreakybacon。Theherosinksuponhisstrawbed，weigheddownbyfettersandmisfortunes；inthenextscene，hisfaithfulbutunconscioussquireregalestheaudiencewithacomicsong。Webehold，withthrobbingbosoms，theheroineinthegraspofaproudandruthlessbaron:hervirtueandherlifealikeindanger，drawingforthherdaggertopreservetheoneatthecostoftheother；andjustasourexpectationsarewroughtuptothehighestpitch，awhistleisheard，andwearestraightwaytransportedtothegreathallofthecastle；whereagrey-headedseneschalsingsafunnychoruswithafunnierbodyofvassals，whoarefreeofallsortsofplaces，fromchurchvaultstopalaces，androamaboutincompany，carollingperpetually。

Suchchangesappearabsurd；buttheyarenotsounnaturalastheywouldseematfirstsight。Thetransitionsinreallifefromwell-spreadboardstodeath-beds，andfrommourning-weedstoholidaygarments，arenotawhitlessstartling；only，there，wearebusyactors，insteadofpassivelookers-on，whichmakesavastdifference。Theactorsinthemimiclifeofthetheatre，areblindtoviolenttransitionsandabruptimpulsesofpassionorfeeling，which，presentedbeforetheeyesofmerespectators，areatoncecondemnedasoutrageousandpreposterous。

Assuddenshiftingsofthescene，andrapidchangesoftimeandplace，arenotonlysanctionedinbooksbylongusage，butarebymanyconsideredasthegreatartofauthorship:anauthor\'sskillinhiscraftbeing，bysuchcritics，chieflyestimatedwithrelationtothedilemmasinwhichheleaveshischaractersattheendofeverychapter:thisbriefintroductiontothepresentonemayperhapsbedeemedunnecessary。Ifso，letitbeconsideredadelicateintimationonthepartofthehistorianthatheisgoingbacktothetowninwhichOliverTwistwasborn；thereadertakingitforgrantedthattherearegoodandsubstantialreasonsformakingthejourney，orhewouldnotbeinvitedtoproceeduponsuchanexpedition。

Mr。Bumbleemergedatearlymorningfromtheworkhouse-gate，andwalkedwithportlycarriageandcommandingsteps，uptheHighStreet。Hewasinthefullbloomandprideofbeadlehood；hiscockedhatandcoatweredazzlinginthemorningsun；heclutchedhiscanewiththevigoroustenacityofhealthandpower。Mr。

Bumblealwayscarriedhisheadhigh；butthismorningitwashigherthanusual。Therewasanabstractioninhiseye，anelevationinhisair，whichmighthavewarnedanobservantstrangerthatthoughtswerepassinginthebeadle\'smind，toogreatforutterance。

Mr。Bumblestoppednottoconversewiththesmallshopkeepersandotherswhospoketohim，deferentially，ashepassedalong。Hemerelyreturnedtheirsalutationswithawaveofhishand，andrelaxednotinhisdignifiedpace，untilhereachedthefarmwhereMrs。Manntendedtheinfantpauperswithparochialcare。

\'Dratthatbeadle！\'saidMrs。Mann，hearingthewell-knownshakingatthegarden-gate。\'Ifitisn\'thimatthistimeinthemorning！Lauk，Mr。Bumble，onlythinkofitsbeingyou！Well，dearme，itISapleasure，thisis！Comeintotheparlour，sir，please。\'

ThefirstsentencewasaddressedtoSusan；andtheexclamationsofdelightwereutteredtoMr。Bumble:asthegoodladyunlockedthegarden-gate:andshowedhim，withgreatattentionandrespect，intothehouse。

\'Mrs。Mann，\'saidMr。Bumble；notsittingupon，ordroppinghimselfintoaseat，asanycommonjackanapeswould:butlettinghimselfgraduallyandslowlydownintoachair；\'Mrs。Mann，ma\'am，goodmorning。\'

\'Well，andgoodmorningtoYOU，sir，\'repliedMrs。Mann，withmanysmiles；\'andhopingyoufindyourselfwell，sir！\'

\'So-so，Mrs。Mann，\'repliedthebeadle。\'Aporochiallifeisnotabedofroses，Mrs。Mann。\'

\'Ah，thatitisn\'tindeed，Mr。Bumble，\'rejoinedthelady。Andalltheinfantpaupersmighthavechorussedtherejoinderwithgreatpropriety，iftheyhadheardit。

\'Aporochiallife，ma\'am，\'continuedMr。Bumble，strikingthetablewithhiscane，\'isalifeofworrit，andvexation，andhardihood；butallpubliccharacters，asImaysay，mustsufferprosecution。\'

Mrs。Mann，notverywellknowingwhatthebeadlemeant，raisedherhandswithalookofsympathy，andsighed。

\'Ah！Youmaywellsigh，Mrs。Mann！\'saidthebeadle。

Findingshehaddoneright，Mrs。Mannsighedagain:evidentlytothesatisfactionofthepubliccharacter:who，repressingacomplacentsmilebylookingsternlyathiscockedhat，said，\'Mrs。Mann，IamgoingtoLondon。\'

\'Lauk，Mr。Bumble！\'criedMrs。Mann，startingback。

\'ToLondon，ma\'am，\'resumedtheinflexiblebeadle，\'bycoach。I

andtwopaupers，Mrs。Mann！Alegalactionisacomingon，aboutasettlement；andtheboardhasappointedme——me，Mrs。Mann——todisposetothematterbeforethequarter-sessionsatClerkinwell。

AndIverymuchquestion，\'addedMr。Bumble，drawinghimselfup，\'whethertheClerkinwellSessionswillnotfindthemselvesinthewrongboxbeforetheyhavedonewithme。\'

\'Oh！youmustn\'tbetooharduponthem，sir，\'saidMrs。Mann，coaxingly。

\'TheClerkinwellSessionshavebroughtituponthemselves，ma\'am，\'repliedMr。Bumble；\'andiftheClerkinwellSessionsfindthattheycomeoffratherworsethantheyexpected，theClerkinwellSessionshaveonlythemselvestothank。\'

TherewassomuchdeterminationanddepthofpurposeaboutthemenacingmannerinwhichMr。Bumbledeliveredhimselfofthesewords，thatMrs。Mannappearedquiteawedbythem。Atlengthshesaid，\'You\'regoingbycoach，sir?Ithoughtitwasalwaysusualtosendthempaupersincarts。\'

\'That\'swhenthey\'reill，Mrs。Mann，\'saidthebeadle。\'Weputthesickpaupersintoopencartsintherainyweather，topreventtheirtakingcold。\'

\'Oh！\'saidMrs。Mann。

\'Theoppositioncoachcontractsforthesetwo；andtakesthemcheap，\'saidMr。Bumble。\'Theyarebothinaverylowstate，andwefinditwouldcometwopoundcheapertomove\'emthantobury\'em——thatis，ifwecanthrow\'emuponanotherparish，whichI

thinkweshallbeabletodo，iftheydon\'tdieupontheroadtospiteus。Ha！ha！ha！\'

WhenMr。Bumblehadlaughedalittlewhile，hiseyesagainencounteredthecockedhat；andhebecamegrave。

\'Weareforgettingbusiness，ma\'am，\'saidthebeadle；\'hereisyourporochialstipendforthemonth。”

Mr。Bumbleproducedsomesilvermoneyrolledupinpaper，fromhispocket-book；andrequestedareceipt:whichMrs。Mannwrote。

\'It\'sverymuchblotted，sir，\'saidthefarmerofinfants；\'butit\'sformalenough，Idaresay。Thankyou，Mr。Bumble，sir，Iamverymuchobligedtoyou，I\'msure。\'

Mr。Bumblenodded，blandly，inacknowledgmentofMrs。Mann\'scurtsey；andinquiredhowthechildrenwere。

\'Blesstheirdearlittlehearts！\'saidMrs。Mannwithemotion，\'they\'reaswellascanbe，thedears！Ofcourse，exceptthetwothatdiedlastweek。AndlittleDick。\'

\'Isn\'tthatboynobetter?\'inquiredMr。Bumble。

Mrs。Mannshookherhead。

\'He\'saill-conditioned，wicious，bad-disposedporochialchildthat，\'saidMr。Bumbleangrily。\'Whereishe?\'

\'I\'llbringhimtoyouinoneminute，sir，\'repliedMrs。Mann。

\'Here，youDick！\'

Aftersomecalling，Dickwasdiscovered。Havinghadhisfaceputunderthepump，anddrieduponMrs。Mann\'sgown，hewasledintotheawfulpresenceofMr。Bumble，thebeadle。

Thechildwaspaleandthin；hischeeksweresunken；andhiseyeslargeandbright。Thescantyparishdress，theliveryofhismisery，hunglooselyonhisfeeblebody；andhisyounglimbshadwastedaway，likethoseofanoldman。

SuchwasthelittlebeingwhostoodtremblingbeneathMr。

Bumble\'sglance；notdaringtolifthiseyesfromthefloor；anddreadingeventohearthebeadle\'svoice。

\'Can\'tyoulookatthegentleman，youobstinateboy?\'saidMrs。

Mann。

Thechildmeeklyraisedhiseyes，andencounteredthoseofMr。

Bumble。

\'What\'sthematterwithyou，porochialDick?\'inquiredMr。

Bumble，withwell-timedjocularity。

\'Nothing，sir，\'repliedthechildfaintly。

\'Ishouldthinknot，\'saidMrs。Mann，whohadofcourselaughedverymuchatMr。Bumble\'shumour。

\'Youwantfornothing，I\'msure。\'

\'Ishouldlike——\'falteredthechild。

\'Hey-day！\'interposedMr。Mann，\'Isupposeyou\'regoingtosaythatyouDOwantforsomething，now?Why，youlittlewretch——\'

\'Stop，Mrs。Mann，stop！\'saidthebeadle，raisinghishandwithashowofauthority。\'Likewhat，sir，eh?\'

\'Ishouldlike，\'saidthechild，\'toleavemydearlovetopoorOliverTwist；andtolethimknowhowoftenIhavesatbymyselfandcriedtothinkofhiswanderingaboutinthedarknightswithnobodytohelphim。AndIshouldliketotellhim，\'saidthechildpressinghissmallhandstogether，andspeakingwithgreatfervour，\'thatIwasgladtodiewhenIwasveryyoung；for，perhaps，ifIhadlivedtobeaman，andhadgrownold，mylittlesisterwhoisinHeaven，mightforgetme，orbeunlikeme；anditwouldbesomuchhappierifwewerebothchildrentheretogether。\'

Mr。Bumblesurveyedthelittlespeaker，fromheadtofoot，withindescribableastonishment；and，turningtohiscompanion，said，\'They\'reallinonestory，Mrs。Mann。Thatout-daciousOliverhaddemogalizedthemall！\'

\'Icouldn\'thavebelievedit，sir\'saidMrsMann，holdingupherhands，andlookingmalignantlyatDick。\'Ineverseesuchahardenedlittlewretch！\'

\'Takehimaway，ma\'am！\'saidMr。Bumbleimperiously。\'Thismustbestatedtotheboard，Mrs。Mann。

\'Ihopethegentlemanwillunderstandthatitisn\'tmyfault，sir?\'saidMrs。Mann，whimperingpathetically。

\'Theyshallunderstandthat，ma\'am；theyshallbeacquaintedwiththetruestateofthecase，\'saidMr。Bumble。\'There；takehimaway，Ican\'tbearthesightonhim。\'

Dickwasimmediatelytakenaway，andlockedupinthecoal-cellar。Mr。Bumbleshortlyafterwardstookhimselfoff，toprepareforhisjourney。

Atsixo\'clocknextmorning，Mr。Bumble:havingexchangedhiscockedhatforaroundone，andencasedhispersoninabluegreat-coatwithacapetoit:tookhisplaceontheoutsideofthecoach，accompaniedbythecriminalswhosesettlementwasdisputed；withwhom，induecourseoftime，hearrivedinLondon。

Heexperiencednoothercrossesontheway，thanthosewhichoriginatedintheperversebehaviourofthetwopaupers，whopersistedinshivering，andcomplainingofthecold，inamannerwhich，Mr。Bumbledeclared，causedhisteethtochatterinhishead，andmadehimfeelquiteuncomfortable；althoughhehadagreat-coaton。

Havingdisposedoftheseevil-mindedpersonsforthenight，Mr。

Bumblesathimselfdowninthehouseatwhichthecoachstopped；

andtookatemperatedinnerofsteaks，oystersauce，andporter。

Puttingaglassofhotgin-and-wateronthechimney-piece，hedrewhischairtothefire；and，withsundrymoralreflectionsonthetoo-prevalentsinofdiscontentandcomplaining，composedhimselftoreadthepaper。

TheveryfirstparagraphuponwhichMr。Bumble\'seyerested，wasthefollowingadvertisement。

\'FIVEGUINEASREWARD

\'Whereasayoungboy，namedOliverTwist，absconded，orwasenticed，onThursdayeveninglast，fromhishome，atPentonville；

andhasnotsincebeenheardof。TheaboverewardwillbepaidtoanypersonwhowillgivesuchinformationaswillleadtothediscoveryofthesaidOliverTwist，ortendtothrowanylightuponhisprevioushistory，inwhichtheadvertiseris，formanyreasons，warmlyinterested。\'

AndthenfollowedafulldescriptionofOliver\'sdress，person，appearance，anddisappearance:withthenameandaddressofMr。

Brownlowatfulllength。

Mr。Bumbleopenedhiseyes；readtheadvertisement，slowlyandcarefully，threeseveraltimes；andinsomethingmorethanfiveminuteswasonhiswaytoPentonville:havingactually，inhisexcitement，lefttheglassofhotgin-and-water，untasted。

\'IsMr。Brownlowathome?\'inquiredMr。Bumbleofthegirlwhoopenedthedoor。

Tothisinquirythegirlreturnedthenotuncommon，butratherevasivereplyof\'Idon\'tknow；wheredoyoucomefrom?\'

Mr。BumblenosoonerutteredOliver\'sname，inexplanationofhiserrand，thanMrs。Bedwin，whohadbeenlisteningattheparlourdoor，hastenedintothepassageinabreathlessstate。

\'Comein，comein，\'saidtheoldlady:\'Iknewweshouldhearofhim。Poordear！Iknewweshould！Iwascertainofit。Blesshisheart！Isaidsoallalong。\'

Havingheardthis，theworthyoldladyhurriedbackintotheparlouragain；andseatingherselfonasofa，burstintotears。

Thegirl，whowasnotquitesosusceptible，hadrunupstairsmeanwhile；andnowreturnedwitharequestthatMr。Bumblewouldfollowherimmediately:whichhedid。

Hewasshownintothelittlebackstudy，wheresatMr。BrownlowandhisfriendMr。Grimwig，withdecantersandglassesbeforethem。Thelattergentlemanatonceburstintotheexclamation:

\'Abeadle。Aparishbeadle，orI\'lleatmyhead。\'

\'Praydon\'tinterruptjustnow，\'saidMr。Brownlow。\'Takeaseat，willyou?\'

Mr。Bumblesathimselfdown；quiteconfoundedbytheoddityofMr。Grimwig\'smanner。Mr。Brownlowmovedthelamp，soastoobtainanuninterruptedviewofthebeadle\'scountenance；andsaid，withalittleimpatience，\'Now，sir，youcomeinconsequenceofhavingseentheadvertisement?\'

\'Yes，sir，\'saidMr。Bumble。

\'AndyouAREabeadle，areyounot?\'inquiredMr。Grimwig。

\'Iamaporochialbeadle，gentlemen，\'rejoinedMr。Bumbleproudly。

\'Ofcourse，\'observedMr。Grimwigasidetohisfriend，\'Iknewhewas。Abeadleallover！\'

Mr。Brownlowgentlyshookhisheadtoimposesilenceonhisfriend，andresumed:

\'Doyouknowwherethispoorboyisnow?\'

\'Nomorethannobody，\'repliedMr。Bumble。

\'Well，whatDOyouknowofhim?\'inquiredtheoldgentleman。

\'Speakout，myfriend，ifyouhaveanythingtosay。WhatDOyouknowofhim?\'

\'Youdon\'thappentoknowanygoodofhim，doyou?\'saidMr。

Grimwig，caustically；afteranattentiveperusalofMr。Bumble\'sfeatures。

Mr。Bumble，catchingattheinquiryveryquickly，shookhisheadwithportentoussolemnity。

\'Yousee?\'saidMr。Grimwig，lookingtriumphantlyatMr。

Brownlow。

Mr。BrownlowlookedapprehensivelyatMr。Bumble\'spursed-upcountenance；andrequestedhimtocommunicatewhatheknewregardingOliver，inasfewwordsaspossible。

Mr。Bumbleputdownhishat；unbuttonedhiscoat；foldedhisarms；inclinedhisheadinaretrospectivemanner；and，afterafewmoments\'reflection，commencedhisstory。

Itwouldbetediousifgiveninthebeadle\'swords:occupying，asitdid，sometwentyminutesinthetelling；butthesumandsubstanceofitwas，thatOliverwasafoundling，bornoflowandviciousparents。Thathehad，fromhisbirth，displayednobetterqualitiesthantreachery，ingratitude，andmalice。Thathehadterminatedhisbriefcareerintheplaceofhisbirth，bymakingasanguinaryandcowardlyattackonanunoffendinglad，andrunningawayinthenight-timefromhismaster\'shouse。Inproofofhisreallybeingthepersonherepresentedhimself，Mr。

Bumblelaiduponthetablethepapershehadbroughttotown。

Foldinghisarmsagain，hethenawaitedMr。Brownlow\'sobservations。

\'Ifearitisalltootrue，\'saidtheoldgentlemansorrowfully，afterlookingoverthepapers。\'Thisisnotmuchforyourintelligence；butIwouldgladlyhavegivenyoutreblethemoney，ifithadbeenfavourabletotheboy。\'

ItisnotimprobablethatifMr。Bumblehadbeenpossessedofthisinformationatanearlierperiodoftheinterview，hemighthaveimpartedaverydifferentcolouringtohislittlehistory。

Itwastoolatetodoitnow，however；soheshookhisheadgravely，and，pocketingthefiveguineas，withdrew。

Mr。Brownlowpacedtheroomtoandfroforsomeminutes；

evidentlysomuchdisturbedbythebeadle\'stale，thatevenMr。

Grimwigforboretovexhimfurther。

Atlengthhestopped，andrangthebellviolently。

\'Mrs。Bedwin，\'saidMr。Brownlow，whenthehousekeeperappeared；

\'thatboy，Oliver，isanimposter。\'

\'Itcan\'tbe，sir。Itcannotbe，\'saidtheoldladyenergetically。

\'Itellyouheis，\'retortedtheoldgentleman。\'Whatdoyoumeanbycan\'tbe?Wehavejustheardafullaccountofhimfromhisbirth；andhehasbeenathorough-pacedlittlevillain，allhislife。\'

\'Ineverwillbelieveit，sir，\'repliedtheoldlady，firmly。

\'Never！\'

\'Youoldwomenneverbelieveanythingbutquack-doctors，andlyingstory-books，\'growledMr。Grimwig。\'Iknewitallalong。

Whydidn\'tyoutakemyadviseinthebeginning；youwouldifhehadn\'thadafever，Isuppose，eh?Hewasinteresting，wasn\'the?Interesting！Bah！\'AndMr。Grimwigpokedthefirewithaflourish。

\'Hewasadear，grateful，gentlechild，sir，\'retortedMrs。

Bedwin，indignantly。\'Iknowwhatchildrenare，sir；andhavedonethesefortyyears；andpeoplewhocan\'tsaythesame，shouldn\'tsayanythingaboutthem。That\'smyopinion！\'

ThiswasahardhitatMr。Grimwig，whowasabachelor。Asitextortednothingfromthatgentlemanbutasmile，theoldladytossedherhead，andsmootheddownherapronpreparatorytoanotherspeech，whenshewasstoppedbyMr。Brownlow。

\'Silence！\'saidtheoldgentleman，feigninganangerhewasfarfromfeeling。\'Neverletmeheartheboy\'snameagain。Irangtotellyouthat。Never。Never，onanypretence，mind！Youmayleavetheroom，Mrs。Bedwin。Remember！Iaminearnest。\'

ThereweresadheartsatMr。Brownlow\'sthatnight。

Oliver\'sheartsankwithinhim，whenhethoughtofhisgoodfriends；itwaswellforhimthathecouldnotknowwhattheyhadheard，oritmighthavebrokenoutright。

CHAPTERXVIII

HOWOLIVERPASSEDHISTIMEINTHEIMPROVINGSOCIETYOFHIS

REPUTABLEFRIENDS

Aboutnoonnextday，whentheDodgerandMasterBateshadgoneouttopursuetheircustomaryavocations，Mr。FagintooktheopportunityofreadingOliveralonglectureonthecryingsinofingratitude；ofwhichheclearlydemonstratedhehadbeenguilty，tonoordinaryextent，inwilfullyabsentinghimselffromthesocietyofhisanxiousfriends；and，stillmore，inendeavouringtoescapefromthemaftersomuchtroubleandexpensehadbeenincurredinhisrecovery。Mr。FaginlaidgreatstressonthefactofhishavingtakenOliverin，andcherishedhim，when，withouthistimelyaid，hemighthaveperishedwithhunger；andherelatedthedismalandaffectinghistoryofayoungladwhom，inhisphilanthropy，hehadsuccouredunderparallelcircumstances，butwho，provingunworthyofhisconfidenceandevincingadesiretocommunicatewiththepolice，hadunfortunatelycometobehangedattheOldBaileyonemorning。Mr。Fagindidnotseektoconcealhisshareinthecatastrophe，butlamentedwithtearsinhiseyesthatthewrong-headedandtreacherousbehaviouroftheyoungpersoninquestion，hadrendereditnecessarythatheshouldbecomethevictimofcertainevidenceforthecrown:

which，ifitwerenotpreciselytrue，wasindispensablynecessaryforthesafetyofhim(Mr。Fagin)andafewselectfriends。Mr。

Faginconcludedbydrawingaratherdisagreeablepictureofthediscomfortsofhanging；and，withgreatfriendlinessandpolitenessofmanner，expressedhisanxioushopesthathemightneverbeobligedtosubmitOliverTwisttothatunpleasantoperation。

LittleOliver\'sbloodrancold，ashelistenedtotheJew\'swords，andimperfectlycomprehendedthedarkthreatsconveyedinthem。Thatitwaspossibleevenforjusticeitselftoconfoundtheinnocentwiththeguiltywhentheywereinaccidentalcompanionship，heknewalready；andthatdeeply-laidplansforthedestructionofinconvenientlyknowingorover-communicativepersons，hadbeenreallydevisedandcarriedoutbytheJewonmoreoccasionsthanone，hethoughtbynomeansunlikely，whenherecollectedthegeneralnatureofthealtercationsbetweenthatgentlemanandMr。Sikes:whichseemedtobearreferencetosomeforegoneconspiracyofthekind。Asheglancedtimidlyup，andmettheJew\'ssearchinglook，hefeltthathispalefaceandtremblinglimbswereneitherunnoticednorunrelishedbythatwaryoldgentleman。

TheJew，smilinghideously，pattedOliveronthehead，andsaid，thatifhekepthimselfquiet，andappliedhimselftobusiness，hesawtheywouldbeverygoodfriendsyet。Then，takinghishat，andcoveringhimselfwithanoldpatchedgreat-coat，hewentout，andlockedtheroom-doorbehindhim。

AndsoOliverremainedallthatday，andforthegreaterpartofmanysubsequentdays，seeingnobody，betweenearlymorningandmidnight，andleftduringthelonghourstocommunewithhisownthoughts。Which，neverfailingtoreverttohiskindfriends，andtheopiniontheymustlongagohaveformedofhim，weresadindeed。

Afterthelapseofaweekorso，theJewlefttheroom-doorunlocked；andhewasatlibertytowanderaboutthehouse。

Itwasaverydirtyplace。Theroomsupstairshadgreathighwoodenchimney-piecesandlargedoors，withpanelledwallsandcornicestotheceiling；which，althoughtheywereblackwithneglectanddust，wereornamentedinvariousways。FromallofthesetokensOliverconcludedthatalongtimeago，beforetheoldJewwasborn，ithadbelongedtobetterpeople，andhadperhapsbeenquitegayandhandsome:dismalanddrearyasitlookednow。

Spidershadbuilttheirwebsintheanglesofthewallsandceilings；andsometimes，whenOliverwalkedsoftlyintoaroom，themicewouldscamperacrossthefloor，andrunbackterrifiedtotheirholes。Withtheseexceptions，therewasneithersightnorsoundofanylivingthing；andoften，whenitgrewdark，andhewastiredofwanderingfromroomtoroom，hewouldcrouchinthecornerofthepassagebythestreet-door，tobeasnearlivingpeopleashecould；andwouldremainthere，listeningandcountingthehours，untiltheJewortheboysreturned。

Inalltherooms，themoulderingshutterswerefastclosed:thebarswhichheldthemwerescrewedtightintothewood；theonlylightwhichwasadmitted，stealingitswaythroughroundholesatthetop:whichmadetheroomsmoregloomy，andfilledthemwithstrangeshadows。Therewasaback-garretwindowwithrustybarsoutside，whichhadnoshutter；andoutofthis，Oliveroftengazedwithamelancholyfaceforhourstogether；butnothingwastobedescriedfromitbutaconfusedandcrowdedmassofhousetops，blackenedchimneys，andgable-ends。Sometimes，indeed，agrizzlyheadmightbeseen，peeringovertheparapet-wallofadistanthouse；butitwasquicklywithdrawnagain；andasthewindowofOliver\'sobservatorywasnaileddown，anddimmedwiththerainandsmokeofyears，itwasasmuchashecoulddotomakeouttheformsofthedifferentobjectsbeyond，withoutmakinganyattempttobeseenorheard，——whichhehadasmuchchanceofbeing，asifhehadlivedinsidetheballofSt。

Paul\'sCathedral。

Oneafternoon，theDodgerandMasterBatesbeingengagedoutthatevening，thefirst-namedyounggentlemantookitintohisheadtoevincesomeanxietyregardingthedecorationofhisperson(todohimjustice，thiswasbynomeansanhabitualweaknesswithhim)；

and，withthisendandaim，hecondescendinglycommandedOlivertoassisthiminhistoilet，straightway。

Oliverwasbuttoogladtomakehimselfuseful；toohappytohavesomefaces，howeverbad，tolookupon；toodesiroustoconciliatethoseabouthimwhenhecouldhonestlydoso；tothrowanyobjectioninthewayofthisproposal。Soheatonceexpressedhisreadiness；and，kneelingonthefloor，whiletheDodgersatuponthetablesothathecouldtakehisfootinhislaps，heappliedhimselftoaprocesswhichMr。Dawkinsdesignatedas\'japanninghistrotter-cases。\'Thephrase，renderedintoplainEnglish，signifieth，cleaninghisboots。

Whetheritwasthesenseoffreedomandindependencewhicharationalanimalmaybesupposedtofeelwhenhesitsonatableinaneasyattitudesmokingapipe，swingingonelegcarelesslytoandfro，andhavinghisbootscleanedallthetime，withouteventhepasttroubleofhavingtakenthemoff，ortheprospectivemiseryofputtingthemon，todisturbhisreflections；orwhetheritwasthegoodnessofthetobaccothatsoothedthefeelingsoftheDodger，orthemildnessofthebeerthatmollifiedhisthoughts；hewasevidentlytinctured，forthenonce，withaspiceofromanceandenthusiasm，foreigntohisgeneralnature。HelookeddownonOliver，withathoughtfulcountenance，forabriefspace；andthen，raisinghishead，andheavingagentlesign，said，halfinabstraction，andhalftoMasterBates:

\'Whatapityitisheisn\'taprig！\'

\'Ah！\'saidMasterCharlesBates；\'hedon\'tknowwhat\'sgoodforhim。\'

TheDodgersighedagain，andresumedhispipe:asdidCharleyBates。Theybothsmoked，forsomeseconds，insilence。

\'Isupposeyoudon\'tevenknowwhataprigis?\'saidtheDodgermournfully。

\'IthinkIknowthat，\'repliedOliver，lookingup。\'It\'sathe——；you\'reone，areyounot?\'inquiredOliver，checkinghimself。

\'Iam，\'repliedtheDoger。\'I\'dscorntobeanythingelse。\'Mr。

Dawkinsgavehishataferociouscock，afterdeliveringthissentiment，andlookedatMasterBates，asiftodenotethathewouldfeelobligedbyhissayinganythingtothecontrary。

\'Iam，\'repeatedtheDodger。\'So\'sCharley。So\'sFagin。So\'sSikes。So\'sNancy。So\'sBet。Soweallare，downtothedog。

Andhe\'sthedowniestoneofthelot！\'

\'Andtheleastgiventopeaching，\'addedCharleyBates。

\'Hewouldn\'tsomuchasbarkinawitness-box，forfearofcommittinghimself；no，notifyoutiedhimupinone，andlefthimtherewithoutwittlesforafortnight，\'saidtheDodger。

\'Notabitofit，\'observedCharley。

\'He\'sarumdog。Don\'thelookfierceatanystrangecovethatlaughsorsingswhenhe\'sincompany！\'pursuedtheDodger。

\'Won\'thegrowlatall，whenhehearsafiddleplaying！Anddon\'thehateotherdogsasain\'tofhisbreed！Oh，no！\'

\'He\'sanout-and-outChristian，\'saidCharley。

Thiswasmerelyintendedasatributetotheanimal\'sabilities，butitwasanappropriateremarkinanothersense，ifMasterBateshadonlyknownit；forthereareagoodmanyladiesandgentlemen，claimingtobeout-and-outChristians，betweenwhom，andMr。Sikes\'dog，thereexiststrongandsingularpointsofresemblance。

\'Well，well，\'saidtheDodger，recurringtothepointfromwhichtheyhadstrayed:withthatmindfulnessofhisprofessionwhichinfluencedallhisproceedings。\'Thishasn\'tgoanythingtodowithyoungGreenhere。\'

\'Nomoreithas，\'saidCharley。\'Whydon\'tyouputyourselfunderFagin，Oliver?\'

\'Andmakeyourfortun\'outofhand?\'addedtheDodger，withagrin。

\'Andsobeabletoretireonyourproperty，anddothegen-teel:

asImeanto，intheverynextleap-yearbutfourthatevercomes，andtheforty-secondTuesdayinTrinity-week，\'saidCharleyBates。

\'Idon\'tlikeit，\'rejoinedOliver，timidly；\'Iwishtheywouldletmego。I——I——wouldrathergo。\'

\'AndFaginwouldRATHERnot！\'rejoinedCharley。

Oliverknewthistoowell；butthinkingitmightbedangeroustoexpresshisfeelingsmoreopenly，heonlysighed，andwentonwithhisboot-cleaning。

\'Go！\'exclaimedtheDodger。\'Why，where\'syourspirit?\'Don\'tyoutakeanyprideoutofyourself?Wouldyougoandbedependentonyourfriends?\'

\'Oh，blowthat！\'saidMasterBates:drawingtwoorthreesilkhandkerchiefsfromhispocket，andtossingthemintoacupboard，\'that\'stoomean；thatis。\'

\'_I_couldn\'tdoit，\'saidtheDodger，withanairofhaughtydisgust。

\'Youcanleaveyourfriends，though，\'saidOliverwithahalfsmile；\'andletthembepunishedforwhatyoudid。\'

\'That，\'rejoinedtheDodger，withawaveofhispipe，\'ThatwasalloutofconsiderationforFagin，\'causethetrapsknowthatweworktogether，andhemighthavegotintotroubleifwehadn\'tmadeourlucky；thatwasthemove，wasn\'tit，Charley?\'

MasterBatesnoddedassent，andwouldhavespoken，buttherecollectionofOliver\'sflightcamesosuddenlyuponhim，thatthesmokehewasinhalinggotentagledwithalaugh，andwentupintohishead，anddownintohisthroat:andbroughtonafitofcoughingandstamping，aboutfiveminuteslong。

\'Lookhere！\'saidtheDodger，drawingforthahandfulofshillingsandhalfpence。\'Here\'sajollylife！What\'stheoddswhereitcomesfrom?Here，catchhold；there\'splentymorewheretheyweretookfrom。Youwon\'t，won\'tyou?Oh，youpreciousflat！\'

\'It\'snaughty，ain\'tit，Oliver?\'inquiredCharleyBates。\'He\'llcometobescragged，won\'the?\'

\'Idon\'tknowwhatthatmeans，\'repliedOliver。

\'Somethinginthisway，oldfeller，\'saidCharly。Ashesaidit，MasterBatescaughtupanendofhisneckerchief；and，holdingiterectintheair，droppedhisheadonhisshoulder，andjerkedacurioussoundthroughhisteeth；therebyindicating，byalivelypantomimicrepresentation，thatscraggingandhangingwereoneandthesamething。

\'That\'swhatitmeans，\'saidCharley。\'Lookhowhestares，Jack！

Ineverdidseesuchprimecompanyasthat\'ereboy；he\'llbethedeathofme，Iknowhewill。\'MasterCharleyBates，havinglaughedheartilyagain，resumedhispipewithtearsinhiseyes。

\'You\'vebeenbroughtupbad，\'saidtheDodger，surveyinghisbootswithmuchsatisfactionwhenOliverhadpolishedthem。

\'Faginwillmakesomethingofyou，though，oryou\'llbethefirstheeverhadthatturnedoutunprofitable。You\'dbetterbeginatonce；foryou\'llcometothetradelongbeforeyouthinkofit；

andyou\'reonlylosingtime，Oliver。\'

MasterBatesbackedthisadvicewithsundrymoraladmonitionsofhisown:which，beingexhausted，heandhisfriendMr。Dawkinslaunchedintoaglowingdescriptionofthenumerouspleasuresincidentaltothelifetheyled，interspersedwithavarietyofhintstoOliverthatthebestthinghecoulddo，wouldbetosecureFagin\'sfavourwithoutmoredelay，bythemeanswhichtheythemselveshademployedtogainit。

\'Andalwaysputthisinyourpipe，Nolly，\'saidtheDodger，astheJewwasheardunlockingthedoorabove，\'ifyoudon\'ttakefogelsandtickers——\'

\'What\'sthegoodoftalkinginthatway?\'interposedMasterBates；\'hedon\'tknowwhatyoumean。\'

\'Ifyoudon\'ttakepocket-handkechersandwatches，\'saidtheDodger，reducinghisconversationtothelevelofOliver\'scapacity，\'someothercovewill；sothatthecovesthatlose\'emwillbealltheworse，andyou\'llbealltheworse，too，andnobodyhalfaha\'p\'orththebetter，exceptthechapswotgetsthem——andyou\'vejustasgoodarighttothemastheyhave。\'

\'Tobesure，tobesure！\'saidtheJew，whohadenteredunseenbyOliver。\'Itallliesinanutshellmydear；inanutshell，taketheDodger\'swordforit。Ha！ha！ha！Heunderstandsthecatechismofhistrade。\'

Theoldmanrubbedhishandsgleefullytogether，ashecorroboratedtheDodger\'sreasoningintheseterms；andchuckledwithdelightathispupil\'sproficiency。

Theconversationproceedednofartheratthistime，fortheJewhadreturnedhomeaccompaniedbyMissBetsy，andagentlemanwhomOliverhadneverseenbefore，butwhowasaccostedbytheDodgerasTomChitling；andwho，havinglingeredonthestairstoexchangeafewgallantrieswiththelady，nowmadehisappearance。

Mr。ChitlingwasolderinyearsthantheDodger:havingperhapsnumberedeighteenwinters；buttherewasadegreeofdeferenceinhisdeportmenttowardsthatyounggentlemanwhichseemedtoindicatethathefelthimselfconsciousofaslightinferiorityinpointofgeniusandprofessionalaquirements。Hehadsmalltwinklingeyes，andapock-markedface；woreafurcap，adarkcorduroyjacket，greasyfustiantrousers，andanapron。Hiswardrobewas，intruth，ratheroutofrepair；butheexcusedhimselftothecompanybystatingthathis\'time\'wasonlyoutanhourbefore；andthat，inconsequenceofhavingworntheregimentalsforsixweekspast，hehadnotbeenabletobestowanyattentiononhisprivateclothes。Mr。Chitlingadded，withstrongmarksofirritation，thatthenewwayoffumigatingclothesupyonderwasinfernalunconstitutional，foritburntholesinthem，andtherewasnoremedyagainsttheCounty。Thesameremarkheconsideredtoapplytotheregulationmodeofcuttingthehair:whichheheldtobedecidedlyunlawful。Mr。

Chitlingwounduphisobservationsbystatingthathehadnottouchedadropofanythingforforty-twomorallonghard-workingdays；andthathe\'wishedhemightbebustedifhewarn\'tasdryasalime-basket。\'

\'Wheredoyouthinkthegentlemanhascomefrom，Oliver?\'

inquiredtheJew，withagrin，astheotherboysputabottleofspiritsonthetable。

\'I——I——don\'tknow，sir，\'repliedOliver。

\'Who\'sthat?\'inquiredTomChitling，castingacontemptuouslookatOliver。

\'Ayoungfriendofmine，mydear，\'repliedtheJew。

\'He\'sinluck，then，\'saidtheyoungman，withameaninglookatFagin。\'NevermindwhereIcamefrom，young\'un；you\'llfindyourwaythere，soonenough，I\'llbetacrown！\'

Atthissally，theboyslaughed。Aftersomemorejokesonthesamesubject，theyexchangedafewshortwhisperswithFagin；andwithdrew。

AftersomewordsapartbetweenthelastcomerandFagin，theydrewtheirchairstowardsthefire；andtheJew，tellingOlivertocomeandsitbyhim，ledtheconversationtothetopicsmostcalculatedtointeresthishearers。Thesewere，thegreatadvantagesofthetrade，theproficiencyoftheDodger，theamiabilityofCharleyBates，andtheliberalityoftheJewhimself。Atlengththesesubjectsdisplayedsignsofbeingthoroughlyexhausted；andMr。Chitlingdidthesame:forthehouseofcorrectionbecomesfatiguingafteraweekortwo。MissBetsyaccordinglywithdrew；andleftthepartytotheirrepose。

Fromthisday，Oliverwasseldomleftalone；butwasplacedinalmostconstantcommunicationwiththetwoboys，whoplayedtheoldgamewiththeJeweveryday:whetherfortheirownimprovementorOliver\'s，Mr。Faginbestknew。Atothertimestheoldmanwouldtellthemstoriesofrobberieshehadcommittedinhisyoungerdays:mixedupwithsomuchthatwasdrollandcurious，thatOlivercouldnothelplaughingheartily，andshowingthathewasamusedinspiteofallhisbetterfeelings。

Inshort，thewilyoldJewhadtheboyinhistoils。Havingpreparedhismind，bysolitudeandgloom，topreferanysocietytothecompanionshipofhisownsadthoughtsinsuchadrearyplace，hewasnowslowlyinstillingintohissoulthepoisonwhichhehopedwouldblackenit，andchangeitshueforever。

CHAPTERXIX

INWHICHANOTABLEPLANISDISCUSSEDANDDETERMINEDON

Itwasachill，damp，windynight，whentheJew:buttoninghisgreat-coattightroundhisshrivelledbody，andpullingthecollarupoverhisearssoascompletelytoobscurethelowerpartofhisface:emergedfromhisden。Hepausedonthestepasthedoorwaslockedandchainedbehindhim；andhavinglistenedwhiletheboysmadeallsecure，anduntiltheirretreatingfootstepswerenolongeraudible，slunkdownthestreetasquicklyashecould。

ThehousetowhichOliverhadbeenconveyed，wasintheneighborhoodofWhitechapel。TheJewstoppedforaninstantatthecornerofthestreet；and，glancingsuspiciouslyround，crossedtheroad，andstruckoffinthedirectionoftheSpitalfields。

Themudlaythickuponthestones，andablackmisthungoverthestreets；therainfellsluggishlydown，andeverythingfeltcoldandclammytothetouch。ItseemedjustthenightwhenitbefittedsuchabeingastheJewtobeabroad。Asheglidedstealthilyalong，creepingbeneaththeshelterofthewallsanddoorways，thehideousoldmanseemedlikesomeloathsomereptile，engenderedintheslimeanddarknessthroughwhichhemoved:

crawlingforth，bynight，insearchofsomerichoffalforameal。