However，menalwaysthinktheyknowbest。There！Getdownstairs，littlebago'bones。'Withthis，theundertaker'swifeopenedasidedoor，andpushedOliverdownasteepflightofstairsintoastonecell，dampanddark:formingtheante-roomtothecoal-cellar，anddenominated'kitchen'；whereinsataslatternlygirl，inshoesdownatheel，andblueworstedstockingsverymuchoutofrepair。
　　'Here，Charlotte，'saidMr。Sowerberry，whohadfollowedOliverdown，'givethisboysomeofthecoldbitsthatwereputbyforTrip。Hehasn'tcomehomesincethemorning，sohemaygowithout'em。Idaresaytheboyisn'ttoodaintytoeat'em——areyou，boy?'
　　Oliver，whoseeyeshadglistenedatthementionofmeat，andwhowastremblingwitheagernesstodevourit，repliedinthenegative；andaplatefulofcoarsebrokenvictualswassetbeforehim。
　　Iwishsomewell-fedphilosopher，whosemeatanddrinkturntogallwithinhim；whosebloodisice，whoseheartisiron；couldhaveseenOliverTwistclutchingatthedaintyviandsthatthedoghadneglected。IwishhecouldhavewitnessedthehorribleaviditywithwhichOlivertorethebitsasunderwithalltheferocityoffamine。ThereisonlyonethingIshouldlikebetter；andthatwouldbetoseethePhilosophermakingthesamesortofmealhimself，withthesamerelish。
　　'Well，'saidtheundertaker'swife，whenOliverhadfinishedhissupper:whichshehadregardedinsilenthorror，andwithfearfulauguriesofhisfutureappetite:'haveyoudone?'
　　Therebeingnothingeatablewithinhisreach，Oliverrepliedintheaffirmative。
　　'Thencomewithme，'saidMrs。Sowerberry:takingupadimanddirtylamp，andleadingthewayupstairs；'yourbed'sunderthecounter。Youdon'tmindsleepingamongthecoffins，Isuppose?
　　Butitdoesn'tmuchmatterwhetheryoudoordon't，foryoucan'tsleepanywhereelse。Come；don'tkeepmehereallnight！'
　　Oliverlingerednolonger，butmeeklyfollowedhisnewmistress。
　　CHAPTERV
　　OLIVERMINGLESWITHNEWASSOCIATES。GOINGTOAFUNERALFORTHE
　　FIRSTTIME，HEFORMSANUNFAVOURABLENOTIONOFHISMASTER'S
　　BUSINESS
　　Oliver，beinglefttohimselfintheundertaker'sshop，setthelampdownonaworkman'sbench，andgazedtimidlyabouthimwithafeelingofaweanddread，whichmanypeopleagooddealolderthanhewillbeatnolosstounderstand。Anunfinishedcoffinonblacktressels，whichstoodinthemiddleoftheshop，lookedsogloomyanddeath-likethatacoldtremblecameoverhim，everytimehiseyeswanderedinthedirectionofthedismalobject:
　　fromwhichhealmostexpectedtoseesomefrightfulformslowlyrearitshead，todrivehimmadwithterror。Againstthewallwereranged，inregulararray，alongrowofelmboardscutinthesameshape:lookinginthedimlight，likehigh-shoulderedghostswiththeirhandsintheirbreechespockets。
　　Coffin-plates，elm-chips，bright-headednails，andshredsofblackcloth，layscatteredonthefloor；andthewallbehindthecounterwasornamentedwithalivelyrepresentationoftwomutesinverystiffneckcloths，ondutyatalargeprivatedoor，withahearsedrawnbyfourblacksteeds，approachinginthedistance。
　　Theshopwascloseandhot。Theatmosphereseemedtaintedwiththesmellofcoffins。Therecessbeneaththecounterinwhichhisflockmattresswasthrust，lookedlikeagrave。
　　NorwerethesetheonlydismalfeelingswhichdepressedOliver。
　　Hewasaloneinastrangeplace；andweallknowhowchilledanddesolatethebestofuswillsometimesfeelinsuchasituation。
　　Theboyhadnofriendstocarefor，ortocareforhim。Theregretofnorecentseparationwasfreshinhismind；theabsenceofnolovedandwell-rememberedfacesankheavilyintohisheart。
　　Buthisheartwasheavy，notwithstanding；andhewished，ashecreptintohisnarrowbed，thatthatwerehiscoffin，andthathecouldbelaininacalmandlastingsleepinthechurchyardground，withthetallgrasswavinggentlyabovehishead，andthesoundoftheolddeepbelltosoothehiminhissleep。
　　Oliverwasawakenedinthemorning，byaloudkickingattheoutsideoftheshop-door:which，beforehecouldhuddleonhisclothes，wasrepeated，inanangryandimpetuousmanner，abouttwenty-fivetimes。Whenhebegantoundothechain，thelegsdesisted，andavoicebegan。
　　'Openthedoor，willyer?'criedthevoicewhichbelongedtothelegswhichhadkickedatthedoor。
　　'Iwill，directly，sir，'repliedOliver:undoingthechain，andturningthekey。
　　'Isupposeyerthenewboy，ain'tyer?'saidthevoicethroughthekey-hole。
　　'Yes，sir，'repliedOliver。
　　'Howoldareyer?'inquiredthevoice。
　　'Ten，sir，'repliedOliver。
　　'ThenI'llwhopyerwhenIgetin，'saidthevoice；'youjustseeifIdon't，that'sall，mywork'usbrat！'andhavingmadethisobligingpromise，thevoicebegantowhistle。
　　Oliverhadbeentoooftensubjectedtotheprocesstowhichtheveryexpressivemonosyllablejustrecordedbearsreference，toentertainthesmallestdoubtthattheownerofthevoice，whoeverhemightbe，wouldredeemhispledge，mosthonourably。Hedrewbacktheboltswithatremblinghand，andopenedthedoor。
　　Forasecondortwo，Oliverglancedupthestreet，anddownthestreet，andovertheway:impressedwiththebeliefthattheunknown，whohadaddressedhimthroughthekey-hole，hadwalkedafewpacesoff，towarmhimself；fornobodydidheseebutabigcharity-boy，sittingonapostinfrontofthehouse，eatingasliceofbreadandbutter:whichhecutintowedges，thesizeofhismouth，withaclasp-knife，andthenconsumedwithgreatdexterity。
　　'Ibegyourpardon，sir，'saidOliveratlength:seeingthatnoothervisitormadehisappearance；'didyouknock?'
　　'Ikicked，'repliedthecharity-boy。
　　'Didyouwantacoffin，sir?'inquiredOliver，innocently。
　　Atthis，thecharity-boylookedmonstrousfierce；andsaidthatOliverwouldwantonebeforelong，ifhecutjokeswithhissuperiorsinthatway。
　　'Yerdon'tknowwhoIam，Isuppose，Work'us?'saidthecharity-boy，incontinuation:descendingfromthetopofthepost，meanwhile，withedifyinggravity。
　　'No，sir，'rejoinedOliver。
　　'I'mMisterNoahClaypole，'saidthecharity-boy，'andyou'reunderme。Takedowntheshutters，yeridleyoungruffian！'Withthis，Mr。ClaypoleadministeredakicktoOliver，andenteredtheshopwithadignifiedair，whichdidhimgreatcredit。Itisdifficultforalarge-headed，small-eyedyouth，oflumberingmakeandheavycountenance，tolookdignifiedunderanycircumstances；
　　butitismoreespeciallyso，whensuperaddedtothesepersonalattractionsarearednoseandyellowsmalls。
　　Oliver，havingtakendowntheshutters，andbrokenapaneofglassinhisefforttostaggerawaybeneaththeweightofthefirstonetoasmallcourtatthesideofthehouseinwhichtheywerekeptduringtheday，wasgraciouslyassistedbyNoah:whohavingconsoledhimwiththeassurancethat'he'dcatchit，'
　　condescendedtohelphim。Mr。Sowerberrycamedownsoonafter。
　　Shortlyafterwards，Mrs。Sowerberryappeared。Oliverhaving'caughtit，'infulfilmentofNoah'sprediction，followedthatyounggentlemandownthestairstobreakfast。
　　'Comenearthefire，Noah，'saidCharlotte。'Isavedanicelittlebitofbaconforyoufrommaster'sbreakfast。Oliver，shutthatdooratMisterNoah'sback，andtakethembitsthatI'veputoutonthecoverofthebread-pan。There'syourtea；
　　takeitawaytothatbox，anddrinkitthere，andmakehaste，forthey'llwantyoutomindtheshop。D'yehear?'
　　'D'yehear，Work'us?'saidNoahClaypole。
　　'Lor，Noah！'saidCharlotte，'whatarumcreatureyouare！Whydon'tyoulettheboyalone?'
　　'Lethimalone！'saidNoah。'Whyeverybodyletshimaloneenough，forthematterofthat。Neitherhisfathernorhismotherwilleverinterferewithhim。Allhisrelationslethimhavehisownwayprettywell。Eh，Charlotte?He！he！he！'
　　'Oh，youqueersoul！'saidCharlotte，burstingintoaheartylaugh，inwhichshewasjoinedbyNoah；afterwhichtheybothlookedscornfullyatpoorOliverTwist，ashesatshiveringontheboxinthecoldestcorneroftheroom，andatethestalepieceswhichhadbeenspeciallyreservedforhim。
　　Noahwasacharity-boy，butnotaworkhouseorphan。Nochance-childwashe，forhecouldtracehisgenealogyallthewaybacktohisparents，wholivedhardby；hismotherbeingawasherwoman，andhisfatheradrunkensoldier，dischargedwithawoodenleg，andadiurnalpensionoftwopence-halfpennyandanunstateablefraction。Theshop-boysintheneighbourhoodhadlongbeeninthehabitofbrandingNoahinthepublicstreets，withtheignominiousepithetsof'leathers，''charity，'andthelike；andNoahhadbournethemwithoutreply。But，nowthatfortunehadcastinhiswayanamelessorphan，atwhomeventhemeanestcouldpointthefingerofscorn，heretortedonhimwithinterest。Thisaffordscharmingfoodforcontemplation。Itshowsuswhatabeautifulthinghumannaturemaybemadetobe；
　　andhowimpartiallythesameamiablequalitiesaredevelopedinthefinestlordandthedirtiestcharity-boy。
　　Oliverhadbeensojourningattheundertaker'ssomethreeweeksoramonth。Mr。andMrs。Sowerberry——theshopbeingshutup——weretakingtheirsupperinthelittleback-parlour，whenMr。
　　Sowerberry，afterseveraldeferentialglancesathiswife，said，'Mydear——'Hewasgoingtosaymore；but，Mrs。Sowerberrylookingup，withapeculiarlyunpropitiousaspect，hestoppedshort。
　　'Well，'saidMrs。Sowerberry，sharply。
　　'Nothing，mydear，nothing，'saidMr。Sowerberry。
　　'Ugh，youbrute！'saidMrs。Sowerberry。
　　'Notatall，mydear，'saidMr。Sowerberryhumbly。'Ithoughtyoudidn'twanttohear，mydear。Iwasonlygoingtosay——'
　　'Oh，don'ttellmewhatyouweregoingtosay，'interposedMrs。
　　Sowerberry。'Iamnobody；don'tconsultme，pray。_I_don'twanttointrudeuponyoursecrets。'AsMrs。Sowerberrysaidthis，shegaveanhystericallaugh，whichthreatenedviolentconsequences。
　　'But，mydear，'saidSowerberry，'Iwanttoaskyouradvice。'
　　'No，no，don'taskmine，'repliedMrs。Sowerberry，inanaffectingmanner:'asksomebodyelse's。'Here，therewasanotherhystericallaugh，whichfrightenedMr。Sowerberryverymuch。Thisisaverycommonandmuch-approvedmatrimonialcourseoftreatment，whichisoftenveryeffectiveItatoncereducedMr。Sowerberrytobegging，asaspecialfavour，tobeallowedtosaywhatMrs。Sowerberrywasmostcurioustohear。Afterashortduration，thepermissionwasmostgraciouslyconceded。
　　'It'sonlyaboutyoungTwist，mydear，'saidMr。Sowerberry。'A
　　verygood-lookingboy，that，mydear。'
　　'Heneedbe，forheeatsenough，'observedthelady。
　　'There'sanexpressionofmelancholyinhisface，mydear，'
　　resumedMr。Sowerberry，'whichisveryinteresting。Hewouldmakeadelightfulmute，mylove。'
　　Mrs。Sowerberrylookedupwithanexpressionofconsiderablewonderment。Mr。Sowerberryremarkeditand，withoutallowingtimeforanyobservationonthegoodlady'spart，proceeded。
　　'Idon'tmeanaregularmutetoattendgrown-uppeople，mydear，butonlyforchildren'spractice。Itwouldbeverynewtohaveamuteinproportion，mydear。Youmaydependuponit，itwouldhaveasuperbeffect。'
　　Mrs。Sowerberry，whohadagooddealoftasteintheundertakingway，wasmuchstruckbythenoveltyofthisidea；but，asitwouldhavebeencompromisingherdignitytohavesaidso，underexistingcircumstances，shemerelyinquired，withmuchsharpness，whysuchanobvioussuggestionhadnotpresenteditselftoherhusband'smindbefore?Mr。Sowerberryrightlyconstruedthis，asanacquiescenceinhisproposition；itwasspeedilydetermined，therefore，thatOlivershouldbeatonceinitiatedintothemysteriesofthetrade；and，withthisview，thatheshouldaccompanyhismasterontheverynextoccasionofhisservicesbeingrequired。
　　Theoccasionwasnotlongincoming。Halfanhourafterbreakfastnextmorning，Mr。Bumbleenteredtheshop；andsupportinghiscaneagainstthecounter，drewforthhislargeleathernpocket-book:fromwhichheselectedasmallscrapofpaper，whichhehandedovertoSowerberry。
　　'Aha！'saidtheundertaker，glancingoveritwithalivelycountenance；'anorderforacoffin，eh?'
　　'Foracoffinfirst，andaporochialfuneralafterwards，'repliedMr。Bumble，fasteningthestrapoftheleathernpocket-book:
　　which，likehimself，wasverycorpulent。
　　'Bayton，'saidtheundertaker，lookingfromthescrapofpapertoMr。Bumble。'Ineverheardthenamebefore。'
　　Bumbleshookhishead，ashereplied，'Obstinatepeople，Mr。
　　Sowerberry；veryobstinate。Proud，too，I'mafraid，sir。'
　　'Proud，eh?'exclaimedMr。Sowerberrywithasneer。'Come，that'stoomuch。'
　　'Oh，it'ssickening，'repliedthebeadle。'Antimonial，Mr。
　　Sowerberry！'
　　'Soitis，'asquiescedtheundertaker。
　　'Weonlyheardofthefamilythenightbeforelast，'saidthebeadle；'andweshouldn'thaveknownanythingaboutthem，then，onlyawomanwholodgesinthesamehousemadeanapplicationtotheporochialcommitteeforthemtosendtheporochialsurgeontoseeawomanaswasverybad。Hehadgoneouttodinner；buthis'prenticewhichisaverycleverladsent'emsomemedicineinablacking-bottle，offhand。'
　　'Ah，there'spromptness，'saidtheundertaker。
　　'Promptness，indeed！'repliedthebeadle。'Butwhat'stheconsequence；what'stheungratefulbehaviouroftheserebels，sir?Why，thehusbandsendsbackwordthatthemedicinewon'tsuithiswife'scomplaint，andsosheshan'ttakeit——sayssheshan'ttakeit，sir！Good，strong，wholesomemedicine，aswasgivenwithgreatsuccesstotwoIrishlabourersandacoal-heaver，onyaweekbefore——sent'emfornothing，withablackin'-bottlein，——andhesendsbackwordthatsheshan'ttakeit，sir！'
　　AstheatrocitypresenteditselftoMr。Bumble'smindinfullforce，hestruckthecountersharplywithhiscane，andbecameflushedwithindignation。
　　'Well，'saidtheundertaker，'Ine——ver——did——'
　　'Neverdid，sir！'ejaculatedthebeadle。'No，nornobodyneverdid；butnowshe'sdead，we'vegottoburyher；andthat'sthedirection；andthesoonerit'sdone，thebetter。'
　　Thussaying，Mr。Bumbleputonhiscockedhatwrongsidefirst，inafeverofparochialexcietment；andflouncedoutoftheshop。
　　'Why，hewassoangry，Oliver，thatheforgoteventoaskafteryou！'saidMr。Sowerberry，lookingafterthebeadleashestrodedownthestreet。
　　'Yes，sir，'repliedOliver，whohadcarefullykepthimselfoutofsight，duringtheinterview；andwhowasshakingfromheadtofootatthemererecollectionofthesoundofMr。Bumble'svoice。
　　Heneedn'thaventakenthetroubletoshrinkfromMr。Bumble'sglance，however；forthatfunctionary，onwhomthepredictionofthegentlemaninthewhitewaistcoathadmadeaverystrongimpression，thoughtthatnowtheundertakerhadgotOliverupontrialthesubjectwasbetteravoided，untilsuchtimeasheshouldbefirmlyboundforsevenyears，andalldangerofhisbeingreturneduponthehandsoftheparishshouldbethuseffectuallyandlegallyovercome。
　　'Well，'saidMr。Sowerberry，takinguphishat。'thesoonerthisjobisdone，thebetter。Noah，lookaftertheshop。Oliver，putonyourcap，andcomewithme。'Oliverobeyed，andfollowedhismasteronhisprofessionalmission。
　　Theywalkedon，forsometime，throughthemostcrowdedanddenselyinhabitedpartofthetown；andthen，strikingdownanarrowstreetmoredirtyandmiserablethananytheyhadyetpassedthrough，pausedtolookforthehousewhichwastheobjectoftheirsearch。Thehousesoneithersidewerehighandlarge，butveryold，andtenantedbypeopleofthepoorestclass:astheirneglectedappearancewouldhavesufficientlydentoed，withouttheconcurrenttestimonyaffordedbythesqualidlooksofthefewmenandwomenwho，withfoldedarmsandbodieshalfdoubled，occasionallyskulkedalong。Agreatmanyofthetenementshadshop-fronts；butthesewerefastclosed，andmoulderingaway；onlytheupperroomsbeinginhabited。Somehouseswhichhadbecomeinsecurefromageanddecay，werepreventedfromfallingintothestreet，byhugebeamsofwoodrearedagainstthewalls，andfirmlyplantedintheroad；buteventhesecrazydensseemedtohavebeenselectedasthenightlyhauntsofsomehouselesswretches，formanyoftheroughboardswhichsuppliedtheplaceofdoorandwindow，werewrenchedfromtheirpositions，toaffordanaperturewideenoughforthepassageofahumanbody。Thekennelwasstagnantandfilthy。
　　Theveryrats，whichhereandtherelayputrefyinginitsrottenness，werehideouswithfamine。
　　Therewasneitherknockernorbell-handleattheopendoorwhereOliverandhismasterstopped；so，gropinghiswaycautiouslythroughthedarkpassage，andbiddingOliverkeepclosetohimandnotbeafraidtheundertakermountedtothetopofthefirstflightofstairs。Stumblingagainstadooronthelanding，herappedatitwithhisknuckles。
　　Itwasopenedbyayounggirlofthirteenorfourteen。Theundertakeratoncesawenoughofwhattheroomcontained，toknowitwastheapartmenttowhichhehadbeendirected。Hesteppedin；Oliverfollowedhim。
　　Therewasnofireintheroom；butamanwascrouching，mechanically，overtheemptystove。Anoldwoman，too，haddrawnalowstooltothecoldhearth，andwassittingbesidehim。
　　Thereweresomeraggedchildreninanothercorner；andinasmallrecess，oppositethedoor，therelayupontheground，somethingcoveredwithanoldblanket。Olivershudderedashecasthiseyestowardtheplace，andcreptinvoluntarilyclosertohismaster；forthoughitwascoveredup，theboyfeltthatitwasacorpse。
　　Theman'sfacewasthinandverypale；hishairandbeardweregrizzly；hiseyeswereblookshot。Theoldwoman'sfacewaswrinkled；hertworemainingteethprotrudedoverherunderlip；
　　andhereyeswerebrightandpiercing。Oliverwasafriadtolookateitherherortheman。Theyseemedsoliketheratshehadseenoutside。
　　'Nobodyshallgonearher，'saidtheman，startingfiercelyup，astheundertakerapproachedtherecess。'Keepback！Damnyou，keepback，ifyou'vealifetolose！'
　　'Nonsense，mygoodman，'saidtheundertaker，whowasprettywellusedtomiseryinallitsshapes。'Nonsense！'
　　'Itellyou，'saidtheman:clenchinghishands，andstampingfuriouslyonthefloor，——'ItellyouIwon'thaveherputintotheground。Shecouldn'trestthere。Thewormswouldworryher——noteather——sheissowornaway。'
　　Theundertakerofferednoreplytothisraving；butproducingatapefromhispocket，kneltdownforamomentbythesideofthebody。
　　'Ah！'saidtheman:burstingintotears，andsinkingonhiskneesatthefeetofthedeadwoman；'kneeldown，kneeldown——kneelroundher，everyoneofyou，andmarkmywords！Isayshewasstarvedtodeath。Ineverknewhowbadshewas，tillthefevercameuponher；andthenherboneswerestartingthroughtheskin。Therewasneitherfirenorcandle；shediedinthedark——inthedark！Shecouldn'tevenseeherchildren'sfaces，thoughweheardhergaspingouttheirnames。Ibeggedforherinthestreets:andtheysentmetoprison。WhenIcameback，shewasdying；andallthebloodinmyhearthasdriedup，fortheystarvedhertodeath。IswearitbeforetheGodthatsawit！
　　Theystarvedher！'Hetwinedhishandsinhishair；and，withaloudscream，rolledgrovellinguponthefloor:hiseyesfixed，andthefoamcoveringhislips。
　　Theterrifiedchildrencriedbitterly；buttheoldwoman，whohadhithertoremainedasquietasifshehadbeenwhollydeaftoallthatpassed，menacedthemintosilence。Havingunloosenedthecravatofthemanwhostillremainedextendedontheground，shetotteredtowardstheundertaker。
　　'Shewasmydaughter，'saidtheoldwoman，noddingherheadinthedirectionofthecorpse；andspeakingwithanidioticleer，moreghastlythaneventhepresenceofdeathinsuchaplace。
　　'Lord，Lord！Well，itISstrangethatIwhogavebirthtoher，andwasawomanthen，shouldbealiveandmerrynow，andshelyingther:socoldandstiff！Lord，Lord！——tothinkofit；
　　it'sasgoodasaplay——asgoodasaplay！'
　　Asthewretchedcreaturemumbledandchuckledinherhideousmerriment，theundertakerturnedtogoaway。
　　'Stop，stop！'saidtheoldwomaninaloudwhisper。'Willshebeburiedto-morrow，ornextday，orto-night?Ilaidherout；andImustwalk，youknow。Sendmealargecloak:agoodwarmone:
　　foritisbittercold。Weshouldhavecakeandwine，too，beforewego！Nevermind；sendsomebread——onlyaloafofbreadandacupofwater。Shallwehavesomebread，dear?'shesaideagerly:
　　catchingattheundertaker'scoat，asheoncemoremovedtowardsthedoor。
　　'Yes，yes，'saidtheundertaker，'ofcourse。Anythingyoulike！'
　　Hedisengagedhimselffromtheoldwoman'sgrasp；and，drawingOliverafterhim，hurriedaway。
　　Thenextday，thefamilyhavingbeenmeanwhilerelievedwithahalf-quarternloafandapieceofcheese，leftwiththembyMr。
　　Bumblehimself，Oliverandhismasterreturnedtothemiserableabode；whereMr。Bumblehadalreadyarrived，accompaniedbyfourmenfromtheworkhouse，whoweretoactasbearers。Anoldblackcloakhadbeenthrownovertheragsoftheoldwomanandtheman；
　　andthebarecoffinhavingbeenscreweddown，washoistedontheshouldersofthebearers，andcarriedintothestreet。
　　'Now，youmustputyourbestlegforemost，oldlady！'whisperedSowerberryintheoldwoman'sear；'weareratherlate；anditwon'tdo，tokeeptheclergymanwaiting。Moveon，mymen，——asquickasyoulike！'
　　Thusdirected，thebearerstrottedonundertheirlightburden；
　　andthetwomournerskeptasnearthem，astheycould。Mr。
　　BumbleandSowerberrywalkedatagoodsmartpaceinfront；andOliver，whoselegswerenotsolongashismaster's，ranbytheside。
　　TherewasnotsogreatanecessityforhurryingasMr。Sowerberryhadanticipated，however；forwhentheyreachedtheobscurecornerofthechurchyardinwhichthenettlesgrew，andwheretheparishgravesweremade，theclergymanhadnotarrived；andtheclerk，whowassittingbythevestry-roomfire，seemedtothinkitbynomeansimprobablethatitmightbeanhourorso，beforehecame。So，theyputthebieronthebrinkofthegrave；andthetwomournerswaitedpatientlyinthedampclay，withacoldraindrizzlingdown，whiletheraggedboyswhomthespectaclehadattractedintothechurchyardplayedanoisygameathide-and-seekamongthetombstones，orvariedtheiramusementsbyjumpingbackwardsandforwardsoverthecoffin。Mr。SowerberryandBumble，beingpersonalfriendsoftheclerk，satbythefirewithhim，andreadthepaper。
　　Atlength，afteralapseofsomethingmorethananhour，Mr。
　　Bumble，andSowerberry，andtheclerk，wereseenrunningtowardsthegrave。Immediatelyafterwards，theclergymanappeared:
　　puttingonhissurpliceashecamealong。Mr。Bumblethenthrashedaboyortwo，tokeepupappearances；andthereverendgentleman，havingreadasmuchoftheburialserviceascouldbecompressedintofourminutes，gavehissurplicetotheclerk，andwalkedawayagain。
　　'Now，Bill！'saidSowerberrytothegrave-digger。'Fillup！'
　　Itwasnoverydifficulttask，forthegravewassofull，thattheuppermostcoffinwaswithinafewfeetofthesurface。Thegrave-diggershovelledintheearth；stampeditlooselydownwithhisfeet:shoulderedhisspade；andwalkedoff，followedbytheboys，whomurmuredveryloudcomplaintsatthefunbeingoversosoon。
　　'Come，mygoodfellow！'saidBumble，tappingthemanontheback。
　　'Theywanttoshutuptheyard。'
　　Themanwhohadneveroncemoved，sincehehadtakenhisstationbythegraveside，started，raisedhishead，staredatthepersonwhohadaddressedhim，walkedforwardforafewpaces；andfelldowninaswoon。Thecrazyoldwomanwastoomuchoccupiedinbewailingthelossofhercloakwhichtheundertakerhadtakenoff，topayhimanyattention；sotheythrewacanofcoldwateroverhim；andwhenhecameto，sawhimsafelyoutofthechurchyard，lockedthegate，anddepartedontheirdifferentways。
　　'Well，Oliver，'saidSowerberry，astheywalkedhome，'howdoyoulikeit?'
　　'Prettywell，thankyou，sir'repliedOliver，withconsiderablehesitation。'Notverymuch，sir。'
　　'Ah，you'llgetusedtoitintime，Oliver，'saidSowerberry。
　　'NothingwhenyouAREusedtoit，myboy。'
　　Oliverwondered，inhisownmind，whetherithadtakenaverylongtimetogetMr。Sowerberryusedtoit。Buthethoughtitbetternottoaskthequestion；andwalkedbacktotheshop:
　　thinkingoverallhehadseenandheard。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　OLIVER，BEINGGOADEDBYTHETAUNTSOFNOAH，ROUSESINTOACTION，ANDRATHERASTONISHESHIM
　　Themonth'strialover，Oliverwasformallyapprenticed。Itwasanicesicklyseasonjustatthistime。Incommercialphrase，coffinswerelookingup；and，inthecourseofafewweeks，Oliveracquiredagreatdealofexperience。ThesuccessofMr。
　　Sowerberry'singeniousspeculation，exceededevenhismostsanguinehopes。Theoldestinhabitantsrecollectednoperiodatwhichmeasleshadbeensoprevalent，orsofataltoinfantexistence；andmanywerethemournfulprocessionswhichlittleOliverheaded，inahat-bandreachingdowntohisknees，totheindescribableadmirationandemotionofallthemothersinthetown。AsOliveraccompaniedhismasterinmostofhisadultexpeditionstoo，inorderthathemightacquirethatequanimityofdemeanourandfullcommandofnervewhichwasessentialtoafinishedundertaker，hehadmanyopportunitiesofobservingthebeautifulresignationandfortitudewithwhichsomestrong-mindedpeoplebeartheirtrialsandlosses。
　　Forinstance；whenSowerberryhadanorderfortheburialofsomericholdladyorgentleman，whowassurroundedbyagreatnumberofnephewsandnieces，whohadbeenperfectlyinconsolableduringthepreviousillness，andwhosegriefhadbeenwhollyirrepressibleevenonthemostpublicoccasions，theywouldbeashappyamongthemselvesasneedbe——quitecheerfulandcontented——conversingtogetherwithasmuchfreedomandgaiety，asifnothingwhateverhadhappenedtodisturbthem。Husbands，too，borethelossoftheirwiveswiththemostheroiccalmness。
　　Wives，again，putonweedsfortheirhusbands，asif，sofarfromgrievinginthegarbofsorrow，theyhadmadeuptheirmindstorenderitasbecomingandattractiveaspossible。Itwasobservable，too，thatladiesandgentlemenwhowereinpassionsofanguishduringtheceremonyofinterment，recoveredalmostassoonastheyreachedhome，andbecamequitecomposedbeforethetea-drinkingwasover。Allthiswasverypleasantandimprovingtosee；andOliverbehelditwithgreatadmiration。
　　ThatOliverTwistwasmovedtoresignationbytheexampleofthesegoodpeople，Icannot，althoughIamhisbiographer，undertaketoaffirmwithanydegreeofconfidence；butIcanmostdistinctlysay，thatformanymonthshecontinuedmeeklytosubmittothedominationandill-treatmentofNoahClaypole:whousedhimfarworsethanbefore，nowthathisjealousywasrousedbyseeingthenewboypromotedtotheblackstickandhatband，whilehe，theoldone，remainedstationaryinthemuffin-capandleathers。Charlottetreatedhimill，becauseNoahdid；andMrs。
　　Sowerberrywashisdecidedenemy，becauseMr。Sowerberrywasdisposedtobehisfriend；so，betweenthesethreeononeside，andaglutoffuneralsontheother，Oliverwasnotaltogetherascomfortableasthehungrypigwas，whenhewasshutup，bymistake，inthegraindepartmentofabrewery。
　　Andnow，IcometoaveryimportantpassageinOliver'shistory；
　　forIhavetorecordanact，slightandunimportantperhapsinappearance，butwhichindirectlyproducedamaterialchangeinallhisfutureprospectsandproceedings。
　　Oneday，OliverandNoahhaddescendedintothekitchenattheusualdinner-hour，tobanquetuponasmalljointofmutton——apoundandahalfoftheworstendoftheneck——whenCharlottebeingcalledoutoftheway，thereensuedabriefintervaloftime，whichNoahClaypole，beinghungryandvicious，consideredhecouldnotpossiblydevotetoaworthierpurposethanaggravatingandtantalisingyoungOliverTwist。
　　Intentuponthisinnocentamusement，Noahputhisfeetonthetable-cloth；andpulledOliver'shair；andtwitchedhisears；andexpressedhisopinionthathewasa'sneak'；andfurthermoreannouncedhisintentionofcomingtoseehimhanged，wheneverthatdesirableeventshouldtakeplace；andentereduponvarioustopicsofpettyannoyance，likeamaliciousandill-conditionedcharity-boyashewas。But，makingOlivercry，Noahattemptedtobemorefacetiousstill；andinhisattempt，didwhatmanysometimesdotothisday，whentheywanttobefunny。Hegotratherpersonal。
　　'Work'us，'saidNoah，'how'syourmother?'
　　'She'sdead，'repliedOliver；'don'tyousayanythingabouthertome！'
　　Oliver'scolourroseashesaidthis；hebreathedquickly；andtherewasacuriousworkingofthemouthandnostrils，whichMr。
　　Claypolethoughtmustbetheimmediateprecursorofaviolentfitofcrying。Underthisimpressionhereturnedtothecharge。
　　'Whatdidshedieof，Work'us?'saidNoah。
　　'Ofabrokenheart，someofouroldnursestoldme，'repliedOliver:moreasifheweretalkingtohimself，thanansweringNoah。'IthinkIknowwhatitmustbetodieofthat！'
　　'Tolderollollol，rightfollairy，Work'us，'saidNoah，asatearrolleddownOliver'scheek。'What'ssetyouasnivellingnow?'
　　'NotYOU，'repliedOliver，sharply。'There；that'senough。Don'tsayanythingmoretomeabouther；you'dbetternot！'
　　'Betternot！'exclaimedNoah。'Well！Betternot！Work'us，don'tbeimpudent。YOURmother，too！Shewasanice'unshewas。Oh，Lor！'Andhere，Noahnoddedhisheadexpressively；andcurledupasmuchofhissmallrednoseasmuscularactioncouldcollecttogether，fortheoccasion。
　　'Yerknow，Work'us，'continuedNoah，emboldenedbyOliver'ssilence，andspeakinginajeeringtoneofaffectedpity:ofalltonesthemostannoying:'Yerknow，Work'us，itcan'tbehelpednow；andofcourseyercouldn'thelpitthen；andIamverysorryforit；andI'msureweallare，andpityyerverymuch。Butyermustknow，Work'us，yermotherwasaregularright-downbad'un。'
　　'Whatdidyousay?'inquiredOliver，lookingupveryquickly。
　　'Aregularright-downbad'un，Work'us，'repliedNoah，coolly。
　　'Andit'sagreatdealbetter，Work'us，thatshediedwhenshedid，orelseshe'dhavebeenhardlabouringinBridewell，ortransported，orhung；whichismorelikelythaneither，isn'tit?'
　　Crimsonwithfury，Oliverstartedup；overthrewthechairandtable；seizedNoahbythethroat；shookhim，intheviolenceofhisrage，tillhisteethchatteredinhishead；andcollectinghiswholeforceintooneheavyblow，felledhimtotheground。
　　Aminuteago，theboyhadlookedthequietchild，mild，dejectedcreaturethatharshtreatmenthadmadehim。Buthisspiritwasrousedatlast；thecruelinsulttohisdeadmotherhadsethisbloodonfire。Hisbreastheaved；hisattitudewaserect；hiseyebrightandvivid；hiswholepersonchanged，ashestoodglaringoverthecowardlytormentorwhonowlaycrouchingathisfeet；anddefiedhimwithanenergyhehadneverknownbefore。
　　'He'llmurderme！'blubberedNoah。'Charlotte！missis！Here'sthenewboyamurderingofme！Help！help！Oliver'sgonemad！
　　Char——lotte！'
　　Noah'sshoutswererespondedto，byaloudscreamfromCharlotte，andalouderfromMrs。Sowerberry；theformerofwhomrushedintothekitchenbyaside-door，whilethelatterpausedonthestaircasetillshewasquitecertainthatitwasconsistentwiththepreservationofhumanlife，tocomefurtherdown。
　　'Oh，youlittlewretch！'screamedCharlotte:seizingOliverwithherutmostforce，whichwasaboutequaltothatofamoderatelystrongmaninparticularlygoodtraining。'Oh，youlittleun-grate-ful，mur-de-rous，hor-ridvillain！'Andbetweeneverysyllable，CharlottegaveOliverablowwithallhermight:
　　accompanyingitwithascream，forthebenefitofsociety。
　　Charlotte'sfistwasbynomeansalightone；but，lestitshouldnotbeeffectualincalmingOliver'swrath，Mrs。Sowerberryplungedintothekitchen，andassistedtoholdhimwithonehand，whileshescratchedhisfacewiththeother。Inthisfavourablepositionofaffairs，Noahrosefromtheground，andpommelledhimbehind。
　　Thiswasrathertooviolentexercisetolastlong。Whentheywereallweariedout，andcouldtearandbeatnolonger，theydraggedOliver，strugglingandshouting，butnothingdaunted，intothedust-cellar，andtherelockedhimup。Thisbeingdone，Mrs。Sowerberrysunkintoachair，andburstintotears。
　　'Blessher，she'sgoingoff！'saidCharlotte。'Aglassofwater，Noah，dear。Makehaste！'
　　'Oh！Charlotte，'saidMrs。Sowerberry:speakingaswellasshecould，throughadeficiencyofbreath，andasufficiencyofcoldwater，whichNoahhadpouredoverherheadandshoulders。'Oh！
　　Charlotte，whatamercywehavenotallbeenmurderedinourbeds！'
　　'Ah！mercyindeed，ma'am，'wasthereply。Ionlyhopethis'llteachmasternottohaveanymoreofthesedreadfulcreatures，thatareborntobemurderersandrobbersfromtheirverycradle。
　　PoorNoah！Hewasallbutkilled，ma'am，whenIcomein。'
　　'Poorfellow！'saidMrs。Sowerberry:lookingpiteouslyonthecharity-boy。
　　Noah，whosetopwaistcoat-buttonmighthavebeensomewhereonalevelwiththecrownofOliver'shead，rubbedhiseyeswiththeinsideofhiswristswhilethiscommiserationwasbestoweduponhim，andperformedsomeaffectingtearsandsniffs。
　　'What'stobedone！'exclaimedMrs。Sowerberry。'Yourmaster'snotathome；there'snotamaninthehouse，andhe'llkickthatdoordownintenminutes。'Oliver'svigorousplungesagainstthebitoftimberinquestion，renderedthisoccurancehighlyprobable。
　　'Dear，dear！Idon'tknow，ma'am，'saidCharlotte，'unlesswesendforthepolice-officers。'
　　'Orthemillingtary，'suggestedMr。Claypole。
　　'No，no，'saidMrs。Sowerberry:bethinkingherselfofOliver'soldfriend。'RuntoMr。Bumble，Noah，andtellhimtocomeheredirectly，andnottoloseaminute；nevermindyourcap！Makehaste！Youcanholdaknifetothatblackeye，asyourunalong。
　　It'llkeeptheswellingdown。'
　　Noahstoppedtomakenoreply，butstartedoffathisfullestspeed；andverymuchitastonishedthepeoplewhowereoutwalking，toseeacharity-boytearingthroughthestreetspell-mell，withnocaponhishead，andaclasp-knifeathiseye。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　OLIVERCONTINUESREFRACTORY
　　NoahClaypoleranalongthestreetsathisswiftestpace，andpausednotonceforbreath，untilhereachedtheworkhouse-gate。
　　Havingrestedhere，foraminuteorso，tocollectagoodburstofsobsandanimposingshowoftearsandterror，heknockedloudlyatthewicket；andpresentedsucharuefulfacetotheagedpauperwhoopenedit，thatevenhe，whosawnothingbutruefulfacesabouthimatthebestoftimes，startedbackinastonishment。
　　'Why，what'sthematterwiththeboy！'saidtheoldpauper。
　　'Mr。Bumble！Mr。Bumble！'criedNoah，witwell-affecteddismay:
　　andintonessoloudandagitated，thattheynotonlycaughttheearofMr。Bumblehimself，whohappenedtobehardby，butalarmedhimsomuchthatherushedintotheyardwithouthiscockedhat，——whichisaverycuriousandremarkablecircumstance:asshowingthatevenabeadle，acteduponasuddenandpowerfulimpulse，maybeafflictedwithamomentaryvisitationoflossofself-possession，andforgetfulnessofpersonaldignity。
　　'Oh，Mr。Bumble，sir！'saidNoah:'Oliver，sir，——Oliverhas——'
　　'What?What?'interposedMr。Bumble:withagleamofpleasureinhismetalliceyes。'Notrunaway；hehasn'trunaway，hashe，Noah?'
　　'No，sir，no。Notrunaway，sir，buthe'sturnedwicious，'
　　repliedNoah。'Hetriedtomurderme，sir；andthenhetriedtomurderCharlotte；andthenmissis。Oh！whatdreadfulpainitis！
　　Suchagony，please，sir！'Andhere，Noahwrithedandtwistedhisbodyintoanextensivevarietyofeel-likepositions；therebygivingMr。Bumbletounderstandthat，fromtheviolentandsanguinaryonsetofOliverTwist，hehadsustainedsevereinternalinjuryanddamage，fromwhichhewasatthatmomentsufferingtheacutesttorture。
　　WhenNoahsawthattheintelligencehecommunicatedperfectlyparalysedMr。Bumble，heimpartedadditionaleffectthereunto，bybewailinghisdreadfulwoundstentimeslouderthanbefore；andwhenheobservedagentlemaninawhitewaistcoatcrossingtheyard，hewasmoretragicinhislamentationsthanever:rightlyconceivingithighlyexpedienttoattractthenotice，androusetheindignation，ofthegentlemanaforesaid。
　　Thegentleman'snoticewasverysoonattracted；forhehadnotwalkedthreepaces，whenheturnedangrilyround，andinquiredwhatthatyoungcurwashowlingfor，andwhyMr。Bumbledidnotfavourhimwithsomethingwhichwouldrendertheseriesofvocularexclamationssodesignated，aninvoluntaryprocess?
　　'It'sapoorboyfromthefree-school，sir，'repliedMr。Bumble，'whohasbeennearlymurdered——allbutmurdered，sir，——byyoungTwist。'
　　'ByJove！'exclaimedthegentlemaninthewhitewaistcoat，stoppingshort。'Iknewit！Ifeltastrangepresentimentfromtheveryfirst，thatthataudaciousyoungsavagewouldcometobehung！'
　　'Hehaslikewiseattempted，sir，tomurderthefemaleservant，'
　　saidMr。Bumble，withafaceofashypaleness。
　　'Andhismissis，'interposedMr。Claypole。
　　'Andhismaster，too，Ithinkyousaid，Noah?'addedMr。Bumble。
　　'No！he'sout，orhewouldhavemurderedhim，'repliedNoah。'Hesaidhewantedto。'
　　'Ah！Saidhewantedto，didhe，myboy?'inquiredthegentlemaninthewhitewaistcoat。
　　'Yes，sir，'repliedNoah。'Andplease，sir，missiswantstoknowwhetherMr。Bumblecansparetimetostepupthere，directly，andfloghim——'causemaster'sout。'
　　'Certainly，myboy；certainly，'saidthegentlemaninthewhitewaistcoat:smilingbenignly，andpattingNoah'shead，whichwasaboutthreeincheshigherthanhisown。'You'reagoodboy——averygoodboy。Here'sapennyforyou。Bumble，juststepuptoSowerberry'swithyourcane，andseedwhat'sbesttobedone。
　　Don'tsparehim，Bumble。'
　　'No，Iwillnot，sir，'repliedthebeadle。Andthecockedhatandcanehavingbeen，bythistime，adjustedtotheirowner'ssatisfaction，Mr。BumbleandNoahClaypolebetookthemselveswithallspeedtotheundertaker'sshop。
　　Herethepositionofaffairshadnotatallimproved。Sowerberryhadnotyetreturned，andOlivercontinuedtokick，withundiminishedvigour，atthecellar-door。TheaccountsofhisferocityasrelatedbyMrs。SowerberryandCharlotte，wereofsostartlinganature，thatMr。Bumblejudgeditprudenttoparley，beforeopeningthedoor。Withthisviewhegaveakickattheoutside，bywayofprelude；and，then，applyinghismouthtothekeyhole，said，inadeepandimpressivetone:
　　'Oliver！'
　　'Come；youletmeout！'repliedOliver，fromtheinside。
　　'Doyouknowthisherevoice，Oliver?'saidMr。Bumble。
　　'Yes，'repliedOliver。
　　'Ain'tyouafraidofit，sir?Ain'tyoua-tremblingwhileI
　　speak，sir?'saidMr。Bumble。
　　'No！'repliedOliver，boldly。
　　Ananswersodifferentfromtheonehehadexpectedtoelicit，andwasinthehabitofreceiving，staggeredMr。Bumblenotalittle。Hesteppedbackfromthekeyhole；drewhimselfuptohisfullheight；andlookedfromonetoanotherofthethreebystanders，inmuteastonishment。
　　'Oh，youknow，Mr。Bumble，hemustbemad，'saidMrs。Sowerberry。
　　'Noboyinhalfhissensescouldventuretospeaksotoyou。'
　　'It'snotMadness，ma'am，'repliedMr。Bumble，afterafewmomentsofdeepmeditation。'It'sMeat。'
　　'What?'exclaimedMrs。Sowerberry。
　　'Meat，ma'am，meat，'repliedBumble，withsternemphasis。
　　'You'veover-fedhim，ma'am。You'veraisedaartificialsoulandspiritinhim，ma'amunbecomingapersonofhiscondition:astheboard，Mrs。Sowerberry，whoarepracticalphilosophers，willtellyou。Whathavepauperstodowithsoulorspirit?It'squiteenoughthatwelet'emhavelivebodies。Ifyouhadkepttheboyongruel，ma'am，thiswouldneverhavehappened。'
　　'Dear，dear！'ejaculatedMrs。Sowerberry，piouslyraisinghereyestothekitchenceiling:'thiscomesofbeingliberal！'
　　TheliberalityofMrs。SowerberrytoOliver，hadconsistedofaprofusebestowaluponhimofallthedirtyoddsandendswhichnobodyelsewouldeat；sotherewasagreatdealofmeeknessandself-devotioninhervoluntarilyremainingunderMr。Bumble'sheavyaccusation。Ofwhich，todoherjustice，shewaswhollyinnocent，inthought，word，ordeed。
　　'Ah！'saidMr。Bumble，whentheladybroughthereyesdowntoearthagain；'theonlythingthatcanbedonenow，thatIknowof，istoleavehiminthecellarforadayorso，tillhe'salittlestarveddown；andthentotakehimout，andkeephimongruelallthroughtheapprenticeship。Hecomesofabadfamily。
　　Excitablenatures，Mrs。Sowerberry！Boththenurseanddoctorsaid，thatthatmotherofhismadeherwayhere，againstdifficultiesandpainthatwouldhavekilledanywell-disposedwoman，weeksbefore。'
　　AtthispointofMr。Bumble'sdiscourse，Oliver，justhearingenoughtoknowthatsomeallusionwasbeingmadetohismother，recommencedkicking，withaviolencethatrenderedeveryothersoundinaudible。Sowerberryreturnedatthisjuncture。Oliver'soffencehavingbeenexplainedtohim，withsuchexaggerationsastheladiesthoughtbestcalculatedtorousehisire，heunlockedthecellar-doorinatwinkling，anddraggedhisrebelliousapprenticeout，bythecollar。
　　Oliver'sclotheshadbeentorninthebeatinghehadreceived；
　　hisfacewasbruisedandscratched；andhishairscatteredoverhisforehead。Theangryflushhadnotdisappeared，however；andwhenhewaspulledoutofhisprison，hescowledboldlyonNoah，andlookedquiteundismayed。
　　'Now，youareaniceyoungfellow，ain'tyou?'saidSowerberry；
　　givingOliverashake，andaboxontheear。
　　'Hecalledmymothernames，'repliedOliver。
　　'Well，andwhatifhedid，youlittleungratefulwretch?'saidMrs。Sowerberry。'Shedeservedwhathesaid，andworse。'
　　'Shedidn't'saidOliver。
　　'Shedid，'saidMrs。Sowerberry。
　　'It'salie！'saidOliver。
　　Mrs。Sowerberryburstintoafloodoftears。
　　ThisfloodoftearsleftMr。Sowerberrynoalternative。IfhehadhesitatedforoneinstanttopunishOlivermostseverely，itmustbequitecleartoeveryexperiencedreaderthathewouldhavebeen，accordingtoallprecedentsindisputesofmatrimonyestablished，abrute，anunnaturalhusband，aninsultingcreature，abaseimitationofaman，andvariousotheragreeablecharacterstoonumerousforrecitalwithinthelimitsofthischapter。Todohimjustice，hewas，asfarashispowerwent——itwasnotveryextensive——kindlydisposedtowardstheboy；perhaps，becauseitwashisinteresttobeso；perhaps，becausehiswifedislikedhim。Thefloodoftears，however，lefthimnoresource；
　　soheatoncegavehimadrubbing，whichsatisfiedevenMrs。
　　Sowerberryherself，andrenderedMr。Bumble'ssubsequentapplicationoftheparochialcane，ratherunnecessary。Fortherestoftheday，hewasshutupinthebackkitchen，incompanywithapumpandasliceofbread；andatnight，Mrs。Sowerberry，aftermakingvariousremarksoutsidethedoor，bynomeanscomplimentarytothememoryofhismother，lookedintotheroom，and，amidstthejeersandpointingsofNoahandCharlotte，orderedhimupstairstohisdismalbed。
　　Itwasnotuntilhewasleftaloneinthesilenceandstillnessofthegloomyworkshopoftheundertaker，thatOlivergavewaytothefeelingswhichtheday'streatmentmaybesupposedlikelytohaveawakenedinamerechild。Hehadlistenedtotheirtauntswithalookofcontempt；hehadbornethelashwithoutacry:
　　forhefeltthatprideswellinginhisheartwhichwouldhavekeptdownashriektothelast，thoughtheyhadroastedhimalive。Butnow，whentherewerenonetoseeorhearhim，hefelluponhiskneesonthefloor；and，hidinghisfaceinhishands，weptsuchtearsas，Godsendforthecreditofournature，fewsoyoungmayeverhavecausetopouroutbeforehim！
　　Foralongtime，Oliverremainedmotionlessinthisattitude。Thecandlewasburninglowinthesocketwhenherosetohisfeet。
　　Havinggazedcautiouslyroundhim，andlistenedintently，hegentlyundidthefasteningsofthedoor，andlookedabroad。
　　Itwasacold，darknight。Thestarsseemed，totheboy'seyes，fartherfromtheearththanhehadeverseenthembefore；therewasnowind；andthesombreshadowsthrownbythetreesupontheground，lookedsepulchralanddeath-like，frombeingsostill。
　　Hesoftlyreclosedthedoor。Havingavailedhimselfoftheexpiringlightofthecandletotieupinahandkerchiefthefewarticlesofwearingapparelhehad，sathimselfdownuponabench，towaitformorning。
　　Withthefirstrayoflightthatstruggledthroughthecrevicesintheshutters，Oliverarose，andagainunbarredthedoor。Onetimidlookaround——onemoment'spauseofhesitation——hehadcloseditbehindhim，andwasintheopenstreet。
　　Helookedtotherightandtotheleft，uncertainwhithertofly。
　　Herememberedtohaveseenthewaggons，astheywentout，toilingupthehill。Hetookthesameroute；andarrivingatafootpathacrossthefields:whichheknew，aftersomedistance，ledoutagainintotheroad；struckintoit，andwalkedquicklyon。
　　Alongthissamefootpath，Oliverwell-rememberedhehadtrottedbesideMr。Bumble，whenhefirstcarriedhimtotheworkhousefromthefarm。Hiswaylaydirectlyinfrontofthecottage。
　　Hisheartbeatquicklywhenhebethoughthimselfofthis；andhehalfresolvedtoturnback。Hehadcomealongwaythough，andshouldloseagreatdealoftimebydoingso。Besides，itwassoearlythattherewasverylittlefearofhisbeingseen；sohewalkedon。
　　Hereachedthehouse。Therewasnoappearanceofitsinmatesstirringatthatearlyhour。Oliverstopped，andpeepedintothegarden。Achildwasweedingoneofthelittlebeds；ashestopped，heraisedhispalefaceanddisclosedthefeaturesofoneofhisformercompanions。Oliverfeltgladtoseehim，beforehewent；for，thoughyoungerthanhimself，hehadbeenhislittlefriendandplaymate。Theyhadbeenbeaten，andstarved，andshutuptogether，manyandmanyatime。
　　'Hush，Dick！'saidOliver，astheboyrantothegate，andthrusthisthinarmbetweentherailstogreethim。'Isanyoneup?'
　　'Nobodybutme，'repliedthechild。
　　'Youmusn'tsayyousawme，Dick，'saidOliver。'Iamrunningaway。Theybeatandill-useme，Dick；andIamgoingtoseekmyfortune，somelongwayoff。Idon'tknowwhere。Howpaleyouare！'
　　'IheardthedoctortellthemIwasdying，'repliedthechildwithafaintsmile。'Iamverygladtoseeyou，dear；butdon'tstop，don'tstop！'
　　'Yes，yes，Iwill，tosaygood-b'yetoyou，'repliedOliver。'I
　　shallseeyouagain，Dick。IknowIshall！Youwillbewellandhappy！'
　　'Ihopeso，'repliedthechild。'AfterIamdead，butnotbefore。Iknowthedoctormustberight，Oliver，becauseIdreamsomuchofHeaven，andAngels，andkindfacesthatIneverseewhenIamawake。Kissme，'saidthechild，climbingupthelowgate，andflinginghislittlearmsroundOliver'sneck。
　　'Good-b'ye，dear！Godblessyou！'
　　Theblessingwasfromayoungchild'slips，butitwasthefirstthatOliverhadeverheardinvokeduponhishead；andthroughthestrugglesandsufferings，andtroublesandchanges，ofhisafterlife，heneveronceforgotit。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　OLIVERWALKSTOLONDON。HEENCOUNTERSONTHEROADASTRANGESORT
　　OFYOUNGGENTLEMAN
　　Oliverreachedthestileatwhichtheby-pathterminated；andoncemoregainedthehigh-road。Itwaseighto'clocknow。Thoughhewasnearlyfivemilesawayfromthetown，heran，andhidbehindthehedges，byturns，tillnoon:fearingthathemightbepursuedandovertaken。Thenhesatdowntorestbythesideofthemilestone，andbegantothink，forthefirsttime，wherehehadbettergoandtrytolive。
　　Thestonebywhichhewasseated，bore，inlargecharacters，anintimationthatitwasjustseventymilesfromthatspottoLondon。Thenameawakenedanewtrainofideasintheboy'smind。
　　London！——thatgreatplace！——nobody——notevenMr。Bumble——couldeverfindhimthere！Hehadoftenheardtheoldmenintheworkhouse，too，saythatnoladofspiritneedwantinLondon；
　　andthattherewerewaysoflivinginthatvastcity，whichthosewhohadbeenbredupincountrypartshadnoideaof。Itwastheveryplaceforahomelessboy，whomustdieinthestreetsunlesssomeonehelpedhim。Asthesethingspassedthroughhisthoughts，hejumpeduponhisfeet，andagainwalkedforward。
　　HehaddiminishedthedistancebetweenhimselfandLondonbyfullfourmilesmore，beforeherecollectedhowmuchhemustundergoerehecouldhopetoreachhisplaceofdestination。Asthisconsiderationforceditselfuponhim，heslackenedhispacealittle，andmeditateduponhismeansofgettingthere。Hehadacrustofbread，acoarseshirt，andtwopairsofstockings，inhisbundle。Hehadapennytoo——agiftofSowerberry'saftersomefuneralinwhichhehadacquittedhimselfmorethanordinarilywell——inhispocket。'Acleanshirt，'thoughtOliver，'isaverycomfortablething；andsoaretwopairsofdarnedstockings；andsoisapenny；buttheysmallhelpstoasixty-fivemiles'walkinwintertime。'ButOliver'sthoughts，likethoseofmostotherpeople，althoughtheywereextremelyreadyandactivetopointouthisdifficulties，werewhollyatalosstosuggestanyfeasiblemodeofsurmountingthem；so，afteragooddealofthinkingtonoparticularpurpose，hechangedhislittlebundleovertotheothershoulder，andtrudgedon。
　　Oliverwalkedtwentymilesthatday；andallthattimetastednothingbutthecrustofdrybread，andafewdraughtsofwater，whichhebeggedatthecottage-doorsbytheroad-side。Whenthenightcame，heturnedintoameadow；and，creepingcloseunderahay-rick，determinedtoliethere，tillmorning。Hefeltfrightenedatfirst，forthewindmoaneddismallyovertheemptyfields:andhewascoldandhungry，andmorealonethanhehadeverfeltbefore。Beingverytiredwithhiswalk，however，hesoonfellasleepandforgothistroubles。
　　Hefeltcoldandstiff，whenhegotupnextmorning，andsohungrythathewasobligedtoexchangethepennyforasmallloaf，intheveryfirstvillagethroughwhichhepassed。Hehadwalkednomorethantwelvemiles，whennightclosedinagain。
　　Hisfeetweresore，andhislegssoweakthattheytrembledbeneathhim。Anothernightpassedinthebleakdampair，madehimworse；whenhesetforwardonhisjourneynextmorninghecouldhardlycrawlalong。
　　Hewaitedatthebottomofasteephilltillastage-coachcameup，andthenbeggedoftheoutsidepassengers；buttherewereveryfewwhotookanynoticeofhim:andeventhosetoldhimtowaittilltheygottothetopofthehill，andthenletthemseehowfarhecouldrunforahalfpenny。PoorOlivertriedtokeepupwiththecoachalittleway，butwasunabletodoit，byreasonofhisfatigueandsorefeet。Whentheoutsidessawthis，theyputtheirhalfpencebackintotheirpocketsagain，declaringthathewasanidleyoungdog，anddidn'tdeserveanything；andthecoachrattledawayandleftonlyacloudofdustbehind。
　　Insomevillages，largepaintedboardswerefixedup:warningallpersonswhobeggedwithinthedistrict，thattheywouldbesenttojail。ThisfrightenedOliververymuch，andmadehimgladtogetoutofthosevillageswithallpossibleexpedition。Inothers，hewouldstandabouttheinn-yards，andlookmournfullyateveryonewhopassed:aproceedingwhichgenerallyterminatedinthelandlady'sorderingoneofthepost-boyswhowereloungingabout，todrivethatstrangeboyoutoftheplace，forshewassurehehadcometostealsomething。Ifhebeggedatafarmer'shouse，tentoonebuttheythreatenedtosetthedogonhim；andwhenheshowedhisnoseinashop，theytalkedaboutthebeadle——whichbroughtOliver'sheartintohismouth，——veryoftentheonlythinghehadthere，formanyhourstogether。
　　Infact，ifithadnotbeenforagood-heartedturnpike-man，andabenevolentoldlady，Oliver'stroubleswouldhavebeenshortenedbytheverysameprocesswhichhadputanendtohismother's；inotherwords，hewouldmostassuredlyhavefallendeadupontheking'shighway。Buttheturnpike-mangavehimamealofbreadandcheese；andtheoldlady，whohadashipwreckedgrandsonwanderingbarefootinsomedistantpartoftheearth，tookpityuponthepoororphan，andgavehimwhatlittleshecouldafford——andmore——withsuchkindandgentlywords，andsuchtearsofsympathyandcompassion，thattheysankdeeperintoOliver'ssoul，thanallthesufferingshehadeverundergone。
　　Earlyontheseventhmorningafterhehadlefthisnativeplace，OliverlimpedslowlyintothelittletownofBarnet。Thewindow-shutterswereclosed；thestreetwasempty；notasoulhadawakenedtothebusinessoftheday。Thesunwasrisinginallitssplendidbeauty；butthelightonlyservedtoshowtheboyhisownlonesomenessanddesolation，ashesat，withbleedingfeetandcoveredwithdust，uponadoor-step。
　　Bydegrees，theshutterswereopened；thewindow-blindsweredrawnup；andpeoplebeganpassingtoandfro。SomefewstoppedtogazeatOliverforamomentortwo，orturnedroundtostareathimastheyhurriedby；butnonerelievedhim，ortroubledthemselvestoinquirehowhecamethere。Hehadnohearttobeg。
　　Andtherehesat。
　　Hehadbeencrouchingonthestepforsometime:wonderingatthegreatnumberofpublic-houseseveryotherhouseinBarnetwasatavern，largeorsmall，gazinglistlesslyatthecoachesastheypassedthrough，andthinkinghowstrangeitseemedthattheycoulddo，withease，inafewhours，whatithadtakenhimawholeweekofcourageanddeterminationbeyondhisyearstoaccomplish:whenhewasrousedbyobservingthataboy，whohadpassedhimcarelesslysomeminutesbefore，hadreturned，andwasnowsurveyinghimmostearnestlyfromtheoppositesideoftheway。Hetooklittleheedofthisatfirst；buttheboyremainedinthesameattitudeofcloseobservationsolong，thatOliverraisedhishead，andreturnedhissteadylook。Uponthis，theboycrossedover；andwalkingcloseuptoOliver，said'Hullo，mycovey！What'stherow?'
　　Theboywhoaddressedthisinquirytotheyoungwayfarer，wasabouthisownage:butoneofthequeerestlookingboysthatOliverhadevenseen。Hewasasnub-nosed，flat-browed，common-facedboyenough；andasdirtyajuvenileasonewouldwishtosee；buthehadabouthimalltheairsandmannersofaman。Hewasshortofhisage:withratherbow-legs，andlittle，sharp，uglyeyes。Hishatwasstuckonthetopofhisheadsolightly，thatitthreatenedtofalloffeverymoment——andwouldhavedoneso，veryoften，ifthewearerhadnothadaknackofeverynowandthengivinghisheadasuddentwitch，whichbroughtitbacktoitsoldplaceagain。Heworeaman'scoat，whichreachednearlytohisheels。Hehadturnedthecuffsback，half-wayuphisarm，togethishandsoutofthesleeves:
　　apparentlywiththeultimatedviewofthrustingthemintothepocketsofhiscorduroytrousers；fortherehekeptthem。Hewas，altogether，asroysteringandswaggeringayounggentlemanaseverstoodfourfeetsix，orsomethingless，inthebluchers。
　　'Hullo，mycovey！What'stherow?'saidthisstrangeyounggentlemantoOliver。
　　'Iamveryhungryandtired，'repliedOliver:thetearsstandinginhiseyesashespoke。'Ihavewalkedalongway。Ihavebeenwalkingthesesevendays。'
　　'Walkingforsivindays！'saidtheyounggentleman。'Oh，Isee。
　　Beak'sorder，eh?But，'headded，noticingOliver'slookofsurprise，'Isupposeyoudon'tknowwhatabeakis，myflashcom-pan-i-on。'
　　Olivermildlyreplied，thathehadalwaysheardabird'smouthdescribedbytheterminquestion。
　　'Myeyes，howgreen！'exclaimedtheyounggentleman。'Why，abeak'samadgst'rate；andwhenyouwalkbyabeak'sorder，it'snotstraightforerd，butalwaysagoingup，andniveracomingdownagin。Wasyouneveronthemill?'
　　'Whatmill?'inquiredOliver。
　　'Whatmill！Why，THEmill——themillastakesupsolittleroomthatit'llworkinsideaStoneJug；andalwaysgoesbetterwhenthewind'slowwithpeople，thanwhenit'shigh；acosthentheycan'tgetworkmen。Butcome，'saidtheyounggentleman；'youwantgrub，andyoushallhaveit。I'matlow-water-markmyself——onlyonebobandamagpie；but，asfarasitgoes，I'llforkoutandstump。Upwithyouonyourpins。There！Nowthen！
　　Morrice！'
　　AssistingOlivertorise，theyounggentlemantookhimtoanadjacentchandler'sshop，wherehepurchasedasufficiencyofready-dressedhamandahalf-quarternloaf，or，ashehimselfexpressedit，'afourpennybran！'thehambeingkeptcleanandpreservedfromdust，bytheingeniousexpedientofmakingaholeintheloafbypullingoutaportionofthecrumb，andstuffingittherein。Takingthebreadunderhisarm，theyounggentlmanturnedintoasmallpublic-house，andledthewaytoatap-roomintherearofthepremises。Here，apotofbeerwasbroughtin，bydirectionofthemysteriousyouth；andOliver，fallingto，athisnewfriend'sbidding，madealongandheartymeal，duringtheprogressofwhichthestrangeboyeyedhimfromtimetotimewithgreatattention。
　　'GoingtoLondon?'saidthestrangeboy，whenOliverhadatlengthconcluded。
　　'Yes。'
　　'Gotanylodgings?'
　　'No。'
　　'Money?'
　　'No。'
　　Thestrangeboywhistled；andputhisarmsintohispockets，asfarasthebigcoat-sleeveswouldletthemgo。
　　'DoyouliveinLondon?'inquiredOliver。
　　'Yes。Ido，whenI'mathome，'repliedtheboy。'Isupposeyouwantsomeplacetosleepinto-night，don'tyou?'
　　'Ido，indeed，'answeredOliver。'IhavenotsleptunderaroofsinceIleftthecountry。'
　　'Don'tfretyoureyelidsonthatscore。'saidtheyounggentleman。'I'vegottobeinLondonto-night；andIknowa'spectableoldgentlemanaslivesthere，wot'llgiveyoulodgingsfornothink，andneveraskforthechange——thatis，ifanygenelmanheknowsinterducesyou。Anddon'theknowme?Oh，no！
　　Notintheleast！Bynomeans。Certainlynot！'