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，wasindispensablynecessaryforthesafetyofhimMr。Faginandafewselectfriends。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-namedyounggentlemantookitintohisheadtoevincesomeanxietyregardingthedecorationofhispersontodohimjustice，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。