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！\'