Theyounggentelmansmiled，asiftointimatethatthelatterfragmentsofdiscoursewereplayfullyironical；andfinishedthebeerashedidso。
Thisunexpectedofferofshelterwastootemptingtoberesisted；
especiallyasitwasimmediatelyfollowedup，bytheassurancethattheoldgentlemanreferredto，woulddoubtlessprovideOliverwithacomfortableplace，withoutlossoftime。Thisledtoamorefriendlyandconfidentialdialogue；fromwhichOliverdiscoveredthathisfriend'snamewasJackDawkins，andthathewasapeculiarpetandprotegeoftheelderlygentlemanbeforementioned。
Mr。Dawkin'sappearancedidnotsayavastdealinfavourofthecomfortswhichhispatron'sinterestobtainedforthosewhomhetookunderhisprotection；but，ashehadaratherflightlyanddissolutemodeofconversing，andfurthermoreavowedthatamonghisintimatefriendshewasbetterknownbythesobriquetof'TheArtfulDodger，'Oliverconcludedthat，beingofadissipatedandcarelessturn，themoralpreceptsofhisbenefactorhadhithertobeenthrownawayuponhim。Underthisimpression，hesecretlyresolvedtocultivatethegoodopinionoftheoldgentlemanasquicklyaspossible；and，ifhefoundtheDodgerincorrigible，ashemorethanhalfsuspectedheshould，todeclinethehonourofhisfartheracquaintance。
AsJohnDawkinsobjectedtotheirenteringLondonbeforenightfall，itwasnearlyeleveno'clockwhentheyreachedtheturnpikeatIslington。TheycrossedfromtheAngelintoSt。
John'sRoad；struckdownthesmallstreetwhichterminatesatSadler'sWellsTheatre；throughExmouthStreetandCoppiceRow；
downthelittlecourtbythesideoftheworkhouse；acrosstheclassicgroundwhichonceborethenameofHockley-in-the-Hole；
thenceintoLittleSaffronHill；andsointoSaffronHilltheGreat:alongwhichtheDodgerscuddedatarapidpace，directingOlivertofollowcloseathisheels。
AlthoughOliverhadenoughtooccupyhisattentioninkeepingsightofhisleader，hecouldnothelpbestowingafewhastyglancesoneithersideoftheway，ashepassedalong。Adirtierormorewretchedplacehehadneverseen。Thestreetwasverynarrowandmuddy，andtheairwasimpregnatedwithfilthyodours。
Therewereagoodmanysmallshops；buttheonlystockintradeappearedtobeheapsofchildren，who，evenatthattimeofnight，werecrawlinginandoutatthedoors，orscreamingfromtheinside。Thesoleplacesthatseemedtoprosperamidthegeneralblightoftheplace，werethepublic-houses；andinthem，thelowestordersofIrishwerewranglingwithmightandmain。
Coveredwaysandyards，whichhereandtheredivergedfromthemainstreet，disclosedlittleknotsofhouses，wheredrunkenmenandwomenwerepositivelywallowinginfilth；andfromseveralofthedoor-ways，greatill-lookingfellowswerecautiouslyemerging，bound，toallappearance，onnoverywell-disposedorharmlesserrands。
Oliverwasjustconsideringwhetherhehadn'tbetterrunaway，whentheyreachedthebottomofthehill。Hisconductor，catchinghimbythearm，pushedopenthedoorofahousenearFieldLane；anddrawinghimintothepassage，closeditbehindthem。
'Now，then！'criedavoicefrombelow，inreplytoawhistlefromtheDodger。
'Plummyandslam！'wasthereply。
Thisseemedtobesomewatchwordorsignalthatallwasright；
forthelightofafeeblecandlegleamedonthewallattheremoteendofthepassage；andaman'sfacepeepedout，fromwhereabalustradeoftheoldkitchenstaircasehadbeenbrokenaway。
'There'stwoonyou，'saidtheman，thrustingthecandlefartherout，andshieldinghiseyeswithhishand。'Who'sthet'otherone?'
'Anewpal，'repliedJackDawkins，pullingOliverforward。
'Wheredidhecomefrom?'
'Greenland。IsFaginupstairs?'
'Yes，he'sasortin'thewipes。Upwithyou！'Thecandlewasdrawnback，andthefacedisappeared。
Oliver，gropinghiswaywithonehand，andhavingtheotherfirmlygraspedbyhiscompanion，ascendedwithmuchdifficultythedarkandbrokenstairs:whichhisconductormountedwithaneaseandexpeditionthatshowedhewaswellacquaintedwiththem。
Hethrewopenthedoorofaback-room，anddrewOliverinafterhim。
Thewallsandceilingoftheroomwereperfectlyblackwithageanddirt。Therewasadealtablebeforethefire:uponwhichwereacandle，stuckinaginger-beerbottle，twoorthreepewterpots，aloafandbutter，andaplate。Inafrying-pan，whichwasonthefire，andwhichwassecuredtothemantelshelfbyastring，somesausageswerecooking；andstandingoverthem，withatoasting-forkinhishand，wasaveryoldshrivelledJew，whosevillainous-lookingandrepulsivefacewasobscuredbyaquantityofmattedredhair。Hewasdressedinagreasyflannelgown，withhisthroatbare；andseemedtobedividinghisattentionbetweenthefrying-panandtheclothes-horse，overwhichagreatnumberofsilkhandkerchiefslwerehanging。Severalroughbedsmadeofoldsacks，werehuddledsidebysideonthefloor。Seatedroundthetablewerefourorfiveboys，noneolderthantheDodger，smokinglongclaypipes，anddrinkingspiritswiththeairofmiddle-agedmen。TheseallcrowdedabouttheirassociateashewhisperedafewwordstotheJew；andthenturnedroundandgrinnedatOliver。SodidtheJewhimself，toasting-forkinhand。
'Thisishim，Fagin，'saidJackDawkins；'myfriendOliverTwist。'
TheJewgrinned；and，makingalowobeisancetoOliver，tookhimbythehand，andhopedheshouldhavethehonourofhisintimateacquaintance。Uponthis，theyounggentlemanwiththepipescameroundhim，andshookbothhishandsveryhard——especiallytheoneinwhichheheldhislittlebundle。Oneyounggentlemanwasveryanxioustohanguphiscapforhim；andanotherwassoobligingastoputhishandsinhispockets，inorderthat，ashewasverytired，hemightnothavethetroubleofemptyingthem，himself，whenhewenttobed。Thesecivilitieswouldprobablybeextendedmuchfarther，butforaliberalexerciseoftheJew'stoasting-forkontheheadsandshouldersoftheaffectionateyouthswhoofferedthem。
'Weareverygladtoseeyou，Oliver，very，'saidtheJew。
'Dodger，takeoffthesausages；anddrawatubnearthefireforOliver。Ah，you'rea-staringatthepocket-handkerchiefs！eh，mydear。Thereareagoodmanyof'em，ain'tthere?We'vejustlooked'emout，readyforthewash；that'sall，Oliver；that'sall。Ha！ha！ha！'
Thelatterpartofthisspeech，washailedbyaboisterousshoutfromallthehopefulpupilsofthemerryoldgentleman。Inthemidstofwhichtheywenttosupper。
Oliveratehisshare，andtheJewthenmixedhimaglassofhotgin-and-water:tellinghimhemustdrinkitoffdirectly，becauseanothergentlemanwantedthetumbler。Oliverdidashewasdesired。Immediatelyafterwardshefelthimselfgentlyliftedontooneofthesacks；andthenhesunkintoadeepsleep。
CHAPTERIX
CONTAININGFURTHERPARTICULARSCONCERNINGTHEPLEASANTOLD
GENTLEMAN，ANDHISHOPEFULPUPILS
ItwaslatenextmorningwhenOliverawoke，fromasound，longsleep。TherewasnootherpersonintheroombuttheoldJew，whowasboilingsomecoffeeinasaucepanforbreakfast，andwhistlingsoftlytohimselfashestirreditroundandround，withanironspoon。Hewouldstopeverynowandthentolistenwhentherewastheleastnoisebelow:andwhenhehadsatistifiedhimself，hewouldgoonwhistlingandstirringagain，asbefore。
AlthoughOliverhadrousedhimselffromsleep，hewasnotthoroughlyawake。Thereisadrowsystate，betweensleepingandwaking，whenyoudreammoreinfiveminuteswithyoureyeshalfopen，andyourselfhalfconsciousofeverythingthatispassingaroundyou，thanyouwouldinfivenightswithyoureyesfastclosed，andyoursenseswraptinperfectunconsciousness。Atsuchtime，amortalknowsjustenoughofwhathismindisdoing，toformsomeglimmeringconceptionofitsmightypowers，itsboundingfromearthandspurningtimeandspace，whenfreedfromtherestraintofitscorporealassociate。
Oliverwaspreciselyinthiscondition。HesawtheJewwithhishalf-closedeyes；heardhislowwhistling；andrecognisedthesoundofthespoongratingagainstthesaucepan'ssides:andyettheself-samesenseswerementallyengaged，atthesametime，inbusyactionwithalmosteverybodyhehadeverknown。
Whenthecoffeewasdone，theJewdrewthesaucepantothehob。
Standing，theninanirresoluteattitudeforafewminutes，asifhedidnotwellknowhowtoemployhimself，heturnedroundandlookedatOliver，andcalledhimbyhisname。Hedidnotanswer，andwastoallappearancesasleep。
Aftersatisfiyinghimselfuponthishead，theJewsteppedgentlytothedoor:whichhefastened。Hethendrewforth:asitseemedtoOliver，fromsometrapinthefloor:asmallbox，whichheplacedcarefullyonthetable。Hiseyesglistenedasheraisedthelid，andlookedin。Dragginganoldchairtothetable，hesatdown；andtookfromitamagnificentgoldwatch，sparklingwithjewels。
'Aha！'saidtheJew，shrugginguphisshoulders，anddistortingeveryfeaturewithahideousgrin。'Cleverdogs！Cleverdogs！
Staunchtothelast！Nevertoldtheoldparsonwheretheywere。
NeverpoacheduponoldFagin！Andwhyshouldthey?Itwouldn'thaveloosenedtheknot，orkeptthedropup，aminutelonger。
No，no，no！Finefellows！Finefellows！'
Withthese，andothermutteredreflectionsofthelikenature，theJewoncemoredepositedthewatchinitsplaceofsafety。Atleasthalfadozenmorewereseverallydrawnforthfromthesamebox，andsurveyedwithequalpleasure；besidesrings，brooches，bracelet，andotherarticlesofjewellery，ofsuchmagnificentmaterials，andcostlyworkmanship，thatOliverhadnoidea，evenoftheirnames。
Havingreplacedthesetrinkets，theJewtookoutanother:sosmallthatitlayinthepalmofhishand。Thereseemedtobesomeveryminuteinscriptiononit；fortheJewlaiditflatuponthetable，andshadingitwithhishand，poredoverit，longandearnestly。Atlengthheputitdown，asifdespairingofsuccess；and，leaningbackinhischair，muttered:
'Whatafinethingcapitalpunishmentis！Deadmenneverrepent；
deadmenneverbringawkwardstoriestolight。Ah，it'safinethingforthetrade！Fiveof'emstrungupinarow，andnonelefttoplaybooty，orturnwhite-livered！'
AstheJewutteredthesewords，hisbrightdarkeyes，whichhadbeenstaringvacantlybeforehim，fellonOliver'sface；theboy'seyeswerefixedonhisinmutecuriousity；andalthoughtherecognitionwasonlyforaninstant——forthebriefestspaceoftimethatcanpossiblybeconceived——itwasenoughtoshowtheoldmanthathehadbeenobserved。
Heclosedthelidoftheboxwithaloudcrash；and，layinghishandonabreadknifewhichwasonthetable，startedfuriouslyup。Hetrembledverymuchthough；for，eveninhisterror，Olivercouldseethattheknifequiveredintheair。
'What'sthat?'saidtheJew。'Whatdoyouwatchmefor?Whyareyouawake?Whathaveyouseen?Speakout，boy！Quick——quick！
foryourlife。
'Iwasn'tabletosleepanylonger，sir，'repliedOliver，meekly。
'IamverysorryifIhavedisturbedyou，sir。'
'Youwerenotawakeanhourago?'saidtheJew，scowlingfiercelyontheboy。
'No！No，indeed！'repliedOliver。
'Areyousure?'criedtheJew:withastillfiercerlookthanbefore:andathreateningattitude。
'UponmywordIwasnot，sir，'repliedOliver，earnestly。'Iwasnot，indeed，sir。'
'Tush，tush，mydear！'saidtheJew，abruptlyresuminghisoldmanner，andplayingwiththeknifealittle，beforehelaiditdown；asiftoinducethebeliefthathehadcaughtitup，inmeresport。'OfcourseIknowthat，mydear。Ionlytriedtofrightenyou。You'reabraveboy。Ha！ha！you'reabraveboy，Oliver。'TheJewrubbedhishandswithachuckle，butglanceduneasilyatthebox，notwithstanding。
'Didyouseeanyoftheseprettythings，mydear?'saidtheJew，layinghishanduponitafterashortpause。
'Yes，sir，'repliedOliver。
'Ah！'saidtheJew，turningratherpale。'They——they'remine，Oliver；mylittleproperty。AllIhavetoliveupon，inmyoldage。Thefolkscallmeamiser，mydear。Onlyamiser；that'sall。'
Oliverthoughttheoldgentlemanmustbeadecidedmisertoliveinsuchadirtyplace，withsomanywatches；but，thinkingthatperhapshisfondnessfortheDodgerandtheotherboys，costhimagooddealofmoney，heonlycastadeferentiallookattheJew，andaskedifhemightgetup。
'Certainly，mydear，certainly，'repliedtheoldgentleman。
'Stay。There'sapitcherofwaterinthecornerbythedoor。
Bringithere；andI'llgiveyouabasintowashin，mydear。'
Olivergotup；walkedacrosstheroom；andstoopedforaninstanttoraisethepitcher。Whenheturnedhishead，theboxwasgone。
Hehadscarcelywashedhimself，andmadeeverythingtidy，byemptyingthebasinoutofthewindow，agreeablytotheJew'sdirections，whentheDodgerreturned:accompaniedbyaverysprightlyyoungfriend，whomOliverhadseensmokingonthepreviousnight，andwhowasnowformallyintroducedtohimasCharleyBates。Thefoursatdown，tobreakfast，onthecoffee，andsomehotrollsandhamwhichtheDodgerhadbroughthomeinthecrownofhishat。
'Well，'saidtheJew，glancingslylyatOliver，andaddressinghimselftotheDodger，'Ihopeyou'vebeenatworkthismorning，mydears?'
'Hard，'repliedtheDodger。
'Asnails，'addedCharleyBates。
'Goodboys，goodboys！'saidtheJew。'Whathaveyougot，Dodger?'
'Acoupleofpocket-books，'repliedthatyounggentlman。
'Lined?'inquiredtheJew，witheagerness。
'Prettywell，'repliedtheDodger，producingtwopocket-books；
onegreen，andtheotherred。
'Notsoheavyastheymightbe，'saidtheJew，afterlookingattheinsidescarefully；'butveryneatandnicelymade。Ingeniousworkman，ain'the，Oliver?'
'Veryindeed，sir，'saidOliver。AtwhichMr。CharlesBateslaugheduproariously；verymuchtotheamazementofOliver，whosawnothingtolaughat，inanythingthathadpassed。
'Andwhathaveyougot，mydear?'saidFagintoCharleyBates。
'Wipes，'repliedMasterBates；atthesametimeproducingfourpocket-handkerchiefs。
'Well，'saidtheJew，inspectingthemclosely；'they'reverygoodones，very。Youhaven'tmarkedthemwell，though，Charley；sothemarksshallbepickedoutwithaneedle，andwe'llteachOliverhowtodoit。Shallus，Oliver，eh?Ha！ha！ha！'
'Ifyouplease，sir，'saidOliver。
'You'dliketobeabletomakepocket-handkerchiefsaseasyasCharleyBates，wouldn'tyou，mydear?'saidtheJew。
'Verymuch，indeed，ifyou'llteachme，sir，'repliedOliver。
MasterBatessawsomethingsoexquisitelyludicrousinthisreply，thatheburstintoanotherlaugh；whichlaugh，meetingthecoffeehewasdrinking，andcarryingitdownsomewrongchannel，verynearlyterminatedinhisprematuresuffocation。
'Heissojollygreen！'saidCharleywhenherecovered，asanapologytothecompanyforhisunpolitebehaviour。
TheDodgersaidnothing，buthesmoothedOliver'shairoverhiseyes，andsaidhe'dknowbetter，byandby；uponwhichtheoldgentleman，observingOliver'scolourmounting，changedthesubjectbyaskingwhethertherehadbeenmuchofacrowdattheexecutionthatmorning?Thismadehimwondermoreandmore；foritwasplainfromtherepliesofthetwoboysthattheyhadbothbeenthere；andOlivernaturallywonderedhowtheycouldpossiblyhavefoundtimetobesoveryindustrious。
Whenthebreakfastwasclearedaway；themerryoldgentlmanandthetwoboysplayedataverycuriousanduncommongame，whichwasperformedinthisway。Themerryoldgentleman，placingasnuff-boxinonepocketofhistrousers，anote-caseintheother，andawatchinhiswaistcoatpocket，withaguard-chainroundhisneck，andstickingamockdiamondpininhisshirt:
buttonedhiscoattightroundhim，andputtinghisspectacle-caseandhandkerchiefinhispockets，trottedupanddowntheroomwithastick，inimitationofthemannerinwhicholdgentlmenwalkaboutthestreetsanyhourintheday。Sometimeshestoppedatthefire-place，andsometimesatthedoor，makingbelievethathewasstaringwithallhismightintoshop-windows。Atsuchtimes，hewouldlookconstantlyroundhim，forfearofthieves，andwouldkeepslappingallhispocketsinturn，toseethathehadn'tlostanything，insuchaveryfunnyandnaturalmanner，thatOliverlaughedtillthetearsrandownhisface。Allthistime，thetwoboysfollowedhimcloselyabout:gettingoutofhissight，sonimbly，everytimeheturnedround，thatitwasimpossibletofollowtheirmotions。Atlast，theDodgertroduponhistoes，orranuponhisbootaccidently，whileCharleyBatesstumbledupagainsthimbehind；andinthatonemomenttheytookfromhim，withthemostextraordinaryrapidity，snuff-box，note-case，watch-guard，chain，shirt-pin，pocket-handkerchief，eventhespectacle-case。Iftheoldgentlmanfeltahandinanyoneofhispockets，hecriedoutwhereitwas；andthenthegamebeganalloveragain。
Whenthisgamehadbeenplayedagreatmanytimes，acoupleofyoungladiescalledtoseetheyounggentleman；oneofwhomwasnamedBet，andtheotherNancy。Theyworeagooddealofhair，notveryneatlyturnedupbehind，andwereratheruntidyabouttheshoesandstockings。Theywerenotexactlypretty，perhaps；
buttheyhadagreatdealofcolourintheirfaces，andlookedquitestoutandhearty。Beingremarkablyfreeandagreeableintheirmanners，Oliverthoughtthemverynicegirlsindeed。Asthereisnodoubttheywere。
Thevisitorsstoppedalongtime。Spiritswereproduced，inconsequenceofoneoftheyoungladiescomplainingofacoldnessinherinside；andtheconversationtookaveryconvivialandimprovingturn。Atlength，CharleyBatesexpressedhisopinionthatitwastimetopadthehoof。This，itoccurredtoOliver，mustbeFrenchforgoingout；fordirectlyafterwards，theDodger，andCharley，andthetwoyoungladies，wentawaytogether，havingbeenkindlyfurnishedbytheamiableoldJewwithmoneytospend。
'There，mydear，'saidFagin。'That'sapleasantlife，isn'tit?
Theyhavegoneoutfortheday。'
'Havetheydonework，sir?'inquiredOliver。
'Yes，'saidtheJew；'thatis，unlesstheyshouldunexpectedlycomeacrossany，whentheyareout；andtheywon'tneglectit，iftheydo，mydear，dependuponit。Make'emyourmodels，mydear。
Make'emyourmodels，'tappingthefire-shovelonthehearthtoaddforcetohiswords；'doeverythingtheybidyou，andtaketheiradviceinallmatters——especiallytheDodger's，mydear。
He'llbeagreatmanhimself，andwillmakeyouonetoo，ifyoutakepatternbyhim——Ismyhandkerchiefhangingoutofmypocket，mydear?'saidtheJew，stoppingshort。
'Yes，sir，'saidOliver。
'Seeifyoucantakeitout，withoutmyfeelingit；asyousawthemdo，whenwewereatplaythismorning。'
Oliverheldupthebottomofthepocketwithonehand，ashehadseentheDodgerholdit，anddrewthehandkerchieflightyoutofitwiththeother。
'Isitgone?'criedtheJew。
'Hereitis，sir，'saidOliver，showingitinhishand。
'You'reacleverboy，mydear，'saidtheplayfuloldgentleman，pattingOliverontheheadapprovingly。'Ineversawasharperlad。Here'sashillingforyou。Ifyougoon，inthisway，you'llbethegreatestmanofthetime。Andnowcomehere，andI'llshowyouhowtotakethemarksoutofthehandkerchiefs。'
Oliverwonderedwhatpickingtheoldgentleman'spocketinplay，hadtodowithhischancesofbeingagreatman。But，thinkingthattheJew，beingsomuchhissenior，mustknowbest，hefollowedhimquietlytothetable，andwassoondeeplyinvolvedinhisnewstudy。
CHAPTERX
OLIVERBECOMESBETTERACQUAINTEDWITHTHECHARACTERSOFHISNEW
ASSOCIATES；ANDPURCHASESEXPERIENCEATAHIGHPRICE。BEINGA
SHORT，BUTVERYIMPORTANTCHAPTER，INTHISHISTORY
Formanydays，OliverremainedintheJew'sroom，pickingthemarksoutofthepocket-handkerchief，(ofwhichagreatnumberwerebroughthome，)andsometimestakingpartinthegamealreadydescribed:whichthetwoboysandtheJewplayed，regularly，everymorning。Atlength，hebegantolanguishforfreshair，andtookmanyoccasionsofearnestlyentreatingtheoldgentlemantoallowhimtogoouttoworkwithhistwocompanions。
Oliverwasrenderedthemoreanxioustobeactivelyemployed，bywhathehadseenofthesternmoralityoftheoldgentleman'scharacter。WhenevertheDodgerorCharleyBatescamehomeatnight，empty-handed，hewouldexpatiatewithgreatvehemenceonthemiseryofidleandlazyhabits；andwouldenforceuponthemthenecessityofanactivelife，bysendingthemsupperlesstobed。Ononeoccasion，indeed，heevenwentsofarastoknockthembothdownaflightofstairs；butthiswascarryingouthisvirtuouspreceptstoanunusualextent。
Atlength，onemorning，Oliverobtainedthepermissionhehadsoeagerlysought。Therehadbeennohandkerchiefstoworkupon，fortwoorthreedays，andthedinnershadbeenrathermeagre。
Perhapsthesewerereasonsfortheoldgentleman'sgivinghisassent；but，whethertheywereorno，hetoldOliverhemightgo，andplacedhimunderthejointguardianshipofCharleyBates，andhisfriendtheDodger。
Thethreeboyssalliedout；theDodgerwithhiscoat-sleevestuckedup，andhishatcocked，asusual；MasterBatessaunteringalongwithhishandsinhispockets；andOliverbetweenthem，wonderingwheretheyweregoing，andwhatbranchofmanufacturehewouldbeinstructedin，first。
Thepaceatwhichtheywent，wassuchaverylazy，ill-lookingsaunter，thatOliversoonbegantothinkhiscompanionsweregoingtodeceivetheoldgentleman，bynotgoingtoworkatall。
TheDodgerhadaviciouspropensity，too，ofpullingthecapsfromtheheadsofsmallboysandtossingthemdownareas；whileCharleyBatesexhibitedsomeveryloosenotionsconcerningtherightsofproperty，bypilferingdiversapplesandonionsfromthestallsatthekennelsides，andthrustingthemintopocketswhichweresosurprisinglycapacious，thattheyseemedtounderminehiswholesuitofclothesineverydirection。Thesethingslookedsobad，thatOliverwasonthepointofdeclaringhisintentionofseekinghiswayback，inthebestwayhecould；
whenhisthoughtsweresuddenlydirectedintoanotherchannel，byaverymysteriouschangeofbehaviouronthepartoftheDodger。
TheywerejustemergingfromanarrowcourtnotfarfromtheopensquareinClerkenwell，whichisyetcalled，bysomestrangeperversionofterms，'TheGreen':whentheDodgermadeasuddenstop；and，layinghisfingeronhislip，drewhiscompanionsbackagain，withthegreatestcautionandcircumspection。
'What'sthematter?'demandedOliver。
'Hush！'repliedtheDodger。'Doyouseethatoldcoveatthebook-stall?'
'Theoldgentlemanovertheway?'saidOliver。'Yes，Iseehim。'
'He'lldo，'saidtheDoger。
'Aprimeplant，'observedMasterCharleyBates。
Oliverlookedfromonetotheother，withthegreatestsurprise；
buthewasnotpermittedtomakeanyinquiries；forthetwoboyswalkedstealthilyacrosstheroad，andslunkclosebehindtheoldgentlemantowardswhomhisattentionhadbeendirected。Oliverwalkedafewpacesafterthem；and，notknowingwhethertoadvanceorretire，stoodlookingoninsilentamazement。
Theoldgentlemanwasaveryrespectable-lookingpersonage，withapowderedheadandgoldspectacles。Hewasdressedinabottle-greencoatwithablackvelvetcollar；worewhitetrousers；andcarriedasmartbamboocaneunderhisarm。Hehadtakenupabookfromthestall，andtherehestood，readingaway，ashardasifhewereinhiselbow-chair，inhisownstudy。Itisverypossiblethathefanciedhimselfthere，indeed；foritwasplain，fromhisabstraction，thathesawnotthebook-stall，northestreet，northeboys，nor，inshort，anythingbutthebookitself:whichhewasreadingstraightthrough:turningovertheleafwhenhegottothebottomofapage，beginningatthetoplineofthenextone，andgoingregularlyon，withthegreatestinterestandeagerness。
WhatwasOliver'shorrorandalarmashestoodafewpacesoff，lookingonwithhiseyelidsaswideopenastheywouldpossiblygo，toseetheDodgerplungehishandintotheoldgentleman'spocket，anddrawfromthenceahandkerchief！ToseehimhandthesametoCharleyBates；andfinallytobeholdthem，bothrunningawayroundthecorneratfullspeed！
Inaninstantthewholemysteryofthehankerchiefs，andthewatches，andthejewels，andtheJew，rushedupontheboy'smind。
Hestood，foramoment，withthebloodsotinglingthroughallhisveinsfromterror，thathefeltasifhewereinaburningfire；then，confusedandfrightened，hetooktohisheels；and，notknowingwhathedid，madeoffasfastashecouldlayhisfeettotheground。
Thiswasalldoneinaminute'sspace。IntheveryinstantwhenOliverbegantorun，theoldgentleman，puttinghishandtohispocket，andmissinghishandkerchief，turnedsharpround。Seeingtheboyscuddingawayatsucharapidpace，heverynaturallyconcludedhimtobethedepredator；andshouting'Stopthief！'
withallhismight，madeoffafterhim，bookinhand。
Buttheoldgentlemanwasnottheonlypersonwhoraisedthehue-and-cry。TheDodgerandMasterBates，unwillingtoattractpublicattentionbyrunningdowntheopenstreet，hadmerelyreturedintotheveryfirstdoorwayroundthecorner。Theynosoonerheardthecry，andsawOliverrunning，than，guessingexactlyhowthematterstood，theyissuedforthwithgreatpromptitude；and，shouting'Stopthief！'too，joinedinthepursuitlikegoodcitizens。
AlthoughOliverhadbeenbroughtupbyphilosophers，hewasnottheoreticallyacquaintedwiththebeautifulaxiomthatself-preservationisthefirstlawofnature。Ifhehadbeen，perhapshewouldhavebeenpreparedforthis。Notbeingprepared，however，italarmedhimthemore；soawayhewentlikethewind，withtheoldgentlemanandthetwoboysroaringandshoutingbehindhim。
'Stopthief！Stopthief！'Thereisamagicinthesound。Thetradesmanleaveshiscounter，andthecar-manhiswaggon；thebutcherthrowsdownhistray；thebakerhisbasket；themilkmanhispail；theerrand-boyhisparcels；theschool-boyhismarbles；
thepaviourhispickaxe；thechildhisbattledore。Awaytheyrun，pell-mell，helter-skelter，slap-dash:tearing，yelling，screaming，knockingdownthepassengersastheyturnthecorners，rousingupthedogs，andastonishingthefowls:andstreets，squares，andcourts，re-echowiththesound。
'Stopthief！Stopthief！'Thecryistakenupbyahundredvoices，andthecrowdaccumulateateveryturning。Awaytheyfly，splashingthroughthemud，andrattlingalongthepavements:
upgothewindows，outrunthepeople，onwardbearthemob，awholeaudiencedesertPunchintheverythickestoftheplot，and，joiningtherushingthrong，swelltheshout，andlendfreshvigourtothecry，'Stopthief！Stopthief！'
'Stopthief！Stopthief！'ThereisapassionFORHUNTING
SOMETHINGdeeplyimplantedinthehumanbreast。Onewretchedbreathlesschild，pantingwithexhaustion；terrorinhislooks；
agaonyinhiseyes；largedropsofperspirationstreamingdownhisface；strainseverynervetomakeheaduponhispursuers；andastheyfollowonhistrack，andgainuponhimeveryinstant，theyhailhisdecreasingstrengthwithjoy。'Stopthief！'Ay，stophimforGod'ssake，wereitonlyinmercy！
Stoppedatlast！Acleverblow。Heisdownuponthepavement；
andthecrowdeagerlygatherroundhim:eachnewcomer，jostlingandstrugglingwiththeotherstocatchaglimpse。'Standaside！''Givehimalittleair！''Nonsense！hedon'tdeserveit。''Where'sthegentleman?''Herehisis，comingdownthestreet。''Makeroomthereforthegentleman！''Isthistheboy，sir！''Yes。'
Oliverlay，coveredwithmudanddust，andbleedingfromthemouth，lookingwildlyroundupontheheapoffacesthatsurroundedhim，whentheoldgentlemanwasofficiouslydraggedandpushedintothecirclebytheforemostofthepursuers。
'Yes，'saidthegentleman，'Iamafraiditistheboy。'
'Afraid！'murmuredthecrowd。'That'sagood'un！'
'Poorfellow！'saidthegentleman，'hehashurthimself。'
'_I_didthat，sir，'saidagreatlubberlyfellow，steppingforward；'andpreciouslyIcutmyknuckleagin'hismouth。I
stoppedhim，sir。'
Thefollowtouchedhishatwithagrin，expectingsomethingforhispains；but，theoldgentleman，eyeinghimwithanexpressionofdislike，lookanxiouslyround，asifhecontemplatedrunningawayhimself:whichitisverypossiblehemighthaveattemptedtodo，andthushaveaffordedanotherchase，hadnotapoliceofficer(whoisgenerallythelastpersontoarriveinsuchcases)atthatmomentmadehiswaythroughthecrowd，andseizedOliverbythecollar。
'Come，getup，'saidtheman，roughly。
'Itwasn'tmeindeed，sir。Indeed，indeed，itwastwootherboys，'saidOliver，claspinghishandspassionately，andlookinground。'Theyareheresomewhere。'
'Ohno，theyain't，'saidtheofficer。Hemeantthistobeironical，butitwastruebesides；fortheDodgerandCharleyBateshadfiledoffdownthefirstconvenientcourttheycameto。
'Come，getup！'
'Don'thurthim，'saidtheoldgentleman，compassionately。
'Ohno，Iwon'thurthim，'repliedtheofficer，tearinghisjackethalfoffhisback，inproofthereof。'Come，Iknowyou；
itwon'tdo。Willyoustanduponyourlegs，youyoungdevil?'
Oliver，whocouldhardlystand，madeashifttoraisehimselfonhisfeet，andwasatonceluggedalongthestreetsbythejacket-collar，atarapidpace。Thegentlemanwalkedonwiththembytheofficer'sside；andasmanyofthecrowdascouldachievethefeat，gotalittleahead，andstaredbackatOliverfromtimetotime。Theboysshoutedintriumph；andontheywent。
CHAPTERXI
TREATSOFMR。FANGTHEPOLICEMAGISTRATE；ANDFURNISHESASLIGHT
SPECIMENOFHISMODEOFADMINISTERINGJUSTICE
Theoffencehadbeencommittedwithinthedistrict，andindeedintheimmediateneighborhoodof，averynotoriousmetropolitanpoliceoffice。ThecrowdhadonlythesatisfactionofaccompanyingOliverthroughtwoorthreestreets，anddownaplacecalledMuttonHill，whenhewasledbeneathalowarchway，andupadirtycourt，intothisdispensaryofsummaryjustice，bythebackway。Itwasasmallpavedyardintowhichtheyturned；
andheretheyencounteredastoutmanwithabunchofwhiskersonhisface，andabunchofkeysinhishand。
'What'sthematternow?'saidthemancarelessly。
'Ayoungfogle-hunter，'repliedthemanwhohadOliverincharge。
'Areyouthepartythat'sbeenrobbed，sir?'inquiredthemanwiththekeys。
'Yes，Iam，'repliedtheoldgentleman；'butIamnotsurethatthisboyactuallytookthehandkerchief。I——Iwouldrathernotpressthecase。'
'Mustgobeforethemagistratenow，sir，'repliedtheman。'Hisworshipwillbedisengagedinhalfaminute。Now，younggallows！'
ThiswasaninvitationforOlivertoenterthroughadoorwhichheunlockedashespoke，andwhichledintoastonecell。Herehewassearched；andnothingbeingfounduponhim，lockedup。
Thiscellwasinshapeandsizesomethinglikeanareacellar，onlynotsolight。Itwasmostintolablydirty；foritwasMondaymorning；andithadbeentenantedbysixdrunkenpeople，whohadbeenlockedup，elsewhere，sinceSaturdaynight。Butthisislittle。Inourstation-houses，menandwomenareeverynightconfinedonthemosttrivialcharges——thewordisworthnoting——indungeons，comparedwithwhich，thoseinNewgate，occupiedbythemostatrociousfelons，tried，foundguilty，andundersentenceofdeath，arepalaces。Letanyonewhodoubtsthis，comparethetwo。
TheoldgentlemanlookedalmostasruefulasOliverwhenthekeygratedinthelock。Heturnedwithasightothebook，whichhadbeentheinnocentcauseofallthisdisturbance。
'Thereissomethinginthatboy'sface，'saidtheoldgentlemantohimselfashewalkedslowlyaway，tappinghischinwiththecoverofthebook，inathoughtfulmanner；'somethingthattouchesandinterestsme。CANhebeinnocent?Helookedlike——Byethebye，'exclaimedtheoldgentleman，haltingveryabruptly，andstaringupintothesky，'Blessmysoul！——wherehaveIseensomethinglikethatlookbefore?'
Aftermusingforsomeminutes，theoldgentlemanwalked，withthesamemeditativeface，intoabackanteroomopeningfromtheyard；
andthere，retiringintoacorner，calledupbeforehismind'seyeavastamphitheatreoffacesoverwhichaduskycurtainhadhungformanyyears。'No，'saidtheoldgentleman，shakinghishead；'itmustbeimagination。
Hewanderedoverthemagain。Hehadcalledthemintoview，anditwasnoteasytoreplacetheshroudthathadsolongconcealedthem。Therewerethefacesoffriends，andfoes，andofmanythathadbeenalmoststrangerspeeringintrusivelyfromthecrowd；therewerethefacesofyoungandbloominggirlsthatwerenowoldwomen；therewerefacesthatthegravehadchangedandclosedupon，butwhichthemind，superiortoitspower，stilldressedintheiroldfreshnessandbeauty，callingbackthelustreoftheeyes，thebrightnessofthesmile，thebeamingofthesoulthroughitsmaskofclay，andwhisperingofbeautybeyondthetomb，changedbuttobeheightened，andtakenfromearthonlytobesetupasalight，toshedasoftandgentleglowuponthepathtoHeaven。
ButtheoldgentlemancouldrecallnoonecountenanceofwhichOliver'sfeaturesboreatrace。So，heheavedasighovertherecollectionsheawakened；andbeing，happilyforhimself，anabsentoldgentleman，buriedthemagaininthepagesofthemustybook。
Hewasrousedbyatouchontheshoulder，andarequestfromthemanwiththekeystofollowhimintotheoffice。Heclosedhisbookhastily；andwasatonceusheredintotheimposingpresenceoftherenownedMr。Fang。
Theofficewasafrontparlour，withapanelledwall。Mr。Fangsatbehindabar，attheupperend；andononesidethedoorwasasortofwoodenpeninwhichpoorlittleOliverwasalreadydeposited；tremblingverymuchattheawfulnessofthescene。
Mr。Fangwasalean，long-backed，stiff-necked，middle-sizedman，withnogreatquantityofhair，andwhathehad，growingonthebackandsidesofhishead。Hisfacewasstern，andmuchflushed。Ifhewerereallynotinthehabitofdrinkingrathermorethanwasexactlygoodforhim，hemighthavebroughtactionagainsthiscountenanceforlibel，andhaverecoveredheavydamages。
Theoldgentlemanbowedrespectfully；andadvancingtothemagistrate'sdesk，saidsuitingtheactiontotheword，'Thatismynameandaddress，sir。'Hethenwithdrewapaceortwo；and，withanotherpoliteandgentlemanlyinclinationofthehead，waitedtobequestioned。
Now，itsohappenedthatMr。Fangwasatthatmomentperusingaleadingarticleinanewspaperofthemorning，advertingtosomerecentdecisionofhis，andcommendinghim，forthethreehundredandfiftiethtime，tothespecialandparticularnoticeoftheSecretaryofStatefortheHomeDepartment。Hewasoutoftemper；andhelookedupwithanangryscowl。
'Whoareyou?'saidMr。Fang。
Theoldgentlemanpointed，withsomesurprise，tohiscard。
'Officer！'saidMr。Fang，tossingthecardcontemptuouslyawaywiththenewspaper。'Whoisthisfellow?'
'Myname，sir，'saidtheoldgentleman，speakingLIKEagentleman，'myname，sir，isBrownlow。Permitmetoinquirethenameofthemagistratewhooffersagratuitousandunprovokedinsulttoarespectableperson，undertheprotectionofthebench。'Sayingthis，Mr。Brownlowlookedaroundtheofficeasifinsearchofsomepersonwhowouldaffordhimtherequiredinformation。
'Officer！'saidMr。Fang，throwingthepaperononeside，'what'sthisfellowchargedwith?'
'He'snotchargedatall，yourworship，'repliedtheofficer。'Heappearsagainstthisboy，yourworship。'
Hisworshpknewthisperfectlywell；butitwasagoodannoyance，andasafeone。
'Appearsagainsttheboy，doeshe?'saidMr。Fang，surveyingMr。
Brownlowcontemptuouslyfromheadtofoot。'Swearhim！'
'BeforeIamsworn，Imustbegtosayoneword，'saidMr。
Brownlow；'andthatis，thatIreallynever，withoutactualexperience，couldhavebelieved——'
'Holdyourtongue，sir！'saidMr。Fang，peremptorily。
'Iwillnot，sir！'repliedtheoldgentleman。
'Holdyourtonguethisinstant，orI'llhaveyouturnedoutoftheoffice！'saidMr。Fang。'You'reaninsolentimpertinentfellow。Howdareyoubullyamagistrate！'
'What！'exclaimedtheoldgentleman，reddening。
'Swearthisperson！'saidFangtotheclerk。'I'llnothearanotherword。Swearhim。'
Mr。Brownlow'sindignatonwasgreatlyroused；butreflectingperhaps，thathemightonlyinjuretheboybygivingventtoit，hesuppressedhisfeelingsandsubmittedtobeswornatonce。
'Now，'saidFang，'what'sthechargeagainstthisboy?Whathaveyougottosay，sir?'
'Iwasstandingatabookstall——'Mr。Brownlowbegan。
'Holdyourtongue，sir，'saidMr。Fang。'Policeman！Where'sthepoliceman?Here，swearthispoliceman。Now，policeman，whatisthis?'
Thepoliceman，withbecominghumility，relatedhowhehadtakenthecharge；howhehadsearchedOliver，andfoundnothingonhisperson；andhowthatwasallheknewaboutit。
'Arethereanywitnesses?'inquiredMr。Fang。
'None，yourworship，'repliedthepoliceman。
Mr。Fangsatsilentforsomeminutes，andthen，turningroundtotheprosecutor，saidinatoweringpassion。
'Doyoumeantostatewhatyourcomplaintagainstthisboyis，man，ordoyounot?Youhavebeensworn。Now，ifyoustandthere，refusingtogiveevidence，I'llpunishyoufordisrespecttothebench；Iwill，by——'
Bywhat，orbywhom，nobodyknows，fortheclerkandjailorcoughedveryloud，justattherightmoment；andtheformerdroppedaheavybookuponthefloor，thuspreventingthewordfrombeingheard——accidently，ofcourse。
Withmanyinterruptions，andrepeatedinsults，Mr。Brownlowcontrivedtostatehiscase；observingthat，inthesurpriseofthemoment，hehadrunaftertheboybecausehehadsawhimrunningaway；andexpressinghishopethat，ifthemagistrateshouldbelievehim，althoughnotactuallythethief，tobeconnectedwiththethieves，hewoulddealaslenientlywithhimasjusticewouldallow。
'Hehasbeenhurtalready，'saidtheoldgentlemaninconclusion。
'AndIfear，'headded，withgreatenergy，lookingtowardsthebar，'Ireallyfearthatheisill。'
'Oh！yes，Idaresay！'saidMr。Fang，withasneer。'Come，noneofyourtrickshere，youyoungvagabond；theywon'tdo。What'syourname?'
Olivertriedtoreplybuthistonguefailedhim。Hewasdeadlypale；andthewholeplaceseemedturningroundandround。
'What'syourname，youhardenedscoundrel?'demandedMr。Fang。
'Officer，what'shisname?'
Thiswasaddressedtoabluffoldfellow，inastripedwaistcoat，whowasstandingbythebar。HebentoverOliver，andrepeatedtheinquiry；butfindinghimreallyincapableofunderstandingthequestion；andknowingthathisnotreplyingwouldonlyinfuriatethemagistratethemore，andaddtotheseverityofhissentence；hehazardedaguess。
'Hesayshisname'sTomWhite，yourworship，'saidthekind-heartedthief-taker。
'Oh，hewon'tspeakout，won'the?'saidFang。'Verywell，verywell。Wheredoeshelive?'
'Wherehecan，yourworship，'repliedtheofficer；againpretendingtoreceiveOliver'sanswer。
'Hasheanyparents?'inquiredMr。Fang。
'Hesaystheydiedinhisinfancy，yourworship，'repliedtheofficer:hazardingtheusualreply。
Atthispointoftheinquiry，Oliverraisedhishead；and，lookingroundwithimploringeyes，murmuredafeebleprayerforadraughtofwater。
'Stuffandnonsense！'saidMr。Fang:'don'ttrytomakeafoolofme。'
'Ithinkhereallyisill，yourworship，'remonstratedtheofficer。
'Iknowbetter，'saidMr。Fang。
'Takecareofhim，officer，'saidtheoldgentleman，raisinghishandsinstinctively；'he'llfalldown。'
'Standaway，officer，'criedFang；'lethim，ifhelikes。'
Oliveravailedhimselfofthekindpermission，andfelltothefloorinafaintingfit。Themenintheofficelookedateachother，butnoonedaredtostir。
'Iknewhewasshamming，'saidFang，asifthiswereincontestableproofofthefact。'Lethimliethere；he'llsoonbetiredofthat。'
'Howdoyouproposetodealwiththecase，sir?'inquiredtheclerkinalowvoice。
'Summarily，'repliedMr。Fang。'Hestandscommittedforthreemonths——hardlabourofcourse。Cleartheoffice。'
Thedoorwasopenedforthispurpose，andacoupleofmenwerepreparingtocarrytheinsensibleboytohiscell；whenanelderlymanofdecentbutpoorappearance，cladinanoldsuitofblack，rushedhastilyintotheoffice，andadvancedtowardsthebench。
'Stop，stop！don'ttakehimaway！ForHeaven'ssakestopamoment！'criedthenewcomer，breathlesswithhaste。
AlthoughthepresidingGeniiinsuchanofficeasthis，exerciseasummaryandarbitrarypowerovertheliberties，thegoodname，thecharacter，almostthelives，ofHerMajesty'ssubjects，expeciallyofthepoorerclass；andalthough，withinsuchwalls，enoughfantastictricksaredailyplayedtomaketheangelsblindwithweeping；theyareclosedtothepublic，savethroughthemediumofthedailypress。(Footnote:Orwerevirtually，then。)
Mr。Fangwasconsequentlynotalittleindignanttoseeanunbiddenguestenterinsuchirreverentdisorder。
'Whatisthis?Whoisthis?Turnthismanout。Cleartheoffice！'criedMr。Fang。
'IWILLspeak，'criedtheman；'Iwillnotbeturnedout。Isawitall。Ikeepthebook-stall。Idemandtobesworn。Iwillnotbeputdown。Mr。Fang，youmusthearme。Youmustnotrefuse，sir。'
Themanwasright。Hismannerwasdetermined；andthematterwasgrowingrathertooserioustobehushedup。
'Sweartheman，'growledMr。Fang。withaveryillgrace。'Now，man，whathaveyougottosay?'
'This，'saidtheman:'Isawthreeboys:twoothersandtheprisonerhere:loiteringontheoppositesideoftheway，whenthisgentlemanwasreading。Therobberywascommittedbyanotherboy。Isawitdone；andIsawthatthisboywasperfectlyamazedandstupifiedbyit。'Havingbythistimerecoveredalittlebreath，theworthybook-stallkeeperproceededtorelate，inamorecoherentmannertheexactcircumstancesoftherobbery。
'Whydidn'tyoucomeherebefore?'saidFang，afterapause。
'Ihadn'tasoultomindtheshop，'repliedtheman。'Everybodywhocouldhavehelpedme，hadjoinedinthepursuit。Icouldgetnobodytillfiveminutesago；andI'verunherealltheway。'
'Theprosecutorwasreading，washe?'inquiredFang，afteranotherpause。
'Yes，'repliedtheman。'Theverybookhehasinhishand。'
'Oh，thatbook，eh?'saidFang。'Isitpaidfor?'
'No，itisnot，'repliedtheman，withasmile。
'Dearme，Iforgotallaboutit！'exclaimedtheabsentoldgentleman，innocently。
'Anicepersontopreferachargeagainstapoorboy！'saidFang，withacomicalefforttolookhumane。'Iconsider，sir，thatyouhaveobtainedpossessionofthatbook，underverysuspiciousanddisreputablecircumstances；andyoumaythinkyourselfveryfortunatethattheownerofthepropertydeclinestoprosecute。
Letthisbealessontoyou，myman，orthelawwillovertakeyouyet。Theboyisdischarged。Cleartheoffice！'
'D——nme！'criedtheoldgentleman，burstingoutwiththeragehehadkeptdownsolong，'d——nme！I'll——'
'Cleartheoffice！'saidthemagistrate。'Officers，doyouhear?
Cleartheoffice！'
Themandatewasobeyed；andtheindignantMr。Brownlowwasconveyedout，withthebookinonehand，andthebamboocaneintheother:inaperfectphrenzyofrageanddefiance。Hereachedtheyard；andhispassionvanishedinamoment。LittleOliverTwistlayonhisbackonthepavement，withhisshirtunbuttoned，andhistemplesbathedwithwater；hisfaceadeadlywhite；andacoldtrembleconvulsinghiswholeframe。
'Poorboy，poorboy！'saidMr。Brownlow，bendingoverhim。'Callacoach，somebody，pray。Directly！'
Acoachwasobtained，andOliverhavingbeencarefullylaidontheseat，theoldgentlemangotinandsathimselfontheother。
'MayIaccompanyyou?'saidthebook-stallkeeper，lookingin。
'Blessme，yes，mydearsir，'saidMr。Brownlowquickly。'I
forgotyou。Dear，dear！Ihavethisunhappybookstill！Jumpin。Poorfellow！There'snotimetolose。'
Thebook-stallkeepergotintothecoach；andawaytheydrove。
CHAPTERXII
INWHICHOLIVERISTAKENBETTERCAREOFTHANHEEVERWASBEFORE。
ANDINWHICHTHENARRATIVEREVERTSTOTHEMERRYOLDGENTLEMANAND
HISYOUTHFULFRIENDS。
Thecoachrattledaway，overnearlythesamegroundasthatwhichOliverhadtraversedwhenhefirstenteredLondonincompanywiththeDodger；and，turningadifferentwaywhenitreachedtheAngelatIslington，stoppedatlengthbeforeaneathouse，inaquietshadystreetnearPentonville。Here，abedwasprepared，withoutlossoftime，inwhichMr。Brownlowsawhisyoungchargecarefullyandcomfortablydeposited；andhere，hewastendedwithakindnessandsolicitudethatknewnobounds。
But，formanydays，Oliverremainedinsensibletoallthegoodnessofhisnewfriends。Thesunroseandsank，androseandsankagain，andmanytimesafterthat；andstilltheboylaystretchedonhisuneasybed，dwindlingawaybeneaththedryandwastingheatoffever。Thewormdoesnotworkmoresurelyonthedeadbody，thandoesthisslowcreepingfireuponthelivingframe。
Weak，andthin，andpallid，heawokeatlastfromwhatseemedtohavebeenalongandtroubleddream。Feeblyraisinghimselfinthebed，withhisheadrestingonhistremblingarm，helookedanxiouslyaround。
'Whatroomisthis?WherehaveIbeenbroughtto?'saidOliver。
'ThisisnottheplaceIwenttosleepin。'
Heutteredthesewordsinafeeblevoice，beingveryfaintandweak；buttheywereoverheardatonce。Thecurtainatthebed'sheadwashastilydrawnback，andamotherlyoldlady，veryneatlyandpreciselydressed，roseassheundrewit，fromanarm-chaircloseby，inwhichshehadbeensittingatneedle-work。
'Hush，mydear，'saidtheoldladysoftly。'Youmustbeveryquiet，oryouwillbeillagain；andyouhavebeenverybad，——asbadasbadcouldbe，prettynigh。Liedownagain；there'sadear！'Withthosewords，theoldladyverygentlyplacedOliver'sheaduponthepillow；and，smoothingbackhishairfromhisforehead，lookedsokindlyandlovinginhisface，thathecouldnothelpplacinghislittlewitheredhandinhers，anddrawingitroundhisneck。
'Saveus！'saidtheoldlady，withtearsinhereyes。'Whatagratefullittledearitis。Prettycreetur！WhatwouldhismotherfeelifshehadsatbyhimasIhave，andcouldseehimnow！'
'Perhapsshedoesseeme，'whisperedOliver，foldinghishandstogether；'perhapsshehassatbyme。Ialmostfeelasifshehad。'
'Thatwasthefever，mydear，'saidtheoldladymildly。
'Isupposeitwas，'repliedOliver，'becauseheavenisalongwayoff；andtheyaretoohappythere，tocomedowntothebedsideofapoorboy。ButifsheknewIwasill，shemusthavepitiedme，eventhere；forshewasveryillherselfbeforeshedied。Shecan'tknowanythingaboutmethough，'addedOliverafteramoment'ssilence。'Ifshehadseenmehurt，itwouldhavemadeheresorrowful；andherfacehasalwayslookedsweetandhappy，whenIhavedreamedofher。'
Theoldladymadenoreplytothis；butwipinghereyesfirst，andherspectacles，whichlayonthecounterpane，afterwards，asiftheywerepartandparcelofthosefeatures，broughtsomecoolstuffforOlivertodrink；andthen，pattinghimonthecheek，toldhimhemustlieveryquiet，orhewouldbeillagain。
So，Oliverkeptverystill；partlybecausehewasanxioustoobeythekindoldladyinallthings；andpartly，totellthetruth，becausehewascompletelyexhaustedwithwhathehadalreadysaid。Hesoonfellintoagentledoze，fromwhichhewasawakenedbythelightofacandle:which，beingbroughtnearthebed，showedhimagentlemanwithaverylargeandloud-tickinggoldwatchinhishand，whofelthispulse，andsaidhewasagreatdealbetter。
'YouAREagreatdealbetter，areyounot，mydear?'saidthegentleman。
'Yes，thankyou，sir，'repliedOliver。
'Yes，Iknowyouare，'saidthegentleman:'You'rehungrytoo，an'tyou?'
'No，sir，'answeredOliver。
'Hem！'saidthegentleman。'No，Iknowyou'renot。Heisnothungry，Mrs。Bedwin，'saidthegentleman:lookingverywise。
Theoldladymadearespectfulinclinationofthehead，whichseemedtosaythatshethoughtthedoctorwasaverycleverman。
Thedoctorappearedmuchofthesameopinionhimself。
'Youfeelsleepy，don'tyou，mydear?'saidthedoctor。
'No，sir，'repliedOliver。
'No，'saidthedoctor，withaveryshrewdandsatisfiedlook。
'You'renotsleepy。Northirsty。Areyou?'
'Yes，sir，ratherthirsty，'answeredOliver。
'JustasIexpected，Mrs。Bedwin，'saidthedoctor。'It'sverynaturalthatheshouldbethirsty。Youmaygivehimalittletea，ma'am，andsomedrytoastwithoutanybutter。Don'tkeephimtoowarm，ma'am；butbecarefulthatyoudon'tlethimbetoocold；willyouhavethegoodness?'
Theoldladydroppedacurtsey。Thedoctor，aftertastingthecoolstuff，andexpressingaqualifiedapprovalofit，hurriedaway:hisbootscreakinginaveryimportantandwealthymannerashewentdownstairs。
Oliverdozedoffagain，soonafterthis；whenheawoke，itwasnearlytwelveo'clock。Theoldladytenderlybadehimgood-nightshortlyafterwards，andlefthiminchargeofafatoldwomanwhohadjustcome:bringingwithher，inalittlebundle，asmallPrayerBookandalargenightcap。Puttingthelatteronherheadandtheformeronthetable，theoldwoman，aftertellingOliverthatshehadcometositupwithhim，drewherchairclosetothefireandwentoffintoaseriesofshortnaps，chequeredatfrequentintervalswithsundrytumblingsforward，anddiversmoansandchokings。These，however，hadnoworseeffectthancausinghertorubhernoseveryhard，andthenfallasleepagain。
Andthusthenightcreptslowlyon。Oliverlayawakeforsometime，countingthelittlecirclesoflightwhichthereflectionoftherushlight-shadethrewupontheceiling；ortracingwithhislanguideyestheintricatepatternofthepaperonthewall。
Thedarknessandthedeepstillnessoftheroomwereverysolemn；
astheybroughtintotheboy'smindthethoughtthatdeathhadbeenhoveringthere，formanydaysandnights，andmightyetfillitwiththegloomanddreadofhisawfulpresence，heturnedhisfaceuponthepillow，andferventlyprayedtoHeaven。
Gradually，hefellintothatdeeptranquilsleepwhicheasefromrecentsufferingaloneimparts；thatcalmandpeacefulrestwhichitispaintowakefrom。Who，ifthisweredeath，wouldberousedagaintoallthestrugglesandturmoilsoflife；toallitscaresforthepresent；itsanxietiesforthefuture；morethanall，itswearyrecollectionsofthepast！
Ithadbeenbrightday，forhours，whenOliveropenedhiseyes；
hefeltcheerfulandhappy。Thecrisisofthediseasewassafelypast。Hebelongedtotheworldagain。
Inthreedays'timehewasabletositinaneasy-chair，wellproppedupwithpillows；and，ashewasstilltooweaktowalk，Mrs。Bedwinhadhimcarrieddownstairsintothelittlehousekeeper'sroom，whichbelongedtoher。Havinghimset，here，bythefire-side，thegoodoldladysatherselfdowntoo；and，beinginastateofconsiderabledelightatseeinghimsomuchbetter，forthwithbegantocrymostviolently。
'Nevermindme，mydear，'saidtheoldlady；'I'monlyhavingaregulargoodcry。There；it'sallovernow；andI'mquitecomfortable。'
'You'revery，verykindtome，ma'am，'saidOliver。
'Well，neveryoumindthat，mydear，'saidtheoldlady；'that'sgotnothingtodowithyourbroth；andit'sfulltimeyouhadit；
forthedoctorsaysMr。Brownlowmaycomeintoseeyouthismorning；andwemustgetupourbestlooks，becausethebetterwelook，themorehe'llbepleased。'Andwiththis，theoldladyappliedherselftowarmingup，inalittlesaucepan，abasinfullofbroth:strongenough，Oliverthought，tofurnishanampledinner，whenreducedtotheregulationstrength，forthreehundredandfiftypaupers，atthelowestcomputation。
'Areyoufondofpictures，dear?'inquiredtheoldlady，seeingthatOliverhadfixedhiseyes，mostintently，onaportraitwhichhungagainstthewall；justoppositehischair。
'Idon'tquiteknow，ma'am，'saidOliver，withouttakinghiseyesfromthecanvas；'IhaveseensofewthatIhardlyknow。Whatabeautiful，mildfacethatlady'sis！'
'Ah！'saidtheoldlady，'paintersalwaysmakeladiesoutprettierthantheyare，ortheywouldn'tgetanycustom，child。
Themanthatinventedthemachinefortakinglikenessesmighthaveknownthatwouldneversucceed；it'sadealtoohonest。A
deal，'saidtheoldlady，laughingveryheartilyatherownacuteness。
'Is——isthatalikeness，ma'am?'saidOliver。
'Yes，'saidtheoldlady，lookingupforamomentfromthebroth；
'that'saportrait。'
'Whose，ma'am?'askedOliver。
'Why，really，mydear，Idon'tknow，'answeredtheoldladyinagood-humouredmanner。'It'snotalikenessofanybodythatyouorIknow，Iexpect。Itseemstostrikeyourfancy，dear。'
'Itissopretty，'repliedOliver。
'Why，sureyou'renotafraidofit?'saidtheoldlady:observingingreatsurprise，thelookofawewithwhichthechildregardedthepainting。
'Ohno，no，'returnedOliverquickly；'buttheeyeslooksosorrowful；andwhereIsit，theyseemfixeduponme。Itmakesmyheartbeat，'addedOliverinalowvoice，'asifitwasalive，andwantedtospeaktome，butcouldn't。'
'Lordsaveus！'exclaimedtheoldlady，starting；'don'ttalkinthatway，child。You'reweakandnervousafteryourillness。
Letmewheelyourchairroundtotheotherside；andthenyouwon'tseeit。There！'saidtheoldlady，suitingtheactiontotheword；'youdon'tseeitnow，atallevents。'
OliverDIDseeitinhismind'seyeasdistinctlyasifhehadnotalteredhisposition；buthethoughtitbetternottoworrythekindoldlady；sohesmiledgentlywhenshelookedathim；
andMrs。Bedwin，satisfiedthathefeltmorecomfortable，saltedandbrokebitsoftoastedbreadintothebroth，withallthebustlebefittingsosolemnapreparation。Olivergotthroughitwithextraordinaryexpedition。Hehadscarcelyswallowedthelastspoonful，whentherecameasoftrapatthedoor。'Comein，'saidtheoldlady；andinwalkedMr。Brownlow。
Now，theoldgentlemancameinasbriskasneedbe；but，hehadnosoonerraisedhisspectaclesonhisforehead，andthrusthishandsbehindtheskirtsofhisdressing-gowntotakeagoodlonglookatOliver，thanhiscountenanceunderwentaverygreatvarietyofoddcontortions。Oliverlookedverywornandshadowyfromsickness，andmadeanineffectualattempttostandup，outofrespecttohisbenefactor，whichterminatedinhissinkingbackintothechairagain；andthefactis，ifthetruthmustbetold，thatMr。Brownlow'sheart，beinglargeenoughforanysixordinaryoldgentlemenofhumanedisposition，forcedasupplyoftearsintohiseyes，bysomehydraulicprocesswhichwearenotsufficientlyphilosophicaltobeinaconditiontoexplain。
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