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更多小說請關注1Oliver’s更多小說請關注1Oliver’searlyOliverTwistwasborninaworkhouse,andwhenhearrivedinthishardworld,itwasverydoubtfulwhetherhewouldlivebeyondthefirstthreeminutes.Helayonahardlittlebedandstruggledtostartbreathing.Oliverfoughthisfirstbattlewithoutmuchassistancefromthetwopeoplepresentathisbirth.Onewasanoldwoman,whowasnearlyalwaysdrunk,andtheotherwasabusylocaldoctor,whowasnotpaidenoughtobeveryinterestedinOliver’salldeathworkhousewhereandhomelesslived.However,Olivermanagedtodrawhisfirstbreath,andthenannouncedhisarrivaltotherestoftheworkhousebycryingloudly.Hismotherraisedherpaleyoungfacefromthepillowandwhispered,‘Letmeseethechild,anddie.’Thedoctorturnedawayfromthefire,wherehehadbeenwarminghishands.‘Youmustnottalkaboutdyingyet’hesaidtoherkindly.Hegaveherthechildtohold.Lovingly,shekissedthebabyonitsforeheadwithhercoldwhitelips,thenstaredwildlyaroundtheroom,fellback-anddied.‘Poordear’saidthenurse,hurriedlyputtingagreenglassbottlebackinthepocketofherlongskirt.Thedoctorbegantoputonhiscoat.‘Thebabyisweakandwillprobablyhavedificulties’quietTheatthedeadwoman.‘Themotherwasagood-lookinggirl.Wheredidshe‘Shewasbroughtherelastnightrepliedtheoldwoman.‘ShewasfoundlyingpiecesWherefromwheretoorwasnobody doctorgirlsstoryhelighead.‘Noweddingring,Isee.Ah!GoodAndsoOliverwasleftwithonlythedrunkennurse.Withoutclothes,underhisfirstblanket,hecouldhavebeenthechildofakingorabeggar.Butwhenthewomandressedhimlaterinroughcottonclothes,yellowwithage,helookedexactlywhathewas-anorphaninhewas-anorphaninaworkhouse,readyforalifeofmisery,hunger,andOlivercriedloudly.Ifhecouldhaveknownthathewasaworkhouseorphan,perhapshewouldhavecriedevenmoreloudly.Therewasnoonetolookafterthebabyintheworkhouse,soOliverwassenttoaspecial‘babyfarm’nearby.There,heandthirtyotherchildrenrolledaroundthefloorallday,withouttheinconvenienceoftoomuchfoodortoomuchclothing.MrsMann,theoldwomanwho‘lookedafter’them,wasveryexperienced.Sheknewwhatwasgoodforchildren,andafullstomachwasverydangeroustotheirhealth.Shealsoknewwhatwasgoodforherself,soshekeptforherownusethemoneythatshewasgivenforthechildren’sfood.Theboardresponsiblefortheorphanssometimescheckedonthehealthofthechildren,butTheyalwayssentthebeadleapolicemantobeforeSotheboardarrived,ofcourse,thechildrenwerealwaysneatandclean.ThiswasthewayOliverwasbroughtup.Consequently,attheageofninehewasapalethinageButspiritwasstrong,whichwasprobablythereasonwhyhemanagedtoreachtheageofnineatall.OnOliver’sninthbirthday,MrBumblethebeadlecametothehousetoseeMrsMann.ThroughthefrontwindowMrsMannsawhimatthegate,andturnedquicklytothegirlwhoworkedwithher.washedsheranouttounlockthegate(Itwasalwayskeptlockedtopreventofficialvisitorswalkinginunexpectedly)‘Ihavebusinesstotalkabout’MrBumbletoldMrsMannasheenteredthehouse.Hewasabigfatman,oftenbad-tempered,andwasfullofself-importance.Hedidnotliketobekeptwaitingatalockedgate.MrsManntookhishatandcoat,placedachairforhim,andexpressedgreatconcernforhiscomfort.‘You’vehadalongwalk,MrBumble’shesaid,‘andyoumustbethirsty’Shetookoutabottlefromthecupboard.‘No,thankyou,MrsMann.Notadrop’Hewavedthebottlewater’MrBumblecoughed.‘Whatisit?’heasked,lookingatthebottlewith‘Gin.Ikeepitforthechildren’smedicineginMrsMann?ginMrsMann?askedBumblewatchinghisdrink.‘Onlywithmedicine,sir.Idon’tliketoseethemsufer’‘You’reagoodwoman,MrsMann.’MrBumbledrankhalfhisglassimmediately.‘I’lltelltheboardaboutyou.Now-thereasonwhyI’mhere.OliverTwistisnineyearsoldtoday.We’veneverbeenabletodiscoveranythingabouthisparents.’‘Thenhowdidhegethishimsaidproudly‘ealphabetThe anS-Swubble.ThenwasT,sothisoneisTwist.ThenextwillbeUnwin.Anyway,OliverTwistisnowoldenoughtoreturntoworkhouse.Bringhimhere,please’WhileMrsMannwenttogethim,Bumblefinishedtherestofhisgin.Oliver,hisfaceandhandsnowalmostclean,wasledintothe‘Willyoucomealongwithme,Oliver?’askedMrBumbleinaloudOliverwasverygladtobefreeofMrsMannsviolence,buthesaidnothingbecauseshewasangrilyshakingherfingerathim.However,asthegateclosedbehindOliver,heburstintotears.Hewasleavingbehindtheotherchildren,theonlyfriendshehad,andherealizedatthatmomenthowlonelyhewasintheworld.MrBumblewalkedonwithlongsteps,withOliveronhisshortlittlelegsrunningbesidehim.Thefeelingofcontentmentproducedbygin-and-waterhadnowdisappeared,andthebeadlewasinabadmoodoncemore.Backattheworkhouse,Oliverwastakentoseetheboard.Hestoodinfrontoftenfatmenwhoweresittingaroundatable.‘Whatsyourname,boy?’askedaparticularlyfatmanwithaveryround,redOliverwasfrightenedatthesightofsomanypeople,andstartedto‘WhyareyouThebeadlehithimontheback,andsonaturallyOlivercriedevenfool’onefool’onemothersaidbeenbroughtupwithotherorphans?’sir’replied‘Whyistheboycrying?’repeatedtheotherman,‘Youhavecomeheretobeeducatedcontinuedthefatman,‘soyouwillstartworkingheretomorrowatsixo’clock’Oliverwasledawaytoalargeroom,where,onaroughhardbed,hecriedhimselftosleep.Theroomintheworkhousewheretheboyswerefedwasalargestonehallandatoneendthemasterandtwowomenservedthefood.Thisconsistedofabowlofthinsoupthreetimesaday,withapieceofbreadonSundays.Theboysateeverythingandwerealwayshungry.Thebowlsneverneededwashing.TheboyspolishedthemwiththeirspoonsuntilTheyshone.Afterthreemonthsofthisslowstarvation,oneoftheboystoldtheothershewassohungrythatonenighthemighteattheboywhosleptnexttohim.Hehadawildhungryeye,him.Afteradiscussion,Theydecidedthatoneofthemshouldaskforfoodaftersupperthatevening,andOliverwasTheeveningarrived;thesoupwasserved,andthebowlswereemptyagaininafewseconds.Oliverwentuptothemaster,withhisbowlinhishand.Hefeltveryfrightened,butalsodesperatewithhunger.‘Please,sir,Iwantsomemore’Themasterwasafat,healthyman,butheturnedverypale.Helookedatthelittleboyinfrontofhimwithamazement.Nobodyelsespoke.‘What?’heaskedatlast,inafaintsir’Oliver,‘IThemasterhithimwiththeservingspoon,thenseizedOliver’sarmsandshoutedforthebeadle.Thebeadlecamequickly,heardthedreadfulnews,andimmediatelyrantotelltheboard.formore?’MrLimbkins,thehorror.‘Bumble-isthisreally‘That behanged’‘That behanged’saidman earlierhadcalledOliverfool.‘YouseeifI’mnotright’Oliverwasledawaytobelockedup,andarewardwasofferedtoanybodywhowouldtakehimawayandusehimforwork.2Oliver’sfirstOliverstayedaprisoneraloneinthedarkroomforaweek.Hecriedbitterlyallday,andwhenthelongnightcame,hespreadhislittlehandsoverhiseyestoshutoutthedarkness,andtriedtosleep.Hewasgivenfreezingwatertowashwith,andwasbeatendailybyMrBumbleinfrontofalltheotherboysinthehall,asawarningtothem.OnedayMrBumblemetthelocalundertaker,MrSowerberry,outsidethe‘Doyouknowanybodywhowantstotrainaboyforwork,MrSowerberry?’MrBumblepointedatthenoticeonthewallabovehim,whichofferedfivepoundstoanybodywhowouldtakeOliverTwistforwork.MrSowerberryrubbedhischinandthoughtforawhile.‘Ipayenoughforthepoorwithmytaxes’hesaid,‘sowhyshouldn’tIbeabletomakeuseoftheminmywork?Yes,I’lltaketheboymyself’AndsotheboardagreedtosendOlivertoworkfortheundertaker.Thenecessarypapersweresigned.Oliver’ssmallpossessionswereputintoabrownpaperparcel,andhewasledtoMrSowerberry’shousebyMrBumble.AsTheywalkedalong,tearsbegantorundownOliver’sface.‘Whatisitthistime?’askedMrBumbleimpatiently.‘Don’tbesoungrateful.Thisgentlemanisgoingtolookafteryou.’sir’don’tbeangrywithme,sir’EvenMrBumblefeltalittlepity.Hecoughed,toldEvenMrBumblefeltalittlepity.Hecoughed,toldOlivertodryhiseyesandbeagoodboy,andwalkedonwithhiminsilence.TheundertakerhadjustfinishedworkforthedaywhenMrBumbleenteredhisOliverbowedtotheundertaker,whoraisedhiscandletogetabetterviewofboy.‘MrsSowerberry’hecalled,‘comeandalook’Hiswife,ashort,thinwomanwithadisagreeableface,cameouttosee.‘He’sverysmall’shesaidimmediately.is’agree‘esshepushedOliverdownstairsintoadamp,darkkitchen,andcalledtothegirlworkingdownthere.‘Here,Charlotte,givethisboysomemeatthatthedogleft-ifhethinksit’sgoodenoughforhim.’Olivertorethemeattopieceswithhisteethasifhewereawildanimal.MrsSowerberrywatchedhiminsilenthorror,alreadythinkingaboutherfuturefoodbills,thentookhimupstairstotheshop.coffins’shOliverstaredaroundthedark,airlessshopatthecoffins,somefinished,someonlyhalf-made.Hetrembledatthethoughtofghosts.Hisbedwasasmallholeinthefloor,andlookedverylikeagrave.ButitwasnotonlytheroomthatdepressedOliver.Hefeltverylonely,withnofriendsandnoonetocareforhim.Ashelayonthebed,hefoundhimselfwishingthatitreallywashisgrave.Thenextmorninghewaswokenupbysomeonekickingattheshopthedoor,willyou?’shoutedavoicetheboysaidareyou?’‘Ten,‘ThenI’‘Ten,‘ThenI’llhityouwhenIgetin’saidtheOliverwasexperiencedenoughtoknowthatthepromisewasprobablytrue.Heopenedthedoorwithashakinghand,thenlookedupanddownthestreet.Allhecouldseewasalargeboywearingtheuniformofoneofthecharityschools,wherethechildrenoftheverypoorusedtogo.‘Didyouwantacoffin?’askedOThecharity-boylookedathimfiercely.‘You’llbeneedingacoffinsoon,Workhouse,ifyoumakejokeslikethat!I’mMisterNoahClaypole,andyou’recurtainsAsOliverandenteredtheshop.Hewasabig,clumsyboyofaboutfourteen,withalargeheadandverysmalleyes.Addedtotheseattractionswerearednoseanddirtyyellowtrousers.Theboyswentdowntobreakfast,whichthegirlCharlottehadmadeforthem.ShegaveanextrapieceofmeattoNoah,thentoldOlivertohurryupasitwashisjobtolookaftertheshop.‘Didyouhearthat,Workhouse?’shoutedNoah’said‘Leavehim‘Why?’askedNoah.‘Allhisrelationshavealreadylefthimalone.Hismotherandfatheraren’tgoingtointerferewithhim’CharlotteandNoahbothstartedlaughingloudly.Oliversataloneinthecorner,eatingoldbitsofbread.Noahwasacharity-boy,butnotaworkhouseorphan;heatleastknewwhohisparentswere.Butforalongtimeallthelocalshop-boyshadinsultedhimbecauseheworetheuniformofacharity-boy.Nowfortunehadbroughthimacreatureinanevenlowerpositioninsocietythanhimself.NoahintendedtorepaytoOlivereveryinsulthehadeverreceived,andtomakethenewboy’slifeamisery.totrainhimintheundertakingbusiness.Oliver’spermanentexpressionofsadnesswasverysuitable,theundertakerthought,forcollectingdeadbodiesfromhousesandaccompanyingthecoffinstofunerals.OnedayMrBumblecametotellthemaboutawomanwhohaddiedinanextremelypoorpartofthetown,andSowerberryandOliverwenttocollectthebody.Theywentdowndirtynarrowstreetswherethehousesoneithersideweretallandlarge,butveryold.Someofbutveryold.Someofthehouseswerealmostfallingdown,andhadtobesupportedbyhugeblocksofwood.TheareawassopoorthateventhedeadratsinthestreetlookedasthoughTheyhaddiedofhunger.Theyfoundtherighthouse,andclimbedthedarkstairstoamiserablelittleroom.SomechildrenwatchedthemfromtheshadowsasTheyentered.Somethinglaybeneathablanketonthefloorinonecorner.Amanandanoldwomanstoodnearthebody.Oliverwasafraidtolookatthem.Withtheirthinfacesandsharpteeth,Theylookedliketheratshehadseenoutside.AsSowerberrybegantomeasurethebodyforacoffin,themankneltonthefloordiedHeworkdone,leftasfastasTheycould.Theyreturnedthenextdaywiththecoffinandfourmenfromtheworkhousewhoweretocarryit.Themanandtheoldwomanfollowedthecoffintothechurch,andwaitedsilentlybythegraveforthepriesttoarrive.Whenatlasthecame,hehurriedthroughtheburialprayers,andasquicklyaspossible(itwasonlyajob,afterall)thecoffinwasputintotheground.Atthispointthehusband,whohadnotmovedonceduringhiswife’sburial-notevenduringthelongwaitforthepriest-suddenlyfaintedtothegroundandhadtohavecoldwaterthrownoverhim.‘Sohowdidyoulikeit,Oliver?’askedSowerberrylater,astheywalkedsir’O‘You’llgetusedtoit,myOliverwonderedhowlongthatwouldtake,andremainedsilentallthewaybacktotheshop,thinkingabouteverythingthathehadseenandheard. OlivergoestoOliverwasnowofficiallyanundertaker’sassistant.Itwasagood,sicklytimeofyear,andcoffinsweresellingwell.Olivergainedalotofexperienceinashorttime,andwasinterestedtoseehowbravesomepeoplewereafteradeathinthefamily.Duringfuneralsforsomerichpeople,forexample,hesawthatthepeoplewhohadcriedtheloudestinchurchusuallyrecoveredthefastestafterwardscriedtheloudestinchurchusuallyrecoveredthefastestafterwardsHenoticedhowinotherwealthyfamiliesthewifeorthehusbandoftenseemedquitecheerfulandcalmdespitetherecentdeath-justasifnothinghadhappened.Oliverwasverysurprisedtoseeallthis,andgreatlyadmiredthemforcontrollingtheirsadnesssowell.Hewastreatedbadlybymostofthepeoplearoundhim.NoahwasjealousbecauseOliverwentouttoburialswhilehewasleftbackintheshop,sohetreatedhimevenworsethanbefore.CharlottetreatedhimbadlybecauseNoahdid.AndMrsSowerberrywashisenemybecauseMrSowerberrywassupposedtobehisfriend.Onedaysomethinghappenedwhichmightseemunimportant,butwhichhadagreateffectonOliver’sfuture.Noahwasinaparticularlybadmoodonedinner-time,andsohetriedtomakeOlivercrybyhittinghim,pullinghishair,andcallinghimhorriblenames.Thiswasallunsuccessful,sohetriedpersonalinsults.‘Workhouse,how’syourmother?’hedead’repliedNoahhopedthatOliverwasgoingtocry,soheof,‘Ofabrokenheart,Iwastold’AndatearrolleddownOOliverremainedsilent,andNoahgrewbraver.‘Youknow,Ifeelverysorryyou,Workhouse,butthetruthisyour awoman’Oliverseemedsuddenlytowakeup.‘Whatdidyou‘Shewassobaditwasluckyshedied,orshewouldhaveendedupinprison,ortheolderboysoviolentlythathisteethnearlyfellout.Thenhehithimwithallhisstrengthandknockedhimtotheground.mescreamed—CharlotteandMrsSowerberryraninandscreamedinhorror.TheytookholdofOliverandbegantoheathim.ThenNoahgotupandstartedtokickhimfrombehind.WhenTheywerealltired,TheyforcedOliverbehind.WhenTheywerealltired,TheyforcedOliver,whowasstillfightingshouting,MrsSowerberrysatdown,breathingheavily.‘He’slikeawildanimal’shesaid.‘Wecouldallhavebeenmurderedinourbeds’‘IhopeMrSowerberrydoesn’ttakeanymoreofthesedreadfulcreaturesfromtheworkhousesaidkilledMrsatNoahsympathetically.Noah,whowastwiceOliver’ssize,pretendedtorubtearsfromhis‘Whatshallwedo?’criedMrsSowerberry.‘He’llkickthatdoordownintenminutes.’TheycouldhearOliverbangingandkickingatthecellardoor.‘Noah-runandgetMrBumble’SoNoahranthroughthestreetsasquicklyashecouldtofetchthebeadle.Whenhereachedtheworkhouse,hewaitedforaminutetomakesurehisfacewassuitablytearfulandfrightened.AssoonasMrBumblecameout,Noahcried,‘MrBumble!MrBumble!It’sTwistsirHesviolentHeandMrsSowerberryaswell.’MrBumblewasshockedandangry.‘Didhe?I’llcomeupthereimmediatelyandbeathimwithmystick’Whenhearrivedattheshop,Oliverwasstillkickingwildlyatthecellarhemnotafraidofyou!’MrBumblestoppedforamoment,amazedandevenratherfrightenedbythischangeinOliver.ThenhesaidtoMrsSowerberry,‘It’sthemeatthat’scausedthis,youknow.’‘Meat,madam.You’vefedhimtoowellhere.Backintheworkhousethiswouldneverhavehappened.’‘IknewIwastoogeneroustohim’saidMrsSowerberry,raisinghereyestotheAtthatmomentMrSowerberryreturnedand,hearingwhatAtthatmomentMrSowerberryreturnedand,hearingwhathadhappened(accordingtotheladies,hebeatOliversohardthatevenMrBumbleandMrsSowerberryweresatisfied.MrSowerberrywasnotacruelman,buthehadnochoice.Heknewthatifhedidn’tpunishOliver,hiswifewouldneverforgivehim.Thatnight,aloneintheroomwiththecoffinsOlivercriedbitter,lonelytears.Heunlockedtheshopdoorandleftthehouse.Heranupthestreetandthroughthetownasfarasthemainroad,wherehesawasignthattoldhimitwasjustseventymilesfromtheretoLondon.ThenameLondongavetheboyanidea.Thathugeplace!Nobody,notevenMrBumble,couldeverfindhimthere!Hehadheardoldmenintheworkhousesayitwasagoodplaceforbraveboys,andthattherewasalwaysworkthereforthosethatwantedit.Itwouldbethebestplaceforhim.Hejumpedtohisfeetandwalkedforwardagain.Butafteronlyfourmileshebegantorealizejusthowfarhewouldhavetowalk.Hestoppedtothinkaboutit.Hehadapieceofbread,aroughshirt,twopairsofsocksandapenny.ButhecouldnotseehowthesewouldhelphimgettoLondonanyfaster,sohecontinuedwalking.Hewalkedtwentymilesthatday.Theonlythinghehadtoeatwashispieceofbreadandsomewaterwhichhebeggedfromhousesneartheroad.Hesleptthefirstnightinafield,feelinglonely,tired,coldandhungry.Hewasevenhungrierthenextmorningwhenhewokeup,andhehadtobuysomemorebreadwithhispenny.Thatdayhewalkedonlytwelvemiles.HislegsweresoweakthatTheyshookbeneathThenextdayhetriedtobegformoney,butlargesignsinsomevillageswarnedhimthatanyonecaughtbeggingwouldbesenttoprison.Travellersontheroadrefusedtogivehimmoney;Theysaidhewasalazyyoungdoganddidn’tdeserveanything.Farmersthreatenedtosendtheirdogsafterhim.Whenhewaitedoutsidepubs,thepub-ownerschasedhimawaybecauseTheythoughthehadcometostealhim:anwomanandagate-keeperontheroad.IfTheyhadnotgivenhimsomefood,hesurelywouldhavediedlikehismother.Earlyontheseventhmorningofhisjourney,OliverfinallyreachedthelittletownofBarnet,justoutsideLondon.Exhausted,hesatdownatthesideoftheroad.Hisfeetwerebleedingandhewascoveredindust.Hewastootiredeventobeg.Thenhenoticedthataboy,whohadpassedhimafewminutesbefore,hadreturned,andwasnowlookingathimcarefullyfromtheoppositesideoftheroad.AfteralongtimetheboycrossedtheroadandsaidtoOliver,‘Hello!What’smattertheTheboywasaboutOliversage,butwasTheboywasaboutOliversage,butwasoneofthestrangest-lookingpeoplehehadeverseen.Hehadadirty,ordinaryboy’sface,buthebehavedasifhewereanadult.Hewasshortforhisageandhadlittle,sharp,uglyeyes.Hishatwasstuckontopofhisheadbutitlookedasthoughitwouldblowoffatanyminute.Heworeaman’scoatwhichreachedalmostdowntohisfeet,withsleevessolongthathishandswerecompletelycovered.‘I’mverytiredandhungry’answeredOliver,almostcrying.‘I’vebeenwalkingforaweek’‘Aweek!Themagistrate’sorder,was‘Themagistrate?What’s‘Amagistrate’sakindofjudge’explainedthesurprisedyounggentleman.HerealizedOliverdidnothavemuchexperienceoftheworld.‘Nevermindthat.Youwantsomefood’hewenton.‘Ihaven’tgotmuchmoneybutdon’tworry-I’llpay.’TheboyhelpedOlivertohisfeet,andtookhimtoapub.Meat,bread,andwereplacedbeforeOliver,andhisnewfriendurgedhimsatisfyhunger.WhileOliverwaseating,thestrangeboylookedathimfromtimetotimewithgreatattention.London?’ ‘Gotanywhereto‘No’‘No’Thestrangeboywhistled,andputhisarmsintohispocketsasfarasthebigcoatsleeveswouldallowhim.‘Isupposeyouwanttosleepsomewheretonight,don’tyou?’do’repliedliver‘Ihaventjourney’‘Well,don’tworry.I’vegottobeinLondontonight,andIknowaveryoldgentlemantherewhooldgentlemantherewho’llletyouliveinhisplaceandnotevenaskyouformoney’Oliverwasdeeplygratefulforthisofferofshelterandtalkedforalongtimewithhisnewfriend.HisnamewasJackDawkins,buthewasusuallycalled‘TheArtfulDodger.‘Artful’becausehewasverycleveratgettingwhathewanted;and‘Dodger’becausehewasverygoodatnotgettingcaughtwhenhedidsomethingwrong.Whenheheardthis,Oliverfeltratherdoubtfulabouthavingsuchafriend.However,hewantedfirsttomeetthekindoldgentlemaninLondon,whowouldhelphim.Afterthat,hecoulddecidewhethertocontinuethefriendshipwiththeArtfulDodger. OliverinForsomereasontheDodgerdidnotwanttoenterLondonduringdaylight,soitwasnearlyelevenoclockatnightwhenTheygotnearthecentre.Oliverhadneverseenadirtierormoremiserableplace.Thestreetsinthisdistrictwerenarrowandmuddy,andtherewereterriblesmellseverywhere.Childrenwanderedaroundevenatthistimeofnight,inandoutofthemanyshops,playingandscreaming.Thepubswerefullofpeoplefighting,andbig,evil-lookingmenstoodindoorwaysoratdarkcorners.Oliveralmostwantedtorunaway,butjustthentheDodgerpushedopenadoorandpulledOliverintoadarkhall.‘Who’sthere?’avoicecried‘It’sme,’saidtheDodger.Thefaintlightofacandleappearedinthe‘Who’stheother‘Anewfriend.Theywentupsomedarkandbrokenstairs.Olivercouldhardlyseewherehewasgoing,buttheDodgerseemedtoknowtheway,andhelpedOliverup.Theyenteredaroomwithwallsthatwereblackwithageanddirt.Infrontofthefirewasatablewithacandlestuckintoabottleofbeer,andanoldman,withahorriblyuglyfaceandredhair,stoodnexttothefirecooking.HewaswearingadirtyoldcoatandseemedtodividehisattentionbetweenhiscookingandanumberofsilkseemedtodividehisattentionbetweenhiscookingandanumberofsilkfireThetable,smokinganddrinkinglikemiddle-agedmen.TheyalllookedupwhentheDodgerandOliverentered.‘Thisishim,Fagin’theDodgersaidtotheoldman.‘MyfriendOliverTwist’FaginsmiledandshookOliver’shand.ThenallTheyounggentlemencameuptohimandshookbothhishandsveryhard,especiallythehandwhichheldhisfewpossessions.Oneoftheboyswasparticularlykind.HeevenputhishandsinOliver’spocketssothatOliverwouldnothavetoemptythemhimselfwhenhewenttobed.Theboyswouldprobablyhavebeenevenmorehelpful,butFaginhitthemontheirheadsandshouldersuntilTheyleftOliveralone.‘We’reverygladtoseeyou,OliversaidFagin.‘Iseeyou’restaringatthehandkerchieves,mydear.Aren’ttherealot?We’vejusttakenthemallouttowashthem,that’sall!Ha!Ha!Ha!’Thisseemedtobeajoke,astheoldgentlemanandallhisyoungfriendsgaveloudshoutsoflaughter.Thensupperbegan.Oliveratehisshareofthefoodandwasthengivenaglassofgin-and-water.Fagintoldhimtodrinkitfast.Immediatelyafterwards,OliverfelthimselfliftedontooneofthebedsandhesankintoadeepWhenhewoke,itwaslatemorning.Faginwastheonlyotherpersonintheroom,andhewasboilingcoffeeinapan.Whenthecoffeewasdone,heturnedtowardsOliverandlookedcloselyattheboyOliverwasonlyjustawakeandhiseyeswerehalf-closed,soheseemedtobestillfastasleep.Faginthenlockedthedoorandfromahiddenholeinthefloor,hetookoutasmallbox,whichheplacedcarefullyonthetable.Hiseyesshoneasheopeneditandtookoutagoldwatchcoveredinjewels.himself. ‘Aah’were!Loyaltheend.Theynevertoldthepriestwherethejewelswere.NoraboutoldFagin.Notevenattheveryend.AndwhyshouldThey?Itwasalreadytoolate.Itwouldn’thavestoppedtheropegoingroundtheirnecks’Fagintookoutatleastsixmorewatches,aswellasringsandbraceletsandmanyothervaluablepiecesofjewellery.Helookedatthemwithpleasure,thenreplacedthem.‘Whatagoodthinghangingis’hemurmured.‘Deadmencannevertalk,orbetrayoldfriends’AtthatmomenthelookedupandsawOliverwatchinghim.Heclosedthelidofboxwithaloudcrash,andpickedupaboxwithaloudcrash,andpickedupabreadknifefromthetable.‘Whyareyouwatchingme?Whathaveyouseen?Tellme-quick’longersirsaidsorry’‘Youweren’tawakeanhourago?’Faginaskedfiercely,stillholdingthe‘IpromiseIwasn’t,sir,’repliedO‘Don’tworry,mydear’Faginsaid,puttingdowntheknifeandbecomingonceagainthekindoldgentleman.Helaughed.‘Ionlytriedtofrightenyou,mydear.You’reabraveboy,Oliver!Anddidyouseeanyoftheprettythings?’‘Yes,sir.Ihave,inmyoldage.’Oliverwonderedwhytheoldmanlivedinsuchanold,dirtyplace,whenhehadsomanywatches,butthenhethoughtthatitmustcostFaginalotofmoneytolookaftertheDodgerandtheotherboys.Sohesaidnothing,andgotupandwashed.WhenheturnedtowardsFagin,theboxhaddisappeared.SoontheDodgerenteredwithacheerfulyoungmannamedCharley‘Haveyoubeenatworkthismorning?’Faginaskedthework’answeredboys’said‘Acoupleofpocket-booksandsomehandkrchieves’‘Goodworkers,aren’tThey,Oliver?’saidtheold‘Verygood’saidOliver.Theothersallstartedlaughing,thoughOliversawnothingfunnyinhisanswer.FagininspectedthehandkerchievesandtoldthetwoboysthatTheywereextremelywellmadeandthathewasverypleasedwiththeirwork.AfterbreakfastTheyplayedaverystrangegame.Thecheerfuloldmanputawatchinhisjacketpocket,withaguard-chainroundhisneck,andanotebookandahandkerchiefinhistrouserpocket.Thenhewentupanddowntheroomholdingawalkingstick,justliketheoldgentlemenwhowalkedinthestreets.Sometimeshestoppedatthefireplace,andsometimesatthedoor,pretendingtostarewithgreatinterestintoshopwindows.Hewouldthenconstantlylookround,asifafraidofthieves,touchingallhispocketsinsuchanaturalandfunnywaythatOliverlaugheduntilstoppedatthefireplace,andsometimesatthedoor,pretendingtostarewithgreatinterestintoshopwindows.Hewouldthenconstantlylookround,asifafraidofthieves,touchingallhispocketsinsuchanaturalandfunnywaythatOliverlaugheduntiltearsrandownhisfaceAllthetime,thetwoboysfollowedFagineverywhere,andeverytimeheturnedround,Theymovedoutofhissightsoquicklythatitwasimpossibletofollowtheirmovements.Finally,theDodgerbumpedintohimaccidentallyfrombehind,andatthatmomentbothboystookfromhim,veryquickly,hiswatch,guard-chain,handkerchief,andnotebook.Iftheoldmanfeltahandinanyofhispocketshecriedout,andthenthegamebeganagain.Later,theboyswentoutagaintodosomemorework.WhenTheyhadgone,FaginturnedtoOliver.‘Takemyadvice,mydear,’hesaid.‘Makethemyourmodels.EspeciallytheDodger.He’llbeagreatmanhimself,andwillmakeyouonetoo,ifyoucopyhim.Ismyhandkerchiefhangingoutofmypocket,mydear?''Yes,sir,'saidO'Seeifyoucantakeitout,withoutmyfeelingit.Justasyousawthemdoingitwhenwewereplaying.'Oliverheldupthebottomofthepocketwithonehand,ashehadseentheDodgerholdit,andpulledthehandkerchieflightlyoutofitwiththeother.'Hasitgone?'asked'Hereitis,sir,'saidOliver,showingitinhis'You'reacleverboy,mydear,'saidtheoldgentleman,puttinghishandonOliver'shead.I'veneverseenaquickerboy.Ifyougoonlikethis,you'llbethegreatestmaninLondon.NowcomehereandI'llshowyouhowtotakethemarksoutofhandkerchieves.Oliverwonderedwhattheconnectionwasbetweenplayingatstealingfromtheoldgentleman'spocketandbecomingagreatman.Buthefollowedhimquietlytothetableandwassoondeeplyinvolvedinhisnewstudy.OliverremainedinFagin'sroomformanydays,pickingthemarksan

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