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. ‘Howoldareyer?’inquiredthevoice. ‘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. ‘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?’ ‘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. Idon’twanttointrudeuponyoursecrets.’ AsMrs.Sowerberrysaidthis,shegaveanhystericallaugh,whichthreatenedviolentconsequences. ‘But,mydear,’saidSowerberry,‘Iwanttoaskyouradvice.’ ‘No,no,don’taskmine,’repliedMrs.Sowerberry,inanaffectingmanner:‘asksomebodyelse’s.’ Here,therewasanotherhystericallaugh,whichfrightenedMr.Sowerberryverymuch. Thisisaverycommonandmuch-approvedmatrimonialcourseoftreatment,whichisoftenveryeffective. ItatoncereducedMr.Sowerberrytobegging,asaspecialfavour,tobeallowedtosaywhatMrs.Sowerberrywasmostcurioustohear. Afterashortduration,thepermissionwasmostgraciouslyconceded. ‘It’sonlyaboutyoungTwist,mydear,’saidMr.Sowerberry.‘Averygood-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,’acquiescedtheundertaker. ‘Weonlyheardofthefamilythenightbeforelast,’saidthebeadle;‘andweshouldn’thaveknownanythingaboutthem,then,onlyawomanwholodgesinthesamehousemadeanapplicationtotheporochialcommitteeforthemtosendtheporochialsurgeontoseeawomanaswasverybad. Hehadgoneouttodinner;buthis‘prentice(whichisaverycleverlad)sent‘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,onlyaweekbefore—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,inafeverofparochialexcitement;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:astheirneglectedappearancewouldhavesufficientlydenoted,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;hiseyeswerebloodshot. Theoldwoman’sfacewaswrinkled;hertworemainingteethprotrudedoverherunderlip;andhereyeswerebrightandpiercing. Oliverwasafraidtolookateitherherortheman. 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,andshelyingthere: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. Thecrazyoldwomanwastoomuchoccupiedinbewailingthelossofhercloak(whichtheundertakerhadtakenoff),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.