English
WhenOliverawokeinthemorning,hewasagooddealsurprisedtofindthatanewpairofshoes,withstrongthicksoles,hadbeenplacedathisbedside;andthathisoldshoeshadbeenremoved.
Atfirst,hewaspleasedwiththediscovery:hopingthatitmightbetheforerunnerofhisrelease;butsuchthoughtswerequicklydispelled,onhissittingdowntobreakfastalongwiththeJew,whotoldhim,inatoneandmannerwhichincreasedhisalarm,thathewastobetakentotheresidenceofBillSikesthatnight.
‘To—to—stopthere,sir?’askedOliver,anxiously.
‘No,no,mydear.Nottostopthere,’repliedtheJew.‘Weshouldn’tliketoloseyou.
Don’tbeafraid,Oliver,youshallcomebacktousagain.Ha!ha!ha!
Wewon’tbesocruelastosendyouaway,mydear.Ohno,no!’
Theoldman,whowasstoopingoverthefiretoastingapieceofbread,lookedroundashebanteredOliverthus;andchuckledasiftoshowthatheknewhewouldstillbeverygladtogetawayifhecould.
‘Isuppose,’saidtheJew,fixinghiseyesonOliver,‘youwanttoknowwhatyou’regoingtoBill’sfor—-eh,mydear?’
Olivercoloured,involuntarily,tofindthattheoldthiefhadbeenreadinghisthoughts;butboldlysaid,Yes,hedidwanttoknow.
‘Why,doyouthink?’inquiredFagin,parryingthequestion.
‘IndeedIdon’tknow,sir,’repliedOliver.
‘Bah!’saidtheJew,turningawaywithadisappointedcountenancefromacloseperusaloftheboy’sface.‘WaittillBilltellsyou,then.’
TheJewseemedmuchvexedbyOliver’snotexpressinganygreatercuriosityonthesubject;butthetruthis,that,althoughOliverfeltveryanxious,hewastoomuchconfusedbytheearnestcunningofFagin’slooks,andhisownspeculations,tomakeanyfurtherinquiriesjustthen.
Hehadnootheropportunity:fortheJewremainedverysurlyandsilenttillnight:whenhepreparedtogoabroad.
‘Youmayburnacandle,’saidtheJew,puttingoneuponthetable.‘Andhere’sabookforyoutoread,tilltheycometofetchyou.Good-night!’
‘Good-night!’repliedOliver,softly.
TheJewwalkedtothedoor:lookingoverhisshoulderattheboyashewent.Suddenlystopping,hecalledhimbyhisname.
Oliverlookedup;theJew,pointingtothecandle,motionedhimtolightit.
Hedidso;and,asheplacedthecandlestickuponthetable,sawthattheJewwasgazingfixedlyathim,withloweringandcontractedbrows,fromthedarkendoftheroom.
‘Takeheed,Oliver!takeheed!’
saidtheoldman,shakinghisrighthandbeforehiminawarningmanner.
‘He’saroughman,andthinksnothingofbloodwhenhisownisup.
Whateverfallsout,saynothing;anddowhathebidsyou.Mind!’
Placingastrongemphasisonthelastword,hesufferedhisfeaturesgraduallytoresolvethemselvesintoaghastlygrin,and,noddinghishead,lefttheroom.
Oliverleanedhisheaduponhishandwhentheoldmandisappeared,andpondered,withatremblingheart,onthewordshehadjustheard.
ThemorehethoughtoftheJew’sadmonition,themorehewasatalosstodivineitsrealpurposeandmeaning.
HecouldthinkofnobadobjecttobeattainedbysendinghimtoSikes,whichwouldnotbeequallywellansweredbyhisremainingwithFagin;andaftermeditatingforalongtime,concludedthathehadbeenselectedtoperformsomeordinarymenialofficesforthehousebreaker,untilanotherboy,bettersuitedforhispurposecouldbeengaged.
Hewastoowellaccustomedtosuffering,andhadsufferedtoomuchwherehewas,tobewailtheprospectofchangeveryseverely.
Heremainedlostinthoughtforsomeminutes;andthen,withaheavysigh,snuffedthecandle,and,takingupthebookwhichtheJewhadleftwithhim,begantoread.
Heturnedovertheleaves.Carelesslyatfirst;but,lightingonapassagewhichattractedhisattention,hesoonbecameintentuponthevolume.
Itwasahistoryofthelivesandtrialsofgreatcriminals;andthepagesweresoiledandthumbedwithuse.
Here,hereadofdreadfulcrimesthatmadethebloodruncold;ofsecretmurdersthathadbeencommittedbythelonelywayside;ofbodieshiddenfromtheeyeofmanindeeppitsandwells:whichwouldnotkeepthemdown,deepastheywere,buthadyieldedthemupatlast,aftermanyyears,andsomaddenedthemurdererswiththesight,thatintheirhorrortheyhadconfessedtheirguilt,andyelledforthegibbettoendtheiragony.
Here,too,hereadofmenwho,lyingintheirbedsatdeadofnight,hadbeentempted(sotheysaid)andledon,bytheirownbadthoughts,tosuchdreadfulbloodshedasitmadethefleshcreep,andthelimbsquail,tothinkof.
Theterribledescriptionsweresorealandvivid,thatthesallowpagesseemedtoturnredwithgore;andthewordsuponthem,tobesoundedinhisears,asiftheywerewhispered,inhollowmurmurs,bythespiritsofthedead.
Inaparoxysmoffear,theboyclosedthebook,andthrustitfromhim.
Then,fallinguponhisknees,heprayedHeaventosparehimfromsuchdeeds;andrathertowillthatheshoulddieatonce,thanbereservedforcrimes,sofearfulandappalling.
Bydegrees,hegrewmorecalm,andbesought,inalowandbrokenvoice,thathemightberescuedfromhispresentdangers;andthatifanyaidweretoberaisedupforapooroutcastboywhohadneverknowntheloveoffriendsorkindred,itmightcometohimnow,when,desolateanddeserted,hestoodaloneinthemidstofwickednessandguilt.
Hehadconcludedhisprayer,butstillremainedwithhisheadburiedinhishands,whenarustlingnoisearousedhim.
‘What’sthat!’hecried,startingup,andcatchingsightofafigurestandingbythedoor.‘Who’sthere?’
‘Me.Onlyme,’repliedatremulousvoice.
Oliverraisedthecandleabovehishead:andlookedtowardsthedoor.ItwasNancy.
‘Putdownthelight,’saidthegirl,turningawayherhead.‘Ithurtsmyeyes.’
Oliversawthatshewasverypale,andgentlyinquiredifshewereill.Thegirlthrewherselfintoachair,withherbacktowardshim:andwrungherhands;butmadenoreply.
‘Godforgiveme!’shecriedafterawhile,‘Ineverthoughtofthis.’
‘Hasanythinghappened?’askedOliver.‘CanIhelpyou?IwillifIcan.Iwill,indeed.’
Sherockedherselftoandfro;caughtherthroat;and,utteringagurglingsound,gaspedforbreath.
‘Nancy!’criedOliver,‘Whatisit?’
Thegirlbeatherhandsuponherknees,andherfeetupontheground;and,suddenlystopping,drewhershawlcloseroundher:andshiveredwithcold.
Oliverstirredthefire.Drawingherchairclosetoit,shesatthere,foralittletime,withoutspeaking;butatlengthsheraisedherhead,andlookedround.
‘Idon’tknowwhatcomesovermesometimes,’saidshe,affectingtobusyherselfinarrangingherdress;‘it’sthisdampdirtyroom,Ithink.Now,Nolly,dear,areyouready?’
‘AmItogowithyou?’askedOliver.
‘Yes.IhavecomefromBill,’repliedthegirl.‘Youaretogowithme.’
‘Whatfor?’askedOliver,recoiling.
‘Whatfor?’echoedthegirl,raisinghereyes,andavertingthemagain,themomenttheyencounteredtheboy’sface.‘Oh!Fornoharm.’
‘Idon’tbelieveit,’saidOliver:whohadwatchedherclosely.
‘Haveityourownway,’rejoinedthegirl,affectingtolaugh.‘Fornogood,then.’
Olivercouldseethathehadsomepoweroverthegirl’sbetterfeelings,and,foraninstant,thoughtofappealingtohercompassionforhishelplessstate.
But,then,thethoughtdartedacrosshismindthatitwasbarelyeleveno’clock;andthatmanypeoplewerestillinthestreets:ofwhomsurelysomemightbefoundtogivecredencetohistale.
Asthereflectionoccuredtohim,hesteppedforward:andsaid,somewhathastily,thathewasready.
Neitherhisbriefconsideration,noritspurport,waslostonhiscompanion.
Sheeyedhimnarrowly,whilehespoke;andcastuponhimalookofintelligencewhichsufficientlyshowedthatsheguessedwhathadbeenpassinginhisthoughts.
‘Hush!’saidthegirl,stoopingoverhim,andpointingtothedoorasshelookedcautiouslyround.‘Youcan’thelpyourself.
Ihavetriedhardforyou,butalltonopurpose.Youarehedgedroundandround.
Ifeveryouaretogetloosefromhere,thisisnotthetime.’
Struckbytheenergyofhermanner,Oliverlookedupinherfacewithgreatsurprise.Sheseemedtospeakthetruth;hercountenancewaswhiteandagitated;andshetrembledwithveryearnestness.
‘Ihavesavedyoufrombeingill-usedonce,andIwillagain,andIdonow,’continuedthegirlaloud;‘forthosewhowouldhavefetchedyou,ifIhadnot,wouldhavebeenfarmoreroughthanme.
Ihavepromisedforyourbeingquietandsilent;ifyouarenot,youwillonlydoharmtoyourselfandmetoo,andperhapsbemydeath.Seehere!
Ihaveborneallthisforyoualready,astrueasGodseesmeshowit.’
Shepointed,hastily,tosomelividbruisesonherneckandarms;andcontinued,withgreatrapidity:
‘Rememberthis!Anddon’tletmesuffermoreforyou,justnow.
IfIcouldhelpyou,Iwould;butIhavenotthepower.
Theydon’tmeantoharmyou;whatevertheymakeyoudo,isnofaultofyours.Hush!Everywordfromyouisablowforme.Givemeyourhand.Makehaste!Yourhand!’
ShecaughtthehandwhichOliverinstinctivelyplacedinhers,and,blowingoutthelight,drewhimafterherupthestairs.
Thedoorwasopened,quickly,bysomeoneshroudedinthedarkness,andwasasquicklyclosed,whentheyhadpassedout.
Ahackney-cabrioletwasinwaiting;withthesamevehemencewhichshehadexhibitedinaddressingOliver,thegirlpulledhiminwithher,anddrewthecurtainsclose.
Thedriverwantednodirections,butlashedhishorseintofullspeed,withoutthedelayofaninstant.
ThegirlstillheldOliverfastbythehand,andcontinuedtopourintohisear,thewarningsandassurancesshehadalreadyimparted.
Allwassoquickandhurried,thathehadscarcelytimetorecollectwherehewas,orhowhecamethere,whenthecarriagestoppedatthehousetowhichtheJew’sstepshadbeendirectedonthepreviousevening.
Foronebriefmoment,Olivercastahurriedglancealongtheemptystreet,andacryforhelphunguponhislips.
Butthegirl’svoicewasinhisear,beseechinghiminsuchtonesofagonytorememberher,thathehadnotthehearttoutterit.
Whilehehesitated,theopportunitywasgone;hewasalreadyinthehouse,andthedoorwasshut.
‘Thisway,’saidthegirl,releasingherholdforthefirsttime.‘Bill!’
‘Hallo!’repliedSikes:appearingattheheadofthestairs,withacandle.‘Oh!That’sthetimeofday.Comeon!’
Thiswasaverystrongexpressionofapprobation,anuncommonlyheartywelcome,fromapersonofMr.Sikes’temperament.Nancy,appearingmuchgratifiedthereby,salutedhimcordially.
‘Bull’s-eye’sgonehomewithTom,’observedSikes,ashelightedthemup.‘He’dhavebeenintheway.’
‘That’sright,’rejoinedNancy.
‘Soyou’vegotthekid,’saidSikeswhentheyhadallreachedtheroom:closingthedoorashespoke.
‘Yes,hereheis,’repliedNancy.
‘Didhecomequiet?’inquiredSikes.
‘Likealamb,’rejoinedNancy.
‘I’mgladtohearit,’saidSikes,lookinggrimlyatOliver;‘forthesakeofhisyoungcarcase:aswouldotherwayshavesufferedforit.
Comehere,young‘un;andletmereadyoualectur’,whichisaswellgotoveratonce.’
Thusaddressinghisnewpupil,Mr.SikespulledoffOliver’scapandthrewitintoacorner;andthen,takinghimbytheshoulder,sathimselfdownbythetable,andstoodtheboyinfrontofhim.
‘Now,first:doyouknowwotthisis?’inquiredSikes,takingupapocket-pistolwhichlayonthetable.
Oliverrepliedintheaffirmative.
‘Well,then,lookhere,’continuedSikes.‘Thisispowder;that‘ere’sabullet;andthisisalittlebitofaoldhatforwaddin’.’
Olivermurmuredhiscomprehensionofthedifferentbodiesreferredto;andMr.Sikesproceededtoloadthepistol,withgreatnicetyanddeliberation.
‘Nowit’sloaded,’saidMr.Sikes,whenhehadfinished.
‘Yes,Iseeitis,sir,’repliedOliver.
‘Well,’saidtherobber,graspingOliver’swrist,andputtingthebarrelsoclosetohistemplethattheytouched;atwhichmomenttheboycouldnotrepressastart;‘ifyouspeakawordwhenyou’reouto’doorswithme,exceptwhenIspeaktoyou,thatloadingwillbeinyourheadwithoutnotice.
So,ifyoudomakeupyourmindtospeakwithoutleave,sayyourprayersfirst.’
Havingbestowedascowlupontheobjectofthiswarning,toincreaseitseffect,Mr.Sikescontinued.
‘AsnearasIknow,thereisn’tanybodyaswouldbeaskingveryparticklerarteryou,ifyouwasdisposedof;soIneedn’ttakethisdevil-and-alloftroubletoexplainmatterstoyou,ifitwarn’tforyourowngood.D’yehearme?’
‘Theshortandthelongofwhatyoumean,’saidNancy:speakingveryemphatically,andslightlyfrowningatOliverasiftobespeakhisseriousattentiontoherwords:‘is,thatifyou’recrossedbyhiminthisjobyouhaveonhand,you’llpreventhisevertellingtalesafterwards,byshootinghimthroughthehead,andwilltakeyourchanceofswingingforit,asyoudoforagreatmanyotherthingsinthewayofbusiness,everymonthofyourlife.’
‘That’sit!’observedMr.Sikes,approvingly;‘womencanalwaysputthingsinfewestwords.
—Exceptwhenit’sblowingup;andthentheylengthensitout.
Andnowthathe’sthoroughlyuptoit,let’shavesomesupper,andgetasnoozebeforestarting.’
Inpursuanceofthisrequest,Nancyquicklylaidthecloth;disappearingforafewminutes,shepresentlyreturnedwithapotofporterandadishofsheep’sheads:whichgaveoccasiontoseveralpleasantwitticismsonthepartofMr.Sikes,foundeduponthesingularcoincidenceof‘jemmies’beingacanname,commontothem,andalsotoaningeniousimplementmuchusedinhisprofession.
Indeed,theworthygentleman,stimulatedperhapsbytheimmediateprospectofbeingonactiveservice,wasingreatspiritsandgoodhumour;inproofwhereof,itmaybehereremarked,thathehumourouslydrankallthebeeratadraught,anddidnotutter,onaroughcalculation,morethanfour-scoreoathsduringthewholeprogressofthemeal.
Supperbeingended—itmaybeeasilyconceivedthatOliverhadnogreatappetiteforit—Mr.Sikesdisposedofacoupleofglassesofspiritsandwater,andthrewhimselfonthebed;orderingNancy,withmanyimprecationsincaseoffailure,tocallhimatfiveprecisely.
Oliverstretchedhimselfinhisclothes,bycommandofthesameauthority,onamattressuponthefloor;andthegirl,mendingthefire,satbeforeit,inreadinesstorousethemattheappointedtime.
ForalongtimeOliverlayawake,thinkingitnotimpossiblethatNancymightseekthatopportunityofwhisperingsomefurtheradvice;butthegirlsatbroodingoverthefire,withoutmoving,savenowandthentotrimthelight.
Wearywithwatchingandanxiety,heatlengthfellasleep.
Whenheawoke,thetablewascoveredwithtea-things,andSikeswasthrustingvariousarticlesintothepocketsofhisgreat-coat,whichhungoverthebackofachair.
Nancywasbusilyengagedinpreparingbreakfast.
Itwasnotyetdaylight;forthecandlewasstillburning,anditwasquitedarkoutside.
Asharprain,too,wasbeatingagainstthewindow-panes;andtheskylookedblackandcloudy.
‘Now,then!’growledSikes,asOliverstartedup;‘half-pastfive!Looksharp,oryou’llgetnobreakfast;forit’slateasitis.’
Oliverwasnotlonginmakinghistoilet;havingtakensomebreakfast,herepliedtoasurlyinquiryfromSikes,bysayingthathewasquiteready.
Nancy,scarcelylookingattheboy,threwhimahandkerchieftotieroundhisthroat;Sikesgavehimalargeroughcapetobuttonoverhisshoulders.
Thusattired,hegavehishandtotherobber,who,merelypausingtoshowhimwithamenacinggesturethathehadthatsamepistolinaside-pocketofhisgreat-coat,claspeditfirmlyinhis,and,exchangingafarewellwithNancy,ledhimaway.
Oliverturned,foraninstant,whentheyreachedthedoor,inthehopeofmeetingalookfromthegirl.Butshehadresumedheroldseatinfrontofthefire,andsat,perfectlymotionlessbeforeit.
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