 Chapter number 19 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in a public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Chapter 19 in which a notable plan is discussed and determined on. It was a chill, damp, windy night when the Jewel, butting his great coat tight around his shriveled body, and pulling a cauldron up over his ears so as to inflict you to obscure the lower part of his face. The word from his den, he paused on a step as the door was locked and chained behind him, and having listened while the boys made all succour, until their retreating footsteps were no longer audible, slunk down the street as quickly as he could. A house to which Oliver had been conveyed was in a neighbourhood of Whitechapel. The Jewel stopped for an instant at the corner of a street, and glanced insipidiously round, across the road, and struck off in the direction of a spittle field. The mud lay thick upon the stones, and a black mist hung over the street. The rain fell sluggishly down, and everything felt cold and clammy to the touch. It seemed just the night when it defeated such a being as the Jewel to be abroad. As he glided stealthily along, creeping beneath the shelter of the walls and doorways, the hideous old man seemed like some loathsome reptile, engendered in the slime and darkness through which he moved. Crawling forth by night, in search of some reach, a fall for a meal. He kept on his course through many winding, narrow ways, until they reached Bethnal Green. Then, turning strongly off to the left, he soon became involved in the maze of the mean and dirty streets which abound in that close and densely populated quarter. The Jewel was essentially too familiar with the ground he traversed to meet all bewildered, either by darkness of the night, or the intricacies of the way. He hurried through several alleys, and streets and at length turned into one lighted only by a single lamp at the farther end. At the door of a house in the street he knocked, having ashamed a few muttered words with the person who opened it. He walked upstairs, a door growled as he touched the handle of a room door. And a man's voice demanded he was there. Oh, leave me, Bill, and leave me, my dear. Said the Jewel looking in. Bring in your body then, said Sykes. Lie, you stupid brute! Don't you know the devil when he's got a great coat on? Apparently the dog had been somewhat deceived by Mr. Fakens out of garment, for as the Jewel unbuttoned it and threw it over the back of a chair, he retreated to the corner from which he had risen, wagging his tail as he went to show that he was as well satisfied as it was into nature to be. Well! And Sykes, well, my dear, replied the Jew. Ah, Nancy! A later recognition was uttered with just enough embarrassment to imply a doubt of its reception, but Mr. Fagan and his young friend had not met, since she had interfered on behalf of all of her. All doubts upon the subject, if he had any, were spirally removed by the young lady's behaviour. She took her feet off the fender, pushed back a chair, and bade Fagan draw up his, that saying more about it, for it was a cold night, and no mistake. It is cold, Nancy, dear. So the Jew as he warmed his skinny hands over the fire, it seems to go right through one, and the old man, touching his side, It must be a pier, sir, if it finds a sway-three-art. And Mr. Sykes, give him something to drink, Nancy! Burn me, I bought him a cake! It's enough to turn him out old as he is lean, old carcass! There ever ain't in that way like an ugly ghost just rose from the grave! Nancy quickly bought a bottle from a cupboard, from which there were many, which to judge from the diversity of their appearance, were filled with several kinds of liquids. Sykes pouring out a glass of brandy, bade the Jew drink it off. Quite enough, quite. Thank you, Bill! Applied the Jew, putting down the glass after just setting his lips to it. Whoa! You're afraid of getting the better of you, are you? In quiet Sykes, he sneezed his nose on the Jew. The whole scrunt of contempt, Mr. Sykes seized the glass and threw the remainder of its contents into the ashes. As a preptory ceremony to filling it again for himself, which he did at once, the Jew glanced round the room, at his companion tossed down the second glass full. Not in curiosity, for he had seen it often before, but in a restless and suspicious manner habitual to him. It was a meanly furnished apartment, with nothing but the contents of that closet to induce the belief that its occupier was anything but a working man. When no more suspicious articles displayed a view than two or three heavy bloodins which sort in a corridor, and a laugh-reserver, they hung over with a chimneypiece. Ah! said Sykes, smacking his lips. I'm ready! For business, inquired the Jew. For business, you aren't Sykes. So say what you gold say! Applied the crib-bet charts, you Bill, said the Jew, drawing his chair forward and speaking in a very low voice. Yes, what about that? Inquired Sykes. Ah, you know what I mean, my dear, the Jew. He knows what I mean, Nancy, don't he? No, he don't! It's Mr. Sykes. Or it won't, and not the same thing. Speak out and call-ring by their art names. Don't sit there winking and blinking and talking to me in hates. That is, if you wonder very first, had thought about the robbery, what do you mean? The Jew would in vain attempted to sort this verse to that indignation. Somebody will hear us, my dear. Somebody will hear us. Let him hear! Said Sykes. I don't care! But as Mr. Sykes did care on reflection, he dropped his voice as he said the words and grew calmer. There, there! Said the Jew coaxingly. It was only my caution, nothing more. Now, my dear, about that crib of a church, say, when is it to be done, big boy? When is it to be done? Such play it, my dear, such play it! The Jew rubbing his hands and elevating his eyebrows in a rapture of anticipation. No, ah, oh! Applied to Sykes coaxingly. Not to be done at all. Look at the Jew leaning back in his chair. No, no, oh! They joined Sykes. At least it can't be a poor-op job as we expected. As it hasn't been properly gone and found. Said the Jew turning pale with anger. Don't tell me! But I will tell you! It's all weird, Sykes. Who are you, it's not to be told. I'll tell you, it can't be crooked. It'd been hanging about the place for a fault-night. And yet again, who will the servants in line? Do you mean to tell me, Bill? The Jew softening as the other grew heated. And neither of the two men in the house can be got over. Yes, I do mean to tell you so. Applied Sykes. Oh, ladies, had I needs twenty years, and if you would give him five hundred pound, they wouldn't be in it. But I mean to say, my dear, remain straight to the Jew, that the woman can't be got over. Not a bit of her. Applied Sykes. Not by a flash to be crooked. So the Jew inquir- didlessly. Think what woman are, Bill? No, not even by a flash to be crooked. Applied Sykes. He says he's worn charm whiskers and a canary waistcoat. Oh, blessed are we, but now her owner. It's all of no use. We should have tried Mestesios and a tear of military trousers, my dear. Said the Jew. So he did, adjoined Sykes. And there were no more use than the other plant. The Jew looked blank this information. After ruminating for some minutes with his chin sunk on his breast, he raised his head and said with a deep sigh that his flash to be crooked reported a right. And he feared the game was up. And yet, said the old man, dropping his hands to unseize, it's a sad thing, my dear, to lose so much and yet set our hearts upon it. So it is, ad-Mr Sykes, waslock. A long silence ensued during which the Jew was plunged in deep thought with his flesh wrinkled into an expression of villainy, and a monocle sacks out infertively from time to time. Nancy, apparently fearful, irritating the housebreaker sat with her eyes fixed upon the fire as if she had been deft all that had passed. Fogaine, said Sykes, abruptly breaking a stillness reveal, as it were, fifty shiners extra, was safely dawned from the outside. Yes, the Jew was suddenly rousing himself. Easy to bawl, Gaine, inquired Sykes. Yes, my dear, yes. Rejoined the Jew, his eyes glistening and every muscle in his face working, with the excitement that the inquirer had awakened. Then, said Sykes, wrestling aside the Jew's hand with some disdain, let it come on for as soon as you like, tubing me with a gong wall the night of all our sound and the panels of the door and shutters, the creeps barl of the night like a jail, but there's one part where you can crack safe and softly. But she said, Peel, as the Jew quigly, wah, and asked Sykes, are you cross alone? Yes, the Jew bending his head forward and his eyes almost turning out of it. Ooh! Sykes, sopping short as the girls, yes, and moving ahead, looked suddenly round and pointed for an instant to the Jew's face. Never mind which part it is. You can't do without me, I know. But it best if you all say, Sy, when one deals with you. As you like, my dear, as you like, blind the Jew, I won't eat but yours and Tobias. Norn, said Sykes, said to send a bit, a boy, the first we both got, the second you must find us, a boy, exclaimed you. Oh! It ain't the panel, eh? Never mind what it is, replied Sykes, I won't avoid, must be a big one. Lord! Said Mr. Sykes, perfectively, if I'd only do that young boy and let that shimmy sweep us, he kept him small on purpose and let him out of either job but the fall had gone lagged and then the juvenile delinquents saw it come and takes the boy away from a tread where he was earning money, teaches him the word more and in time marks the pretties of him and so they go on. Said Mr. Sykes, path-rising the recollection of his wrongs. So they go on and if they've got money enough which is a providence they haven't, we should never have a dozen boys left in the old trade in a year or two. No more, we were all short in quest that you who had been considering derring this speech and had only caused the assentance War now, inquired Sykes. The Jew nodded his head towards Nancy, who was still gazing at the fire and intimated by a sign that he would have her turned to leave the room. Sykes shrugged his shoulders impatiently as if he thought the precaution unnecessary but complied nevertheless in by requesting Miss Vancey to fetch him a jug of beer. You don't want any beer? Said Nancy, folding her arms and retaining a seat very compulsively. I tell you I do! Nonsense, rejoined the girl coolly. Come on, Fagin, I know what he's going to say, Bill. He didn't mind me. The Jew was still hesitated. Sykes looked from one to the other with some surprise. Why don't I, dear old girl, do you, Fagin? He sassed at length. You know it, I long enough to trost her all the devils in it. She ain't worn a blab. Are you Nancy? I shall think not, replied the young lady drawing a chair up to the table and putting her elbows upon it. No, no, my dear. I know you're not. Said the Jew. But... And again the old man paused. But what! inquired Sykes. I didn't know whether she might be a horde of sorts, you know. My dear, as she was the other night. Applied the Jew. This confession must then be brought into a loud, loud, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. And swallowing a glass of brandy shook her head with an air of defiance and burst into some tree-explanations of keep the game occurring, never say die. And the like, these seem to have the effect of reassuring both gentlemen, for the Jew nodded his head with the satisfied air and resumed his seat as just mid to Sykes likewise. Now, Fagin, said Nancy with the laugh, killed Billet once about Oliver. Oh, you're a clever one, my dear, the sharpest girl I ever saw. So the Jew patting on the neck, he dwells about Oliver I was going to speak, shall I not? Ah! All about him! And the man did Sykes. He's the boy. He implied the Jew and his horse whisper, laying his finger on the side of his nose and grinning frightfully. Hey! exclaimed Sykes. Have him, Bill, said Nancy. I would if I were in your place. He may be so much up as any of the others, but that's not what you want. If he's only to open tall for you, the pain upon it is a safe one, Bill. I know he is, the giant Fagin. He's been in good training these last few weeks, because in its time he began to work for his bread. Besides, the others are all too big. Well, he's just as sore as I want. That Mr Sykes, ruminating. And he'll do everything you want, Bill, my dear. Interpose the Jew. He can't help himself. That is, if you frighten even Nancy. Fraught in him! That goes, Sykes. You be no sham, frighten it, mind you. If there's anything queerer than him, when we once get into the work, in for a penny, in for a pound, you won't see him alive again, Fagin. Think alive before you send him. My words, said the robber, posing a crowbar, which he had drawn from under the bedstead. What a bit of all! The Jew with energy. I vibrate and my eye on him, my dears. Close, close. Once let him feel that he is one of us. Once fill his mind with the idea that he has been a thief in his arse. Arseful as life. Oh, he couldn't have come about better. The old man crossed his arms upon his breast and, drawing his head and shoulders into a heap, he really hung to himself for joy. Arse, said Sykes. You, Jew me. Perhaps I do, my dear. Is the Jew with the shrew a trickle? Mine, if you like, Bill. And what, said Sykes, earning fiercely his agreeable friend, what makes you take so much pain about warped shock face, Kate? When you know there's fifty boys snoozing about common guard, never in eyes you might pick and choose from. Because they never knew you used to me, my dear. Applied the Jew with some confusion. No, worth taking. Their looks convict them when they get into trouble and I lose them all. With this boy, I properly managed, my dears. I could do what I couldn't with twenty of them. Besides the Jew recovering his ill position, he has us now, if he could only give us leg-bait ill again. And he must be in the same boat with us. Never mind how he came there. It's quite enough for my power over him that he was in a robbery. That's all I want. Now, now much better this is, being obliged to put the poor little boy out of the way, we should be dangerous and we should lose by besides. What's this to be done? As Nancy is stopping some turbulent explanation on the part of Mr. Sykes, expressive of the disgust with which he received being in this effectation of humanity. Ah, to be sure, is the Jew. When is it to be done, Bill? Applied with Toby, and now after tomorrow. Rejoined it, Sykes, in a silly voice, if you heard not from me into the corn-trowry. God, there's no... No. Rejoined, Sykes. It's all arranged about bringing off the swag, is it? As the Jew, Sykes nodded. And about. Oh, eh, ah, it's all planned. Rejoined at Sykes, interrupting him. Nevermore, particulars, you better bring the boy here tomorrow at night. I shall get off the stone an hour after daybreak. Then you hold your tongue and keep the melting pot ready. That's all you have to do. After some discussion, which all three took an active part, it was decided that Nancy shall prepare to the Jews next evening when the night had set in, and bring Oliver away with her. Fagan craftily observing that, if he had instilled a disinclination to the task, he would be more willing to accompany the girl who had so recently interfered in his behalf than anybody else. It was also so all arranged that poor Oliver should, for the purposes of the contemplated expedition, be unreservedly consigned to the care and custody of Mr. William Sykes, and further that the said Sykes should deal with him as he thought fit and should not be held responsible by the Jew for any mischance of evil that might be necessary to visit him. It being understood that to render their compact in this respect binding, any representations made by Mr. Sykes on his return should be required to be confirmed and corroborated in all important particulars by the testimony of Flash Kroby Crackett. These preliminaries adjusted Mr. Sykes to drink brandy at a furious rate and to flourish the crowbar in an alarming manner, yelling forth at the same time most unmusical snatches of soul mingled with wild excretions. At length in a fit of professional enthusiasm he insisted upon producing his box of house-breaking tools which he had no sooner stumbled in with and opened for the purpose of explaining the nature and proprieties that the various instruments it contained and the peculiar beauties of their construction then he fell over the box upon the floor and went to sleep where he fell. Good night Nancy. Said the Jew muffling himself up as before. Good night. Their eyes met and the Jew scrutinised her narrowly. There was no flinching about the girl. She was as true and earnest in the matter as Toby Crackett himself could be. The Jew again baited her good night and stowing a sly kick upon the prostrate form of Mr. Sykes while her backwards turned. Groped downstairs. Or where's the where? Must have the Jew to himself as he turned home on. The worst of these woman is that very little thing serves to call up some logs long for a good feeling and the best of them is that it never lasts. Ah! Ah! The man against the child for a bag of garling the time with these pleasant reflections Mr. Fagan weaned at his way through mud and mire to his gloomy abode where the Dodger was sitting up impatiently awaiting his return. This olive ale of bed I want to speak to him was his first remark as they descended stairs. Ow as a go! Applied the Dodger throwing up in a door. Here he is! The boy was lying fast asleep on a ruled bed upon the floor so pale with anxiety and sadness and the closeness of his prison that he looked like death. Not death as it shows in shroud and coughing but in the guise it wears when life is just departed. When a young and gentle spirit has but an instant fled to heaven and the gross air of the world has not had time to breathe upon a changing dusty teller. Not now. It's the Jew turning softly away. Tomorrow. End of Chapter 19 Chapter 20 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org This recording is by Arthur Piatidosi. Chapter 22 Wherein Oliver is delivered over to Mr William Sykes When Oliver awoke in the morning it was a good deal of surprise to find that a new pair of shoes were strong as thick soles had been placed at his bedside and that his old shoes had been removed. At first he was pleased with the discovering hoping that it might be the forerunner of his release. The Dutch thoughts were quickly dispelled when he was sitting down at breakfast along with the Jew who told him in a tone and manner which increased his alarm that he was to be taken to the residence of Bill Sykes at night To stop there sir asked Oliver anxiously No, no my dear not to stop there bled the Jew We shouldn't like to lose you Don't be afraid Oliver you shall come back to us again Ah ha ha We won't be so cruel as to send you away my dear Oh no, no The old man who was stupid going with the fire toasting a piece of bread looked round as he bantered Oliver thus and chuckled as if to show that he knew he would still be very glad to get away if he called I suppose said the Jew fixing his eyes on Oliver you want to know what you're going to bills for eh my dear Oliver coloured involuntarily to find that the old thief had been reading his thoughts but lonely said Yes, he did want to know Why what do you think Inquired fakie, perrying the question Indeed, I don't know sir applying Oliver BAAAA said the Jew turning away with disappointed cabinets from a close perusal of the boy's face Wait till Bill tells you then The Jew seemed much vexed by others not expressing any greater curiosity on the subject but the truth is that although Oliver felt very anxious he was too much confused by the earnest cunning of Fagan's looks in his own speculations to make any further enquiries just then he had no other opportunity for the Jew to remain very surly and silent till night when he prepared to go abroad You might burn a candle said the Jew putting one upon the table and here's a book for you to read till they come to fetch you Good night Good night implying Oliver softly the Jew walked to the door looking over at his shoulder at the boy as he went suddenly stopping he called him by his name Oliver looked up the Jew pointing to the candle the motion to delight it he did so and as he placed the candle stick upon the table saw that the Jew was gazing fixedly at him with lowering and contracted brass in the corner of the room Take heed Oliver take heed so the old man shaking his right hand before him in a warning manner he's a rough man and thinks nothing of blood for his own is up whatever falls out say nothing and do what it pleads you mind putting a strong emphasis on the last word he suffered his features gradually to all themselves in a ghastly grin and nodding his head after him Oliver leaned his head upon his hand while the old man disappeared and pondered at the trembling heart of the words he had just heard the more he thought of the Jew's admonition the more he was hit it lost to a divine his real purpose and meaning he could think of no bad object to be obtained by sending him to Sykes which would not be equally well answered by his remaining with Fagan and after meditating for a long time included that it had been selected to perform some old and airy menial offices for the housebreaker until another boy better suited from his purposes could be engaged he was too well accustomed to suffering and had suffered too much where he was to bewail the prospect of change very severely he remained lost in thought for some minutes and then with a heavy sigh snuffed the candle and taking up the book which the Jew had left him began to read he turned over the leaves carelessly at first but lighting on the passage which attracted his attention his tune became intent upon the volume it was history of the lives and trials of great criminals the pages were soiled and thumbed with use here a red of dreadful crimes had made the blood run cold of secret murders that had been committed by the lonely wayside of bodies hidden from the eye of man in deep pits and wells which would not be keep them down deep as they were but it yielded them up at last after many years and so maddened the murderers with their sight that in their horror they had confessed the guilt and kneeled for the gibbet to end their agony here too he read of men who lying in the bodes of dead of night had been tempted so they said led on by their own bad thoughts to such dreadful blanchet as it made the flesh creep and the limbs quail to think of a terrible descriptions were so real and vivid that the sallow pages seemed to turn red with gore and the words upon them to be sounded in his ears as if they were whispered in horror murmurs the spirits of the dead in a proxism of fear the boy closed the book and thrust it from him then falling upon his knees he prayed heaven to spare him from such deeds and rather to will that he should die at once than to be reserved for crimes so fearful and appalling by degrees he grew more calm and basalt in a low and broken voice that he might be rescued from his present dangers and then if any aid were to be raised up for a poor outcast boy who had never known the love of a friend or kindred it might come to him now when desolate and deserted he sat alone in the midst of wickedness and guilt he had concluded his prayer but still remained with his head buried in his hands when the rustling noise rose to him who's that? he cried starting up and catching a sight of a figure standing by the door who's there? me, only me implied a tremulous voice all of her raised the candle above his head and looking toward the door it was Nancy put down the light so the girl's turning her way ahead it hurts my eyes all of her saw that she was very pale and inquired if she were ill the drool threw herself into a chair with a back towards him and wrung her hands but they'd never reply God forgive me she cried after a while I never thought of this has anything happened? asked Oliver can I help you? I will if I can I will, indeed she rocked herself to and fro caught her throat gurgling sound asked for breath Nancy I don't know what is it? the girl beat her hands upon her knees and her feet upon the ground and suddenly stopping drew her shawl close round her and shivered with cold all of her stirred the fire drawing a chair close to it she sat there for a little time without speaking but at length she raised her head and looked round I don't know what comes over me sometimes said she affecting a bit of herself in a ranging address it's this dirty room I think now normally dear are you ready? I'm going to go with you asked Oliver yes I have come from Bill not the girl you're to go with me what for? asked Oliver required me what for? I called the girl raising her eyes and averting them again the moment they encountered the boys she was oh for no harm I didn't believe it said Oliver would watch her closely having you all over enjoying the girl affecting the laugh for no good then Oliver could see that he had some power over the girl's better feelings and for an instant thought of appealing to her compassion for his helpless state then the thought darted across his mind that it was barely eleven o'clock and that many people were still in the streets of whom surely some might be found to give credence to its tale as a reflection occurred dear me stepped forward and said some untastily that he was ready neither his brief consideration nor his purport was lost on his companion she eyed him narrowly when he spoke and cast upon him a look of intelligence which suffices in this show that she dressed what had been passing in his thoughts hush said the girl stooping over him and pointing to the door as she looked cautiously round you can't help yourself I've tried hard for you there was no purpose you were head shrouded and crowned if ever you were to get loose from here this is not the time stooped by the energy of her manner Oliver looked up in her face with great surprise she seemed to speak the truth her countenance was white and agitated and she travelled with very earnestness I've saved you from being amused once and I will again and I do now and do the girl out if I had not would have been far more rough than me I have promised for you being quiet and silent if you are not you will only do harm to yourself and me too perhaps be my death here I have borne all this for you already as true as God sees me show it he pointed hastily at some livid bruises on the neck and arms and continued with great affinity remember this and don't let me suffer more from you just now I could help you I would but I have not the power they don't mean to harm you whatever they make you do is no fault of yours every word from you was a blow on me give me your hand a haste your hand she caught the hand which all of her instinctively placed in hers and blowing out the light drew him after her up the stairs the door was open quickly by some shone shrouded in darkness and was as quickly closed when they had been masked out a hackney cabriolette was in waiting with the same vehemence which she had exhibited in her dressing all of her the girl pulled him in with her and drew the curtains close the driver wanted no directions but lashed his horse with full speed without a delay an instant the girl still held all of her fast by the hand and continued with the pour into his ear the warnings and assurances she had already imparted all were so quick and hurried that he had scarcely time to recollect where he was or how he came there when the carriage stopped at the house to which the Jew's steps had been directed on the previous evening for one brief moment Gong of her cast a hurried glance along the empty street and a cry for help hung upon his lips but the girl's voice was in his ear reseaching him in such tones of agony to remember her that he had not the heart to usur it while only hesitated the opportunity was gone it was already in the house and the door was shut this way so the girl releasing and held for the first time Bill I know relied Sykes appearing at the head of the stairs with Cannon oh that's a Dharma day come on this was a very strong expression of approbation an uncommonly hearty welcome from a person of Mr Sykes's temperament Nancy appearing much gratified thereby saluted him cordially Booze I've gone home with Tom observed Sykes as he lighted the bomb eat a bit it on the way that's right he joined and Nancy there you go kid said Sykes when they all reached the room closing the door as he spoke yes here he is and Nancy didn't come quiet inquired Sykes like a lamb rejoined Nancy I'm glad to hear it said Sykes looking grimly over for the sake of his own caucus as would all the wives ever suffer for it come here young one let me read you a lecture which he says well got over it once thus addressing his young pupil Mr Sykes pulled off all of his cap and threw it into a corner and then taking him by the shoulder sat himself down by the table and stood the boy in front of him now first you know what this is inquired Sykes taking up a pocket pistol which lay on the table all of a replied in the affirmative well then look here continue with Sykes this is powder then here's a bullet and this is a little bit of light for one all of our at moment is comprehension of the different bodies referred to and Mr Sykes proceeded to load the pistol of great nicety and deliberation now it's loaded and Mr Sykes when he had finished yes I see it sir replied all of them well said the robber grasping all of those wrists and putting a barrel so close to his temple that they touched at which moment the boy could not repress a star you speak a word when you're out of doors with me it's better when I speak to you that loading will be in your head without notice though if you do make up your mind you speak without leave say your prayers first having distilled a scar upon the object of this warning to increase its effect Mr Sykes continued as near as I know there's many bodies would be asking very particular out to you if you was disposed of so I needn't take this devil and all of trouble to explain most to you if it weren't for your own good yeah me the short and long foot you mean said Nancy speaking very empathetically and slightly frowning at all of us if to just speak his serious attention to words is that if you cross my aim in this job but you add on hand you'll prevent his ever-telling tales afterwards by shooting through the head and you'll take your chance of swinging for it as you do for a great many other things in the way of business having been owned for your life that's it observe it's a Sykes approving woman can always put wings in a view with words except when it's blowing up since it's out and now that he's thoroughly up to it let's have some supper and get the snooze by all starting in pursuance of this request Nancy quickly laid the cloth disappearing for a few minutes she presently returned with a pot of porter and dish of sheep's heads which gave occasion to several pleasant witticisms on the part of Mr Sykes founded upon the singular coincidence of jemies being a can name common to them and also to an ingenious implement much used in his profession indeed the worthy gentleman stipulating perhaps by the immediate prospect being all active service was in great spirit and good humor in proof whereof it may be hear him out that he humorously drank all the beer at a draught indeed not utter on a rough circulation more than four skull oaths during the whole progress of the meal the supper being ended it may be easily conceived that Oliver had no great appetite for it Mr Sykes disposed of a couple of glasses of spirits and water and threw himself on the bed all during Nancy with many implications in case of failure to call him at five precisely Oliver stretched himself in his clothes by command of the same authority on a mantletruss upon the floor the girl mending the fire sat before it in readiness to rouse them at the pointed time for a long time Oliver lay awake thinking it was impossible that Nancy might seek that opportunity of mispringing some further advice for the girl sat brooding over the fire without moving saved now and then to stream the light weirdly with watching an anxiety it length fell asleep when he awoke the table was covered with tea things and Sykes was thrusting this implements into the pockets of his great coat which hung over the back of a chair Nancy was busy engaging in bearing breakfast it was not yet daylight for the candle was still burning and it was quite dark outside a sharp rain too was beating against the windowpains and the sky looked black and cloudy now then ground Sykes as Oliver started up ah past five all you'll get ill breakfast for it's late as it is all of her was not long in making his toilet having taken some breakfast he replied was surly inquiry from Sykes by saying that he wasn't quite ready Nancy squirce looking at the boy threw him a handkerchief to die around his throat Sykes gave him a large rough cape to button over his shoulders thus attired he gave his hand to the robber really pausing to show him with a menacing gesture that he had that same pistol in a side pocket of his great coat clasped it firmly in his and exchanging a fair will with Nancy let him away Oliver turned for an instant when they reached the door in the hope of meeting a door from the girl but she resumed her old seat in front of the pyre and sat perfectly motionless before it End of Chapter 20 Chapter number 21 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Chapter 21 The Expedition It was a cheerless morning when they got into the street blowing and raining hard the clouds looked dull and stormy the night had been very wet and large pools of water had collected in the road and the kennels were overflowing There was a faint glimmering of the coming day in the sky but rather aggravated than relieved the gloom of the scene the somber light only served a pale that which the street lamps were vaulted without shedding any warm or bright tiddance upon the wet house tops and dreary streets there appeared to be nobody stirring in that quarter of the town the windows of the houses were all closely shut and the streets through which they passed were noiseless and empty by the time they turned in the little green road the day had barely begun to break many of the lamps were already extinguished a few country wagons were slowly toiling on towards London now and then a stage coach covered with mud rattled briskly by the driver bestowing as he passed had momentarily lashed upon the heavy wagoner who by keeping on the wrong side of the road endangered his arriving at the office a quarter of a minute after his time the public houses with gas lights burning inside were already open by degrees other shops began to be unclosed and a few scattered people admit it with then came struggling groups of labourers going to their work then were no women with fishbacquets on their heads donkey carts laden with vegetables chased carts filled with livestock or wool carcasses of meat milk woman with pails an unbroken corncours of people hanging out with various supplies to the eastern suburbs of the town as they approached the city the noise and traffic gradually increased when they threaded the streets between Shelditch and Smithfield and it swelled into a roar of sound and bustle it was as light as it was likely to be till night came on again and the busy milling of half the London population had begun turning down the Sun Street and Crown Street and forcing Sainsbury Square Mr. Strike struck by way of Chiswell Street into Barbican thence into Long Lane and so into Smithfield from which later place rose a tumble of his accountant's sounds that filled all of a twist with amazement it was market morning the ground was covered nearly ankle deep with filth and mire a sick steam perpetually rising from the reeking vessel and mingling with a fog which seemed to rest upon the chimney tops unheavily above all the pens in the centre of the large area as many temporary pens as could be crowded into the vagrant space were filled with sheep tied up to posts by the gutter side were long lines of beasts and oxen three are full deep untrimmen, butchers, drovers hawkers, boys, thieves idlers in vagabonds of every low grade were mingled together in a mass the whistling of drovers the barking dogs the bellowing and plunging of the oxen the bleeding of a sheep the grunting and squeaking of pigs the cries of hawkers the shouts, oaths and quarrelling on all sides the ringing of bells and roar of voices that ishield from every public house shouting, pushing driving, beating whooping and yelling the hideous and discoloured din that resounded from every corner of the market and the unwashed, unshaven squalid and dirty figures instantly running to and fro and bursting in and out of the throng rendered it a stunning bewildering scene which quite confounded the senses Mr. Sykes striking all over an arachnid his way through the trickest of the crowd and bestowed very little attention on numerous sights and sounds which so astonished the boy he nodded once eyes all thrice to a passing friend and resisting as many invitations to take a morning dram pressed steadily onward until they were clear of the turmoil and it made their way through Hosea Lane into Hallbore No young on! said Sykes at the clock of St Andrew's Church all the morn's seven you must step out calm, don't lag behind already lazy legs Mr. Sykes accompanied this speech with a jerk at his little companion's wrist all over quickening his pace into a kind of trot between a vast walk and a run kept up of the rapid strides of the housebreaker as well as he could they held their calls to this rate until they'd passed Hyde Park Colner and were on their way to Kensington when Sykes relaxed his pace until an empty cart which was at some distance behind came up seeing all slow written on it he asked the driver with as much civility as he could assume if he would give him a lift as full as Ile's worth Chop up! said the man Is that your boy? Yes, is my boy! Applied Sykes looking hard at Oliver and putting his hand abstractly into the pocket where the pistol was You've fully watched rather too quick for you, don't you, my man? inquired the driver seeing that Oliver was out of breath Not a bit of it! replied Sykes and deposing He's used to it! Here, take hold of my hand, then in with you As addressing Oliver he helped him into the cart and the driver pointing to the heap of sacks held him lie down there and rest himself As he passed the different milestones Oliver wondered more and more where his companion meant to take him Kensington Hammersmith, Chiswick Hugh Bridge Brentford were all past and yet they went on as steadily as if they had only just begun their journey At length they came to a public house called the Cochran Horses a little way beyond which another road appeared to run off and here the cart stopped Sykes dismounted with grapes as sepitation holding Oliver by the hand all the while and lifting him down directly pursuing a furious look upon him and wrapping a side pocket with his fist in a significant manner Good boy, boy said the man, he's okay Appliance Sykes gave him a shake He's okay! A young dog! Kill him or him! Not ah No wonder the other was getting into his cart It's a form day after all and he drove away Sykes waited until he was fairly gone and then telling Oliver he might look about him if he wanted Once again they had him onward on his journey They turned round to the left a short way past the public house and then taking a right hand road walked on for a long time passing many large gardens and gentlemen's houses on both sides of the way and stopping for nothing but a little beer until they reached town Here against the wall of a house Oliver saw written up in the large letters Amton They lingered about in a field for some hours a length they came back into the town and turning into an old public house with the defaced signboard ordered some dinner by the kitchen fire The kitchen was an old low roofed room with a great beam across the middle of a ceiling and benches with high backs to them by the fire on which were seated several rough men in smocked frocks drinking and smoking They took no notice of Oliver and very little of Sykes and as Sykes took very little notice of them he and his young comrades sat in the corner by themselves without being much troubled by their company They had some cold meat for dinner and sat so long after it well Mr Sykes indulged himself for three or four pipes it was Oliver began to feel quite certain they were not going any further being much tired with his walk and getting up so early he dosed a little at first then quite overpowered by fatigue and the fumes of the tobacco very asleep It was quite dark when he was awakened by a push from Sykes he had himself sufficiently to sit up and look about him he found that worthy in close fellowship and communication with the labouring man over a pint of ale Say you're going on to Lower Hallifall are you in the word Sykes is I by the man who seemed a little worse or better as the case may be for drinking and not slow about it neither my whole then got low by him going back cos he had gone up in the morning and he won't be longer doing of it he was lucky him he caught he's a good one could you get my boy me a lift as far as there a man in Sykes pushing the ale towards his new friend if you're going directly I can imply the man looking out of the pot are you going to Hallifall going to Sheffelton right Sykes I'm your man as far as a girl alright the other he's all paid becky yes the other gentleman's paid imply the girl I'll say said the man with tipsy gravity that won't do you know why not join Sykes you're going to accommodate us or to prevent my standing tree for a ball or two in return a stranger afflicted upon this argument with the brough of pound face having done so he sees Sykes by the hand and he declared he was a real good fellow to which Mr Sykes replied he was joking as if he had been sober there would have been strong reason to suppose he was after the exchange of a few more compliments they obeyed the company good night and went out the girl gathering up the pots and glasses as they did so and lounging out the door with a hands full to see the party start the horse who was health had been drunk and his absence was standing outside ready harness to the cart Oliver and Sykes caught him without any further ceremony and the man whom he belonged how he lingered for a minute or two to bear him up to fight the horsler and the world to produce his equal mounted also then the horsler was told to give the horse his head and his head being given to him he made a very unpleasant use of it torsing it into the air at great distaste and running into the parlor windows over the way after performing those feats and supporting himself for a short time on his hind legs he started off at great speed and rattled out of the town the night was very dark a damp mist rose from the river and harshly ground about and spread itself over the dreary fields it was piercing cold too all was gloomy and black not a word was spoken for the driver had blown sleepy and Sykes was in no mood to lead him into conversation Oliver sat huddled together in a corner of the cart bewildered with alarm and apprehension and figuring strange objects in the galt trees was branches waved grimly to and fro as if in some fantastic joy at the desolation of the scene as they passed sunburied church that looked struck seven there was a light on the fairy house window opposite which streamed across the road and threw in the more sober shadow a dark yew tree with craves beneath it there was a dull sound of falling water not far off and the leaves a yew tree stirred gently in the night wind it seemed like quiet music for the repose of the dead sunburied was passed through and they came again into the lonely road two or three miles more and the cart stopped Sykes lighted took Oliver by the hand and they once again walked on they turned into no house at Sheperton as the weary boy had expected but still kept walking on in modern darkness through gloomy lanes and over cold open waste until they came within sight of the lights of a town at no great distance on looking intently forward Oliver saw that the water was just below them and they were coming to the foot of a bridge Sykes kept straight on until they were close up on the bridge then turned and suddenly down and bank upon the left the water thought Oliver was running sick with fear he's brought me to this lonely place he's pleased to murder me he was about to throw himself on the ground make one struggle for his young life when he saw that they were stood before a lower notary house ruinous and decayed there was a window on each side a dilipidated entrance and one story above but no light was visible the house was dark dismantled and all appearance and inhabited Sykes with all of his hands still in his softly approached the low porch and raised latch the door yielded to the pressure and they passed in together End of Chapter 21 Chapter number 22 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org This recording is by Arthur Piantodosi Chapter 22 the burglary Hello cried a loud horse voice as soon as they set foot in the passage Don't make such a row said Sykes bowing the door show a glim to bit oh my pal cried the same voice a glim Barney a glim show the gentleman end Barney wake up first wake up first if convenient the speaker appeared to throw a boot jack or some such article that the person he addressed to rouse him from his slumbers the noise of a wooden body falling violently was heard and then he named a stink muttering as if a man between sleep and awake do you hear the same voice there's Bill Sox in the postage with no one to do as a Sybil's him there as you hear glowed and with your meals and not stronger are you any fresher now and you all the iron candles stick to wake you thoroughly peer-sliptured feet shuffled hastily of course bare floor of the room as this enterigatory was put and they issued from a door on the right hand first a feeble candle and next the form of the same individual has heared to described as laboring under the affirmative speaking through his nose and officiating as waiter at the public house on saffron hill Mr. Sox exclaimed barning with real virtue, come in sir come here here you get an old first said Sykes putting Oliver in front of him quick out I'll tread on your wheels muttering a curse upon his tarniness Sykes pushed Oliver before him they entered a long dark room with a smoky fire two or three broken chairs a table and a very old couch on which with his legs much higher than his head a man was reposing at full length smoking a long clay pipe he was dressed in a smartly calf snuff coloured coat with large brass buttons an orange neckerchief a coarse staring shawl pattern waistcoat and rub breeches Mr. Crackett, for he it was had no great irrigate quantity of hair either upon his head or face but what he had was of a reddish dye and tortured into long corkscrew curls through which he occasionally thrust some very dirty fingers ornamented with large common rings he was a trifle above the middle size an apparently rather weak in the legs but this circumstance by no means attracted from his own admiration of his top boots which he contemplated in the elevated situation with lively satisfaction Bill my boy said this figure turning his head toward the door I'm glad to see ya I was almost as afraid you'd given it up in which case I should have made it a personal venture Hello uttering this explanation as a surprise as his eyes rest on Oliver Mr. Toby Crackett wolves himself into a sitting position and abandoned who that was the boy only the boy I'd psych-strawing a chair toward the fire war Mr. Faye's lords exclaimed Barney with a grin Faye's eh exclaimed Toby looking at war with a valuable war that'd make for the old lady poor his in shovels his morgues and foals didn't do him there that's it all right and opposed Sykes impatiently and sooping over his recumbent friend he whispered a few words in his ear and Mr. Crackett laughed immensely and honoured Oliver with a long stare of astonishment No said Sykes as he resumed his seat if you give me something to eat and drink while we're waiting you'll put some iron in us all in me and we'll wait sit down on fire you old girl and rest yourself full you'll have to go out with us again you know what they're not very far off Oliver looked at Sykes in mutant he would wonder and drawing the stools of the fire sat with his aching head upon his hands scarcely knowing where he was what was passing around him here said Toby as the young Jew lay some fragments of food and a bottle upon the table he rose to honour the toast and carefully depositing his empty pipe in a corner and danced to the table filling a glass with spills of its contents Mr. Sykes did the same I'm trying for the boy the Toby are filling one glass down with it in your sense indeed said Oliver looking piteously up into the man's face down with it echoed Toby you think I don't know what's good for you tell him to drink it Bill yeah better then Sykes slapping his hand upon his pocket but my boy is more trouble than the old family of dodgers drinking your bourbon see drink it frightened by the menacing gestures of the two men Oliver hastily swallowed the contents of the glass it immediately fell into a violent fit of coughing when she lighted Toby cracker in Barney and even drew a smile from the surly Mr. Sykes this stun and Sykes having satisfied his appetite Oliver could eat nothing but a small red which they made him swallow the two men laid themselves down on chairs for a short nap Oliver retained his stool by the fire Barney wrapped in a blanket stretched himself on the floor close outside the fender they slept or appeared to sleep for some time nobody stirring but Barney who rose once or twice to throw coals on the fire Oliver fell into a heavy dose imagining himself straying along the gloomy lanes or wandering about the dark church or replacing someone or other of the scenes of the first day when he was roused by Toby cracker jumping up and declaring it was half past one and in an instant the other two were up on their legs and all were actively engaged in busy preparation Sykes and his companion enveloped their necks and chins in large dark shawls on their great coats Barney opening a cupboard brought forth several articles which he hastily crammed into the pockets Bockers for me Barney Toby cracked it Here they are Applied Barney producing a pair of pistols Yellowed them as yourself All right Blimey Toby, stirring them away But sway does I'll go It sucked Keys, sunny bits Darkest Not forgotten Inquired Toby, fastening a small crowbar to a loop inside the skirt with coat All right rejoined his companion Bring them bits of timber Barney That's the time of day With these words he took a thick stick from Barney's hands who having delivered enough of Toby and busied himself in fastening on Oliver's cane Now then Said Sykes, holding at his hand Oliver was completely supervised by the unwanted exercise and the air and the drink which had been forced upon him put his hand mechanically into that which Sykes extended for the purpose Take his other hand Toby Said Sykes, look out Barney The men went to the door and returned to announce that all was quiet The two robbers issued forth with Oliver Barney having made all fast rolled himself up as before and was soon asleep again Was now intensely dark The fog was much heavier than it had been in the early part of the night The atmosphere was so damp that although no rain fell Oliver's hair and eyebrows within a few minutes after leaving the house had become stiff with half frozen moisture that was floating about He crossed the bridge and kept on towards the lights which he had seen before They were at no great distance off and as they walked pretty briskly they should arrive at Chertsey Slapped through the town and whispered Sykes there had been nobody in the way tonight to see us Toby acquiesced and hurried through the main street of the little town which to that later was wholly deserted A dim light shone at intervals from some bedroom window and the whole sparking of dogs occasionally broke the silence of the night but there was nobody broad and cleared the town as the church bell struck to don don quickening their pace they turned up a road upon the left hand After walking about a quarter of a mile they stopped before a detached house surrounded by a wall the top of which Toby crack it scarcely causing to take breath climbed in a twinkling The boy next said Toby Before Oliver had timed a look around Sykes had caught him under the arms and in three or four seconds he and Toby were lying on the grass on the other side Sykes fall directly and they still cautiously atoned the house and now for the first time Oliver will now mad with grief and terror saw that the house break in robbery if not murder were the objects of expedition he clasped his hands together and involuntarily uttered a subdual explanation of horror A miss came for his eyes the cold sweat stood upon his ashy face his limbs failed him and he sank upon his knees GET OFF Mermot Sykes trembling with rage and drawing a pistol from his pocket Get up or else do your brains up from the grass Oh god, god, safely we go Oliver limping right away and dying in the fields I will never come on the other land never, never, never oh pray have mercy on me and do to make me steel for the love of all the bright angels in heaven the man whom his reply was made swore a dreadful oath and cocked the pistol and Toby striking it from his grass paced his hand upon the boy's mouth and dragged him in the house HUSH and a man I will dance here say another word and I will do the real business myself with a crack on the head and make no noise it is quite a certain and more genteel hear Bill Wrenches' shot open he's gaming off now or engage I'll see overhands of his egg to the same way for a minute or two or cold night Sykes invoking terrific implications upon Fagan's head for sending Oliver on such an errand ply the crowbar vigorously but with little noise for some delay and some assistance from Toby it referred swung open on its hinges was a little lattice window about five feet and a half above the ground at the back of the house which belonged to a scullery or a small brewing place at the end of the passage the aperture was so small that the inmates had probably not thought it worth while to defend it more securely but it was large enough to admit a boy of Oliver's size nevertheless a very brief exercise in Mr Sykes's art suffice to overcome the fastening of the lettuce and it stood wide open also now a lesson you young limb whispered Sykes drawing a dark lantern from his pocket and throwing a gravel in Oliver's face I'm going to put you through there take this light go so far out the steps straighter for you in the long the oldest street door I'm fascinating as a sin as a boat on the top you won't be able to reach in post Toby stand upon one of those horse chairs air three air bill with a jolly large bill unicorn and go push forth on them which is the old ladies arms keep quiet can't you applied Sykes with that start and look the room door is open is it wide after peeping in the flattest rhyme so the game of that is that they always leave it open with a catch so their dog who's got a bed in there who may walk up and down this passage when he feels wakeful Bonnie dice him away tonight so neat my name is Mr Cracky but all kinds of scarcely audible whisper and laugh without noise Sykes imperiously amounted him to be silent and take it to work Toby complied by first producing his lantern and placing it on the ground then by planting himself firmly with his head against the wall beneath the window in his hands upon his knees so as to make a step of his back this was no sooner done than Sykes mounting upon him put Oliver gently through the window with his wheat first without leaving hold of his collar planted him safely on the door inside take this lantern said Sykes looking up into the room you see the stairs are for you all for more bed than a lie Gaston yes Sykes pointing to the street door with a pistol barrel briefly advised him to take notice and shot all the way and that if he faltered he would fall dead that instant it's dawn in a minute said Sykes in the same low whisper directly I leave go will you do your work walk walk all sat whispered the other man nothing Sykes releasing his hold of Oliver now in the short time he had to collect his senses the boy firmly resolved that whether he died in the attempt or not he would make one effort to dart upstairs from the hall and alarm the family filled with this idea he advanced once but steadily suddenly he cried back scared by the sudden breaking and dead steelness of the place and by a loud cry which followed it Oliver let his lantern fall shhh a noon at night whether to a dance or fly the cry which was repeated a light appeared a vision of too terrified half dressed men at the top of the stairs swam before his eyes a flash, a loud noise a smoke, a crash somewhere but where he knew not he staggered back Sykes had disappeared for an instant but he was up again and had him by the corner before the smoke had cleared away his own pistol after the men who were already retreating and dragged the boy up clasped your arm tighter said Sykes as he drew him through the window give him me a shawl where they've hit him quick and the boy bleeds and came the loud ringing in the bell dun dun dun dun mingle with the noise of firearms pshhh the shouts of men the sensation of being carried over uneven ground at a rapid pace and then the noises grew infused in the distance in a cold deadly feeling crept over the boy's heart and he saw or heard no more end of chapter 22 chapter number 23 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Arthur Piantidosi chapter 23 which contains the substance of a pleasant conversation between Mr. Bumble and a lady and shows that even a beetle may be a sastry beetle on some points the night was bitter cold the snow lay on the ground frozen to hard thick crust so there were only the heaps that it drifted into byways and corners were affected by the sharp wind that howled abroad which as if it's bending increased fury on such prey as it found caught it savagely up in clouds and whirling it into a thousand misty eddies scattered it in air bleak dark and piercing cold it was a night for the well housed and fate to draw round the bright fire and thank god they were at home and for the homeless starving wretch lay him down and die many hunger warm and casts close their eyes in our bare streets at such times who let their crimes have been what they make and hardly open them in a more bitter world such was the aspect of out-of-door fairs when Mrs. Cormie the matron of the workhouse to which our readers have been already introduced as the birthplace of Oliver Twist sat herself down before a cheerful fire in her own little room and glanced with no small degree of complacency at a small round table on which sort of tray of corresponding size furnished with all the necessary materials for the most gracious meal that matrons enjoy in fact Mrs. Cormie was about to sell herself with a cup of tea as she glanced from the table to the fireplace with the smallest of all possible kettles was singing a small song in a small voice in which her satisfaction evidentially increased so much indeed that Mrs. Cormie smiled well said the matron leading her elbow on the table and looking effective at the fire I'm sure we've all amassed a great deal to be thankful to a great deal who could but know it Mrs. Cormie shook her head maulfully as if deploring the mental blindness of those paupers who did not know it and thrusting still the spoon private property into the inmost recesses of a two ounce tin tea catty proceeding to make the tea a slighter thing will disturb the equanimity of our frail minds a black teapot being very small and easily filled ran over well Mrs. Cormie was moralising and the water slightly sculpted Mrs. Cormie's hand trapped the pot said the worthy matron setting it down very hastily on the hob a little stupid thing nearly had on a couple of cups all he has is an armed anybody it's it said Mrs. Cormie pausing it's if it's your paw doesn't it creature like me oh dear with these words the matron dropped into a chair and once more resting her elbow on the table thought of a solitary fate the small teapot in the single cup had awakened in her mind sad recollection of Mr. Cormie who had not been dead more than five and twenty years and she it was overpowered I shouldn't ever get another said Mrs. Cormie partially I shouldn't ever get another like him whether this remarkable reference to the husband and all to the teapot is uncertain might have been the later for Mrs. Cormie looks as if she spoke and took it up afterwards she just tasted her first cup when she was disturbed by a top tap at the rum door I'm coming with you said Mrs. Cormie sharply some of the old woman dying I suppose they wish to hide when I'm at meals don't stand there licking the cold in don't want to miss now eh nothing mom nothing dear me saying the matron in a much sweeter tone is that Mr. Bumble your service mom said Mr. Bumble who had been stopped outside to rub his shoes clean to shake the snow off his coat and who now made his appearance bearing a cocked head on one hand and a bundle on the other shall I shut the door ma'am I will be modestly hesitated to reply lest there should be any impropriety in holding an interview with Mr. Bumble with closed doors Mr. Bumble taking advantage of the hesitation being very cold himself shot without permission ah the weather Mr. Bumble said the matron oh indeed mom replied the beetle untie parochial weatherless ma'am miss corny we have given away a matter of twenty quarter in oaves and a cheese and a half is very blessed afternoon and yet them paupers are not contented of course not when would they be Mr. Bumble said the matron sipping a tea when indeed ma'am rejoined Mr. Bumble why is one man his wife a large family has a quarter in loaf and a good pound of cheese fool wait is he grateful ma'am is he grateful not a car but a farthing's worth of it what does he do ma'am but ask for a cute coals if he's it's only a pocket handkerchief fool he says coals what would he do with coals toast his cheese with him that's the word is with these people ma'am give him a purr full of coals today and they will come back for another the day after tomorrow as brazen as a last the matron expressed her entire concurrence and its intelligible similarly the beetle went on I never said to Mr. Bumble see anything like the pitch it's got to a day of all yesterday a man and a woman ma'am and I may mention to you a man with a rag on his back Mr. Coals only looked at the floor will still overseer his door when he has got company coming to dinner and says he must be relieved Mrs. Coalney as he wouldn't go away and shorted the company very much our overseer sent him out to pound the potatoes and a bite of oatmeal my heart lots of use of this to me you might as well give me a pair of iron spectacles very good as I obviously are taking him away again you wouldn't get anything else here I'll die on the streets as a vagrant oh no you won't as I was here ha ha that was very good so alike Mr. Granite wasn't it it depers the matron well Mr Bumble well ma'am they joined the old beetle he went away and he did die on the streets as an obsolete pauper for you he beats anything I could have believed observed the matron empathetically but don't you think our story leaf is a very bad thing anyway Mr Bumble your a gentleman of experience and all to know come Mrs. Coalney said the beetle smiling smiling were conscious of a superior information after the door relief properly managed properly managed ma'am as a parochial safeguard the great principal after the door relief feeds give the apopas exactly what they don't want and they get tired of how they're coming dear me say Mrs. Coalney well that is a good one too yes between you and me ma'am a turn Mr Bumble that's the great principal and that's the reason why if you look at any gazes and get into them old dangerous newspapers you always observe that sick families have been relieved with slices of cheese that's the rule now Mrs. Coalney all over the country but I overhear said the beetle stopping down the package bundle these are official secrets ma'am not bespoken except as I must say among the parochial officers such as ourselves this is a port wine ma'am that the ward ordered for the infirmary real fresh genuine port wine only out of the cast this morning clear as a bell and no sediment having held the forced bottle up to the light and shaken it well to test its excellence Mr Bumble placed them both on top of a chest of drawers folded the handkerchief in which they had been wrapped put it carefully in his pockets and took up his hat as if to go you're a very cold ward Mr Bumble is it the matron it blows ma'am replied Mr Bumble turning up his cold collar enough to cut one's ears off the matron looked from the little kettle to the beetle was moving towards the door and as the beetle coughed prempetority bidding a good night bashfully inquired whether whether he wouldn't take a cup of tea Mr Bumble instantaneously turned his collar back in laid his hat and stick upon a chair and threw another chair up to the table as he slowly seated himself he looked to the lady she fixed her eyes upon a little teapot Mr Bumble coughed again and slightly smiled Mrs Corley rose to get another cup and saucer from the closet and she cut her down her eyes once again encountered those of the gallant beetle she coloured and applied herself to the task of making his tea made Mr Bumble coughed loudly this time and he coughed yet sweet Mr Bumble inquired the matron taking up the sugar basin very sweet indeed ma'am replied Mr Bumble he fixed his eyes on Mrs Corley and if ever a beetle looked tender Mr Bumble was that beetle at that moment the tea was made and handed in silence Mr Bumble having spread a handkerchief over his knees to prevent the crumbs from selling the splendour of his shorts began to eat and drink varying these amusements occasionally by betching a deep sigh which I had no injurious effect to pull his appetite but on the contrary rather seemed to facilitate these operations in a tea and toast department you have a cat by my sea and Mr Bumble glanced at one who in the centre of the family was basking before the fire and kittens do I declare I am so fond of them Mr Bumble you can think replied the matron they're so happy and so frolicsome and so cheerful they're quite companions for me very nice animals ma'am and Mr Bumble approving it so very domestic oh yes they joined the matron with the news yes so fond of the home too that is quite a pleasure I'm sure Mrs Corley ma'am and Mr Bumble serenely and marking a time with his tea spoon I mean to say this ma'am that any cat or kitten that could live with you ma'am and not be formed of its home must be an ass ma'am oh Mr Bumble remonstrated Mrs Corley it's of no use disguising the facts ma'am and Mr Bumble slowly flourishing this tea spoon of the kind of amorous dignity which made him doubly impressive I would drown it myself my pleasure then you're a cruel man said the matron vivatiously as you held that hand for the beadles cup and a very heart hearted man besides odd-hearted ma'am and Mr Bumble odd Mr Bumble resigned his cup without another word I squeezed Mrs Corley's little finger and she took it and inflicted two open handed slaps upon his waistcoat gave her much sigh and each just shared it to a little more so far from the fire it was around table and as Mrs Corley and Mr Bumble had been sitting opposite each other with no great space between them and fronting the fire it will be seen that Mr Bumble receding from the fire and still keeping at the table increased the distance between himself and Mrs Corley which proceeding some prudent readers will doubtness be disposed to admire and consider an act of great terror eros me on Mr Bumble's part he being in some sort tempted by time place and opportunity to give utterance to certain soft nothings which however well they may become the lips of the light and thoughtless to seem immeasurably beneath the dignity of judges of the land members of parliament ministers of states, lord mayors not the great public function there is but more particularly beneath the stateliness and gravity of the vedal who as it was well known should be the sternest and most inflexible among them all whatever were Mr Bumble's intentions however and no doubt they were of the best it unfortunately happened as has been twice remarked that the table was around one consequently Mr Bumble moving his chair his chair by little and little soon began to diminish the distance between himself and the matron and continuing to travel round the outer edge of the circle brought his chair in time close to that in which the matron was seated indeed the two chairs touched and when they did so Mr Bumble stopped now if the matron moved her chair to the right she would have been scalded by the fire and if to the left she must have fallen into Bumble's arms now being a discreet matron no doubt foreseeing these consequences at a glance she remained where she was and had in Mr Bumble enough a cup of tea old hearted Mrs Coney had Mr Bumble stirring his tea and looking up into the matron's face oh you old hearted Mrs Coney dear me exclaimed the matron what a very curious question from a single man what can you want to know for Mr Bumble a beetle drank his tea to the next drop finished a piece of toast whisked the grums off his knees wiped his lips and deliberately kissed the matron cried the discreet lady in a whisper but the fright was so great that she had quite lost her voice Mr Bumble I shall scream Mr Bumble made no reply but in a slow and dignified manner pulled his arm around the matron's waist as a lady had stated her intention of screaming of course she would have screamed this additional boldness but that the exertion was rendered unnecessary by a hasty knocking at the door which was no sooner heard and Mr Bumble darted with much agility to the wine bottles and began dusting them with great violence while the matron sharply demanded who was there it is worthy of remark as a curious physical instance of the efficiency of its certain surprise interacting the effects of a stream fear that have voiced it quite recover at all its official asperity if you please mistress said a withered old female pauper hideously ugly putting her head in at the door old Sally's going fast well what's that to be angrily demanded the matron I can keep her alive can I no mistress applied the old woman nobody can she's far beyond the reach of help I've seen a many people's eye little babes and great strong men and I know when Nessa coming well enough but she's troubled in her mind and when the fits are not on her and that's not often but she is dying very hard she says she has got something to tell which you must hear she'll never die quiet you come mistress at this intelligence the word the mr. calls corny are to the variety of invectives against the old woman who couldn't even die without purposely knowing their betters and muffling herself in a thick shawl which he hastily caught up briefly requested mr. Bumble to stay till she went away and back there's nothing particular should occur bidding the messenger walk fast and not at all all night looking up the stairs she followed her from the room with a very ill grace scalding all the way mr. Bumble's conduct on being left to himself was rather inexplicable he opened the closet countered the teaspoon weighed the sugar tongs closely inspected a silver milk pot to ensure that it was of the genuine metal and having satisfied his curiosity on these points put he on his cook tat shoulder wise and danced with much gravity having gone through this very extraordinary performance he took off the cook tat again and spreading himself before the fire with his back towards it seemed to be mentally engaged in taking an exact inventory of furniture end of chapter 23 chapter number 24 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens this is LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Arthur Piantidosi chapter 24 treats on a very poor subject but it is a short one and may be found of importance in this story is three it was no unfit messenger of death who would disturb the quiet of the maitrum's room the body was bent by age her lips trembled the palsy her face distorted into a mumbling glia resembled more than the grotesque shaping of some wild ensil than the work of nature's hand alas a few of nature's faces are left alone to gladden us with their beauty the cares and the sorrows and hungerings of the world change them as they change hearts and it is only when those passions sleep and have lost their hold forever that their troubled clans pass off and leave heaven's surface clear it is a common thing for the countenances of the dead even in that thick and rigid state to subside into the long forgotten expression of sleeping infancy and settle into the very look of early life so calm, so peaceful as they grow again that those who knew them had a happy childhood kneel by the coffin side in awe and see the angel ever even upon earth the old crone told her that Maunga passages and up the stairs muttering some indistinct answers to the chidings of her companion being linked and paled to pause for breath she gave the light to her hand and reigned behind to follow as she might when a more nimble superior made her way to the room where the sick woman lay it was a bare garret room with the dim light burning at the other end there was another old woman watching by the bed the perished apothecaries and trenches were standing by the fire making a tooth-pick out of a quill co-knock, Miss Cornie said this young gentleman as the matron entered very cold in need, sir served like the mistress in the most civil tones as she spoke you shall get better goals as your contractors said the apothecaries at deputies breaking a lump on top of the fire at the Rusty Poker these are not always the old thing for a co-knock and the board's choosing, sir returned the matron at least they could do and be to keep us pretty warm for our places are hard enough the conversation was here interrupted by a moan from the sick woman oh said the young Mark turning his face toward the bed as if he was the right forgotten patient it's all up there Miss Cornie is it, is it, sir asked the matron as she asked a couple of hours as she would be surprised said the apothecaries at printers and tamed upon the tooth-pick's point it's a break-up with the system all together as she does, you know, lady intendant souped over the bed at a certain anointing in the affirmative then perhaps you don't go off on that way if you don't make a row said the young man put the line on the floor she was here there attendant did as she was told shaking her head meanwhile intimated the woman should lie so easily having done so she would redeemed a seat by the side of the other nurse who had by this time returned the mistress with an expression of impatience wrapped herself in her shawl and sat at the fold of the bed the apothecaries apprentice having completed the manufacture of the tooth-pick flattered himself in front of the fire and made good use of it for ten minutes or so when apparently going rather dull he wished Miss Cornie joy over her job when talking himself off on tiptoe when they had sat in silence for some time the two old woman rose from the bed and crouching over the fire held out that withered hands to catch the heat a flame threw a ghastly light on the shriveled faces and made their ugliness appear terrible as in this position they began to converse in their voice did you say any more Danny dear, while I was gone inquired the messenger not a word replied the other she plucked the door at her arms for a little time but I held her hands and she soon dropped off she hasn't much strength in her so I easily kept her quiet I ain't so weak for an old woman though I'm on perish allowance no, no did she drink the hot wine the doctor said she was to have demanded the first I tried to get it down joined the other well the teet were tight set and she drenched the mug so hard as much as I could do to get it back again so I drank it it did me good looking cautiously around to ascertain they were not over her the two hags cowered near to the fire and chuckled her today am I in the time to the first speaker when she would have done the same and made rare fun of it afterwards aye that you would joined the other due to merry heart many many beautiful corpses she laid out it's nice and neat and wax work my old eyes obscene them aye and those old hands touched them too for I have helped her in schools of times stretching for the trembling fingers as she spoke the old creature shook them exultingly before her face and bumbling in her pocket brought out an old time this colour tin snuff box on which she stook at a few grains at the outstretched palm of her companion and a few more into her own while they were thus employed the matron patiently watching until the dying woman should awaken from her stupa joined them by the fire and sharply asked her long she was to wait not long miss dress replied the second woman looking up into her face we have none of us to long to wait for death patience, patience you'll be here soon enough for all oh your tongue you doting idiot in her trance sternly you mouth tell me has she been this ways before often answered the first woman but we'll never be again added the second one that is she'll never wake again but once in my mistress this will be just long long or short let the naturen snappishly she will find me here when she does wake take care of both of you while you worry me again for nothing it's no part of my duty to see all the old women in the house die and I won't that's more my new impenetrable heronins you make a fool of me again I'll soon cure you I warrant you she was bound to sing away when a cry from the two women would turn toward the bed and the patient has raised herself upright and stretching her arms toward them who's this she cried in a hollow verse ush ush said one of the women stooping over lie down lie down I'll never die down alive said this woman struggling I will tell her you come here nearer let me whisper in your ear she clutched the matron by the arm and forcing her into a chair by the bedside was about to speak we're looking round she caught sight of the two old women bending forward in the attitude of the eagle listeners turn woman drowsing make haste make haste the two old crones chiming in together began pouring out many piteous indentations that the poor deer was too far gone to know her best friends and were uttering sundry protestations that they would never leave her when the super area pushed them from the door close the door and returned to the bedside on being excluded the two old ladies changed their tone and cried through the keyhole that old Sally was drunk which indeed was not unlikely since in addition to a moderate dose of opium besides by the apothecary she was laboring under the effects of a final taste of gin and water which had been privately administered in the openness of their hearts by the worthy old ladies themselves listen to me said the dying woman as if making a great effort to revive one latent spark of energy in this very room in this very bed I once nursed a pretty young creature that was brought into the house with her feet cut and bruised with walking and all soil with dust and blood she gave birth to a boy and died let me think what was the year again never mind the year said the impatient auditor what about her ah murmured the sick woman yapsing into a four-way drowsy state what about her what about I know she cried going fiercely up her face flushed and her eyes starting from the head I robbed her so I did it wasn't cold I tell you if it wasn't cold but I stole it stole what for God's sake cried the matron with a gesture of if she would call for help it applied the woman right in her hand over the other's mouth the only thing she had she wanted clothes to keep her warm and food to eat but she had kept it safe and had it in her bosom it was cold I tell you rich gold that might have saved her life cold echoed the matron bending eerily over the woman as she fell back go go on go on yes what of it when was it she charged me to keep it safe cried the woman with a groan and trusted me as the only woman about her I swallowed in my heart when she first showed it to me hanging around her neck and child's death perhaps is on me besides they would have treated him better if they had known it all they'd known what as the other speak the boy grew so like his mother said the woman brambling on and not eating a question that I could never forget it when I saw his face poor girl poor girl she was so young too such a gentle lamb wait there's more to tell I'm not told you all have I no lie the matron inclining ahead to catch the words as they came more faintly from the dying one speak quick or it may be too late the mother said the woman making more violent effort than before the mother with the pains of death she came upon her whispered in my ear that if a babe was born alive and thrived a day might come when he would not feel so much disgrace to hear its poor mother and young other named and oh kind heaven she said folding her heart in hands together whether it be boy or girl raise up some friends for it and take pity upon a lonely desolate child abandoned to its mercy the poor's name the man and the matron they called him all over imply the woman feebly the gold I still was yes yes what alright the other she was bending illy over the woman a reply but drew back instinctively and she once again rose slowly and stiffly into a sitting position then clutching the cover lead with the both hands muttered some indistinct sounds in her throat and fell lifeless on the bed stone dead said one of the old woman hurrying in as soon as the door was opened and nothing to tell after all joined the matron walking carelessly away the true crones to all appearance was too busily occupied in the preparations for their dreadful duties to make any reply well left at own hovering about the body end of chapter 24