 Chapter 28 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 28 Looks after Oliver and proceeds with his adventures. Wolves tear your froats, muttered Sykes, grinding his teeth. Or she was among some of you, you'd howl the horse afore it. As Sykes growled forth this imprecation, with the most desperate ferocity that his desperate nature was capable of, he rested the body of the wounded boy across his bended knee, and turned his head for an instant to look back at his pursuers. There was little to be made out in the mist and darkness, but the loud shouting of the men vibrated through the air, and the barking of the neighbouring dogs roused by the sound of the alarm bell resounded in every direction. Stop you white-livered hound, cried the robber, shouting after Toby crack it, for making the best use of his long legs was already ahead. Stop! The repetition of the word brought Toby to a dead standstill, for he was not quite satisfied that he was beyond the range of pistol shot, and Sykes was in no mood to be played with. Bear on with the boy, cried Sykes, beckoning furiously to his confederate. Come back! Toby made a show of returning but ventured in a lobe that was broken for want of breath, to imitate considerable reluctance as he came slowly along. Quicker! cried Sykes, laying the body of the boy in a dry ditch at his feet, and drawing a pistol from his pocket. Don't play booty with me! At this moment the noise grew louder, Sykes again looking round, could discern that the men who had given chase already climbing the gate of the field in which he stood, and had a couple of dogs with some paces in advance of them. It's all up, Bill, cried Toby, dropped a kit and show him your eels. With his parting advice, Mr Crackett, preferring the chance of being shot by his friend to the certainty of being taken by his enemies, fairly turned tail and darted off at full speed. Sykes clenched his teeth, took one look around, threw over the prostate form of Oliver, the cape in which he had been hurriedly muffled, ran along the front of the hedge as if to distract the attention of those behind from the spot where the boy lay. He paused for a second before another hedge, which met it at right angles, and whirling his pistol high into the air, cleared it at a bound and was gone. Hold the air, cried a tremulous voice in the rear. Pinch her a Neptune, come here, come here. The dogs, who in common with their masters, seemed to have no particular relish for the sport on which they were engaged, readily answered to the command. Three men who had by this time found some distance into the field, stopped to take counsel together. My advice, or at least as I should say my orders is, said the fattest man of the party, that we immediately go home again. I am agreeable to anything which is agreeable to Mr. Giles, said the shorter man. He was by no means of a slim figure, and he was very pale in the face and very polite, as frightened men frequently are. I wouldn't wish to appear ill mannered gentlemen, said the third, who had called the dogs back. Mr. Giles ought to know. Certainly replied the shorter man, and whatever Mr. Giles says, it isn't our place to contradict him. No, no, I know my situation. Thank my stars, I know my situation. To tell the truth, the little man did not seem to know his situation, but had perfectly well, that it was by no means a desirable one, for his teeth chattered in his head as he spoke. You are afraid, brittle, said Mr. Giles. I ain't, said Brills. You are, said Giles. You are false, said Mr. Giles, said Brills. You are a lie, brittle, said Mr. Giles. Now these four retorts rose from Mr. Giles' taunt, and Mr. Giles' taunt had arisen for his indignation, having the responsibility of going home again, and post upon himself under the cover of a compliment. The third man brought the dispute to a close, most philosophically. I'll tell you what it is, gentlemen, said he, we're all afraid. Speak for yourself, sir, said Mr. Giles, who was the palest of the party. So I do reply to the man. It's natural and proper to be afraid under such circumstances, I am. So am I, said Brills, and there's no call to tell a man when he is so bounceably. These frank admissions softened Mr. Giles who at once owned that he was afraid, upon which they all three faced about, and ran back again, with the completest unanimity, until Mr. Giles, who had the shortest wind of the party, was encumbered with a pitchfork. Most handsomely insisted on stopping to make an apology for his hastiness of speech. But it's wonderful, said Mr. Giles, when he'd explain what a man will do when his blood is up. I should have committed murder, I know I should, if we'd caught one of them rascals. As the other two were impressed with a similar presentiment, and as their blood, like his, had all gone down again, some speculation ensued from the cause of this sudden change in their temperament. I know what it was, said Mr. Giles, it was the gate. I shouldn't wonder if it was, exclaimed Brills, caching the idea. You may depend upon it, said Giles, that the gate stopped the flow of the excitement. But I felt no way of suddenly going away as I was climbing over it. By a remarkable coincidence, the other two had been visited with the same unpleasant sensation at that precise moment. It's quite obvious, therefore, that if it was the gate, especially as there was no doubt regarding the time at which the change had taken place, because all three remembered they had come inside of the robbers in the instant of its occurrence. The dialogue was held between the two men who had surprised the burglars, and a travelling tinker who had been sleeping in an outhouse, and who had been roused together with his two mongrel cures to join the pursuit. Mr. Giles acted in the double capacity of Butler and Stewart to the old lady of the mansion. Brills was the land of all work, who having entered her service as a mere child, was treated as a promising young boy still, though he was something past thirty. Encouraging each other with such converse as this, but keeping very close together, notwithstanding, and looking apprehensively around whenever a fresh gust rattled the bowels, the three men turned back to a tree behind which they had left their lantern, lest its light should inform the thieves in what direction to fire. Catching up the light, they made the best of their way home at a good round trot, and long after dusky forms had ceased to be discernible, the light might have been seen twinkling and dancing in the distance, like some exhalation of the damp and gloomy atmosphere through which it was swiftly born. The air grew colder as the day came slowly on, and the mist rolled along the ground like a dense cloud of smoke. The grass was wet, pathways and low places were all mire and water, and the damp breath of an unwholesome wind went languidly by, with a hollow moaning. Still, Oliver lay motionless and insensible on the spot where Sykes had left him. Morning drew on a pace, the air became more sharp and piercing as its first dull hue, the death of night rather than the birth of day, glimmered faintly in the sky. The objects which had looked dim and terrible in the darkness grew more and more defined, and gradually resolved into their familiar shapes. The rain came down thick and fast, and pattered noisily among the leafless bushes, but Oliver felt it not that it beat against him, for he still lay stretched helpless and unconscious on his bed of clay. At length the low cry of pain broke the stillness that prevailed, and uttering it, the boy awoke. His left arm rudely bandaged to the shawl, hung heavy and useless at his side. The bandage was saturated with blood. He was so weak that he could scarcely raise himself into a sitting posture. When he had done so he looked feebly round for help and groaned with pain. Trembling in every joint from cold and exhaustion, he made an effort to stand upright, but shuddering from the head to foot felt prostrate on the ground. After a short return of the stupor in which he had been so long plunged, Oliver urged by a creeping sickness in his heart, which seemed to warn him that if he lay there he most surely die, got upon his feet an essay to walk. His head was dizzy, and he staggered to and fro like a drunken man, but he kept up nevertheless, and with his head drooping languidly on his breast, when stumbling onward he knew not wither. And now hosts of bewildering and confused ideas come crowding on his mind. He seemed to be still walking between Sykes and Crackett, who were angrily disputing for the very words they said that sounded his ears. And when he caught his own attention, as it were, by making some violent effort to save himself from falling, he found that he was talking to them. Then since he was alone with Sykes plodding on as the previous day, and a shadowy people passed them, he felt the robbers grasp upon his wrist. Suddenly he started back at the sound of firearms. There rose into the air loud cries and shouts, lights gleamed before his eyes. All was noise and tumult as some unseen hand bore him hurriedly away. Through all these rapid visions there ran some undefined, uneasy consciousness of pain, which wearied and tormented him incessantly. Thus he staggered on, creeping almost mechanically between the bars of gates, or through hedge gaps as they came his way. Until he reached the road, here the rain began to fall so heavily that it roused him. He looked about and saw that at no great distance there was a house, which perhaps he could reach. Pitying his condition they might have compassion on him, and if they did not, it would be better he thought to die near human beings than in lonely open fields. He summoned up all his strength for one last trial. And bent his faultling steps towards it. As he drew nearer to this house, a feeling came over him that he had seen it before. He remembered nothing of its details, but the shape and aspect of the building seemed familiar to him. The garden wall on the grass side had fallen on his knees last night and prayed the two men's mercy. It was the very house they had attempted to rob. Oliver felt such fear come over him when he recognized the place that for the instant he forgot the agony of his wound and thought only of flight. Flight he could scarcely stand. And if he were in full possession of all the best powers of his slight and youthful frame, with a good he fly. He pushed against the garden gate, it was unlocked. And it swung open on its hinges. He mounted across the lawn, climbed the steps, knocked faintly at the door, and his whole strength failing him, sunk down against one of the pillars of the little portico. It happened that about this time Mr Giles, Brittle's and the Tinker, were recruiting themselves after the fatigues and terrors of the night, with tea and sundries in the kitchen. Not that it was Mr Giles' habit to admit too great a familiarity with the humblest servants, toward whom it was rather his want to deport himself with a lofty affability, which, while it gratified, could not fail to remind them of his superior position in society. But death, fires and burglary make all men equals. So Mr Giles sat with his legs stretched out before the kitchen fender, leaning his left arm on the table, while with his right he illustrated a circumstantial and minute account of the robbery to which his bearers, but especially the cook and housemaid, who were of the party, listened with breathless interest. It was about half past two, said Mr Giles. I wouldn't swear that it might have been a little nearer three when I woke up. Turning round in my bed, as it might be so, here Mr Giles turned round in his chair and pulled the corner of the tablecloth over him to imitate bedclothes. I fancied, I heard a noise. At this point in the narrative the cook turned pale and asked the housemaid to shut the door. Who are spritles? Who are the tinker? Who pretended not to hear? Heard a noise, continued Mr Giles. He says at first, this is an illusion. I was composing myself off to sleep, when I heard the noise again, distinct. What sort of noise asked the cook? A kind of busting noise replied Mr Giles, looking round him. More like the noise of a powdering of an iron bar and a nutmeg, greater suggested brittles. It was when you heard it, when you heard Mr Giles, but at this time it had a busting sound, so it turned down the clothes, continued Giles, rolling back the tablecloth, set up in bed and listened. The cook and the housemaid simultaneously ejaculated lore and threw their chairs closer together. I heard it now, quite apparent, resumed Mr Giles. Somebody, I says, is forcing a door or a window. What's to be done? I'll call up that poor lad brittles and save him being murdered in his bed. All his throat, I says, may be cut from his right ear to his left without his ever knowing it. Here all lies were turned upon brittles, who fixed his upon the speaker and stared at him with his mouth wide open, and his face expressive as the most unmitigated horror. I tossed off the clothes, throwing away the tablecloth and looking very hard at the cook and housemaid, got softly out of bed and threw on a pair of ladies present, Mr Giles, murmured the tinker. Of shoes, sir, said Giles, turning upon him and laying in great emphasis on the word. Sees the loaded pistol that always goes upstairs with a plate basket and walked on tiptoes to his room. Brittles, I says, when I'd worked with him, don't be frightened. So you did observe Brittles in a low voice. With dead men, I think, Brittles, I says, continued jocks, but don't be frightened. Was he frightened, asked the cook. Not a bit of it, replied Mr Giles. He was firm, ah, pretty new as firm as I was. I should have died at once, I'm sure if it had been me observing the housemaid. Here were a woman reported, Brittles plucking up a little. Brittles is right, said Mr Giles, nodding his head approvingly. From a woman nothing else was to be expected. We, being men, took a dark lantern standing on Brittles' hob and groped our way downstairs in the pitch dark as it might be so. Mr Giles had risen from his seat and had taken two steps with his eyes shut to accompany his description with appropriate action when he started violently in common with the rest of the company and turned back in his chair the cook and the housemaid screamed. It was a knock, said Mr Giles, assuming perfect serenity. Opened the door, somebody. Nobody moved. Seemed strange sort of thing and not coming at such a time in the morning, said Mr Giles, surveying the pale faces which surrounded him and looking very blank himself. The door must be opened, do you hear somebody? Mr Giles, as he spoke, looked at Brittles with that young man being naturally modest probably considered himself nobody, so held that the inquiry could not have any application to him. At all events he tended no reply. Mr Giles directed an appealing glance at the tinker, but he had suddenly fallen asleep. The women were out of the question. If Brittles would rather open the door when the presence of witnesses said Mr Giles after a short silence, I am ready to make one. So I said to the tinker, waking up suddenly as if he had been falling asleep. Brittles capitulated on these terms and the party being somewhat reassured by the discovery, made on throwing open the shutters that it was now broad day, took their way upstairs with the dogs in front. The two women who were afraid to stay below brought up the rear. By the advice of Mr Giles they all talked very loud to warn any evil disposed person outside that they were strong in numbers and by a master stroke of policy. Originating in the brain of the same ingenious gentleman, the dogs' tails were well pinched in the hall to make them bark savagely. These precautions haven't been taken. Mr Giles held on fast but the tinker's arm to vent his running away, as he pleasantly said and gave the word of command to open the door. Brittles obeyed. The group peeping timidly over each other's shoulders held no formidable object than poor little Oliver Twist, speechless and exhausted who raised his heavy eyes and mutely solicited their compassion. A boy exclaimed Mr Giles vanishingly pushing the tinker into the background. What's the matter with it? Why, Brittles, look here, don't you know? Brittles who had got behind the door to open it, no sooner saw Oliver than he uttered a loud cry. Mr Giles seizing the boy by one leg and one arm, fortunately not in the broken limb, lugged him straight into the hall and deposited him at full length on the floor thereof. Here he is, balled Giles calling out in a state of great excitement up the staircase. Here's one of the thieves, ma'am. Here's a thief miss, wounded miss, a shot-in miss. Brittles held the light. In a lantern miss cried Brittles applying one hand to the side of his mouth that his voice might travel the better. Brittles hurried to the stairs to carry the intelligence that Mr Giles had captured a robber. The tinker busied himself in endeavouring to restore Oliver lest he should die before he could be hanged. In the midst of all this noise and commotion there was heard a sweet female voice which quelled it in an instant. Giles whispered the voice from the top of the stair. I'm here, miss, replied Giles. Don't be frightened, miss. I ain't much injured. I was soon too many for him. Hush, replied the young lady. He frightened my aunt as much as thieves did. Has the poor creature much hurt? Wounded desperate miss, replied Giles with indescribable complacency. He looked as if he was a going miss, poor Brittles, in the same manner as before. Would you like to come and look at him, miss, in case he should? Hush, pray there's a good man which I'm the lady. Wait quietly only one instant while I speak to arms. With a footstep as soft and gentle as the voice the speaker tripped away, she soon returned with a direction that the wounded person was to be carried carefully upstairs to Mr. Giles' room, and that Brittles was to saddle the pony and to take himself instantly to Chertsy, from which place he was dispatched with all speed, comfortable, and the doctor. I want you to take one look at him first, miss, ask Mr. Giles, with as much pride as they follow of some rare bird of plumage that he'd skillfully brought down, not one little peat-miss, not now for the world, replied the young lady, poor fellow, treating kindly Giles for my sake. The old servant looked at the speaker as she turned away with a glance as proud and as admiring as as if she had been his own child, and bending over Oliver he helped to carry him upstairs with the care and solicitude of a woman. End Chapter 28 Chapter 29 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 29 has an introductory account of the inmates of the house to which Oliver resorted. In a huntsome room, though it's furniture and rather the air of an old-fashioned comfort that of modern elegance, there sat two ladies at a well-spread breakfast table. His scrupulous care in a full suit of black was in attendance upon them. He'd taken his station some halfway between the sideboard and the breakfast table and, with his body drawn up to its full height, his head thrown back and inclined the nearest trifle on one side. His left leg advanced and his right hand thrust into his waistcoat while his left hung down by his side grasping a waiter looked like one who laboured under a very agreeable sense of his own merits and importance. Of the two ladies one was well advanced in years but the high-backed open chair in which she sat was not more upright than she dressed with the utmost nicety and precision in a quaint mixture of bygone costume with some slight concessions to the prevailing taste which rather served to point the old star pleasantly than to impair its effect. She sat in a stately manner with her hands folded on the table before her. Her eyes, an age she dimmed but little of their brightness were attentively upon her young companion. The younger lady was in the lovely bloom and springtime of womanhood at the age when, if ever angels be for God's good purpose enthroned in mortal forms they may be without impurity supposed to abide in such as hers. She was not past 17 cast in so slight and in exquisite mould so mild and gentle so pure and beautiful that earth seemed not her element nor its rough creatures her fit companions. Very intelligence that shone in her deep blue eye when was stamped upon her noble head seemed scarcely of her age or of the world and yet the changing expression of sweetness and good humour the thousand lights that played about the face no shadow there above all the smile the cheerful happy smile were made for home and fireside peace and happiness. She was busily engaged in the little offices of the table charging to raise her eyes as the elder lady was regarding her she playfully put back her hair which was simply braided on her forehead and threw into her a beaming look such an expression of affection and artless loveliness blessed spirits might have smiled to look upon her. And Britles has been gone upwards of an hour has he asked the old lady after a pause an hour and 12 minutes man replied Mr Charles referring to a silver watch which he drew forth by a black ribbon he is always slow remarked the old lady Britles always was a slow boy man replied the attendant and seeing by the buy that Britles had been a slow boy for upwards of 30 years there appeared to be no great probability of his ever being a fast one he gets worse instead of better I think said the elder lady it is very inexcusable in him if he stops to play with any other boys said the young lady smiling Mr Giles was apparently considering the propriety of indulging in a respectful smile himself when a gig drove up to the garden gate out of which there jumped a fat gentleman who ran straight up to the door and he was getting quickly into the house by some mysterious process burst into the room and nearly overturned Mr Giles and the breakfast table together I never heard of such a thing exclaimed the fat gentleman my dear Mrs Maley blessed my soul in the silence of the night too never heard of such a thing with these expressions at the condolence the fat gentleman shook hands with both the ladies and drawing up a chair inquired how they found themselves inevitably dead with fright said the fat gentleman why didn't you send bless me my man should have come in a minute so would I and my assistant would have been delighted or anybody I'm sure under such circumstances dear dear so unexpected in the silence of the night too the doctor seemed especially troubled by the fact of it probably having been unexpected and attempted at the night time as if it were an established customer gentlemen in the house breaking way to transact their business at noon and to make an appointment by post a day or two previous a new miss rose said the doctor turning to the young lady I am very much so indeed said Rose interrupting him there is a poor creature upstairs who aren't wishes you to see are to be sure replied the doctor so there is that was your handy work Giles I understand Mr Giles had been feverishly putting the teacups to rights blushed very red and said that he had had that honor honor a said the doctor well I don't know perhaps it's as honorable to hit a thief in the back kitchen as it is to hit your man at 12 paces fancy that he fired in the air and you fought a duel Giles Mr Giles who thought this like treatment of the matter was an unjust attempt at diminishing his glory answered respectfully that it was not for the like of him to judge about that but he rather thought it was no joke to the opposite party God that's true said the doctor where is he show me the way I'll look in again as I come down Mrs Maley that's the little window he got in at a well I couldn't have believed it talking all the way he followed Mr Giles upstairs and while he's going upstairs the reader may be informed that Mr Lossburn a surgeon in the neighborhood known through a circuit of 10 miles round as the doctor had grown fat more from good humour than from good living was as kind and hearty and with all as an eccentric old battery would be found as five times that space by any explorer alive the doctor was absent much longer than either he or the ladies had anticipated a large flat box was fetched out of the gig and a bedroom bell was rung very often and the servants ran up and down the stairs perpetually on which tokens it was justly concluded that something important was going on above at length he returned and replied to an anxious enquiry after his patient looked very mysterious and closed the door carefully this is a very extraordinary thing Mrs Maley said the doctor standing with his back to the door as if to keep it shut he's not in danger I hope for the old lady why that would not be an extraordinary thing under the circumstances replied the doctor I don't think he is have you seen the thief no rejoin the old lady nor heard anything about him no beg your pardon ma'am interposed Mr Jarls but I was going to tell you about him when Dr Lussburn came in the fact was that Mr Jarls had not at first been able to bring his mind to the avowal that he had only shot a boy such commendations had been bestowed upon his bravery but he could not for the life of him help postponing the explanation for a few delicious minutes during which he had flourished in the very zenith of a brief reputation for undaunted courage Rose wished to see the man said Mrs Maley but I wouldn't hear of it oh! read Jarls in the doctor there's nothing very alarming in his appearance have you any objection to see him in my presence if it be necessary replied the old lady certainly not I think it is necessary said the doctor at all events I'm quite sure regret not having done so if you postponed it he's perfectly quiet and comfortable now oh! me! Miss Rose will you permit me? not the slightest fear I pledge you my honour End of Chapter 29 Chapter 30 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Chapter 30 relates what Oliver's new visitors thought of him with many loquacious assurances that they would be agreeably surprised in the aspect of the criminal the doctor threw the young lady's arms through one of his and offered his disengaged hand to Mrs Maley led them with much ceremony and statelyness upstairs now said the doctor in a whisper as he softly turned the handle of the bedroom door let us hear what you think of him he's not been shy very recently but he don't look at all ferocious notwithstanding stop though! let me first see that he's in visiting order stepping before them he looked into the room motioning them to advance he closed the door when they had entered and gently drew back the curtains of the bed upon it in lieu of the dogged black visage ruffian they had expected to behold there lay a mere child in question and sunk into a deep sleep to his wounded arm bound and splinted up was crossed upon his breast his head reclined upon the other arm which was half hidden by his long hair as it streamed over the pillow the honest gentleman held the curtain in his hand and looked on for a minute or so in silence whilst he was watching the patient thus the younger lady glided softly past and sitting herself in a chair by the bedside gulled Oliver's hair from his face as she stooped over him her tears fell upon his forehead the boy stern smiled in his sleep as though these marks of pity and compassion had awakened some pleasant dream of a love and affection he had never known thus a strain of gentle music or the rippling of water in a silent place or the odor of a flower or the mention of a familiar word will sometimes call up sudden dim remembrances of scenes that never were in this life which vanish like a breath which some brief memory of a happier existence long gone by would seem to have awakened which no voluntary exertion of the mind can ever recall what could this mean exclaimed the elder lady the poor child could never have been the pupil of robbers vice said the surgeon replacing the curtain it takes up her abode in many temples and who can say that a fair outside shell not in shrine her but at so early in age urged Rose my dear young lady rejoined the surgeon mournfully shaking his head crime like death is not confined to the old and withered alone the youngest and fairest too are often its chosen victims can you or can you really believe this delicate boy has been the voluntary associate of the worst outcasts of society said Rose the surgeon shook his head in a manner which intimated that he fit very possible and observing that they might disturb the patient led the way into an adjoining apartment but even if he has been wicked pursued Rose think of how young he is think he may never have known or the comfort of a home that ill usage and blows or the want of bread may have driven him to herd with men who have forced him to guilt aren't dear aunt for mercy's sake think of this before you let them drag this sick child to a prison which in any case must be the grave of all his chances of amendment oh as you love me and I know that I never felt the want of parents in your goodness and affection but I might have done so and might have been equally helpless and unprotected with this poor child have pity upon him before it's too late my dear love said the older lady she followed the weeping girl into a bosom do you think I would harm a hair of his head oh no replied Rose eagerly no surely said the old lady my days are drawn to their close they may mercy be shown to me as I show it to others what can I do to save him sir let me think ma'am said the doctor let me think Mr. Lostburn thrust his hands into his pockets and took several turns up and down the room often stopping and balancing himself on his toes and frowning frightfully six various exclamations of I've got it now and no I haven't and as many renewals of the walking and frowning he at length made a dead halt and spoke as follows I think if you give me a full and unlimited commission to bully Giles and that little boy Brittle as I can manage it Giles is a faithful fellow and an old servant I know but you can make it up to him in a thousand ways and reward him for being such a good shot besides you don't object to that unless there's some other way of presuming the child replied Mrs. Maley there is no other said the doctor no other take my word for it and my aunt invests you with full power said Rose smiling through her tears but pray don't be too hard upon the poor fellows that is indispensably necessary you seem to think retorted the doctor that everybody is supposed to be hard hearted today except yourself Mrs. Rose I only hope for the sake of the rising male sex generally that you may be found in as vulnerable and soft hearted a mood by the first eligible young fellow that appeals to your compassion rather than I might avow myself on the spot of such a favourable opportunity for doing so as the present you are as great a boy as poor Brittle's himself return Rose blushing well said the doctor laughing heartily that's no very difficult matter but to return to this boy the great point of our agreement is yet to come he will wake in an hour so I dare say and although I have told that thick-headed constable fellow downstairs moved or spoken to on peril of his life I think we may converse with him without danger now I make this stipulation that I shall examine him in your presence and that if from what he says we judge and I could show more satisfaction to your cool reason that he is a real and thorough bad one which is more than possible he shall be left to his fate without any further interference on my part at all events the patient entreated Rose oh yes aunt said the doctor is this a bargain he cannot be hardened in vice said Rose it's impossible very good retorted the doctor there's so much more reason for acceding to my proposition the patience of the two ladies was destined to undergo a longer trial than Mr. Lois-Born had led them to expect for hour after hour passed on still Oliver slumbered heavily it was evening indeed the kind-hearted doctor brought them the intelligence that he was at length sufficiently restored to be spoken to the boy was very ill he said and weak for the loss of blood but his mind was so troubled with anxiety to disclose something that he deemed it better to give him the opportunity than to insist upon his remaining quiet until next morning which he should otherwise have done the conference was a long one Oliver told them all his simple history and was often compelled to stop by pain and want of strength it was a solemn thing to hear in the darkened room the feeble voice of the sick child recounting a weary catalogue of evils and calamities which hard men had brought upon him a whiff when we oppress and grind our fellow creatures we bestow but one thought on the dark evidences of human error which like dense and heavy clouds are rising slowly it is true but not less surely to heaven to pour on their after vengeance on our heads if we heard but one instant in imagination the deep testimony of dead men's voices which no power can stifle and no pride shut out where would be the injury and injustice the suffering, misery, cruelty and wrong that each day's life brings with it Oliver's pillow was smoothed by gentle hands that night and loveliness and virtue watched him as he slept he felt calm and happy and could have died without a murmur the momentous interview was no sooner concluded and Oliver composed a rest again then the doctor after wiping his eyes and condemning them for being weak all at once but took himself downstairs to open upon Mr Giles and finding nobody about the partners that occurred to him that he could perhaps originate the proceedings with better effect in the kitchen so into the kitchen he went that were assembled in that lower house of the domestic parliament the women servants Mr Brittle's Mr Giles the tinker but received a special invitation to regale himself for the remainder of the day in consideration of his services and the constable a latter gentleman had a large staff a large head and large half boots and he looked as if he'd been taking a proportionate allowance of ale as indeed he had the adventures of the previous night were still under discussion for Mr Giles was expatiating upon his presence of mind when the doctor entered Mr Brittle's with a mug of ale in his hand was corroborating everything before his superior said it Sistil said the doctor waving his hand Mr Giles Brittle's heard at low murmur by which the ladies and gentlemen generally were understood to express the gratification they derived from Mr Giles condescension Mr Giles looked round with a patronizing air as much as to say that as long as they behaved properly he would never desert them how is the patient tonight sir asked Giles so so returned the doctor I'm afraid you've got yourself into a scrape there Mr Giles I hope you don't mean to say sir said Mr Giles trembling that he's going to die if I thought I should never be happy again I wouldn't cut a boy off no not even Brittle's here not for all the plate in the country sir that's not the point said the doctor mysteriously Mr Giles are you a Protestant yes sir I hope so faulting Mr Giles and it turned very pale and what are you boys said the doctor turning sharply upon Brittle's lord bless me sir replied Brittle's starting violently I'm the same as Mr Giles sir and tell me this said the doctor both of you are you going to take upon yourself to swear that the boy upstairs is the boy that was put through the little window last night out with it come we're prepared for you the doctor who was universally considered as one of the best tempered creatures on earth made this demand in such a dreadful tone of anger that Giles and Brittle's who were considerably muddled by ailment and excitement stared at each other in a state of stupid faction pay attention to the reply constable with you said the doctor shaking his forefinger great solemnity and manner and tapping the bridge of his nose with it so to speak the exercise of that worthy's most acuteness something may come of this before long the constable looked as wise as he could and took up his staff of office which had been declining indolently in the chimney corner it's a simple question of identity you will observe said the doctor so what it is sir replied the constable coughing with great violence for it finishes out in a hurry and some of it had gone the wrong way here's the house broken into said the doctor and a couple of men catch one moment's glimpse of a boy in the midst of gunpowder smoke and an all the distraction of alarm and darkness here's the boy that comes to that very same house next morning because he happens to have his arm tied up these men lay violent hands upon him by doing so which they placed his life in great danger and swear he is a thief now the question is whether these men are justified by the fact if not in what situation do they place themselves the constable nodded profoundly he said if that wasn't law he would be glad to know what it was I ask you again thunder the doctor are you on your solemn oaths able to identify that boy brittles looked doubtfully at mr. Charles mr. Charles looked doubtfully at brittles constable put his hand behind his ear to catch the reply the two women in the tinker leaned forward to listen the doctor glanced keenly round when a ring was heard at the gate at the same moment the sound of wheel it's the runners cried brittles to all appearance much relieved the what explained the doctor aghast in his turn the bow street officer replied brittles take a candle me and mr. jiles sent for them this morning what cried the doctor yes replied brittles he said to message up by the coachman I only wonder they weren't here before sir you did did you then confound your slow coaches down here that's all said the doctor walking away end of chapter 30 chapter 31 of oliver twist by charles dickens this libra vox recording is in the public domain chapter 31 involves a critical position who's that inquired brittles opening the door a little way with the chain up and peeping out shading the candle with his hand open the door replied a man outside it's the officers from bow street as was sent to today much comforted by this assurance brittles opened the door to its full width and confronted a portly man in a great coat who walked in without saying anything more and wiped his shoes on the mat as coolly as if he lived there just sent somebody out to relieve my mate when the young man said the officer he's in the gig and mine in the pad have you got a coach house here that you could put it up in for five or ten minutes brittles replying in the affirmative and pointing out the building the portly man stepped back into the garden gate and helped his companion to put up the gig while brittles lighted them in a state of great admiration this done they returned to the house and being shown into a parlour took off their great coats and hats and showed like what they were the man who had knocked on the door was a stout personage of middle height aged about 50 with shiny black hair cropped pretty close half whiskers, round face and sharp eyes the other was a red headed bony man in top boots with a rather ill favoured appearance and a turned up sinister looking nose tell your governor that blathers and duff is here will you said the souter man smoothing down his hair and laying a pair of handcuffs on the table oh good evening master can I have a word with your two in private if you please this was addressed to Mr.Losberg who now made his appearance that gentleman motioning brittles to retire brought in the two ladies and shut the door this is the lady of the house said Mr.Losberg motioning towards Ms.Maley Mr.Blathers made a bow being desired to sit down and he put his hat on the floor taking a chair, motioned to duff to do the same the latter gentleman who did not appear quite so much accustomed to good society or quite so much a diseased it one of the two seated himself after undergoing several muscular affections of the limbs and the head of his stick into his mouth with some embarrassment now we regard to this here robbery master said blathers what are the circumstances Mr.Losberg who appeared desirous of gaining time recounted them at great length and with much circumlusion Mrs.Blathers and duff look very knowing meanwhile occasionally exchanged in lord I can't say for certain till I see the work of course said blathers but my opinion is I don't mind committing myself to that extent this wasn't done by a yoke or lay duff certainly not replied duff and translating the word yokel for the benefit of the ladies I apprehend your meaning to be that this attempt was not made by a country man said Mr.Losberg with a smile that's it master replied blathers this is all about the robbery isn't it all replied the doctor now watch this about this here boy that the servants are talking on said blathers nothing at all replied the doctor one of the frightened servants chose to take him into his hay and he had something to do with this attempt to break into the house and it's nonsense sheer absurdity very easy disposed of is it remarked duff what he says is quite correct himself blathers nodding his head in a confirmatory way and playing carelessly with the handcuffs as if they were a pair of castanets who is the boy what a character does he give to himself where did he come from he didn't drop out of the clouds did he master course not replied the doctor with a nervous glance at the two ladies I know his whole history but we can talk about that presently would you like first to see the place where the thieves made their attempt I suppose certainly would join Mr. Blathers we'd better inspect the premises first and examine the servants afterwards that's the usual way of doing business lights were then procured Mrs. Blathers and Duff attending by the native constable Britols, Giles and everybody else in short went into the little room at the end of the passage and looked out at the window and afterwards went round by the way of the lawn and looked in at the window and after that had a candle handed out to inspect the shutter wing and after that a lantern to trace the footsteps away and after that a pitchfork to poke the bushes with this done amidst the breathless interests of all beholders they came in again Mr. Giles and Britols were put through a melodramatic representation of their share in the previous night's adventures which they performed some six times over contradicting each other in not more than one important respect the first time and not more than a dozen in the last this consummation being arrived at Blathers and Duff cleared the room and held a long council together compared with which for secrecy and salinity the consultation of great doctors on the naughtiest point in medicine would be mere child's play meanwhile the doctor walked up and down the next room in a very uneasy state and Mrs. Maylian Rose looked on with anxious faces upon my word he said making a halt after a great number of very rapid terms I hardly know what to do surely the poor child's story faithfully repeated to these men will be sufficient to exonerate him I doubt it my dear young lady said the doctor shaking his head I don't think it would exonerate him either with them or with the legal functionalities of a higher grade what is he after all they would say a runaway judged by mere worldly considerations and probabilities his story is a very doubtful one you believe it surely interrupted Rose I believe it strange as it is and perhaps I may be an awful for doing so rejoin the doctor but I don't think it is exactly the tale for a practical police officer nevertheless why not demoted Rose because my pretty cross examiner replied the doctor because viewed with their eyes and there are many ugly points about it he can only prove the parts that look ill and none of those that look well confound the fellow so they will have to be careful and will take nothing for granted while his own showing you see he has been a companion of thieves that for some time passed he has been carried to a police officer on a charge picking that gentleman's pocket he has been taken away for the belief of that gentleman's house to a place which he cannot describe or point out of the situation which is not the remotest idea he is brought down to church by men who seem to have taken a violent where they will or know is put through a window to rob a house and they are just at the very moment when he is going to alarm the inmates and so do the very thing that would set him all to light they are rushes into the way a blundering dog of a half bread button shoots him as if on purpose to prevent him from doing any good for himself do you see all of this I see it of course replied Rose smiling at doctors in patchy seeing it to incriminate the poor child no replied the doctor of course not bless the bright eyes of your sex they never see whether for good or bad more than one side of any question and that is always the one which first presents itself to them having given vent to this result of experience the doctor put his hands into his pockets and walked up and down the room with an even greater rapidity than before the more I think of it said the doctor the more I see that this will occasion endless trouble and difficulty if we put these men in possession of the boy's real story I am certain it will not be believed and even if they can do nothing to him in the end still the dragging it forward and giving publicity to all the doubts that will be cast upon it must interfere materially with your benevolent plan of rescuing him from misery oh what is to be done cried Rose dear dear why did they send for these people why indeed exclaimed mrs. Maylee I would not have had them here for the world all I know is said Mr. Loespern at last sitting down with a kind of desperate calmness but we must try and carry it off with a bold face the object is a good one and that must be our excuse the boy has strong symptoms of fever upon him and there is no condition to be talked to anymore that's one comfort we must make the best of it and if bad be the best it's no fault of ours come in well master said blathers entering the room followed by his colleague and making the door fast before he said any more this weren't a put up thing and what the devil's a put up thing demanded the doctoring patiently we call it a put up robbery lady said blathers telling to them as if he pitied their ignorance but had a contempt for the doctors and the servants is in it nobody suspected them in this case said Mrs. Mady where he likely not man replied blathers but they might have been in it for all that more likely on that where he account said Duff we find it was a town hand said blathers continued his report for the style of work his first rate where he pretty indeed it is remarked Duff in an undertone there was two of them in it continued blathers a boy with them that's plain for the size of the window that's all to be said at present we'll see this lad that you've got upstairs at once if you please perhaps they will take something to drink first Mrs. Mady said the doctor his face brightening as if some new thought had occurred to him I'll to be sure exclaim those eagerly you shall have it immediately if you will why thank you miss said blathers drawing his coat sleeve across his mouth his dry work this sort of duty and he missed and put yourself out on our way of our accounts what should it be asked the doctor following the young lady to the side but it'll be the proper spirits master if it's all the same replied blathers it's a cold ride from London man and I always find that spirits comes home warmer to the feelings this interesting communication was addressed to Mrs. Mady who received it very graciously while it was being conveyed to her the doctor slipped out of the room ah said Mr. Blathers not holding his wine glass by the stem but grasping the bottom between the thumb and forefinger of his left hand placing it in front of his chest I've seen a good many pieces of business like this in my time ladies the crack down in the back lane at Edmonton Blathers said Mr. Duff insisting his colleagues memory that was something in this way I want to rejoin Mr. Blathers that was done by Conky Chickweed that was you always gave that to him replied Duff it was the family pet I tell you Conky had many more to do with it than I had get out retorted Mr. Blathers I know better do you mind that time when Conky was robbed of his money though what a start that was better than any novel book I ever see what was that inquired Rose anxious to encourage any symptoms of good humour in the unwelcome visitors it was a robbery miss that hardly anybody would have been down upon Mr. Blathers this here Conky Chickweed Conky means nosey man in to pose Duff of course the lady knows that don't she demand it Mr. Blathers always interrupting you our partner this here Conky Chickweed miss kept the public house over Battle Bridgeway a Alexsella where a good many young lords went to see cop fighting badger drawing and that in a very intellectual manner the sport was conducted in for I've seen he wasn't one of the family at that time and one night he was robbed of 327 guineas in a canvas bag that was stole out of his bedroom in a dead of night by a tall man with a black patch over his eye would conceal himself under the bed and after committing a robbery jump slap out of the window which is only a story high he was worried quick about it but Conky was quick too before he fired a blunder bus out of him and roused they set up a human cry directly when they came to look about him they found that Conky had hit the robber but it was traces of blood all the waiters and palings a good distance off and there they lost them however he had made it off with the blunt and consequently the name of Mr. Chickweed the licensed Whitler appeared in the Gazette among other bank rups had all manner of benefits and subscriptions and I don't know what always got up for the poor man who was in a very low state of mind about his loss and went up and down the streets for three or four days pulling his air off in such a desperate manner that many people were afraid he might be going to make a way with himself one day he came up to the office all in a hurry and had a private interview with the magistrate he was after a deal of talk, rings the bell and all of this gem spires in gem was an active officer he tells him go and assist Mr. Chickweed in apprehending the man as robbed his house I see him spires said Chickweed past my house yesterday morning well why didn't you up and colour him says spires I was so struck all over heat that you might have fractured my skull with a toothpick says the poor man but we should have him for between 10 and 11 o'clock at night he passed again spires no sooner heard this than he put some clean linen and a comb in his pocket in case he should have to stop a day or two and away he goes and sets himself down at one of the public house windows behind the little red curtain with his hat on all ready to bolt out at a moment's notice he was smoking his pipe here late at night and all of a sudden Chickweed draws out here he is stop thief murder gem spires dashes out and there he sees Chickweed at tearing down the street full cry away goes spires on goes Chickweed round turns to people everybody roars out thieves and Chickweed himself keeps a shouting all the time like mad spires loses sight of him a minute as he turns the corner shoots round sees a little crowd dives in which is the man damn me says Chickweed I've lost him again it was a remarkable occurrence but he wanted to be seen nowhere so they went back to the public house next morning spires took his old place and looked out from behind the curtain for a tall man with a black patch over his eye to his own two eyes eight to gain but last he couldn't help shutting them too easily a minute and the very moment he did so he hears Chickweed roaring out here he is off he starts once more with Chickweed halfway down the street ahead of him and after twice as long a run as the yesterday's one the man's lost again this was done once or twice more to one half of the neighbors gave out that Mr. Chickweed had been robbed by the devil who was playing tricks with him afterwards and the other half that poor Mr. Chickweed had gone mad with grief what did Jem Spires saying quite a doctor would return to the room shortly after the commencement of the story Jem Spires resumed the officer for a long time said nothing at all listened to everything without seeming to he showed he understood his business one morning walked into the bar and taken out his snuff box says Chickweed I found out who had done this here robbery have you said Chickweed well more dear Spires and you let me have vengeance and I shall die contended well more dear Spires where is the villain come said Spires offering a pinch of snuff none of that gammon you did it yourself so he had and a good bit of money made by it too nobody would ever have found out if he hadn't had the precious anxious to keep up appearances said Mr. Blathers putting down his wine glass and clinking the handcuffs together very curious indeed observed the doctor now if you please you can walk upstairs if you please sir return Mr. Blathers following Mr. Loosebourne the two officers ascended to Oliver's bedroom Mr. Giles proceeding the party with a lighted candle Oliver had been dozing but looked worse and was more feverish than he had appeared yet being assisted by the doctor he managed to sit up in bed for a minute or so and looked at the strangers without at all understanding what was going forward in fact without seeming to recollect where he was or what had been passing this said Mr. Loosebourne speaking softly but with great vehemence not withstanding this is the lad who being accidentally wounded by a spring gun and some boyish trespass James Grams at the back here comes to the house for assistance this morning and is immediately laid whole of and maltreated by that ingenious gentleman with a candle in his hand who has placed his life in considerable danger as I can professionally certify Mrs. Blathers and Duff looked at Mr. Giles as he was thus recommended to their notice the bewildered butler gazed from them towards Oliver and from Oliver towards Mr. Loosebourne with the most ludicrous mixture of fear and perplexity you don't mean to deny that I suppose said the doctor and laying Oliver gently down again he was all done for the for the best serve answered Giles I'm sure I thought it was the boy or I wouldn't have meddled with him I am not of an inhuman disposition sir I thought it was what boy inquired the senior officer the housebreakers boy sir replied Giles they certainly had a boy well do you think so now Mr. Blathers think what now replied Giles looking vacant near his questioner think that it's the same boy stupid head enjoyed Blathers impatiently I don't know I really don't know said Giles with a roof or curtains I couldn't swear to him what do you think asked Mr. Blathers I don't know what to think replied poor Giles I don't think it is the boy indeed I'm almost certain that it isn't you know it can't be has this man been a drinking sir Mr. Blathers turning to the doctor what a precious muddle headed chap you are said Duff dressing Mr. Giles with supreme contempt Mr. Looseburn had been feeling the patient's pulse during this short dialogue but he now rose from the chair by the bedside remark that if the officer had any doubts upon the subject they would perhaps like to step into the next room and have brittles before them acting upon this suggestion they adjourned to a neighbouring apartment where the brittles being called in involved himself with his respected superior in such a wonderful maze of fresh contradictions and impossibilities as tended to throw no particular light on anything but the fact of his own strong mystification except indeed his declarations that he shouldn't know the real boy if he were put before him that instant and he'd only taken all of them to be he because Mr. Giles had said he was and that Mr. Giles had five minutes previously admitted in the kitchen that he began to be very much afraid he'd been a little too hasty among other ingenious surmises the question was then raised whether Mr. Giles had really hit anybody and upon examination of the fellow pistol to that which he had fired it turned out to have no more destructive loading than gunpowder and brown paper a discovery which made a considerable impression on everybody but the doctor who had drawn the ball about ten minutes before upon no one however did it make a greater impression than on Mr. Giles himself who after laboring for some hours under the fear of having mortally wounded a fellow creature eagerly caught at this new idea and favoured it to the utmost finally the officers without troubling themselves very much about Oliver left the church seat constable in the house and took up their rest for that night in the town promising to return the next morning there came a rumour that two men and a boy were in the cage at Kingston who had been apprehended overnight under suspicious circumstances and to Kingston messes blathers and duff journeyed accordingly the suspicious circumstances however resolving themselves on investigation into the one fact that they had been discovered sleeping under a haystack although a great crime is only punchable by imprisonment and is in the merciful eye of the English law and its comprehensive love of all the King's subjects held to be no satisfactory proof in the absence of all other evidence that the sleeper or sleepers had committed burgery accompanied with violence and therefore rendered themselves liable to the punishment of death that messes blathers and duff came back again as wise as they went in short after some more examination and a great deal more conversation a neighbouring magistrate was readily induced to take the joint bail of Mrs. May Lee and Mr. Losberg for Oliver's appearance if he should ever be called upon and blathers and duff being rewarded with a couple of guillies returned to town which had divided opinions on the subject of their expedition the latter gentlemen on a mature consideration of all the circumstances inclining to the belief that the burgliest attempt had originated with the family pet and the former being equally disposed to be the full merit to the great Mr. Conkey chickweed Meanwhile Oliver gradually throw him prostrate under the united care of Mrs. May Lee Rose and the kind hearted Mr. Losberg if fervent prayers gushing from the hearts overcharged with gratitude be heard in heaven and if they be not what prayers are the blessings which the orphan child called down upon them sunk into their souls using peace and happiness End of Chapter 31 Chapter 32 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens This LibriVox recording is in the public domain Chapter 32 The happy life Oliver began to lead with his kind friends Oliver's ailing were neither slight nor few In addition to the pain and delay attendant upon a broken limb his exposure to the wet and cold had brought on fever and ache which hung about him for many weeks and reduced him sadly but at length he began by slow degrees to get better and to be able to say sometimes in a few tearful words how deeply he felt the goodness of the two sweet ladies and how ardently he hoped that when he grew strong he could do something to show his gratitude only something which would let them see the love and duty which his breast was full something however slight which would prove to them that their gentle kindness had not been cast away but that the poor boy whom their charity had rescued from misery or death was eager to serve them with his whole heart and soul Poor fellow said when Oliver had been one day feebly endeavouring to utter the words of thankfulness that rose to his pale lips you shall have many opportunities of serving us if you will we are going into the country and my aunt intends that you shall accompany us the quiet place, the pure air and all the pleasure and beauties of spring will restore you in a few days we will employ you in a hundred ways when you can bear the trouble the trouble cried Oliver oh dear lady if I could but work for you if I could only give you pleasure by watering your flowers or watching the birds or running up and down the whole day long to make you happy what would I give to do it you should give nothing at all so Miss Madey smile whereas I told you before we shall employ you in a hundred ways and if you only take half the trouble to please us that you promise now you will make me very happy indeed how kind of you to say so you will make me happier than I can tell you replied the young lady to think that my dear good aunt should have been the means of rescuing anyone from such sad misery as you've described to us it would be an unspeakable pleasure to me but to know the object of a goodness of compassion was sincerely grateful and attached in consequence would delight me more than you can well imagine do you understand me she required watching Oliver's thoughtful face oh yes ma'am yes replied Oliver eagerly but I was thinking that I am ungrateful now to whom inquired the young lady to the kind gentleman and dear old nurse who took so much care of me before rejoined Oliver if they knew how happy I am they would be pleased I am sure I am sure they would rejoin Oliver's benefactress and Mr Loosebourne has already been kind enough to promise that when you are well enough to bear the journey he will carry you to see them has he ma'am? cried Oliver his face brightening with pleasure I don't know what I should do for joy when I see their kind faces once again in a short time Oliver was sufficiently recovered to undergo the fatigue of this expedition one morning he and Mr Loosebourne set out in a little carriage which belonged to Miss Maley when he came to Chersey Bridge Oliver turned very pale and uttered a loud exclamation what's the matter with the boy cried the doctor as usual all in a bustle do you see anything hear anything feel anything eh? that sir cried Oliver pointing out in the carriage window that house yes well one of it stop coachman pull up here cried the doctor one of the house my ma'am eh the thieves the house they took me to whispered Oliver the devil it is cried the doctor hello there let me out but before the coachman could dismount from his box he had tumbled out of the coach by some means or other and running down to the deserted tenement began kicking at the door like a madman Oliver said an ugly humpback man opening the door so suddenly from the very impetus of his last kick nearly fell forward into the passage what's the matter here matter exclaimed the other coloring him without a moment's reflection a good deal robbery is the matter he'll be murdered a matter too replied the humpback man Cooley if you don't take your hands off do you hear me I hear you said the doctor giving his captor for hearty shake where's confirmed the fellow what's his rascally name Sykes that it where's Sykes you thief the humpback man stare as if in excess of amazement and indignation then twisting himself dexterously from the doctor's grasp ground forth a volley of horrid oaths and retired into the house before he could shut the door however the doctor had passed him into the parlor without a word of parley he looked anxiously round on an article of furniture on the vestige of anything animate or inanimate and even the position of the cover sounds at Oliver's description now said the humpback man who had watched him keenly what do you mean by coming into my house in this violent way do you want to rob me or murder me which is it did you ever know a man to do either come out in a chariot and pair your ridiculous old vampire said the irritable doctor well what do you want then demanded a hunchback will you take yourself off before I do you a mischief for the parlor which like before bore no resemblance to what Oliver's accounting it I shall find you out someday my friend will you sneer the ill-fated cripple if you ever want me I'm here I haven't lived here mad and all alone for five and twenty years to be scared by you you shall pay for this you shall pay for this and so saying the mishappen little demon set up a yell and danced upon the ground as if wild with rage stupid enough this muttered the doctor to himself the boy must have made a mistake here put that in your pocket and shut yourself up again with these words he flung the hunchback a piece of money and returned to the carriage the man followed the chariot to the door uttering the wildest implications and curses all the way but Mr. Loosburn turned to speak to the driver he looked into the carriage and eyed Oliver for an instant with a glance so sharp and fierce and at the same time so furious and vindictive that walking or sleeping he could not forget it for months afterwards he continued to utter the most fearful implications until the driver had resumed his seat and when they were once more on their way they could see him some distance behind beating his feet upon the ground and tearing his hair in transports of real or pretended rage I am an ass said the doctor after a long silence did you know that before Oliver no sir and don't forget it another time an ass said the doctor again after a further silence of some minutes even if it had been the right place and the right fellows had been there what could I have done single handed if I had had assistance I see no good that I should have done my own exposure and unavoidable statement of the manner in which I have hushed up this business that would serve me right though I am always involving myself in some scrape or other by acting on impulse it might have done me good now the fact was that the excellent doctor had never acted upon anything but impulse all through his life it was no bad compliment to the nature of the impulses which covered him after being involved in any peculiar troubles or misfortunes he had the warmest respect and esteem of all who knew him if the truth must be told he was a little out of temper for a minute or two but being disappointed on procuring corroborative evidence and all of his story on the very first occasion on which he had a chance of obtaining any he soon came round again however finding that Oliver's replies to his questions was still a straightforward and consistent and still delivered with as much a parent's sincerity and truth as they had ever been he made up his mind to attach full credence to them from that time forth as Oliver knew the name of the street in which Mr Brownlow resided they were unable to drive straight thither when the coach turned into it his heart beat so violently that he could scarcely draw his breath now my boy which house has it inquired Mr Lewisburn with that replied Oliver pointing eagerly out of the window the White House I'll make haste play make haste I feel as if I should die it makes me tremble so come come said the good doctor patting him on the shoulder you will see them directly and they will be overjoyed to find you safe and well I hope so cried Oliver they were so good to me so very good to me the coach rolled on it stopped no that was a long house the next door it went on a few paces it stopped again Oliver looked up at the windows with tears and a happy expectation cursing down his face alas the White House was empty there was a bill in the window to let look at the door cried Mr Lewisburn taking Oliver's arm and his what has become of Mr Brownlow who used to live in the adjoining house do you know the servant did not know but would go and inquire she presently returned and said that Mr Brownlow had sold off his goods and gone to the West Indies six weeks before Oliver clasped his hands and sank feebly backward has his housekeeper gone too inquired Mr Lewisburn after a moment's pause yes sir replied the servant the old gentleman the housekeeper and a gentleman who was a friend of Mr Brownlow all went together then turned towards home again said Mr Lewisburn to the driver and don't stop to bait the horses to get out this confounded London the bookstore keeper says at Oliver I know the way they're seeing pray sir do see him my poor boy this is disappointment enough for one day said the doctor quite enough for both of us we go to the bookstore keepers we should certainly find that he's dead or he has set his house on fire or run away no home again straight an obedience to the doctor's impulse home they went this bitter disappointment caused Oliver much sorrow and grief even in the midst of his happiness for he pleased himself many times during his illness with thinking of all that Mr Brownlow and Mrs Bedwin would say to him and what delight it would be to tell them how many long days and nights he had passed in reflecting on what they had done for him and in bewailing his cruel separation from them the hope eventually clearing himself with them too and explaining how he'd been forced away and buoyed him up and sustained him under many of his recent trials and now the idea that they should have gone so far and carried with them the belief that he was an imposter a robber a belief which might remain uncontradicted to his dying day was almost more than he could bear the circumstance occasion no alteration however in the behaviour of his benefactors for another fortnight when the fine warm weather had fairly begun and every tree and flower was putting forth its young leaves and rich blossoms they made preparations for quitting the house at Chelsea for some months sending the plate which had so excited Fagin's cupidity to the bankers and nearly giles and another servant in care of the house they departed to a cottage at some distance in the country and took Oliver with them and described the pleasure and delight the peace of mind and soft tranquility the sickly boy felt in the barmy air and among the green hills and rich woods of an inland village who could tell how scenes of peace and quietude sink into the minds of pain-worn dwellers in close and noisy places and carry their own freshness deep into their jaded hearts men who have lived in crowded pent-up streets through lives of toil and who have never wished for change men to whom custom has indeed been second nature and who have come almost to love each brick and stone that form the narrow boundaries of their daily walks even they with the hand of death upon them have been known till the early last for one short glimpse of nature's face and carried far from the scenes of their old pains and pleasures have seemed to pass at once into a new state of being crawling forth from day to day to some green sunny spot they have had such memories wakened up within them by the sight of the sky and their quick decline and they have sunk into their tombs as peacefully as the sun who setting they watch the lonely chamber window but a few hours before faded from their dim and feeble sight the memories which peaceful country scenes call up are not of this world nor of its thoughts and hope their gentle influence may teach us how to weave fresh garlands for the graves of those we loved may purify our thoughts and bear down before it an old enmity in hatred but beneath all this there lingers in the last reflective mind a vague and half form consciousness of having held such feelings long before in some remote and distant time which calls up solemn thoughts of distant times to come and bends down pride and worldliness beneath it with a lovely spot to which they repaired Oliver whose days have been spent among squalid crowds in the midst of noise and brawling seem to enter on a new existence there the rose and honey suckle clunk to the cottage walls the ivy crept round the trunks of the trees and the garden flowers perfumed the air with delicious owners hard buy was a little church yard not crowded with tall unsightly gravestones but full of humble mounds covered with fresh turf and moss beneath which the old people of the village lay at rest Oliver often wandered here in thinking of the wretched grave in which his mother lay would sometimes sit him down sob and sing when he raised his eyes to the deep sky overhead he would cease to think of her living in the ground and weep for her sadly but without pain it was a happy time the days were peaceful and serene the nights brought with them neither fear nor care no languishing in a wretched prison or associating with wretched men nothing but pleasant and happy thoughts every morning he went to a white-haired old gentleman who lived near the little church he taught him to read better he spoke so kindly and took such pains that Oliver could never try enough to please him then he would walk with Mrs. Malian Rose and hear them talk of books or perhaps sit near them in some shady place and listen whilst the young lady read which he could have done until it grew too dark to see the letters then he had his own lesson for the next day to prepare and at this he would work hard in a little room which looked into the garden the evening came slowly on and the ladies would walk out again and he with them listening with such pleasure as they all said and so happy if they wanted a flow that he could climb to to reach or had forgotten anything he could run to fetch it that he could never be quick enough about it when it became quite dark they returned home the young lady would sit down to the piano and play some pleasant air or sing an alone gentle voice or sing some old song which it pleased her out to hear there would be no candles lighted at such times as these and Oliver would sit by one of the windows listening to the sweet music in a perfect rapture and when Sunday came how differently the day was spent from any way in which he had ever spent it yet and how happily too like all the other days in that most happy time there was a little church in the morning with green leaves the birds singing and without and the sweet smelling air stealing in at the low porch and filling the homely building with its fragrance the poor people were so neat and clean and knelt so reverently in prayer and it seemed a pleasure not tedious duty they were assembling there together and though the singing might be rude it was real and sounded more musical to Oliver's ears at least than any he had ever heard in church before then there were the walks as usual and many calls at clean houses of the laboring men and at night Oliver read a chapter 2 from the Bible which he had been studying all week and in the performance of which duty he felt more proud and pleased than if he had been a clergyman himself in the morning Oliver would be a foot by six o'clock roaming the fields and plundering the hedges far and wide for nosegays and wildflowers with which he would return laden home and which he took great care and consideration to arrange to the best advantage for the embellishment of the breakfast table it was fresh grounds or two for Miss Mayley's Birds with which Oliver who had been studying the subject on the able tuition of the village clerk would decorate the cages in the most approved taste when the birds were made all spruce and smart for the day there was usually some little commission of charity to execute in the village or failing that there was rare cricket play examples on the green or failing that there was always something to do in the garden or about the plants to which Oliver who had studied this science also under the same master who was a gardener by trade applied himself with hearty good will until Miss Rose made her appearance when there were a thousand commendations to be bestowed on all he had done so three months glided away three months which in the life of the most blessed and favoured of mortals might have been unmingled happiness and which in Oliver's were true felicity with the purest and most aimable generosity on one side and the truest warmest soul felt gratitude on the other there was no wonder that by the end of that short time Oliver Twist had become completely domesticated with the old lady and her niece that the fervent attachment of his young and sensitive heart was repaid by their pride in and attachment to himself End of Chapter 32 Chapter 33 of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens this LibriVox recording is in the public domain Chapter 33 where in the happiness of Oliver and his friends experiences a sudden check spring flew swiftly by and summer came if the village had been beautiful at first it was now in the full glow and luxuriance of his richness the great trees which had looked shrunken and bare in the earlier months had now burst into strong life and health and stretching forth their green arms over the thirsty ground converted opened and naked spots into choice nooks where was a deep and pleasant shade from which to look upon the wide prospect steeped in sunshine which lay stretched beyond the earth had donned a mantle of brightest green and shed her richest perfumes abroad it was the prime and vigor of the year all things were glad and flourishing still the same quiet life went on at the little village and the same cheerful serenity prevailed among its inmates Oliver had long since grown stout and healthy but health or sickness made no difference in his warm feelings of a great many people he was still the same gentle attached affectionate creature that he had been when pain and suffering had wasted his strength and when he was dependent for every slight attention and comfort on those who tended him one beautiful night when they had taken a longer walk than this customary with them the day had been unusually warm and there was a brilliant moon and a light wind had sprung up which was unusually refreshing Rose had been in high spirits too and they had walked on in merry conversation until they had far exceeded their ordinary bounds Mrs. Mayley being fatigued had returned more slowly home the young lady merely throwing off her simple wallet sat down to the piano as usual after running abstractedly over the keys for a few minutes she fell into a very low and solemn air as she played it they heard a sound as if she were weeping Rose, my dear, said the older lady Rose made no reply but played a little quicker as though the words had roused her from some painful thoughts Rose, my love, cried Mrs. Mayley rising hastily bending over her What is this? In tears my dear child what distresses you nothing, aunt, nothing replied the young lady I don't know what it is, I can't describe it but I feel not ill my love into pose Mrs. Mayley No, no, not ill replied Rose, shuddering as though some deadly chillness were passing over her while she spoke I should be better presently close the window, pray all of a hastened to comply with her request the young lady making an effort to recover her chillfulness with her tune but her fingers dropped powerless over the keys covering her face with her hands she sank upon the sofa and gave vent to the tears which she was now unable to repress My child, said the elderly lady folding her arms about her I never saw you so before I would not alarm me if I could avoid it with joy in Rose but indeed I have tried very hard and cannot help this I fear I am ill, aunt it was indeed for when the candles were brought they saw that in the very short time which elapsed since their return home the hue of accountants had changed to a marble whiteness its expression had lost nothing of its beauty but it was changed and there was an anxious haggard look about the gentle face which it had never worn before another minute and it was suffused with a crimson flush and a heavy wildness came over the soft blue eye again this disappeared like the shadow thrown by a passing cloud that she was once more deadly pale Oliver, who watched the old lady anxiously had said that she was alarmed by these appearances and so in truth was he but seeing that she affected to make light of them he endeavored to do the same and they so far succeeded that when Rose was persuaded by her aunt to retire for the night she was in better spirits and appeared even in better health assuring them that she felt certain she should rise in the morning quite well I hope said Oliver when Mrs. Maylee returned that nothing is a matter she don't look well tonight but the old lady motioned him not to speak and sitting herself down in a dark corner of the room remained silent for some time at then she said in a trembling voice I hope not Oliver I've been very happy with her for some years too happy perhaps it may be time that I should meet with some misfortune but I hope it is not this what inquired Oliver the heavy blow said the old lady of losing the dear girl that was so long been my comfort and happiness oh god forbid explained Oliver hastily amen to that my child said the old lady ringing her hands surely there's no danger of anything so dreadful said Oliver a few hours ago she was quite well she is very ill now replied Mrs. Maylee and it would be worse I am sure my dear Rose or what shall I do without her she gave way to such great grief that Oliver suppressing his own emotion ventured to remonstrate with her and to begonestly that for the sake of the dear young lady herself she would be more calm I consider Mam said Oliver as the tears forced himself into his eyes despite his effence to the contrary oh consider how young and good she is and what pleasure and comfort she gives to all about her I am sure certain, quite certain that for your sake who are so good to yourself and for her own and for the sakes of all she makes so happy she will not die heaven will never let her die so young Tush said Mrs. Maylee laying her hand on Oliver's head you think like a child poor boy beauty not withstanding I have forgotten it for a moment Oliver but I hope I may be pardoned for I am old I have seen enough of illness and death to know the agony of separation from the objects of our love I have seen enough too to know that it is not always the youngest and the best who are spared to those that love them but this should give us comfort in our sorrow for heaven is just and such things teach us impressively that there is a brighter world than this and the passage to it is speedy God's will be done I love her and he knows how well Oliver was surprised to see that as Mrs. Maylee said these words she checked her lamentations as though they were by one effort and drawing herself up as she spoke became composed and firm it was still more astonishing to find that this firmness lasted and that under all the care and watching Mrs. Maylee was ever ready and collected performing all the duties which had devolved upon her steadily and to all external appearances even cheerfully but he was young and did not know what strong minds are capable of under trying circumstances how should he when their possessors so seldom know themselves an anxious night ensued when morning came Mrs. Maylee's predictions were but too well verified Rose was in the first stage of a high and dangerous fever he must be active Oliver not give way to useless griefs as Mrs. Maylee laying her finger on her lip as she looked steadily into his face this letter must be sent with all possible expedition to Mr. Lozburg it must be carried to the market town which is not more than four miles off by the footpath across the field and then dispatched by an express on horseback to Chelsea people at the inn will undertake to do this but I can trust you to see it done I know Oliver could make no reply but looked his anxiety to be gone at once here is another letter said Mrs. Maylee pausing to reflect but whether to send it now or wait until I see how Rose goes on I scarcely know I would not forward it unless I feared the worst is it for Chelsea too ma'am inquired Oliver to execute his commission and holding out his trembling hand for the letter no replied the old lady giving it to him mechanically Oliver glanced at it and saw that it was directed to Harry Maylee a squire at some great lord's house in the country where he could not make out shall it go ma'am asked Oliver looking up impatiently I think not replied Mrs. Maylee taking it back I will wait until tomorrow with his words she gave Oliver a purse and he started off with that more delay at the greatest speed he could muster swiftly he ran across the fields and down the little lanes which sometimes divided them now almost hidden by the high court one on either side and now emerging on an open field where the mowers and hay-making were busy at their work nor did he stop once save now and then for a few seconds to recover his breath but he came in a great heat covered with dust on the little marketplace of the market town here he paused and looked about for the inn there were a white bank and a red brewery in a yellow town hall in one corner there was a large house with all the wood about it painted green before which was the sign of the George so this he hastened as soon as it caught his eye he spoke to a post boy who was dozing under the gateway who after hearing what he wanted referred him to the Osler who after hearing all he had to say again referred him to the landlord who was a tall gentleman in a blue neckcloth, a white hat and drab breeches and boots with tops to match leaning against the pump by the stable door picking his teeth with a silver toothpick the gentleman walked with much deliberation into the bar to make out the bill which took a long time making out and after it was ready and paid and a man to be dressed which took up ten good minutes more meanwhile Oliver was such a desperate state of impatience and anxiety that he felt as if he could have jumped upon the horse himself and galloped away full tear to the next stage at length thought was ready and the little parcel having been handed up with many injunctions and entreaties for its speedy delivery the man sets burst to his horse and rattling over the uneven paving of the marketplace was out in the town galloping along the turnpike road in a couple of minutes I think there's something to feel certain that the system was sent for and that no time had been lost Oliver hurried up the in-yard with a somewhat lighter heart he was turning out of the gateway when he accidentally stumbled against a tall man wrapped in a cloak who was at that moment coming out of the indoor ha! cried the man fixing his eyes on Oliver he recalling what the devil's this beg your pardon sir said Oliver I was in a great hurry to get home when I didn't see you were coming death muttered the man to himself glaring at the boy with his huge dark eyes who would have thought it cried him to ashes he'd start up from a stone coffin to come in my way I'm sorry Stammerlover confused by the strange man's wild look I hope I've not hurt you rot you at a horrible passion between his clenched teeth if I had only the courage to say the word I might have been free of you in a night curses on your head and black death on your heart you imp what are you doing here the man shook his fist as he muttered these words incoherently he advanced towards Oliver as if with the intention of aiming a blow at him but fell violently on the ground writhing and foaming in a fit Oliver glazed for a moment at the struggles of the madman for such he supposed him to be and then darted into the house for help having seen him safely carried into the hotel he turned his face onwards running as fast as he could to make up for lost time and recalling with a great deal of astonishment that some fear the extraordinary behaviour of the person from whom he had just parted the circumstance did not dwell in his recollection long however for when he reached the cottage there was enough to occupy his mind and to drive all considerations of self completely from his memory Rose Maidley had grown rapidly worse before midnight she was delirious a medical practitioner who resided on the spot was in constant attendance upon her after first seeing the patient he had taken Mrs Maidley aside and pronounced her disorder to be one of the most alarming nature in fact he said it would be little short of a miracle if she recovered how often did Oliver start from his bed that night stealing out with noiseless footsteps to the staircase listen for the slightest sound from the sick chamber how often did a tremble shake his frame and cold drops of terror start upon his brow when a sudden trampling of feet caused him to fear that something too dreadful to think of and what had been the fervour of all the prayers he had ever muttered compared with those he poured forth now in the agony and passion of his supplication for the life and health of the gentle creature who was tottering on the deep grave surge all the suspense, the fearful acute suspense of standing idly by or the life of one we dearly love is trembling in the balance all the racking thoughts that crowd upon the mind the heart beat violently and the breath comes thick by the force of the images they conjure up before it the desperate anxiety to be doing something to relieve the pain or lessen the danger which we have no power to alleviate the sinking of soul and spirit which the sad remembrance of a helplessness produces what tortures can equal these what reflections or endeavours can in the full tide and fervour of the time allay them morning came and the little cottage was lonely and still people spoke in whispers anxious faces appeared at the gate from time to time women and children went away in tears all the live long day and for hours after it had grown dark Oliver paced softly up and down the garden raising his eyes every instant to the sick chamber and shuddering to see the darkened window looking as if death may be stretched inside late that night Mr. Lostborn arrived it's hard said to the doctor turning away as he spoke so young so much beloved but there is very little hope another morning the sun shone brightly as brightly as if it looked upon no misery or care and with every leaf and flower in full bloom about her with life and health and the sounds and sights of joy surrounding her on every side the fair young creature lay wasting fast Oliver crept away to the old churchyard and sitting down on one of the green mounds wept and prayed for her in silence there was such peace and beauty in the scene so much of brightness and mirth in the sunny landscape with blithes and music in the songs of the summer birds such freedom on the rapid flight of the rook careering overhead so much of life and joy in us in all that when the boy raised his aching eyes and looked about the thought instinctively occurred to him that this was not a time for death that Rose could surely never die when humbler things were also glad and gay that graves were for cold and cheerless winter not for sunlight and fragrance he almost thought that the shrouds were for the old and shrunken and that they never wrapped the young and graceful form in their ghastly folds a knell from the church bell broke harshly on these youthful thoughts another again it was tolling for the funeral service a group of humble mourners entered the gate wearing white favours for the corpse was young they stood uncovered by a grave there was a mother a mother once among the weeping train the sun shone brightly and the birds sang on Oliver turned homeward thinking of the many kindnesses he had received from the young lady and wishing that the time could come again that he might never see showing her how grateful and attached he was he had no cause for self-repoach on the score of neglect or want of thought for he had been devoted to his service he had a hundred little occasions rose up before him of which he fancied he might have been more zealous and more earnest and wished he had been we need to be careful how we deal with those about us when every death carries to some small circle of survivors thoughts of so much omitted and so little done of so many things forgotten and so many more which might have been repaired there is no remorse so deep as that which is unveiling if we would be spared its tortures let us remember this in time when he reached home Mrs. Bailey was sitting at the little parlour Oliver's heart sank at the sight of her for she had never left the bedside of her niece and he trembled to think what change could have driven her away he learned that she had fallen into a deep sleep from which she would waken either to recovery or life or to bid them farewell and die they sat listening and afraid to speak for hours the untasted meal was removed with looks that showed that their thoughts were elsewhere they watched the sun as he sank lower and lower and at length cast over sky and earth those brilliant hues which heralded his departure the quick ears caught the sound of an approaching footstrap they both involuntarily darted to the door as Mr. Looseburn entered one of Rose cried the old lady tell me at once I can bear it anything but suspense will tell me the name of heaven you must compose yourself be calm my dear man pray let me go in God's name dear my dear child she's dead she's dying no cried the doctor passionately I see as good and merciful she will live to bless us all for years to come the lady fell upon her knees and tried to fold her hands together the energy which has supported her so long fled up to heaven with her first Thanksgiving she sank into the friendly arms which were extended to receive her end of chapter 33