Oliver Twist

RST ENTRY IN

st, in some small trading vessel bound to a good unhealthy port. This suggested itself as the very best thing that could possibly be done with him: the probability being, that the skipper would flog him to death, in a playful mood, some day after dinner, or would knock his brains out with an iron bar; both pastimes being, as is pretty

or other who wanted a cabin-boy without any friends; and was returning to the workhouse to communicate the resul

and shoes to answer. His features were not naturally intended to wear a smiling aspect, but he was in general rather given to professional

two women that died last night,

d snuff-box of the undertaker: which was an ingenious little model of a patent coffin. 'I say you'll make your fortu

tted and half disputed the probability of the event. 'The

with precisely as near an approach to a la

ength, 'there's no denying that, since the new system of feeding has come in, the coffins are something narrower and more shallow than they used to be;

ery trade has its drawbacks. A fai

I don't get a profit upon this or that particular articl

' said Mr

y great disadvantage: which is, that all the stout people go off the quickest. The people who have been better off, and have paid rates for many years, are the first to sink when they come

that it rather tended to convey a reflection on the honour of the parish; the latter gentleman thoug

lstone, as I may say, round the porochial throat? Liberal terms, Mr. Sowerberry, liberal terms?' As Mr. Bumble spoke, he raised his cane to

ficial coat; 'that's just the very thing I wanted to speak to you about. You know-

is the same as the porochial seal-the Good Samaritan healing the sick and bruised man. The board presented it to me on Newyear's morning, Mr.

ght it in, "Died from exposure to the cold, and wa

mble n

said the undertaker, 'by adding some words to

he board attended to all the nonsense that ig

the undertaker; 't

ly, as was his wont when working into a passion: '

e,' said th

cal economy about 'em than that,' said the

ave,' acquiesce

the beadle, growing

rejoined th

ouse for a week or two,' said the beadle; 'the rules and regul

r. So saying, he smiled, approvingly: to calm t

rown; wiped from his forehead the perspiration which his rage had engendered; fix

at about

, you know, Mr. Bumble, I pay a go

d Mr. Bumb

so much towards 'em, I've a right to get as much out of 'em

ged that Oliver should go to him that evening 'upon liking'-a phrase which means, in the case of a parish apprentice, that if the master find, upon a shor

hat if he complained of his situation, or ever came back to the parish again, he would be sent to sea, there to be drowned, or knocked on the head, as the ca

f possessing too little feeling, possessed rather too much; and was in a fair way of being reduced, for life, to a state of brutal stupidity and sullenness by the ill usage he had received. He heard the news of his destination, in perfect silence; and, having had his luggage put into his hand-which was

enshrouded by the skirts of Mr. Bumble's coat as they blew open, and disclosed to great advantage his flapped waistcoat and drab plush knee-breeches. As they drew near to their destination, howeve

' said M

d Oliver, in a low

your eyes, and hold

onductor. As Mr. Bumble gazed sternly upon him, it rolled down his cheek. It was followed by another, and another. The child made a strong effort, but it was an unsu

ttle charge a look of intense malignity. 'Well! Of all the ungratef

e well-known cane; 'no, no, sir; I will be good indeed; indeed,

uired Mr. Bumb

Oh! sir, don't, don't pray be cross to me!' The child beat his hand upon

three or four times in a husky manner; and after muttering something about 'that troublesome cough,' bad

op, was making some entries in his day-book by the light o

p from the book, and pausing in the m

plied the beadle. 'Here! I've bro

ndle above his head, to get a better view of Oliver. 'Mrs. Sower

the shop, and presented the form of a short, the

ally, 'this is the boy from the workhouse

undertaker's wife,

as if it were his fault that he was no bigger; 'he is small. Th

men always think they know best. There! Get downstairs, little bag o' bones.' With this, the undertaker's wife opened a side door, and pushed Oliver down a steep flight of stairs into a stone c

ome of the cold bits that were put by for Trip. He hasn't come home since the morning,

was trembling with eagerness to devour it, replied in the negat

at the dainty viands that the dog had neglected. I wish he could have witnessed the horrible avidity with which Oliver tore the bits asunder with all the feroci

his supper: which she had regarded in silent horror, and wi

e within his reach, Oliver

'your bed's under the counter. You don't mind sleeping among the coffins, I suppose? But it doesn't muc

nger, but meekly foll