OLIVER TWIST.
VOL. II.
BY
SECOND EDITION.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
LONDON:
RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET.
————
1839.
WHITING,
BEAUFORT HOUSE.
CHAPTER XX.
WHEREIN OLIVER IS DELIVERED OVER TO MR. WILLIAMSIKES.
When Oliver awoke in the morning he wasa good deal surprised to find that a new pair ofshoes with strong thick soles had been placedat his bedside, and that his old ones had beenremoved. At first he was pleased with thediscovery, hoping that it might be the forerunnerof his release; but such thoughts werequickly dispelled on his sitting down to breakfastalone with the Jew, who told him, in atone and manner which increased his alarm,that he was to be taken to the residence of BillSikes that night.
“To—to—stop there, sir?” asked Oliver,anxiously.
“No, no, my dear, not to stop there,” repliedthe Jew. “We shouldn’t like to loseyou. Don’t be afraid, Oliver, you shall comeback to us again. Ha! ha! ha! We wont beso cruel as to send you away, my dear. Oh no,no!”
The old man, who was stooping over the firetoasting a piece of bread, looked round as hebantered Oliver thus, and chuckled as if to shewthat he knew he would still be very glad to getaway if he could.
“I suppose,” said the Jew, fixing his eyes onOliver, “you want to know what you’re goingto Bill’s for—eh, my dear?”
Oliver coloured involuntarily to find that theold thief had been reading his thoughts; butboldly said, “Yes, he did want to know.”
“Why, do you think?” inquired Fagin, parryingthe question.
“Indeed I don’t know, sir,” replied Oliver.
“Bah!” said the Jew, turning away with adisappointed countenance from a close perusalof the boy’s face. “Wait till Bill tells you,then.”
The Jew seemed much vexed by Oliver’snot expressing any greater curiosity on thesubject; but the truth is, that, although he feltvery anxious, he was too much confused by theearnest cunning of Fagin’s looks, and his ownspeculations, to make any further inquiries justthen. He had no other opportunity; for theJew remained very surly and silent till night,when he prepared to go abroad.
“You may burn a candle,” said the Jew,putting one upon the table; “and here’s a bookfor you to read till they come to fetch you.Good night!”
“Good night, sir!” replied Oliver, softly.
The Jew walked to the door, looking over hisshoulder at the boy as he went, and, suddenlystopping, called him by his