Stranica 51 [51]
OCR
45 fixed the cocked-hat on again ; and, turning to the undertaker, said in a calmer voice, “ Well; what about the boy ?” 6 Oh!" replied the undertaker; “ why, you know, Mr. Bumble, I pay a good deal towards the poor’s rates.” “Hem!” said Mr. Bumble. “ Well?" 6 Well,” replied the undertaker, “I was thinking that if I pay so much towards "em, I’ve aright to get as much out of em asl can, Mr. Bumble; and so—and so—I think I 711 take the boy myself.” Mr. Bumble the undertaker by the arm, and led him into the building. Mr. Sowerberry was closeted with the board for five minutes, and then it was arranged 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 short trial, that he can get enough work out of a boy without putting too much food years, to do what he likes with. “the gentlemen” that evening, and informed that he was to go that night as general house-lad to a coffin-maker’s, and that if he complained of his situation, or ever came back tu the parish again, he would be sent to sea, there to be drowned, or knocked on the head, as the case might be, he evinced so little emotion, that they by common consent pronounced him a hardened young rascal, and ordered Mr. Bumble to remove him forthwith. Now, although it was very natural that the board, of all people in the world, should feel in a great state of virtuous astonishment and horror at the smallest tokens of want of feeling on the part of anybody, they were rather out, in this particular instance. The simple fact was, that Oliver, instead of possessing too little feeling, possessed rather too much, and was in a fair way of being reduced to a state of brutal stupidity and sullenness for life, 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 not very difficult to carry, inasmuch as it was all comprised within the limits of a brown paper parcel, about half a foot three inches deep,—he pulled his cap over his eyes, and once more attaching himself to Mr. Bumble’s coat cuff, was led away by that dignitary to a new scene of suffering. For some time Mr. Bumble drew Oliver along, without notice or remark, for the beadle _— his =" very erect, as a beadle always should; and, it being a windy day, little Oliver was completely enshrouded by the skirts of Mr. Bumble’s coat as they blew open, and disclosed to ae advantage his flapped waistcoat and b plush knee-breeches. As they drew near to their destination, however, Mr. Bumble thought it e ient to look down and see that the boy was in good order for inspection by his new master, which he accordingly did, with a fit and becoming air of gracious patronage. “ Oliver!” said Mr. Bumble. 6 Yes, sir,” replied Oliver, in a low, tremulous voice. “Pull that cap off of your eyes, and hold up your head, sir,” Although Oliver did as he was desired at once, and passed the back of his unoccupied hand briskly across his eyes, he left a tear in them when he looked up at his conductor. 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 unsuccessful one; and, withdrawing his other hand from Mr. Bumble’s, he covered his face with both, and wept till the tears sprung out from between his thin and bony fingers. c Well!" exclaimed Mr. Bumble, stopping short, and darting at his little charge a look of intense malignity,—* well, of all the ungratefullest, and worst-disposed boy: as ever I see, Oliver, you are th i s No, no, sir,” sobbed Oliver, clinging to the hand which held the well-known cane; § no, no, sir; I will be indeed ; indeed, indeed, I will, sir! Lam a very little boy, sir; and it is so—so—” “So what?" inquired Mr. Bumble in amazement. “So lonely, sir—so very lonely,” cried the child. “Everybody hates me. Oh! sir, don’t be cross to me. I feel as if I had been cut here, sir, and it was all bleeding away ;” and the child beat his hand upon his heart, and looked into his companion’s face with tears of real agony. Mr. Bumble regarded Oliver’s piteous and helpless look with some astonishment for a few seconds, hemmed three or four times in a husky manner, and after muttering something about “ that troublesome cough,” bid Oliver dry his eyes, and be a good boy ; and, once more taking his hand, walked on with him in silence. The undertaker had just put up the shutters of his shop, and was making some entries in his day-book by the light of a most appropriately dismal eandie, when Mr. Bumble entered. tt ——
