Stranica 53 [53]
OCR
24 in a strange place; and we all know how chilled and desolate the best of us will sometimes feel in such a situation. The boy had no friends to care for, or to care for him. The regret of no recent separation was fresh in his mind; the absence of no loved and well-remembered face was heavy, notwithstanding ; and he wished, as he crept into his narrow bed, that that were his coffin, and that he could be laid in a calm and lasting sleep in the churchyard ground, with the tall waving gently above his head, and the sound of the old deep bell to soothe him in his sleep. Oliver was awakened in the morning by a loud kicking at the outside of the deadiian. which, before he could huddle on his clothes, was repeated in an angry and impetuous manner about twenty-five times ; and, when he began to undo the chain, the legs left off their volleys, and a voice began. | 6 Open the door, will yer?’ cried the voice which belonged to the legs which had kicked at the door. “J will directly, sir,” replied Oliver, undoing the chain, and turning the key. ss ( suppose yer the new boy, a’nt yer ?” said the voice through the key-hole. “ Yes, sir,” replied Oliver. * How old are yer?” inquired the voice. “Ten, sir," replied Oliver. Then I "11 whop yer when I get in,” said the voice; “you just see if I don’t, that’s all, my work’us brat!” and, having made this obliging promise, the voice began to whistle. Oliver had been too often subjected to the process to which the very expressive monysyllable just recorded, bears reference, to entertain the smallest doubt that the owner of the voice, whoever he might be, would redeem his pledge most honourably. He drew back the bolts with a trembling hand, and opened the door. For a second or two, Oliver glanced up the street, and down the street, and over the way, impressed with the belief that . the unknown, who had addressed him through the key-hole, had walked a few paces off to warm himself, for nobody did Oliver see but a big charity-boy sitting on the post in front of the house, eating a slice of bread and butter, which he cut into wedges the size of his mouth with a elasp-knife, and then consumed with great dexterity. 6] beg your pardon, sir,” said Oliver, at len seeing that no other visitor oO made his appearance; “did you knock?" “T kicked,” replied the charity-boy. “ Did you want a coffin, sir?" inquired Oliver, innocently. At this the charity-boy looked monstrous fierce, and said that Oliver would stand in need of one before long, if he cut jokes with his superiors in that way. “ Yer don’t know who I am, I suppose, work’us ?” said the charity-boy, in continuation ; descending from the top of the post, meanwhile, with edifying gravity. s No, sir,” rejoined Oliver. *1’m Mister Noah Claypole," said the charity-boy, “and you’re under me. Take down the shutters, yer idle young ruffian !” With this Mr. Claypole administered a kick to Oliver, and entered the shop with a dignified air, which did him great credit: it is difficult for a large-headed, small-eyed youth, of lumbering make and heavy countenance, to look dignified under any circumstances; but it is more especially so, when superadded to these personal attractions, are a red nose and yellow smalls. Oliver having taken down the shutters, and broken a pane of glass in his efforts to stagger away beneath the weight of the first one to a small court at the side of the house in which they were kept ery the day, was graciously assisted by Noah, who, having consoled him with the assurance that “he ’d catch it,” condescended tohelp him. Mr. Sowerberry came down soon after, and, shortly afterwards, Mrs. Sowerberry appeared ; and Oliver having “ caught it,” in fulfilment of Noah’s prediction, followed that young gentleman down stairs to breakfast. “Come near the fire, Noah,” said Charlotte. “I saved a nice little piece of bacon for you from master’s breakfast. Oliver, shut that door at Mister Noah’s back, and take them bits that I’ve put out on the cover of the bread-pan. There ’s your tea; take it uway to that box, and drink it there, and make haste, for they "11 want you to mind the shop. D?’ye hear?" “T)’ ye hear, work’us?’ said Noah Claypole. * Lor, Noah!’ said Charlotte, “ what a rum creature you are! Why don’t you 6 Let him alone!” said Noah. " Why every body lets him alone enough, for the matter of that. Neither his father nor mother will ever interfere with him: all his relations let him have his own wa pretty well. Eh, Charlotte? He! he! he!” 6 Oh, you queer soul!" said Charlotte, tursting into a hearty laugh, in which she was joined by Noah ; after which thev
