Stranica 141 [141]
OCR
99 go-rounder !—T'ommy Chitling "s in love! —OQOh, Fagin, Fagin! what a spree!” Thoroughly overpowered with the notion of Mr. Chitling being the victim of the tender passion, Master Bates threw himself back in his chair with such violence, that he lost his balance, and pitched over upon the floor, where (the accident abating nothing of his merriment) he lay at full length till his laugh was over, when he resumed his former position and began another. “ Never mind him, my dear,” said the Jew, winking at Mister Dawkins, and giving Master Bates a reproving tap with the nozzle of the bellows. “ Betsy’s a fine girl. Stick up to her, Tom; stick up to her.” s What I mean to say, Fagin,” replied Mr. Chitling, very red in the face, " is, that that isn’t anything to anybody here.” * No more it is,” replied the Jew: “Charley will talk. Don’t mind him, my dear; don’t mind him. Betsy’s a fine girl, Do as she bids you, Tom, and you "11 make your fortune.’ ‘So I do do as she bids me,” replied Mr. Chitling; “I shouldn’t have been milled if it hadn’t been for her advice. But it turned out a good job for you; didn’t it, Fagin? And what’s six weeks of it? It must come some time or another,—and why not in the winter time, when you don’t want to go out a-walking so much; eh, Fagin?” 6 Ah, to be sure, my dear,” replied the Jew. “You wouldn’t mind it again, Tom, upon Charley and the Jew, “if Bet was right?” | “T mean to say that I shouldn’t,” reoe Tom angrily; “there, now! Ah! Who "11 say as much as that, I should like to know; eh, Fagin !" “ Nobody, my dear,” replied the Jew; “not a soul, Tom. I don’t know one of "em that would do it besides you ; not one of "em, my dear.” “I might have got clear off if I "d split upon her; mightn’t I, Fagm?”’ angrily pursued the poor half-witted dupe. “A word from me would have done it; wouldn’t it, Fagin?” 6 To be sure it would, my dear,” replied the Jew. “ But I didn’t blab it; did I, Fagin?” demanded Tom, pouring question upon question with great volubility. 6 No, no, to be sure," replied the Jew; deal too stout, my dear.” “Perhaps I was,’ rejoined Tom, looking round; “and if I was, what’s to laugh at in that; eh, Fagin?” he Jew, perceiving that Mr. Chitling was considerably roused, hastened to assure him that nobody was laughing, and, to prove the gravity of the company, appealed to Master Bates, the principal offender; but unfortunately Charley, in opening his mouth to reply that he was never more serious im his life, was unable to prevent the escape of such a violent roar, that the abused Mr. Chutling, without any preliminary ceremonies, rushed across the room and aimed a blow at the offender, who, being skilful in evading pursuit, ducked to avoid it, and chose his time so well, that it lighted on the chest of the merry old gentleman, and caused him to stagger to the wall, where he stood panting for breath, while Mr. Chitling looked on in intense dismay. ‘Hark !” cried the Dodger at this moment, “I heard the tinkler.” Catching up the light, he crept softly up stairs. The bell rang again with some impatience while the party were in darkness. After a short pause, the Dodger re-appeared, and whispered Fagin mysteriously. c What!” cried the Jew, "alone?" The Dodger nodded in the affirmative, his hand, gave Charley Bates a private intimation in dumb show that he had better not be funny just then. Having performed this friendly office, he fixed his eyes on the Jew’s face, and awaited his directions. The old man bit his yellow fingers, and meditated for some seconds, his face working with agitation the while, as if he dreaded something, and feared to know the worst. At length he raised his head. s Where is he?” he asked. The Dodger pointed to the floor above, and made a gesture as if to leave the room. “Yes,” said the Jew, answering the mute inquiry; “bring him down. Hush! —Quiet, Charley !—gently, Tom! Scarce, scarce !" This brief direction to Charley Bates and his recent antagonist to retire, was softly and immediately obeyed. ‘There was no sound of their whereabout when the Dodger descended the stairs bearing the light in his hand, and followed by a man in a coarse smock-frock, who, after casting a hurried glance round the room,
