Stranica 229 [229]
OCR
171 * No, no,” replied Fagin, § not so bad as that. Not quite so bad.” cc What, I suppose he was ty c Wanted,” interposed the Jew. “ Yes, he was wanted.” “ Very particular ?” inquired Mr. Bolter. “No,” replied the Jew, “not very. He was charged with attempting to pick a pocket, and they found a silver snuffbox on him,—his own, my dear, his own, for he took snuff himself, and was very fond of it. They remanded him till today, for they thought they knew the owner. Ah! he was worth fifty boxes, and I’d give the price of as many to have him back. You skould have known the Dodger, my dear; you should have known the Dodger.” c Well, but I shall know him, I hope; don’t yer think so?" said Mr. Bolter. “I’m doubtful about it,” replied the Jew, with a sigh. “If they dont get any fresh evidence it’ll only be a summary conviction, and we shall have him ome seer after six Sia or so; but, if they do, it’s a case o ine. The kates what a clever lad ayy AA "11 bet lifer: they "11 make the Artful nothing less than a lifer.” “ What do yer mean by lagging and a lifer "" demanded Mr. Bolter. “ What’s the good of talking in that way to me; stand yer ?”’ Fagin was about to translate these mysterious expressions into the vulgar tongue, and, being interpreted, Mr. Bolter would have been informed that they represented that combination of words, “ transportation for life,” when the dialogue was cut short by the entry of Master Bates with his hands in his breeches-pockets, and his face twisted into a look of semi-comical woe. “It’s all up, Fagin,” said Charley, when he and his new companion had been made known to each other. “'What do you mean ?” asked the Jew with trembling lips. the box; two er three more’s a coming to *dentify him, and the Artful’s booked for a passage out,” replied Master Bates. $ [ must have a full suit of mourning, Fagin, and a hatband to wisit him in, afore he sets out upon his travels. ‘To think of Jack Dawkins—lummy Jack — the Dodger—the Artful Dodger—going abroad for a common twopenny-halfpenny sneezebox ! under a gold watch, chain, and seals, at the lowest. Oh, why did’nt he rob some rich old gentleman of all his walables, and go out as a gentleman, and not like a common prig, without no honour nor glory ?” With this expression of feeling for his unfortunate friend, Master Bates sat himself on the nearest chair with an aspect of chagrin and despondency. “'What do you talk about his havin neither honour nor glory for?" exclaime Fagin, darting an angry look at his pupil. “ Wasn’t he always top-sawyer among you all ’—is there one of you that could touch him or come near him on any scent—eh ?” “ Not one,” replied Master Bates, in a voice rendered husky by regret,—“ not one," c Then what do you talk of?" replied tg Jew angrily ; what are you blubbering or!" “’Cause it isn’t on the rec-ord, is it ?? said Charley, chafed into perfect defiance of his venerable friend by the current of his regrets; ""cause it can’t come out in the indictment ; "cause nobody will never know half of what he was. How will he stand in the Newgate Calendar? P’r’aps not be there at all. Oh, my eye, my eye, wot a blow it is!” “Ha! ha!” cried the Jew extending his right hand, and turning to Mr. Bolter in a fit of chuckling which shook him as though he had the palsy ; “see what a pride: Isn’t it beautiful ?” Mr. Bolter nodded assent, and the Jew, after contemplating the grief of Charley Bates for some seconds with evident satisfaction, stepped up to that young gentleman and patted him on the shoulder. 6 Never mind, Charley,” said Fagin soothingly; “ it Il come out, itll be sure to come out. They’ll all know what a clever fellow he was; he’il show it himself, and not disgrace his old pals and teachers. Think how young he is, too! What a distinction, Charley, to be lagged at his time of life !” “ Well, it is a honour, that is!” said Charley, a little consoled. “He shall have all he wants,” continued the Jew. “Heshall be kept in the Stone Jug, Charley, like a gentleman like a gentleman, with his beer every day, and money in his pocket to pitch and toss with, if he can’t spend it.” * No, shall he though?” cried Charley Bates. 6 Ay, that he shall,” replied the Jew
