友情提示:如果本网页打开太慢或显示不完整,请尝试鼠标右键“刷新”本网页!阅读过程发现任何错误请告诉我们,谢谢!! 报告错误
九色书籍 返回本书目录 我的书架 我的书签 TXT全本下载 进入书吧 加入书签

oliver twist(雾都孤儿(孤星血泪))-第16章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!




“Do you live in London?” inquired Oliver。 

“Yes。 I do; when I’m at home;” replied the boy。 “I suppose you 
want some place to sleep in tonight; don’t you?” 

“I do; indeed;” answered Oliver。 “I have not slept under a roof 
since I left the country。” 

“Don’t fret your eyelids on that score;” said the young 
gentleman。 “I’ve got to be in London tonight; and I know a 
’spectable old gentleman as lives there; wot’ll give you lodgings for 
nothink; and never ask for the change—that is; if any gentleman 
he knows interduces you。 And don’t he know me? Oh; no! Not in 
the least! By no means。 Certainly not!” The young gentleman 
smiled; as if to intimate that the latter fragments of discourse were 
playfully ironical; and finished the beer as he did so。 

This unexpected offer of shelter was too tempting to be 
resisted; especially as it was immediately followed up; by the 
assurance that the old gentleman referred to; would doubtless 
provide Oliver with a comfortable place; without loss of time This 
led to a more friendly and confidential dialogue; from which Oliver 
discovered that his friend’s name was Jack Dawkins; and that he 
was a peculiar pet and protégé of the elderly gentleman before 
mentioned。 

Mr。 Dawkins’ appearance did not say a vast deal in favour of the 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 

comforts which his patron’s interest obtained for those whom he 
took under his protection; but; as he had a rather flighty and 
dissolute mode of conversing; and furthermore avowed that 
among his intimate friends he was better known by the sobriquet 
of “The Artful Dodger;” Oliver concluded that; being of a 
dissipated and careless turn; the moral precept of his benefactor 
had hitherto been thrown away upon him。 Under this impression; 
he secretly resolved to cultivate the good opinion of the old 
gentleman as quickly as possible; and; if he found the Dodger 
incorrigible; as he more than half…suspected he should; to decline 
the honour of his further acquaintance。 

As John Dawkins objected to their entering London before 
nightfall; it was nearly seven o’clock when they reached the 
turnpike at Islington。 They crossed from the Angel into St。 John’s 
Road; struck down the small street which terminates at Sadler’s 
Wells Theatre; through Exmouth Street and Coppice Row; down 
the little court by the side of the workhouse; across the classic 
ground which once bore the name of Hockley…in…the…Hole; thence 
into Little Saffron Hill; and so into Saffron Hill the Great; along 
which the Dodger scudded at a rapid pace; directing Oliver to 
follow close at his heels。 

Although Oliver had enough to occupy his attention in keeping 
sight of his leader; he could not help bestowing a few hasty glances 
on either side of the way; as he passed along。 A dirtier or more 
wretched place he had never seen。 The street was very narrow 
and muddy; and the air was impregnated with filthy odours。 There 
were a good many small shops; but the only stock in trade 
appeared to be heaps of children; who; even at that time of night; 
were crawling in and out at the doors; or screaming from the 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 

inside。 The sole places that seemed to prosper amid the general 
blight of the place; were the public…houses; and in them; the lowest 
orders of Irish were wrangling with might and main。 Covered 
ways and yards; where here and there diverged from the main 
street; disclosed little knots of houses; where drunken men and 
women were positively wallowing in filth; and from several of the 
doorways; great ill…looking fellows were cautiously emerging; 
bound; to all appearance; on no very well…disposed or harmless 
errands。 

Oliver was just considering whether he hadn’t better run away; 
when they reached the bottom of the hill。 His conductor; catching 
him by the arm; pushed open the door of a house near Field Lane; 
and; drawing him into the passage; closed it behind them。 

“Now; then!” cried a voice from below; in reply to a whistle 
from the Dodger。 

“Plummy and slam!” was the reply。 

This seemed to be some watchword or signal that all was right; 
for the light of a feeble candle gleamed on the wall at the remote 
end of the passage; and a man’s face peeped out; from where a 
balustrade of the old kitchen staircase had been broken away。 

“There’s two on you;” said the man; thrusting the candle 
farther out; and shading his eyes with his hand。 “Who’s the t’other 
one?” 

“A new pal;” replied Jack Dawkins; pulling Oliver forward。 

“Where did he come from?” 

“Greenland。 Is Fagin upstairs?” 

“Yes; he’s a…sortin’ the wipes。 Up with you!” The candle was 
drawn back; and the face disappeared。 

Oliver; groping his way with one hand; and having the other 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 

firmly grasped by his companion; ascended with much difficulty 
the dark and broken stairs; which his conductor mounted with an 
ease and expedition that showed that he was well acquainted with 
them。 He threw open the door of a back room; and drew Oliver in 
after him。 

The walls and ceiling of the room were perfectly black; with age 
and dirt。 There was a deal table before the fire: upon which were a 
candle; stuck in a ginger…beer bottle; two or three pewter pots; a 
loaf and butter; and a plate。 In a frying…pan; which was on the fire; 
and which was secured to the mantel…shelf by a string; some 
sausages were cooking; and standing over them; with a toasting…
fork in his hand; was a very old; shrivelled Jew; whose villainous…
looking and repulsive face was obscured by a quantity of matted 
red hair。 He was dressed in a greasy flannel gown; with his throat 
bare; and seemed to be dividing his attention between the frying…
pan and the clothes…horse; over which a great number of silk 
handkerchiefs were hanging。 Several rough beds made of old 
sacks; were huddled side by side on the floor。 Seated round the 
table were four or five boys; none older than the Dodger; smoking 
long clay pipes; and drinking spirits with the air of middle…aged 
men。 These all crowded about their associate as he whispered a 
few words to the Jew; and then turned round and grinned at 
Oliver。 So did the Jew himself; toasting…fork in hand。 

“This is him; Fagin;” said Jack Dawkins; “my friend; Oliver 
Twist。” 

The Jew grinned; and; making a low obeisance to Oliver; took 
him by the hand; and hoped he should have the honour of his 
intimate acquaintance。 Upon this; the young gentlemen with the 
pipes came round him; and shook both his hands very hard— 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 

especially the one in which he held his little bundle。 One young 
gentleman was very anxious to hang up his cap for him; and 
another was so obliging as to put his hands in his pockets; in order 
that; as he was very tired; he might not have the trouble of 
emptying them; himself; when he went to bed。 These civilities 
would probably have been extended much further; but for a liberal 
exercise of the Jew’s toasting…fork on the heads and shoulders of 
the affectionate youths who offered them。 

“We are very glad to see you; Oliver—very;” said the Jew。 
“Dodger; take off the sausages; and draw a tub near the fire for 
Oliver。 Ah; you’re a…staring at the pocket…handkerchiefs! eh; my 
dear! There are a good many of ’em; ain’t there? We’ve just looked 
’em out; ready for the wash; that’s all; Oliver; that’s all。 Ha! ha! 
ha!” 

The latter part of this speech was hailed by a boisterous shout 
from all the hopeful pupils of the merry old gentleman。 In the 
midst of which; they went to supper。 

Oliver ate his share; and the Jew then mixed him a glass of hot 
gin…and…water; telling him he must drink it off directly; because 
another gentleman wanted the tumbler。 Oliver did as he was 
desired。 Immediately afterwards he felt himself gently lifted on to 
one of the sacks; and then he sank into a deep sleep。 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 

Chapter 9 

Containing Further Particulars Concerning The
Pleasant Old Gentleman; And His Hopeful Pupils。


It was late next morning when Oliver awoke; from a sound; 
long sleep。 There was no other person in the room but the old 
Jew; who was boiling some coffee in a saucepan for breakfast; 
and whistling softly to himself as he stirred it round and round; 
with an iron spoon。 He would stop every now and then to listen 
when there was the least noise below; and when he had satisfied 
himself; he would go on; whistling and stirring again; as before。 

Although Oliver had roused himself from sleep; he was not 
thoroughly awake。 There is a drowsy state; between sleeping and 
waking; when you dream more in five minutes with your eyes half…
open; and yourself half…conscious of everything that is passing 
around you; than you would in five nights with your eyes fast 
closed; and your senses wrapped in perfect unconsciousness。 At 
such times; a mortal knows just enough of what his mind is doing; 
to form some g
返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 1
未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!
温馨提示: 温看小说的同时发表评论,说出自己的看法和其它小伙伴们分享也不错哦!发表书评还可以获得积分和经验奖励,认真写原创书评 被采纳为精评可以获得大量金币、积分和经验奖励哦!