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oliver twist(雾都孤儿(孤星血泪))-第7章

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“If we was to bind him to any other trade tomorrow; he’d run 
away simultaneous; your worship;” replied Bumble 

“And this man that’s to be his master—you; sir—you’ll treat 
him well; and feed him; and do all that sort of thing; will you?” 
said the old gentleman。 

“When I says I will; I means I will;” replied Mr。 Gamfield 
doggedly。 

“You’re a rough speaker; my friend; but you look an honest; 
open…hearted man;” said the old gentleman; turning his spectacles 
in the direction of the candidate for Oliver’s premium; whose 
villainous countenance was a regular stamped receipt for cruelty。 
But the magistrate was half…blind and half…childish; so he couldn’t 
reasonably be expected to discern what other people did。 

“I hope I am; sir;” said Mr。 Gamfield; with an ugly leer。 

“I have no doubt you are; my friend;” replied the old 
gentleman; fixing his spectacles more firmly on his nose; and 
looking about him for the ink…stand。 

It was the critical moment of Oliver’s fate。 If the ink…stand had 
been where the old gentleman thought’ it was; he would have 
dipped his pen into it; and signed the indentures; and Oliver 
would have been straightway hurried off。 But; as it chanced to be 
immediately under his nose; it followed; as a matter of course; that 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 

he looked all over his desk for it; without finding it; and happening 
in the course of his speech to look straight before him; his gaze 
encountered the pale and terrified face of Oliver Twist; who; 
despite all the admonitory looks and pinches of Bumble; was 
regarding the repulsive countenance of his future master; with a 
mingled expression of horror and fear; too palpable to be 
mistaken; even by a half…blind magistrate。 

The old gentleman stopped; laid down his pen; and looked from 
Oliver to Mr。 Limbkins; who attempted to take snuff with a 
cheerful and unconcerned aspect。 

“My boy!” said the old gentleman; leaning over the desk。 Oliver 
started at the sound。 He might be excused for doing so; for the 
words were kindly said; and strange sounds frighten one。 He 
trembled violently; and burst into tears。 

“My boy!” said the old gentleman; “you look pale and alarmed。 
What is the matter?” 

“Stand a little away from him; beadle;” said the other 
magistrate; laying aside the paper; and leaning forward with an 
expression of interest。 “Now; boy; tell us what’s the matter—don’t 
be afraid。” 

Oliver fell on his knees; and clasped his hands together; prayed 
that they would order him back to the dark room—that they would 
starve him—beat him—kill him if they pleased—rather than send 
him away with that dreadful man。 

“Well!” said Mr。 Bumble; raising his hands and eyes with most 
impressive solemnity。 “Well! of all the artful and designing 
orphans that ever I see; Oliver; you are one of the most barefacedest。” 

“Hold your tongue; beadle;” said the second old gentleman; 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 

when Mr。 Bumble had given vent to this compound adjective。 

“I beg your worship’s pardon;” said Mr。 Bumble; incredulous of 
his having heard aright。 “Did your worship speak to me? 

“Yes。 Hold your tongue。” 

Mr。 Bumble was stupefied with astonishment。 A beadle ordered 
to hold his tongue! A moral revolution! The old gentleman in the 
tortoise…shell spectacles looked at his companion; he nodded 
significantly。 

“We refuse to sanction these indentures;” said the old 
gentleman; tossing aside the piece of parchment as he spoke。 

“I hope;” stammered Mr。 Limbkins; “I hope the magistrates will 
not form the opinion that the authorities have been guilty of any 
improper conduct; on the unsupported testimony of a mere child。” 

“The magistrates are not called upon to pronounce any opinion 
on the matter;” said the second old gentleman sharply。 “Take the 
boy back to the workhouse; and treat him kindly。 He seems to 
want it。” 

That same evening; the gentleman in the white waistcoat most 
positively and decidedly affirmed; not only that Oliver would be 
hung; but that he would be drawn and quartered into the bargain。 
Mr。 Bumble shook his head with gloomy mystery; and said he 
wished he might come to good; whereunto Mr。 Gamfield replied 
that he wished he might come to him; which; although he agreed 
with the beadle in most matters; would seem to be a wish of a 
totally opposite description。 The next morning; the public were 
once more informed that Oliver Twist was again To Let; and that 
five pounds would be paid to anybody who would take possession 
of him。 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 

Chapter 4 

Oliver; Being Offered Another Place; Makes His
First Entry Into Public Life。


In great families; when an advantageous place cannot be 
obtained; either in possession; reversion; remainder; or 
expectancy; for the young man who is growing up; it is a very 
general custom to send him to sea。 The Board; in imitation of so 
wise and salutary an example; took counsel together on the 
expediency of shipping off Oliver Twist; in some small trading 
vessel bound to a good unhealthy port; which suggested itself as 
the very best thing that could possibly be done with him: the 
probability being; that the skipper would flog him to death; in a 
playful mood; some day after dinner; or would knock his brains 
out with an iron bar; both pastimes being; as is pretty generally 
known; very favourite and common recreations among gentlemen 
of that class。 The more the case presented itself to the Board; in 
this point of view; the more manifold the advantages of the step 
appeared; so; they come to the conclusion that the only way of 
providing for Oliver effectually; was to send him to sea without 
delay。 

Mr。 Bumble had been despatched to make various preliminary 
inquiries; with the view of finding out some captain or other who 
wanted a cabin…boy without any friends; and was returning to the 
workhouse to communicate the result of his mission; when he 
encountered at the gate; no less a person than Mr。 Sowerberry; the 
parochial undertaker。 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 

Mr Sowerberry was a tall; gaunt; large…jointed man; attired in a 
suit of threadbare black with darned cotton stockings of the same 
colour; and shoes to answer。 His features were not naturally 
intended to wear a smiling aspect; but he was in general rather 
given to professional jocosity。 His step was elastic; and his face 
betokened inward pleasantry; as he advanced to Mr。 Bumble; and 
shook him cordially by the hand。 

“I have taken the measure of the two women that died last 
night; Mr。 Bumble;” said the undertaker。 

“You’ll make your fortune; Mr。 Sowerberry;” said the beadle; as 
he thrust his thumb and forefinger into the proffered snuff…box of 
the undertaker: which was an ingenious little model of a patent 
coffin。 “I say you’ll make your fortune; Mr。 Sowerberry;” repeated 
Mr。 Bumble; tapping the undertaker on the shoulder; in a friendly 
manner; with his cane。 

“Think so?” said the undertaker; in a tone which half…admitted 
and half…disputed the probability of the event。 “The prices allowed 
by the Board are very small; Mr。 Bumble。” 

“So are the coffins;” replied the beadle; with precisely as near 
the approach to a laugh as a great official ought to indulge in。 

Mr。 Sowerberry was much tickled at this—as of course he ought 
to be…and laughed a long time without cessation。 “Well; well; Mr。 
Bumble;” he said at length; “there’s no denying that; since the new 
system of feeding has come in; the coffins are something narrower 
and more shallow than they used to be; but we must have some 
profit; Mr。 Bumble。 Well…seasoned timber is an expensive article; 
sir; and all the iron handles come; by canal; from Birmingham。” 

“Well; well;” said Mr。 Bumble; “every trade has its drawbacks。 
A fair profit is; of course; allowable。” 

Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics 


Oliver Twist 

“Of course; of course;” replied the undertaker; “and if I don’t 
get a profit upon this or that particular article; why; I make it up in 
the long run; you see—he! he! he!” 

“Just so;” said Mr。 Bumble。 

“Though I must say;” continued the undertaker; resuming the 
current of observations which the beadle had interrupted; “though 
I must say; Mr。 Bumble; that I have to contend against one very 
great disadvantage: which is; that all the stout people go off the 
quickest。 The people who have been better off; and have paid rates 
for many years; are the first to sink when they come into the 
house; and let me tell you; Mr。 Bumble; that three or four inches 
over one’s calculation makes a great hole in one’s profits: 
especially when one has a family to provide for; sir。” 

As Mr。 Sowerberry said this; with the becoming indignation of 
an ill…used man; and as Mr。 Bumble felt that it rather tended to 
convey a reflection on the honour of the parish; the latter 
gentleman thought it advisable to change the subject。 Oliver Twist 
being u
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