Oliver held up the bottom of the pocket with one hand,
as he had seen the Dodger hold it, and drew the handkerchief
lightly out of it with the other.
‘Is it gone?’ cried the Jew.
‘Here it is, sir,’ said Oliver, showing
it in his hand.
‘You’re a clever boy, my dear,’
said the playful old gentleman, patting Oliver on
the head approvingly. ’I never saw a sharper
lad. Here’s a shilling for you. If
you go on, in this way, you’ll be the greatest
man of the time. And now come here, and I’ll
show you how to take the marks out of the handkerchiefs.’
Oliver wondered what picking the old gentleman’s
pocket in play, had to do with his chances of being
a great man. But, thinking that the Jew, being
so much his senior, must know best, he followed him
quietly to the table, and was soon deeply involved
in his new study.
OLIVER BECOMES BETTER ACQUAINTED WITH THE CHARACTERS
OF HIS NEW ASSOCIATES; AND PURCHASES EXPERIENCE AT
A HIGH PRICE. BEING A SHORT, BUT VERY IMPORTANT
CHAPTER, IN THIS HISTORY
For many days, Oliver remained in the Jew’s
room, picking the marks out of the pocket-handkerchief,
(of which a great number were brought home,) and sometimes
taking part in the game already described: which
the two boys and the Jew played, regularly, every
morning. At length, he began to languish for fresh
air, and took many occasions of earnestly entreating
the old gentleman to allow him to go out to work with
his two companions.
Oliver was rendered the more anxious to be actively
employed, by what he had seen of the stern morality
of the old gentleman’s character. Whenever
the Dodger or Charley Bates came home at night, empty-handed,
he would expatiate with great vehemence on the misery
of idle and lazy habits; and would enforce upon them
the necessity of an active life, by sending them supperless
to bed. On one occasion, indeed, he even went
so far as to knock them both down a flight of stairs;
but this was carrying out his virtuous precepts to
an unusual extent.
At length, one morning, Oliver obtained the permission
he had so eagerly sought. There had been no handkerchiefs
to work upon, for two or three days, and the dinners
had been rather meagre. Perhaps these were reasons
for the old gentleman’s giving his assent; but,
whether they were or no, he told Oliver he might go,
and placed him under the joint guardianship of Charley
Bates, and his friend the Dodger.
The three boys sallied out; the Dodger with his coat-sleeves
tucked up, and his hat cocked, as usual; Master Bates
sauntering along with his hands in his pockets; and
Oliver between them, wondering where they were going,
and what branch of manufacture he would be instructed
in, first.
