What did you say? inquired Oliver, looking up very quickly.
A regular right-down bad un, Workus, replied Noah, coolly. And its a great deal better, Workus, that she died when she did, or else shed have been hard labouring in Bridewell, or transported, or hung; which is more likely than either, isnt it?
Crimson with fury, Oliver started up; overthrew the chair and table; seized Noah by the throat; shook him, in the violence of his rage, till his teeth chattered in his head; and collecting his whole force into one heavy blow, felled him to the ground.
A minute ago, the boy had looked the quiet child, mild, dejected creature that harsh treatment had made him. But his spirit was roused at last; the cruel insult to his dead mother had set his blood on fire. His breast heaved; his attitude was erect; his eye bright and vivid; his whole person changed, as he stood glaring over the cowardly tormentor who now lay crouching at his feet; and defied him with an energy he had never known before.
Hell murder me! blubbered Noah. Charlotte! missis! Heres the new boy a murdering of me! Help! help! Olivers gone mad! Char lotte!
Noahs shouts were responded to, by a loud scream from Charlotte, and a louder from Mrs. Sowerberry; the former of whom rushed into the kitchen by a side-door, while the latter paused on the staircase till she was quite certain that it was consistent with the preservation of human life, to come further down.
Oh, you little wretch! screamed Charlotte: seizing Oliver with her utmost force, which was about equal to that of a moderately strong man in particularly good training. Oh, you little un-grate-ful, mur-de-rous, hor-rid villain! And between every syllable, Charlotte gave Oliver a blow with all her might: accompanying it with a scream, for the benefit of society.
Charlottes fist was by no means a light one; but, lest it should not be effectual in calming Olivers wrath, Mrs. Sowerberry plunged into the kitchen, and assisted to hold him with one hand, while she scratched his face with the other. In this favourable position of affairs, Noah rose from the ground, and pommelled him behind.
This was rather too violent exercise to last long. When they were all wearied out, and could tear and beat no longer, they dragged Oliver, struggling and shouting, but nothing daunted, into the dust-cellar, and there locked him up. This being done, Mrs. Sowerberry sunk into a chair, and burst into tears.
Bless her, shes going off! said Charlotte. A glass of water, Noah, dear. Make haste!
Oh! Charlotte, said Mrs. Sowerberry: speaking as well as she could, through a deficiency of breath, and a sufficiency of cold water, which Noah had poured over her head and shoulders. Oh! Charlotte, what a mercy we have not all been murdered in our beds!
Ah! mercy indeed, maam, was the reply. I only hope thisll teach master not to have any more of these dreadful creatures, that are born to be murderers and robbers from their very cradle. Poor Noah! He was all but killed, maam, when I come in.
Poor fellow! said Mrs. Sowerberry: looking piteously on the charity-boy.
Noah, whose top waistcoat-button might have been somewhere on a level with the crown of Olivers head, rubbed his eyes with the inside of his wrists while this commiseration was bestowed upon him, and performed some affecting tears and sniffs.
Whats to be done! exclaimed Mrs. Sowerberry. Your masters not at home; theres not a man in the house, and hell kick that door down in ten minutes. Olivers vigorous plunges against the bit of timber in question, rendered this occurance highly probable.
Dear, dear! I dont know, maam, said Charlotte, unless we send for the police-officers.
Or the millingtary, suggested Mr. Claypole.
No, no, said Mrs. Sowerberry: bethinking herself of Olivers old friend. Run to Mr. Bumble, Noah, and tell him to come here directly, and not to lose a minute; never mind your cap! Make haste! You can hold a knife to that black eye, as you run along. Itll keep the swelling down.
Noah
stopped to make no reply, but started off at his fullest speed; and very much it astonished the people who were out walking, to see a charity-boy tearing through the streets pell-mell, with no cap on his head, and a clasp-knife at his eye.
CHAPTER VII OLIVER CONTINUES REFRACTORY
Why, whats the matter with the boy! said the old pauper.
Mr. Bumble! Mr. Bumble! cried Noah, with well-affected dismay: and in tones so loud and agitated, that they not only caught the ear of Mr. Bumble himself, who happened to be hard by, but alarmed him so much that he rushed into the yard without his cocked hat, which is a very curious and remarkable circumstance: as showing that even a beadle, acted upon a sudden and powerful impulse, may be afflicted with a momentary visitation of loss of self-possession, and forgetfulness of personal dignity.
Oh, Mr. Bumble, sir! said Noah: Oliver, sir, Oliver has
What? What? interposed Mr. Bumble: with a gleam of pleasure in his metallic eyes. Not run away; he hasnt run away, has he, Noah?