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第63章

oliver twist(雾都孤儿(孤星血泪))-第63章

小说: oliver twist(雾都孤儿(孤星血泪)) 字数: 每页4000字

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is going upstairs; the reader may be informed; that Mr。 Losberne; 
a surgeon in the neighbourhood; known through a circuit of ten 
miles round as “the doctor;” had grown fat; more from good…
humour than from good living; and was as kind and hearty; and 
withal as eccentric an old bachelor; as will be found in five times 
that space; by any explorer alive。 

The doctor was absent much longer than either he or the ladies 
had anticipated。 A large flat box was fetched out of the gig; and a 
bedroom bell was rung very often; and the servants ran up and 
downstairs perpetually; from which tokens it was justly concluded 
that something important was going on above。 At length he 
returned; and in reply to an anxious inquiry after his patient; 
looked very mysterious; and closed the door carefully。 

“This is a very extraordinary thing; Mrs。 Maylie;” said the 

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doctor; standing with his back to the door; as if to keep it shut。 

“He is not in danger; I hope?” said the old lady。 

“Why; that would not be an extraordinary thing; under the 
circumstances;” replied the doctor; “though I don’t think he is。 
Have you seen this thief?” 

“No;” rejoined the old lady。 

“Nor heard anything about him?” 

“No。” 

“I beg your pardon; ma’am;” interposed Mr。 Giles; “but I was 
going to tell you about him when Doctor Losberne came in。 

The fact was; that Mr。 Giles had not; at first; been able to bring 
his mind to the avowal; that he had only shot a boy。 Such 
commendations had been bestowed upon his bravery; that he 
could not; for the life of him; help postponing the explanation for a 
few delicious minutes; during which he had flourished; in the very 
zenith of a brief reputation for undaunted courage。 

“Rose wished to see the man;” said Mrs。 Maylie; “but I wouldn’t 
hear of it。” 

“Humph!” rejoined the doctor。 “There is nothing very alarming 
in his appearance。 Have you any objection to see him in my 
presence?” 

“If it be necessary;” replied the old lady; “certainly not。” 

“Then I think it is necessary;” said the doctor; “at all events; I 
am quite sure that you would deeply regret not having done so; if 
you postponed it。 He is perfectly quiet and comfortable now。 Allow 
me—Miss Rose; will you permit me? Not the slightest fear; I 
pledge you my honour!” 

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Oliver Twist 306 

Chapter 30 

Relates What Oliver’s New Visitors Thought Of
Him。


With many loquacious assurances that they would be 
agreeably surprised in the aspect of the criminal; the 
doctor drew the young lady’s arm through one of his; 
and offering his disengaged hand to Mrs。 Maylie; led them; with 
much ceremony and stateliness; upstairs。 

“Now;” said the doctor; in a whisper; as he softly turned the 
handle of a bedroom door; “let us hear what you think of him。 He 
has not been shaved very recently; but he don’t look at all 
ferocious notwithstanding。 Stop; though! Let me first see that he is 
in visiting order。” 

Stepping before them; he looked into the room。 Motioning them 
to advance; he closed the door when they had entered; and gently 
drew back the curtains of the bed。 Upon it; in lieu of the dogged; 
black…visaged ruffian they had expected to behold; there lay a 
mere child; worn with pain and exhaustion and sunk into a deep 
sleep。 His wounded arm; bound and splintered up; was crossed 
upon his breast; his head reclined upon the other arm; which was 
half…hidden by his long hair; as it streamed over the pillow。 

The honest gentleman held the curtain in his hand; and looked 
on for a minute or so; in silence。 Whilst he was watching the 
patient thus; the younger lady glided softly past; and seating 
herself in a chair by the bedside; gathered Oliver’s hair from his 
face。 As she stooped over him; her tears fell upon his forehead。 

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The boy stirred; and smiled in his sleep; as though these marks 
of pity and compassion had awakened some pleasant dream of a 
love and affection he had never known。 Thus; a strain of gentle 
music; or the rippling of water in a silent place; or the odour of a 
flower; or the mention of a familiar word; will sometimes call up 
sudden dim remembrances of scenes that never were; in this life; 
which vanish like a breath; which some brief memory of a happier 
existence; long gone by; would seem to have awakened; which no 
voluntary exertion of the mind can ever recall。 

“What can this mean?” exclaimed the elder lady。 “This poor 
child can never have been the pupil of robbers!” 

“Vice;” sighed the surgeon; replacing the curtain; “takes up her 
abode in many temples; and who can say that a fair outside shall 
not enshrine her?” 

“But at so early an age!” urged Rose。 

“My dear young lady;” rejoined the surgeon; mournfully 
shaking his head; “crime; like death; is not confined to the old and 
withered alone。 The youngest and fairest are too often its chosen 
victims。” 

“But; can you—oh! can you really believe that this delicate boy 
has been the voluntary associate of the worst outcasts of society?” 
said Rose。 

The surgeon shook his head; in a manner which intimated that 
he feared it was very possible; and observing that they might 
disturb the patient; led the way into an adjoining apartment。 

“But even if he has been wicked;” pursued Rose; “think how 
young he is; think that he may never have known a mother’s love; 
or the comfort of a home; that ill…usage and blows; or the want of 
bread; may have driven him to herd with men who have forced 

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him to guilt。 Aunt; dear aunt; for mercy’s sake; think of this; before 
you let them drag this sick child to a prison; which in any case 
must be the grave of all his chances of amendment。 Oh! as you 
love me; and know that I have never felt the want of parents in 
your goodness and affection; but that I might have done so; and 
might have been equally helpless and unprotected with this poor 
child; have pity upon him before it is too late! 

“My dear love;” said the elder lady; as she folded the weeping 
girl to her bosom; “do you think I would harm a hair of his head?” 

“Oh; no!” replied Rose eagerly。 

“No; surely;” said the old lady; “my days are drawing to their 
close; and may mercy be shown to me as I show it to others! What 
can I do to save him; sir?” 

“Let me think; ma’am;” said the doctor; “let me think。” 

Mr。 Losberne thrust his hands into his pockets; and took 
several turns up and down the room; often stopping; and 
balancing himself on his toes; and frowning frightfully。 After 
various exclamations of “I’ve got it now;” and “no; I haven’t;” and 
as many renewals of the walking and frowning; he at length made 
a dead halt; and spoke as follows: 

“I think if you give me a full and unlimited commission to bully 
Giles; and that little boy; Brittles; I can manage it。 Giles is a 
faithful fellow and an old servant; I know; but you can make it up 
to him in a thousand ways; and reward him for being such a good 
shot besides。 You don’t object to that?” 

“Unless there is some other way of preserving the child;” 
replied Mrs。 Maylie。 

“There is no other;” said the doctor。 “No other; take my word 
for it。” 

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“Then my aunt invests you with full power;” said Rose; smiling 
through her tears; “but pray don’t be harder upon the poor fellows 
than is indispensably necessary。” 

“You seem to think;” retorted the doctor; “that everybody is 
disposed to be hard…hearted today; except yourself; Miss Rose。 I 
only hope; for the sake of the rising male sex generally; that you 
may be found in as vulnerable and soft…hearted a mood by the first 
eligible young fellow who appeals to your compassion; and I wish I 
were a young fellow; that I might avail myself; on the spot; of such 
a favourable opportunity for doing so; as the present。” 

“Yo

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