oliver twist(雾都孤儿(孤星血泪))-第44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！


perfectly　well　that　it　was　by　no　means　a　desirable　one；　for　his　teeth　
chattered　in　his　head　as　he　spoke。　

“You　are　afraid；　Brittles；”　said　Mr。　Giles。　

“I　ain’t；”　said　Brittles。　

“You　are；”　said　Giles。　

“You’re　a　falsehood；　Mr。　Giles；”　said　Brittles。　

“You’re　a　lie；　Brittles；”　said　Mr。　Giles。　

Now；　these　four　retorts　arose　from　Mr。　Giles’s　taunt；　and　Mr。　
Giles’s　taunt　had　arisen　from　his　indignation　at　having　the　
responsibility　of　going　home　again；　imposed　upon　himself　under　
cover　of　a　compliment。　The　third　man　brought　the　dispute　to　a　
close；　most　philosophically。　

“I’ll　tell　you　what　it　is；　gentlemen；”　said　he；　“we’re　all　afraid。”　

“Speak　for　yourself；　sir；”　said　Mr。　Giles；　who　was　the　palest　of　
the　party。　

“So　I　do；”　replied　the　man。　“It’s　natural　and　proper　to　be　afraid；　
under　such　circumstances。　I　am。”　

“So　am　I；”　said　Brittles；　“only　there’s　no　call　to　tell　a　man　he　is；　
so　bounceably。”　

These　frank　admissions　softened　Mr。　Giles；　who　at　once　owned　
that　he　was　afraid；　upon　which；　they　all　three　faced　about；　and　ran　
back　again　with　the　completest　unanimity；　until　Mr。　Giles　（who　
had　the　shortest　wind　of　the　party；　and　was　encumbered　with　a　

Charles　Dickens　ElecBook　Classics　


Oliver　Twist　291　

pitchfork）　most　handsomely　insisted　on　stopping；　to　make　an　
apology　for　his　hastiness　of　speech。　

“But　it’s　wonderful；”　said　Mr。　Giles；　when　he　had　explained；　
“what　a　man　will　do；　when　his　blood　is　up。　I　should　have　
committed　murder—I　know　I　should—if　we’d　caught　one　of　them　
rascals。”　

As　the　other　two　were　impressed　with　a　similar　presentiment；　
and　as　their　blood；　like　his；　had　all　gone　down　again；　some　
speculation　ensued　upon　the　cause　of　this　sudden　change　in　their　
temperament。　

“I　know　what　it　was；”　said　Mr。　Giles；　“it　was　the　gate。”　

“I　shouldn’t　wonder　if　it　was；”　exclaimed　Brittles；　catching　at　
the　idea。　

“You　may　depend　upon　it；”　said　Giles；　“that　that　gate　stopped　
the　flow　of　the　excitement。　I　felt　all　mine　suddenly　going　away；　as　I　
was　climbing　over　it。”　

By　a　remarkable　coincidence；　the　other　two　had　been　visited　
with　the　same　unpleasant　sensation　at　that　precise　moment。　It　was　
quite　obvious；　therefore；　that　it　was　the　gate；　especially　as　there　
was　no　doubt　regarding　the　time　at　which　the　change　had　taken　
place；　because　all　three　remembered　that　they　had　come　in　sight　
of　the　robbers　at　the　instant　of　its　occurrence。　

This　dialogue　was　held　between　the　two　men　who　had　
surprised　the　burglars；　and　a　travelling　tinker　who　had　been　
sleeping　in　an　outhouse；　and　who　had　been　roused；　together　with　
his　two　mongrel　curs；　to　join　the　pursuit。　Mr。　Giles　acted　in　the　
double　capacity　of　butler　and　steward　to　the　old　lady　of　the　
mansion；　Brittles　was　a　lad　of　all　work；　who；　having　entered　her　
service　a　mere　child；　was　treated　as　a　promising　young　boy　still；　

Charles　Dickens　ElecBook　Classics　


Oliver　Twist　292　

though　he　was　something　past　thirty。　

Encouraging　each　other　with　such　converse　as　this；　but；　
keeping　very　close　together；　notwithstanding；　and　looking　
furtively　round；　whenever　a　fresh　gust　rattled　through　the　boughs；　
the　three　men　hurried　back　to　a　tree；　behind　which　they　had　left　
their　lantern；　lest　its　light　should　inform　the　thieves　in　what　
direction　to　fire。　Catching　up　the　light；　they　made　the　best　of　their　
way　home；　at　a　good　round　trot；　and　long　after　their　dusky　forms　
had　ceased　to　be　discernible；　the　light　might　have　been　seen　
twinkling　and　dancing　in　the　distance；　like　some　exhalation　of　the　
damp　and　gloomy　atmosphere　through　which　it　was　swiftly　borne。　

The　air　grew　colder；　as　day　came　slowly　on；　and　the　mist　rolled　
along　the　ground　like　a　dense　cloud　of　smoke。　The　grass　was　wet；　
the　pathways；　and　low　places　were　all　mire　and　water；　and　the　
damp　breath　of　an　unwholesome　wind　went　languidly　by；　with　a　
hollow　moaning。　Still；　Oliver　lay　motionless　and　insensible　on　the　
spot　where　Sikes　had　left　him。　

Morning　drew　on　apace。　The　air　became　more　sharp　and　
piercing；　as　its　first　dull　hue—the　death　of　night；　rather　than　the　
birth　of　day—glimmered　faintly　in　the　sky。　The　objects　which　had　
looked　dim　and　terrible　in　the　darkness；　grew　more　and　more　
defined；　and　gradually　resolved　into　their　familiar　shapes。　The　
rain　came　down；　thick　and　fast；　and　pattered　noisily　among　the　
leafless　bushes。　But　Oliver　felt　it　not；　as　it　beat　against　him；　for　he　
still　lay　stretched；　helpless　and　unconscious；　on　his　bed　of　clay。　

At　length；　a　low　cry　of　pain　broke　the　stillness　that　prevailed；　
and　uttering　it；　the　boy　awoke。　His　left　arm；　rudely　bandaged　in　a　
shawl；　hung　heavy　and　useless　at　his　side；　the　bandage　was　
saturated　with　blood。　He　was　so　weak；　that　he　could　scarcely　raise　

Charles　Dickens　ElecBook　Classics　


Oliver　Twist　293　

himself　into　a　sitting　posture；　when　he　had　done　so；　he　looked　
feebly　round　for　help；　and　groaned　with　pain。　Trembling　in　every　
joint；　from　cold　and　exhaustion；　he　made　an　effort　to　stand　
upright；　but；　shuddering　from　head　to　foot；　fell　prostrate　on　the　
ground。　

After　a　short　return　of　the　stupor　in　which　he　had　been　so　long　
plunged；　Oliver；　urged　by　a　creeping　sickness　at　his　heart；　which　
seemed　to　warn　him　that　if　he　lay　there；　he　must　surely　die；　got　
upon　his　feet；　and　essayed　to　walk。　His　head　was　dizzy；　and　he　
staggered　to　and　fro　like　a　drunken　man。　But　he　kept　up；　
nevertheless；　and；　with　his　head　drooping　languidly　on　his　breast；　
went　stumbling　onward；　he　knew　not　whither。　

And　now　hosts　of　bewildering　and　confused　ideas　came　
crowding　on　his　mind。　He　seemed　to　be　still　walking　between　
Sikes　and　Crackit；　who　were　angrily　disputing—for　the　very　words　
they　said；　sounded　in　his　ears；　and　when　he　caught　his　own　
attention；　as　it　were；　by　making　some　violent　effort　to　save　himself　
from　falling；　he　found　that　he　was　talking　to　them。　Then；　he　was　
alone　with　Sikes；　plodding　on　as　on　the　previous　day；　and　as　
shadowy　people　passed　them；　he　felt　the　robber’s　grasp　upon　his　
wrist。　Suddenly；　he　started　back　at　the　report　of　firearms；　there　
rose　in　the　air；　loud　cries　and　shouts；　lights　gleamed　before　his　
eyes；　all　was　noise　and　tumult；　as　some　unseen　hand　bore　him　
hurriedly　away。　Through　all　these　rapid　visions；　there　ran　an　
undefined；　uneasy　consciousness　of　pain；　which　wearied　and　
tormented　him　incessantly。　

Thus　he　staggered　on；　creeping　almost　mechanically；　between　
the　bars　of　gates；　or　through　hedge…gaps　as　they　came　in　his　way；　
until　he　reached　a　road。　Here　the　rain　began　to　fall　so　heavily；　that　

Charles　Dickens　ElecBook　Classics　


Oliver　Twist　294　

it　roused　him。　

He　looked　about；　and　saw　that　at　no　great　distance　there　was　a　
house；　which　perhaps　he　could　reach。　Pitying　his　condition；　they　
might　have　compassion　on　him；　and　if　they　did　not；　it　would　be　
better；　he　thought；　to　die　near　human　beings；　than　in　the　lonely；　
open　fields。　He　summoned　up　all　his　strength　for　one　last　trial；　and　
bent　his　faltering　steps　towards　it。　As　he　drew　nearer　to　this　house；　
a　feeling　came　over　him　that　he　had　seen　it　before。　He　
remembered　nothing　of　its　details；　but　the　shape　and　aspect　of　the　
building　seemed　familiar　to　him。　

That　garden　wall！　On　the　grass　inside；　he　had　fallen　on　his　
knees　last　night；　and　prayed　the　two　men’s　mercy。　It　was　the　very　
house　they　had　attempted　to　rob。　

Oliver　felt　such　fear　come　over　him　when　he　recognised　the　
place；　that；　for　the　instant；　he　forgot　the　agony　of　his　wound；　and　
thought　only　of　flight。　Flight！　He　could　scarcely　stand；　and　if　he　
were　in　full　possession　of　all　the　best　powers　of　his　slight　and　
youthful　frame；　whither　could　he　fly？　He　pushed　against　the　
garden　gate；　it　was　unlocked；　and　swung　open　on　its　hinges。　He　
tottered　across　the　lawn；　climbed　the　steps；　knocked　faintly　at　the　
door；　and；　his　whole　strength　failing　him；　sank　down　against　one　
of　the　pillars　of　the　little　portico。　

It　happened　that　about　this　time；　Mr。　Giles；　Brittles；　and　the　
tinker　were　recruiting　themselves；　after　the　fatigues　and　terrors　of　
the　night；　with　tea　and　sundries；　in　the　kitchen。　Not　that　it　was　Mr。　
Giles’s　habit　to　admit　to　too　great　familiarity　the　humbler　servants；　
towards　whom　it　was　rather　his　wont　to　deport　himself　with　a　lofty　
affability；　which；　while　it　gratified；　could　not　fail　to　remind　them　of　
his　superior　position　in　society。　But　death；　fires；　and　burglary；　

Charles　Dickens　ElecBook　Classics　


Oliver　Twist　295　

make　all　men　equals；　so　Mr。　Giles　sat　with　his　legs　stretched　out　
before　the　kitchen　fender；　leaning　his　left　arm　on　the　table；　while；　
with　his　right；　he　illustrated　a　circumstantial　and　minute　account　
of　the　robbery；　to　which　his　hearers　（but　especially　the　cook　and　
housemaid；　who　were　of　the　party）　listened　with　breathless　
interest。　

“It　was　about　half…past　two；”　said　Mr。　Giles；　“or　I　wouldn’t　
swear　that　it　mightn’t　have　been　a　little　nearer　three；　when　I　woke　
up；　and；　turning　round　in　my　bed；　as　it　might　be　so　（here　Mr。　Giles　
turned　round　in　his　chair；　and　pulled　the　corner　of　the　table…cloth　
over　him　to　imitate　bed…clothes）；　I　fancied　I　heerd　a　noise。”　

At　this　point　of　the　narrative　the　cook　turned　pale；　and　asked　
the　housemaid　to　shut　the　door；　who　asked　Brittles；　who　asked　the　
tinker；　who　pretended　not　to　hear。　

“—Heerd　a　noise；”　continued　Mr。　Giles。　“I　says；　at　first；　‘This　is　
illusion’；　and　was　composing　myself　off　to　sleep；　when　I　heerd　the　
noise　again；　distinct。”　

“What　sort　of　a　noise？”　asked　the　cook。　

“A　kind　of　a　busting　noise；”　replied　Mr。　Giles；　looking　round　
him。　

“More　like　the　noise　of　powdering　a　iron　bar　on　a　nutmeg…
grater；”　suggested　Brittles。　

“It　was；　when　you　heerd　it；　sir；”　rejoined　Mr。　Giles；　“but；　at　this　
time；　it　had　a　busting　sound。　I　turned　down　the　clothes；”　
continued　Giles；　rolling　back　the　tablecloth；　“sat　up　in　bed；　and　
listened。”　

The　cook　and　housemaid　simultaneously　ejaculated；　“Lor！”　and　
drew　their　chairs　closer　together。　

“I　heerd　it　now；　quite　apparent；”　resumed　Mr。　Giles。　

Charles　Dickens　ElecBook　Classics　


Oliver　Twist　296　

“‘Somebody；’　I　says；　‘is　forcing　of　a　door；　or　window；　what’s　to　be　
done？　I’ll　call　up　that　poor　lad；　Brittles；　and　save　him　from　being　
murdered　in　his　bed；　or　his　throat；’　I　says；　‘may　be　cut；　from　his　
right　ear　to　his　left；　without　his　ever　knowing　it’。”　

Here；　all　eyes　were　turned　upon　Brittles；　who　fixed　his　upon　the　
speaker；　and　stared　at　him；　with　his　mouth　wide　open；　and　his　face　
expressive　of　the　most　unmitigated　horror。　

“I　tossed　off　the　clothes；”　said　Giles；　throwing　away　the　tablecloth；　and　looking　very　hard　at　the　cook　and　housemaid；　“got　softly　
out　of　bed；　drew　on　a　pair　of—”　

“Ladies　present；　Mr。　Giles；”　murmured　the　tinker。　

“Of　shoes；　sir；”　said　Giles；　turning　upon　him；　and　laying　great　
emphasis　on　the　word；　“seized　the　loaded　pistol　that　always　goes　
upstairs　with　the　plate…basket；　and　walked　on　tiptoes　to　his　room。　
‘Brittles；’　I　says；　when　I　had　woke　him；　‘don’t　be　frightened！