Оливер Твист

Chapter 23

           Shehadjusttastedherfirstcup,whenshewasdisturbedbyasofttapattheroom-door.

           ‘Oh,comeinwithyou!’saidMrs.Corney,sharply.‘Someoftheoldwomendying,Isuppose.TheyalwaysdiewhenI’matmeals.Don’tstandthere,lettingthecoldairin,don’t.What’samissnow,eh?’

           ‘Nothing,ma’am,nothing,’repliedaman’svoice.

           ‘Dearme!’exclaimedthematron,inamuchsweetertone,‘isthatMr.Bumble?’

           ‘Atyourservice,ma’am,’saidMr.Bumble,whohadbeenstoppingoutsidetorubhisshoesclean,andtoshakethesnowoffhiscoat;andwhonowmadehisappearance,bearingthecockedhatinonehandandabundleintheother.‘ShallIshutthedoor,ma’am?’

           Theladymodestlyhesitatedtoreply,lestthereshouldbeanyimproprietyinholdinganinterviewwithMr.Bumble,withcloseddoors.Mr.Bumbletakingadvantageofthehesitation,andbeingverycoldhimself,shutitwithoutpermission.

           ‘Hardweather,Mr.Bumble,’saidthematron.

           ‘Hard,indeed,ma’am,’repliedthebeadle.‘Anti-porochialweatherthis,ma’am.Wehavegivenaway,Mrs.Corney,wehavegivenawayamatteroftwentyquarternloavesandacheeseandahalf,thisveryblessedafternoon;andyetthempaupersarenotcontented.

           ‘Ofcoursenot.Whenwouldtheybe,Mr.Bumble?’saidthematron,sippinghertea.

           ‘When,indeed,ma’am!’rejoinedMr.Bumble.‘Whyhere’sonemanthat,inconsideratonofhiswifeandlargefamily,hasaquarternloafandagoodpoundofcheese,fullweight.

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