Оливер Твист

Chapter 37

           Hehadadecidedpropensityforbullying:derivednoinconsiderablepleasurefromtheexerciseofpettycruelty;and,consequently,was(itisneedlesstosay)acoward.Thisisbynomeansadisparagementtohischaracter;formanyofficialpersonages,whoareheldinhighrespectandadmiration,arethevictimsofsimilarinfirmities.Theremarkismade,indeed,ratherinhisfavourthanotherwise,andwithaviewofimpressingthereaderwithajustsenseofhisqualificationsforoffice.

           But,themeasureofhisdegradationwasnotyetfull.Aftermakingatourofthehouse,andthinking,forthefirsttime,thatthepoor-lawsreallyweretoohardonpeople;andthatmenwhoranawayfromtheirwives,leavingthemchargeabletotheparish,ought,injusticetobevisitedwithnopunishmentatall,butratherrewardedasmeritoriousindividualswhohadsufferedmuch;Mr.Bumblecametoaroomwheresomeofthefemalepauperswereusuallyemployedinwashingtheparishlinen:whenthesoundofvoicesinconversation,nowproceeded.

           ‘Hem!’saidMr.Bumble,summoningupallhisnativedignity.‘Thesewomenatleastshallcontinuetorespecttheprerogative.Hallo!hallothere!Whatdoyoumeanbythisnoise,youhussies?’

           Withthesewords,Mr.Bumbleopenedthedoor,andwalkedinwithaveryfierceandangrymanner:whichwasatonceexchangedforamosthumiliatedandcoweringair,ashiseyesunexpectedlyrestedontheformofhisladywife.

           ‘Mydear,’saidMr.Bumble,‘Ididn’tknowyouwerehere.

           ‘Didn’tknowIwashere!’repeatedMrs.Bumble.

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