Оливер Твист

Chapter 38

           Bumble,whohadnotyetbeenadmittedbyhisbetterhalfintoanygreatershareofthesecretthanhehadoriginallypossessed,listenedtothisdialoguewithoutstretchedneckanddistendedeyes:whichhedirectedtowardshiswifeandMonks,byturns,inundisguisedastonishment;increased,ifpossible,whenthelattersternlydemanded,whatsumwasrequiredforthedisclosure.

           ‘What’sitworthtoyou?’askedthewoman,ascollectedlyasbefore.

           ‘Itmaybenothing;itmaybetwentypounds,’repliedMonks.‘Speakout,andletmeknowwhich.

           ‘Addfivepoundstothesumyouhavenamed;givemefive-and-twentypoundsingold,’saidthewoman;‘andI’lltellyouallIknow.Notbefore.

           ‘Five-and-twentypounds!’exclaimedMonks,drawingback.

           ‘IspokeasplainlyasIcould,’repliedMrs.Bumble.‘It’snotalargesum,either.

           ‘Notalargesumforapaltrysecret,thatmaybenothingwhenit’stold!’criedMonksimpatiently;‘andwhichhasbeenlyingdeadfortwelveyearspastormore!’

           ‘Suchmatterskeepwell,and,likegoodwine,oftendoubletheirvalueincourseoftime,’answeredthematron,stillpreservingtheresoluteindifferenceshehadassumed.‘Astolyingdead,therearethosewhowillliedeadfortwelvethousandyearstocome,ortwelvemillion,foranythingyouorIknow,whowilltellstrangetalesatlast!’

           ‘WhatifIpayitfornothing?’askedMonks,hesitating.

           ‘Youcaneasilytakeitawayagain,’repliedthematron.‘Iambutawoman;alonehere;andunprotected.

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