Олівер Твіст

Chapter 4

           ‘ThoughImustsay,’continuedtheundertaker,resumingthecurrentofobservationswhichthebeadlehadinterrupted:‘thoughImustsay,Mr.Bumble,thatIhavetocontendagainstoneverygreatdisadvantage:whichis,thatallthestoutpeoplegooffthequickest.Thepeoplewhohavebeenbetteroff,andhavepaidratesformanyyears,arethefirsttosinkwhentheycomeintothehouse;andletmetellyou,Mr.Bumble,thatthreeorfourinchesoverone’scalculationmakesagreatholeinone’sprofits:especiallywhenonehasafamilytoprovidefor,sir.

           AsMr.Sowerberrysaidthis,withthebecomingindignationofanill-usedman;andasMr.Bumblefeltthatitrathertendedtoconveyareflectiononthehonouroftheparish;thelattergentlemanthoughtitadvisabletochangethesubject.OliverTwistbeinguppermostinhismind,hemadehimhistheme.

           ‘Bythebye,’saidMr.Bumble,‘youdon’tknowanybodywhowantsaboy,doyou?Aporochial‘prentis,whoisatpresentadead-weight;amillstone,asImaysay,roundtheporochialthroat?Liberalterms,Mr.Sowerberry,liberalterms?’AsMr.Bumblespoke,heraisedhiscanetothebillabovehim,andgavethreedistinctrapsuponthewords‘fivepounds’:whichwereprintedthereoninRomancapitalsofgiganticsize.

           ‘Gadso!’saidtheundertaker:takingMr.Bumblebythegilt-edgedlappelofhisofficialcoat;‘that’sjusttheverythingIwantedtospeaktoyouabout.Youknowdearme,whataveryelegantbuttonthisis,Mr.Bumble!Inevernoticeditbefore.

           ‘Yes,Ithinkitratherpretty,’saidthebeadle,glancingproudlydownwardsatthelargebrassbuttonswhichembellishedhiscoat.‘ThedieisthesameastheporochialsealtheGoodSamaritanhealingthesickandbruisedman.

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