1、本科畢業(yè)論文 所在學院外國語學院專業(yè)名稱英 語申請學士學位所屬學科文學年級學生姓名、學號 指導教師姓名、職稱完成日期二零一六年五月ContentsPart One: The Translated VersionPart Two: The Original StoryPart Three: Reflections on the Translation Project Part Four: Acknowledgments譯文霧都孤兒 狄更斯 著 陳明茜 譯 進一步講述奧利弗在布朗羅先生家的情形，在布朗羅先生外出辦事時，一位名叫格林維格的先生為他作了一番值得注意的預言。 布朗羅先生突然發(fā)出一聲驚呼，

2、奧利弗嚇暈了過去，過了一會他醒了，在接下來的談話中，老紳士和貝德溫太太都十分謹慎，對畫像避口不談。也不談論奧利弗德過去和未來，且談論僅限于讓他感到快樂的同時又不會刺激他為限。他仍然太虛弱，不能起床去吃飯，但第二天他下樓進入管家的房間，第一個舉動就是將急切的目光投向那一面墻，希望能再次看到漂亮女士的面龐。他的期望破滅了，畫像已經(jīng)被摘走了。 “??！”管家看著奧利弗眼睛看的方向說，“你瞧，沒了?！?“我也發(fā)現(xiàn)不見了，夫人，”奧利弗回答，“他們干嗎要把畫像拿走呢？” “是給摘下來了，孩子。因為布朗羅先生說了，它好像會使你挺難受似的，說不定會妨礙你身體復原，你是懂得的。”老婦人答道。 “噢，不，真的，一

3、點也礙不著我，夫人，”奧利弗說，“我喜歡看，我可喜歡呢?！?“好啦，好啦！”老婦人相當幽默地說，“你盡你所能恢復好，寶貝兒，它就能重新掛起來了，在那兒！我向你保證！現(xiàn)在讓我們談點別的事情吧?！贝丝蹋瑠W利弗所能得到的關于肖像的情況就是這些了，因為老婦人在他生病期間對自己那樣好，他便嘗試著不再去想關于這個話題的事了。 他聚精會神地聽她講了許多故事，說她有一個既可愛又漂亮的女兒嫁了一位既可愛又漂亮的丈夫，女兒女婿都住在鄉(xiāng)下。還有一個在西印度商人那做店員的兒子，他也是一個非常好的青年，很孝順每年都會寫四封信給家里。談起那些信，淚水便涌上她的雙眼。老婦人一五一十，說了半天兒女們的優(yōu)點，此外還談到他那體貼

4、溫柔的丈夫也有無數(shù)的優(yōu)點，她丈夫已經(jīng)去世了，真可憐??！整整二十六年了。喝茶的時間到了。喝過茶，她開始教奧利弗玩紙牌，奧利弗學得快，一點也沒讓她費心。兩人玩得興致勃勃，毫無倦意，一直玩到該給病人來上一點暖和的對水紅葡萄酒外帶一片烤面包的時候才罷手，接著他才心滿意足地睡覺去了。 奧利弗恢復健康的那些日子是多么幸福啊，一切都是那么寧靜，整潔，井井有條。每個人都那么和藹可親，他向來在喧囂擾嚷中生活，在他看來，這似乎就是天堂。他剛恢復到能自己穿衣服，布朗羅先生便叫人替他買了一套新衣套裝，一頂新帽子和一雙新皮鞋。奧利弗得知他可以隨意處置舊衣服，他把它們給了一個對他非常友善的仆人，并且讓她把它們賣給個猶太人

5、，錢留下自己花。這事她很快就辦妥了，奧利弗從客廳窗戶里望出去，看見那猶太人把舊衣服打成一卷，放進袋子走遠了。他滿心歡喜，心想這些東西總算妥善處理了，自己現(xiàn)在不可能再有得重新穿上它們的危險。說實話，它們是爛得不成樣子的破衣服，奧利弗在此之前從來沒有一套新套裝。 一天晚上，大約是畫像事件之后的一個禮拜，他正坐著和貝德溫夫人說話，從布朗羅先生那來了消息，如果奧利弗忒斯特精神很好的話，他希望能在他的書房見見他并且和他談談。 “哎喲，真沒辦法，你洗洗手，我?guī)湍闶嵋粋€漂亮的分頭，孩子?！必惖聹胤蛉苏f，“真要命，早知道他要請你去，我們該給你戴一條干凈的領子，把你打扮得跟六便士錢幣一樣漂亮。” 奧利弗照老婦人

6、的要求的做了，盡管她一個勁惋惜，可已經(jīng)來不及給他的襯衫領子壓褶飾了。盡管少了這樣重要的一大優(yōu)勢，他的模樣還是十分清秀，招人喜歡。老婦人十分滿意，一邊將他從頭打量到腳，一邊說道：哪怕是早就接到通知，恐怕也沒辦法將他打扮得更精神了。 憑著老婦人這番話的鼓勵，奧利弗敲了敲書房門。聽到布朗羅先生叫他進去，他便進去了，他發(fā)現(xiàn)這一間小小的里屋整個就是一座書城，屋里有一扇窗戶能看見幾個精美的花圃。臨窗放著一張桌子，布朗羅先生正坐在桌前看書。一見到奧利弗，他把書推到一邊，叫他靠近桌旁坐下來。奧利弗照辦了，心里感到挺納悶，不知道去什么地方才找到要讀這么多書的人。這些書好像是為了讓全世界的人都變得聰明一些才寫出來

7、的。這一點在許多比奧利弗忒斯特更有見識的人看來，也依然是他們?nèi)粘Ｉ钪幸粯恫豢伤甲h的事情。 “書可真多不是嗎，我的孩子？”布朗羅先生觀察到奧利弗帶著好奇心打量著書架，從地板壘到天花板上。 “相當多，先生?！眾W利弗答道，“我從沒見過這么多書?！?“如果你表現(xiàn)好的話，你可以讀它們。”老紳士和藹地說，“你會很喜歡它們，而不光是看看外表這樣，在某些情況下，因為有些書的精華僅僅是書的封底封面。” “我想準是那些厚的書，先生?！眾W利弗說，指了指幾本封面燙金的四開本大書。 “那倒不一定，”老紳士說，他笑著拍了拍奧利弗的頭，“還有一些同樣也是大厚書，盡管篇幅要小的多。怎么樣，想不想長大了做個聰明人也寫書，嗯？

8、” “我想我更愿意閱讀它們，先生?！眾W利弗答道。 “什么！你不想成為一個作家嗎？”老紳士說。 奧利弗考慮了一會兒，最后說，他認為成為一個讀書人更好；以上回答讓老紳士由衷地笑了，并說他講了一件妙不可言的事。奧利弗非常高興，盡管他一點也不知道這句話妙在那里。 “好啦，好啦，”老紳士平靜下來說道，“你別怕，我們不把你培養(yǎng)成一個作家就是了，只要是正當?shù)氖炙嚩伎梢詫W，或者改學制磚?！?“謝謝您，先生?！眾W利弗說，他答話時真摯態(tài)度引得老紳士再一次笑了，并且說了一些關于奇怪的直覺的事。奧利弗沒聽懂，也沒太在意。 “現(xiàn)在，”布朗羅先生盡量說得溫和一些，然而在這一時刻，他的臉色仍然比奧利弗一向所熟悉的要嚴肅的多

9、?！昂⒆樱蚁Ｍ阏J認真真聽我說下邊的話。我要和你開城布公地談一談，因為我確信你能夠理解我的意思，就像許多年紀稍長的人一樣?！?“噢，不要告訴我你要把我送走，先生，求您了！”奧利弗驚叫起來。他被老紳士剛開始嚴肅的口吻嚇到了?！安灰盐亿s出去，叫我又到街上去流浪。 讓我留在這吧，當個仆人。不要把我送回原來那個鬼地方去，可憐可憐一個苦命的孩子吧，先生！” “親愛的孩子，”老紳士說，他被奧利弗突如其來的激奮感動了?！澳悴恍枰獡奈覓仐壞?，除非你給我個理由。” “我永遠，永遠不會了，先生，”奧利弗搶著說。 “但愿如此，”老紳士再次答道，“我不相信你會那樣做，我以前被我嘗試去幫助的對象欺騙過；不管怎樣，

10、我依然由衷地信任你。我自己都說不清為什么這樣關心你。我曾傾注滿腔愛心的那些人已經(jīng)長眠于黃泉之下，我平生的幸福與歡樂也埋在了那里。不過從內(nèi)心感情來說，我還沒把我的心做成一口棺材永遠封閉起來，切膚之痛只是使這種感情越發(fā)強烈與純凈罷了。” 老先生娓娓而談，與其說是對那位小伙伴講的，不如說是說給他自己聽的。隨后，他稍微頓了一下，奧利弗仍安靜的坐著。 “好了，好了！”老紳士最后用歡快的語調(diào)說，“我說這些，是因為你有一顆年輕的心。要是你知道我曾遭受過巨大的疼痛與傷心，你就會更小心，或許不會再傷我一次了。你說你是個孤兒，在世上沒有一個朋友。我多方打聽的結果都證實了這一點。讓我聽聽你的故事；你從哪里來，誰把你

11、養(yǎng)大，你怎么進入我找到你的那個團伙的。說真的，在我有生之年你不會無依無靠的?！?奧利弗哽咽起來，好一會說不出話。他剛要開始講述自己如何在農(nóng)場里長大，布魯斯又如何把他帶到濟貧院去的，大門口卻響起來了頗不耐煩的敲門聲。仆人跑上樓來報告說，格林維格先生來了。 “他上樓來了？”布朗羅先生問道。 “是的，先生，”仆人答道，“他問家里有沒有英格蘭松餅。我告訴他有，他說他是來喝茶的?！?布朗羅先生笑著轉向奧利弗說，格林維格是他的一個老朋友，切不可對他的舉止稍有些粗魯而耿耿于懷，因為他骨子里是個值得尊敬的人，他這樣說是有根據(jù)的。 “我要下樓去嗎，先生？”奧利弗問道。 “不用，”布朗羅先生答道，“我更希望你待在

12、這兒。” 這時，有人拄著粗拐杖進來了。他是一位肥胖的老紳士，一條腿有點跛。他穿著藍色大衣，條紋馬夾，淡黃色棉布馬褲和長筒靴，頭戴寬邊且周邊凸起綠邊的白色禮帽。襯衫領褶從馬夾里露出來，下邊晃蕩著一條長長的懷表鋼鏈，表鏈末端只有一把鑰匙在底下掛著。他白色圍巾的尾端纏繞成一個桔子大小的球。他扭動面部，臉上做出各種表情，很難形容。當他說話的時候他的頭習慣擰向一邊，與此同時他的眼睛打眼角里往外看，使人看見他就不自覺地聯(lián)想到鸚鵡。他一進來就定在那里，擺出那種姿勢，手臂伸得長長的，拿出一小塊桔子皮，忿忿不平地吼起來。 “瞧瞧，看見這個了嗎？真是邪門，我每次去拜訪一戶人家都要在樓梯上發(fā)現(xiàn)這個東西，莫非是那個窮

13、大夫的朋友干的？我已經(jīng)讓桔子皮拌瘸過一次，桔子皮總有一天會要了我的命，如果不是的話，我把自己的腦袋吃下去我也心甘情愿，老兄?！?格林維格先生最后夸下了一句?？?。他每次提出一種主張幾乎都要用這句作后盾。以他的具體情況而言這一點就更不可思議了，因為即使是為了作出這種論證，承認科學上可能出現(xiàn)的種種進步已經(jīng)到了一位紳士能夠在本人有這種意愿時吃下自己腦袋的程度。但格林維格的頭是相當大的，就是世間最自信的人也不敢指望一頓把它吃下去，而且完全不考慮上邊還抹著一層厚厚的發(fā)粉。 “我會把我的頭吃下去，先生?！备窳志S格先生重復了一句，一邊用手杖敲了敲地板?！拔梗∧鞘钦l！”他打量著奧利弗，向后退了兩步。 “這是小奧

14、利弗忒斯特，我們上次說到的人就是他?！辈祭柿_先生說，奧利弗鞠了一躬。 “我希望你說的不是那個發(fā)燒的男孩吧?！备窳志S格說著又往后退了一點?！暗纫幌拢灰f話，?！备窳志S格先生繼續(xù)說道。突然間，他又有了新發(fā)現(xiàn)，把發(fā)燒的疑懼拋到了腦后。 “他就是吃桔子的那個男孩。如果不是這個孩子吃了桔子，又把這一片桔子皮扔在樓梯上的話，老兄，我可以把我的腦袋連同他的一塊吃掉?！?“不，不，他沒吃過桔子，”布朗羅先生笑道，“來，摘下你的帽子，和我的小朋友聊聊?！?“我對這個問題很有感觸，老兄?！边@位易動怒的老紳士一邊脫掉手套一邊說?！拔覀冞@條街總是有或多或少的幾片桔子皮，我知道是在拐角上那個外科大夫的孩子丟在那的。昨

15、晚，一個年輕的女人就在那上邊滑了一跤，撞在我花園的圍欄上。她一爬起來，我看見她一個勁地往他那盞該死的紅燈上瞅。你別到他那去，我向窗外大聲喊，他就是兇手，人為的陷阱！所以他是，如果他不是這位性情暴躁的老紳士用手杖重重地敲了一下。朋友們向來就明白這個意思，每當詞不達意時，他就會把這句口頭禪搬出來。隨后他依然握著手杖，坐下來并打開一副用黑色寬帶子掛在身上的眼鏡，看了奧利弗一眼。奧利弗見自己成了審查的對象，臉唰地一下紅了，又鞠了一躬。 “他就是那個男孩，是嗎？”格林維格先生終于問道。 “就是他，”布朗羅先生說?！澳氵€好嗎，孩子？”格林維格先生說?！昂枚嗔?，謝謝你，先生。”奧利弗答道。 布朗羅先生似乎看

16、出他脾氣古怪的朋友要說一些不友善的話，就讓奧利弗下樓并告訴貝德溫夫人他們準備用茶。奧利弗一點也不喜歡來客的態(tài)度，便高興地下樓去了。 “他長得不錯，不是嗎？”布朗羅先生問道。“我不知道?！备窳志S格先生想要發(fā)火了?！安恢?？”“是，我不知道。我從來看不出小孩子有什么兩樣。我只知道兩類孩子，一類是粉臉，一類是肉臉?！?“奧利弗是哪一類？” “粉臉。我認識一個朋友，他兒子就屬于肉臉。他們管他叫好孩子。他有圓圓的腦袋，紅紅的臉蛋，明亮的眼睛，可壓根兒就是可惡的孩子。身體和四肢肥碩到把他藍衣服的線都撐開了，有著飛行員的聲音和狼一樣的胃口，我知道他，這個壞蛋?！?“哎呀，”布朗羅先生說，“這都不是奧利弗忒斯

17、特的特點，所以他不至于激起你的憤怒。“是不是那個樣子”格林維格先生回答道，“他也許更差勁。”布朗羅先生不耐煩地咳嗽起來，格林維格先生卻感到有說不出的欣慰?！拔艺f他可能更差勁，”格林維格先生重復著?！八麖哪睦飦?，他是誰，他是干什么的？他發(fā)過燒，那又怎樣？不僅僅是好人才發(fā)燒，不是嗎？壞人有時也會發(fā)燒；不是嗎？恩？我知道牙買加有一個人因為謀殺他的主人而被絞死了，他發(fā)過六次燒。在這件事上他不值得同情，哼！胡說八道！”現(xiàn)在，事實是，在他自己心里最深的隱蔽處，格林維格很想承認奧利弗的儀表舉止都非常討人喜歡?？墒撬鷣硐矚g抬杠，這次因為拾到那片桔子皮，就更要抬抬杠了。他暗自決定，誰也別想對自己發(fā)號施令。說一

18、個孩子是否好看，從一開始他就跟自己的朋友過過招。布朗羅先生承認，到目前為止沒有一個問題他給出令人滿意的答案。并且他已經(jīng)把調(diào)查奧利弗以往經(jīng)歷的事擱在一邊，等到他認為孩子經(jīng)受得住的時候再說，格林維格冷笑一聲。他不無嘲諷地問管家有沒有在夜間清點餐具的習慣。因為如果她在某個陽光明媚的早晨沒有發(fā)現(xiàn)丟了一兩把湯匙的話，他寧愿說說。盡管布朗羅先生自己在某種程度上也是個沖動的紳士，可他知道他朋友的怪脾氣，對這一切他還是帶著少有的好興致照單全收。在喝茶的時候格林維格先生親切高興地表達了他對英格蘭松餅的贊賞，氣氛十分融洽。奧利弗也在座，他逐漸感到自己不像剛見到這位兇巴巴的老紳士時那樣緊張了。“你什么時候才能原原本

19、本詳詳細細地聽到有關奧利弗生活遭遇的故事呢？”吃過茶點，他斜著眼盯住奧利弗，重新提起了這件事。“明天早晨，”布朗羅先生答道?！暗綍r候我更愿意他獨自跟我在一塊。明天十點來找我，親愛的?！薄昂玫?，先生，”奧利弗答道。他答得有些遲疑，因為很疑惑格林維格先生看他的眼神為什么那么冷峻?！拔乙嬖V你點事，”老紳士對布朗羅先生耳語說，“他明早不會來找你，我看見他猶豫了，他在騙你，我的好朋友?！薄拔野l(fā)誓他沒有，”布朗羅先生溫和地答道?！叭绻麤]有，”格林維格先生說，“我將”他把手杖放下了?！拔覍⒂梦业纳鼡：⒆雍苷\實！”布朗羅先生敲著桌子說?！拔腋夷梦业哪X袋擔保他會說謊！”格林維格先生也敲著桌子再次應聲答道

20、?！拔覀冏咧?，”布朗羅先生壓住火說。“走著瞧，”格林維格先生帶著一種氣人的微笑說著，“走著瞧?！闭婧孟衩凶⒍ㄋ频?，貝德溫夫人恰好在這時拿著一包書進來了，這是布朗羅先生那天早上從那位書攤掌柜那里買的，他在前面的故事中出現(xiàn)過。她把書放在桌子上準備離開房間?！白屇莻€送書的男孩等一下，貝德溫夫人！”布朗羅先生說，還有東西要他帶回去?！薄八呀?jīng)走了，先生。”貝德溫夫人答道?！敖兴貋?，”布朗羅先生說，“這人也真是的，他是個窮人，這些書還沒付錢，這還有幾本書也要送回去?！贝箝T開了，奧利弗和女仆分兩路追了出去。貝德溫夫人站在臺階上，大聲呼喊送書來的男孩，但男孩已將不見了影兒。奧利弗和女仆氣喘吁吁地回來了

21、，回報說不知道他跑哪去了?！皣K嘖，我感到非常抱歉，”布朗羅先生驚呼道，“我特別希望那些書今晚能還回去?！薄鞍堰@些書給奧利弗，”格林維格先生諷刺地笑著，“他一定能把它們安全送到，你知道的?！薄笆前?，如果你愿意的話啊，讓我把它們送去，先生，”奧利佛說?！拔視苤サ?，先生?！蹦莻€老紳士剛要說任何情況下奧利佛都不應該出去，格林維格帶有敵意地咳嗽了一聲，這迫使他決定讓奧利佛跑一趟，由他迅速辦完這檔子事，自己就可以向維格先生證明，他的猜疑在這一點上至少是不公正的，而且可以立刻證明?！澳憧梢匀?，我親愛的，”老紳士說，“書放在桌子旁邊的椅子上，把它們拿下來?！眾W利佛非常高興自己能有用處。在慌亂中拿下來書夾在

22、胳膊底下，手里拿著帽子，聽候吩咐?！澳氵@樣說，”布朗羅先生目不轉睛地看著格林維格先生：“你就說你把那些書送回來了，并且你要支付我欠他的四鎊十先令。這是一張五鎊的鈔票，所以你應該給我?guī)Щ厥攘畹牧沐X?！薄坝貌涣耸昼娢揖突貋?，先生，”奧利弗熱切地說。他把鈔票放在夾克的口袋里并小心翼翼地把書夾在胳膊下。他有禮貌地鞠了一躬，離開了房間。貝德溫夫人跟著他到了大門口，給了他不少囑咐最近的路怎么走啦，書攤老板的姓名啦，街道名稱啦。奧利弗說他一切都清楚了。老婦人又添上許多訓誡，路上當心，別著涼，這才準許他離開。“保佑他可愛的面龐！”老婦人目送他到門外?！安还茉趺凑f我不能忍受他走出我的視線。此刻，奧利弗快樂地

23、向四周張望。他在轉角的地方朝老婦人點點頭。老婦人笑呵呵地還了禮，關上門走回她自己的房間?！拔铱醋疃喽昼娝蜁貋恚辈祭柿_先生拿出他的表放在桌子上?！澳菚r天就黑了?！薄巴?！你還真以為他能回來？”格林維格先生問?！澳悴贿@樣看？”布朗羅先生笑著反問道。格林維格先生心里的矛盾很強烈。此刻他因為朋友自信的笑容，更來勁了?！笆堑?，”他用拳頭猛捶桌子說道，“我認為，這男孩有新套裝穿在身上，一摞值錢的書夾在胳膊底下，還有五鎊的鈔票在他手里，他將會回到那窩賊朋友那嘲笑你！如果那個男孩返回這座房子，先生，我就把自己的腦袋吃下去?！彼f罷這番話，把椅子拉的離桌子近了一些。兩個朋友一言不發(fā)地坐在那里，表放在他倆

24、之間。為了舉例說明我們對自身做出的判斷有多么看重，做出一些極為魯莽輕率的結論時又是多么自負，有一點很值得注意，那就是盡管格林維格先生絕對不是心術不正的壞蛋，看著自己尊重的朋友上當受騙，他會真心誠意地感到難過。在這一刻，他卻由衷而強烈地希望奧利弗不要回來。天漸漸黑了，連表上的數(shù)字也幾乎看不清了，但兩個老紳士依然默不作聲地坐在那兒，表放在他倆中間。原文 Oliver Twist Charles Dickens .Comprising Further Particulars of Olivers Stay at Mr. Brownkows, with the Remarkable Predictio

25、n Which One Mr. Grimwig Uttered Concerning Him, When He Went out on an Errand. Oliver soon recovering from the fainting-fit into which Mr. Brownlows abrupt exclamation had thrown him, the subject of the picture was carefully avoided, both by the old gentleman and Mrs. Bedwin, in the conversation tha

26、t ensued: which indeed bore no reference to Olivers history or prospects, but was confined to such topics as might amuse without exciting him. He was still too weak to get up to breakfast; but, when he came down into the housekeepers room next day, his first act was to cast an eager glance at the wa

27、ll, in the hope of again looking on the face of the beautiful lady. His expectations were disappointed, however, for the picture had been removed. Ah! said the housekeeper, watching the direction of Olivers eyes. It is gone, you see. I see it is maam, replied Oliver. Why have they taken it away? It

28、has been taken down, child, because Mr. Brownlow said, that as it seemed to worry you, perhaps it might prevent you getting well, you know, rejoined the old lady. Oh, not indeed. It didnt worry me, maam, said Oliver. I liked to see it. I quite loved it. Well, well! said the old lady, good-humouredly

29、; you get well as fast as ever you can, dear, and it shall be hung up again. There! I promise you that! Now, let us talk about something else.This was all the information Oliver could obtain about the picture at that time. As the old lady had been so kind to him in his illness, he endeavoured to thi

30、nk no more of the subject just then; so he listened attentively to a great many stories she told him, about an amiable and handsome daughter of hers, who was married to an amiable and handsome man, and lived in the country; and about a son, who was clerk to a merchant in the West Indies; and who was

31、, also, such a good young man, and wrote such dutiful letters home four times a year, that it brought the tears into her eyes to talk about them. When the old lady had expatiated, a long time, on the excellences of her children, and the merits of her kind good husband besides, who had been dead and

32、gone, poor dear soul! just six-and-twenty years, it was time to have tea. After tea she began to teach Oliver cribbage: which he learnt as quickly as she could teach: and at which game they played, with great interest and gravity, until it was time for the invalid to have some warm wine and water, w

33、ith a slice of dry toast, and then to go cosily to bed. They were happy days, those of Olivers recovery. Everything was so quiet, and neat, and orderly; everybody so kind and gentle; that after the noise and turbulence in the midst of which he had always lived, it seemed like Heaven itself. He was n

34、o sooner strong enough to put his clothes on, properly, than Mr. Brownlow caused a complete new suit, and a new cap, and a new pair of shoes, to be provided for him. As Oliver was told that he might do what he liked with the old clothes, he gave them to a servant who had been very kind to him, and a

35、sked her to sell them to a Jew, and keep the money for herself. This she very readily did; and, as Oliver looked out of the parlour window, and saw the Jew roll them up in his bag and walk away, he felt quite delighted to think that they were safely gone, and that there was now no possible danger of

36、 his ever being able to wear them again. They were sad rags, to tell the truth; and Oliver had never had a new suit before. One evening, about a week after the affair of the picture, as he was sitting talking to Mrs. Bedwin, there came a message down from Mr. Brownlow, that if Oliver Twist felt pret

37、ty well, he should like to see him in his study, and talk to him a little while. Bless us, and save us! Wash your hands, and let me part your hair nicely for you, child, said Mrs. Bedwin. Dear heart alive! If we had known he would have asked for you, we would have put you a clean collar on, and made

38、 you as smart as sixpence! Oliver did as the old lady bade him; and, although she lamented grievously, meanwhile, that there was not even time to crimp the little frill that bordered his shirt-collar; he looked so delicate and handsome, despite that important personal advantage, that she went so far

39、 as to say: looking at him with great complacency from head to foot, that she really didnt think it would have been possible, on the longest notice, to have made much difference in him for the better. Thus encouraged, Oliver tapped at the study door. On Mr. Brownlow calling to him to come in, he fou

40、nd himself in a little back room, quite full of books, with a window, looking into some pleasant little gardens. There was a table drawn up before the window, at which Mr. Brownlow was seated reading. When he saw Oliver, he pushed the book away from him, and told him to come near the table, and sit

41、down.Oliver complied; marvelling where the people could be found to read such a great number of books as seemed to be written to make the world wiser. Which is still a marvel to more experienced people than Oliver Twist,every day of their lives. There are a good many books, are there not, my boy? sa

42、id Mr. Brownlow, observing the curiosity with which Oliver surveyed the shelves that reached from the floor to the ceiling. A great number, sir, replied Oliver. I never saw so many. You shall read them, if you behave well, said the old gentleman kindly; and you will like that, better than looking at

43、 the outsides,that is, some cases; because there are books of which the backs and covers are by far the best parts.I suppose they are those heavy ones, sir, said Oliver, pointing to some large quartos, with a good deal of gilding about the binding. Not always those, said the old gentleman, patting O

44、liver on the head, and smiling as he did so; there are other equally heavy ones, though of a much smaller size. How should you like to grow up a clever man, and write books, eh? I think I would rather read them, sir, replied Oliver. What! wouldnt you like to be a book-writer? said the old gentleman.

45、 Oliver considered a little while; and at last said, he should think it would be a much better thing to be a book-seller; upon which the old gentleman laughed heartily, and declared he had said a very good thing. Which Oliver felt glad to have done, though he by no means knew what it was. Well, well

46、, said the old gentleman, composing his features. Dont be afraid! We wont make an author of you, while theres an honest trade to be learnt, or brick-making to turn to. Thank you, sir, said Oliver. At the earnest manner of his reply, the old gentleman laughed again; and said something about a curious

47、 instinct, which Oliver, not understanding, paid no very great attention to. Now, said Mr. Brownlow, speaking if possible in a kinder, but at the same time in a much more serious manner, than Oliver had ever known him assume yet, I want you to pay great attention, my boy, to what I am going to say.

48、I shall talk to you without any reserve; because I am sure you are well able to understand me, as many older persons would be. Oh, dont tell you are going to send me away, sir, pray! exclaimed Oliver, alarmed at the serious tone of the old gentlemans commencement! Dont turn me out of doors to wander

49、 in the streets again. Let me stay here, and be a servant. Dont send me back to the wretched place I came from. Have mercy upon a poor boy, sir! My dear child, said the old gentleman, moved by the warmth of Olivers sudden appeal; you need not be afraid of my deserting you, unless you give me cause.

50、I never , never will, sir, interposed Oliver. I hope not, rejoined the old gentleman. I do not think you ever will. I have been deceived, before, in the objects whom I have endeavoured to benefit; but I feel strongly disposed to trust you, nevertheless; and I am more interested in your behalf than I

51、 can well account for, even to myself. The persons on whom I have bestowed my dearest love, lie deep in their graves; but, although the happiness and delight of my life lie buried there too, I have not made a coffin of my heart, and sealed it up, forever, on my best affections. Deep affliction has b

52、ut strengthened and refined them. As the old gentleman said this in a low voice: more to himself than to his companion: and as he remained silent for a short time afterwards: Oliver sat quite still. Well, well! said the old gentleman at length, in a more cheerful tone, I only say this, because you h

53、ave a young heart; and knowing that I have suffered great pain and sorrow, you will be more careful, perhaps, not to wound me again. You say you are an orphan, without a friend in the world; all the inquiries I have been able to make, confirm the statement. Let me hear your story; where you come fro

54、m; who brought you up; and how you got into the company in which I found you. Speak the truth, and you shall not be friendless while I live. Olivers sobs checked his utterance for some minutes; when he was on the point of beginning to relate how he had been brought up at the farm, and carried to the

55、 workhouse by Mr. Bumble, a peculiarly impatient little double-knock was heard at the street-door: and the servant, running upstairs, announced Mr. Grimwig. Is he coming up? inquired Mr. Brownlow. Yes, sir, replied the servant. He asked if there were any muffins in the house; and, when I told him ye

56、s, he said he had come to tea. Mr. Brownlow smiled; and, turning to Oliver, said that Mr. Grimwig was an old friend of his, and he must not mind his being a little rough in his manners; for he was a worthy creature at bottom, as he had reason to know. Shall I go downstairs, sir? inquired Oliver. No, replied Mr. Brownlow, I would rather you remained here. At this moment, there walked into the room: supporting himself by a thick stick: a stout old gentleman, rather lame in one leg, who was dressed in a blue coat, striped waistcoat, nankeen breeches an