CHAPTER XXV. WHEREIN THIS HISTORY REVERTS TO MR. FAGIN AND COMPANY

nedtotheDodgertoplacewhateatablestherewere,uponthetableand,seatinghimselfoppositethehousebreaker,waitedhisleisure. Tojudgefromappearances,Tobywasbynomeansinahurrytoopentheconversation.Atfirst,theJewcontentedhimselfwithpatientlywatchinghiscountenance,asiftogainfromitsexpressionsomecluetotheintelligencehebroughtbutinvain. Helookedtiredandworn,buttherewasthesamecomplacentreposeuponhisfeaturesthattheyalwayswore:andthroughdirt,andbeard,andwhisker,therestillshone,unimpaired,theself-satisfiedsmirkofflashTobyCrackit.ThentheJew,inanagonyofimpatience,watchedeverymorselheputintohismouthpacingupanddowntheroom,meanwhile,inirrepressibleexcitement.Itwasallofnouse.Tobycontinuedtoeatwiththeutmostoutwardindifference,untilhecouldeatnomorethen,orderingtheDodgerout,heclosedthedoor,mixedaglassofspiritsandwater,andcomposedhimselffortalking. “Firstandforemost,Faguey,”saidToby. “Yes,yes!”interposedtheJew,drawinguphischair. Mr.Crackitstoppedtotakeadraughtofspiritsandwater,andtodeclarethattheginwasexcellentthenplacinghisfeetagainstthelowmantelpiece,soastobringhisbootstoaboutthelevelofhiseye,hequietlyresumed. “Firstandforemost,Faguey,”saidthehousebreaker,“how’sBill?” “What!”screamedtheJew,startingfromhisseat. “Why,youdon’tmeantosay—”beganToby,turningpale. “Mean!”criedtheJew,stampingfuriouslyontheground.“Wherearethey?Sikesandtheboy!Wherearethey?Wherehavetheybeen?Wherearetheyhiding?Whyhavetheynotbeenhere?” “Thecrackfailed,”saidTobyfaintly. “Iknowit,”repliedtheJew,tearinganewspaperfromhispocketandpointingtoit.“Whatmore?” “Theyfiredandhittheboy.Wecutoverthefieldsattheback,withhimbetweenus—straightasthecrowflies—throughhedgeandditch.Theygavechase.Damme!thewholecountrywasawake,andthedogsuponus.” “Theboy!” “Billhadhimonhisback,andscuddedlikethewind.Westoppedtotakehimbetweenushisheadhungdown,andhewascold.Theywerecloseuponourheelseverymanforhimself,andeachfromthegallows!Wepartedcompany,andlefttheyoungsterlyinginaditch.Aliveordead,that’sallIknowabouthim.” TheJewstoppedtohearnomorebututteringaloudyell,andtwininghishandsinhishair,rushedfromtheroom,andfromthehouse.