CHAPTER XXIX. HAS AN INTRODUCTORY ACCOUNT OF THE INMATES OF THE HOUSE, TO WHICH OLIVER RESORTED

ploreralive. Thedoctorwasabsent,muchlongerthaneitherheortheladieshadanticipated.Alargeflatboxwasfetchedoutofthegigandabedroombellwasrungveryoftenandtheservantsranupanddownstairsperpetuallyfromwhichtokensitwasjustlyconcludedthatsomethingimportantwasgoingonabove.Atlengthhereturnedandinreplytoananxiousinquiryafterhispatientlookedverymysterious,andclosedthedoor,carefully. “Thisisaveryextraordinarything,Mrs.Maylie,”saidthedoctor,standingwithhisbacktothedoor,asiftokeepitshut. “Heisnotindanger,Ihope?”saidtheoldlady. “Why,thatwouldnotbeanextraordinarything,underthecircumstances,”repliedthedoctor“thoughIdon’tthinkheis.Haveyouseenthethief?” “No,”rejoinedtheoldlady. “Norheardanythingabouthim?” “No.” “Ibegyourpardon,ma’am,”interposedMr.Giles“butIwasgoingtotellyouabouthimwhenDoctorLosbernecamein.” Thefactwas,thatMr.Gileshadnot,atfirst,beenabletobringhismindtotheavowal,thathehadonlyshotaboy.Suchcommendationshadbeenbestoweduponhisbravery,thathecouldnot,forthelifeofhim,helppostponingtheexplanationforafewdeliciousminutesduringwhichhehadflourished,intheveryzenithofabriefreputationforundauntedcourage. “Rosewishedtoseetheman,”saidMrs.Maylie,“butIwouldn’thearofit.” “Humph!”rejoinedthedoctor.“Thereisnothingveryalarminginhisappearance.Haveyouanyobjectiontoseehiminmypresence?” “Ifitbenecessary,”repliedtheoldlady,“certainlynot.” “ThenIthinkitisnecessary,”saidthedoctor“atallevents,Iamquitesurethatyouwoulddeeplyregretnothavingdoneso,ifyoupostponedit.Heisperfectlyquietandcomfortablenow.Allowme—MissRose,willyoupermitme?Nottheslightestfear,Ipledgeyoumyhonour!”