CHAPTER XLIII. WHEREIN IS SHOWN HOW THE ARTFUL DODGER GOT INTO TROUBLE

關燈
osayhedied?”criedMr.Bolter. “No,no,”repliedFagin,“notsobadasthat.Notquitesobad.” “What,Isupposehewas—” “Wanted,”interposedFagin.“Yes,hewaswanted.” “Veryparticular?”inquiredMr.Bolter. “No,”repliedFagin,“notvery.Hewaschargedwithattemptingtopickapocket,andtheyfoundasilversnuff-boxonhim,—hisown,mydear,hisown,forhetooksnuffhimself,andwasveryfondofit.Theyremandedhimtillto-day,fortheythoughttheyknewtheowner.Ah!hewasworthfiftyboxes,andI’dgivethepriceofasmanytohavehimback.YoushouldhaveknowntheDodger,mydearyoushouldhaveknowntheDodger.” “Well,butIshallknowhim,Ihopedon’tyerthinkso?”saidMr.Bolter. “I’mdoubtfulaboutit,”repliedFagin,withasigh.“Iftheydon’tgetanyfreshevidence,it’llonlybeasummaryconviction,andweshallhavehimbackagainaftersixweeksorsobut,iftheydo,it’sacaseoflagging.Theyknowwhatacleverladheishe’llbealifer.They’llmaketheArtfulnothinglessthanalifer.” “Whatdoyoumeanbylaggingandalifer?”demandedMr.Bolter.“What’sthegoodoftalkinginthatwaytomewhydon’tyerspeaksoasIcanunderstandyer?” Faginwasabouttotranslatethesemysteriousexpressionsintothevulgartongueand,beinginterpreted,Mr.Bolterwouldhavebeeninformedthattheyrepresentedthatcombinationofwords,“transportationforlife,”whenthedialoguewascutshortbytheentryofMasterBates,withhishandsinhisbreeches-pockets,andhisfacetwistedintoalookofsemi-comicalwoe. “It’sallup,Fagin,”saidCharley,whenheandhisnewcompanionhadbeenmadeknowntoeachother. “Whatdoyoumean?” “They’vefoundthegentlemanasownstheboxtwoorthreemore’sacomingto’dentifyhimandtheArtful’sbookedforapassageout,”repliedMasterBates.“Imusthaveafullsuitofmourning,Fagin,andahatband,towisithimin,aforehesetsoutuponhistravels.TothinkofJackDawkins—lummyJack—theDodger—theArtfulDodger—goingabroadforacommontwopenny-halfpennysneeze-box!Ineverthoughthe’dadoneitunderagoldwatch,chain,andseals,atthelowest.Oh,whydidn’therobsomericholdgentlemanofallhiswalables,andgooutasagentleman,andnotlikeacommonprig,withoutnohonournorglory!” Withthisexpressionoffeelingforhisunfortunatefriend,MasterBatessathimselfonthenearestchairwithanaspectofchagrinanddespondency. “Whatdoyoutalkabouthishavingneitherhonournorgloryfor!”exclaimedFagin,dartinganangrylookathispupil.“Wasn’thealwaysthetop-sawyeramongyouall!Isthereoneofyouthatcouldtouchhimorcomenearhimonanyscent!Eh?” “Notone,”repliedMasterBates,inavoicerenderedhuskybyregret“notone.” “Thenwhatdoyoutalkof?”repliedFaginangrily“whatareyoublubberingfor?” “’Causeitisn’tontherec-ord,isit?”saidCharley,chafedintoperfectdefianceofhisvenerablefriendbythecurrentofhisregrets“’causeitcan’tcomeoutinthe’dictment’causenobodywillneverknowhalfofwhathewas.HowwillhestandintheNewgateCalendar?P’rapsnotbethereatall.Oh,myeye,myeye,wotablowitis!” “Ha!ha!”criedFagin,extendinghisrighthand,andturningtoMr.Bolterinafitofchucklingwhichshookhimasthoughhehadthepalsy“seewhatapridetheytakeintheirprofession,mydear.Ain’titbeautiful?” Mr.Bolternoddedassent,andFagin,aftercontemplatingthegriefofCharleyBatesforsomesecondswithevidentsatisfaction,steppeduptothatyounggentlemanandpattedhimontheshoulder. “Nevermind,Charley,”saidFaginsoothingly“it’llcomeout,it’llbesuretocomeout.They’llallknowwhatacleverfellowhewashe’llshowithimself,andnotdisgracehisoldpalsandteachers.Thinkhowyoungheistoo!Whatadistinction,Charley,tobelaggedathistimeoflife!” “Well,itisahonourthatis!”saidCharley,alittleconsoled. “Heshallhaveallhewants,”continuedtheJew.“HeshallbekeptintheStoneJug,Charley,likeagentleman.Likeagentleman!Withhisbeereveryday,andmoneyinhispockettopitchandtosswith