CHAPTER XLV. NOAH CLAYPOLE IS EMPLOYED BY FAGIN ON A SECRET MISSION

Theoldmanwasup,betimes,nextmorning,andwaitedimpatientlyfortheappearanceofhisnewassociate,whoafteradelaythatseemedinterminable,atlengthpresentedhimself,andcommencedavoraciousassaultonthebreakfast. “Bolter,”saidFagin,drawingupachairandseatinghimselfoppositeMorrisBolter. “Well,hereIam,”returnedNoah.“What’sthematter?Don’tyeraskmetodoanythingtillIhavedoneeating.That’sagreatfaultinthisplace.Yernevergettimeenoughoveryermeals.” “Youcantalkasyoueat,can’tyou?”saidFagin,cursinghisdearyoungfriend’sgreedinessfromtheverybottomofhisheart. “Ohyes,Icantalk.IgetonbetterwhenItalk,”saidNoah,cuttingamonstroussliceofbread.“Where’sCharlotte?” “Out,”saidFagin.“Isentheroutthismorningwiththeotheryoungwoman,becauseIwantedustobealone.” “Oh!”saidNoah.“Iwishyer’dorderedhertomakesomebutteredtoastfirst.Well.Talkaway.Yerwon’tinterruptme.” Thereseemed,indeed,nogreatfearofanythinginterruptinghim,ashehadevidentlysatdownwithadeterminationtodoagreatdealofbusiness. “Youdidwellyesterday,mydear,”saidFagin.“Beautiful!Sixshillingsandninepencehalfpennyontheveryfirstday!Thekinchinlaywillbeafortunetoyou.” “Don’tyouforgettoaddthreepint-potsandamilk-can,”saidMr.Bolter. “No,no,mydear.Thepint-potsweregreatstrokesofgenius:butthemilk-canwasaperfectmasterpiece.” “Prettywell,Ithink,forabeginner,”remarkedMr.Boltercomplacently.“ThepotsItookoffairyrailings,andthemilk-canwasstandingbyitselfoutsideapublic-house.Ithoughtitmightgetrustywiththerain,orcatchcold,yerknow.Eh?Ha!ha!ha!” FaginaffectedtolaughveryheartilyandMr.Bolterhavinghadhislaughout,tookaseriesoflargebites,whichfinishedhisfirsthunkofbreadandbutter,andassistedhimselftoasecond. “Iwantyou,Bolter,”saidFagin,leaningoverthetable,“todoapieceofworkforme,mydear,thatneedsgreatcareandcaution.” “Isay,”rejoinedBolter,“don’tyergoshovingmeintodanger,orsendingmeanymoreo’yerpolice-offices.Thatdon’