9 Oliver Twist - Read By Stephanie Poppins

Hello.

Welcome to Sleep Stories with Steph,

Your go-to romantic podcast that guarantees you a calm and entertaining transition into a great night's sleep.

Come with me as we immerse ourselves in a romantic journey to a time long since forgotten.

But before we begin,

Let's take a moment to focus on where we are now.

Take a deep breath in through your nose and let it out with a long sigh.

That's it.

Now close your eyes and feel yourself sink deeper into the support beneath you.

It is time to relax and fully let go.

There is nothing you need to be doing now and nowhere you need to go.

Happy listening.

Chapter 9.

Containing further particulars concerning the pleasant old gentleman and his hopeful pupils.

It was late next morning when Oliver awoke from a sound long sleep.

There was no other person in the room but the old Jew who was boiling some coffee in a saucepan.

He would stop every now and then to listen when there was the least noise below and when he had satisfied himself he would go on whistling and stirring again as before.

Although Oliver had roused himself from sleep he was not thoroughly awake.

There is a drowsy state between sleeping and waking when you dream more in five minutes with your eyes half open and yourself half conscious of everything that's passing around you than you would in five nights with your eyes fast closed and your senses wrapped in perfect unconsciousness.

At such time a mortal knows just enough of what his mind is doing to form some glimmering conception of its mighty powers its bounding from earth and spurning time and place when freed from the restraint of its corporal associate.

Oliver was precisely in this condition.

He saw the Jew with his half-closed eyes,

Heard his low whistling and recognized the sound of the spoon grating against the saucepan sides and yet the selfsame senses were mentally engaged at the same time in busy action with almost everybody he had ever known.

When the coffee was done the Jew drew the saucepan to the hob.

Standing then in an irresolute attitude for a few minutes as if he did not well know how to employ himself he turned round and looked at Oliver and called him by his name.

He did not answer and was to all appearances asleep.

After satisfying himself upon this head the Jew stepped gently to the door which he fastened.

He then drew forth as it seemed to Oliver from some trap in the floor a small box which he placed carefully on the table.

His eyes glistened as he raised the lid and looked in.

Dragging an old chair to the table he sat down and took from it a magnificent gold watch sparkling the jewels.

Aha!

Said the Jew shrugging up his shoulders and distorting every feature with a hideous grin.

Clever dogs,

Clever dogs,

Staunch to the last.

Never told the old parson where they were,

Never poached upon old faces.

Never told the old parson where they were,

Never poached upon old Fagin.

And why should they?

It would have loosened the knot or kept the drop up a minute longer.

Fine fellows.

With these and other muttered reflections of the like nature the Jew once more deposited the watch in its place of safety.

At least half a dozen more were severely drawn forth from the same box and surveyed with equal pleasure.

Besides rings,

Brooches,

Bracelets and other articles of jewellery.

Of such magnificent materials and costly workmanship that Oliver had no idea even of their names.

Having replaced these trinkets the Jew took out another so small it lay in the palm of his hand.

There seemed to be some very minute inscription on it for he laid it flat upon the table and shading it with his hand poured over it long and earnestly.

At length he put it down as if despairing of success and leaning back in his chair muttered What a fine thing capital punishment is.

Dead men never repent.

Dead men never bring awkward stories to light.

It's a fine thing for the trade.

Five of them strung up in a row and none left to play booty or turn white-livered.

As the Jew uttered these words his bright dark eyes which had been staring vacantly before him fell on Oliver's face.

The boy's eyes were fixed on his in mute curiosity and although the recognition was only for an instant for the briefest space of time that can possibly be conceived it was enough to show the old man he had been observed.

He closed the lid of the box with a loud crash and laying his hand up on a bread knife which was on the table started furiously up.

He trembled very much though for even in his terror Oliver could see the knife quivered in the air.

What's that?

Said the Jew.

What do you watch me for?

Why are you awake?

What have you seen?

Speak up boy quick quick for your life.

I wasn't able to sleep any longer sir.

Replied Oliver meekly.

I'm very sorry if I've disturbed you sir.

You were not awake an hour ago?

Said the Jew scowling fiercely on the boy.

No no indeed replied Oliver.

Are you sure?

Upon my word I was not sir.

I was not indeed sir.

Tush tush my dear said the Jew abruptly resuming his old manner and playing with the knife a little before he laid it down as if to induce the belief he'd caught it up in mere sport.

Of course I know that my dear.

I only tried to frighten you.

You're a brave boy Oliver.

The Jew rubbed his hands with a chuckle but glanced uneasily at the box notwithstanding.

Did you see any of those pretty things my dear?

He said.

Yes sir replied Oliver.

Ah said the Jew turning rather pale.

They're mine Oliver.

My little property.

All I have to live upon in my old age.

The folks call me a miser my dear.

Only a miser that's all.

Oliver thought the old gentleman must be a decided miser to live in such a dirty place with so many watches but thinking that perhaps his fondness for the Dodger and the other boys cost him a good deal of money he only cast a deferential look at the Jew and asked if he might get up.

Certainly my dear certainly replied the old gentleman.

Stay there's a pitcher of water in the corner by the door.

Bring it here and I'll give you a basin to wash in my dear.

Oliver got up walked across the room and stooped for an instant to raise the pitcher.

When he turned his head the box was gone.

He had scarcely washed himself and made everything tidy by emptying the basin out of the window when the Dodger returned accompanied by a very sprightly young friend whom Oliver had seen smoking on the previous night and who was now formally introduced to him as Charlie Bates.

The four sat down to breakfast on the coffee and some hot rolls and ham which the Dodger had brought home in the crown of his hat.

Well said the Jew glancing slyly at Oliver and addressing himself to the Dodger.

I hope you've been at work this morning my dears.

Hard replied the Dodger.

Those nails added Charlie Bates.

Good boys good boys.

What have you got Dodger?

A couple of pocketbooks.

Replied the young gentleman.

Blind inquired the Jew with eagerness.

Pretty well replied the Dodger producing two pocketbooks one green and the other red.

Not so hairy as they might be said the Jew after looking at the insides but very neat and nicely made.

Ingenious workman ain't he Oliver?

Very indeed sir said Oliver at which Mr Charles Bates laughed uproariously very much to the amazement of Oliver who saw nothing to laugh at in anything that had passed.

And what have you got my dear?

Said Fagin to Charlie Bates.

Wipes replied Master Bates at the same time producing four pocket handkerchiefs.

Well said the Jew.

They're very good ones very.

You haven't marked them well though so the marks will be picked out with a needle and we'll teach Oliver how to do it.

If you please sir said Oliver.

You'd like to be able to make pocket handkerchiefs as easy as Charlie Bates wouldn't you my dear?

Said the Jew.

Very much indeed if you'll teach me sir replied Oliver.

Master Bates saw something so exquisitely ludicrous in this reply that he burst into another laugh.

He's so jolly green he said when he recovered as an apology to the company for his unpolite behaviour.

The Dodger meanwhile said nothing but he smoothed Oliver's hair over his eyes and said he'd know better by by upon which the old gentleman observing Oliver's colour mounting changed the subject by asking whether there had been much of a crowd at the execution that morning.

This made Oliver wonder more and more for it was plain from the replies of the two boys they had both been there and he naturally wondered how they could possibly have found time to be so very industrious.

When the breakfast was cleared away the merry old gentleman and the two boys played at a very curious and uncommon game which was performed in this way.

The merry old gentleman placing a snuff box in one pocket of his trousers a note case in the other and a watch in his waistcoat pocket with a guard chain round his neck and sticking a mock diamond pin in his shirt buttoned his coat tight around him and putting his spectacle case and handkerchief in his pockets trotted up and down the room with a stick in imitation of the manner in which old gentlemen walk about the streets any hour of the day.

Sometimes he stopped at the fireplace and sometimes at the door making believe he was staring with all his might into shop windows.

At such times he would look constantly round him for fear of thieves and would keep slapping all his pockets in turn to see he hadn't lost anything in such a very funny and natural manner that Oliver laughed till the tears ran down his face.

All this time the two boys followed him closely about getting out of his sight so nimbly every time he turned round it was impossible to follow their motions.

At last the dodger trod upon his toes or ran upon his boot accidentally while charlie baits stumble up against him behind and in that one moment they took from him with the most extraordinary rapidity snuff box note case watch guard chain shirt pin pocket handkerchief even the spectacle case.

If the old gentleman felt a hand in any one of his pockets he cried out where it was and then the game began all over again.

When this game had been played a great many times a couple of young ladies called to see the young gentleman one of whom was named Bet and the other Nancy.

They wore a good deal of hair not very neatly turned up behind and were rather untidy about the shoes and stockings.

They were not exactly pretty perhaps but they had a great deal of colour in their faces and looked quite stout and hearty.

Being remarkably free and agreeable in their manners Oliver thought them very nice girls indeed as there is no doubt they were.

The visitors stopped a long time spirits were produced in consequence of one of the young ladies complaining of a coldness in her inside and the conversation took a very convivial and improving turn.

At length Charlie Bates expressed his opinion it was time to pad the hoof.

This it occurred to Oliver must be French for going out for directly afterwards the Dodger and Charlie and the two young ladies went away together having been kindly furnished by the amiable old Jew with money to spend.

There my dear said Fagin that's a pleasant life,

Isn't it?

They've gone out for the day.

Have they done work,

Sir?

Inquired Oliver.

Yes,

Said the Jew that is unless they should unexpectedly come across any when they're out and they won't neglect it if they do my dear depend upon it.

Make them your models my dear make them your models.

Tapping the fire shovel on the half to add force to his words.

Do everything they bid you and take their advice in all matters especially the Dodgers,

My dear he'll be a great man himself and will likely make you one too if you take pattern by him.

Now is my handkerchief hanging out of my pockets,

My dear?

Said the Jew stopping short.

Yes,

Sir said Oliver.

Said Oliver see if you can take it out without my feeling it as you saw them do when we were at play this morning.

Oliver held up the bottom of the pocket with one hand as he'd seen the Dodger do it and drew the handkerchief lightly out of it with the other.

Is it gone?

Cried the Jew.

Here it is,

Sir said Oliver showing it in his hand.

You're a clever boy,

My dear.

Said the playful old gentleman patting Oliver on the head.

I never saw a sharper lad.

Here's a shilling for you.

If you go on in this way you'll be the greatest man of the time.

Now come here and I'll show you how to take the marks out of the handkerchiefs.

Oliver wondered what picking the old gentleman's pocket in play had to do with his chances of being a great man but thinking that the Jew being so much his senior must know best he followed him quietly to the table and was soon deeply involved in his new study.