Оливер Твист

Chapter 23

           Bumble,movinghischairbylittleandlittle,soonbegantodiminishthedistancebetweenhimselfandthematron;and,continuingtotravelroundtheouteredgeofthecircle,broughthischair,intime,closetothatinwhichthematronwasseated.

           Indeed,thetwochairstouched;andwhentheydidso,Mr.Bumblestopped.

           Now,ifthematronhadmovedherchairtotheright,shewouldhavebeenscorchedbythefire;andiftotheleft,shemusthavefallenintoMr.Bumble’sarms;so(beingadiscreetmatron,andnodoubtforeseeingtheseconsequencesataglance)sheremainedwhereshewas,andhandedMr.Bumbleanothercupoftea.

           ‘Hard-hearted,Mrs.Corney?’saidMr.Bumble,stirringhistea,andlookingupintothematron’sface;‘areYOUhard-hearted,Mrs.Corney?’

           ‘Dearme!’exclaimedthematron,‘whataverycuriousquestionfromasingleman.Whatcanyouwanttoknowfor,Mr.Bumble?’

           Thebeadledrankhisteatothelastdrop;finishedapieceoftoast;whiskedthecrumbsoffhisknees;wipedhislips;anddeliberatelykissedthematron.

           ‘Mr.Bumble!’criedthatdiscreetladyinawhisper;forthefrightwassogreat,thatshehadquitelosthervoice,‘Mr.Bumble,Ishallscream!’Mr.Bumblemadenoreply;butinaslowanddignifiedmanner,puthisarmroundthematron’swaist.

           Astheladyhadstatedherintentionofscreaming,ofcourseshewouldhavescreamedatthisadditionalboldness,butthattheexertionwasrenderedunnecessarybyahastyknockingatthedoor:whichwasnosoonerheard,thanMr.

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