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Chapter 11
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TREATS OF MR. FANG1 THE POLICE MAGISTRATE2; AND FURNISHES A SLIGHT SPECIMEN3 OF HIS MODE OF ADMINISTERING JUSTICE

The offence had been committed within the district, and indeed in the immediate4 neighborhood of, a very notorious metropolitan5 police office. The crowd had only the satisfaction of accompanying Oliver through two or three streets, and down a place called Mutton Hill, when he was led beneath a low archway, and up a dirty court, into this dispensary of summary justice, by the back way. It was a small paved yard into which they turned; and here they encountered a stout6 man with a bunch of whiskers on his face, and a bunch of keys in his hand.

'What's the matter now?' said the man carelessly.

'A young fogle-hunter,' replied the man who had Oliver in charge.

'Are you the party that's been robbed, sir?' inquired the man with the keys.

'Yes, I am,' replied the old gentleman; 'but I am not sure that this boy actually took the handkerchief. I--I would rather not press the case.'

'Must go before the magistrate now, sir,' replied the man. 'His worship will be disengaged in half a minute. Now, young gallows7!'

This was an invitation for Oliver to enter through a door which he unlocked as he spoke8, and which led into a stone cell. Here he was searched; and nothing being found upon him, locked up.

This cell was in shape and size something like an area cellar, only not so light. It was most intolerably dirty; for it was Monday morning; and it had been tenanted by six drunken people, who had been locked up, elsewhere, since Saturday night. But this is little. In our station-houses, men and women are every night confined on the most trivial charges--the word is worth noting--in dungeons9, compared with which, those in Newgate, occupied by the most atrocious felons10, tried, found guilty, and under sentence of death, are palaces. Let any one who doubts this, compare the two.

The old gentleman looked almost as rueful as Oliver when the key grated in the lock. He turned with a sigh to the book, which had been the innocent cause of all this disturbance11.

'There is something in that boy's face,' said the old gentleman to himself as he walked slowly away, tapping his chin with the cover of the book, in a thoughtful manner; 'something that touches and interests me. _Can_ he be innocent? He looked like--Bye the bye,' exclaimed the old gentleman, halting very abruptly12, and staring up into the sky, 'Bless my soul!--where have I seen something like that look before?'

After musing13 for some minutes, the old gentleman walked, with the same meditative14 face, into a back anteroom opening from the yard; and there, retiring into a corner, called up before his mind's eye a vast amphitheatre of faces over which a dusky curtain had hung for many years. 'No,' said the old gentleman, shaking his head; 'it must be imagination.

He wandered over them again. He had called them into view, and it was not easy to replace the shroud15 that had so long concealed16 them. There were the faces of friends, and foes17, and of many that had been almost strangers peering intrusively18 from the crowd; there were the faces of young and blooming girls that were now old women; there were faces that the grave had changed and closed upon, but which the mind, superior to its power, still dressed in their old freshness and beauty, calling back the lustre19 of the eyes, the brightness of the smile, the beaming of the soul through its mask of clay, and whispering of beauty beyond the tomb, changed but to be heightened, and taken from earth only to be set up as a light, to shed a soft and gentle glow upon the path to Heaven.

But the old gentleman could recall no one countenance20 of which Oliver's features bore a trace. So, he heaved a sigh over the recollections he awakened21; and being, happily for himself, an absent old gentleman, buried them again in the pages of the musty book.

He was roused by a touch on the shoulder, and a request from the man with the keys to follow him into the office. He closed his book hastily; and was at once ushered22 into the imposing23 presence of the renowned24 Mr. Fang.

The office was a front parlour, with a panelled wall. Mr. Fang sat behind a bar, at the upper end; and on one side the door was a sort of wooden pen in which poor little Oliver was already deposited; trembling very much at the awfulness of the scene.

Mr. Fang was a lean, long-backed, stiff-necked, middle-sized man, with no great quantity of hair, and what he had, growing on the back and sides of his head. His face was stern, and much flushed. If he were really not in the habit of drinking rather more than was exactly good for him, he might have brought action against his countenance for libel, and have recovered heavy damages.

The old gentleman bowed respectfully; and advancing to the magistrate's desk, said, suiting the action to the word, 'That is my name and address, sir.' He then withdrew a pace or two; and, with another polite and gentlemanly inclination25 of the head, waited to be questioned.

Now, it so happened that Mr. Fang was at that moment perusing26 a leading article in a newspaper of the morning, adverting27 to some recent decision of his, and commending him, for the three hundred and fiftieth time, to the special and particular notice of the Secretary of State for the Home Department. He was out of temper; and he looked up with an angry scowl28.

'Who are you?' said Mr. Fang.

The old gentleman pointed29, with some surprise, to his card.

'Officer!' said Mr. Fang, tossing the card contemptuously away with the newspaper. 'Who is this fellow?'

'My name, sir,' said the old gentleman, speaking _like_ a gentleman, 'my name, sir, is Brownlow. Permit me to inquire the name of the magistrate who offers a gratuitous30 and unprovoked insult to a respectable person, under the protection of the bench.' Saying this, Mr. Brownlow looked around the office as if in search of some person who would afford him the required information.

'Officer!' said Mr. Fang, throwing the paper on one side, 'what's this fellow charged with?'

'He's not charged at all, your worship,' replied the officer. 'He appears against this boy, your worship.'

His worship knew this perfectly31 well; but it was a good annoyance32, and a safe one.

'Appears against the boy, does he?' said Mr. Fang, surveying Mr. Brownlow contemptuously from head to foot. 'Swear him!'

'Before I am sworn, I must beg to say one word,' said Mr. Brownlow; 'and that is, that I really never, without actual experience, could have believed--'

'Hold your tongue, sir!' said Mr. Fang, peremptorily33.

'I will not, sir!' replied the old gentleman.

'Hold your tongue this instant, or I'll have you turned out of the office!' said Mr. Fang. 'You're an insolent34 impertinent fellow. How dare you bully35 a magistrate!'

'What!' exclaimed the old gentleman, reddening.

'Swear this person!' said Fang to the clerk. 'I'll not hear another word. Swear him.'

Mr. Brownlow's indignation was greatly roused; but reflecting perhaps, that he might only injure the boy by giving vent36 to it, he suppressed his feelings and submitted to be sworn at once.

'Now,' said Fang, 'what's the charge against this boy? What have you got to say, sir?'

'I was standing37 at a bookstall--' Mr. Brownlow began.

'Hold your tongue, sir,' said Mr. Fang. 'Policeman! Where's the policeman? Here, swear this policeman. Now, policeman, what is this?'

The policeman, with becoming humility38, related how he had taken the charge; how he had searched Oliver, and found nothing on his person; and how that was all he knew about it.

'Are there any witnesses?' inquired Mr. Fang.

'None, your worship,' replied the policeman.

Mr. Fang sat silent for some minutes, and then, turning round to the prosecutor39, said in a towering passion.

'Do you mean to state what your complaint against this boy is, man, or do you not? You have been sworn. Now, if you stand there, refusing to give evidence, I'll punish you for disrespect to the bench; I will, by--'

By what, or by whom, nobody knows, for the clerk and jailor coughed very loud, just at the right moment; and the former dropped a heavy book upon the floor, thus preventing the word from being heard--accidently, of course.

With many interruptions, and repeated insults, Mr. Brownlow contrived40 to state his case; observing that, in the surprise of the moment, he had run after the boy because he had saw him running away; and expressing his hope that, if the magistrate should believe him, although not actually the thief, to be connected with the thieves, he would deal as leniently41 with him as justice would allow.

'He has been hurt already,' said the old gentleman in conclusion. 'And I fear,' he added, with great energy, looking towards the bar, 'I really fear that he is ill.'

'Oh! yes, I dare say!' said Mr. Fang, with a sneer42. 'Come, none of your tricks here, you young vagabond; they won't do. What's your name?'

Oliver tried to reply but his tongue failed him. He was deadly pale; and the whole place seemed turning round and round.

'What's your name, you hardened scoundrel?' demanded Mr. Fang. 'Officer, what's his name?'

This was addressed to a bluff43 old fellow, in a striped waistcoat, who was standing by the bar. He bent44 over Oliver, and repeated the inquiry45; but finding him really incapable46 of understanding the question; and knowing that his not replying would only infuriate the magistrate the more, and add to the severity of his sentence; he hazarded a guess.

'He says his name's Tom White, your worship,' said the kind-hearted thief-taker.

'Oh, he won't speak out, won't he?' said Fang. 'Very well, very well. Where does he live?'

'Where he can, your worship,' replied the officer; again pretending to receive Oliver's answer.

'Has he any parents?' inquired Mr. Fang.

'He says they died in his infancy47, your worship,' replied the officer: hazarding the usual reply.

At this point of the inquiry, Oliver raised his head; and, looking round with imploring48 eyes, murmured a feeble prayer for a draught49 of water.

'Stuff and nonsense!' said Mr. Fang: 'don't try to make a fool of me.'

'I think he really is ill, your worship,' remonstrated50 the officer.

'I know better,' said Mr. Fang.

'Take care of him, officer,' said the old gentleman, raising his hands instinctively51; 'he'll fall down.'

'Stand away, officer,' cried Fang; 'let him, if he likes.'

Oliver availed himself of the kind permission, and fell to the floor in a fainting fit. The men in the office looked at each other, but no one dared to stir.

'I knew he was shamming,' said Fang, as if this were incontestable proof of the fact. 'Let him lie there; he'll soon be tired of that.'

'How do you propose to deal with the case, sir?' inquired the clerk in a low voice.

'Summarily,' replied Mr. Fang. 'He stands committed for three months--hard labour of course. Clear the office.'

The door was opened for this purpose, and a couple of men were preparing to carry the insensible boy to his cell; when an elderly man of decent but poor appearance, clad in an old suit of black, rushed hastily into the office, and advanced towards the bench.

'Stop, stop! don't take him away! For Heaven's sake stop a moment!' cried the new comer, breathless with haste.

Although the presiding Genii in such an office as this, exercise a summary and arbitrary power over the liberties, the good name, the character, almost the lives, of Her Majesty's subjects, expecially of the poorer class; and although, within such walls, enough fantastic tricks are daily played to make the angels blind with weeping; they are closed to the public, save through the medium of the daily press.(Footnote: Or were virtually, then.) Mr. Fang was consequently not a little indignant to see an unbidden guest enter in such irreverent disorder52.

'What is this? Who is this? Turn this man out. Clear the office!' cried Mr. Fang.

'I _will_ speak,' cried the man; 'I will not be turned out. I saw it all. I keep the book-stall. I demand to be sworn. I will not be put down. Mr. Fang, you must hear me. You must not refuse, sir.'

The man was right. His manner was determined53; and the matter was growing rather too serious to be hushed up.

'Swear the man,' growled54 Mr. Fang. with a very ill grace. 'Now, man, what have you got to say?'

'This,' said the man: 'I saw three boys: two others and the prisoner here: loitering on the opposite side of the way, when this gentleman was reading. The robbery was committed by another boy. I saw it done; and I saw that this boy was perfectly amazed and stupified by it.' Having by this time recovered a little breath, the worthy55 book-stall keeper proceeded to relate, in a more coherent manner the exact circumstances of the robbery.

'Why didn't you come here before?' said Fang, after a pause.

'I hadn't a soul to mind the shop,' replied the man. 'Everybody who could have helped me, had joined in the pursuit. I could get nobody till five minutes ago; and I've run here all the way.'

'The prosecutor was reading, was he?' inquired Fang, after another pause.

'Yes,' replied the man. 'The very book he has in his hand.'

'Oh, that book, eh?' said Fang. 'Is it paid for?'

'No, it is not,' replied the man, with a smile.

'Dear me, I forgot all about it!' exclaimed the absent old gentleman, innocently.

'A nice person to prefer a charge against a poor boy!' said Fang, with a comical effort to look humane56. 'I consider, sir, that you have obtained possession of that book, under very suspicious and disreputable circumstances; and you may think yourself very fortunate that the owner of the property declines to prosecute57. Let this be a lesson to you, my man, or the law will overtake you yet. The boy is discharged. Clear the office!'

'D--n me!' cried the old gentleman, bursting out with the rage he had kept down so long, 'd--n me! I'll--'

'Clear the office!' said the magistrate. 'Officers, do you hear? Clear the office!'

The mandate58 was obeyed; and the indignant Mr. Brownlow was conveyed out, with the book in one hand, and the bamboo cane59 in the other: in a perfect phrenzy of rage and defiance60. He reached the yard; and his passion vanished in a moment. Little Oliver Twist lay on his back on the pavement, with his shirt unbuttoned, and his temples bathed with water; his face a deadly white; and a cold tremble convulsing his whole frame.

'Poor boy, poor boy!' said Mr. Brownlow, bending over him. 'Call a coach, somebody, pray. Directly!'

A coach was obtained, and Oliver having been carefully laid on the seat, the old gentleman got in and sat himself on the other.

'May I accompany you?' said the book-stall keeper, looking in.

'Bless me, yes, my dear sir,' said Mr. Brownlow quickly. 'I forgot you. Dear, dear! I have this unhappy book still! Jump in. Poor fellow! There's no time to lose.'

The book-stall keeper got into the coach; and away they drove.


   这桩案子发生在与首都警察局的一个赫赫有名的分局的辖区内,而且与这个分局近在咫尺。人群得到的满足仅仅是簇拥着奥立弗走过两三条街,到一个叫做玛当山的地方为止。他被人押着走过一条低矮的拱道,登上一个肮脏的天井,从后门走进即决裁判庭。这是一个石砌的小院,他们刚进去就迎面碰上一个满脸络腮胡,拎着一串钥匙的彪形大汉。

    “又是什么事啊?”他漫不经心地问。

    “抓到一个摸包的。”看管奥立弗的警察答道。

    “先生,你就是被盗的当事人?”拎着钥匙的汉子又问。

    “是的,我正是,”老绅士回答,“不过,我不能肯定就是这孩子偷走了手绢。我――我不想追究这事了。”

    “得先去见见推事再说,先生,”拎钥匙的汉子回答,“长官他马上就忙完了,过来,你这个小家伙,真该上绞架。”

    这番话是向奥立弗发出的一道邀请,他一边说一边打开门,要奥立弗进去,在里边一间石砌的牢房里,奥立弗浑身上下给搜了一通,结果什么也没搜出来,门又锁上了。

    这间牢房的形状和大小都有些像地窖,只是没那么亮,里边龌龊得叫人受不了。眼下是星期一上午,打星期六夜里开始,这里关过六个醉汉,现在都关到别的地方去了。不过,这不是什么问题。在我们的警察局里,每天夜里都有无数男男女女因为芝麻绿豆大的罪名――这个说法真不算一回事――就给关进了地牢,与此相比,新门监狱那些经过审讯、定罪、宣判死刑的最最凶暴残忍的在押重罪犯的囚室简直算得上宫殿了。让怀疑这一点的人,无论是谁,来比较一下吧。

    钥匙在锁孔里发出咔哒一声响,这时候,老绅士看上去几乎与奥立弗一样沮丧,他长叹了一口气,看了看手里的书,书是无辜的,然而所有的乱子又都是因它而起。

    “那孩子长相上有一种什么东西,”老绅士若有所思地缓步踱到一边,用书的封皮敲击着自己的下颚,自言自语地说,“某种触动我、吸弓我的东西。他会不会是无辜的呢?他似乎有些像――这个,这个,”老绅士骤然停住了,两眼凝视着天空,紧接着又高声说道,“天啦――我从前在哪儿见过的,跟他的长相很相似?”

    老绅士沉吟了半晌,带着同样苦苦思索的神色走进后边一间面向院子的接待室,默默地走到一个角落,将多年来一直掩藏在沉沉大幕后边的无数张面孔唤回到心目中。“不,”他摇了摇头说,“这一定是想像。”

    他又一次回顾这些面孔。他已经将它们召唤到了眼前,要把遮挡了它们如此之久的这层幕布重新拉上可不是件容易的事。一张张面孔,有亲友的,也有仇敌的,还有许多几乎已经完全不认识的面孔也不期而至地挤在人群中。往昔如花似玉的少女而今已到了风烛残年。有几张脸长眠在地下,已经变了样,可是心灵超越了死亡,使它们依旧像昔日一样美好,呼唤着当年炯炯的目光,爽朗的笑貌,透过躯壳的灵魂之光仿佛在娓娓低语,黄土底下的美虽然已面目全非,但却得到了升华,她超脱尘世,只是为了成为一盏明灯,在通往天国的路途上洒下一道柔和清丽的光辉。

    老绅士到底没有想起谁的相貌与奥立弗有些相像。他长叹一声,向自己唤醒过来的往事告别,幸好他只是有些恍榴。老绅士把这一切重新埋进那本书的宇里行间,那本帮不上什么忙的书。

    有人碰了一下他的肩膀,他顿时醒悟过来,拎钥匙的汉子要老绅士随他一道进法庭去。他赶紧合上书,当下便被领去拜见声威赫赫的范昂先生。

    法庭是一间带有格子墙的前厅。范昂先生坐在上首的一道栏杆后边,可怜的小奥立弗已经给安顿在门边的木栅栏里,叫这副场面吓得浑身发抖。

    范昂先生很瘦,中等身材,腰板细长,脖子不大灵便。他头发不多,大都长在后脑勺和头的两侧。面容严厉而又红得过头了些。如果他确确实实没有饮酒无度的习惯,他完全可以起诉自己的长相犯有诽谤罪敲它一大笔损失费。

    老绅士毕恭毕敬地鞠了一躬,朝推事的写字台走过去,递上一张名片,说道:“先生,这是我的姓名和住址。”说罢,他退后两步,又彬彬有礼地点了一下头,静候对方提问。

    范昂先生那功夫刚好正在研读当天早报上登载的一篇社论,文章谈到了他最近作出的一次裁决,第三百五十次提请内政大臣对他特别加以注意。他火透了,抬起头来的时候满脸的不高兴。

    “你是谁?”范昂先生发话道。

    老绅士带着几分惊愕,指了指自己的名片。

    “警官,”范昂先生傲慢地用报纸把名片挑开,“这家伙是谁?”

    “先生,我的名字么,”老先生拿出了绅士风度,“我名叫布朗罗,先生。请允许我问一声长官大名,长官居然倚仗执法者的身份,无缘无故地羞辱一个正派人。”布朗罗先生说着,眼睛在法庭里扫了一周,好像是在寻找一个能给他以圆满答复的人似的。

    “警官,”范昂先生把报纸扔到一边,“这家伙犯了什么案?”

    “大人,他没犯案。”警官回答,“是他告这个小孩,大人。”

    推事大人明知故问。这一手也太气人了,又用不着担风险。

    “看来是告这个小孩,是吗?”范昂先生盛气凌人,将布朗罗先生从头到脚打量了一番。“叫他起誓。”

    “起誓之前,我必须声明一句,”布朗罗先生说,“就是说,要不是亲身经历,我的的确确不敢相信――”

    “先生,住嘴。”范昂先生专横地说。

    “先生,我非说不可。”老绅士毫不示弱。

    “立刻给我住嘴,不然我可要把你赶出法庭。”范昂先生说道,“你这个傲慢无礼的家伙,你怎么敢威胁一位推事?”

    “什么!”老绅士涨红了脸,大叫一声。

    “叫这个人起誓。”范昂朝书记员说道,“别的话我一概不听。叫他起誓。”

    布朗罗先生大为光火,然而,或许是考虑到发泄一通只会伤害到那孩子,便强压住自己的感情,立刻照办了。

    “噢,”范昂说,“指控这孩子什么?你有什么要说的,先生?”

    “当时,我正站在一个书摊边上――”布朗罗先生开始讲述。

    “先生,停一停。”范昂先生说,“警官。警官在哪儿?喏,叫这位警官起誓。说吧,警官,怎么回事啊?”

    那名警察相当谦恭地讲了一遍,他如何抓住奥立弗,如何搜遍全身,结果一无所获,他所知道的也就是这些了。

    “有没有证人?”范昂先生问。

    “大人,没有。”警官回答。

    范昂先生默默地坐了几分钟,然后向原告转过身去,声色俱厉地说:

    “喂,你倒是想不想对这个孩子提出控告,唔?你已经起过誓了,哼,如果你光是站在那儿,拒不拿出证据来,我就要以蔑视法庭罪惩治你,我要――”

    要干什么,或者说找谁来干,没有人知道,因为就在这当儿,书记员和那名警察一齐大声咳嗽起来。前者又将一本沉甸甸的书掉到了地板上,就这样,那句话没听完整,纯粹是出于偶然。

    尽管遇到无数的胡搅蛮缠与翻来覆去的凌辱责骂,布朗罗先生还是想尽办法将案情说了一遍,他说,由于一时感到意外,见那孩子一个劲地跑,自己便追了上去,他表示了自己的希望,虽然孩子并不是在行窃时被拿获的,假如庭长相信他与几个小偷有牵连,也请在法律允许的范围内从宽发落。

    “他已经受伤了,”布朗罗先生最后说道,“而且我担心,”他望着栏杆那边,郑重其事地补充了一句,“我确实担心他有病。”

    “噢,不错,也许是吧。”范昂先生冷笑一声,“哼,少来这一套,你这个小流氓,骗是骗不了我的,你叫什么名字?”

    奥立弗竭力想回答一声,可是说不出话。他脸色惨白,周围的一切似乎都在他的眼前旋转起来。

    “你这个厚脸皮的无赖,叫什么名字?”范昂先生追问道,“警官,他叫什么名字?”

    这句话是冲着站在栏杆旁边的一个身穿条纹背心的热心肠老头说的。老头弯下腰来,又问了一遍,发现奥立弗已确实无力对答。他知道不回答只会更加激怒推事,加重判决,就大着胆子瞎编起来。

    “大人,他说他名叫汤姆怀特。”这位好心的警察说道。

    “喔,他不是说出来了,是吧?”范昂先生说道,“好极了,好极了。他住在什么地方?”

    “大人,没个准儿。”他又装作听到了奥立弗的答话。

    “父母双亲呢?”范昂先生问。

    “他说在他小时候就都死了,大人。”警官铤而走险,取了一个常见的答案。

    问到这里,奥立弗抬起头来,以哀求的目光看了看四周,有气无力地请求给他一口水喝。

    “少胡扯。”范昂先生说道,“别当我是傻瓜。”

    “大人,我想他真的有病呢。”警官进了一言。

    “我比你清楚。”推事说道。

    “警官,快扶住他,”老绅士说着,情不自禁地扬起了双手。“他就要倒下去了。”

    “站一边去,警官,”范昂嚷道,“他爱倒就倒。”

    承蒙推事恩准,奥立弗一阵晕眩,倒在地板上。法庭里的人面面相觑,谁也不敢动一动。

    “我就知道他在装疯卖傻,”范昂说,仿佛这句话便是无可辩驳的事实根据。“由他躺在那儿吧,要不了多久他就会躺得不耐烦了。”

    “您打算如何断案,大人?”书记员低声问道。

    “即决裁判,”范昂先生回答,“关押三个月――苦工自然是少不了的。退庭。”

    房门应声打开,两个汉子正准备把昏迷不醒的奥立弗拖进牢房,这时,一位身穿黑色旧礼服的老人匆匆闯进法庭,朝审判席走去。他面带一点凄苦的神色,但看得出是个正派人。

    “等一等,等一等。别把带他走。看在上帝的分上,请等一会儿。”这个刚刚赶到的人上气不接下气地叫道。

    尽管法律的各位守护神在这类衙门里对女王陛下的臣民,尤其是对较为贫困的臣民的自由、名誉、人品,乃至于生命滥施淫威,尽管在这四壁之内,荒唐得足以叫天使们哭瞎双眼的把戏日复一日,衍演无穷,这一切对于公众却始终是秘而不宣的,除非通过每天的报纸泄漏出去。范昂先生看见一位不速之客这般唐突无礼地闯进门来,顿时勃然大怒。

    “这是干什么?这是谁呀?把这家伙赶出去,都给我出去。”范昂先生吼声如雷。

    “我就是要说,”那人大声说道,“别想把我撵出去。事情我都看见了。书摊是我开的,我请求起誓,谁也别想封住我的嘴巴。范昂先生,你必须听听我的陈述,你不能拒绝。”

    那人理直气壮,态度十人强硬,事情变得相当严重,马虎过去是不行的了。

    “让这人起誓,”范昂先生老大不高兴地喝道,“喂,讲吧,你有什么要说的?”

    “是这样的,”那人说道,“我亲眼看见三个孩子,另外两个连同这名被告,在马路对面闲逛,这位先生当时在看书,偷东西的是另一个孩子,我看见他下手的,这个孩子在旁边给吓呆了。”说到这里,可敬的书摊掌柜缓过气来了,他比较有条理地将这件扒窃案的经过情形讲了一遍。

    “你干吗不早点来?”范昂顿了一下才问。

    “没人替我看铺子,所有能给我帮忙的全撵上去了,五分钟以前我才找着人,我是一路跑来的。”

    “起诉人正在看书,是不是啊?”范昂又顿了一下,问道。

    “是的,那本书还在他手里哩。”

    “呵,是那本书么,哦?”范昂说道,“付钱了没有?”

    “没有,还没付呢。”摊主带着一丝笑意答道。

    “天啦,我全给忘啦。”有些优惚的老绅士天真地高声叫道。

    “好一位正人君子,还来告发一个可怜的孩子。”范昂作出滑稽的样子,希望借此能显得很厚道。“我想,先生,你已经在一种非常可疑、极不光彩的情形之下把那本书据为己有了,你兴许还自以为运气不错吧,因为产权人不打算提出起诉。喂,你就当这是你的一次教训吧,否则法律总有一天会找上你的。这个小孩子以释放。退庭。”

    “岂有此理。”布朗罗先生强压多时的怒气终于爆发了。“岂有此理。我要――”

    “退庭。”推事不容他分说。“诸位警官,你们听见没有?退庭。”

    命令执行了。一手拿着书,一手握着竹杖的布朗罗先生虽说忿忿不平,还是给轰了出去。激奋与受到的挑衅使他怒不可遏。他来到院子里,怒气立刻烟消云散。小奥立弗退斯特仰面躺在地上,衬衫已经解开,太阳穴上洒了些凉水,脸色惨白,身上不住地抽动,发出一阵阵寒颤。

    “可怜的孩子,可怜的孩子。”布朗罗先生朝奥立弗弯下腰来,“劳驾哪一位去叫辆马车来,快一点。”

    马车叫来了,奥立弗给小心翼翼地安顿在座位上,布朗罗先生跨进马车,坐在另一个座位上。

    “我可以陪您一块儿去吗?’书摊老板把头伸了进来,说道。

    “哎呀,可以可以,我亲爱的先生,”布朗罗先生连声说道,“我把您给忘了,天啦,天啦。我还拿着这本倒霉的书呢。上来吧。可怜的小家伙。再不能耽误时间了。”

    书摊掌柜跳上去,马车开走了。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 fang WlGxD     
n.尖牙,犬牙
参考例句:
  • Look how the bone sticks out of the flesh like a dog's fang.瞧瞧,这根骨头从肉里露出来,象一只犬牙似的。
  • The green fairy's fang thrusting between his lips.绿妖精的尖牙从他的嘴唇里龇出来。
2 magistrate e8vzN     
n.地方行政官,地方法官,治安官
参考例句:
  • The magistrate committed him to prison for a month.法官判处他一个月监禁。
  • John was fined 1000 dollars by the magistrate.约翰被地方法官罚款1000美元。
3 specimen Xvtwm     
n.样本,标本
参考例句:
  • You'll need tweezers to hold up the specimen.你要用镊子来夹这标本。
  • This specimen is richly variegated in colour.这件标本上有很多颜色。
4 immediate aapxh     
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的
参考例句:
  • His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
  • We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。
5 metropolitan mCyxZ     
adj.大城市的,大都会的
参考例句:
  • Metropolitan buildings become taller than ever.大城市的建筑变得比以前更高。
  • Metropolitan residents are used to fast rhythm.大都市的居民习惯于快节奏。
7 gallows UfLzE     
n.绞刑架,绞台
参考例句:
  • The murderer was sent to the gallows for his crimes.谋杀犯由于罪大恶极被处以绞刑。
  • Now I was to expiate all my offences at the gallows.现在我将在绞刑架上赎我一切的罪过。
8 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
9 dungeons 2a995b5ae3dd26fe8c8d3d935abe4376     
n.地牢( dungeon的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The captured rebels were consigned to the dungeons. 抓到的叛乱分子被送进了地牢。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He saw a boy in fetters in the dungeons. 他在地牢里看见一个戴着脚镣的男孩。 来自辞典例句
10 felons e83120a0492c472fd1dc24a319459666     
n.重罪犯( felon的名词复数 );瘭疽;甲沟炎;指头脓炎
参考例句:
  • Aren't those the seats they use for transporting convicted felons? 这些坐位不是他们用来押运重犯的吗? 来自电影对白
  • House Republicans talk of making felons out of the undocumented and those who help them. 众议院共和党议员正商议对未登记的非法移民以及包庇他们的人课以重罪。 来自互联网
11 disturbance BsNxk     
n.动乱,骚动;打扰,干扰;(身心)失调
参考例句:
  • He is suffering an emotional disturbance.他的情绪受到了困扰。
  • You can work in here without any disturbance.在这儿你可不受任何干扰地工作。
12 abruptly iINyJ     
adv.突然地,出其不意地
参考例句:
  • He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
  • I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。
13 musing musing     
n. 沉思,冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式
参考例句:
  • "At Tellson's banking-house at nine," he said, with a musing face. “九点在台尔森银行大厦见面,”他想道。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
  • She put the jacket away, and stood by musing a minute. 她把那件上衣放到一边,站着沉思了一会儿。
14 meditative Djpyr     
adj.沉思的,冥想的
参考例句:
  • A stupid fellow is talkative;a wise man is meditative.蠢人饶舌,智者思虑。
  • Music can induce a meditative state in the listener.音乐能够引导倾听者沉思。
15 shroud OEMya     
n.裹尸布,寿衣;罩,幕;vt.覆盖,隐藏
参考例句:
  • His past was enveloped in a shroud of mystery.他的过去被裹上一层神秘色彩。
  • How can I do under shroud of a dark sky?在黑暗的天空的笼罩下,我该怎么做呢?
16 concealed 0v3zxG     
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的
参考例句:
  • The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
  • I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。
17 foes 4bc278ea3ab43d15b718ac742dc96914     
敌人,仇敌( foe的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • They steadily pushed their foes before them. 他们不停地追击敌人。
  • She had fought many battles, vanquished many foes. 她身经百战,挫败过很多对手。
18 intrusively d48f26ecd1b1d3af2636dfbd3e636a4d     
adv.干扰地,侵入地
参考例句:
  • Sarcasm: The last refuge of modest people when the privacy of their soul is intrusively invaded. ByFjodorDostojewski(费奥多尔·陀思妥耶夫斯基,俄罗斯著名作家)。 来自互联网
19 lustre hAhxg     
n.光亮,光泽;荣誉
参考例句:
  • The sun was shining with uncommon lustre.太阳放射出异常的光彩。
  • A good name keeps its lustre in the dark.一个好的名誉在黑暗中也保持它的光辉。
20 countenance iztxc     
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同
参考例句:
  • At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
  • I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地,仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。
21 awakened de71059d0b3cd8a1de21151c9166f9f0     
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到
参考例句:
  • She awakened to the sound of birds singing. 她醒来听到鸟的叫声。
  • The public has been awakened to the full horror of the situation. 公众完全意识到了这一状况的可怕程度。 来自《简明英汉词典》
22 ushered d337b3442ea0cc4312a5950ae8911282     
v.引,领,陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The secretary ushered me into his office. 秘书把我领进他的办公室。
  • A round of parties ushered in the New Year. 一系列的晚会迎来了新年。 来自《简明英汉词典》
23 imposing 8q9zcB     
adj.使人难忘的,壮丽的,堂皇的,雄伟的
参考例句:
  • The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
  • He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。
24 renowned okSzVe     
adj.著名的,有名望的,声誉鹊起的
参考例句:
  • He is one of the world's renowned writers.他是世界上知名的作家之一。
  • She is renowned for her advocacy of human rights.她以提倡人权而闻名。
25 inclination Gkwyj     
n.倾斜;点头;弯腰;斜坡;倾度;倾向;爱好
参考例句:
  • She greeted us with a slight inclination of the head.她微微点头向我们致意。
  • I did not feel the slightest inclination to hurry.我没有丝毫着急的意思。
26 perusing bcaed05acf3fe41c30fcdcb9d74c5abe     
v.读(某篇文字)( peruse的现在分词 );(尤指)细阅;审阅;匆匆读或心不在焉地浏览(某篇文字)
参考例句:
  • She found the information while she was perusing a copy of Life magazine. 她在读《生活》杂志的时候看到了这个消息。 来自辞典例句
  • Hence people who began by beholding him ended by perusing him. 所以人们从随便看一看他开始的,都要以仔细捉摸他而终结。 来自辞典例句
27 adverting fc049c2c996a54abe56f0e17ede7141a     
引起注意(advert的现在分词形式)
参考例句:
  • He set up several adverting consultancy business in the UK. 他在英国建立了好几家广告咨询公司。
  • NOTES: 1. The trust unit must be responsible for the adverting content of legalization and authenticity. 附注:1。刊户对所刊登广告内容的合法性、真实性负责。
28 scowl HDNyX     
vi.(at)生气地皱眉,沉下脸,怒视;n.怒容
参考例句:
  • I wonder why he is wearing an angry scowl.我不知道他为何面带怒容。
  • The boss manifested his disgust with a scowl.老板面带怒色,清楚表示出他的厌恶之感。
29 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的,直截了当的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
30 gratuitous seRz4     
adj.无偿的,免费的;无缘无故的,不必要的
参考例句:
  • His criticism is quite gratuitous.他的批评完全没有根据。
  • There's too much crime and gratuitous violence on TV.电视里充斥着犯罪和无端的暴力。
31 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
32 annoyance Bw4zE     
n.恼怒,生气,烦恼
参考例句:
  • Why do you always take your annoyance out on me?为什么你不高兴时总是对我出气?
  • I felt annoyance at being teased.我恼恨别人取笑我。
33 peremptorily dbf9fb7e6236647e2b3396fe01f8d47a     
adv.紧急地,不容分说地,专横地
参考例句:
  • She peremptorily rejected the request. 她断然拒绝了请求。
  • Their propaganda was peremptorily switched to an anti-Western line. 他们的宣传断然地转而持反对西方的路线。 来自辞典例句
34 insolent AbGzJ     
adj.傲慢的,无理的
参考例句:
  • His insolent manner really got my blood up.他那傲慢的态度把我的肺都气炸了。
  • It was insolent of them to demand special treatment.他们要求给予特殊待遇,脸皮真厚。
35 bully bully     
n.恃强欺弱者,小流氓;vt.威胁,欺侮
参考例句:
  • A bully is always a coward.暴汉常是懦夫。
  • The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。
36 vent yiPwE     
n.通风口,排放口;开衩;vt.表达,发泄
参考例句:
  • He gave vent to his anger by swearing loudly.他高声咒骂以发泄他的愤怒。
  • When the vent became plugged,the engine would stop.当通风口被堵塞时,发动机就会停转。
37 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
38 humility 8d6zX     
n.谦逊,谦恭
参考例句:
  • Humility often gains more than pride.谦逊往往比骄傲收益更多。
  • His voice was still soft and filled with specious humility.他的声音还是那么温和,甚至有点谦卑。
39 prosecutor 6RXx1     
n.起诉人;检察官,公诉人
参考例句:
  • The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。
  • The prosecutor would tear your testimony to pieces.检查官会把你的证言驳得体无完肤。
40 contrived ivBzmO     
adj.不自然的,做作的;虚构的
参考例句:
  • There was nothing contrived or calculated about what he said.他说的话里没有任何蓄意捏造的成分。
  • The plot seems contrived.情节看起来不真实。
41 leniently d66c9a730a3c037194c3c91db3d53db3     
温和地,仁慈地
参考例句:
  • He marked the paper leniently. 他改考卷打分数很松。
  • Considering the signs he showed of genuine repentance,we shall deal leniently with him. 鉴于他有真诚悔改的表现,我们将对他宽大处理。
42 sneer YFdzu     
v.轻蔑;嘲笑;n.嘲笑,讥讽的言语
参考例句:
  • He said with a sneer.他的话中带有嘲笑之意。
  • You may sneer,but a lot of people like this kind of music.你可以嗤之以鼻,但很多人喜欢这种音乐。
43 bluff ftZzB     
v.虚张声势,用假象骗人;n.虚张声势,欺骗
参考例句:
  • His threats are merely bluff.他的威胁仅仅是虚张声势。
  • John is a deep card.No one can bluff him easily.约翰是个机灵鬼。谁也不容易欺骗他。
44 bent QQ8yD     
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的
参考例句:
  • He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。
  • We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。
45 inquiry nbgzF     
n.打听,询问,调查,查问
参考例句:
  • Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
  • The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。
46 incapable w9ZxK     
adj.无能力的,不能做某事的
参考例句:
  • He would be incapable of committing such a cruel deed.他不会做出这么残忍的事。
  • Computers are incapable of creative thought.计算机不会创造性地思维。
47 infancy F4Ey0     
n.婴儿期;幼年期;初期
参考例句:
  • He came to England in his infancy.他幼年时期来到英国。
  • Their research is only in its infancy.他们的研究处于初级阶段。
48 imploring cb6050ff3ff45d346ac0579ea33cbfd6     
恳求的,哀求的
参考例句:
  • Those calm, strange eyes could see her imploring face. 那平静的,没有表情的眼睛还能看得到她的乞怜求情的面容。
  • She gave him an imploring look. 她以哀求的眼神看着他。
49 draught 7uyzIH     
n.拉,牵引,拖;一网(饮,吸,阵);顿服药量,通风;v.起草,设计
参考例句:
  • He emptied his glass at one draught.他将杯中物一饮而尽。
  • It's a pity the room has no north window and you don't get a draught.可惜这房间没北窗,没有过堂风。
50 remonstrated a6eda3fe26f748a6164faa22a84ba112     
v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 );告诫
参考例句:
  • They remonstrated with the official about the decision. 他们就这一决定向这位官员提出了抗议。
  • We remonstrated against the ill-treatment of prisoners of war. 我们对虐待战俘之事提出抗议。 来自辞典例句
51 instinctively 2qezD2     
adv.本能地
参考例句:
  • As he leaned towards her she instinctively recoiled. 他向她靠近,她本能地往后缩。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He knew instinctively where he would find her. 他本能地知道在哪儿能找到她。 来自《简明英汉词典》
52 disorder Et1x4     
n.紊乱,混乱;骚动,骚乱;疾病,失调
参考例句:
  • When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后,他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
  • It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。
53 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
54 growled 65a0c9cac661e85023a63631d6dab8a3     
v.(动物)发狺狺声, (雷)作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 );低声咆哮着说
参考例句:
  • \"They ought to be birched, \" growled the old man. 老人咆哮道:“他们应受到鞭打。” 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He growled out an answer. 他低声威胁着回答。 来自《简明英汉词典》
55 worthy vftwB     
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的
参考例句:
  • I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
  • There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。
56 humane Uymy0     
adj.人道的,富有同情心的
参考例句:
  • Is it humane to kill animals for food?宰杀牲畜来吃合乎人道吗?
  • Their aim is for a more just and humane society.他们的目标是建立一个更加公正、博爱的社会。
57 prosecute d0Mzn     
vt.告发;进行;vi.告发,起诉,作检察官
参考例句:
  • I am trying my best to prosecute my duties.我正在尽力履行我的职责。
  • Is there enough evidence to prosecute?有没有起诉的足够证据?
58 mandate sj9yz     
n.托管地;命令,指示
参考例句:
  • The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
  • The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。
59 cane RsNzT     
n.手杖,细长的茎,藤条;v.以杖击,以藤编制的
参考例句:
  • This sugar cane is quite a sweet and juicy.这甘蔗既甜又多汁。
  • English schoolmasters used to cane the boys as a punishment.英国小学老师过去常用教鞭打男学生作为惩罚。
60 defiance RmSzx     
n.挑战,挑衅,蔑视,违抗
参考例句:
  • He climbed the ladder in defiance of the warning.他无视警告爬上了那架梯子。
  • He slammed the door in a spirit of defiance.他以挑衅性的态度把门砰地一下关上。


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