Page:Oliver Twist (1838) vol. 1.djvu/291

Rh with them we passed so near to-night, before I had lent a hand in bringing him here. He's a thief, a liar, a devil, all that's bad from this night forth. Isn't that enough for the old wretch without blows?" "Come, come, Sikes," said the Jew, appealing to him in a remonstratory tone, and motioning towards the boys, who were eagerly attentive to all that passed; "we must have civil words,—civil words, Bill." "Civil words!" cried the girl, whose passion was frightful to see. "Civil words, you villain! Yes; you deserve 'em from me. I thieved for you when I was a child not half as old as this (pointing to Oliver). I have been in the same trade, and in the same service, for twelve years since. Don't you know it? Speak out!—don't you know it?" "Well, well," replied the Jew, with an attempt at pacification; "and, if you have, it's your living!" "Aye, it is!" returned the girl: not speaking, but pouring out the words in one continuous and vehement scream. "It is my living, and