Page:Oliver Twist (1838) vol. 1.djvu/83

Rh crept into his narrow bed, that that were his coffin, and that he could be laid in a calm and lasting sleep in the churchyard ground, with the tall grass waving gently above his head, and the sound of the old deep bell to soothe him in his sleep. Oliver was awakened in the morning by a loud kicking at the outside of the shop-door, which, before he could huddle on his clothes, was repeated in an angry and impetuous manner about twenty-five times; and, when he began to undo the chain, the legs left off their volleys, and a voice began. "Open the door, will yer?" cried the voice which belonged to the legs which had kicked at the door. "I will directly, sir," replied Oliver, undoing the chain, and turning the key. "I suppose yer the new boy, a'n't yer?" said the voice, through the key-hole. "Yes, sir," replied Oliver. "How old are yer?" inquired the voice.

"Ten, sir," replied Oliver. "Then I'll whop yer when I get in," said