Page:Oliver Twist (1838) vol. 2.djvu/161

Rh iron bar on a nutmeg-grater," suggested Brittles.

"It was, when you heerd, sir," rejoined Mr. Giles; "but at this time it had a busting sound. I turned down the clothes," continued Giles, rolling back the table-cloth, "sat up in bed, and listened."

The cook and housemaid simultaneously ejaculated, "Lor!" and drew their chairs closer together.

"I heerd it now, quite apparent," resumed Mr. Giles. Somebody,' I says, 'is forcing of a door or window; what's to be done! I'll call up that poor lad, Brittles, and save him from being murdered in his bed, or his throat,' I says, 'may be cut from his right ear to his left, without his ever knowing it.

Here all eyes were turned upon Brittles, who fixed his upon the speaker, and stared at him with his mouth wide open, and his face expressive of the most unmitigated horror.

"I tossed off the clothes," said Giles, throwing away the table-cloth, and looking very hard