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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
7 The robbery1 A few days later, a visitor arrived in London from Oliver's home town. He was a large, fat man, and very proud of his hat, which showed the world that he was a most important official. It was, in fact, Mr Bumble the beadle, Oliver's old enemy. Mr Bumble had completed his business in the city, and had just finished a most satisfactory3 meal in a pub4. He pulled up his chair to the fire, to enjoy his hot gin-and-water in comfort, and opened the newspaper. The first thing he saw was this notice: A reward of five pounds is offered for any information leading to the discovery of a young boy, Oliver Twist, who was kidnapped from his home in Pentonville last Thursday evening. I am also very interested in any information about his past. There was then a full description of Oliver's clothe5 s and appearance, and Mr Brown low 's full address. Mr Bumble rubbed his eyes, read the notice again, and was at the address in less than ten minutes. He was shown into Mr Brown low 's study, where the old gentleman and his friend Mr Grimwig were sitting. 'Do you know where the poor boy is now? 'Mr Brown low asked, when the beadle had explained the reason for his visit. Mr Bumble shook his head. 'Do you know anything good about him? 'asked Mr Grimwig, looking closely6 at Mr Bumble's face. Mr Bumble shook his head again, very seriously, and turned down the corners of his mouth. 'Then tell us everything you know about him, 'said Mr Brown low impatiently7. Mr Bumble put down his hat, unbuttoned his coat, folded his arms, and sat back in his chair. He spoke8 in his most important and official voice, and talked for twenty minutes. His listeners heard all the details of Oliver's illegitimate birth, and how generously he had been treated as a workhouse orphan9. They heard how he had always been an ungrateful and dangerous child, violently attacking another boy, and finally running away from the house where he had been working. The old gentleman shook his head sadly and gave Mr Bumble the five pounds. 'I would have been happy to give you three times the amount if your story had proved that the boy was good. ' If Mr Bumble had known this earlier, he might have told a different story, but now it was too late. So he took the money and left. Mr Brown low walked up and down his room for several minutes, deep in thought. He rang the bell for Mrs Bed win, his housekeeper10, and told her what he had heard. 'I don't believe it, 'she said, with great certainty11. 'I was right, 'said Mr Grimwig with satisfaction. '
You should have listened to what I said. ' Mr Brown low said angrily, 'Never let me hear the boy's name again. Never. Remember that, Mrs Bed win. ' There were sad hearts at Mr brown low 's house that night. * * * Meanwhile, in another part of London, Oliver remained a prisoner. Fagin had told Oliver how ungrateful he had been to run away. He had told him that he would have died of hunger without Fagin's kindness. He went on to tell Oliver the story of another young boy, who had gone to the police to tell them about the gang12, but who had finally been hanged one morning for being a thief. Fagin described the hanging in terrifying detail, and said that he hoped he would never have to tell the police about Oliver—and see Oliver with a rope around his neck. Oliver felt his blood turn cold. He remained locked in a room for many days, seeing nobody between early morning and midnight. He spent his time thinking sadly about his friends in Pentonville. After a week he was free to wander round the house during the day. It was a dirty place, full of rats and insects but no other living thing. All the windows were closed, and covered with wood and metal bars that kept out the light. One afternoon the Dodger13 and Charley Bates were at home and They started telling Oliver about their lives as thieves. 'Why don't you become one? 'Charley asked him. 'We all are here—both of us, and Fagin, Sikes, Nancy…all of us. 'I don't want to be, 'replied Oliver. 'I wish They'd let me go. 'But it's a good life, 'the Dodger said, taking some coins from his pocket and throwing them up in the air. 'What does it matter where the money comes from? 'he said, laughing. 'If you don't steal it, someone else will. You can be sure of that! ' Fagin entered at this point, with two young men,and joined in the conversation. One of The young men had just come out of prison, and there were many cheerful jokes about his very short hair-cut. Everybody sat around the fire, talking and laughing for hours Fagin told Oliver how good the Dodger was at his job, and what a friendly boy Charley was. It was, without doubt, an interesting evening for Oliver, after so many days locked up alone. After that evening he was rarely on his own again. He spent a lot of time with the Dodger and Charley, and often played the hand kerchief game with them. At other times Fagin would tell them all about robberies14 he had committed in his younger days, telling the stories so well and putting in so many funny details that Oliver could not stop laughing, even though he knew it was wrong. Fagin knew what he was doing. He had made sure that Oliver was so lonely and miserable15 that he would be desperate for any friends, however criminal. Slowly and deliberately16, Fagin was trying to poison the young boy's mind. One damp, cold, windy night a few weeks later, Fagin put on his heavy coat and, with the collar pulled up high to hide his face, left his home.
He walked fast through the streets, never losing his way even in the darkest places. Finally, he reached an evil17, narrow street lit only by a single lamp. He knocked on a door, said something quietly to the person who opened it, then walked upstairs. Bill Sikes was sitting by his fire with his dog when Fagin entered. The room was a small, dark place with almost no furniture. Nancy was there, too, and Fagin glanced at her uneasily18. He had not seen her since she had attacked him to stop him hitting Oliver. However, she seemed to have forgotten all about it, because she told him to pull up a chair and warm himself by the fire. 'I'm ready for business, 'Bill Sikes said, looking at Fagin suspiciously19. 'Say what you have to say, Fagin. ' 'It's about the robbery at Chertsey, Bill, 'answered Fagin. 'Some lovely silver in that house down there! ' 'I know, I know, 'Sikes said. 'I was down there two nights ago to have a look at the house. But it's locked like a prison at night, all except one part. ' 'Where's that? 'asked Fagin, bending his head forwards, his eyes staring excitedly at Sikes. 'Do you think I'm stupid? I'm not telling you! Anyway, what we need is a boy. ' 'So there's a small place where only a boy can enter the house? 'asked Fagin. 'Maybe. But we need a boy. ' There was silence for a time, while Fagin thought. Then he made a sign to Sikes to tell Nancy to leave the room. 'Don't worry, Sikes said. 'You can trust her—she won't talk. Isn't that right? ' 'Of course it's right, 'answered The young woman, taking a large drink from the bottle on the table, and laughing. 'Anyway, Fagin, I know your idea is for Oliver to do the job. ' 'You're a clever girl, said Fagin, smiling evilly20. 'That's exactly what I had in mind. Listen, Bill—the boy's been training for a few weeks, and it's time he did some work. He's the smallest one, anyway. ' 'Is he safe? 'asked Sikes. 'Because if he tries any tricks on me, I'll kill him! ' 'He'll be ours for life, if he feels he's one of us. And this job will make him feel like that, 'said Fagin eagerly. 'The boy looks so innocent21 he's perfect. And we've got to include him in some crime as soon as we can. Otherwise, if he escapes now, he can tell the police about us and stay free himself. ' So it was decided22 that Oliver would help Sikes with the robbery in two days' time. The plan was discussed in great detail and all the arrangements made. By then, Sikes was very drunk23, and Fagin got up to leave. As he put on his coat, he stared hard at Nancy, frowning24 a little. No, he was sure he could trust her; she was loyal25.
The next night, Oliver was alone in Fagin's house when Nancy entered. She was so nervous and white-faced that Oliver asked her if she was ill. 'God forgive me! 'she said, beating her hands together. 'I never thought I would do this! ' 'Has anything happened? 'asked the boy. 'What is it? ' She sat with her back to him, and hid her face with her hands. After a while she said, 'I don't know why I feel so strange sometimes. Come on, Oliver—are you ready? You have to come with me to Bill's house. ' 'Why? ' 'Oh—nothing important. ' Oliver did not believe her, but he thought that at last this might be an opportunity to escape. So he said, rather too quickly, 'I'm ready. 'Nancy guessed what he was thinking. 'Oliver, 'she said, 'this is not the time to escape. I've saved you once, and I will again, but if anything happens tonight, it might mean my death. 'She said this so seriously that Oliver decided it must be true. He was quiet while They walked quickly through the streets to Sikes' house. Inside his room, Sikes sat Oliver down on a chair. 'Did he come quietly? 'he asked Nancy. 'Quiet as a mouse. ' 'Glad to hear it, 'said Sikes. 'Now listen to me, boy. 'He put a gun against Oliver's head. If you say one word when you're outside with me, I'll shoot you. Understand? ' Oliver nodded, trying hard not to tremble. Sikes and Oliver started out at five o'clock in the morning, while it was still dark. They crossed from one side of London to the other. At first the streets were empty, then shops began to open and people started going to work. Gradually, the noise and traffic increased, and as They passed through the meat market at Smithfield, Oliver was amazed26 by the sight and smells of so many animals, and by the huge crowds of people, all pushing and swearing and shouting. But Bill Sikes marched on without stopping． Later in the day They were given a lift in a horse and cart from west London out into the country. Night fell, and after walking a few more miles down country roads, They finally arrived at an old house standing27 alone by a river. It was dark and seemed to be empty. They went inside without knocking. Inside were two other men, who, at Sikes command, produced food and drink for him and the boy. Then Sikes told O liver2 to get some sleep as they would be going out again later that night. Oliver still had no idea of the purpose of this expedition, but his head ached with tiredness and he soon fell asleep. At half past one the men got up and checked their equipment, gathering28 several sticks as well. Sikes and the man called Toby left the house together, with Oliver walking between them. The re was now a thick fog and the night was very still as they hurried through the deserted29 streets of the nearby town. Out in the country again, They walked down several small roads until finally they stopped at a house surrounded by a high wall. As quick as lightning, Toby climbed up and pulled Oliver after him. Inside the garden, They crept30 towards the house, and now, for the first time, Oliver realized in horror31 that the purpose of the expedition was robbery, and maybe even murder. Bill Sikes broke open a small window at the back of the house, then shone his light into Oliver's face. 'Now listen. I'm going to put youthrough here．Go straight through into the hall and on to the front door, and let us in. And if you don't, you can be sure I'll shoot you．' Oliver, stupid with terror32, was lifted through the window into the house. Desperately33, he decided to try to run upstairs and warn the family. He began to creep34 forwards. Suddenly, the re was a loud noise from the hall. 'Come back! ' shouted Sikes. 'Back! Back! ' Oliver stood still, frozen35 with fear. A light appeared, then two men on the stairs, them a sudden bright flash, and a loud bang36. Oliver staggered37 back. Sikes seized the boy's collar through the window and pulled him back out into the garden. 'They've hit him! ' shouted Sikes. 'He's bleeding. ' A bell rang loudly, above the noise of more gunshots and the shouts of men. Oliver felt himself being carried across rough ground, and then he saw and heard no more
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robbery
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| n.抢劫；抢劫案 | |
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liver
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| n.肝；肝脏 | |
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satisfactory
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| adj.令人满意的；可喜的；恰当的 | |
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pub
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| n.[英]旅馆，小店，酒馆 | |
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clothe
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| vt.供给衣服，给…穿衣 | |
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closely
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| adv.紧密地；严密地，密切地 | |
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impatiently
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| adv.不耐烦地 | |
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spoke
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| 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 | |
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orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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certainty
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| n.必然的事，确定的事实，确信，确实 | |
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gang
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| n.一伙，一帮；结伴的朋友 | |
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dodger
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| n.躲避者；躲闪者；广告单 | |
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robberies
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| n.抢劫案( robbery的名词复数 )；明抢；敲竹杠；明目张胆地索取高价 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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evil
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| n.邪恶，不幸，罪恶；adj.邪恶的，不幸的，有害的，诽谤的 | |
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uneasily
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| adv. 不安地, 局促地 | |
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suspiciously
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| ad.猜疑地，可疑地 | |
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evilly
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| adv.邪恶地 | |
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innocent
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| adj.无罪的，清白的；无害的；天真的，单纯的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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drunk
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| adj.醉酒的；(喻)陶醉的；n.酗酒者，醉汉 | |
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frowning
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| n. 皱眉, 不悦 v. 皱眉头, 不同意 | |
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loyal
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| adj.忠诚的，忠心的 | |
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amazed
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| adj.吃惊的，惊奇的v.使大为吃惊，使惊奇( amaze的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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crept
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| v.蹑手蹑足地走( creep的过去式和过去分词 )；缓慢地行进；爬行；匍匐 | |
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horror
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| n.惊骇，恐怖，惨事，极端厌恶 | |
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terror
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| n.恐怖；可怖的人(事) | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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creep
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| vi.爬行，匍匐；蹑手蹑足地走，缓慢地行进 | |
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frozen
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| adj.冻结的，冰冻的 | |
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bang
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| n.巨响，猛击；vi.砰砰作响；vt.砰地敲，猛击 | |
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staggered
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| 错列的，叉排的 | |
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