Page 155 - oliver-twist
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of my heart, and sealed it up, forever, on my best affections.
           Deep affliction has but strengthened and refined them.’
              As the old gentleman said this in a low voice: more to
           himself than to his companion: and as he remained silent
           for a short time afterwards: Oliver sat quite still.
              ‘Well, well!’ said the old gentleman at length, in a more
            cheerful tone, ‘I only say this, because you have a young
           heart; and knowing that I have suffered great pain and sor-
           row, you will be more careful, perhaps, not to wound me
            again. You say you are an orphan, without a friend in the
           world; all the inquiries I have been able to make, confirm
           the  statement.  Let  me  hear  your  story;  where  you  come
           from; who brought you up; and how you got into the com-
           pany in which I found you. Speak the truth, and you shall
           not be friendless while I live.’
              Oliver’s  sobs  checked  his  utterance  for  some  minutes;
           when he was on the point of beginning to relate how he had
            been brought up at the farm, and carried to the workhouse
            by Mr. Bumble, a peculiarly impatient little double-knock
           was heard at the street-door: and the servant, running up-
            stairs, announced Mr. Grimwig.
              ‘Is he coming up?’ inquired Mr. Brownlow.
              ‘Yes, sir,’ replied the servant. ‘He asked if there were any
           muffins in the house; and, when I told him yes, he said he
           had come to tea.’
              Mr. Brownlow smiled; and, turning to Oliver, said that
           Mr. Grimwig was an old friend of his, and he must not mind
           his being a little rough in his manners; for he was a worthy
            creature at bottom, as he had reason to know.

           1                                       Oliver Twist
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