Page 379 - Oliver Twist

else knows anything; and if you have it in your power to produce any
evidence which will alter the unfavourable opinion T was once induced to

entertain of that poor child, in Heaven’s name put me in possession of it.’

’A bad one! T’ll eat my head if he is not a bad one,’ growled Mr. Grimwig,
speaking by some ventriloquial power, without moving a muscle of his
face.

’He is a child of a noble nature and a warm heart,’ said Rose, colouring; ’and

that Power which has thought fit to try him beyond his years, has planted in
his breast affections and feelings which would do honour to many who
have numbered his days six times over.’

’T’m only sixty-one,’ said Mr. Grimwig, with the same rigid face. ’And, as

the devil’s in it if this Oliver is not twelve years old at least, T don’t see the
application of that remark.’

’Do not heed my friend, Miss Maylie,’ said Mr. Brownlow; ’he does not
mean what he says.’

’Yes, he does,’ growled Mr. Grimwig.

’No, he does not,’ said Mr. Brownlow, obviously rising in wrath as he
spoke.

’He’ll eat his head, if he doesn’t,’ growled Mr. Grimwig.

’He would deserve to have it knocked off, if he does,’ said Mr. Brownlow.

’And he’d uncommonly like to see any man offer to do it,’ responded Mr.
Grimwig, knocking his stick upon the floor.

Having gone thus far, the two old gentlemen severally took snuff, and
afterwards shook hands, according to their invariable custom.