Oliver Twist
‘Then what the devil is to be done?’ said the impetu-
ous doctor, when they had rejoined the two ladies. ‘Are we
to pass a vote of thanks to all these vagabonds, male and
female, and beg them to accept a hundred pounds, or so,
apiece, as a trifling mark of our esteem, and some slight ac-
knowledgment of their kindness to Oliver?’
‘Not exactly that,’ rejoined Mr. Brownlow, laughing; ‘but
we must proceed gently and with great care.’
‘Gentleness and care,’ exclaimed the doctor. ‘I’d send
them one and all to—‘
‘Never mind where,’ interposed Mr. Brownlow. ‘But re-
flect whether sending them anywhere is likely to attain the
object we have in view.’
‘What object?’ asked the doctor.
‘Simply, the discovery of Oliver’s parentage, and regain-
ing for him the inheritance of which, if this story be true, he
has been fraudulently deprived.’
‘Ah!’ said Mr. Losberne, cooling himself with his pocket-
handkerchief; ‘I almost forgot that.’
‘You see,’ pursued Mr. Brownlow; ‘placing this poor girl
entirely out of the question, and supposing it were possible
to bring these scoundrels to justice without compromising
her safety, what good should we bring about?’
‘Hanging a few of them at least, in all probability,’ sug-
gested the doctor, ‘and transporting the rest.’
‘Very good,’ replied Mr. Brownlow, smiling; ‘but no
doubt they will bring that about for themselves in the ful-
ness of time, and if we step in to forestall them, it seems to
me that we shall be performing a very Quixotic act, in di-