‘So you’ve got the kid,’ said Sikes when they had all reached the room: closing the door as he spoke.
‘Yes, here he is,’ replied Nancy.
‘Did he come quiet?’ inquired Sikes.
‘Like a lamb,’ rejoined Nancy.
‘I’m glad to hear it,’ said Sikes, looking grimly at Oliver; ‘for the sake of his young carcase: as would otherways have suffered for it. Come here, young ‘un; and let me read you a lectur’, which is as well got over at once.’
Thus addressing his new pupil, Mr. Sikes pulled off Oliver’s cap and threw it into a corner; and then, taking him by the shoulder, sat himself down by the table, and stood the boy in front of him.
‘Now, first: do you know wot this is?’ inquired Sikes, taking up a pocket-pistol which lay on the table.
Oliver replied in the affirmative.
‘Well, then, look here,’ continued Sikes. ‘This is powder; that ‘ere’s a bullet; and this is a little bit of a old hat for waddin’.’
Oliver murmured his comprehension of the different bodies referred to; and Mr. Sikes proceeded to load the pistol, with great nicety and deliberation.