, you'll be the greatest man of the time. And
now come here, and I'll show you how to take the marks out of the
handkerchiefs.«
    Oliver wondered what picking the old gentleman's pocket in play, had to do
with his chances of being a great man. But, thinking that the Jew, being so much
his senior, must know best, he followed him quietly to the table, and was soon
deeply involved in his new study.
 

                                   Chapter X

Oliver Becomes Better Acquainted with the Characters of His New Associates; and
Purchases Experience at a High Price. Being a Short, but Very Important Chapter,
                                in This History

For many days, Oliver remained in the Jew's room, picking the marks out of the
pocket-handkerchiefs, (of which a great number were brought home,) and sometimes
taking part in the game already described: which the two boys and the Jew
played, regularly, every morning. At length, he began to languish for fresh air,
and took many occasions of earnestly entreating the old gentleman to allow him
to go out to work, with his two companions.
    Oliver was rendered the more anxious to be actively employed, by what he had
seen of the stern morality of the old gentleman's character. Whenever the Dodger
or Charley Bates came home at night, empty-handed, he would expatiate with great
vehemence on the misery of idle and lazy habits; and would enforce upon them the
necessity of an active life, by sending them supperless to bed. On one occasion,
indeed, he even went so far as to knock them both down a flight of stairs; but
this was carrying out his virtuous precepts to an unusual extent.
    At length, one morning, Oliver obtained the permission he had so eagerly
sought. There had been no handkerchiefs to work upon, for two or three days, and
the dinners had been rather meagre. Perhaps these were reasons for the old
gentleman's giving his assent; but, whether they were or no, he told Oliver he
might go, and placed him under the joint guardianship of Charley Bates, and his
friend the Dodger.
    The three boys sallied out; the Dodger with his coat-sleeves tucked up, and
his hat cocked, as usual; Master Bates sauntering along with his hands in his
pockets; and Oliver between them, wondering where they were going, and what
branch of manufacture he would be instructed in, first.
    The pace at which they went, was such a very lazy, ill-looking saunter, that
Oliver soon began to
