[Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens]@TWC D-Link book
Oliver Twist

CHAPTER XI
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'Let him lie there; he'll soon be tired of that.' 'How do you propose to deal with the case, sir ?' inquired the clerk in a low voice.
'Summarily,' replied Mr.Fang.

'He stands committed for three months--hard labour of course.

Clear the office.' The door was opened for this purpose, and a couple of men were preparing to carry the insensible boy to his cell; when an elderly man of decent but poor appearance, clad in an old suit of black, rushed hastily into the office, and advanced towards the bench.
'Stop, stop! don't take him away! For Heaven's sake stop a moment!' cried the new comer, breathless with haste.
Although the presiding Genii in such an office as this, exercise a summary and arbitrary power over the liberties, the good name, the character, almost the lives, of Her Majesty's subjects, expecially of the poorer class; and although, within such walls, enough fantastic tricks are daily played to make the angels blind with weeping; they are closed to the public, save through the medium of the daily press.[Footnote: Or were virtually, then.] Mr.Fang was consequently not a little indignant to see an unbidden guest enter in such irreverent disorder.
'What is this?
Who is this?
Turn this man out.

Clear the office!' cried Mr.Fang.
'I _will_ speak,' cried the man; 'I will not be turned out.

I saw it all.


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