WHEREIN THIS HISTORY REVERTS TO MR.

FAGIN AND COMPANY While these things were passing in the country workhouse, Mr.Fagin sat in the old den--the same from which Oliver had been removed by the girl--brooding over a dull, smoky fire.

He held a pair of bellows upon his knee, with which he had apparently been endeavouring to rouse it into more cheerful action; but he had fallen into deep thought; and with his arms folded on them, and his chin resting on his thumbs, fixed his eyes, abstractedly, on the rusty bars.
At a table behind him sat the Artful Dodger, Master Charles Bates, and Mr.Chitling: all intent upon a game of whist; the Artful taking dummy against Master Bates and Mr.Chitling.

The countenance of the first-named gentleman, peculiarly intelligent at all times, acquired great additional interest from his close observance of the game, and his attentive perusal of Mr.Chitling's hand; upon which, from time to time, as occasion served, he bestowed a variety of earnest glances: wisely regulating his own play by the result of his observations upon his neighbour's cards.

It being a cold night, the Dodger wore his hat, as, indeed, was often his custom within doors.