Chapter three, a new home.
Mr bumble went into a back room where the board was having its supper.
There was, of course, no gruel in sight at this meal.
The board members were dining on roast chicken and roast beef with potatoes gravy, turnips and peas.
No less than four pies were waiting for them on a side table for dessert.
Both the table and the men were filled with rich and delicious food.
I am sorry to deliver bad news, Mr. Bumble said.
He was out of breath from running.
But Oliver Twist, one of our young charges, has gone mad.
Mr. Bumble told the board members the events that happened only minutes ago.
They reacted, as one might expect, with shock and horror.
"'Impossible,' said a man in a white vest.
"'Such an ungrateful child does not deserve the comforts of this establishment.'
"'The other board members agreed.
"'They banged on the table and said, "'Here, here, and aye, aye.'
"'I fear that he will only cause more trouble,' Mr. Bumble said.
"'It would do us no good if he convinced the other boys to do the same.'
Very well, then, said the man in the white vest.
Post a sign, Mr. Bumble.
Offer this boy and a reward of five pounds to anyone who will take him.
The board members once again pounded on the table in agreement.
Mr. Bumble went to do as he was told.
The sign was up for several days before Mr. Sourberry, the local undertaker, came to the workhouse.
He was there on business when he noticed the sign.
He was happy to take the five pounds, but he was not so sure about the boy.
Mr. Bumble took him straight to the board to discuss Oliver's fate.
"'Who's to know if the boy will work hard?'
Mr. Sourberry asked.
"'What good will it do me if I don't get enough work from him?
"'What if it takes too much food and I get too little work in return?'
We've been careful to feed the boy very little, Bumble said, so he doesn't demand much.
Bumble was careful to avoid mentioning the incident in the long haul.
We'll allow a trial period, the man in the white vest said.
If Folliver is to your liking, you will train him as an undertaker's assistant.
If he does not agree with you, you may bring him back.
I keep the five pounds.
Of course, said the undertaker.
The man in the white vest cleared his throat.
Of course, he said slowly.
Whatever suits you best, Mr. Sourberry.
We do ask, though, that you take the boy right away.
We'll be happy to rid of him.
One less boy to feed and all that.
So Oliver Twist was given a small bundle of shirts and a wool blanket.
They rushed him out the door with the undertaker.
He did not even have time to say goodbye to Dick.
Mr. Sourberry led him away from the workhouse through gently falling snow.
For the first time in his ten years, Oliver was away from the Bumbles and the workhouse.
It was all very frightening, but Oliver felt some excitement, too.
He hoped he was on an adventure.
He felt certain however, that no matter what happened, his new life had to be better than the old one.
