Chapter 19 Inside the Cottage Bill Sykes!
Oliver sat up quickly.
Where was Bill Sykes?
It was then that Oliver realized he was in yet another room.
The wallpaper was decorated with tiny red roses.
The windows were covered by white lace curtains.
The boy's heart was pounding.
Oliver realized that this place was safe.
It had the same quiet calm of Mr. Brownlow's home.
Oliver walked to the window and lifted one of the lace curtains.
He looked out into a beautiful garden.
The yard was filled with lovely green trees and flowers in full bloom.
He recognized the gate that Bill Sykes had lifted him over.
The place looked so different in sunlight.
It was not scary or dangerous at all.
A young woman was walking through the garden.
She was picking flowers and placing them in a basket.
She looked up and saw Oliver at the window.
He was embarrassed about being discovered.
She seemed quite happy to see him, though.
She waved, then ran toward the house.
She opened the bedroom door a minute or two later.
Good morning, she said cheerfully.
I'm glad to see you're all right.
Oliver was surprised by her kindness.
Did she not realize he had broken into her home last night?
The doctor has already come and gone, she said.
He said the bump on your head wasn't serious.
He thought you might be in a state of shock.
She put her hand on his forehead to check for fever.
Oliver stared at the young woman.
She had a soft, delicate face and light blonde hair.
She looked familiar to him, although he was certain they had never met before.
Why don't you get dressed, she said.
You can come downstairs for some food.
She pointed to a chair in the corner.
I left you some of Harry's old clothes.
I'm afraid your pants were quite ripped up.
Oliver dressed slowly after she left.
This was yet another strange turn in our young hero's life.
He was once again saved from the hands of Fagin and Bill Sykes.
He had once again woken up in a warm and comfortable bed.
Oliver was quite sure that there was no way to know what the future might hold.
He left the bedroom, and following the sound of soft voices, he made his way downstairs.
In the front room, he found three people.
Mrs. Mailey, the elderly owner of the house, sat by the fire knitting.
Her son Harry, a young man about twenty-two years old, sat across from her.
Rose, the young woman from the garden, stood by the window.
She called Mrs. Mailey her aunt, but the two women were not related.
Rose had lived with Mrs. Mailey since she was a very young girl.
She was an orphan, just like Oliver.
They stopped talking as Oliver walked in.
Harry stood up.
"'Please, have a seat,' he said to Oliver."
He pointed to a chair near the fire.
We have a lot to discuss.
Oliver did as the young man asked.
We should tell you right away that we've already spoken with the police, Harry said.
Oliver looked to the floor.
He felt very ashamed.
We gave a description of the man with you, Harry continued.
Our gardener saw him running away.
The police, however, didn't recognize the description.
We hope that you can provide more information.
Oliver nodded.
I will tell you all I know, he said.
I want nothing to do with them.
I'm frightened that they will try to kidnap me again.
Then you were with him under threat, Rose asked.
She turned to Mrs. Maley and Harry.
I told you the boy was innocent.
Harry smiled at Rose.
I should never have doubted your opinion, he said.
Oliver quickly understood that Harry and Rose were in love.
First of all, child, Mrs. Mailey said, what is your name?
Mrs. Mailey had a kind and gentle voice.
She had been a widow for many years.
She was not a wealthy woman, but her family lived comfortably.
Oliver Twist, he said.
Now Oliver Twist.
Mrs Mailey said as she put down her knitting please tell us how you came to be in our house in the dead of night.
So Oliver told them his whole story.
He described his mother's untimely death, the workhouse, the undertakers, his walk to London and meeting Dodger Fagin, Nancy and Bill.
He also told them about the strange man named Monks.
It was a hard story to tell, but Oliver spared no detail.
He had lived among thieves and pickpockets and wanted no more of it.
Oliver became quite upset when he described Mr. Brownlow.
He was very kind to me, the boy cried.
He must think that I've run off.
Oh, you poor boy, Mrs. Mailey said.
She was almost in tears.
Harry put a hand on his mother's arm to comfort her.
Rose was very upset.
As she spoke, her voice cracked.
And to think, she spoke through her tears.
That could have been me, if not for the kindness of my dear aunt.
I might have been left to a life in a workhouse or among criminals.
Mrs. Mailey moved to her foster child's side.
Don't think about such things, she said softly.
We're lucky to have found each other.
She kissed Rose's cheek.
And now Oliver is with us.
I'm sure he was brought here for a reason.
Harry watched his mother and Rose.
His face was as kind and concerned as Mrs. Mailey's.
I'll head to the police station right now, Harry said.
Hopefully this information is enough to find this Bill Sykes and Fagin, Oliver, he said.
They may need to talk to you.
Are you all right with that?
Yes, of course, Oliver said eagerly.
I'll help in any way I can.
Harry kissed his mother goodbye before leaving for the police station.
Oliver spent the rest of the day with Rose and Mrs. Mailey.
He heard all about their lives.
Many years ago, Mrs. Mailey and Harry had lived in a small city near the sea.
When Harry was six years old, their minister came to see Mrs. Mailey.
He had a young girl who needed a home.
Her father had recently died, and her older sister had disappeared.
The church was looking for other members of the family, but they had very little information.
They did not even know her last name.
The little girl needed some place to stay while they searched.
Mrs. Mailey said she was glad to help and took the young Rose into her home.
"'Did they not find any of your family?'
Oliver asked.
He felt sympathy for Rose.
Oliver knew only too well the loneliness of an orphan.
"'They found no one,' she replied.
"'My father died without leaving any identification.'
Oh, Oliver said, that is so sad.
Don't feel sorry for me.
I have been very lucky.
Rose put her hand on the boy's arm.
My aunt, for that is what I call Mrs. Mailey, has given me a wonderful home.
I have always been treated as family.
Rose smiled at her foster aunt and then at Oliver.
And We hope someday to make her even more a part of our little family, Mrs. Mailey smiled.
Our Harry has proposed marriage to Rose.
Rose looked to the floor.
Her face flushed red.
I cannot accept, Aunt.
You know my reasons.
Mrs. Mailey tried to argue, but Rose stopped her.
Harry will soon be a minister.
It would be improper for him to marry a woman with an unknown past.
It would create a scandal.
Oh, Rose, Mrs. Mailey said sadly.
The old woman knew there was no point in fighting.
Rose's mind was set.
Oliver looked at these two kind women.
He felt instant love for them.
He wished there was something he could do to solve their problem.
He would do anything to help, if only he knew how.
