'Stone dead!' said one of the old women, hurrying in as soon asthe door was opened.

　　'And nothing to tell, after all,' rejoined the matron, walkingcarelessly away.

　　The two crones, to all appearance, too busily occupied in thepreparations for their dreadful duties to make any reply, wereleft alone, hovering about the body.

　　CHAPTER XXV

　　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 beenremoved by the girl--brooding over a dull, smoky fire.  He held apair of bellows upon his knee, with which he had apparently beenendeavouring to rouse it into more cheerful action; but he hadfallen into deep thought; and with his arms folded on them, andhis chin resting on his thumbs, fixed his eyes, abstractedly, onthe rusty bars.

　　At a table behind him sat the Artful Dodger, Master CharlesBates, and Mr. Chitling: all intent upon a game of whist; theArtful taking dummy against Master Bates and Mr. Chitling.  Thecountenance of the first-named gentleman, peculiarly intelligentat all times, acquired great additional interest from his closeobservance of the game, and his attentive perusal of Mr.Chitling's hand; upon which, from time to time, as occasionserved, he bestowed a variety of earnest glances: wiselyregulating his own play by the result of his observations uponhis neighbour's cards.  It being a cold night, the Dodger worehis hat, as, indeed, was often his custom within doors.  He alsosustained a clay pipe between his teeth, which he only removedfor a brief space when he deemed it necessary to apply forrefreshment to a quart pot upon the table, which stood readyfilled with gin-and-water for the accommodation of the company.

　　Master Bates was also attentive to the play; but being of a moreexcitable nature than his accomplished friend, it was observablethat he more frequently applied himself to the gin-and-water, andmoreover indulged in many jests and irrelevant remarks, allhighly unbecoming a scientific rubber.  Indeed, the Artful,presuming upon their close attachment, more than once tookoccasion to reason gravely with his companion upon theseimproprieties; all of which remonstrances, Master Bates receivedin extremely good part; merely requesting his friend to be'blowed,' or to insert his head in a sack, or replying with someother neatly-turned witticism of a similar kind, the happyapplication of which, excited considerable admiration in the mindof Mr. Chitling.  It was remarkable that the latter gentleman andhis partner invariably lost; and that the circumstance, so farfrom angering Master Bates, appeared to afford him the highestamusement, inasmuch as he laughed most uproariously at the end ofevery deal, and protested that he had never seen such a jollygame in all his born days.