receipt for cruelty. But the magistrate was half blind and half

childish, so he couldn't reasonably be expected to discern what

'I hope I am, sir,' said Mr. Gamfield, with an ugly leer.

'I have no doubt you are, my friend,' replied the old gentleman:

fixing his spectacles more firmly on his nose, and looking about

It was the critical moment of Oliver's fate. If the inkstand had

been where the old gentleman though it was, he would have dipped

his pen into it, and signed the indentures, and Oliver would have