100 words to know before reading Oliver Twist

1. Sought knowledge or details.
2. Made a formal request or investigation.

reported by the workhouse authorities to the parish authorities. The parish authorities inquired with dignity of the workhouse authorities, whether there was no female then domiciled in “the

1. A minor parish officer who keeps order in church.
2. A ceremonial officer at universities.

Besides, the board made periodical pilgrimages to the farm, and always sent the beadle the day before, to say they were going. The children were neat and clean to behold, when they

1. To move or act in a clumsy, confused manner.
2. To speak in a hesitant or unclear way.

wash ’em directly)—My heart alive! Mr. Bumble, how glad I am to see you, surely!” Now, Mr. Bumble was a fat man, and a choleric; so, instead of responding to this openhearted salutation in a

1. A clear alcoholic spirit flavored with juniper berries.
2. A machine for separating cotton fibers from seeds.

Mr. Bumble returned very brief and snappish replies; for the temporary blandness which gin-and-water awakens in some bosoms had by this time evaporated; and he was once again a beadle.

1. A thin porridge made by boiling oats or other grains in water or milk.
2. A simple, often unappetizing food associated with poverty or hardship.

the master, dressed in an apron for the purpose, and assisted by one or two women, ladled the gruel at mealtimes. Of this festive composition each boy had one porringer, and no more—except on

1. A domesticated hoofed mammal of the horse family, known for its long ears and braying sound.
2. A stubborn or foolish person (informal).

his eyes encountered the bill on the gate. “Wo—o!” said Mr. Gamfield to the donkey. The donkey was in a state of profound abstraction: wondering, probably, whether he was destined to be

1. A dialectal or colloquial term for a chimney.
2. A variant spelling or pronunciation of "chimney," often used in regional speech.

him?” “If the parish vould like him to learn a right pleasant trade, in a good ’spectable chimbley-sweepin’ bisness,” said Mr. Gamfield, “I wants a ’prentis, and I am ready to take him.” “Walk

1. A person's face or facial expression.
2. Support or approval of something.

Twist has asked for more!” There was a general start. Horror was depicted on every countenance. “For more!” said Mr. Limbkins. “Compose yourself, Bumble, and answer me distinctly. Do I

1. A civil officer who administers the law, especially at a local level.
2. A judicial officer with limited authority to hear and decide certain cases.

at once instructed that Oliver Twist and his indentures were to be conveyed before the magistrate, for signature and approval, that very afternoon. In pursuance of this determination, little

1. Close-fitting, elastic garments covering the foot and leg, typically made of nylon or silk.
2. Hosiery worn for fashion, warmth, or support, often reaching the thigh.

“kitchen”; wherein sat a slatternly girl, in shoes down at heel, and blue worsted stockings very much out of repair. “Here, Charlotte,” said Mr. Sowerberry, who had followed Oliver down,

1. A box or container in which a deceased person is buried or cremated.
2. (Verb) To place or enclose something in a coffin.

heavy, notwithstanding; and he wished, as he crept into his narrow bed, that that were his coffin, and that he could be lain in a calm and lasting sleep in the churchyard ground, with the tall

1. A long, slender stick used for support when walking.
2. The hollow, jointed stem of plants like bamboo or sugar cane.

“Do you think this respectful or proper conduct, Mrs. Mann,” inquired Mr. Bumble, grasping his cane, “to keep the parish officers a waiting at your garden-gate, when they come here upon porochial

1. Boxes used to bury the dead.
2. Typically made of wood or metal.

leading the way upstairs; “your bed’s under the counter. You don’t mind sleeping among the coffins, I suppose? But it doesn’t much matter whether you do or don’t, for you can’t sleep anywhere

1. Used to emphasize a statement or response.
2. Truly or certainly (often expressing agreement).

former of whom had always opened the body and found nothing inside (which was very probable indeed), and the latter of whom invariably swore whatever the parish wanted; which was very

1. A unit of currency in Turkey, equal to 100 kuruş.
2. Informal term for "year" in some dialects or contexts.

Oliver. “How old are yer?” inquired the voice. “Ten, sir,” replied Oliver. “Then I’ll whop yer when I get in,” said the voice; “you just see if I don’t, that’s all, my work’us brat!” and

1. A person employed to keep records or accounts in an office.
2. A sales assistant in a store.

and forwards over the coffin. Mr. Sowerberry and Bumble, being personal friends of the clerk, sat by the fire with him, and read the paper. At length, after a lapse of something more than an

1. Awakened from sleep or inactivity.
2. Stirred to action or emotion.

gentleman. “This is him, sir,” replied Mr. Bumble. “Bow to the magistrate, my dear.” Oliver roused himself, and made his best obeisance. He had been wondering, with his eyes fixed on the

1. Feeling fear or scared.
2. Afraid or alarmed by something.

this difficulty. The relief was inseparable from the workhouse and the gruel; and that frightened people. For the first six months after Oliver Twist was removed, the system was in full

1. A shaped mass of baked bread.
2. A quantity of food formed into a particular shape.

hurried away. The next day, (the family having been meanwhile relieved with a half-quartern loaf and a piece of cheese, left with them by Mr. Bumble himself,) Oliver and his master returned to

1. A toll road or highway where fees are charged for passage.
2. A barrier or gate set across a road to stop travelers until a toll is paid.

in other words, he would most assuredly have fallen dead upon the king’s highway. But the turnpike-man gave him a meal of bread and cheese; and the old lady, who had a shipwrecked grandson

1. The hard, pointed mouthpart of a bird, used for eating and grooming.
2. A similar projecting part in some animals, like turtles or octopuses.

order, eh? But,” he added, noticing Oliver’s look of surprise, “I suppose you don’t know what a beak is, my flash com-pan-i-on.” Oliver mildly replied, that he had always heard a bird’s mouth

1. A cylinder of wax with a central wick that is lit to produce light.
2. A unit of luminous intensity.

the boy.” Oliver made a bow. “Oh! that’s the boy, is it?” said the undertaker: raising the candle above his head, to get a better view of Oliver. “Mrs. Sowerberry, will you have the goodness to

1. A character in Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist," a criminal who trains children to be pickpockets.
2. (By extension) A person who teaches or exploits others, especially children, for criminal activities.

saw nothing to laugh at, in anything that had passed. “And what have you got, my dear?” said Fagin to Charley Bates. “Wipes,” replied Master Bates; at the same time producing four

1. A person who hoards wealth and spends as little as possible.
2. Someone who lives in extreme poverty or wretched conditions.

property. All I have to live upon, in my old age. The folks call me a miser, my dear. Only a miser; that’s all.” Oliver thought the old gentleman must be a decided miser to live in such a dirty

1. A nickname for the name Charles.
2. A term for a horse, especially in British slang.

you’ve been at work this morning, my dears?” “Hard,” replied the Dodger. “As nails,” added Charley Bates. “Good boys, good boys!” said the Jew. “What have you got, Dodger?” “A couple of

1. To lessen the force or intensity of something; to moderate.
2. (Archaic) To beat down or reduce in strength.

Ingenious workman, ain’t he, Oliver?” “Very indeed, sir,” said Oliver. At which Mr. Charles Bates laughed uproariously; very much to the amazement of Oliver, who saw nothing to laugh at, in

1. A small square of cloth used for wiping the nose or face.
2. A decorative piece of fabric carried as an accessory.

wrath of the indignant parish officer. Mr. Bumble lifted off his cocked hat; took a handkerchief from the inside of the crown; wiped from his forehead the perspiration which his rage had

1. A long, pointed tooth, especially of a carnivorous animal.
2. The hollow or grooved tooth of a venomous snake.

XI Treats of Mr. Fang the Police Magistrate; and Furnishes a Slight Specimen of His Mode of Administering Justice The

1. Done quickly or hurriedly, often without care.
2. Acting with excessive speed or urgency.

when an elderly man of decent but poor appearance, clad in an old suit of black, rushed hastily into the office, and advanced towards the bench. “Stop, stop! don’t take him away! For Heaven’s

1. Feeling a need to drink something.
2. Eager or strongly desiring something.

“No,” said the doctor, with a very shrewd and satisfied look. “You’re not sleepy. Nor thirsty. Are you?” “Yes, sir, rather thirsty,” answered Oliver. “Just as I expected, Mrs. Bedwin,” said

1. A liquid made by simmering meat, fish, or vegetables, used as a base for soups or sauces.
2. A simple, clear soup made from broth.

a likeness, ma’am?” said Oliver. “Yes,” said the old lady, looking up for a moment from the broth; “that’s a portrait.” “Whose, ma’am?” asked Oliver. “Why, really, my dear, I don’t know,”

1. Made a low, rough sound, often in anger or irritation.
2. Spoke in a deep, harsh voice.

cart was laden; so, without noticing the word of command, he jogged onward. Mr. Gamfield growled a fierce imprecation on the donkey generally, but more particularly on his eyes; and, running

1. (slang) Short for "what," often used in informal speech or text.
2. (acronym) "Wheel of Time," a fantasy book series by Robert Jordan.

ain’t o’ no use at all in making a boy come down, for it only sinds him to sleep, and that’s wot he likes. Boys is wery obstinit, and wery lazy, Gen’l’men, and there’s nothink like a good hot

1. A variant of "psych," meaning to deceive or trick someone.
2. Plural of "sike," an archaic term for a small stream or ditch.

you mad?” said the Jew, catching the man by the sleeve, and pointing towards the boys. Mr. Sikes contented himself with tying an imaginary knot under his left ear, and jerking his head over on

1. To join or come together again after being separated.
2. To reply or respond, especially in a sharp or witty manner.

descending from the top of the post, meanwhile, with edifying gravity. “No, sir,” rejoined Oliver. “I’m Mister Noah Claypole,” said the charity-boy, “and you’re under me. Take down the

1. A feeling of great pleasure or joy.
2. Something that gives great pleasure.

Having uttered those words in a most lamentable and heartbroken tone: to the immeasurable delight of her hearers: Miss Nancy paused, winked to the company, nodded smilingly round, and

1. A deep, rough sound made by an animal, like a dog or bear.
2. A low, rumbling noise resembling an animal's growl.

appearance; and, holding out a small piece of orange-peel at arm’s length, exclaimed, in a growling, discontented voice: “Look here! do you see this! Isn’t it a most wonderful and extraordinary

1. Intense or aggressive in nature.
2. Violent or forceful in action.

was laden; so, without noticing the word of command, he jogged onward. Mr. Gamfield growled a fierce imprecation on the donkey generally, but more particularly on his eyes; and, running after him,

1. A friendly argument or dispute.
2. A slang term for a fight or altercation.

the nose. “Nobody?” inquired Fagin, in a tone of surprise: which perhaps might mean that Barney was at liberty to tell the truth. “Dobody but Biss Dadsy,” replied Barney. “Nancy!” exclaimed

1. People who are extremely poor and rely on charity.
2. Individuals lacking basic necessities due to poverty.

himself to sleep. What a novel illustration of the tender laws of England! They let the paupers go to sleep! Poor Oliver! He little thought, as he lay sleeping in happy unconsciousness of all

1. A room for receiving guests or customers, often in a home or business.
2. A shop or business offering specific services, like a beauty parlour or ice cream parlour.

I come on business, and have something to say.” Mrs. Mann ushered the beadle into a small parlour with a brick floor; placed a seat for him; and officiously deposited his cocked hat and cane on

1. Used as a reflexive pronoun to refer to a group previously mentioned.
2. Used for emphasis to refer to a group previously mentioned.

eyes, as if they could have devoured the very bricks of which it was composed; employing themselves, meanwhile, in sucking their fingers most assiduously, with the view of catching up any stray

1. The small intestine of a pig, often used as food.
2. A dish made from pig intestines, typically fried or stewed.

on the stairs to exchange a few gallantries with the lady, now made his appearance. Mr. Chitling was older in years than the Dodger: having perhaps numbered eighteen winters; but there was a

1. A baby's bed with high sides.
2. A framework used to support or strengthen structures.

said the Jew, coaxingly. “It was only my caution, nothing more. Now, my dear, about that crib at Chertsey; when is it to be done, Bill, eh? When is it to be done? Such plate, my dear, such

1. A loud, deep sound made by a lion or other large animal.
2. A loud, continuous noise, like thunder or a crowd.

when they threaded the streets between Shoreditch and Smithfield, it had swelled into a roar of sound and bustle. It was as light as it was likely to be, till night came on again, and the

1. (noun) A decorative trimming or edging, often made of gathered fabric.
2. (verb) To gather or pleat fabric into a decorative edge.

the shutters were opened; the window-blinds were drawn up; and people began passing to and fro. Some few stopped to gaze at Oliver for a moment or two, or turned round to stare at him as they

1. A faint or brief light or glow.
2. A glimpse or quick look.

said Sikes, bolting the door. “Show a glim, Toby.” “Aha! my pal!” cried the same voice. “A glim, Barney, a glim! Show the gentleman in, Barney; wake up first, if convenient.” The speaker

1. Spoken very softly using one's breath without vocal cords.
2. Communicated in a quiet, secretive, or confidential manner.

and carried into the street. “Now, you must put your best leg foremost, old lady!” whispered Sowerberry in the old woman’s ear; “we are rather late; and it won’t do, to keep the clergyman

1. A portable light source with a protective case, often with a handle.
2. A decorative or architectural structure with openings to emit light.

commanded him to be silent, and to get to work. Toby complied, by first producing his lantern, and placing it on the ground; then by planting himself firmly with his head against the wall

1. A married woman, especially one who is mature and dignified.
2. A woman in charge of domestic and medical arrangements in a prison or other institution.

and the water slightly scalded Mrs. Corney’s hand. “Drat the pot!” said the worthy matron, setting it down very hastily on the hob; “a little stupid thing, that only holds a couple of

1. A historical term for a person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs.
2. A pharmacy or drugstore, especially in earlier times.

was not unlikely; since, in addition to a moderate dose of opium prescribed by the apothecary, she was labouring under the effects of a final taste of gin-and-water which had been privily

1. A person learning a trade or skill under a skilled worker.
2. A beginner or novice in any field.

go to him that evening “upon liking”—a phrase which means, in the case of a parish apprentice, that if the master find, upon a short trial, that he can get enough work out of a boy without

1. A woman in a position of authority or control.
2. A woman having an extramarital sexual relationship with a married man.

Come; don’t keep me here all night!” Oliver lingered no longer, but meekly followed his new mistress.

1. A device for producing a strong current of air, used in blacksmithing or for stoking fires.
2. The expandable part of an accordion or similar instrument that pumps air.

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

1. Full of life and energy; active and outgoing.
2. Bright, vivid, or striking in appearance.

which he handed over to Sowerberry. “Aha!” said the undertaker, glancing over it with a lively countenance; “an order for a coffin, eh?” “For a coffin first, and a porochial funeral

1. People with physical disabilities affecting movement.
2. To cause severe damage or impair function.

plainly mingled, resumed his pipe with a grave demeanour. The Three Cripples, or rather the Cripples; which was the sign by which the establishment was familiarly known to its patrons: was the

1. A minor parish officer who keeps order in church.
2. A ceremonial officer or usher in certain institutions.

and that to none of those excellences, can mere companies’ beadles, or court-of-law beadles, or even chapel-of-ease beadles (save the last, and they in a very lowly and inferior degree),

1. Easily broken or cracked due to hardness or lack of flexibility.
2. A type of hard, crunchy candy made from sugar and nuts.

in his head as he spoke. “You are afraid, Brittles,” said Mr. Giles. “I an’t,” said Brittles. “You are,” said Giles. “You’re a falsehood, Mr. Giles,” said Brittles. “You’re a lie, Brittles,”

1. A person who travels from place to place mending metal utensils.
2. To make small, experimental changes or repairs.

“got softly out of bed; drew on a pair of—” “Ladies present, Mr. Giles,” murmured the tinker. “—Of shoes, sir,” said Giles, turning upon him, and laying great emphasis on the word; “seized

1. A female domestic worker employed to clean and maintain a household.
2. A maid responsible for housekeeping duties like cleaning, laundry, and tidying.

and minute account of the robbery, to which his bearers (but especially the cook and housemaid, who were of the party) listened with breathless interest. “It was about half-past two,” said Mr.

1. On or to a higher floor of a building.
2. The upper floor(s) of a building.

come with me,” said Mrs. Sowerberry: taking up a dim and dirty lamp, and leading the way upstairs; “your bed’s under the counter. You don’t mind sleeping among the coffins, I suppose? But it

1. The quality of being amusing or funny.
2. A person's state of mind or mood.

“I should think not,” said Mrs. Mann, who had of course laughed very much at Mr. Bumble’s humour. “You want for nothing, I’m sure.” “I should like—” faltered the child. “Heyday!” interposed

1. The reflexive form of "you," referring to the person being addressed.
2. Used to emphasize the subject "you."

sleeping and waking, when you dream more in five minutes with your eyes half open, and yourself half conscious of everything that is passing around you, than you would in five nights with your

1. A police officer of the lowest rank.
2. A peace officer with limited policing authority, often in small towns.

of identity, you will observe,” said the doctor. “That’s what it is, sir,” replied the constable, coughing with great violence; for he had finished his ale in a hurry, and some of it had gone

1. A type of beer brewed with top-fermenting yeast, typically darker and more bitter than lager.
2. (Historical) A fermented malt beverage, common in medieval Europe.

still!” said the doctor, waving his hand. “Thank you, sir,” said Mr. Giles. “Misses wished some ale to be given out, sir; and as I felt no ways inclined for my own little room, sir, and was

1. To talk long-windedly without making much sense.
2. Foolish or nonsensical talk.

of gaining time, recounted them at great length, and with much circumlocution. Messrs. Blathers and Duff looked very knowing meanwhile, and occasionally exchanged a nod. “I can’t say, for

1. A term for decaying leaves and branches on a forest floor.
2. Slang for buttocks or backside.

a bow. Being desired to sit down, he put his hat on the floor, and taking a chair, motioned to Duff to do the same. The latter gentleman, who did not appear quite so much accustomed to good

1. Having a hump on the back.
2. Describing a person or animal with a noticeable curvature of the spine.

deserted tenement, began kicking at the door like a madman. “Halloa!” said a little ugly humpbacked man: opening the door so suddenly, that the doctor, from the very impetus of his last kick,

1. A sudden strong urge or desire to act.
2. A brief force or push causing motion.

and understanding, putting entirely out of sight any considerations of heart, or generous impulse and feeling. For, these are matters totally beneath a female who is acknowledged by universal

1. Extremely unhappy or unfortunate.
2. Of poor quality; very bad.

little brown-cloth parish cap on his head, Oliver was then led away by Mr. Bumble from the wretched home where one kind word or look had never lighted the gloom of his infant years. And yet he

1. A small, simple house, typically in a rural or semi-rural area.
2. A vacation home, often in a scenic location.

the gloom of his infant years. And yet he burst into an agony of childish grief, as the cottage-gate closed after him. Wretched as were the little companions in misery he was leaving behind,

1. Shaking involuntarily, typically due to fear, cold, or weakness.
2. A quivering or vibrating movement.

he might be, would redeem his pledge, most honourably. He drew back the bolts with a trembling hand, and opened the door. For a second or two, Oliver glanced up the street, and down the

1. A small establishment providing lodging, food, and drink (often in a rural setting).
2. A tavern or pub.

stumbled against a tall man wrapped in a cloak, who was at that moment coming out of the inn door. “Hah!” cried the man, fixing his eyes on Oliver, and suddenly recoiling. “What the devil’s

1. A light, open carriage with two wheels and a folding top, drawn by one horse.
2. A long reclining chair or daybed for relaxation.

then, men and women with fish-baskets on their heads; donkey-carts laden with vegetables; chaise-carts filled with livestock or whole carcasses of meat; milk-women with pails; an unbroken

1. Suitcases, bags, or other containers used to carry personal belongings while traveling.
2. The collective term for a traveler's packed items.

him to hope; and to the whole of which, Mr. Giles, who affected to be busy about the luggage, listened with greedy ears. “Have you shot anything particular, lately, Giles?” inquired the

1. A fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs.
2. A means of protection or defense against financial loss.

of those behind, from the spot where the boy lay; paused, for a second, before another hedge which met it at right angles; and whirling his pistol high into the air, cleared it at a bound,

1. Serious and sincere in intention or effort.
2. A token or payment given as a pledge or promise.

trade to be learnt, or brick-making to turn to.” “Thank you, sir,” said Oliver. At the earnest manner of his reply, the old gentleman laughed again; and said something about a curious

1. The state of being worthy of honor or respect.
2. A composed or serious manner.

with a momentary visitation of loss of self-possession, and forgetfulness of personal dignity. “Oh, Mr. Bumble, sir!” said Noah: “Oliver, sir—Oliver has—” “What? What?” interposed Mr.

1. A right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or group.
2. An exclusive legal power or advantage held by a person or institution.

I shall snore, gape, sneeze, laugh, or cry, as the humour strikes me; such being my prerogative.” “Your prerogative!” sneered Mrs. Bumble, with ineffable contempt. “I said the word, ma’am,”

1. A loud ringing of bells, often in a sequence.
2. A loud, prolonged sound, like thunder or laughter.

table, and pushed them over to the woman. “Now,” he said, “gather them up; and when this cursed peal of thunder, which I feel is coming up to break over the housetop, is gone, let’s hear your

1. Barely; almost not at all.
2. Only just; by a very small margin.

so solemn a preparation. Oliver got through it with extraordinary expedition. He had scarcely swallowed the last spoonful, when there came a soft rap at the door. “Come in,” said the old

1. A person employed to carry luggage and other loads.
2. A dark brown beer brewed from malt.

house at which the coach stopped; and took a temperate dinner of steaks, oyster sauce, and porter. Putting a glass of hot gin-and-water on the chimneypiece, he drew his chair to the fire; and,

1. A type of hat tied under the chin, typically worn by women and children.
2. The hinged metal cover over the engine of a motor vehicle (British English).

with a clean white apron tied over her gown, and her curl-papers tucked up under a straw bonnet—both articles of dress being provided from the Jew’s inexhaustible stock—Miss Nancy prepared to

1. A colloquial term for a fussy or effeminate man.
2. A variant of the name "Nancy."

he returned, the girl was adjusting her shawl and bonnet, as if preparing to be gone. “Why, Nance!” exclaimed the Jew, starting back as he put down the candle, “how pale you are!” “Pale!” echoed

1. A boy or young man (informal).
2. A lively or mischievous young man.

ever find him there! He had often heard the old men in the workhouse, too, say that no lad of spirit need want in London; and that there were ways of living in that vast city, which those

1. A hard surface covering a road or sidewalk, typically made of concrete or asphalt.
2. The sidewalk or footpath beside a road for pedestrians.

old gentleman, drawing off his gloves. “There’s always more or less orange-peel on the pavement in our street; and I know it’s put there by the surgeon’s boy at the corner. A young woman

1. Spoke quietly or indistinctly, often in a grumbling or complaining tone.
2. Expressed something in a low or suppressed voice.

his thick red eyebrows, bent his ear towards the door, and listened. “Why, how’s this?” muttered the Jew: changing countenance; “only two of ’em? Where’s the third? They can’t have got into

1. Marks or discolorations left on a surface by a substance.
2. To color or dye something, often for microscopic study.

stuff, carpet, merino, muslin, bombazeen, or woollen stuff. Wine-stains, fruit-stains, beer-stains, water-stains, paint-stains, pitch-stains, any stains, all come out at one rub with the

1. An area of open uncultivated land with poor soil, typically covered with low shrubs.
2. A small flowering shrub, especially of the genus Erica.

skirted Caen Wood, and so came on Hampstead Heath. Traversing the hollow by the Vale of Heath, he mounted the opposite bank, and crossing the road which joins the villages of Hampstead and

1. A mark or discoloration left on a surface.
2. A dye or chemical used to color materials.

producing one, “this is the infallible and invaluable composition for removing all sorts of stain, rust, dirt, mildew, spick, speck, spot, or spatter, from silk, satin, linen, cambric, cloth,

1. To make known or reveal something previously hidden or secret.
2. To uncover or expose information, facts, or details.

ill, he said, and weak from the loss of blood; but his mind was so troubled with anxiety to disclose something, that he deemed it better to give him the opportunity, than to insist upon his

1. To what place or state (archaic or poetic).
2. Toward what situation or condition.

and, with his head drooping languidly on his breast, went stumbling onward, he knew not whither. And now, hosts of bewildering and confused ideas came crowding on his mind. He seemed to be

1. The state of being similar or alike in appearance or nature.
2. A similarity or comparison between two things.

said Mr. Losberne, looking into the other parlour; which, like the first, bore no resemblance whatever to Oliver’s account of it. “I shall find you out, some day, my friend.” “Will you?”

1. A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony.
2. A defensive wall or elevation in fortifications.

difficulty to open it from the inside; and creeping over the tiles, looked over the low parapet. The water was out, and the ditch a bed of mud. The crowd had been hushed during these few

1. Vertical structures for venting smoke or gases from fireplaces or furnaces.
2. Narrow openings in rock formations resembling man-made chimneys.

down; the windows are windows no more; the doors are falling into the streets; the chimneys are blackened, but they yield no smoke. Thirty or forty years ago, before losses and chancery

1. A person from Flanders, a region in Belgium.
2. Sir Alexander Fleming, the scientist who discovered penicillin.

the illegitimate son of your father, my dear friend Edwin Leeford, by poor young Agnes Fleming, who died in giving him birth.” “Yes,” said Monks, scowling at the trembling boy: the beating of

1. Loss of respect or honor; shame.
2. A person or thing that brings shame.

“you always mean mischief when you come that. You know my name: out with it! I shan’t disgrace it when the time comes.” “Well, well, then—Bill Sikes,” said the Jew, with abject humility. “You

1. A small ornamental case, often worn as a necklace, that holds a keepsake or photo.
2. A hinged pendant that opens to reveal a compartment for mementos.

watch, which Monks pouncing upon, tore open with trembling hands. It contained a little gold locket: in which were two locks of hair, and a plain gold wedding-ring. “It has the word ‘Agnes’

1. Speaking very softly, using breath rather than voice.
2. Making a low, rustling sound, like leaves or wind.

on account of their being very frequently repeated with great emphasis. At length the whispering ceased; and the members of the board, having resumed their seats and their solemnity, Mr.

1. A temporary structure used to support workers and materials during construction or repair.
2. A raised platform for public executions.

with the noise of hammering, and the throwing down of boards. They were putting up the scaffold. From this place, they passed through several strong gates, opened by other turnkeys from the