Oliver goes to London  (2)

 

One day something happened which might seem unimportant, but which had a great effect on Oliver's  future. Noah was in a particularly bad mood one dinner-time , and so he tried to make Oliver cry by hitting him, pulling his hair, and calling him horrible names. This was all unsuccessful , sohe tried personal insults.

 

'Workhouse, how's your mother?' he asked.

 

'She's dead,' replied Oliver, his face going red with emotion.

 

Noah hoped that Oliver was going to cry, so he continued.

 

'What did she die of , Workhouse?'

 

'Of a broken heart , I was told.' And a tear roled down Oliver's cheek.

 

'Why are you crying, Workhouse?'

 

Oliver remained silent, and Noah grew braver. 'You know I feel very sorry for you, Workhouse, but the truth is your mother was a wicked woman.'

 

Oliver weemed suddenly to wake up.'What did you say?'

 

'SHe was so bad it was lucky whe died, or whe would have ended up in prison, or hung.'

 

His face brignt red with anger, , Oliver jumped up, seized Noah's  throat, and shook the lider boy so violently that his teeth nearly fell out . Then he hit him with all his strength and knocked him to the ground.

 

'He'll murder me !' screamed Noah . 'Charlotte! Help! Oliver's gone mad--'

 

Charlotte and Mrs S owerberry ran in and screamed in horrou. They took hold of Oliver and began to beat him . then Noah got up and stared to kick him from behind . When they were all tired , they forced Oliver, who was still fighting and shouting , into the cellar and locked it.