and officiating as waiter at the public-house on Saffron Hill.

'Bister Sikes!' exclaimed Barney, with real or counterfeit joy;

'Here! you get on first,' said Sikes, putting Oliver in front of

him. 'Quicker! or I shall tread upon your heels.'

Muttering a curse upon his tardiness, Sikes pushed Oliver before

him; and they entered a low dark room with a smoky fire, two or

three broken chairs, a table, and a very old couch: on which,

with his legs much higher than his head, a man was reposing at