'Change it!' exclaimed the Jew, exasperated beyond all bounds byhis companion's unexpected obstinacy, and the vexation of thenight, 'I WILL change it!  Listen to me, you drab.  Listen to me,who with six words, can strangle Sikes as surely as if I had hisbull's throat between my fingers now.  If he comes back, andleaves the boy behind him; if he gets off free, and dead oralive, fails to restore him to me; murder him yourself if youwould have him escape Jack Ketch.  And do it the moment he setsfoot in this room, or mind me, it will be too late!'

　　'What is all this?' cried the girl involuntarily.

　　'What is it?' pursued Fagin, mad with rage.  'When the boy'sworth hundreds of pounds to me, am I to lose what chance threw mein the way of getting safely, through the whims of a drunken gangthat I could whistle away the lives of!  And me bound, too, to aborn devil that only wants the will, and has the power to, to--'

　　Panting for breath, the old man stammered for a word; and in thatinstant checked the torrent of his wrath, and changed his wholedemeanour.  A moment before, his clenched hands had grasped theair; his eyes had dilated; and his face grown livid with passion;but now, he shrunk into a chair, and, cowering together, trembledwith the apprehension of having himself disclosed some hiddenvillainy.  After a short silence, he ventured to look round athis companion.  He appeared somewhat reassured, on beholding herin the same listless attitude from which he had first roused her.

　　'Nancy, dear!' croaked the Jew, in his usual voice.  'Did youmind me, dear?'

　　'Don't worry me now, Fagin!' replied the girl, raising her headlanguidly.  'If Bill has not done it this time, he will another.He has done many a good job for you, and will do many more whenhe can; and when he can't he won't; so no more about that.'

　　'Regarding this boy, my dear?' said the Jew, rubbing the palms ofhis hands nervously together.

　　'The boy must take his chance with the rest,' interrupted Nancy,hastily; 'and I say again, I hope he is dead, and out of harm'sway, and out of yours,--that is, if Bill comes to no harm.  Andif Toby got clear off, Bill's pretty sure to be safe; for Bill'sworth two of Toby any time.'