December 6, 1828

… I awoke the next morning with the strange feeling that today was going to be exactly the same as yesterday. Not that that is a bad thing, but I did not like sneaking around that much. Luckily, I was not aware (or had forgotten) that today was Saturday. I remembered it after a while, once I had entered the kitchen, because it was perfectly void of human existence. Everyone was obviously sleeping in. I had the kitchen to myself!

I sat down in one of the chairs and put my feet up on the table (something I never do otherwise!) and I let my mind drift in the stillness.

Far away from my daydreams and barely above the silent noise, I heard a bell. It repeated and seemed to come louder… and louder.

I put my feet down again and then, realizing what the ring was, I jumped up and started searching around for matches. After finding nothing of the sort around, I went into the passageway candle-less.

Reaching the door, I opened it a crack and inquired who was calling.

"It's Nancy."

"Password?" I questioned. I was unfamiliar with the name.

"What? Who is this?" I could tell from her voice that she was slightly alarmed. I made no answer, but closed the door and headed back toward the living area. Fagin was not up yet and nothing else stirred so I went back to the door.

I opened it a crack once more and was surprised to see that she was still there.

"Give me a name and you can come in."

"Nan…"

"Not that name!" I interrupted her, "A different one!"

"Fagin," her voice trembled a bit and sounded sort of weak. I felt sorry for her and made a vow to pay her back also for my disregard. I never would talk to a lady like that otherwise.

"Come in," I opened the door the rest of the way and then led her towards the kitchen.

"Who are you?" she asked. I knew she couldn't see me in the dark because I couldn't see much of her either.

"Thomas. I'm new here."

"Oh! Bill told me about you!" She gave a laugh and seemed to lose all fear, "Bill told my that you set a house on fire. I didn't believe a liv'n word of it until I read about it in the paper."

The paper! I had not thought of checking it at all. Why had I not? Too busy to think about it I suppose – well, I had a lot on my mind the past few days.

"What did it say?"

"Well," she paused a moment in thought, "The west wing of the house ignited… the family awoke before it got to the east side and were able to escape… they sent word to the fire brigade – they showed up an hour later… the house was already beyond help, so they let it burn to the ground."

I was glad the family had escaped unharmed. I made a mental note to give them some money anonymously, in order to help pay for the damages.

We went into the kitchen and I was finally able to get a good look at her. She was average height, thin with light-brown hair, and she wore some mismatched clothing. Basically though, a nice looking girl.

She pulled off her bonnet and hung it on a peg amongst a collection of hats and scarves. She sat down at the table and began fingering in a clutch purse.

"Fagin is still asleep… do you want something?"

"I came to get money for the rent. We need 20 pounds."

"We?"

"Yes, Bill an' I," she turned slightly red and began to stare at a painting on the wall.

So, she is married to Bill, I thought.

"Where does Fagin keep the money?" I asked.

She pointed to a small drawer in a desk against the far wall. I went over and opened it. Looking inside, I noted that there was exactly 20 pounds in cash held together separately by some twine.

"Here," I handed it to her and she put it in her purse.

"Thanks."

Just then, Fagin entered the room.

"Ah, Nance, my dear…. Just showed up?"

"Yes. I came for the rent money. No need to bother yerself about it! He gave it to me." She pointed to me and turned to go.

Fagin walked over to the fireplace and began to throw logs in.

"So, you met Nancy, my dear? Wonderful girl!"

"She's married to Bill?"

"No, my dear. He just houses her. Ha, ha, ha! Isn't that right Dodge?" The elderly gentleman addressed his protégé who had, at that moment, entered the room. The Dodger grinned at Fagin and made a reply in the affirmative.

"How is Charlie this morning, my dear?" Fagin had lit the fire and was now putting some sausages in a pan.

"Better. He says he wants a bite and sup."

"Oh yes, I'll send up some more brandy for him and some toast, shortly."

"I could grab the brandy," offered Dodge.

The elderly gentleman eyed him incredulously, "Oh no, my dear, I will get it," he lowered his voice and addressed me, "These boys just try to get a drink at all turns." He grinned and resumed his cooking.

The Dodger sat down at the table, pulled some playing cards from his pocket, and began fishing through them. He paid absolutely no attention to me in the least. I felt once more that pang of guilt. I love children – naturally, I should since I work at an orphanage and I can not bear to be mean to them. But, I had to.

"You play poker?" I asked, trying to strike up a conversation.

"Yeah."

"Want to play a game?"

"Yer can't play with only two people."

"There are lots of individuals here." I went on, "Surely someone else would join us…"

The elderly gentleman intervened, "Why don't you ask Peter and Samuel to join in, my dear, and while you're at it, take this to Charlie," Fagin pointed to an amber-colored glass. Dodge left the room with it and I began to hope that maybe I would not lose all my money within the next hour…

Thanks for reading! Not that interesting a chapter, but it is important to the plot. Please review!! I love to hear what you think! – Elaine Dawkins