03. Oliver goes to London(2)

　　One day something happened which might seem unimportant，but which had a great effect on O liver's future. Noah was in a particularly bad mood one dinner-time，and so he tried to make O liver cry by hitting him，pulling his hair，and calling him horrible names. This was all unsuccessful， so he tried personal insults．
　　'Workhouse， how's your mother？' he asked．
　　'She's dead，'replied O liver，his face going red with emotion．
　　Noah hoped that O liver was going to cry， so he continued．
　　'What did she die of， Workhouse？'
　　'Of a broken heart， I was told．'And a tear rolled down O liver's cheek.
　　'Why are you crying，Workhouse？'
　　O liver 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．'
　　O liver seemed suddenly to wake up. 'What did you say？'
　　'She was so bad it was lucky she died， or she would have ended up in prison，or hung.'
His face bright red with anger，O liver jumped up， seized Noah's throat， and shook the older boy so violently that his teeth nearly fell out. Then he hit him with all his strength and knocked him to the ground．
　一天，发生了一件本来看起来好像不很重要的事，可这事对奥利弗的未来却产生了很大的影响。晚餐时，诺厄的心情特别不好，他成心想弄哭奥利弗，就打他，揪他的头发，用各种坏话骂他，但这都无济于事。他便对他进行人格侮辱。
　　“济贫院，你妈妈呢？”他问道。
　　“她死了，”奥利弗回答说，由于感情激动，他的脸变红了。
　　诺厄想让奥利弗哭出来，就接着问：“她是怎么死的，济贫院？”
　　“有人告诉我她是伤心死的。”一颗泪珠从奥利弗的脸上滚落下来。
　　“你怎么哭了，济贫院？”
　　奥利弗不吭声，诺厄胆子大了，更加得寸进尺：“你知道我很同情你，济贫院，但你妈妈其实是个坏女人。”
　　奥利弗好像猛一激灵。“你说什么？”
　　“她太坏了，所以死了倒是件好事，否则她最后会被关进监狱或处以绞刑的。”
　　奥利弗的脸由于气愤而涨得通红。他猛地跳了起来，一把掐住诺厄的喉咙，拼命地摇着那大孩子，差点儿把他的牙齿都摇掉了。接着，他使出全身的力气一拳将他打倒在地。