Oliver Twist Chapter 28

Study Notes

Oliver sits down to rest by a milestone, which indicates that it is 70 miles to London, sparking a new train of ideas in his mind.
He thinks that London is the perfect place to escape his troubles and start anew, where nobody, not even Mr. Bumble, could find him.
He recalls the old men in the workhouse saying that no lad of spirit need want in London, and that there are ways of living in the city that those from the countryside are unaware of.

On the seventh morning after leaving his native place, Oliver limps slowly into the little town of Barnet, with bleeding feet and covered in dust.
The town is empty, and the window-shutters are closed, but as the day begins, people start passing by, gazing at Oliver, but none relieve him or ask how he came to be there.

A boy, who had passed Oliver earlier, returns and surveys him earnestly from the opposite side of the way.
The boy, who is about Oliver's age, is snub-nosed, flat-browed, and dirty, but has the airs and manners of a man.
He is short, with bow-legs, and little, sharp, ugly eyes, and is dressed in a man's coat, with his hands thrust into his pockets.
He approaches Oliver, asking "What's the row?" and Oliver replies that he is very hungry and tired, having walked for seven days.