"This representation, like the defence, fails in producing the desired effect, and the boy is sentenced, perhaps, to seven years' transportation. Finding it impossible to excite compassion, he gives vent to his feelings in an imprecation bearing reference to the eyes of 'old big vig,' and as he declines to take the trouble of walking from the dock, is forthwith carried out, congratulating himself on having succeeded in giving everybody as much trouble as possible." In a similar vein, when the Artful Dodger falls into the toils ("Oliver Twist," Chapter 43) he asserts himself. "It was indeed Mr. Dawkins, who, shuffling into the office with the big coat sleeves tucked up as usual, his left hand in his pocket, and his hat in his right hand, preceded the gaoler, with a rolling gait altogether indescribable, and taking his place in the dock, requested in an audible voice to know what he was placed in 'that 'ere disgraceful situation for.' "'Hold your tongue, will you?' said the gaoler. "'I'm an Englishman, ain't I?' rejoined the Dodger. 'Where are my privileges?' "'You'll get your privileges soon enough,' retorted the gaoler, 'and pepper with 'em.' "'We'll see what the Secretary of State for the Home Affairs has got to say to the beaks, if I don't,' replied Mr. Dawkins. "'Now then. Wot is this here business? I shall thank the madg'strates to dispose of this little affair, and not to keep me while they read the paper, for I've got an appointment with a gentleman in the city, and as I'm a man of my word and very punctual in business matters, he'll go away if I ain't there to my time, and then p'raps there won't be an action for damages against them as kept me away. Oh, no, certainly not.' "At this point the Dodger, with a show of being very particular with a view to the proceedings to be had thereafter, desired the gaoler to communicate 'the names of them two files as was on the bench,' which so tickled the spectators, that they laughed almost as heartily as Master Bates could have done if he had heard the request. "'Silence there,' cried the gaoler. "'What is this?' inquired one of the magistrates. "'A pocket-picketing case, your worship.' "'Has the boy ever been here before?' "'He ought to have been, a many times,' replied the gaoler. 'He has been pretty well everywhere else. I know him well, your worship.' "'Oh, you know me, do you?' cried the Artful, making a note of the statement. 'Werry good. That's a case of deformation of character, any way.' "Here there was another laugh, and another cry for silence. "'Now then, where are the witnesses?' said the clerk. "'Ah, that's right,' added the Dodger. 'Where are they? I should like to see 'em.'