A very old man was standing near the fire. He turned quickly as the two boys came into the room.rn'Fagin, this is my new friend, Oliver Twist,' the Dodger said.rnThe old man smiled at Oliver. 'Very pleased to see you, Oliver my dear,' the old man said. 'Come nearer to the fire, my boy.'rnOliver stared round the dirty room. There was a rope tied across one corner of the room. Many brightly-coloured silk handkerchiefs were hanging over the rope.rnFagin smiled again.rn'My handkerchiefs are pretty, aren't they, Oliver?' he said. 'And they're all waiting to be washed!'rnTo Oliver's surprise, all the boys laughed.