“I raised my hand and asked why the master didn’t give it to him. I was truly curious. Was there gruel left, and if so, why couldn’t he have a second helping? Miss Fieselman whipped around and stared at me. Did I not understand the basic premise of the novel, that Oliver was trapped in a cruel world, surrounded by heartless and dishonest adults? I kept my mouth shut, but no, I did not.”
