Oliver Twist written by Charles Dickens is stated that Oliver’s high spirit
may be inherited, but may be also attributed to him celebrating his ninth
birthday with emphasis on him “having any ninth birth-day at all” which
suggests that no one expected, including himself, that he will to live to his ninth birthday.
Answer :
But nature or inheritance had implanted a good sturdy spirit in Oliver's breast. It had had plenty of room to expand, thanks to the spare diet of the establishment; and perhaps to this circumstance may be attributed his having any ninth birth-day at all
