第6章

Baby_was_christened，therectordecidingthatadoublebaptismwasthelesserrisktoincur；andonthisoccasionSilas，makinghimselfascleanandtidyashecould，appearedforthefirsttimewithinthechurch，andsharedintheobservancesheldsacredbyhisneighbours。Hewasquiteunable，bymeansofanythingheheardorsaw，toidentifytheRaveloereligionwithhisoldfaith；ifhecouldatanytimeinhispreviouslifehavedoneso，itmusthavebeenbytheaidofastrongfeelingreadytovibratewithsympathy，ratherthanbyacomparisonofphrasesandideas：andnowforlongyearsthatfeelinghadbeendormant。Hehadnodistinctideaaboutthebaptismandthechurch—going，exceptthatDollyhadsaiditwasforthegoodofthechild；andinthisway，astheweeksgrewtomonths，thechildcreatedfreshandfreshlinksbetweenhislifeandthelivesfromwhichhehadhithertoshrunkcontinuallyintonarrowerisolation。Unlikethegoldwhichneedednothing，andmustbeworshippedinclose—lockedsolitude——whichwashiddenawayfromthedaylight，wasdeaftothesongofbirds，andstartedtonohumantones——Eppiewasacreatureofendlessclaimsandever—growingdesires，seekingandlovingsunshine，andlivingsounds，andlivingmovements；makingtrialofeverything，withtrustinnewjoy，andstirringthehumankindnessinalleyesthatlookedonher。Thegoldhadkepthisthoughtsinanever—repeatedcircle，leadingtonothingbeyonditself；butEppiewasanobjectcompactedofchangesandhopesthatforcedhisthoughtsonward，andcarriedthemfarawayfromtheiroldeagerpacingtowardsthesameblanklimit——carriedthemawaytothenewthingsthatwouldcomewiththecomingyears，whenEppiewouldhavelearnedtounderstandhowherfatherSilascaredforher；andmadehimlookforimagesofthattimeinthetiesandcharitiesthatboundtogetherthefamiliesofhisneighbours。

Thegoldhadaskedthatheshouldsitweavinglongerandlonger，deafenedandblindedmoreandmoretoallthingsexceptthemonotonyofhisloomandtherepetitionofhisweb；butEppiecalledhimawayfromhisweaving，andmadehimthinkallitspausesaholiday，reawakeninghissenseswithherfreshlife，eventotheoldwinter—fliesthatcamecrawlingforthintheearlyspringsunshine，andwarminghimintojoybecause_she_hadjoy。

Andwhenthesunshinegrewstrongandlasting，sothatthebuttercupswerethickinthemeadows，Silasmightbeseeninthesunnymidday，orinthelateafternoonwhentheshadowswerelengtheningunderthehedgerows，strollingoutwithuncoveredheadtocarryEppiebeyondtheStone—pitstowheretheflowersgrew，tilltheyreachedsomefavouritebankwherehecouldsitdown，whileEppietoddledtoplucktheflowers，andmakeremarkstothewingedthingsthatmurmuredhappilyabovethebrightpetals，calling"Dad—dad’s"attentioncontinuallybybringinghimtheflowers。

Thenshewouldturnhereartosomesuddenbird—note，andSilaslearnedtopleaseherbymakingsignsofhushedstillness，thattheymightlistenforthenotetocomeagain：sothatwhenitcame，shesetuphersmallbackandlaughedwithgurglingtriumph。Sittingonthebanksinthisway，Silasbegantolookfortheoncefamiliarherbsagain；andastheleaves，withtheirunchangedoutlineandmarkings，layonhispalm，therewasasenseofcrowdingremembrancesfromwhichheturnedawaytimidly，takingrefugeinEppie’slittleworld，thatlaylightlyonhisenfeebledspirit。

Asthechild’smindwasgrowingintoknowledge，hismindwasgrowingintomemory：asherlifeunfolded，hissoul，longstupefiedinacoldnarrowprison，wasunfoldingtoo，andtremblinggraduallyintofullconsciousness。

Itwasaninfluencewhichmustgatherforcewitheverynewyear：thetonesthatstirredSilas’sheartgrewarticulate，andcalledformoredistinctanswers；shapesandsoundsgrewclearerforEppie’seyesandears，andtherewasmorethat"Dad—dad"wasimperativelyrequiredtonoticeandaccountfor。Also，bythetimeEppiewasthreeyearsold，shedevelopedafinecapacityformischief，andfordevisingingeniouswaysofbeingtroublesome，whichfoundmuchexercise，notonlyforSilas’spatience，butforhiswatchfulnessandpenetration。SorelywaspoorSilaspuzzledonsuchoccasionsbytheincompatibledemandsoflove。DollyWinthroptoldhimthatpunishmentwasgoodforEppie，andthat，asforrearingachildwithoutmakingittinglealittleinsoftandsafeplacesnowandthen，itwasnottobedone。

"Tobesure，there’sanotherthingyoumightdo，MasterMarner，"

addedDolly，meditatively："youmightshutheruponcei’thecoal—hole。ThatwaswhatIdidwi’Aaron；forIwasthatsillywi’

theyoungestlad，asIcouldneverbeartosmackhim。NotasI

couldfindi’myhearttolethimstayi’thecoal—holemorenoraminute，butitwasenoughtocollyhimallover，soashemustbenewwashedanddressed，anditwasasgoodasarodtohim——thatwas。ButIputitupo’yourconscience，MasterMarner，asthere’soneof’emyoumustchoose——aythersmackingorthecoal—hole——

elseshe’llgetsomasterful，there’llbenoholdingher。"

Silaswasimpressedwiththemelancholytruthofthislastremark；

buthisforceofmindfailedbeforetheonlytwopenalmethodsopentohim，notonlybecauseitwaspainfultohimtohurtEppie，butbecausehetrembledatamoment’scontentionwithher，lestsheshouldlovehimthelessforit。LetevenanaffectionateGoliathgethimselftiedtoasmalltenderthing，dreadingtohurtitbypulling，anddreadingstillmoretosnapthecord，andwhichofthetwo，pray，willbemaster？ItwasclearthatEppie，withhershorttoddlingsteps，mustleadfatherSilasaprettydanceonanyfinemorningwhencircumstancesfavouredmischief。

Forexample。Hehadwiselychosenabroadstripoflinenasameansoffasteninghertohisloomwhenhewasbusy：itmadeabroadbeltroundherwaist，andwaslongenoughtoallowofherreachingthetruckle—bedandsittingdownonit，butnotlongenoughforhertoattemptanydangerousclimbing。Onebrightsummer’smorningSilashadbeenmoreengrossedthanusualin"settingup"anewpieceofwork，anoccasiononwhichhisscissorswereinrequisition。Thesescissors，owingtoanespecialwarningofDolly’s，hadbeenkeptcarefullyoutofEppie’sreach；buttheclickofthemhadhadapeculiarattractionforherear，andwatchingtheresultsofthatclick，shehadderivedthephilosophiclessonthatthesamecausewouldproducethesameeffect。Silashadseatedhimselfinhisloom，andthenoiseofweavinghadbegun；buthehadlefthisscissorsonaledgewhichEppie’sarmwaslongenoughtoreach；andnow，likeasmallmouse，watchingheropportunity，shestolequietlyfromhercorner，securedthescissors，andtoddledtothebedagain，settingupherbackasamodeofconcealingthefact。Shehadadistinctintentionastotheuseofthescissors；andhavingcutthelinenstripinajaggedbuteffectualmanner，intwomomentsshehadrunoutattheopendoorwherethesunshinewasinvitingher，whilepoorSilasbelievedhertobeabetterchildthanusual。Itwasnotuntilhehappenedtoneedhisscissorsthattheterriblefactburstuponhim：Eppiehadrunoutbyherself——hadperhapsfallenintotheStone—pit。Silas，shakenbytheworstfearthatcouldhavebefallenhim，rushedout，calling"Eppie！"andraneagerlyabouttheunenclosedspace，exploringthedrycavitiesintowhichshemighthavefallen，andthengazingwithquestioningdreadatthesmoothredsurfaceofthewater。Thecolddropsstoodonhisbrow。

Howlonghadshebeenout？Therewasonehope——thatshehadcreptthroughthestileandgotintothefields，wherehehabituallytookhertostroll。Butthegrasswashighinthemeadow，andtherewasnodescryingher，ifshewerethere，exceptbyaclosesearchthatwouldbeatrespassonMr。Osgood’scrop。Still，thatmisdemeanourmustbecommitted；andpoorSilas，afterpeeringallroundthehedgerows，traversedthegrass，beginningwithperturbedvisiontoseeEppiebehindeverygroupofredsorrel，andtoseehermovingalwaysfartheroffasheapproached。Themeadowwassearchedinvain；andhegotoverthestileintothenextfield，lookingwithdyinghopetowardsasmallpondwhichwasnowreducedtoitssummershallowness，soastoleaveawidemarginofgoodadhesivemud。

Here，however，satEppie，discoursingcheerfullytoherownsmallboot，whichshewasusingasabuckettoconveythewaterintoadeephoof—mark，whileherlittlenakedfootwasplantedcomfortablyonacushionofolive—greenmud。Ared—headedcalfwasobservingherwithalarmeddoubtthroughtheoppositehedge。

Herewasclearlyacaseofaberrationinachristenedchildwhichdemandedseveretreatment；butSilas，overcomewithconvulsivejoyatfindinghistreasureagain，coulddonothingbutsnatchherup，andcoverherwithhalf—sobbingkisses。Itwasnotuntilhehadcarriedherhome，andhadbeguntothinkofthenecessarywashing，thatherecollectedtheneedthatheshouldpunishEppie，and"makeherremember"。Theideathatshemightrunawayagainandcometoharm，gavehimunusualresolution，andforthefirsttimehedeterminedtotrythecoal—hole——asmallclosetnearthehearth。

"Naughty，naughtyEppie，"hesuddenlybegan，holdingheronhisknee，andpointingtohermuddyfeetandclothes——"naughtytocutwiththescissorsandrunaway。Eppiemustgointothecoal—holeforbeingnaughty。Daddymustputherinthecoal—hole。"

Hehalf—expectedthatthiswouldbeshockenough，andthatEppiewouldbegintocry。Butinsteadofthat，shebegantoshakeherselfonhisknee，asifthepropositionopenedapleasingnovelty。

Seeingthathemustproceedtoextremities，heputherintothecoal—hole，andheldthedoorclosed，withatremblingsensethathewasusingastrongmeasure。Foramomenttherewassilence，butthencamealittlecry，"Opy，opy！"andSilasletheroutagain，saying，"NowEppie’ullneverbenaughtyagain，elseshemustgointhecoal—hole——ablacknaughtyplace。"

Theweavingmuststandstillalongwhilethismorning，fornowEppiemustbewashed，andhavecleanclotheson；butitwastobehopedthatthispunishmentwouldhavealastingeffect，andsavetimeinfuture——though，perhaps，itwouldhavebeenbetterifEppiehadcriedmore。

Inhalfanhourshewascleanagain，andSilashavingturnedhisbacktoseewhathecoulddowiththelinenband，threwitdownagain，withthereflectionthatEppiewouldbegoodwithoutfasteningfortherestofthemorning。Heturnedroundagain，andwasgoingtoplaceherinherlittlechairneartheloom，whenshepeepedoutathimwithblackfaceandhandsagain，andsaid，"Eppieindetoal—hole！"

Thistotalfailureofthecoal—holedisciplineshookSilas’sbeliefintheefficacyofpunishment。"She’dtakeitallforfun，"heobservedtoDolly，"ifIdidn’thurther，andthatIcan’tdo，Mrs。Winthrop。Ifshemakesmeabito’trouble，Icanbearit。

Andshe’sgotnotricksbutwhatshe’llgrowoutof。"

"Well，that’spartlytrue，MasterMarner，"saidDolly，sympathetically；"andifyoucan’tbringyourmindtofrightenherofftouchingthings，youmustdowhatyoucantokeep’emoutofherway。That’swhatIdowi’thepupsastheladsareallaysa—rearing。They_will_worryandgnaw——worryandgnawtheywill，ifitwasone’sSundaycapashunganywheresoastheycoulddragit。Theyknownodifference，Godhelp’em：it’sthepushingo’theteethassets’emon，that’swhatitis。"

SoEppiewasrearedwithoutpunishment，theburdenofhermisdeedsbeingbornevicariouslybyfatherSilas。Thestonehutwasmadeasoftnestforher，linedwithdownypatience：andalsointheworldthatlaybeyondthestonehutsheknewnothingoffrownsanddenials。

Notwithstandingthedifficultyofcarryingherandhisyarnorlinenatthesametime，Silastookherwithhiminmostofhisjourneystothefarmhouses，unwillingtoleaveherbehindatDollyWinthrop’s，whowasalwaysreadytotakecareofher；andlittlecurly—headedEppie，theweaver’schild，becameanobjectofinterestatseveraloutlyinghomesteads，aswellasinthevillage。Hithertohehadbeentreatedverymuchasifhehadbeenausefulgnomeorbrownie——

aqueerandunaccountablecreature，whomustnecessarilybelookedatwithwonderingcuriosityandrepulsion，andwithwhomonewouldbegladtomakeallgreetingsandbargainsasbriefaspossible，butwhomustbedealtwithinapropitiatoryway，andoccasionallyhaveapresentofporkorgardenstufftocarryhomewithhim，seeingthatwithouthimtherewasnogettingtheyarnwoven。ButnowSilasmetwithopensmilingfacesandcheerfulquestioning，asapersonwhosesatisfactionsanddifficultiescouldbeunderstood。Everywherehemustsitalittleandtalkaboutthechild，andwordsofinterestwerealwaysreadyforhim："Ah，MasterMarner，you’llbeluckyifshetakesthemeaslessoonandeasy！"——

or，"Why，thereisn’tmanylonemen’udha’beenwishingtotakeupwithalittleunlikethat：butIreckontheweavingmakesyouhandierthanmenasdoout—doorwork——you’repartlyashandyasawoman，forweavingcomesnexttospinning。"Elderlymastersandmistresses，seatedobservantlyinlargekitchenarm—chairs，shooktheirheadsoverthedifficultiesattendantonrearingchildren，feltEppie’sroundarmsandlegs，andpronouncedthemremarkablyfirm，andtoldSilasthat，ifsheturnedoutwell（which，however，therewasnotelling），itwouldbeafinethingforhimtohaveasteadylasstodoforhimwhenhegothelpless。Servantmaidenswerefondofcarryingherouttolookatthehensandchickens，ortoseeifanycherriescouldbeshakendownintheorchard；andthesmallboysandgirlsapproachedherslowly，withcautiousmovementandsteadygaze，likelittledogsfacetofacewithoneoftheirownkind，tillattractionhadreachedthepointatwhichthesoftlipswereputoutforakiss。NochildwasafraidofapproachingSilaswhenEppiewasnearhim：therewasnorepulsionaroundhimnow，eitherforyoungorold；forthelittlechildhadcometolinkhimoncemorewiththewholeworld。Therewaslovebetweenhimandthechildthatblentthemintoone，andtherewaslovebetweenthechildandtheworld——frommenandwomenwithparentallooksandtones，totheredlady—birdsandtheroundpebbles。

SilasbegannowtothinkofRaveloelifeentirelyinrelationtoEppie：shemusthaveeverythingthatwasagoodinRaveloe；andhelisteneddocilely，thathemightcometounderstandbetterwhatthislifewas，fromwhich，forfifteenyears，hehadstoodaloofasfromastrangething，withwhichhecouldhavenocommunion：assomemanwhohasapreciousplanttowhichhewouldgiveanurturinghomeinanewsoil，thinksoftherain，andthesunshine，andallinfluences，inrelationtohisnursling，andasksindustriouslyforallknowledgethatwillhelphimtosatisfythewantsofthesearchingroots，ortoguardleafandbudfrominvadingharm。Thedispositiontohoardhadbeenutterlycrushedattheveryfirstbythelossofhislong—storedgold：thecoinsheearnedafterwardsseemedasirrelevantasstonesbroughttocompleteahousesuddenlyburiedbyanearthquake；thesenseofbereavementwastooheavyuponhimfortheoldthrillofsatisfactiontoariseagainatthetouchofthenewly—earnedcoin。Andnowsomethinghadcometoreplacehishoardwhichgaveagrowingpurposetotheearnings，drawinghishopeandjoycontinuallyonwardbeyondthemoney。

Inolddaystherewereangelswhocameandtookmenbythehandandledthemawayfromthecityofdestruction。Weseenowhite—wingedangelsnow。Butyetmenareledawayfromthreateningdestruction：

ahandisputintotheirs，whichleadsthemforthgentlytowardsacalmandbrightland，sothattheylooknomorebackward；andthehandmaybealittlechild’s。

CHAPTERXV

Therewasoneperson，asyouwillbelieve，whowatchedwithkeenerthoughmorehiddeninterestthananyother，theprosperousgrowthofEppieundertheweaver’scare。Hedarednotdoanythingthatwouldimplyastrongerinterestinapoorman’sadoptedchildthancouldbeexpectedfromthekindlinessoftheyoungSquire，whenachancemeetingsuggestedalittlepresenttoasimpleoldfellowwhomothersnoticedwithgoodwill；buthetoldhimselfthatthetimewouldcomewhenhemightdosomethingtowardsfurtheringthewelfareofhisdaughterwithoutincurringsuspicion。Washeveryuneasyinthemeantimeathisinabilitytogivehisdaughterherbirthright？

Icannotsaythathewas。Thechildwasbeingtakencareof，andwouldverylikelybehappy，aspeopleinhumblestationsoftenwere——

happier，perhaps，thanthosebroughtupinluxury。

Thatfamousringthatprickeditsownerwhenheforgotdutyandfolloweddesire——Iwonderifitprickedveryhardwhenhesetoutonthechase，orwhetheritprickedbutlightlythen，andonlypiercedtothequickwhenthechasehadlongbeenended，andhope，foldingherwings，lookedbackwardandbecameregret？

GodfreyCass’scheekandeyewerebrighterthanevernow。Hewassoundividedinhisaims，thatheseemedlikeamanoffirmness。NoDunseyhadcomeback：peoplehadmadeuptheirmindsthathewasgoneforasoldier，orgone"outofthecountry"，andnoonecaredtobespecificintheirinquiriesonasubjectdelicatetoarespectablefamily。GodfreyhadceasedtoseetheshadowofDunseyacrosshispath；andthepathnowlaystraightforwardtotheaccomplishmentofhisbest，longest—cherishedwishes。EverybodysaidMr。Godfreyhadtakentherightturn；anditwasprettyclearwhatwouldbetheendofthings，fortherewerenotmanydaysintheweekthathewasnotseenridingtotheWarrens。Godfreyhimself，whenhewasaskedjocoselyifthedayhadbeenfixed，smiledwiththepleasantconsciousnessofaloverwhocouldsay"yes"，ifheliked。Hefeltareformedman，deliveredfromtemptation；andthevisionofhisfuturelifeseemedtohimasapromisedlandforwhichhehadnocausetofight。Hesawhimselfwithallhishappinesscentredonhisownhearth，whileNancywouldsmileonhimasheplayedwiththechildren。

Andthatotherchild——notonthehearth——hewouldnotforgetit；

hewouldseethatitwaswellprovidedfor。Thatwasafather’sduty。

PARTTWO

CHAPTERXVI

ItwasabrightautumnSunday，sixteenyearsafterSilasMarnerhadfoundhisnewtreasureonthehearth。ThebellsoftheoldRaveloechurchwereringingthecheerfulpealwhichtoldthatthemorningservicewasended；andoutofthearcheddoorwayinthetowercameslowly，retardedbyfriendlygreetingsandquestions，thericherparishionerswhohadchosenthisbrightSundaymorningaseligibleforchurch—going。Itwastheruralfashionofthattimeforthemoreimportantmembersofthecongregationtodepartfirst，whiletheirhumblerneighbourswaitedandlookedon，strokingtheirbentheadsordroppingtheircurtsiestoanylargeratepayerwhoturnedtonoticethem。

Foremostamongtheseadvancinggroupsofwell—cladpeople，therearesomewhomweshallrecognize，inspiteofTime，whohaslaidhishandonthemall。ThetallblondmanoffortyisnotmuchchangedinfeaturefromtheGodfreyCassofsix—and—twenty：heisonlyfullerinflesh，andhasonlylosttheindefinablelookofyouth——

alosswhichismarkedevenwhentheeyeisundulledandthewrinklesarenotyetcome。Perhapstheprettywoman，notmuchyoungerthanhe，whoisleaningonhisarm，ismorechangedthanherhusband：thelovelybloomthatusedtobealwaysonhercheeknowcomesbutfitfully，withthefreshmorningairorwithsomestrongsurprise；yettoallwholovehumanfacesbestforwhattheytellofhumanexperience，Nancy’sbeautyhasaheightenedinterest。Oftenthesoulisripenedintofullergoodnesswhileagehasspreadanuglyfilm，sothatmereglancescanneverdivinethepreciousnessofthefruit。ButtheyearshavenotbeensocrueltoNancy。Thefirmyetplacidmouth，theclearveraciousglanceofthebrowneyes，speaknowofanaturethathasbeentestedandhaskeptitshighestqualities；andeventhecostume，withitsdaintyneatnessandpurity，hasmoresignificancenowthecoquetriesofyouthcanhavenothingtodowithit。

Mr。andMrs。GodfreyCass（anyhighertitlehasdiedawayfromRaveloelipssincetheoldSquirewasgatheredtohisfathersandhisinheritancewasdivided）haveturnedroundtolookforthetallagedmanandtheplainlydressedwomanwhoarealittlebehind——

Nancyhavingobservedthattheymustwaitfor"fatherandPriscilla"——andnowtheyallturnintoanarrowerpathleadingacrossthechurchyardtoasmallgateoppositetheRedHouse。Wewillnotfollowthemnow；formaytherenotbesomeothersinthisdepartingcongregationwhomweshouldliketoseeagain——someofthosewhoarenotlikelytobehandsomelyclad，andwhomwemaynotrecognizesoeasilyasthemasterandmistressoftheRedHouse？

ButitisimpossibletomistakeSilasMarner。Hislargebrowneyesseemtohavegatheredalongervision，asisthewaywitheyesthathavebeenshort—sightedinearlylife，andtheyhavealessvague，amoreansweringgaze；butineverythingelseoneseessignsofaframemuchenfeebledbythelapseofthesixteenyears。Theweaver’sbentshouldersandwhitehairgivehimalmostthelookofadvancedage，thoughheisnotmorethanfive—and—fifty；butthereisthefreshestblossomofyouthclosebyhisside——ablondedimpledgirlofeighteen，whohasvainlytriedtochastisehercurlyauburnhairintosmoothnessunderherbrownbonnet：thehairripplesasobstinatelyasabrookletundertheMarchbreeze，andthelittleringletsburstawayfromtherestrainingcombbehindandshowthemselvesbelowthebonnet—crown。Eppiecannothelpbeingrathervexedaboutherhair，forthereisnoothergirlinRaveloewhohashairatalllikeit，andshethinkshairoughttobesmooth。Shedoesnotliketobeblameworthyeveninsmallthings：youseehowneatlyherprayer—bookisfoldedinherspottedhandkerchief。

Thatgood—lookingyoungfellow，inanewfustiansuit，whowalksbehindher，isnotquitesureuponthequestionofhairintheabstract，whenEppieputsittohim，andthinksthatperhapsstraighthairisthebestingeneral，buthedoesn’twantEppie’shairtobedifferent。Shesurelydivinesthatthereissomeonebehindherwhoisthinkingaboutherveryparticularly，andmusteringcouragetocometohersideassoonastheyareoutinthelane，elsewhyshouldshelookrathershy，andtakecarenottoturnawayherheadfromherfatherSilas，towhomshekeepsmurmuringlittlesentencesastowhowasatchurchandwhowasnotatchurch，andhowprettytheredmountain—ashisovertheRectorywall？

"Iwish_we_hadalittlegarden，father，withdoubledaisiesin，likeMrs。Winthrop’s，"saidEppie，whentheywereoutinthelane；

"onlytheysayit’udtakeadealofdiggingandbringingfreshsoil——andyoucouldn’tdothat，couldyou，father？Anyhow，I

shouldn’tlikeyoutodoit，forit’udbetoohardworkforyou。"

"Yes，Icoulddoit，child，ifyouwantabito’garden：theselongevenings，Icouldworkattakinginalittlebito’thewaste，justenoughforarootortwoo’flowersforyou；andagain，i’themorning，Icouldhaveaturnwi’thespadebeforeIsatdowntotheloom。Whydidn’tyoutellmebeforeasyouwantedabito’

garden？"

"_I_candigitforyou，MasterMarner，"saidtheyoungmaninfustian，whowasnowbyEppie’sside，enteringintotheconversationwithoutthetroubleofformalities。"It’llbeplaytomeafterI’vedonemyday’swork，oranyoddbitso’timewhenthework’sslack。AndI’llbringyousomesoilfromMr。Cass’sgarden——he’llletme，andwilling。"

"Eh，Aaron，mylad，areyouthere？"saidSilas；"Iwasn’tawareofyou；forwhenEppie’stalkingo’things，Iseenothingbutwhatshe’sa—saying。Well，ifyoucouldhelpmewiththedigging，wemightgetherabito’gardenallthesooner。"

"Then，ifyouthinkwellandgood，"saidAaron，"I’llcometotheStone—pitsthisafternoon，andwe’llsettlewhatland’stobetakenin，andI’llgetupanhourearlieri’themorning，andbeginonit。"

"Butnotifyoudon’tpromisemenottoworkattheharddigging，father，"saidEppie。"ForIshouldn’tha’saidanythingaboutit，"sheadded，half—bashfully，half—roguishly，"onlyMrs。WinthropsaidasAaron’udbesogood，and——"

"Andyoumightha’knownitwithoutmothertellingyou，"saidAaron。"AndMasterMarnerknowstoo，Ihope，asI’mableandwillingtodoaturno’workforhim，andhewon’tdometheunkindnesstoanywaystakeitouto’myhands。"

"There，now，father，youwon’tworkinittillit’salleasy，"

saidEppie，"andyouandmecanmarkoutthebeds，andmakeholesandplanttheroots。It’llbeadeallivelierattheStone—pitswhenwe’vegotsomeflowers，forIalwaysthinktheflowerscanseeusandknowwhatwe’retalkingabout。AndI’llhaveabito’

rosemary，andbergamot，andthyme，becausethey’resosweet—smelling；butthere’snolavenderonlyinthegentlefolks’

gardens，Ithink。"

"That’snoreasonwhyyoushouldn’thavesome，"saidAaron，"forIcanbringyouslipsofanything；I’mforcedtocutnoendof’emwhenI’mgardening，andthrow’emawaymostly。There’sabigbedo’

lavenderattheRedHouse：themissisisveryfondofit。"

"Well，"saidSilas，gravely，"soasyoudon’tmakefreeforus，oraskforanythingasisworthmuchattheRedHouse：forMr。Cass’sbeensogoodtous，andbuiltusupthenewendo’thecottage，andgivenusbedsandthings，asIcouldn’tabidetobeimposin’forgarden—stufforanythingelse。"

"No，no，there’snoimposin’，"saidAaron；"there’sneveragardeninalltheparishbutwhatthere’sendlesswasteinitforwanto’somebodyascoulduseeverythingup。It’swhatIthinktomyselfsometimes，asthereneednobodyrunshorto’victualsifthelandwasmadethemoston，andtherewasneveramorselbutwhatcouldfinditswaytoamouth。Itsetsonethinkingo’that——

gardeningdoes。ButImustgobacknow，elsemother’ullbeintroubleasIaren’tthere。"

"Bringherwithyouthisafternoon，Aaron，"saidEppie；"I

shouldn’tliketofixaboutthegarden，andhernotknoweverythingfromthefirst——should_you_，father？"

"Aye，bringherifyoucan，Aaron，"saidSilas；"she’ssuretohaveawordtosayas’llhelpustosetthingsontheirrightend。"

Aaronturnedbackupthevillage，whileSilasandEppiewentonupthelonelyshelteredlane。

"Odaddy！"shebegan，whentheywereinprivacy，claspingandsqueezingSilas’sarm，andskippingroundtogivehimanenergetickiss。"Mylittleolddaddy！I’msoglad。Idon’tthinkIshallwantanythingelsewhenwe’vegotalittlegarden；andIknewAaronwoulddigitforus，"shewentonwithroguishtriumph——"Iknewthatverywell。"

"You’readeeplittlepuss，youare，"saidSilas，withthemildpassivehappinessoflove—crownedageinhisface；"butyou’llmakeyourselffineandbeholdentoAaron。"

"Oh，no，Ishan’t，"saidEppie，laughingandfrisking；"helikesit。"

"Come，come，letmecarryyourprayer—book，elseyou’llbedroppingit，jumpingi’thatway。"

Eppiewasnowawarethatherbehaviourwasunderobservation，butitwasonlytheobservationofafriendlydonkey，browsingwithalogfastenedtohisfoot——ameekdonkey，notscornfullycriticalofhumantrivialities，butthankfultoshareinthem，ifpossible，bygettinghisnosescratched；andEppiedidnotfailtogratifyhimwithherusualnotice，thoughitwasattendedwiththeinconvenienceofhisfollowingthem，painfully，uptotheverydooroftheirhome。

Butthesoundofasharpbarkinside，asEppieputthekeyinthedoor，modifiedthedonkey’sviews，andhelimpedawayagainwithoutbidding。Thesharpbarkwasthesignofanexcitedwelcomethatwasawaitingthemfromaknowingbrownterrier，who，afterdancingattheirlegsinahystericalmanner，rushedwithaworryingnoiseatatortoise—shellkittenundertheloom，andthenrushedbackwithasharpbarkagain，asmuchastosay，"Ihavedonemydutybythisfeeblecreature，youperceive"；whilethelady—motherofthekittensatsunningherwhitebosominthewindow，andlookedroundwithasleepyairofexpectingcaresses，thoughshewasnotgoingtotakeanytroubleforthem。

Thepresenceofthishappyanimallifewasnottheonlychangewhichhadcomeovertheinteriorofthestonecottage。Therewasnobednowintheliving—room，andthesmallspacewaswellfilledwithdecentfurniture，allbrightandcleanenoughtosatisfyDollyWinthrop’seye。Theoakentableandthree—corneredoakenchairwerehardlywhatwaslikelytobeseeninsopooracottage：theyhadcome，withthebedsandotherthings，fromtheRedHouse；forMr。GodfreyCass，aseveryonesaidinthevillage，didverykindlybytheweaver；anditwasnothingbutrightamanshouldbelookedonandhelpedbythosewhocouldaffordit，whenhehadbroughtupanorphanchild，andbeenfatherandmothertoher——andhadlosthismoneytoo，soashehadnothingbutwhatheworkedforweekbyweek，andwhentheweavingwasgoingdowntoo——fortherewaslessandlessflaxspun——andMasterMarnerwasnonesoyoung。Nobodywasjealousoftheweaver，forhewasregardedasanexceptionalperson，whoseclaimsonneighbourlyhelpwerenottobematchedinRaveloe。Anysuperstitionthatremainedconcerninghimhadtakenanentirelynewcolour；andMr。Macey，nowaveryfeebleoldmanoffourscoreandsix，neverseenexceptinhischimney—cornerorsittinginthesunshineathisdoor—sill，wasofopinionthatwhenamanhaddonewhatSilashaddonebyanorphanchild，itwasasignthathismoneywouldcometolightagain，orleastwisethattherobberwouldbemadetoanswerforit——for，asMr。Maceyobservedofhimself，hisfacultieswereasstrongasever。

SilassatdownnowandwatchedEppiewithasatisfiedgazeasshespreadthecleancloth，andsetonitthepotato—pie，warmedupslowlyinasafeSundayfashion，bybeingputintoadrypotoveraslowly—dyingfire，asthebestsubstituteforanoven。ForSilaswouldnotconsenttohaveagrateandovenaddedtohisconveniences：helovedtheoldbrickhearthashehadlovedhisbrownpot——andwasitnottherewhenhehadfoundEppie？Thegodsofthehearthexistforusstill；andletallnewfaithbetolerantofthatfetishism，lestitbruiseitsownroots。

Silasatehisdinnermoresilentlythanusual，soonlayingdownhisknifeandfork，andwatchinghalf—abstractedlyEppie’splaywithSnapandthecat，bywhichherowndiningwasmaderatheralengthybusiness。Yetitwasasightthatmightwellarrestwanderingthoughts：Eppie，withtheripplingradianceofherhairandthewhitenessofherroundedchinandthroatsetoffbythedark—bluecottongown，laughingmerrilyasthekittenheldonwithherfourclawstooneshoulder，likeadesignforajug—handle，whileSnapontherighthandandPussontheotherputuptheirpawstowardsamorselwhichsheheldoutofthereachofboth——Snapoccasionallydesistinginordertoremonstratewiththecatbyacogentworryinggrowlonthegreedinessandfutilityofherconduct；tillEppierelented，caressedthemboth，anddividedthemorselbetweenthem。

ButatlastEppie，glancingattheclock，checkedtheplay，andsaid，"Odaddy，you’rewantingtogointothesunshinetosmokeyourpipe。ButImustclearawayfirst，soasthehousemaybetidywhengodmothercomes。I’llmakehaste——Iwon’tbelong。"

Silashadtakentosmokingapipedailyduringthelasttwoyears，havingbeenstronglyurgedtoitbythesagesofRaveloe，asapractice"goodforthefits"；andthisadvicewassanctionedbyDr。Kimble，onthegroundthatitwasaswelltotrywhatcoulddonoharm——aprinciplewhichwasmadetoanswerforagreatdealofworkinthatgentleman’smedicalpractice。Silasdidnothighlyenjoysmoking，andoftenwonderedhowhisneighbourscouldbesofondofit；butahumblesortofacquiescenceinwhatwasheldtobegood，hadbecomeastronghabitofthatnewselfwhichhadbeendevelopedinhimsincehehadfoundEppieonhishearth：ithadbeentheonlyclewhisbewilderedmindcouldholdbyincherishingthisyounglifethathadbeensenttohimoutofthedarknessintowhichhisgoldhaddeparted。ByseekingwhatwasneedfulforEppie，bysharingtheeffectthateverythingproducedonher，hehadhimselfcometoappropriatetheformsofcustomandbeliefwhichwerethemouldofRaveloelife；andas，withreawakeningsensibilities，memoryalsoreawakened，hehadbeguntoponderovertheelementsofhisoldfaith，andblendthemwithhisnewimpressions，tillherecoveredaconsciousnessofunitybetweenhispastandpresent。

Thesenseofpresidinggoodnessandthehumantrustwhichcomewithallpurepeaceandjoy，hadgivenhimadimimpressionthattherehadbeensomeerror，somemistake，whichhadthrownthatdarkshadowoverthedaysofhisbestyears；andasitgrewmoreandmoreeasytohimtoopenhismindtoDollyWinthrop，hegraduallycommunicatedtoherallhecoulddescribeofhisearlylife。Thecommunicationwasnecessarilyaslowanddifficultprocess，forSilas’smeagrepowerofexplanationwasnotaidedbyanyreadinessofinterpretationinDolly，whosenarrowoutwardexperiencegavehernokeytostrangecustoms，andmadeeverynoveltyasourceofwonderthatarrestedthemateverystepofthenarrative。Itwasonlybyfragments，andatintervalswhichleftDollytimetorevolvewhatshehadheardtillitacquiredsomefamiliarityforher，thatSilasatlastarrivedattheclimaxofthesadstory——thedrawingoflots，anditsfalsetestimonyconcerninghim；andthishadtoberepeatedinseveralinterviews，undernewquestionsonherpartastothenatureofthisplanfordetectingtheguiltyandclearingtheinnocent。

"Andyourn’sthesameBible，you’resureo’that，MasterMarner——

theBibleasyoubroughtwi’youfromthatcountry——it’sthesameaswhatthey’vegotatchurch，andwhatEppie’sa—learningtoreadin？"

"Yes，"saidSilas，"everybitthesame；andthere’sdrawingo’

lotsintheBible，mindyou，"headdedinalowertone。

"Oh，dear，dear，"saidDollyinagrievedvoice，asifshewerehearinganunfavourablereportofasickman’scase。Shewassilentforsomeminutes；atlastshesaid——

"There’swisefolks，happen，asknowhowitallis；theparsonknows，I’llbebound；butittakesbigwordstotellthemthings，andsuchaspoorfolkscan’tmakemuchouton。Icanneverrightlyknowthemeaningo’whatIhearatchurch，onlyabithereandthere，butIknowit’sgoodwords——Ido。Butwhatliesupo’yourmind——it’sthis，MasterMarner：as，ifThemabovehaddonetherightthingbyyou，They’dneverha’letyoubeturnedoutforawickedthiefwhenyouwasinnicent。"

"Ah！"saidSilas，whohadnowcometounderstandDolly’sphraseology，"thatwaswhatfellonmelikeasifithadbeenred—hotiron；because，yousee，therewasnobodyascaredformeorclavetomeabovenorbelow。AndhimasI’dgoneoutandinwi’fortenyearandmore，sincewhenwewasladsandwenthalves——mineownfamiliarfriendinwhomItrusted，hadlifteduphisheelagain’

me，andworkedtoruinme。"

"Eh，buthewasabadun——Ican’tthinkasthere’sanothersuch，"saidDolly。"ButI’mo’ercome，MasterMarner；I’mlikeasifI’dwakedanddidn’tknowwhetheritwasnightormorning。

IfeelsomehowassureasIdowhenI’velaidsomethingupthoughI

can’tjustlyputmyhandonit，astherewasarightsinwhathappenedtoyou，ifonecouldbutmakeitout；andyou’dnocalltoloseheartasyoudid。Butwe’lltalkonitagain；forsometimesthingscomeintomyheadwhenI’mleechingorpoulticing，orsuch，asIcouldneverthinkonwhenIwassittingstill。"

Dollywastoousefulawomannottohavemanyopportunitiesofilluminationofthekindshealludedto，andshewasnotlongbeforesherecurredtothesubject。

"MasterMarner，"shesaid，onedaythatshecametobringhomeEppie’swashing，"I’vebeensorepuzzledforagoodbitwi’thattroubleo’yournandthedrawingo’lots；anditgottwistedback’ardsandfor’ards，asIdidn’tknowwhichendtolayholdon。

Butitcometomeallclearlike，thatnightwhenIwassittingupwi’poorBessyFawkes，asisdeadandleftherchildrenbehind，Godhelp’em——itcometomeasclearasdaylight；butwhetherI’vegotholdonitnow，orcananywaysbringittomytongue’send，thatI

don’tknow。ForI’veoftenadealinsidemeas’llnevercomeout；

andforwhatyoutalko’yourfolksinyouroldcountryniversayingprayersbyheartnorsaying’emoutofabook，theymustbewonderfulcliver；forifIdidn’tknow"OurFather"，andlittlebitso’goodwordsasIcancarryouto’churchwi’me，Imightdowno’

mykneeseverynight，butnothingcouldIsay。"

"ButyoucanmostlysaysomethingasIcanmakesenseon，Mrs。Winthrop，"saidSilas。

"Well，then，MasterMarner，itcometomesummatlikethis：Icanmakenothingo’thedrawingo’lotsandtheanswercomingwrong；it’udmayhaptaketheparsontotellthat，andhecouldonlytellusi’bigwords。Butwhatcometomeasclearasthedaylight，itwaswhenIwastroublingoverpoorBessyFawkes，anditallayscomesintomyheadwhenI’msorryforfolks，andfeelasIcan’tdoapowertohelp’em，notifIwastogetupi’themiddleo’thenight——

itcomesintomyheadasThemabovehasgotadealtendererheartnorwhatI’vegot——forIcan’tbeanywaysbetternorThemasmademe；andifanythinglookshardtome，it’sbecausethere’sthingsI

don’tknowon；andforthemattero’that，theremaybeplentyo’

thingsIdon’tknowon，forit’slittleasIknow——thatitis。

Andso，whileIwasthinkingo’that，youcomeintomymind，MasterMarner，anditallcomepouringin：——if_I_felti’myinsidewhatwastherightandjustthingbyyou，andthemasprayedanddrawedthelots，allbutthatwickedun，if_they_’dha’donetherightthingbyyouiftheycould，isn’tthereThemaswasatthemakingonus，andknowsbetterandhasabetterwill？Andthat’sallaseverIcanbesureon，andeverythingelseisabigpuzzletomewhenI

thinkonit。Fortherewasthefevercomeandtookoffthemaswerefull—growed，andleftthehelplesschildren；andthere’sthebreakingo’limbs；andthemas’uddorightandbesoberhavetosufferbythemasarecontrairy——eh，there’stroublei’thisworld，andthere’sthingsaswecannivermakeouttherightson。

Andallaswe’vegottodoistotrusten，MasterMarner——todotherightthingasfurasweknow，andtotrusten。Forifusasknowssolittlecanseeabito’goodandrights，wemaybesureasthere’sagoodandarightsbiggernorwhatwecanknow——Ifeeliti’myowninsideasitmustbeso。Andifyoucouldbutha’goneontrustening，MasterMarner，youwouldn’tha’runawayfromyourfellow—creatursandbeensolone。"

"Ah，butthat’udha’beenhard，"saidSilas，inanunder—tone；

"it’udha’beenhardtotrustenthen。"

"Andsoitwould，"saidDolly，almostwithcompunction；"themthingsareeasiersaidnordone；andI’mpartlyashamedo’

talking。"

"Nay，nay，"saidSilas，"you’rei’theright，Mrs。Winthrop——

you’rei’theright。There’sgoodi’thisworld——I’veafeelingo’thatnow；anditmakesamanfeelasthere’sagoodmorenorhecansee，i’spiteo’thetroubleandthewickedness。Thatdrawingo’thelotsisdark；butthechildwassenttome：there’sdealingswithus——there’sdealings。"

ThisdialoguetookplaceinEppie’searlieryears，whenSilashadtopartwithherfortwohourseveryday，thatshemightlearntoreadatthedameschool，afterhehadvainlytriedhimselftoguideherinthatfirststeptolearning。Nowthatshewasgrownup，Silashadoftenbeenled，inthosemomentsofquietoutpouringwhichcometopeoplewholivetogetherinperfectlove，totalkwith_her_tooofthepast，andhowandwhyhehadlivedalonelymanuntilshehadbeensenttohim。ForitwouldhavebeenimpossibleforhimtohidefromEppiethatshewasnothisownchild：evenifthemostdelicatereticenceonthepointcouldhavebeenexpectedfromRaveloegossipsinherpresence，herownquestionsabouthermothercouldnothavebeenparried，asshegrewup，withoutthatcompleteshroudingofthepastwhichwouldhavemadeapainfulbarrierbetweentheirminds。

SoEppiehadlongknownhowhermotherhaddiedonthesnowyground，andhowsheherselfhadbeenfoundonthehearthbyfatherSilas，whohadtakenhergoldencurlsforhislostguineasbroughtbacktohim。ThetenderandpeculiarlovewithwhichSilashadrearedherinalmostinseparablecompanionshipwithhimself，aidedbytheseclusionoftheirdwelling，hadpreservedherfromtheloweringinfluencesofthevillagetalkandhabits，andhadkepthermindinthatfreshnesswhichissometimesfalselysupposedtobeaninvariableattributeofrusticity。Perfectlovehasabreathofpoetrywhichcanexalttherelationsoftheleast—instructedhumanbeings；andthisbreathofpoetryhadsurroundedEppiefromthetimewhenshehadfollowedthebrightgleamthatbeckonedhertoSilas’shearth；sothatitisnotsurprisingif，inotherthingsbesidesherdelicateprettiness，shewasnotquiteacommonvillagemaiden，buthadatouchofrefinementandfervourwhichcamefromnootherteachingthanthatoftenderly—nurturedunvitiatedfeeling。Shewastoochildishandsimpleforherimaginationtoroveintoquestionsaboutherunknownfather；foralongwhileitdidnotevenoccurtoherthatshemusthavehadafather；andthefirsttimethattheideaofhermotherhavinghadahusbandpresenteditselftoher，waswhenSilasshowedherthewedding—ringwhichhadbeentakenfromthewastedfinger，andhadbeencarefullypreservedbyhiminalittlelackeredboxshapedlikeashoe。HedeliveredthisboxintoEppie’schargewhenshehadgrownup，andsheoftenopenedittolookatthering：butstillshethoughthardlyatallaboutthefatherofwhomitwasthesymbol。Hadshenotafatherveryclosetoher，wholovedherbetterthananyrealfathersinthevillageseemedtolovetheirdaughters？Onthecontrary，whohermotherwas，andhowshecametodieinthatforlornness，werequestionsthatoftenpressedonEppie’smind。HerknowledgeofMrs。Winthrop，whowashernearestfriendnexttoSilas，madeherfeelthatamothermustbeveryprecious；andshehadagainandagainaskedSilastotellherhowhermotherlooked，whomshewaslike，andhowhehadfoundheragainstthefurzebush，ledtowardsitbythelittlefootstepsandtheoutstretchedarms。Thefurzebushwastherestill；andthisafternoon，whenEppiecameoutwithSilasintothesunshine，itwasthefirstobjectthatarrestedhereyesandthoughts。

"Father，"shesaid，inatoneofgentlegravity，whichsometimescamelikeasadder，slowercadenceacrossherplayfulness，"weshalltakethefurzebushintothegarden；it’llcomeintothecorner，andjustagainstitI’llputsnowdropsandcrocuses，’causeAaronsaystheywon’tdieout，but’llalwaysgetmoreandmore。"

"Ah，child，"saidSilas，alwaysreadytotalkwhenhehadhispipeinhishand，apparentlyenjoyingthepausesmorethanthepuffs，"itwouldn’tdotoleaveoutthefurzebush；andthere’snothingprettier，tomythinking，whenit’syallowwithflowers。Butit’sjustcomeintomyheadwhatwe’retodoforafence——mayhapAaroncanhelpustoathought；butafencewemusthave，elsethedonkeysandthings’ullcomeandtrampleeverythingdown。Andfencing’shardtobegotat，bywhatIcanmakeout。"

"Oh，I’lltellyou，daddy，"saidEppie，claspingherhandssuddenly，afteraminute’sthought。"There’slotso’loosestonesabout，someof’emnotbig，andwemightlay’ematopofoneanother，andmakeawall。Youandmecouldcarrythesmallest，andAaron’udcarrytherest——Iknowhewould。"

"Eh，mypreciousun，"saidSilas，"thereisn’tenoughstonestogoallround；andasforyoucarrying，why，wi’yourlittlearmsyoucouldn’tcarryastonenobiggerthanaturnip。You’redillicatemade，mydear，"headded，withatenderintonation——"that’swhatMrs。Winthropsays。"

"Oh，I’mstrongerthanyouthink，daddy，"saidEppie；"andiftherewasn’tstonesenoughtogoallround，whythey’llgoparto’

theway，andthenit’llbeeasiertogetsticksandthingsfortherest。Seehere，roundthebigpit，whatamanystones！"

Sheskippedforwardtothepit，meaningtoliftoneofthestonesandexhibitherstrength，butshestartedbackinsurprise。

"Oh，father，justcomeandlookhere，"sheexclaimed——"comeandseehowthewater’sgonedownsinceyesterday。Why，yesterdaythepitwaseversofull！"

"Well，tobesure，"saidSilas，comingtoherside。"Why，that’sthedrainingthey’vebegunon，sinceharvest，i’Mr。Osgood’sfields，Ireckon。Theforemansaidtometheotherday，whenI

passedby’em，"MasterMarner，"hesaid，"Ishouldn’twonderifwelayyourbito’wasteasdryasabone。"ItwasMr。GodfreyCass，hesaid，hadgoneintothedraining：he’dbeentakingthesefieldso’Mr。Osgood。"

"Howoddit’llseemtohavetheoldpitdriedup！"saidEppie，turningaway，andstoopingtoliftratheralargestone。"See，daddy，Icancarrythisquitewell，"shesaid，goingalongwithmuchenergyforafewsteps，butpresentlylettingitfall。

"Ah，you’refineandstrong，aren’tyou？"saidSilas，whileEppieshookherachingarmsandlaughed。"Come，come，letusgoandsitdownonthebankagainstthestilethere，andhavenomorelifting。

Youmighthurtyourself，child。You’dneedhavesomebodytoworkforyou——andmyarmisn’toverstrong。"

Silasutteredthelastsentenceslowly，asifitimpliedmorethanmettheear；andEppie，whentheysatdownonthebank，nestledclosetohisside，and，takingholdcaressinglyofthearmthatwasnotoverstrong，helditonherlap，whileSilaspuffedagaindutifullyatthepipe，whichoccupiedhisotherarm。Anashinthehedgerowbehindmadeafrettedscreenfromthesun，andthrewhappyplayfulshadowsallaboutthem。

"Father，"saidEppie，verygently，aftertheyhadbeensittinginsilencealittlewhile，"ifIwastobemarried，oughtItobemarriedwithmymother’sring？"

Silasgaveanalmostimperceptiblestart，thoughthequestionfellinwiththeunder—currentofthoughtinhisownmind，andthensaid，inasubduedtone，"Why，Eppie，haveyoubeena—thinkingonit？"

"Onlythislastweek，father，"saidEppie，ingenuously，"sinceAarontalkedtomeaboutit。"

"Andwhatdidhesay？"saidSilas，stillinthesamesubduedway，asifhewereanxiouslestheshouldfallintotheslightesttonethatwasnotforEppie’sgood。

"Hesaidheshouldliketobemarried，becausehewasa—goinginfour—and—twenty，andhadgotadealofgardeningwork，nowMr。Mott’sgivenup；andhegoestwicea—weekregulartoMr。Cass’s，andoncetoMr。Osgood’s，andthey’regoingtotakehimonattheRectory。"

"Andwhoisitashe’swantingtomarry？"saidSilas，withratherasadsmile。

"Why，me，tobesure，daddy，"saidEppie，withdimplinglaughter，kissingherfather’scheek；"asifhe’dwanttomarryanybodyelse！"

"Andyoumeantohavehim，doyou？"saidSilas。

"Yes，sometime，"saidEppie，"Idon’tknowwhen。Everybody’smarriedsometime，Aaronsays。ButItoldhimthatwasn’ttrue：

for，Isaid，lookatfather——he’sneverbeenmarried。"

"No，child，"saidSilas，"yourfatherwasalonemantillyouwassenttohim。"

"Butyou’llneverbeloneagain，father，"saidEppie，tenderly。

"ThatwaswhatAaronsaid——"Icouldneverthinko’takingyouawayfromMasterMarner，Eppie。"AndIsaid，"It’udbenouseifyoudid，Aaron。"Andhewantsusalltolivetogether，soasyouneedn’tworkabit，father，onlywhat’sforyourownpleasure；andhe’dbeasgoodasasontoyou——thatwaswhathesaid。"

"Andshouldyoulikethat，Eppie？"saidSilas，lookingather。

"Ishouldn’tmindit，father，"saidEppie，quitesimply。"AndI

shouldlikethingstobesoasyouneedn’tworkmuch。Butifitwasn’tforthat，I’dsoonerthingsdidn’tchange。I’mveryhappy：I

likeAarontobefondofme，andcomeandseeusoften，andbehaveprettytoyou——healways_does_behaveprettytoyou，doesn’the，father？"

"Yes，child，nobodycouldbehavebetter，"saidSilas，emphatically。"He’shismother’slad。"

"ButIdon’twantanychange，"saidEppie。"Ishouldliketogoonalong，longwhile，justasweare。OnlyAarondoeswantachange；andhemademecryabit——onlyabit——becausehesaidI

didn’tcareforhim，forifIcaredforhimIshouldwantustobemarried，ashedid。"

"Eh，myblessedchild，"saidSilas，layingdownhispipeasifitwereuselesstopretendtosmokeanylonger，"you’reo’eryoungtobemarried。We’llaskMrs。Winthrop——we’llaskAaron’smotherwhat_she_thinks：ifthere’sarightthingtodo，she’llcomeatit。Butthere’sthistobethoughton，Eppie：things_will_change，whetherwelikeitorno；thingswon’tgoonforalongwhilejustastheyareandnodifference。Ishallgetolderandhelplesser，andbeaburdenonyou，belike，ifIdon’tgoawayfromyoualtogether。NotasImeanyou’dthinkmeaburden——Iknowyouwouldn’t——butit’udbeharduponyou；andwhenIlookfor’ardtothat，Iliketothinkasyou’dhavesomebodyelsebesidesme——

somebodyyoungandstrong，as’lloutlastyourownlife，andtakecareonyoutotheend。"Silaspaused，and，restinghiswristsonhisknees，liftedhishandsupanddownmeditativelyashelookedontheground。

"Then，wouldyoulikemetobemarried，father？"saidEppie，withalittletremblinginhervoice。

"I’llnotbethemantosayno，Eppie，"saidSilas，emphatically；

"butwe’llaskyourgodmother。She’llwishtherightthingbyyouandhersontoo。"

"Theretheycome，then，"saidEppie。"Letusgoandmeet’em。

Oh，thepipe！won’tyouhaveitlitagain，father？"saidEppie，liftingthatmedicinalappliancefromtheground。

"Nay，child，"saidSilas，"I’vedoneenoughforto—day。Ithink，mayhap，alittleofitdoesmemoregoodthansomuchatonce。"

CHAPTERXVII

WhileSilasandEppiewereseatedonthebankdiscoursinginthefleckeredshadeoftheashtree，MissPriscillaLammeterwasresistinghersister’sarguments，thatitwouldbebettertotaketeaattheRedHouse，andletherfatherhavealongnap，thandrivehometotheWarrenssosoonafterdinner。Thefamilyparty（offouronly）wereseatedroundthetableinthedarkwainscotedparlour，withtheSundaydessertbeforethem，offreshfilberts，apples，andpears，dulyornamentedwithleavesbyNancy’sownhandbeforethebellshadrungforchurch。

AgreatchangehascomeoverthedarkwainscotedparloursincewesawitinGodfrey’sbachelordays，andunderthewifelessreignoftheoldSquire。Nowallispolish，onwhichnoyesterday’sdustiseverallowedtorest，fromtheyard’swidthofoakenboardsroundthecarpet，totheoldSquire’sgunandwhipsandwalking—sticks，rangedonthestag’santlersabovethemantelpiece。AllothersignsofsportingandoutdooroccupationNancyhasremovedtoanotherroom；butshehasbroughtintotheRedHousethehabitoffilialreverence，andpreservessacredlyinaplaceofhonourtheserelicsofherhusband’sdepartedfather。Thetankardsareontheside—tablestill，butthebossedsilverisundimmedbyhandling，andtherearenodregstosendforthunpleasantsuggestions：theonlyprevailingscentisofthelavenderandrose—leavesthatfillthevasesofDerbyshirespar。Allispurityandorderinthisoncedrearyroom，for，fifteenyearsago，itwasenteredbyanewpresidingspirit。

"Now，father，"saidNancy，"_is_thereanycallforyoutogohometotea？Mayn’tyoujustaswellstaywithus？——suchabeautifuleveningasit’slikelytobe。"

TheoldgentlemanhadbeentalkingwithGodfreyabouttheincreasingpoor—rateandtheruinoustimes，andhadnotheardthedialoguebetweenhisdaughters。

"Mydear，youmustaskPriscilla，"hesaid，intheoncefirmvoice，nowbecomeratherbroken。"Shemanagesmeandthefarmtoo。"

"AndreasongoodasIshouldmanageyou，father，"saidPriscilla，"elseyou’dbegivingyourselfyourdeathwithrheumatism。Andasforthefarm，ifanythingturnsoutwrong，asitcan’tbutdointhesetimes，there’snothingkillsamansosoonashavingnobodytofindfaultwithbuthimself。It’sadealthebestwayo’beingmaster，toletsomebodyelsedotheordering，andkeeptheblaminginyourownhands。It’udsavemanyamanastroke，_I_believe。"

"Well，well，mydear，"saidherfather，withaquietlaugh，"I

didn’tsayyoudon’tmanageforeverybody’sgood。"

"Thenmanagesoasyoumaystaytea，Priscilla，"saidNancy，puttingherhandonhersister’sarmaffectionately。"Comenow；

andwe’llgoroundthegardenwhilefatherhashisnap。"

"Mydearchild，he’llhaveabeautifulnapinthegig，forIshalldrive。Andasforstayingtea，Ican’thearofit；forthere’sthisdairymaid，nowsheknowsshe’stobemarried，turnedMichaelmas，she’dasliefpourthenewmilkintothepig—troughasintothepans。That’sthewaywith’emall：it’sasiftheythoughttheworld’udbenew—madebecausethey’retobemarried。Socomeandletmeputmybonneton，andthere’llbetimeforustowalkroundthegardenwhilethehorseisbeingputin。"

Whenthesistersweretreadingtheneatly—sweptgarden—walks，betweenthebrightturfthatcontrastedpleasantlywiththedarkconesandarchesandwall—likehedgesofyew，Priscillasaid——

"I’masgladasanythingatyourhusband’smakingthatexchangeo’

landwithcousinOsgood，andbeginningthedairying。It’sathousandpitiesyoudidn’tdoitbefore；forit’llgiveyousomethingtofillyourmind。There’snothinglikeadairyiffolkswantabito’worrittomakethedayspass。Forasforrubbingfurniture，whenyoucanonceseeyourfaceinatablethere’snothingelsetolookfor；butthere’salwayssomethingfreshwiththedairy；foreveninthedepthso’winterthere’ssomepleasureinconqueringthebutter，andmakingitcomewhetherorno。Mydear，"

addedPriscilla，pressinghersister’shandaffectionatelyastheywalkedsidebyside，"you’llneverbelowwhenyou’vegotadairy。"

"Ah，Priscilla，"saidNancy，returningthepressurewithagratefulglanceofhercleareyes，"butitwon’tmakeuptoGodfrey：adairy’snotsomuchtoaman。Andit’sonlywhathecaresforthatevermakesmelow。I’mcontentedwiththeblessingswehave，ifhecouldbecontented。"

"Itdrivesmepastpatience，"saidPriscilla，impetuously，"thatwayo’themen——alwayswantingandwanting，andnevereasywithwhatthey’vegot：theycan’tsitcomfortableintheirchairswhenthey’veneitherachenorpain，buteithertheymuststickapipeintheirmouths，tomake’embetterthanwell，orelsetheymustbeswallowingsomethingstrong，thoughthey’reforcedtomakehastebeforethenextmealcomesin。Butjoyfulbeitspoken，ourfatherwasneverthatsorto’man。AndifithadpleasedGodtomakeyouugly，likeme，soasthemenwouldn’tha’runafteryou，wemighthavekepttoourownfamily，andhadnothingtodowithfolksashavegotuneasybloodintheirveins。"

"Oh，don’tsayso，Priscilla，"saidNancy，repentingthatshehadcalledforththisoutburst；"nobodyhasanyoccasiontofindfaultwithGodfrey。It’snaturalheshouldbedisappointedatnothavinganychildren：everymanlikestohavesomebodytoworkforandlaybyfor，andhealwayscountedsoonmakingafusswith’emwhentheywerelittle。There’smanyanotherman’udhankermorethanhedoes。

He’sthebestofhusbands。"

"Oh，Iknow，"saidPriscilla，smilingsarcastically，"Iknowthewayo’wives；theysetoneontoabusetheirhusbands，andthentheyturnroundononeandpraise’emasiftheywantedtosell’em。Butfather’llbewaitingforme；wemustturnnow。"

Thelargegigwiththesteadyoldgreywasatthefrontdoor，andMr。Lammeterwasalreadyonthestonesteps，passingthetimeinrecallingtoGodfreywhatveryfinepointsSpecklehadwhenhismasterusedtoridehim。