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。