AlreadyMr。Maceyandafewotherprivilegedvillagers，whowereallowedtobespectatorsonthesegreatoccasions，wereseatedonbenchesplacedforthemnearthedoor；andgreatwastheadmirationandsatisfactioninthatquarterwhenthecoupleshadformedthemselvesforthedance，andtheSquireledoffwithMrs。Crackenthorp，joininghandswiththerectorandMrs。Osgood。
Thatwasasitshouldbe——thatwaswhateverybodyhadbeenusedto——
andthecharterofRaveloeseemedtoberenewedbytheceremony。
Itwasnotthoughtofasanunbecominglevityfortheoldandmiddle—agedpeopletodancealittlebeforesittingdowntocards，butratheraspartoftheirsocialduties。Forwhatweretheseifnottobemerryatappropriatetimes，interchangingvisitsandpoultrywithduefrequency，payingeachotherold—establishedcomplimentsinsoundtraditionalphrases，passingwell—triedpersonaljokes，urgingyourgueststoeatanddrinktoomuchoutofhospitality，andeatinganddrinkingtoomuchinyourneighbour’shousetoshowthatyoulikedyourcheer？Andtheparsonnaturallysetanexampleinthesesocialduties。ForitwouldnothavebeenpossiblefortheRaveloemind，withoutapeculiarrevelation，toknowthataclergymanshouldbeapale—facedmementoofsolemnities，insteadofareasonablyfaultymanwhoseexclusiveauthoritytoreadprayersandpreach，tochristen，marry，andburyyou，necessarilycoexistedwiththerighttosellyouthegroundtobeburiedinandtotaketitheinkind；onwhichlastpoint，ofcourse，therewasalittlegrumbling，butnottotheextentofirreligion——notofdeepersignificancethanthegrumblingattherain，whichwasbynomeansaccompaniedwithaspiritofimpiousdefiance，butwithadesirethattheprayerforfineweathermightbereadforthwith。
Therewasnoreason，then，whytherector’sdancingshouldnotbereceivedaspartofthefitnessofthingsquiteasmuchastheSquire’s，orwhy，ontheotherhand，Mr。Macey’sofficialrespectshouldrestrainhimfromsubjectingtheparson’sperformancetothatcriticismwithwhichmindsofextraordinaryacutenessmustnecessarilycontemplatethedoingsoftheirfalliblefellow—men。
\"TheSquire’sprettyspringe，consideringhisweight，\"saidMr。Macey，\"andhestampsuncommonwell。ButMr。Lammeterbeats’emallforshapes：youseeheholdshisheadlikeasodger，andheisn’tsocushionyasmosto’theoldishgentlefolks——theyrunfatingeneral；andhe’sgotafineleg。Theparson’snimbleenough，buthehasn’tgotmuchofaleg：it’sabittoothickdown’ard，andhiskneesmightbeabitnearerwi’outdamage；buthemightdoworse，hemightdoworse。Thoughhehasn’tthatgrandwayo’wavinghishandastheSquirehas。\"
\"Talko’nimbleness，lookatMrs。Osgood，\"saidBenWinthrop，whowasholdinghissonAaronbetweenhisknees。\"Shetripsalongwithherlittlesteps，soasnobodycanseehowshegoes——it’slikeasifshehadlittlewheelstoherfeet。Shedoesn’tlookadayoldernorlastyear：she’sthefinest—madewomanasis，letthenextbewhereshewill。\"
\"Idon’theedhowthewomenaremade，\"saidMr。Macey，withsomecontempt。\"Theywearnaythercoatnorbreeches：youcan’tmakemuchouto’theirshapes。\"
\"Fayder，\"saidAaron，whosefeetwerebusybeatingoutthetune，\"howdoesthatbigcock’s—featherstickinMrs。Crackenthorp’syead？Istherealittleholeforit，likeinmyshuttle—cock？\"
\"Hush，lad，hush；that’sthewaytheladiesdresstheirselves，thatis，\"saidthefather，adding，however，inanundertonetoMr。Macey，\"Itdoesmakeherlookfunny，though——partlylikeashort—neckedbottlewi’alongquillinit。Hey，byjingo，there’stheyoungSquireleadingoffnow，wi’MissNancyforpartners！
There’salassforyou！——likeapink—and—whiteposy——there’snobody’udthinkasanybodycouldbesopritty。Ishouldn’twonderifshe’sMadamCasssomeday，arterall——andnobodymorerightfuller，forthey’dmakeafinematch。YoucanfindnothingagainstMasterGodfrey’sshapes，Macey，_I_’llbetapenny。\"
Mr。Maceyscreweduphismouth，leanedhisheadfurtherononeside，andtwirledhisthumbswithaprestomovementashiseyesfollowedGodfreyupthedance。Atlasthesummeduphisopinion。
\"Prettywelldown’ard，butabittooroundi’theshoulder—blades。
AndasforthemcoatsashegetsfromtheFlittontailor，they’reapoorcuttopaydoublemoneyfor。\"
\"Ah，Mr。Macey，youandmearetwofolks，\"saidBen，slightlyindignantatthiscarping。\"WhenI’vegotapoto’goodale，I
liketoswallerit，anddomyinsidegood，i’steado’smellingandstaringatittoseeifIcan’tfindfautwi’thebrewing。Ishouldlikeyoutopickmeoutafiner—limbedyoungfellownorMasterGodfrey——oneas’udknockyoudowneasier，or’smorepleasanter—looksedwhenhe’spiertandmerry。\"
\"Tchuh！\"saidMr。Macey，provokedtoincreasedseverity，\"heisn’tcometohisrightcolouryet：he’spartlylikeaslack—bakedpie。AndIdoubthe’sgotasoftplaceinhishead，elsewhyshouldhebeturnedroundthefingerbythatoffalDunseyasnobody’sseeno’late，andlethimkillthatfinehuntinghossaswasthetalko’
thecountry？AndonewhilehewasallaysafterMissNancy，andthenitallwentoffagain，likeasmello’hotporridge，asImaysay。
Thatwasn’tmywaywhen_I_wenta—coorting。\"
\"Ah，butmayhapMissNancyhungoff，like，andyourlassdidn’t，\"
saidBen。
\"Ishouldsayshedidn’t，\"saidMr。Macey，significantly。
\"BeforeIsaid\"sniff\"，Itookcaretoknowasshe’dsay\"snaff\"，andprettyquicktoo。Iwasn’ta—goingtoopen_my_mouth，likeadogatafly，andsnapittoagain，wi’nothingtoswaller。\"
\"Well，IthinkMissNancy’sa—comingroundagain，\"saidBen，\"forMasterGodfreydoesn’tlooksodown—heartedto—night。AndIseehe’sfortakingherawaytositdown，nowthey’reattheendo’thedance：thatlookslikesweethearting，thatdoes。\"
ThereasonwhyGodfreyandNancyhadleftthedancewasnotsotenderasBenimagined。IntheclosepressofcouplesaslightaccidenthadhappenedtoNancy’sdress，which，whileitwasshortenoughtoshowherneatankleinfront，waslongenoughbehindtobecaughtunderthestatelystampoftheSquire’sfoot，soastorendcertainstitchesatthewaist，andcausemuchsisterlyagitationinPriscilla’smind，aswellasseriousconcerninNancy’s。One’sthoughtsmaybemuchoccupiedwithlove—struggles，buthardlysoastobeinsensibletoadisorderinthegeneralframeworkofthings。
NancyhadnosoonercompletedherdutyinthefiguretheyweredancingthanshesaidtoGodfrey，withadeepblush，thatshemustgoandsitdowntillPriscillacouldcometoher；forthesistershadalreadyexchangedashortwhisperandanopen—eyedglancefullofmeaning。NoreasonlessurgentthanthiscouldhaveprevailedonNancytogiveGodfreythisopportunityofsittingapartwithher。
AsforGodfrey，hewasfeelingsohappyandobliviousunderthelongcharmofthecountry—dancewithNancy，thathegotratherboldonthestrengthofherconfusion，andwascapableofleadingherstraightaway，withoutleaveasked，intotheadjoiningsmallparlour，wherethecard—tableswereset。
\"Ohno，thankyou，\"saidNancy，coldly，assoonassheperceivedwherehewasgoing，\"notinthere。I’llwaitheretillPriscilla’sreadytocometome。I’msorrytobringyououtofthedanceandmakemyselftroublesome。\"
\"Why，you’llbemorecomfortableherebyyourself，\"saidtheartfulGodfrey：\"I’llleaveyouheretillyoursistercancome。\"
Hespokeinanindifferenttone。
Thatwasanagreeableproposition，andjustwhatNancydesired；why，then，wasshealittlehurtthatMr。Godfreyshouldmakeit？Theyentered，andsheseatedherselfonachairagainstoneofthecard—tables，asthestiffestandmostunapproachablepositionshecouldchoose。
\"Thankyou，sir，\"shesaidimmediately。\"Ineedn’tgiveyouanymoretrouble。I’msorryyou’vehadsuchanunluckypartner。\"
\"That’sveryill—naturedofyou，\"saidGodfrey，standingbyherwithoutanysignofintendeddeparture，\"tobesorryyou’vedancedwithme。\"
\"Oh，no，sir，Idon’tmeantosaywhat’sill—naturedatall，\"saidNancy，lookingdistractinglyprimandpretty。\"Whengentlemenhavesomanypleasures，onedancecanmatterbutverylittle。\"
\"Youknowthatisn’ttrue。Youknowonedancewithyoumattersmoretomethanalltheotherpleasuresintheworld。\"
Itwasalong，longwhilesinceGodfreyhadsaidanythingsodirectasthat，andNancywasstartled。Butherinstinctivedignityandrepugnancetoanyshowofemotionmadehersitperfectlystill，andonlythrowalittlemoredecisionintohervoice，asshesaid——
\"No，indeed，Mr。Godfrey，that’snotknowntome，andIhaveverygoodreasonsforthinkingdifferent。Butifit’strue，Idon’twishtohearit。\"
\"Wouldyouneverforgiveme，then，Nancy——neverthinkwellofme，letwhatwouldhappen——wouldyouneverthinkthepresentmadeamendsforthepast？NotifIturnedagoodfellow，andgaveupeverythingyoudidn’tlike？\"
GodfreywashalfconsciousthatthissuddenopportunityofspeakingtoNancyalonehaddrivenhimbesidehimself；butblindfeelinghadgotthemasteryofhistongue。NancyreallyfeltmuchagitatedbythepossibilityGodfrey’swordssuggested，butthisverypressureofemotionthatshewasindangeroffindingtoostrongforherrousedallherpowerofself—command。
\"Ishouldbegladtoseeagoodchangeinanybody，Mr。Godfrey，\"
sheanswered，withtheslightestdiscernibledifferenceoftone，\"butit’udbebetterifnochangewaswanted。\"
\"You’reveryhard—hearted，Nancy，\"saidGodfrey，pettishly。\"Youmightencouragemetobeabetterfellow。I’mverymiserable——butyou’venofeeling。\"
\"Ithinkthosehavetheleastfeelingthatactwrongtobeginwith，\"saidNancy，sendingoutaflashinspiteofherself。
Godfreywasdelightedwiththatlittleflash，andwouldhavelikedtogoonandmakeherquarrelwithhim；Nancywassoexasperatinglyquietandfirm。Butshewasnotindifferenttohim_yet_，though——
TheentranceofPriscilla，bustlingforwardandsaying，\"Dearheartalive，child，letuslookatthisgown，\"cutoffGodfrey’shopesofaquarrel。
\"IsupposeImustgonow，\"hesaidtoPriscilla。
\"It’snomattertomewhetheryougoorstay，\"saidthatfranklady，searchingforsomethinginherpocket，withapreoccupiedbrow。
\"Do_you_wantmetogo？\"saidGodfrey，lookingatNancy，whowasnowstandingupbyPriscilla’sorder。
\"Asyoulike，\"saidNancy，tryingtorecoverallherformercoldness，andlookingdowncarefullyatthehemofhergown。
\"ThenIliketostay，\"saidGodfrey，witharecklessdeterminationtogetasmuchofthisjoyashecouldto—night，andthinknothingofthemorrow。
CHAPTERXII
WhileGodfreyCasswastakingdraughtsofforgetfulnessfromthesweetpresenceofNancy，willinglylosingallsenseofthathiddenbondwhichatothermomentsgalledandfrettedhimsoastomingleirritationwiththeverysunshine，Godfrey’swifewaswalkingwithslowuncertainstepsthroughthesnow—coveredRaveloelanes，carryingherchildinherarms。
ThisjourneyonNewYear’sEvewasapremeditatedactofvengeancewhichshehadkeptinherhearteversinceGodfrey，inafitofpassion，hadtoldherhewouldsoonerdiethanacknowledgeherashiswife。TherewouldbeagreatpartyattheRedHouseonNewYear’sEve，sheknew：herhusbandwouldbesmilingandsmiledupon，hiding_her_existenceinthedarkestcornerofhisheart。Butshewouldmarhispleasure：shewouldgoinherdingyrags，withherfadedface，onceashandsomeasthebest，withherlittlechildthathaditsfather’shairandeyes，anddiscloseherselftotheSquireashiseldestson’swife。Itisseldomthatthemiserablecanhelpregardingtheirmiseryasawronginflictedbythosewhoarelessmiserable。Mollyknewthatthecauseofherdingyragswasnotherhusband’sneglect，butthedemonOpiumtowhomshewasenslaved，bodyandsoul，exceptinthelingeringmother’stendernessthatrefusedtogivehimherhungrychild。Sheknewthiswell；andyet，inthemomentsofwretchedunbenumbedconsciousness，thesenseofherwantanddegradationtransformeditselfcontinuallyintobitternesstowardsGodfrey。_He_waswelloff；andifshehadherrightsshewouldbewellofftoo。Thebeliefthatherepentedhismarriage，andsufferedfromit，onlyaggravatedhervindictiveness。
Justandself—reprovingthoughtsdonotcometoustoothickly，eveninthepurestair，andwiththebestlessonsofheavenandearth；
howshouldthosewhite—wingeddelicatemessengersmaketheirwaytoMolly’spoisonedchamber，inhabitedbynohighermemoriesthanthoseofabarmaid’sparadiseofpinkribbonsandgentlemen’sjokes？
Shehadsetoutatanearlyhour，buthadlingeredontheroad，inclinedbyherindolencetobelievethatifshewaitedunderawarmshedthesnowwouldceasetofall。Shehadwaitedlongerthansheknew，andnowthatshefoundherselfbelatedinthesnow—hiddenruggednessofthelonglanes，eventheanimationofavindictivepurposecouldnotkeepherspiritfromfailing。Itwasseveno’clock，andbythistimeshewasnotveryfarfromRaveloe，butshewasnotfamiliarenoughwiththosemonotonouslanestoknowhownearshewastoherjourney’send。Sheneededcomfort，andsheknewbutonecomforter——thefamiliardemoninherbosom；butshehesitatedamoment，afterdrawingouttheblackremnant，beforesheraisedittoherlips。Inthatmomentthemother’slovepleadedforpainfulconsciousnessratherthanoblivion——pleadedtobeleftinachingweariness，ratherthantohavetheencirclingarmsbenumbedsothattheycouldnotfeelthedearburden。InanothermomentMollyhadflungsomethingaway，butitwasnottheblackremnant——itwasanemptyphial。Andshewalkedonagainunderthebreakingcloud，fromwhichtherecamenowandthenthelightofaquicklyveiledstar，forafreezingwindhadsprungupsincethesnowinghadceased。Butshewalkedalwaysmoreandmoredrowsily，andclutchedmoreandmoreautomaticallythesleepingchildatherbosom。
Slowlythedemonwasworkinghiswill，andcoldandwearinesswerehishelpers。Soonshefeltnothingbutasupremeimmediatelongingthatcurtainedoffallfuturity——thelongingtoliedownandsleep。Shehadarrivedataspotwhereherfootstepswerenolongercheckedbyahedgerow，andshehadwanderedvaguely，unabletodistinguishanyobjects，notwithstandingthewidewhitenessaroundher，andthegrowingstarlight。Shesankdownagainstastragglingfurzebush，aneasypillowenough；andthebedofsnow，too，wassoft。Shedidnotfeelthatthebedwascold，anddidnotheedwhetherthechildwouldwakeandcryforher。Butherarmshadnotyetrelaxedtheirinstinctiveclutch；andthelittleoneslumberedonasgentlyasifithadbeenrockedinalace—trimmedcradle。
Butthecompletetorporcameatlast：thefingerslosttheirtension，thearmsunbent；thenthelittleheadfellawayfromthebosom，andtheblueeyesopenedwideonthecoldstarlight。Atfirsttherewasalittlepeevishcryof\"mammy\"，andanefforttoregainthepillowingarmandbosom；butmammy’searwasdeaf，andthepillowseemedtobeslippingawaybackward。Suddenly，asthechildrolleddownwardonitsmother’sknees，allwetwithsnow，itseyeswerecaughtbyabrightglancinglightonthewhiteground，and，withthereadytransitionofinfancy，itwasimmediatelyabsorbedinwatchingthebrightlivingthingrunningtowardsit，yetneverarriving。Thatbrightlivingthingmustbecaught；andinaninstantthechildhadslippedonall—fours，andheldoutonelittlehandtocatchthegleam。Butthegleamwouldnotbecaughtinthatway，andnowtheheadwashelduptoseewherethecunninggleamcamefrom。Itcamefromaverybrightplace；andthelittleone，risingonitslegs，toddledthroughthesnow，theoldgrimyshawlinwhichitwaswrappedtrailingbehindit，andthequeerlittlebonnetdanglingatitsback——toddledontotheopendoorofSilasMarner’scottage，andrightuptothewarmhearth，wheretherewasabrightfireoflogsandsticks，whichhadthoroughlywarmedtheoldsack（Silas’sgreatcoat）spreadoutonthebrickstodry。Thelittleone，accustomedtobelefttoitselfforlonghourswithoutnoticefromitsmother，squatteddownonthesack，andspreaditstinyhandstowardstheblaze，inperfectcontentment，gurglingandmakingmanyinarticulatecommunicationstothecheerfulfire，likeanew—hatchedgoslingbeginningtofinditselfcomfortable。Butpresentlythewarmthhadalullingeffect，andthelittlegoldenheadsankdownontheoldsack，andtheblueeyeswereveiledbytheirdelicatehalf—transparentlids。
ButwherewasSilasMarnerwhilethisstrangevisitorhadcometohishearth？Hewasinthecottage，buthedidnotseethechild。
Duringthelastfewweeks，sincehehadlosthismoney，hehadcontractedthehabitofopeninghisdoorandlookingoutfromtimetotime，asifhethoughtthathismoneymightbesomehowcomingbacktohim，orthatsometrace，somenewsofit，mightbemysteriouslyontheroad，andbecaughtbythelisteningearorthestrainingeye。Itwaschieflyatnight，whenhewasnotoccupiedinhisloom，thathefellintothisrepetitionofanactforwhichhecouldhaveassignednodefinitepurpose，andwhichcanhardlybeunderstoodexceptbythosewhohaveundergoneabewilderingseparationfromasupremelylovedobject。Intheeveningtwilight，andlaterwheneverthenightwasnotdark，SilaslookedoutonthatnarrowprospectroundtheStone—pits，listeningandgazing，notwithhope，butwithmereyearningandunrest。
ThismorninghehadbeentoldbysomeofhisneighboursthatitwasNewYear’sEve，andthathemustsitupandheartheoldyearrungoutandthenewrungin，becausethatwasgoodluck，andmightbringhismoneybackagain。ThiswasonlyafriendlyRaveloe—wayofjestingwiththehalf—crazyodditiesofamiser，butithadperhapshelpedtothrowSilasintoamorethanusuallyexcitedstate。Sincetheon—comingoftwilighthehadopenedhisdooragainandagain，thoughonlytoshutitimmediatelyatseeingalldistanceveiledbythefallingsnow。Butthelasttimeheopeneditthesnowhadceased，andthecloudswerepartinghereandthere。Hestoodandlistened，andgazedforalongwhile——therewasreallysomethingontheroadcomingtowardshimthen，buthecaughtnosignofit；
andthestillnessandthewidetracklesssnowseemedtonarrowhissolitude，andtouchedhisyearningwiththechillofdespair。Hewentinagain，andputhisrighthandonthelatchofthedoortocloseit——buthedidnotcloseit：hewasarrested，ashehadbeenalreadysincehisloss，bytheinvisiblewandofcatalepsy，andstoodlikeagravenimage，withwidebutsightlesseyes，holdingopenhisdoor，powerlesstoresisteitherthegoodortheevilthatmightenterthere。
WhenMarner’ssensibilityreturned，hecontinuedtheactionwhichhadbeenarrested，andclosedhisdoor，unawareofthechasminhisconsciousness，unawareofanyintermediatechange，exceptthatthelighthadgrowndim，andthathewaschilledandfaint。Hethoughthehadbeentoolongstandingatthedoorandlookingout。Turningtowardsthehearth，wherethetwologshadfallenapart，andsentforthonlyareduncertainglimmer，heseatedhimselfonhisfiresidechair，andwasstoopingtopushhislogstogether，when，tohisblurredvision，itseemedasifthereweregoldonthefloorinfrontofthehearth。Gold！——hisowngold——broughtbacktohimasmysteriouslyasithadbeentakenaway！Hefelthisheartbegintobeatviolently，andforafewmomentshewasunabletostretchouthishandandgrasptherestoredtreasure。Theheapofgoldseemedtoglowandgetlargerbeneathhisagitatedgaze。Heleanedforwardatlast，andstretchedforthhishand；butinsteadofthehardcoinwiththefamiliarresistingoutline，hisfingersencounteredsoftwarmcurls。Inutteramazement，Silasfellonhiskneesandbenthisheadlowtoexaminethemarvel：itwasasleepingchild——around，fairthing，withsoftyellowringsalloveritshead。Couldthisbehislittlesistercomebacktohiminadream——
hislittlesisterwhomhehadcarriedaboutinhisarmsforayearbeforeshedied，whenhewasasmallboywithoutshoesorstockings？ThatwasthefirstthoughtthatdartedacrossSilas’sblankwonderment。_Was_itadream？Herosetohisfeetagain，pushedhislogstogether，and，throwingonsomedriedleavesandsticks，raisedaflame；buttheflamedidnotdispersethevision——
itonlylitupmoredistinctlythelittleroundformofthechild，anditsshabbyclothing。Itwasverymuchlikehislittlesister。
Silassankintohischairpowerless，underthedoublepresenceofaninexplicablesurpriseandahurryinginfluxofmemories。Howandwhenhadthechildcomeinwithouthisknowledge？Hehadneverbeenbeyondthedoor。Butalongwiththatquestion，andalmostthrustingitaway，therewasavisionoftheoldhomeandtheoldstreetsleadingtoLanternYard——andwithinthatvisionanother，ofthethoughtswhichhadbeenpresentwithhiminthosefar—offscenes。
Thethoughtswerestrangetohimnow，likeoldfriendshipsimpossibletorevive；andyethehadadreamyfeelingthatthischildwassomehowamessagecometohimfromthatfar—offlife：itstirredfibresthathadneverbeenmovedinRaveloe——oldquiveringsoftenderness——oldimpressionsofaweatthepresentimentofsomePowerpresidingoverhislife；forhisimaginationhadnotyetextricateditselffromthesenseofmysteryinthechild’ssuddenpresence，andhadformednoconjecturesofordinarynaturalmeansbywhichtheeventcouldhavebeenbroughtabout。
Buttherewasacryonthehearth：thechildhadawaked，andMarnerstoopedtoliftitonhisknee。Itclungroundhisneck，andburstlouderandlouderintothatminglingofinarticulatecrieswith\"mammy\"bywhichlittlechildrenexpressthebewildermentofwaking。Silaspressedittohim，andalmostunconsciouslyutteredsoundsofhushingtenderness，whilehebethoughthimselfthatsomeofhisporridge，whichhadgotcoolbythedyingfire，woulddotofeedthechildwithifitwereonlywarmedupalittle。
Hehadplentytodothroughthenexthour。Theporridge，sweetenedwithsomedrybrownsugarfromanoldstorewhichhehadrefrainedfromusingforhimself，stoppedthecriesofthelittleone，andmadeherliftherblueeyeswithawidequietgazeatSilas，asheputthespoonintohermouth。Presentlysheslippedfromhiskneeandbegantotoddleabout，butwithaprettystaggerthatmadeSilasjumpupandfollowherlestsheshouldfallagainstanythingthatwouldhurther。Butsheonlyfellinasittingpostureontheground，andbegantopullatherboots，lookingupathimwithacryingfaceasifthebootshurther。Hetookheronhiskneeagain，butitwassometimebeforeitoccurredtoSilas’sdullbachelormindthatthewetbootswerethegrievance，pressingonherwarmankles。Hegotthemoffwithdifficulty，andbabywasatoncehappilyoccupiedwiththeprimarymysteryofherowntoes，invitingSilas，withmuchchuckling，toconsiderthemysterytoo。ButthewetbootshadatlastsuggestedtoSilasthatthechildhadbeenwalkingonthesnow，andthisrousedhimfromhisentireoblivionofanyordinarymeansbywhichitcouldhaveenteredorbeenbroughtintohishouse。Underthepromptingofthisnewidea，andwithoutwaitingtoformconjectures，heraisedthechildinhisarms，andwenttothedoor。Assoonashehadopenedit，therewasthecryof\"mammy\"again，whichSilashadnotheardsincethechild’sfirsthungrywaking。Bendingforward，hecouldjustdiscernthemarksmadebythelittlefeetonthevirginsnow，andhefollowedtheirtracktothefurzebushes。\"Mammy！\"thelittleonecriedagainandagain，stretchingitselfforwardsoasalmosttoescapefromSilas’sarms，beforehehimselfwasawarethattherewassomethingmorethanthebushbeforehim——thattherewasahumanbody，withtheheadsunklowinthefurze，andhalf—coveredwiththeshakensnow。
CHAPTERXIII
Itwasaftertheearlysupper—timeattheRedHouse，andtheentertainmentwasinthatstagewhenbashfulnessitselfhadpassedintoeasyjollity，whengentlemen，consciousofunusualaccomplishments，couldatlengthbeprevailedontodanceahornpipe，andwhentheSquirepreferredtalkingloudly，scatteringsnuff，andpattinghisvisitors’backs，tosittinglongeratthewhist—table——achoiceexasperatingtouncleKimble，who，beingalwaysvolatileinsoberbusinesshours，becameintenseandbitterovercardsandbrandy，shuffledbeforehisadversary’sdealwithaglareofsuspicion，andturnedupameantrump—cardwithanairofinexpressibledisgust，asifinaworldwheresuchthingscouldhappenonemightaswellenteronacourseofrecklessprofligacy。
Whentheeveninghadadvancedtothispitchoffreedomandenjoyment，itwasusualfortheservants，theheavydutiesofsupperbeingwellover，togettheirshareofamusementbycomingtolookonatthedancing；sothatthebackregionsofthehousewereleftinsolitude。
ThereweretwodoorsbywhichtheWhiteParlourwasenteredfromthehall，andtheywerebothstandingopenforthesakeofair；buttheloweronewascrowdedwiththeservantsandvillagers，andonlytheupperdoorwaywasleftfree。BobCasswasfiguringinahornpipe，andhisfather，veryproudofthislitheson，whomherepeatedlydeclaredtobejustlikehimselfinhisyoungdaysinatonethatimpliedthistobetheveryhigheststampofjuvenilemerit，wasthecentreofagroupwhohadplacedthemselvesoppositetheperformer，notfarfromtheupperdoor。Godfreywasstandingalittlewayoff，nottoadmirehisbrother’sdancing，buttokeepsightofNancy，whowasseatedinthegroup，nearherfather。Hestoodaloof，becausehewishedtoavoidsuggestinghimselfasasubjectfortheSquire’sfatherlyjokesinconnectionwithmatrimonyandMissNancyLammeter’sbeauty，whichwerelikelytobecomemoreandmoreexplicit。Buthehadtheprospectofdancingwithheragainwhenthehornpipewasconcluded，andinthemeanwhileitwasverypleasanttogetlongglancesatherquiteunobserved。
ButwhenGodfreywasliftinghiseyesfromoneofthoselongglances，theyencounteredanobjectasstartlingtohimatthatmomentasifithadbeenanapparitionfromthedead。It_was_anapparitionfromthathiddenlifewhichlies，likeadarkby—street，behindthegoodlyornamentedfacadethatmeetsthesunlightandthegazeofrespectableadmirers。Itwashisownchild，carriedinSilasMarner’sarms。Thatwashisinstantaneousimpression，unaccompaniedbydoubt，thoughhehadnotseenthechildformonthspast；andwhenthehopewasrisingthathemightpossiblybemistaken，Mr。CrackenthorpandMr。LammeterhadalreadyadvancedtoSilas，inastonishmentatthisstrangeadvent。Godfreyjoinedthemimmediately，unabletorestwithouthearingeveryword——tryingtocontrolhimself，butconsciousthatifanyonenoticedhim，theymustseethathewaswhite—lippedandtrembling。
ButnowalleyesatthatendoftheroomwerebentonSilasMarner；
theSquirehimselfhadrisen，andaskedangrily，\"How’sthis？——
what’sthis？——whatdoyoudocominginhereinthisway？\"
\"I’mcomeforthedoctor——Iwantthedoctor，\"Silashadsaid，inthefirstmoment，toMr。Crackenthorp。
\"Why，what’sthematter，Marner？\"saidtherector。\"Thedoctor’shere；butsayquietlywhatyouwanthimfor。\"
\"It’sawoman，\"saidSilas，speakinglow，andhalf—breathlessly，justasGodfreycameup。\"She’sdead，Ithink——deadinthesnowattheStone—pits——notfarfrommydoor。\"
Godfreyfeltagreatthrob：therewasoneterrorinhismindatthatmoment：itwas，thatthewomanmight_not_bedead。Thatwasanevilterror——anuglyinmatetohavefoundanestling—placeinGodfrey’skindlydisposition；butnodispositionisasecurityfromevilwishestoamanwhosehappinesshangsonduplicity。
\"Hush，hush！\"saidMr。Crackenthorp。\"Gooutintothehallthere。I’llfetchthedoctortoyou。Foundawomaninthesnow——
andthinksshe’sdead，\"headded，speakinglowtotheSquire。
\"Bettersayaslittleaboutitaspossible：itwillshocktheladies。Justtellthemapoorwomanisillfromcoldandhunger。
I’llgoandfetchKimble。\"
Bythistime，however，theladieshadpressedforward，curioustoknowwhatcouldhavebroughtthesolitarylinen—weaverthereundersuchstrangecircumstances，andinterestedintheprettychild，who，halfalarmedandhalfattractedbythebrightnessandthenumerouscompany，nowfrownedandhidherface，nowliftedupherheadagainandlookedroundplacably，untilatouchoracoaxingwordbroughtbackthefrown，andmadeherburyherfacewithnewdetermination。
\"Whatchildisit？\"saidseveralladiesatonce，and，amongtherest，NancyLammeter，addressingGodfrey。
\"Idon’tknow——somepoorwoman’swhohasbeenfoundinthesnow，Ibelieve，\"wastheanswerGodfreywrungfromhimselfwithaterribleeffort。（\"Afterall，_am_Icertain？\"hehastenedtoadd，silently，inanticipationofhisownconscience。）
\"Why，you’dbetterleavethechildhere，then，MasterMarner，\"
saidgood—naturedMrs。Kimble，hesitating，however，totakethosedingyclothesintocontactwithherownornamentedsatinbodice。
\"I’lltelloneo’thegirlstofetchit。\"
\"No——no——Ican’tpartwithit，Ican’tletitgo，\"saidSilas，abruptly。\"It’scometome——I’vearighttokeepit。\"
ThepropositiontotakethechildfromhimhadcometoSilasquiteunexpectedly，andhisspeech，utteredunderastrongsuddenimpulse，wasalmostlikearevelationtohimself：aminutebefore，hehadnodistinctintentionaboutthechild。
\"Didyoueverhearthelike？\"saidMrs。Kimble，inmildsurprise，toherneighbour。
\"Now，ladies，Imusttroubleyoutostandaside，\"saidMr。Kimble，comingfromthecard—room，insomebitternessattheinterruption，butdrilledbythelonghabitofhisprofessionintoobediencetounpleasantcalls，evenwhenhewashardlysober。
\"It’sanastybusinessturningoutnow，eh，Kimble？\"saidtheSquire。\"Hemightha’goneforyouryoungfellow——the’prentice，there——what’shisname？\"
\"Might？aye——what’stheuseoftalkingaboutmight？\"growleduncleKimble，hasteningoutwithMarner，andfollowedbyMr。CrackenthorpandGodfrey。\"Getmeapairofthickboots，Godfrey，willyou？Andstay，letsomebodyruntoWinthrop’sandfetchDolly——she’sthebestwomantoget。Benwasherehimselfbeforesupper；ishegone？\"
\"Yes，sir，Imethim，\"saidMarner；\"butIcouldn’tstoptotellhimanything，onlyIsaidIwasgoingforthedoctor，andhesaidthedoctorwasattheSquire’s。AndImadehasteandran，andtherewasnobodytobeseenatthebacko’thehouse，andsoIwentintowherethecompanywas。\"
Thechild，nolongerdistractedbythebrightlightandthesmilingwomen’sfaces，begantocryandcallfor\"mammy\"，thoughalwaysclingingtoMarner，whohadapparentlywonherthoroughconfidence。
Godfreyhadcomebackwiththeboots，andfeltthecryasifsomefibreweredrawntightwithinhim。
\"I’llgo，\"hesaid，hastily，eagerforsomemovement；\"I’llgoandfetchthewoman——Mrs。Winthrop。\"
\"Oh，pooh——sendsomebodyelse，\"saiduncleKimble，hurryingawaywithMarner。
\"You’llletmeknowifIcanbeofanyuse，Kimble，\"saidMr。Crackenthorp。Butthedoctorwasoutofhearing。
Godfrey，too，haddisappeared：hewasgonetosnatchhishatandcoat，havingjustreflectionenoughtorememberthathemustnotlooklikeamadman；butherushedoutofthehouseintothesnowwithoutheedinghisthinshoes。
InafewminuteshewasonhisrapidwaytotheStone—pitsbythesideofDolly，who，thoughfeelingthatshewasentirelyinherplaceinencounteringcoldandsnowonanerrandofmercy，wasmuchconcernedatayounggentleman’sgettinghisfeetwetunderalikeimpulse。
\"You’dadealbettergoback，sir，\"saidDolly，withrespectfulcompassion。\"You’venocalltocatchcold；andI’daskyouifyou’dbesogoodastellmyhusbandtocome，onyourwayback——
he’sattheRainbow，Idoubt——ifyoufoundhimanywaysoberenoughtobeo’use。Orelse，there’sMrs。Snell’udhappensendtheboyuptofetchandcarry，fortheremaybethingswantedfromthedoctor’s。\"
\"No，I’llstay，nowI’monceout——I’llstayoutsidehere，\"saidGodfrey，whentheycameoppositeMarner’scottage。\"YoucancomeandtellmeifIcandoanything。\"
\"Well，sir，you’reverygood：you’veatenderheart，\"saidDolly，goingtothedoor。
Godfreywastoopainfullypreoccupiedtofeelatwingeofself—reproachatthisundeservedpraise。Hewalkedupanddown，unconsciousthathewasplungingankle—deepinsnow，unconsciousofeverythingbuttremblingsuspenseaboutwhatwasgoingoninthecottage，andtheeffectofeachalternativeonhisfuturelot。No，notquiteunconsciousofeverythingelse。Deeperdown，andhalf—smotheredbypassionatedesireanddread，therewasthesensethatheoughtnottobewaitingonthesealternatives；thatheoughttoaccepttheconsequencesofhisdeeds，ownthemiserablewife，andfulfiltheclaimsofthehelplesschild。ButhehadnotmoralcourageenoughtocontemplatethatactiverenunciationofNancyaspossibleforhim：hehadonlyconscienceandheartenoughtomakehimforeveruneasyundertheweaknessthatforbadetherenunciation。Andatthismomenthismindleapedawayfromallrestrainttowardthesuddenprospectofdeliverancefromhislongbondage。
\"Isshedead？\"saidthevoicethatpredominatedovereveryotherwithinhim。\"Ifsheis，ImaymarryNancy；andthenIshallbeagoodfellowinfuture，andhavenosecrets，andthechild——shallbetakencareofsomehow。\"Butacrossthatvisioncametheotherpossibility——\"Shemaylive，andthenit’sallupwithme。\"
GodfreyneverknewhowlongitwasbeforethedoorofthecottageopenedandMr。Kimblecameout。Hewentforwardtomeethisuncle，preparedtosuppresstheagitationhemustfeel，whatevernewshewastohear。
\"Iwaitedforyou，asI’dcomesofar，\"hesaid，speakingfirst。
\"Pooh，itwasnonsenseforyoutocomeout：whydidn’tyousendoneofthemen？There’snothingtobedone。She’sdead——hasbeendeadforhours，Ishouldsay。\"
\"Whatsortofwomanisshe？\"saidGodfrey，feelingthebloodrushtohisface。
\"Ayoungwoman，butemaciated，withlongblackhair。Somevagrant——
quiteinrags。She’sgotawedding—ringon，however。Theymustfetchherawaytotheworkhouseto—morrow。Come，comealong。\"
\"Iwanttolookather，\"saidGodfrey。\"IthinkIsawsuchawomanyesterday。I’llovertakeyouinaminuteortwo。\"
Mr。Kimblewenton，andGodfreyturnedbacktothecottage。Hecastonlyoneglanceatthedeadfaceonthepillow，whichDollyhadsmoothedwithdecentcare；butherememberedthatlastlookathisunhappyhatedwifesowell，thatattheendofsixteenyearseverylineinthewornfacewaspresenttohimwhenhetoldthefullstoryofthisnight。
Heturnedimmediatelytowardsthehearth，whereSilasMarnersatlullingthechild。Shewasperfectlyquietnow，butnotasleep——
onlysoothedbysweetporridgeandwarmthintothatwide—gazingcalmwhichmakesusolderhumanbeings，withourinwardturmoil，feelacertainaweinthepresenceofalittlechild，suchaswefeelbeforesomequietmajestyorbeautyintheearthorsky——beforeasteadyglowingplanet，orafull—floweredeglantine，orthebendingtreesoverasilentpathway。Thewide—openblueeyeslookedupatGodfrey’swithoutanyuneasinessorsignofrecognition：thechildcouldmakenovisibleaudibleclaimonitsfather；andthefatherfeltastrangemixtureoffeelings，aconflictofregretandjoy，thatthepulseofthatlittlehearthadnoresponseforthehalf—jealousyearninginhisown，whentheblueeyesturnedawayfromhimslowly，andfixedthemselvesontheweaver’squeerface，whichwasbentlowdowntolookatthem，whilethesmallhandbegantopullMarner’switheredcheekwithlovingdisfiguration。
\"You’lltakethechildtotheparishto—morrow？\"askedGodfrey，speakingasindifferentlyashecould。
\"Whosaysso？\"saidMarner，sharply。\"Willtheymakemetakeher？\"
\"Why，youwouldn’tliketokeepher，shouldyou——anoldbachelorlikeyou？\"
\"Tillanybodyshowsthey’vearighttotakeherawayfromme，\"
saidMarner。\"Themother’sdead，andIreckonit’sgotnofather：
it’salonething——andI’malonething。Mymoney’sgone，Idon’tknowwhere——andthisiscomefromIdon’tknowwhere。Iknownothing——I’mpartlymazed。\"
\"Poorlittlething！\"saidGodfrey。\"Letmegivesomethingtowardsfindingitclothes。\"
Hehadputhishandinhispocketandfoundhalf—a—guinea，and，thrustingitintoSilas’shand，hehurriedoutofthecottagetoovertakeMr。Kimble。
\"Ah，Iseeit’snotthesamewomanIsaw，\"hesaid，ashecameup。
\"It’saprettylittlechild：theoldfellowseemstowanttokeepit；that’sstrangeforamiserlikehim。ButIgavehimatrifletohelphimout：theparishisn’tlikelytoquarrelwithhimfortherighttokeepthechild。\"
\"No；butI’veseenthetimewhenImighthavequarrelledwithhimforitmyself。It’stoolatenow，though。Ifthechildranintothefire，youraunt’stoofattoovertakeit：shecouldonlysitandgruntlikeanalarmedsow。Butwhatafoolyouare，Godfrey，tocomeoutinyourdancingshoesandstockingsinthisway——andyouoneofthebeauxoftheevening，andatyourownhouse！Whatdoyoumeanbysuchfreaks，youngfellow？HasMissNancybeencruel，anddoyouwanttospiteherbyspoilingyourpumps？\"
\"Oh，everythinghasbeendisagreeableto—night。Iwastiredtodeathofjiggingandgallanting，andthatbotheraboutthehornpipes。AndI’dgottodancewiththeotherMissGunn，\"saidGodfrey，gladofthesubterfugehisunclehadsuggestedtohim。
Theprevaricationandwhitelieswhichamindthatkeepsitselfambitiouslypureisasuneasyunderasagreatartistunderthefalsetouchesthatnoeyedetectsbuthisown，arewornaslightlyasmeretrimmingswhenoncetheactionshavebecomealie。
GodfreyreappearedintheWhiteParlourwithdryfeet，and，sincethetruthmustbetold，withasenseofreliefandgladnessthatwastoostrongforpainfulthoughtstostrugglewith。Forcouldhenotventurenow，wheneveropportunityoffered，tosaythetenderestthingstoNancyLammeter——topromiseherandhimselfthathewouldalwaysbejustwhatshewoulddesiretoseehim？Therewasnodangerthathisdeadwifewouldberecognized：thosewerenotdaysofactiveinquiryandwidereport；andasfortheregistryoftheirmarriage，thatwasalongwayoff，buriedinunturnedpages，awayfromeveryone’sinterestbuthisown。Dunseymightbetrayhimifhecameback；butDunseymightbewontosilence。
Andwheneventsturnoutsomuchbetterforamanthanhehashadreasontodread，isitnotaproofthathisconducthasbeenlessfoolishandblameworthythanitmightotherwisehaveappeared？Whenwearetreatedwell，wenaturallybegintothinkthatwearenotaltogetherunmeritorious，andthatitisonlyjustweshouldtreatourselveswell，andnotmarourowngoodfortune。Where，afterall，wouldbetheuseofhisconfessingthepasttoNancyLammeter，andthrowingawayhishappiness？——nay，hers？forhefeltsomeconfidencethatshelovedhim。Asforthechild，hewouldseethatitwascaredfor：hewouldneverforsakeit；hewoulddoeverythingbutownit。Perhapsitwouldbejustashappyinlifewithoutbeingownedbyitsfather，seeingthatnobodycouldtellhowthingswouldturnout，andthat——isthereanyotherreasonwanted？——well，then，thatthefatherwouldbemuchhappierwithoutowningthechild。
CHAPTERXIV
Therewasapauper’sburialthatweekinRaveloe，andupKenchYardatBatherleyitwasknownthatthedark—hairedwomanwiththefairchild，whohadlatelycometolodgethere，wasgoneawayagain。
ThatwasalltheexpressnotetakenthatMollyhaddisappearedfromtheeyesofmen。Buttheunweptdeathwhich，tothegenerallot，seemedastrivialasthesummer—shedleaf，waschargedwiththeforceofdestinytocertainhumanlivesthatweknowof，shapingtheirjoysandsorrowseventotheend。
SilasMarner’sdeterminationtokeepthe\"tramp’schild\"wasmatterofhardlylesssurpriseanditeratedtalkinthevillagethantherobberyofhismoney。Thatsofteningoffeelingtowardshimwhichdatedfromhismisfortune，thatmergingofsuspicionanddislikeinarathercontemptuouspityforhimasloneandcrazy，wasnowaccompaniedwithamoreactivesympathy，especiallyamongstthewomen。Notablemothers，whoknewwhatitwastokeepchildren\"wholeandsweet\"；lazymothers，whoknewwhatitwastobeinterruptedinfoldingtheirarmsandscratchingtheirelbowsbythemischievouspropensitiesofchildrenjustfirmontheirlegs，wereequallyinterestedinconjecturinghowalonemanwouldmanagewithatwo—year—oldchildonhishands，andwereequallyreadywiththeirsuggestions：thenotablechieflytellinghimwhathehadbetterdo，andthelazyonesbeingemphaticintellinghimwhathewouldneverbeabletodo。
Amongthenotablemothers，DollyWinthropwastheonewhoseneighbourlyofficeswerethemostacceptabletoMarner，fortheywererenderedwithoutanyshowofbustlinginstruction。Silashadshownherthehalf—guineagiventohimbyGodfrey，andhadaskedherwhatheshoulddoaboutgettingsomeclothesforthechild。
\"Eh，MasterMarner，\"saidDolly，\"there’snocalltobuy，nomorenorapairo’shoes；forI’vegotthelittlepetticoatsasAaronworefiveyearsago，andit’sillspendingthemoneyonthembaby—clothes，forthechild’ullgrowlikegrassi’May，blessit——
thatitwill。\"
AndthesamedayDollybroughtherbundle，anddisplayedtoMarner，onebyone，thetinygarmentsintheirdueorderofsuccession，mostofthempatchedanddarned，butcleanandneatasfresh—sprungherbs。Thiswastheintroductiontoagreatceremonywithsoapandwater，fromwhichBabycameoutinnewbeauty，andsatonDolly’sknee，handlinghertoesandchucklingandpattingherpalmstogetherwithanairofhavingmadeseveraldiscoveriesaboutherself，whichshecommunicatedbyalternatesoundsof\"gug—gug—gug\"，and\"mammy\"。The\"mammy\"wasnotacryofneedoruneasiness：Babyhadbeenusedtoutteritwithoutexpectingeithertendersoundortouchtofollow。
\"Anybody’udthinktheangilsinheavencouldn’tbeprettier，\"
saidDolly，rubbingthegoldencurlsandkissingthem。\"Andtothinkofitsbeingcoveredwi’themdirtyrags——andthepoormother——frozetodeath；butthere’sThemastookcareofit，andbroughtittoyourdoor，MasterMarner。Thedoorwasopen，anditwalkedinoverthesnow，likeasifithadbeenalittlestarvedrobin。Didn’tyousaythedoorwasopen？\"
\"Yes，\"saidSilas，meditatively。\"Yes——thedoorwasopen。Themoney’sgoneIdon’tknowwhere，andthisiscomefromIdon’tknowwhere。\"
Hehadnotmentionedtoanyonehisunconsciousnessofthechild’sentrance，shrinkingfromquestionswhichmightleadtothefacthehimselfsuspected——namely，thathehadbeeninoneofhistrances。
\"Ah，\"saidDolly，withsoothinggravity，\"it’slikethenightandthemorning，andthesleepingandthewaking，andtherainandtheharvest——onegoesandtheothercomes，andweknownothinghownorwhere。Wemaystriveandscratandfend，butit’slittlewecandoarterall——thebigthingscomeandgowi’nostrivingo’our’n——
theydo，thattheydo；andIthinkyou’reintherightonittokeepthelittleun，MasterMarner，seeingasit’sbeensenttoyou，thoughthere’sfolksasthinksdifferent。You’llhappenbeabitmoitheredwithitwhileit’ssolittle；butI’llcome，andwelcome，andseetoitforyou：I’veabito’timetosparemostdays，forwhenonegetsupbetimesi’themorning，theclockseemstostan’
stilltow’rtten，aforeit’stimetogoaboutthevictual。So，asI
say，I’llcomeandseetothechildforyou，andwelcome。\"
\"Thankyou……kindly，\"saidSilas，hesitatingalittle。\"I’llbegladifyou’lltellmethings。But，\"headded，uneasily，leaningforwardtolookatBabywithsomejealousy，asshewasrestingherheadbackwardagainstDolly’sarm，andeyeinghimcontentedlyfromadistance——\"ButIwanttodothingsforitmyself，elseitmaygetfondo’somebodyelse，andnotfondo’me。I’vebeenusedtofendingformyselfinthehouse——Icanlearn，Icanlearn。\"
\"Eh，tobesure，\"saidDolly，gently。\"I’veseenmenasarewonderfulhandywi’children。Themenareawk’ardandcontrairymostly，Godhelp’em——butwhenthedrink’soutof’em，theyaren’tunsensible，thoughthey’rebadforleechingandbandaging——sofieryandunpatient。Youseethisgoesfirst，nexttheskin，\"
proceededDolly，takingupthelittleshirt，andputtingiton。
\"Yes，\"saidMarner，docilely，bringinghiseyesveryclose，thattheymightbeinitiatedinthemysteries；whereuponBabyseizedhisheadwithbothhersmallarms，andputherlipsagainsthisfacewithpurringnoises。
\"Seethere，\"saidDolly，withawoman’stendertact，\"she’sfondesto’you。Shewantstogoo’yourlap，I’llbebound。Go，then：takeher，MasterMarner；youcanputthethingson，andthenyoucansayasyou’vedoneforherfromthefirstofhercomingtoyou。\"
Marnertookheronhislap，tremblingwithanemotionmysterioustohimself，atsomethingunknowndawningonhislife。Thoughtandfeelingweresoconfusedwithinhim，thatifhehadtriedtogivethemutterance，hecouldonlyhavesaidthatthechildwascomeinsteadofthegold——thatthegoldhadturnedintothechild。HetookthegarmentsfromDolly，andputthemonunderherteaching；
interrupted，ofcourse，byBaby’sgymnastics。
\"There，then！why，youtaketoitquiteeasy，MasterMarner，\"
saidDolly；\"butwhatshallyoudowhenyou’reforcedtositinyourloom？Forshe’llgetbusierandmischievousereveryday——shewill，blessher。It’sluckyasyou’vegotthathighhearthi’steadofagrate，forthatkeepsthefiremoreoutofherreach：butifyou’vegotanythingascanbespiltorbroke，orasisfittocutherfingersoff，she’llbeatit——anditisbutrightyoushouldknow。\"
Silasmeditatedalittlewhileinsomeperplexity。\"I’lltiehertothelego’theloom，\"hesaidatlast——\"tieherwithagoodlongstripo’something。\"
\"Well，mayhapthat’lldo，asit’salittlegell，forthey’reeasierpersuadedtositi’oneplacenorthelads。Iknowwhattheladsare；forI’vehadfour——fourI’vehad，Godknows——andifyouwastotakeandtie’emup，they’dmakeafightingandacryingasifyouwasringingthepigs。ButI’llbringyoumylittlechair，andsomebitso’redragandthingsforhertoplaywi’；an’she’llsitandchatterto’emasiftheywasalive。Eh，ifitwasn’tasintotheladstowish’emmadedifferent，bless’em，Ishouldha’beengladforoneof’emtobealittlegell；andtothinkasIcouldha’
taughthertoscour，andmend，andtheknitting，andeverything。
ButIcanteach’emthislittleun，MasterMarner，whenshegetsoldenough。\"
\"Butshe’llbe_my_littleun，\"saidMarner，ratherhastily。
\"She’llbenobodyelse’s。\"
\"No，tobesure；you’llhavearighttoher，ifyou’reafathertoher，andbringherupaccording。But，\"addedDolly，comingtoapointwhichshehaddeterminedbeforehandtotouchupon，\"youmustbringheruplikechristenedfolks’schildren，andtakehertochurch，andletherlearnhercatechise，asmylittleAaroncansayoff——the\"Ibelieve\"，andeverything，and\"hurtnobodybywordordeed\"，——aswellasifhewastheclerk。That’swhatyoumustdo，MasterMarner，ifyou’ddotherightthingbytheorphinchild。\"
Marner’spalefaceflushedsuddenlyunderanewanxiety。HismindwastoobusytryingtogivesomedefinitebearingtoDolly’swordsforhimtothinkofansweringher。
\"Andit’smybelief，\"shewenton，\"asthepoorlittlecreaturhasneverbeenchristened，andit’snothingbutrightastheparsonshouldbespoketo；andifyouwasnowaysunwilling，I’dtalktoMr。Maceyaboutitthisveryday。Forifthechildeverwentanywayswrong，andyouhadn’tdoneyourpartbyit，MasterMarner——
’noculation，andeverythingtosaveitfromharm——it’udbeathorni’yourbedforevero’thissidethegrave；andIcan’tthinkasit’udbeeasylyingdownforanybodywhenthey’dgottoanotherworld，iftheyhadn’tdonetheirpartbythehelplesschildrenascomewi’outtheirownasking。\"
Dollyherselfwasdisposedtobesilentforsometimenow，forshehadspokenfromthedepthsofherownsimplebelief，andwasmuchconcernedtoknowwhetherherwordswouldproducethedesiredeffectonSilas。Hewaspuzzledandanxious，forDolly’sword\"christened\"conveyednodistinctmeaningtohim。Hehadonlyheardofbaptism，andhadonlyseenthebaptismofgrown—upmenandwomen。
\"Whatisitasyoumeanby\"christened\"？\"hesaidatlast，timidly。\"Won’tfolksbegoodtoherwithoutit？\"
\"Dear，dear！MasterMarner，\"saidDolly，withgentledistressandcompassion。\"Hadyounevernofathernormotherastaughtyoutosayyourprayers，andasthere’sgoodwordsandgoodthingstokeepusfromharm？\"
\"Yes，\"saidSilas，inalowvoice；\"Iknowadealaboutthat——
usedto，usedto。Butyourwaysaredifferent：mycountrywasagoodwayoff。\"Hepausedafewmoments，andthenadded，moredecidedly，\"ButIwanttodoeverythingascanbedoneforthechild。Andwhatever’srightforiti’thiscountry，andyouthink’ulldoitgood，I’llactaccording，ifyou’lltellme。\"
\"Well，then，MasterMarner，\"saidDolly，inwardlyrejoiced，\"I’llaskMr。Maceytospeaktotheparsonaboutit；andyoumustfixonanameforit，becauseitmusthaveanamegiv’itwhenit’schristened。\"
\"Mymother’snamewasHephzibah，\"saidSilas，\"andmylittlesisterwasnamedafterher。\"
\"Eh，that’sahardname，\"saidDolly。\"Ipartlythinkitisn’tachristenedname。\"
\"It’saBiblename，\"saidSilas，oldideasrecurring。
\"ThenI’venocalltospeakagain’it，\"saidDolly，ratherstartledbySilas’sknowledgeonthishead；\"butyouseeI’mnoscholard，andI’mslowatcatchingthewords。MyhusbandsaysI’mallayslikeasifIwasputtingthehaftforthehandle——that’swhathesays——forhe’sverysharp，Godhelphim。Butitwasawk’ardcallingyourlittlesisterbysuchahardname，whenyou’dgotnothingbigtosay，like——wasn’tit，MasterMarner？\"
\"WecalledherEppie，\"saidSilas。
\"Well，ifitwasnowayswrongtoshortenthename，it’udbeadealhandier。AndsoI’llgonow，MasterMarner，andI’llspeakaboutthechristeningaforedark；andIwishyouthebesto’luck，andit’smybeliefasit’llcometoyou，ifyoudowhat’srightbytheorphinchild；——andthere’sthe’noculationtobeseento；andastowashingitsbitso’things，youneedlooktonobodybutme，forI
cando’emwi’onehandwhenI’vegotmysudsabout。Eh，theblessedangil！You’llletmebringmyAarononeo’thesedays，andhe’llshowherhislittlecartashisfather’smadeforhim，andtheblack—and—whitepupashe’sgota—rearing。\"
