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。"