silas marner(织工马南)-第45章
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Dunsey might betray him if he came back； but Dunsey might be
won to silence。
And when events turn out so much better for a man than he has
had reason to dread； is it not a proof that his conduct has been less
foolish and blameworthy than it might otherwise have appeared？
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When we are treated well； we naturally begin to think that we are
not altogether unmeritorious； and that it is only just we should
treat ourselves well； and not mar our own good fortune。 Where；
after all； would be the use of his confessing the past to Nancy
Lammeter； and throwing away his happiness？—nay； hers？ for he
felt some confidence that she loved him。 As for the child； he would
see that it was cared for： he would never forsake it； he would do
everything but own it。 Perhaps it would be just as happy in life
without being owned by its father； seeing that nobody could tell
how things would turn out； and that—is there any other reason
wanted？—well； then； that the father would be much happier
without owning the child。
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Chapter 14
here was a pauper’s burial that week in Raveloe； and up
Kench Yard at Batherley it was known that the dark…
T
haired woman with the fair child； who had lately come to
lodge there； was gone away again。 That was all the express note
taken that Molly had disappeared from the eyes of men。 But the
unwept death which； to the general lot； seemed as trivial as the
summer…shed leaf； was charged with the force of destiny to certain
human lives that we know of； shaping their joys and sorrows even
to the end。
Silas Marner’s determination to keep the “tramp’s child” was
matter of hardly less surprise and iterated talk in the village than
the robbery of his money。 That softening of feeling towards him
which dated from his misfortune； that merging of suspicion and
dislike in a rather contemptuous pity for him as lone and crazy；
was now accompanied with a more active sympathy； especially
amongst the women。 Notable mothers； who knew what it was to
keep children “whole and sweet”； lazy mothers； who knew what it
was to be interrupted in folding their arms and scratching their
elbows by the mischievous propensities of children just firm on
their legs；—were equally interested in conjecturing how a lone
man would manage with a two…year…old child on his hands； and
were equally ready with their suggestions： the notable chiefly
telling him what he had better do； and the lazy ones being
emphatic in telling him what he would never be able to do。
Among the notable mothers； Dolly Winthrop was the one whose
neighbourly offices were the most acceptable to Marner； for they
were rendered without any show of bustling instruction。 Silas had
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shown her the half…guinea given to him by Godfrey； and had asked
her what he should do about getting some clothes for the child。
“Eh； Master Marner；” said Dolly； “there’s no call to buy； no
more nor a pair o’ shoes； for I’ve got the little petticoats as Aaron
wore five years ago； and it’s ill spending the money on them baby…
clothes； for the child ’ull grow like grass i’ May； bless it—that it
will。”
And the same day Dolly brought her bundle； and displayed to
Marner； one by one； the tiny garments in their due order of
succession； most of them patched and darned； but clean and neat
as fresh…sprung herbs。 This was the introduction to a great
ceremony with soap and water； from which Baby came out in new
beauty； and sat on Dolly’s knee； handling her toes and chuckling
and patting her palms together with an air of having made several
discoveries about herself； which she communicated by alternate
sounds of “gug…gug…gug” and “mammy”。 The “mammy” was not a
cry of need or uneasiness： Baby had been used to utter it without
expecting either tender sound or touch to follow。
“Anybody ’ud think the angils in heaven couldn’t be prettier；”
said Dolly； rubbing the golden curls and kissing them。 “And to
think of its being covered wi’ them dirty rags—and the poor
mother froze to death！ But there’s Them as took care of it； and
brought it to your door； Master Marner。 The door was open； and it
walked in over the snow； like as if it had been a little starved robin。
Didn’t you say the door was open？”
“Yes；” said Silas； meditatively。 “Yes—the door was open。 The
money’s gone I don’t know where； and this is come from I don’t
know where。”
He had not mentioned to any one his unconsciousness of the
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child’s entrance； shrinking from questions which might lead to the
fact he himself suspected—namely； that he had been in one of his
trances。
“Ah；” said Dolly； with soothing gravity； “it’s like the night and
the morning； and the sleeping and the waking； and the rain and
the harvest—one goes and the other comes； and we know nothing
how nor where。 We may strive and scrat and fend； but it’s little we
can do arter all—the big things come and go wi’ no striving o’
our’n—they do； that they do； and I think you’re in the right on it to
keep the little un； Master Marner； seeing as it’s been sent to you；
though there’s folks as thinks different。 You’ll happen be a bit
moithered with it while it’s so little； but I’ll come； and welcome；
and see to it for you： I’ve a bit o’ time to spare most days； for when
one gets up betimes i’ the morning； the clock seems to stan’ still
tow’rt ten； afore it’s time to go about the victual。 So； as I say； I’ll
come and see to the child for you； and welcome。”
“Thank you—kindly；” said Silas； hesitating a little。 “I’ll be glad
if you’ll tell me things。 But；” he added uneasily； leaning forward to
look at Baby with some jealousy； as she was resting her head
backward against Dolly’s arm； and eying him contentedly from a
distance—”but I want to do things for it myself； else it may get
fond o’ somebody else； and not fond o’ me。 I’ve been used to
fending for myself in the house—I can learn； I can learn。”
“Eh； to be sure；” said Dolly； gently。 “I’ve seen men as are
wonderful handy wi’ children。 The men are awk’ard an
