The lapse of time during
which a given event has not happened, is, in this logic of habit,
constantly alleged as a reason why the event should never happen, even
when the lapse of time is precisely the added condition which makes
the event imminent. A man will tell you that he has worked in a mine
for forty years unhurt by an accident, as a reason why he should
apprehend no danger, though the roof is beginning to sink; and it is
often observable, that the older a man gets, the more difficult it
is to him to retain a believing conception of his own death. This
influence of habit was necessarily strong in a man whose life was so
monotonous as Marner's- who saw no new people and heard of no new
events to keep alive in him the idea of the unexpected and the
changeful; and it explains, simply enough, why his mind could be at
ease, though he had left his house and his treasure more defenceless
than usual. Silas was thinking with double complacency of his
supper: first, because it would be hot and savoury; and, secondly,
because it would cost him nothing. For the little bit of pork was a
present from that excellent housewife, Miss Priscilla Lammeter, to
whom he had this day carried home a handsome piece of linen; and it
was only on occasion of a present like this, that Silas indulged
himself with roast meat. Supper was his favourite meal, because it
came at his time of revelry, when his heart warmed over his gold;
whenever he had roast-meat, he always chose to have it for supper.
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