Dolly Winthrop told him punishment
was good for Eppie, and that, as for rearing a child without making it
tingle a little in soft and safe places now and then, it was not to be
done.
'To be sure, there's another thing you might do, Master Marner,'
added Dolly, meditatively: 'you might shut her up once i' the
coal-hole. That was what I did wi' Aaron; for I was that silly wi' the
youngest lad, as I could never bear to smack him. Not as I could
find i' my heart to let him stay i' the coal-hole more nor a minute,
but it was enough to colly him all over, so as he must be new washed
and dressed, and it was as good as a rod to him- that was. But I put
it upon your conscience, Master Marner, as there's one of 'em you must
choose- ayther smacking or the coal-hole- else she'll get so
masterful, there'll be no holding her.'
Silas was impressed with the melancholy truth of this last
remark; but his force of mind failed before the only two penal methods
open to him, not only because it was painful to him to hurt Eppie, but
because he trembled at a moment's contention with her, lest she should
love him the less for it. Let even an affectionate Goliath get himself
tied to a small tender thing, dreading to hurt it by pulling, and
dreading still more to snap the cord, and which of the two, pray, will
be master? It was clear that Eppie, with her short toddling steps,
must lead father Silas a pretty dance on any fine morning when
circumstances favoured mischief.
Pages:
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197