'He's his mother's lad.'
'But I don't want any change,' said Eppie. 'I should like to go
on a long, long while, just as we are. Only Aaron does want a
change; and he made me cry a bit- only a bit- because he said I didn't
care for him, for if I cared for him I should want us to be married,
as he did.'
'Eh, my blessed child,' said Silas, laying down his pipe as if it
were useless to pretend to smoke any longer, 'you're o'er young to
be married. We'll ask Mrs Winthrop- we'll ask Aaron's mother what
she thinks: if there's a right thing to do, she'll come at it. But
there's this to be thought on, Eppie: things will change, whether we
like it or not; things won't go on for a long while just as they are
and no difference. I shall get older and helplesser, and be a burden
on you, belike, if I don't go away from you altogether. Not as I
mean you'd think me a burden- I know you wouldn't- but it 'ud be
hard upon you; and when I look for'ard to that, I like to think as
you'd have somebody else besides me- somebody young and strong,
as'll outlast your own life, and take care on you to the end.' Silas
paused, and, resting his wrists on his knees, lifted his hands up
and down meditatively as he looked on the ground.
'Then, would you like me to be married, father?' said Eppie, with a
little trembling in her voice.
'I'll not be the man to say no, Eppie,' said Silas, emphatically;
'but we'll ask your godmother.
Pages:
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227