I wanted to pass for childless once, Nancy-
I shall pass for childless now against my wish.'
Nancy did not speak immediately, but after a little while she
asked- 'You won't make it known, then, about Eppie's being your
daughter?'
'No- where would be the good to anybody?- only harm. I must do what
I can for her in the state of life she chooses. I must see who it is
she's thinking of marrying.'
'If it won't do any good to make the thing known,' said Nancy,
who thought she might now allow herself the relief of entertaining a
feeling which she had tried to silence before, 'I should be very
thankful for father and Priscilla never to be troubled with knowing
what was done in the past, more than about Dunsey: it can't be helped,
their knowing that.'
'I shall put it in my will- I think I shall put it in my will. I
shouldn't like to leave anything to be found out, like this of
Dunsey,' said Godfrey, meditatively. 'But I can't see anything but
difficulties that 'ud come from telling it now. I must do what I can
to make her happy in her own way. I've a notion,' he added after a
moment's pause, 'it's Aaron Winthrop she meant she was engaged to. I
remember seeing him with her and Marner going away from church.'
'Well, he's very sober and industrious,' said Nancy, trying to view
the matter as cheerfully as possible.
Godfrey fell into thoughtfulness again.
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