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had incurred the risk of fording streams on pillions with the
precious burden in rainy or snowy weather； when there was no
knowing how high the water would rise； it was not to be supposed
that they looked forward to a brief pleasure。 On this ground it was
always contrived in the dark seasons； when there was little work
to be done； and the hours were long； that several neighbours
should keep open house in succession。 So soon as Squire Cass’s
standing dishes diminished in plenty and freshness； his guests had
nothing to do but to walk a little higher up the village to Mr。
Osgood’s； at the Orchards； and they found hams and chines uncut；
pork…pies with the scent of the fire in them； spun butter in all its
freshness—everything； in fact； that appetites at leisure could
desire； in perhaps greater perfection； though not in greater
abundance； than at Squire Cass’s。
For the Squire’s wife had died long ago； and the Red House was
without that presence of the wife and mother which is the fountain
of wholesome love and fear in parlour and kitchen； and this helped
to account not only for there being more profusion than finished
excellence in the holiday provisions； but also for the frequency
with which the proud Squire condescended to preside in the
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parlour of the Rainbow rather than under the shadow of his own
dark wainscot； perhaps； also； for the fact that his sons had turned
out rather ill。 Raveloe was not a place where moral censure was
severe； but it was thought a weakness in the Squire that he had
kept all his sons at home in idleness； and though some license was
to be allowed to young men whose fathers could afford it； people
shook their heads at the courses of the second son； Dunstan；
commonly called Dunsey Cass； whose taste for swopping and
betting might turn out to be a sowing of something worse than
wild oats。 To be sure； the neighbours said； it was no matter what
became of Dunsey—a spiteful； jeering fellow； who seemed to enjoy
his drink the more when other people went dry—always provided
that his doings did not bring trouble on a family like Squire Cass’s；
with a monument in the church； and tankards older than King
George。 But it would be a thousand pities if Mr。 Godfrey； the
eldest； a fine open…faced； good…natured young man； who was to
come into the land some day； should take to going along the same
road with his brother； as he had seemed to do of late。 If he went on
in that way； he would lose Miss Nancy Lammeter； for it was well
known that she had looked very shyly on him ever since last
Whitsuntide twelvemonth； when there was so much talk about his
being away from home days and days together。 There was
something wrong； more than common—that was quite clear； for
Mr。 Godfrey didn’t look half so fresh…coloured and open as he used
to do。 At one time everybody was saying； What a handsome couple
he and Miss Nancy Lammeter would make！ and if she could come
to be mistress at the Red House； there would be a fine change； for
the Lammeters had been brought up in that way that they never
suffered a pinch of salt to be wasted； and yet everybody in their
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household had of the best； according to his place。 Such a
daughter…in…law would be a saving to the old Squire； if she never
brought a penny to her fortune； for it was to be feared that；
notwithstanding his incomings； there were more holes in his
pocket than the one where he put his own hand in。 But if Mr。
Godfrey didn’t turn over a new leaf； he might say “Good…bye” to
Miss Nancy Lammeter。
It was the once hopeful Godfrey who was standing； with his
hands in his side…pockets and his back to the fire； in the dark
wainscoted parlour； one late November afternoon in that fifteenth
year of Silas Marner’s life at Raveloe。 The fading gray light fell
dimly on the walls decorated with guns； whips； and foxes’ brushes；
on coats and hats flung on the chairs； on tankards sending forth a
scent of flat ale； and on a half…choked fire； with pipes propped up
in the chimney…corners： signs of a domestic life destitute of any
hallowing charm； with which the look of gloomy vexation on
Godfrey’s blond face was in sad accordance。 He seemed to be
waiting and listening for some one’s approach； and presently the
sound of a heavy step； with an accompanying whistle； was heard
across the large empty entrance…hall。
The door opened； and a thick…set； heavy…looking young man
entered； with the flushed face and the gratuitously elated bearing
which mark the first stage of intoxication。 It was Dunsey； and at
the sight of him Godfrey’s face parted with some of its gloom to
take on the more active expression of hatred。 The handsome
brown spaniel that lay on the hearth retreated under the chair in
the chimney…corner。
“Well； Master Godfrey； what do you want with me？” said
Dunsey； in a mocking tone。 “You’re my elders and betters； you
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Silas Marner 35
know； I was obliged to come when you sent for me。”
“Why； this is what I want—and just shake yourself sober and
listen； will you？” said Godfrey savagely。 He had himself been
drinking more than was good for him； trying to turn his gloom into
uncalculating anger。 “I want to tell you； I must hand over that rent
of Fowler’s to the Squire； or else tell him I gave it you； for he’s
threatening to distrain for it； and it’ll all be out soon； whether I tell
him or not。 He said； just now； before he went out； he should send
word to Cox to distrain； if Fowler didn’t come and pay up his
arrears this week。 The Squire’s short o’ cash； and in no humour to
stand any nonsense； and you know what he threatened if ever he
found you making away with his money again。 So； see and get the
money； and pretty quickly； will you？”
“Oh！” said Dunsey sneeringly； coming nearer to his brother and
looking in his face。 “Suppose； now； you get the money yourself；
and save me the trouble； eh？ Since you was so kind as to hand it
over to me； you’ll not refuse me the kindness to pay it back for me：
it was your brotherly love made you do it； you know。”
Godfrey bit his lips and clenched his fist。 “Don’t come near me
with that look； else I’ll knock you down。”
“Oh no； you won’t；” said Dunsey； turning away on his heel；
however。 “Because I’m such a good…natured brother； you know。 I
might get you turned out of house and home； and cut off with a
shilling any day。 I might tell the Squire how his handsome son was
married to that nice young woman； Molly Farren； and was very
unhappy because he couldn’t live with his drunken wife； and I
should slip into your place as comfortable as could be。 But you see；
I don’t do it—I’m so easy and good…natured。 You’ll take any
trouble for me。 You’ll get the hundred pounds for me—I know you
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will。”
“How can I get the money？” said Godfrey； quivering。 “I haven’t
a shilling to bless myself with。 And it’s a lie that you’d slip into my
place： you’d get yourself turned out too； that’s all。 For if you begin
telling ta