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was long enough to reach； and now； like a small mouse； watching
her opportunity； she stole quietly from her corner； secured the
scissors； and toddled to the bed again； setting up her back as a
mode of concealing the fact。 She had a distinct intention as to the
use of the scissors； and having cut the linen strip in a jagged but
effectual manner； in two moments she had run out at the open
door where the sunshine was inviting her； while poor Silas
believed her to be a better child than usual。 It was not until he
happened to need his scissors that the terrible fact burst upon
him： Eppie had run out by herself—had perhaps fallen into the
Stone…pit。 Silas； shaken by the worst fear that could have befallen
him； rushed out； calling “Eppie！” and ran eagerly about the
unenclosed space； exploring the dry cavities into which she might
have fallen； and then gazing with questioning dread at the smooth
red surface of the water。 The cold drops stood on his brow。 How
long had she been out？ There was one hope—that she had crept
through the stile and got into the fields； where he habitually took
her to stroll。 But the grass was high in the meadow； and there was
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Silas Marner 174
no descrying her； if she were there； except by a close search that
would be a trespass on Mr。 Osgood’s crop。 Still； that
misdemeanour must be committed； and poor Silas； after peering
all round the hedgerows； traversed the grass； beginning with
perturbed vision to see Eppie behind every group of red sorrel；
and to see her moving always farther off as he approached。 The
meadow was searched in vain； and he got over the stile into the
next field； looking with dying hope towards a small pond which
was now reduced to its summer shallowness； so as to leave a wide
margin of good adhesive mud。 Here； however； sat Eppie；
discoursing cheerfully to her own small boot； which she was using
as a bucket to convey the water into a deep hoof…mark； while her
little naked foot was planted comfortably on a cushion of olive…
green mud。 A red…headed calf was observing her with alarmed
doubt through the opposite hedge。
Here was clearly a case of aberration in a christened child
which demanded severe treatment； but Silas； overcome with
convulsive joy at finding his treasure again； could do nothing but
snatch her up； and cover her with half…sobbing kisses。 It was not
until he had carried her home； and had begun to think of the
necessary washing； that he recollected the need that he should
punish Eppie； and “make her remember”。 The idea that she might
run away again and come to harm gave him unusual resolution；
and for the first time he determined to try the coal…hole—a small
closet near the hearth。
“Naughty； naughty Eppie；” he suddenly began； holding her on
his knee； and pointing to her muddy feet and clothes—”naughty to
cut with the scissors and run away。 Eppie must go into the coal…
hole for being naughty。 Daddy must put her in the coal…hole。”
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Silas Marner 175
He half expected that this would be shock enough； and that
Eppie would begin to cry。 But instead of that； she began to shake
herself on his knee； as if the proposition opened a pleasing
novelty。 Seeing that he must proceed to extremities； he put her
into the coal…hole； and held the door closed； with a trembling sense
that he was using a strong measure。 For a moment there was
silence； but then came a little cry； “Opy； Opy！” and Silas let her
out again； saying “Now Eppie ’ull never be naughty again； else she
must go in the coal…hole—a black naughty place。”
The weaving must stand still a long while this morning； for now
Eppie must be washed； and have clean clothes on； but it was to be
hoped that this punishment would have a lasting effect； and save
time in future—though； perhaps； it would have been better if
Eppie had cried more。
In half an hour she was clean again； and Silas having turned his
back to see what he could do with the linen band； threw it down
again； with the reflection that Eppie would be good without
fastening for the rest of the morning。 He turned round again； and
was going to place her in her little chair near the loom； when she
peeped out at him with black face and hands again； and said；
“Eppie in de toal…hole！”
This total failure of the coal…hole discipline shook Silas’s belief
in the efficacy of punishment。 “She’d take it all for fun；” he
observed to Dolly； “if I didn’t hurt her； and that I can’t do； Mrs。
Winthrop。 If she makes me a bit o’ trouble； I can bear it。 And she’s
got no tricks but what she’ll grow out of。”
“Well； that’s partly true； Master Marner；” said Dolly；
sympathetically； “and if you can’t bring your mind to frighten her
off touching things； you must do what you can to keep ’em out of
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Silas Marner 176
her way。 That’s what I do wi’ the pups as the lads are allays a…
rearing。 They will worry and gnaw—worry and gnaw they will； if it
was one’s Sunday cap as hung anywhere so as they could drag it。
They know no difference； God help ’em： it’s the pushing o’ the
teeth as sets ’em on； that’s what it is。”
So Eppie was reared without punishment； the burden of her
misdeeds being borne vicariously by father Silas。 The stone hut
was made a soft nest for her； lined with downy patience； and also
in the world that lay beyond the stone hut she knew nothing of
frowns and denials。
Notwithstanding the difficulty of carrying her and his yarn