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he next morning； when Silas and Eppie were seated at
their breakfast； he said to her—“Eppie； there’s a thing I’ve
T
had on my mind to do this two year； and now the money’s
been brought back to us； we can do it。 I’ve been turning it over
and over in the night； and I think we’ll set out tomorrow； while the
fine days last。 We’ll leave the house and everything for your
godmother to take care on； and we’ll make a little bundle o’ things
and set out。”
“Where to go； daddy？” said Eppie； in much surprise。
“To my old country—to the town where I was born—up
Lantern Yard。 I want to see Mr。 Paston； the minister： something
may ha’ come out to make ’em know I was innicent o’ the robbery。
And Mr。 Paston was a man with a deal o’ light—I want to speak to
him about the drawing o’ the lots。 And I should like to talk to him
about the religion o’ this countryside； for I partly think he doesn’t
know on it。”
Eppie was very joyful； for there was the prospect not only of
wonder and delight at seeing a strange country； but also of coming
back to tell Aaron all about it。 Aaron was so much wiser than she
was about most things—it would be rather pleasant to have this
little advantage over him。 Mrs。 Winthrop； though possessed with a
dim fear of dangers attendant on so long a journey； and requiring
many assurances that it would not take them out of the region of
carriers’ carts and slow wagons； was nevertheless well pleased
that Silas should revisit his own country； and find out if he had
been cleared from that false accusation。
“You’d be easier in your mind for the rest o’ your life； Master
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Marner；” said Dolly “—that you would。 And if there’s any light to
be got up the Yard as you talk on； we’ve need of it i’ this world；
and I’d be glad on it myself； if you could bring it back。”
So on the fourth day from that time； Silas and Eppie； in their
Sunday clothes； with a small bundle tied in a blue linen
handkerchief； were making their way through the streets of a
great manufacturing town。 Silas； bewildered by the changes thirty
years had brought over his native place； had stopped several
persons in succession to ask them the name of this town； that he
might be sure he was not under a mistake about it。
“Ask for Lantern Yard； father—ask this gentleman with the
tassels on his shoulders a…standing at the shop door； he isn’t in a
hurry like the rest；” said Eppie； in some distress at her father’s
bewilderment； and ill at ease； besides； amidst the noise； the
movement； and the multitude of strange； indifferent faces。
“Eh； my child； he won’t know anything about it；” said Silas：
“gentlefolks didn’t ever go up the Yard。 But happen somebody can
tell me which is the way to Prison Street； where the jail is。 I know
the way out o’ that as if I’d seen it yesterday。”
With some difficulty； after many turnings and new inquiries；
they reached Prison Street； and the grim walls of the jail； the first
object that answered to any image in Silas’s memory； cheered him
with the certitude； which no assurance of the town’s name had
hitherto given him； that he was in his native place。
“Ah；” he said； drawing a long breath； “there’s the jail； Eppie；
that’s just the same： I aren’t afraid now。 It’s the third turning on
the left hand from the jail doors—that’s the way we must go。”
“Oh； what a dark； ugly place！” said Eppie。 “How it hides the
sky！ It’s worse than the Workhouse。 I’m glad you don’t live in this
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town now； father。 Is Lantern Yard like this street？”
“My precious child；” said Silas； smiling； “it isn’t a big street like
this。 I never was easy i’ this street myself； but I was fond o’
Lantern Yard。 The shops here are all altered； I think—I can’t
make ’em out； but I shall know the turning； because it’s the third。”
“Here it is；” he said； in a tone of satisfaction； as they came to a
narrow alley。 “And then we must go to the left again； and then
straight for’ard for a bit； up Shoe Lane； and then we shall be at the
entry next to the o’erhanging window； where there’s the nick in
the road for the water to run。 Eh； I can see it all。”
“Oh； father； I’m like as if I was stifled；” said Eppie。 “I couldn’t
ha’ thought as any folks lived i’ this way； so close together。 How
pretty the Stone…pits ’ull look when we get back！”
“It looks comical to me； child； now—and smells bad。 I can’t
think as it usened to smell so。”
Here and there a sallow； begrimed face looked out from a
gloomy doorway at the strangers； and increased Eppie’s
uneasiness； so that it was a longed…for relief when they issued from
the alleys into Shoe Lane； where there was a broader strip of sky。
“Dear heart！” said Silas； “why； there’s people coming out o’ the
Yard as if they’d been to chapel at this time o’ day—a weekday
noon！”
Suddenly he started and stood still with a look of distressed
amazement that alarmed Eppie。 They were before an opening in
front of a large factory； from which men and women were
streaming for their midday meal。
“Father；” said Eppie； clasping his arm； “what’s the matter？”
But she had to speak again and again before Silas could answer
her。
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“It’s gone； child；” he said at last； in strong agitation—”Lantern
Yard’s gone。 It must ha’ been here； because here’s the house with
the o’erhanging window—I know that—it’s just the same； but
they’ve made this new openin