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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 forard for a bit, up Shoe Lane; and then we shall be at the entry next to the oerhanging window, where theres the nick in the road for the water to run. Eh, I can see it all. O father, Im like as I was stifled, said Eppie. I couldnt 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, nowand smells bad. I cant 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 Eppies 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, theres people coming out o the Yard as if theyd been to chapel at this time o daya 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, whats the matter? But she had to speak again and again before Silas could answer her. Its gone, child, he said at last, in strong agitationLantern Yards gone. It must ha been here, because heres the house with the oerhanging windowI know thatits just the same; but theyve made this new opening; and see that big factory! Its all gonechapel and all. Come into that little brush-shop and sit down, father; theyll let you sit down, said Eppie, always on the watch lest one of her fathers strange attacks should come on. Perhaps the people can tell you all about it. But neither from the brushmaker, who had come to Shoe Lane only ten years ago, when the factory was already built, nor from any other source within his reach, could Silas learn anything of the old Lantern Yard friends or of Mr. Paston the minister. The old place is all swep away, Silas said to Dolly Winthrop on the night of his returnthe little graveyard and everything. The old homes gone; Ive no home but this now. I shall never know whether they got at the truth o the robbery, nor whether Mr. Paston could ha given me any light about the drawing o the lots. Its dark to me, Mrs. Winthrop, that is; I doubt itll be dark to the last. Well, yes, Master Marner, said Dolly, who sat with a placid listening face, now bordered by gray hairs. I doubt it may. Its the will o Them above as a many things should be dark to us; but theres some things as Ive never felt i the dark about, and theyre mostly what comes i the days work. You were hard done by that once, Master Marner, and it seems as youll never know the rights of it; but that doesnt hinder there being a rights, Master Marner, for all its dark to you and me. No, said Silas, no; that doesnt hinder. Since the time the child was sent to me and Ive come to love her as myself, Ive had light enough to trusten by; and now she says shell never leave me, I think I shall trusten till I die. |
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