should like to be married, because he was a-going in
four-and-twenty, and had got a deal of gardening work, now Mr. Mott's
given up; and he goes twice a-week regular to Mr. Cass's, and once to
Mr. Osgood's, and they're going to take him on at the Rectory."

"And who is it as he's wanting to marry?" said Silas, with rather a
sad smile.

"Why, me, to be sure, daddy," said Eppie, with dimpling laughter,
kissing her father's cheek; "as if he'd want to marry anybody else!"

"And you mean to have him, do you?" said Silas.

"Yes, some time," said Eppie, "I don't know when. Everybody's married
some time, Aaron says. But I told him that wasn't true: for, I said,
look at father--he's never been married."

"No, child," said Silas, "your father was a lone man till you was sent
to him."

"But you'll never be lone again, father," said Eppie, tenderly. "That
was what Aaron said--"I could never think o' taking you away from
Master Marner, Eppie." And I said, "It 'ud be no use if you did,
Aaron." And he wants us all to live together, so as you needn't work a
bit, father, only what's for your own pleasure; and he'd be as good as
a son to you--that was what he said."

"And should you like that, Eppie?" said Silas, looking at her.

"I shouldn't mind it, father," said Eppie, quite simply. "And I should
like things to be so as you needn't work much. But if it wasn't for
that, I'd sooner things didn't change. I'm very happy: I like Aaron to
be fond of me, and come and see us often, and behave pretty to you--he
always _does_ behave pretty to you, doesn't he, father?"

"Yes, child, nobody could behave better," said Silas, emphatically.
"He's his mother's lad."

"But I don't want any change," said Eppie. "I should like to go on a
long, long while, just as we are. Only Aaron does want a change; and
he made me cry a bit--only a bit--because he said I didn't care for
him, for if I cared for him I should want us to be married, as he did."

"Eh, my blessed child," said Silas, laying down his pipe as if it were
useless to pretend to smoke any longer, "you're o'er young to be
married. We'll ask Mrs. Winthrop--we'll ask Aaron's mother what _she_
thinks: if there's a right thing to do, she'll come at it. But there's
this to be thought on, Eppie: things _will_ change, whether we like it
or no; things won't go on for a long while just as they are and no
difference. I shall get older and helplesser, and be a burden on you,
belik