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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 tales； I’ll follow。 Bob’s my father’s favourite—you know that
very well。 He’d only think himself well rid of you。”
“Never mind；” said Dunsey； nodding his head sideways as he
looked out of the window。 “It’ud be very pleasant to me to go in
your company—you’re such a handsome brother； and we’ve
always been so fond of quarrelling with one another； I shouldn’t
know what to do without you。 But you’d like better for us both to
stay at home together； I know you would。 So you’ll manage to get
that little sum o’ money； and I’ll bid you good…bye； though I’m
sorry to part。”
Dunstan was moving off； but Godfrey rushed after him and
seized him by the arm； saying； with an oath—“I tell you； I have no
money： I can get no money。”
“Borrow of old Kimble。”
“I tell you； he won’t lend me any more； and I shan’t ask him。”
“Well； then； sell Wildfire。”
“Yes； that’s easy talking。 I must have the money directly。”
“Well； you’ve only got to ride him to the hunt tomorrow。
There’ll be Bryce and Keating there； for sure。 You’ll get more bids
than one。”
“I daresay； and get back home at eight o’clock； splashed up to
the chin。 I’m going to Mrs。 Osgood’s birthday dance。”
“Oho！” said Dunsey； turning his head on one side； and trying to
speak in a small； mincing treble。 “And there’s sweet Miss Nancy
coming； and we shall dance with her； and promise never to be
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Silas Marner 37
naughty again； and be taken into favour； and—” “Hold your
tongue about Miss Nancy； you fool；” said Godfrey； turning red；
“else I’ll throttle you。”
“What for？” said Dunsey； still in an artificial tone； but taking a
whip from the table and beating the butt…end of it on his palm。
“You’ve a very good chance。 I’d advise you to creep up her sleeve
again： it ’ud be saving time； if Molly should happen to take a drop
too much laudanum some day； and make a widower of you。 Miss
Nancy wouldn’t mind being a second； if she didn’t know it。 And
you’ve got a good…natured brother； who’ll keep your secret well；
because you’ll be so very obliging to him。”
“I’ll tell you what it is；” said Godfrey； quivering； and pale again；
“my patience is pretty near at an end。 If you’d a little more
sharpness in you； you might know that you may urge a man a bit
too far； and make one leap as easy as another。 I don’t know but
what it is so now： I may as well tell the Squire everything myself—
I should get you off my back； if I got nothing else。 And； after all；
he’ll know some time。 She’s been threatening to come herself and
tell him。 So； don’t flatter yourself that your secrecy’s worth any
price you choose to ask。 You drain me of money till I have got
nothing to pacify her with； and she’ll do as she threatens some
day。 It’s all one。 I’ll tell my father everything myself； and you may
go to the devil。”
Dunsey perceived that he had overshot his mark； and that there
was a point at which even the hesitating Godfrey might be driven
into decision。 But he said； with an air of unconcern—“As you
please； but I’ll have a draught of ale first。” And ringing the bell； he
threw himself across two chairs； and began to rap the window…seat
with the handle of his whip。
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Silas Marner 38
Godfrey stood； still with his back to the fire； uneasily moving his
fingers among the contents of his side…pockets； and looking at the
floor。 That big muscular frame of his held plenty of animal
courage； but helped him to no decision when the dangers to be
braved were such as could neither be knocked down nor throttled。
His natural irresolution and moral cowardice were exaggerated by
a position in which dreaded consequences seemed to press equally
on all sides； and his irritation had no sooner provoked him to defy
Dunstan and anticipate all possible betrayals； than the miseries he
must bring on himself by such a step seemed more unendurable to
him than the present evil。 The results of confession were