Eppie stepped forward. She was blushing(脸红), but held her head high. "Thank you, sir. But I can't leave my father. "
Godfrey was extremely annoyed. He wanted to do what he thought was his duty. And adopting(收养) Eppie would make him feel much less guilty (内疚的) about his past. "But, Eppie, you must agree," he cried. "You are my daughter! Silas, Eppie is my own child".
Silas, who had been relieved (宽慰的) by hearing Eppie's answer to Godfrey, now felt angry.
"Then, sir," he answered angrily, "why didn't you confess (坦白) this sixteen years ago, before I began to love her? Why do you come to take her away now, when it's like taking the heart out of my body? God gave her to me because you turned your back on her!"
Godfrey thought Silas was being very selfish (自私的). "I think, Silas," he said," that you shouldn't stand in her way, when she could have a better life. "
Silas was silent for a moment. He was worried that perhaps Godfrey was night. At last, he made himself bring out the difficult words. "All right. I'll say no more. I won't prevent her from going. "
Godfrey was relieved to hear this, and thought that Eppie would now agree. But Eppie stood by Silas's side, holding his hand in hers, and spoke almost coldly. "Thank you, sir, for your kind offer. But I wouldn't be happy if I left father. "
"But you must make sure, Eppie," said Silas worriedly, "that you won't be sorry, if you decide to stay with poor people. "
I'll never be sorry, father,'" said Eppie certainly. "I don't want to be rich, if I can't live with the people l love. "
