Silas Marner

The villagers are eager to give Marner advice about raising his foundling child, but Marner solicits help only from Mrs. Dolly Winthrop, who offers her experience "without any show of bustling instruction." She gives Marner her son Aaron's old baby clothes and teaches Marner how to wash and dress the child. Dolly also helps Marner consider the question of how he is going to watch after the child, since he spends most of the day weaving. Marner decides the best way would be to tie a long piece of linen around her waist and connect it to the leg of his loom.