To avoid his father's pointed jokes, Godfrey is standing off from Nancy while still staying where he can watch her. He is startled by the sudden entrance of Silas Marner carrying his own child. Silas asks for the doctor to go to the woman near his cottage. At this, Godfrey feels only fear that the woman may not be dead. The women ask whose the child is. Silas cannot say. But when Mrs. Kimble suggests that he leave it there, Silas refuses to part with it.
Godfrey goes for Dolly Winthrop, and they follow the doctor to the Stone Pits. He waits until Dr. Kimble comes out with the news that the woman is dead, then he goes in to have a last look at his wife. He feels a twinge of jealousy at the contentment the child shows in Silas' arms. When he asks if Silas will take the child to the parish to be raised, Silas answers that the child has come to him and he will keep it. Godfrey gives him money and returns home with a sense of relief.
