Silas and William are friends in Lanternyard and are quite close. Silas and William's relationship is seen by the other members of church
assembly as resembling the friendship of David and Jonathan.
In spite of this, the two friends regard their relationship with opposing
interest. While Silas is loyal, his friend seeks to surpass him by bringing
him down. William plays on Silas trust. He sets Silas up and Silas
apparently falls into one of his fits. William steals the church money and
accuses Silas of the theft. Silas succumbs to the casting of lot that is tactically manipulated to prove his guilt. The church grants approval for
William to marry Sarah, who is Silas betrothed after she has broken her
engagement to Silas. These treacheries affect Silas drastically and he
sees no profit in trusting any man or even believing in God. This also
leads him to settle in Raveloe.
The question was shunned by candidates and a few that attempted it
performed fairly well.