38Jane EyreChapter IVFEeeereported conference between Bessie and Abbot, I gatheredenough of hope to suffice as a motive for wishing to getwell: a change seemed near,I desired and waited it in silence. Ittarried, however: days and weeks passed: I had regained mynormal state of health,but no new allusion was made to thesubject over which I brooded. Mrs. Reed surveyed me at timeswith a severe eye, but seldom addressed me: since my illness, shehad drawn a more marked line of separation than ever betweenme and her own children;appointing me a small closet to sleepinbymyself, condemningmetotakemymealsalone,andpassall mytime in thenursery,while my cousins were constantlyinthedrawing-room. Not a hint, however, did she drop about sendingme to school: still I felt an instinctive certainty that she would notlongenduremeunderthesameroofwithher;forherglance,nowmore than ever, when turned on me, expressed an insuperableandrootedaversion.Eliza and Georgiana, evidently acting according to orders,spoke to me as little as possible: John thrust his tongue in hischeek wheneverhe sawme,and once attempted chastisement; butas Iinstantly turned against him, roused by the same sentiment ofdeep ire and desperate revolt which had stirred my corruptionbefore,he thought it better to desist, and ran from me titteringexecrations, and vowing I had burst his nose. I had indeed levelledat that prominent feature as hard a blow as my knuckles couldinflict; and when I saw that either that or my look daunted him, Ihad the greatest inclination tofollow up my advantage to purpose;Charlotte BronteElecBookClassics
Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontë ElecBook Classics 38 Chapter IV rom my discourse with Mr. Lloyd, and from the above reported conference between Bessie and Abbot, I gathered enough of hope to suffice as a motive for wishing to get well: a change seemed near,—I desired and waited it in silence. It tarried, however: days and weeks passed: I had regained my normal state of health, but no new allusion was made to the subject over which I brooded. Mrs. Reed surveyed me at times with a severe eye, but seldom addressed me: since my illness, she had drawn a more marked line of separation than ever between me and her own children; appointing me a small closet to sleep in by myself, condemning me to take my meals alone, and pass all my time in the nursery, while my cousins were constantly in the drawing-room. Not a hint, however, did she drop about sending me to school: still I felt an instinctive certainty that she would not long endure me under the same roof with her; for her glance, now more than ever, when turned on me, expressed an insuperable and rooted aversion. Eliza and Georgiana, evidently acting according to orders, spoke to me as little as possible: John thrust his tongue in his cheek whenever he saw me, and once attempted chastisement; but as I instantly turned against him, roused by the same sentiment of deep ire and desperate revolt which had stirred my corruption before, he thought it better to desist, and ran from me tittering execrations, and vowing I had burst his nose. I had indeed levelled at that prominent feature as hard a blow as my knuckles could inflict; and when I saw that either that or my look daunted him, I had the greatest inclination to follow up my advantage to purpose; F
39Jane Eyrebut he was already with his mama.I heard him in a blubberingtone commence the tale of how"that nasty Jane Eyre"had flownat him likeamad cat:hewas stopped ratherharshly-"Don't talk to me about her, John: I told you not to go near her;she is not worthy of notice; I do not choose that either you or yoursistersshouldassociatewithher."Here, leaning over the banister, I cried out suddenly, andwithoutatalldeliberatingonmywords-“They are not fit to associate with me."Mrs. Reed was rather a stout woman; but, on hearing thisstrange and audacious declaration, she ran nimbly up the stair,swept me like a whirlwind into the nursery, and crushing medown on the edge of my crib, dared me in an emphatic voice torisefromthatplace,or utteronesyllableduringtheremainder ofthe day."What would Uncle Reed say to you,if he were alive?"was myscarcelyvoluntarydemand.I say scarcelyvoluntary,forit seemedas if my tongue pronounced words without my will consenting totheir utterance: something spoke out of me over which I had nocontrol."What?" said Mrs.Reed under her breath: her usually coldcomposed greyeyebecame troubled witha looklikefear; shetookher hand from my arm, and gazed at me as if she really did notknow whetherI were child or fiend.I was nowin for it."My Uncle Reed is in heaven, and can see all you do and think;and so canpapaand mama:theyknowhowyou shut me up all daylong,and howyouwishmedead."Mrs. Reed soon rallied her spirits: she shook me most soundlyshe boxed both my ears, and then left me without a word. BessieCharlotte BronteElecBookClassics
Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontë ElecBook Classics 39 but he was already with his mama. I heard him in a blubbering tone commence the tale of how “that nasty Jane Eyre” had flown at him like a mad cat: he was stopped rather harshly— “Don’t talk to me about her, John: I told you not to go near her; she is not worthy of notice; I do not choose that either you or your sisters should associate with her.” Here, leaning over the banister, I cried out suddenly, and without at all deliberating on my words— “They are not fit to associate with me.” Mrs. Reed was rather a stout woman; but, on hearing this strange and audacious declaration, she ran nimbly up the stair, swept me like a whirlwind into the nursery, and crushing me down on the edge of my crib, dared me in an emphatic voice to rise from that place, or utter one syllable during the remainder of the day. “What would Uncle Reed say to you, if he were alive?” was my scarcely voluntary demand. I say scarcely voluntary, for it seemed as if my tongue pronounced words without my will consenting to their utterance: something spoke out of me over which I had no control. “What?” said Mrs. Reed under her breath: her usually cold composed grey eye became troubled with a look like fear; she took her hand from my arm, and gazed at me as if she really did not know whether I were child or fiend. I was now in for it. “My Uncle Reed is in heaven, and can see all you do and think; and so can papa and mama: they know how you shut me up all day long, and how you wish me dead.” Mrs. Reed soon rallied her spirits: she shook me most soundly, she boxed both my ears, and then left me without a word. Bessie
40JaneEyresupplied the hiatus by a homily of an hour's length, in which sheproved beyondadoubtthatIwasthemostwicked andabandonedchild ever reared under a roof. I half believed her; for I felt indeedonlybadfeelingssurginginmybreast.November, December, and half of January passed away.Christmas and theNew Year had been celebrated at Gatesheadwith the usual festive cheer; presents had been interchanged,dinners and evening parties given. From every enjoyment I was, ofcourse, excluded: my share of the gaiety consisted in witnessingthe daily apparelling of Eliza and Georgiana, and seeing themdescend to the drawing-room, dressed out in thin muslin frocksand scarlet sashes,with hair elaborately ringleted; and afterwards,in listening to the sound of the piano or the harp played below, tothe passing to and fro of the butler and footman, to the jingling ofglass and china as refreshments were handed, to the broken humof conversation as the drawing-room door opened and closed.When tired of this occupation, I would retire from the stairhead tothe solitary and silent nursery: there, though somewhat sad, I wasnot miserable. To speak truth, I had not the least wish to go intocompany, for in company I was very rarely noticed; and if Bessiehadbutbeenkindand companionable,I should havedeemed itatreat to spend the evenings quietly with her, instead of passingthem under the formidable eye of Mrs. Reed, in a room full ofladies and gentlemen. But Bessie, as soon as she had dressed heryoung ladies, used to take herself off to the lively regions of thekitchen and housekeeper's room, generally bearing the candlealong with her. I then sat with my doll on my knee till the fire gotlow, glancing round occasionally to make sure that nothing worsethan myself haunted the shadowy room; and when the embersCharlotteBronteElecBookClassics
Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontë ElecBook Classics 40 supplied the hiatus by a homily of an hour’s length, in which she proved beyond a doubt that I was the most wicked and abandoned child ever reared under a roof. I half believed her; for I felt indeed only bad feelings surging in my breast. November, December, and half of January passed away. Christmas and the New Year had been celebrated at Gateshead with the usual festive cheer; presents had been interchanged, dinners and evening parties given. From every enjoyment I was, of course, excluded: my share of the gaiety consisted in witnessing the daily apparelling of Eliza and Georgiana, and seeing them descend to the drawing-room, dressed out in thin muslin frocks and scarlet sashes, with hair elaborately ringleted; and afterwards, in listening to the sound of the piano or the harp played below, to the passing to and fro of the butler and footman, to the jingling of glass and china as refreshments were handed, to the broken hum of conversation as the drawing-room door opened and closed. When tired of this occupation, I would retire from the stairhead to the solitary and silent nursery: there, though somewhat sad, I was not miserable. To speak truth, I had not the least wish to go into company, for in company I was very rarely noticed; and if Bessie had but been kind and companionable, I should have deemed it a treat to spend the evenings quietly with her, instead of passing them under the formidable eye of Mrs. Reed, in a room full of ladies and gentlemen. But Bessie, as soon as she had dressed her young ladies, used to take herself off to the lively regions of the kitchen and housekeeper’s room, generally bearing the candle along with her. I then sat with my doll on my knee till the fire got low, glancing round occasionally to make sure that nothing worse than myself haunted the shadowy room; and when the embers
41JaneEyresank to a dull red, Iundressed hastily, tugging at knots and stringsas I best might, and sought shelter from cold and darkness in mycrib. To this crib I always took my doll; human beings must lovesomething, and, in the dearth of worthier objects of affection, Icontrived to find a pleasure in loving and cherishing a fadedgraven image, shabbyas a miniature scarecrow.It puzzles me nowto remember with what absurd sincerity I doated on this little toy,half fancying it alive and capable of sensation.I could not sleepunless it was folded in my night-gown; and when it lay there safeand warm, I was comparatively happy, believing it to be happylikewise.Long did thehours seem while I waited the departure of thecompany, and listened for the sound of Bessie's step on the stairs:sometimes she would come up in the interval to seek her thimbleor her scissors, or perhaps to bring me something by way ofsupper-a bun or acheese-cake-then shewould siton thebedwhile I ate it, and when I had finished, she would tuck the clothesround me, and twice she kissed me, and said, "Good night, MissJane." When thus gentle, Bessie seemed to me the best, prettiest,kindest being in the world; and I wished most intensely that shewould always be so pleasant and amiable, and never push meabout, or scold,or taskme unreasonably,as she was too oftenwont to do. Bessie Lee must, I think, have been a girl of goodnatural capacity, for she was smart in all she did, and had aremarkable knack of narrative; so, at least, I judge from theimpression madeon mebyhernursery tales.She was pretty too, ifmy recollections of her face and person are correct.I rememberher as a slim young woman, with black hair, dark eyes, very nicefeatures, and good, clear complexion; but she had a capricious andCharlotteBronteElecBookClassics
Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontë ElecBook Classics 41 sank to a dull red, I undressed hastily, tugging at knots and strings as I best might, and sought shelter from cold and darkness in my crib. To this crib I always took my doll; human beings must love something, and, in the dearth of worthier objects of affection, I contrived to find a pleasure in loving and cherishing a faded graven image, shabby as a miniature scarecrow. It puzzles me now to remember with what absurd sincerity I doated on this little toy, half fancying it alive and capable of sensation. I could not sleep unless it was folded in my night-gown; and when it lay there safe and warm, I was comparatively happy, believing it to be happy likewise. Long did the hours seem while I waited the departure of the company, and listened for the sound of Bessie’s step on the stairs: sometimes she would come up in the interval to seek her thimble or her scissors, or perhaps to bring me something by way of supper—a bun or a cheese-cake—then she would sit on the bed while I ate it, and when I had finished, she would tuck the clothes round me, and twice she kissed me, and said, “Good night, Miss Jane.” When thus gentle, Bessie seemed to me the best, prettiest, kindest being in the world; and I wished most intensely that she would always be so pleasant and amiable, and never push me about, or scold, or task me unreasonably, as she was too often wont to do. Bessie Lee must, I think, have been a girl of good natural capacity, for she was smart in all she did, and had a remarkable knack of narrative; so, at least, I judge from the impression made on me by her nursery tales. She was pretty too, if my recollections of her face and person are correct. I remember her as a slim young woman, with black hair, dark eyes, very nice features, and good, clear complexion; but she had a capricious and
42JaneEyrehasty temper, and indifferent ideas of principle or justice: still,suchas shewas,I preferred herto any one elseat Gateshead Hall.It was the fifteenth of January,about nine o'clock in themorning: Bessie was gone down to breakfast; my cousins had notyet been summoned to their mama; Eliza was putting on herbonnet and warm garden-coat to go and feed her poultry,anoccupation of which she was fond:and not less so of selling theeggs to the housekeeper and hoarding up the money she thusobtained. She had a turn for traffic, and a marked propensity forsaving; shown not only in the vending of eggs and chickens, butalso in driving hard bargains with the gardener about flower-roots,seeds, and slips of plants; that functionary having orders fromMrs.Reed to buy of his young lady all the products of her parterreshewished to sell:and Eliza would have sold thehair off her headif she could have made a handsome profit thereby. As to hermoney, she first secreted it in odd corners, wrapped in a rag or anold curl-paper; but some of these hoards having been discoveredby the housemaid,Eliza,fearful of one day losing her valuedtreasure, consented to intrust it to her mother, at a usurious rateof interest-fifty or sixty per cent.; which interest she exactedevery quarter, keeping her accounts in a little book with anxiousaccuracy.Georgiana sat on a high stool, dressing her hair at the glass, andinterweavingher curls withartificialflowers and faded feathers, ofwhich shehad found a store in a drawer in the attic.I was makingmy bed,having received strict orders from Bessie to get itarrangedbeforeshereturned (forBessienowfrequentlyemployedme as a sort of under-nurserymaid, to tidy the room, dust thechairs, &c.).Having spread the quilt and folded my night-dress, ICharlotteBronteElecBookClassics
Jane Eyre Charlotte Brontë ElecBook Classics 42 hasty temper, and indifferent ideas of principle or justice: still, such as she was, I preferred her to any one else at Gateshead Hall. It was the fifteenth of January, about nine o’clock in the morning: Bessie was gone down to breakfast; my cousins had not yet been summoned to their mama; Eliza was putting on her bonnet and warm garden-coat to go and feed her poultry, an occupation of which she was fond: and not less so of selling the eggs to the housekeeper and hoarding up the money she thus obtained. She had a turn for traffic, and a marked propensity for saving; shown not only in the vending of eggs and chickens, but also in driving hard bargains with the gardener about flower-roots, seeds, and slips of plants; that functionary having orders from Mrs. Reed to buy of his young lady all the products of her parterre she wished to sell: and Eliza would have sold the hair off her head if she could have made a handsome profit thereby. As to her money, she first secreted it in odd corners, wrapped in a rag or an old curl-paper; but some of these hoards having been discovered by the housemaid, Eliza, fearful of one day losing her valued treasure, consented to intrust it to her mother, at a usurious rate of interest—fifty or sixty per cent.; which interest she exacted every quarter, keeping her accounts in a little book with anxious accuracy. Georgiana sat on a high stool, dressing her hair at the glass, and interweaving her curls with artificial flowers and faded feathers, of which she had found a store in a drawer in the attic. I was making my bed, having received strict orders from Bessie to get it arranged before she returned (for Bessie now frequently employed me as a sort of under-nurserymaid, to tidy the room, dust the chairs, &c.). Having spread the quilt and folded my night-dress, I