Chapter 7
MyfirstquarteratLowoodseemedanage;andnotthegoldeher;itprisedanirksomestrugglewithdifficultiesinhabituatingmyselftonewrulesandunwoasks.Thefearoffailureinthesepointsharassedmeworsethanthephysicalhardshipsofmylot;thoughthesewerenotrifles.
DuringJanuary,February,andpartofMarch,thedeepsnows,and,aftertheirmelting,thealmostimpassableroads,preventedourstirringbeyondthegardenwalls,excepttogotochurch;butwithintheselimitsassanhoureverydayintheopenair.Ourclothingwasinsuffittoprotectusfromtheseverecold:wehadnoboots,thesnowgotintoourshoesaedthere:lovedhandsbeumbedandcoveredwithchilblains,aswereourfeet:IrememberwellthedistragirritationIenduredfromthiscauseeveryevening,wheinflamed;aureofthrustingtheswelled,raw,andstifftoesintomyshoesinthem.Thenthestysupplyoffoodwasdistressing:withthekeeesofgrowingchildren,wehadscarcelysuffittokeepaliveadelicateinvalid.Fromthisdefiourishmeedanabuse,whichpressedhardlyontheyoungerpupils:whehefamishedgreatgirlshadanopportunity,theywouldehelittleooftheirportion.ManyatimeIhavesharedbetweentwoclaimantsthepreorselofbrownbreaddistributedattea-time;andafterrelinquishingtoathirdhalfthetentsofmymugofcoffee,Ihaveswallowedtheremaihanapaofsecrettears,forcedfrommebytheexigencyofhunger.
SundaysweredrearydaysinthatwintryseasoowalktwomilestoBrocklebridgeChurch,whereourpatronofficiated.Wesetoutcold,wearrivedatchurchcolder:duringthemservicewebecamealmostparalysed.Itwastoofartoreturntodinner,andanallowanceofeatandbread,inthesamepenuriousproportionobservedinourordinarymeals,wasservedrouweentheservices.
Atthecloseoftheafternoonservicewereturnedbyanexposedandhillyroad,wherethebitterwinterwind,blowingoverarangeofsnowysummitstothenorth,almostflayedtheskinfromourfaces.
IrememberMissTemplewalkinglightlyandrapidlyalongourdroopingline,herplaidcloak,whichthefrostywindfluttered,gatheredcloseabouther,andencingus,bypreceptandexample,tokeepupourspirits,andmarchforward,asshesaid,“likestalwartsoldiers.”Theotherteachers,poorthings,weregenerallythemselvestoomuchdejectedtoattemptthetaskofcheeringothers.
Howwelongedforthelightaofablazingfirewheback!But,tothelittleoleast,thiswasdenied:eachhearthintheschoolroomwasimmediatelysurroundedbyadoublerowirls,andbehiheyoungerchildrencrouchedingroups,iarvedarmsintheirpinafores.
Alittlesolacecameattea-time,intheshapeofadoublerationofbread—awhole,insteadofahalf,slice—withthedeliciousadditionofathinscrapeofbutter:itwasthehebdomadaltreattowhichwealllookedforwardfromSabbathtoSabbath.Igenerallytrivedtoreserveamoietyofthisbounteousrepastformyself;buttheremainderIwasinvariablyobligedtopartwith.
TheSundayeveningentiing,byheart,theChurchCatechism,ah,sixth,ahchaptersofSt.Matthew;andinlisteningtoalongsermon,readbyMissMiller,whoseirrepressibleyawnsattestedherweariness.AfrequentinterludeoftheseperformanceswastheenatofthepartofEutychusbysomehalf-dozenoflittlegirls,who,overpoweredwithsleep,wouldfalldown,ifnotoutofthethirdloft,yetoffthefourthform,aakenuphalfdead.Theremedywas,tothrustthemforwardintothetreoftheschoolroom,andobligethemtostaillthesermonwasfinished.Sometimestheirfeetfailedthem,andtheysanktogetheriheywerethenproppedupwiththemonitors’highstools.
IhavealludedtothevisitsofMr.Brocklehurst;andihatgentlemanwasfromhomeduringthegreaterpartofthefirstmonthaftermyarrival;perhapsprolonginghisstaywithhisfriendthearchdea:hisabsencewasarelieftome.IsaythatIhadmyownreasonsfordreadinghising:butehedidatlast.
Oernoon(IhadthehreeweeksatLowood),asIwassittingwithaslateinmyhand,puzzlingoverasuminlongdivision,myeyes,raisedinabstratothewindow,caughtsightofafigurejustpassing:Ireisedalmostinstinctivelythatgauntoutline;awomier,alltheschool,teachersincluded,roseenmasse,itwasnotnecessaryformetolookupioascertainwhoseentraheythusgreeted.Alongstridemeasuredtheschoolroom,alybesideMissTemple,whoherselfhadrisen,stoodthesameblanwhichhadfrownedonmesoominouslyfromthehearthrugofGateshead.Inowglancedsidewaysatthispieceofarchitecture.Yes,Iwasright:itwasMr.Brocklehurst,buttonedupinasurtout,andlookinglonger,narrower,andmidthanever.
Ihadmyownreasonsforbeingdismayedatthisapparition;toowellIrememberedtheperfidioushintsgivenbyMrs.Reedaboutmydisposition,&c.;thepromisepledgedbyMr.BrocklehursttoappriseMissTempleaeachersofmyviciousnature.AllalongIhadbeendreadingthefulfilmentofthispromise,—Ihadbeenlookingoutdailyforthe“ingMan,”whoseinformationrespegmypastlifeandversationwastobrandmeasabadchildforever:nowtherehewas.
HestoodatMissTemple’sside;heeakinglowinherear:Ididnotdoubthewasmakingdisclosuresofmyvillainy;andIwatchedhereyewithpainfulay,expegeverymomenttoseeitsdarkorbturnonmeaglancenandpt.Ilisteoo;andasIhappeobeseatedquiteatthetopoftheroom,Icaughtmostofwhathesaid:itsimportrelievedmefromimmediateapprehension.
“Isuppose,MissTemple,thethreadIboughtatLowtonwilldo;itstruckmethatitwouldbejustofthequalityforthecaliises,andIsortedtheneedlestomataytellMissSmiththatIfottomakeamemorandumofthedarningneedles,butsheshallhavesomepaperssentiweek;andsheisnot,onanyat,togiveoutmorethaimetoeachpupil:iftheyhavemore,theyareapttobecarelessandlosethem.And,Oma’am!Iwishthewoollenstogswerebetterlookedto!—whenIwasherelast,Iwentintothekit-gardenandexamiheclothesdryingontheliherewasaquantityofblackhoseinaverybadstateofrepair:fromthesizeoftheholesinthemIwassuretheyhadnotbeenwellmendedfromtimetotime.”
Hepaused.
“Yourdiresshallbeatteo,sir,”saidMissTemple.
“And,ma’am,”hetihelauellsmesomeofthegirlshavetwotuckersintheweek:itistoomuch;theruleslimitthemtoone.”
“IthinkIexplainthatcircumstance,sir.AgnesandCatherineJohnstonewereiaketeawithsomefriendsatLowtonlastThursday,andIgavethemleavetoputouckersfortheoccasion.”
Mr.Brocklehurstnodded.
“Well,foromaypass;butpleasenottoletthecircumstanceoccurtoooften.Andthereisahingwhichsurprisedme;Ifind,ilingatswiththehousekeeper,thatalunch,sistingofbreadandcheese,hastwicebeenservedouttothegirlsdurifht.Howisthis?Ilookedovertheregulations,andIfindnosuchmealasluioned.Whointroducedthisinnovation?andbywhatauthority?”
“Imustberesponsibleforthecircumstance,sir,”repliedMissTemple:“thebreakfastwassoillpreparedthatthepupilscouldnotpossiblyeatit;andIdarednotallowthemtoremainfastingtilldiime.”
“Madam,allowmeaninstant.Youareawarethatmyplaninbringingupthesegirlsis,nottoacthemtohabitsofluxuryandindulgetorehemhardy,patient,self-denying.Shouldanylittleactaldisappoioftheappetiteoccur,suchasthespoilingofameal,theuheoverdressingofadish,theioughtnottoberalisedbyreplagwithsomethingmoredelicatethefortlost,thuspamperingthebodyandobviatingtheaimofthisinstitution;itoughttobeimprovedtothespiritualedificationofthepupils,byencioeviitudeuemporaryprivation.Abriefaddressonthoseoccasionswouldimed,whereinajudiciousinstructorwouldtaketheopportunityofreferringtothesufferingsoftheprimitiveChristians;tothetormentsofmartyrs;totheexhortationsofourblessedLordHimself,callinguponHisdisciplestotakeuptheircrossandfollowHim;toHiswarningsthatmanshallnotlivebybreadalobyeverywordthatproceedethoutofthemouthofGod;toHisdivinesolations,“IfyesufferhuhirstforMysake,happyareye.”Oh,madam,whenyouputbreadandcheese,insteadofburntpe,intothesechildren’smouths,youmayindeedfeedtheirvilebodies,butyoulittlethinkhowyoustarvetheirimmortalsouls!”
Mr.Brocklehurstagainpaused—perhapsoverebyhisfeelings.MissTemplehadlookeddownwhenhefirstbegantospeaktoher;butshenowgazedstraightbeforeher,andherfaaturallypaleasmarble,appearedtobeassumingalsotheessandfixityofthatmaterial;especiallyhermouth,closedasifitwouldhaverequiredasculptor’schiseltoopenit,andherbrowsettledgraduallyirifiedseverity.
Meantime,Mr.Brocklehurst,standingonthehearthwithhishandsbehindhisback,majesticallysurveyedthewholeschool.Suddenlyhiseyegaveablink,asifithadmetsomethingthateitherdazzledorshockeditspupil;turning,hesaidinmorerapidatsthanhehadhithertoused—
“MissTemple,MissTemple,what—whatisthatgirlwithcurledhair?Redhair,ma’am,curled—curledallover?”Aendinghisehepoiheawfulobject,hishandshakingashedidso.
“ItisJuliaSevern,”repliedMissTemple,veryquietly.
“JuliaSevern,ma’am!Andwhyhasshe,oranyother,curledhair?Why,indefianceofeverypreceptandprincipleofthishouse,doesshetotheworldsoopenly—hereinanevangelical,charitableestablishment—astowearherhaironemassofcurls?”
“Julia’shaircurlsnaturally,”returnedMissTemple,stillmorequietly.
“Naturally!Yes,butwearenottotonature;IwishthesegirlstobethechildrenofGradwhythatabundance?IhaveagainandagainintimatedthatIdesirethehairtedclosely,modestly,plainly.MissTemple,thatgirl’shairmustbecutoffentirely;Iwillsendabarberto-morrow:aherswhohavefartoomuchoftheexcresce—thattallgirl,tellhertoturnround.Tellallthefirstformtoriseupanddirecttheirfacestothewall.”
MissTemplepassedherhandkerchiefoverherlips,asiftosmoothawaytheinvoluntarysmilethatcurledthem;shegavetheorder,however,ahefirstclasscouldtakeinwhatwasrequiredofthem,theyobeyed.Leaningalittlebaybench,Icouldseethelooksandgrimaceswithwhichtheyehisman?uvre:itityMr.Brocklehurstcouldhemtoo;hewouldperhapshavefeltthat,whateverhemightdowiththeoutsideofthedplatter,theinsidewasfurtherbeyondhisinterferehanheimagined.
Hescrutihereverseoftheselivingmedalssomefivemihenpronouncedsentehesewordsfellliketheknellofdoom—
“Allthosetop-knotsmustbecutoff.”
MissTempleseemedtoremonstrate.
“Madam,”hepursued,“IhaveaMastertoservewhosekingdomisnotofthisworld:mymissionistomortifyinthesegirlsthelustsoftheflesh;toteachthemtoclothethemselveswithshame-faessandsobriety,notwithbraidedhairandcostlyapparel;andeachoftheyoungpersonsbeforeushasastringofhairtwistedinplaitswhiityitselfmighthavewoven;these,Irepeat,mustbecutoff;thinkofthetimewasted,of—”
Mr.Brocklehurstwashereinterrupted:threeothervisitors,ladies,eredtheroom.Theyoughttohaveealittlesooohaveheardhislectureondress,fortheyweresplendidlyattiredi,silk,andfurs.Thetwoyouhetrio(finegirlsofsixteenaeen)hadgreybeaverhats,theninfashion,shadedwithostrichplumes,andfromuhebrimofthisgracefulhead-dressfellaprofusionoflighttresses,elaboratelycurled;theelderladywasenvelopedinacostlyvelvetshawl,trimmedwithermine,andsheworeafalsefrontofFrenchcurls.
TheseladiesweredeferentiallyreceivedbyMissTemple,asMrs.andtheMissesBrocklehurst,andductedtoseatsofhonouratthetopoftheroom.Itseemstheyhadeinthecarriagewiththeirrevereive,andhadbeendugarummagingscrutinyoftheroomupstairs,whilehetransactedbusinesswiththehousekeeper,questiohelaundress,auredthesuperinteheynowproceededtoaddressdiversremarksandreproofstoMissSmith,whowaschargedwiththecareofthelinenandtheiionofthedormitories:butIhadnotimetolistentowhattheysaid;othermatterscalledoffandentedmyattention.
Hitherto,whilegatheringupthediscourseofMr.BrocklehurstandMissTemple,Ihadnot,atthesametime,edprecautionstosecuremypersonalsafety;whichIthoughtwouldbeeffected,ifIcouldonlyeludeobservation.Tothisend,Ihadsatwellbatheform,andwhileseemingtobebusywithmysum,hadheldmyslateinsuchamaocealmyface:Imighthaveescapednotice,hadnotmytreacherousslatesomehoeoslipfrommyhand,andfallingwithanobtrusivecrash,directlydrawneveryeyeuponme;Ikwasallovernow,and,asIstoopedtopickupthetwmentsofslate,Iralliedmyforcesfortheworst.Itcame.
“Acarelessgirl!”saidMr.Brocklehurst,andimmediatelyafter—“Itisthenewpupil,Iperceive.”AndbeforeIcoulddrawbreath,“ImustnetIhaveawordtosayrespegher.”Thenaloud:howlouditseemedtome!“Letthechildwhobrokeherslateeforward!”
OfmyownaccordIcouldnothavestirred;Iaralysed:butthetwirlswhositoneachsideofme,setmeonmylegsandpushedmetowardsthedreadjudge,andthenMissTemplegentlyassistedmetohisveryfeet,andIcaughtherwhisperedsel—
“Don’tbeafraid,Jane,Isawitwasanact;youshallnotbepunished.”
Thekindwhisperwenttomyheartlikeadagger.
“Anotherminute,andshewilldespisemeforahypocrite,”thoughtI;andanimpulseainstReed,Brocklehurst,andCo.boundedinmypulsesatthevi.IwasnoHelenBurns.
“Fetchthatstool,”saidMr.Brocklehurst,pointingthonefromwhichamonitorhadjustrisen:itwasbrought.
“Placethechilduponit.”
AndIlacedthere,bywhomIdon’tknow:Iwasinnoditiontoiculars;IwasonlyawarethattheyhadhoistedmeuptotheheightofMr.Brocklehurst’shathewaswithinayardofme,andthataspreadofsheandpurplesilkpelissesandacloudofsilveryplumageextendedandwavedbelowme.
Mr.Brocklehursthemmed.
“Ladies,”saidhe,turningtohisfamily,“MissTemple,teachers,andchildren,youallseethisgirl?”
Ofcoursetheydid;forIfelttheireyesdirectedlikeburning-glassesagainstmyscorchedskin.
“Youseesheisyetyoung;youobserveshepossessestheordinaryformofchildhood;GodhasgraciouslygiveheshapethatHehasgiventoallofus;nosignaldeformitypoiasamarkedcharacter.WhowouldthinkthattheEvilOnehadalreadyfoundaservantainher?Yetsuch,Igrievetosay,isthecase.”
Apause—inwhichIbegantosteadythepalsyofmynerves,andtofeelthattheRubiassed;andthatthetrial,noloobeshirked,mustbefirmlysustained.
“Mydearchildren,”pursuedtheblackmarbleclergyman,withpathos,“thisisasad,amelancholyoccasion;foritbeydutytowarnyou,thatthisgirl,whomightbeoneofGod’sownlambs,isalittlecastaway:notamemberofthetrueflock,butevidentlyaninterloperandanalien.Youmustbeonyuardagainsther;youmustshunherexample;ifnecessary,avoidherpany,excludeherfromyoursports,andshutheroutfromyourverse.Teachers,youmustwatchher:keepyoureyesonhermovements,weighwellherwords,scrutiniseheras,punishherbodytosavehersoul:if,indeed,suchsalvationbepossible,for(mytoerswhileItellit)thisgirl,thischild,thenativeofaChristianland,worsethanmanyalittleheathenwhosaysitsprayerstoBrahmaandkneelsbefgernaut—thisgirlis—aliar!”
Noauseoftenminutes,duringwhichI,bythistimeinperfectpossessionofmywits,observedallthefemaleBrocklehurstsproducetheirpocket-handkerchiefsandapplythemtotheiroptics,whiletheelderlyladyswayedherselftoandfro,awoyoungeroneswhispered,“Howshog!”Mr.Brocklehurstresumed.
“ThisIlearnedfromherberess;fromthepiousandcharitableladytedherinherorphanstate,rearedherasherowndaughter,andwhosekindness,whosegenerositytheunhappygirlrepaidbyaningratitudesobad,sodreadful,thatatlastherexcellentpatronesswasobligedtoseparateherfromherownyoungones,fearfullestherviciousexampleshouldiheirpurity:shehassentherheretobehealed,evenastheJewsofoldsenttheirdiseasedtothetroubledpoolofBethesda;and,teachers,superinte,Ibegofyounottoallowthewaterstostagnateroundher.”
Withthissublimeclusion,Mr.Brocklehurstadjustedthetopbuttonofhissurtout,mutteredsomethingtohisfamily,whorose,bowedtoMissTemple,andthenallthegreatpeoplesailedinstatefromtheroom.Turningatthedoor,myjudgesaid—
“Letherstandhalf-an-heronthatstool,anoooherduringtheremaiheday.”
TherewasI,then,mountedaloft;I,whohadsaidIcouldheshameofstandingonmynaturalfeetinthemiddleoftheroom,wasnowexposedtogeneralvieedestalofinfamy.Whatmysensationswerenolanguagedescribe;butjustastheyallrose,stiflingmybreathandstrigmythroat,agirlcameupandpassedme:inpassing,sheliftedhereyes.Whatastrangelightinspiredthem!Whataraordinarysensationthatraysentthroughme!Howthenewfeelingboremeup!Itwasasifamartyr,ahero,hadpassedaslaveorvictim,andimpartedstrengthiransit.Imasteredtherisinghysteria,liftedupmyhead,andtookafirmstandoool.HelenBurnsaskedsomeslightquestionaboutherworkofMissSmith,waschiddenforthetrivialityoftheinquiry,returoherpladsmiledatmeassheagaiby.Whatasmile!Irememberitnow,andIknowthatitwastheeffluenceoffiellect,oftruece;itlituphermarkedlis,herthinface,hersunkengreyeye,likeareflefromtheaspectofanangel.YetatthatmomentHelenBurnsworeonherarm“theuntidybadge;”scarcelyanhoIhadheardhernedbyMissScatcherdtoadinnerofbreadandwateronthemorrowbecauseshehadblottedanexerciseincopyingitout.Suchistheimperfeatureofman!suchspotsarethereonthediscoftheclearestpla;andeyeslikeMissScatcherd’slyseethoseminutedefects,andareblindtothefullbrightnessoftheorb.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
DuringJanuary,February,andpartofMarch,thedeepsnows,and,aftertheirmelting,thealmostimpassableroads,preventedourstirringbeyondthegardenwalls,excepttogotochurch;butwithintheselimitsassanhoureverydayintheopenair.Ourclothingwasinsuffittoprotectusfromtheseverecold:wehadnoboots,thesnowgotintoourshoesaedthere:lovedhandsbeumbedandcoveredwithchilblains,aswereourfeet:IrememberwellthedistragirritationIenduredfromthiscauseeveryevening,wheinflamed;aureofthrustingtheswelled,raw,andstifftoesintomyshoesinthem.Thenthestysupplyoffoodwasdistressing:withthekeeesofgrowingchildren,wehadscarcelysuffittokeepaliveadelicateinvalid.Fromthisdefiourishmeedanabuse,whichpressedhardlyontheyoungerpupils:whehefamishedgreatgirlshadanopportunity,theywouldehelittleooftheirportion.ManyatimeIhavesharedbetweentwoclaimantsthepreorselofbrownbreaddistributedattea-time;andafterrelinquishingtoathirdhalfthetentsofmymugofcoffee,Ihaveswallowedtheremaihanapaofsecrettears,forcedfrommebytheexigencyofhunger.
SundaysweredrearydaysinthatwintryseasoowalktwomilestoBrocklebridgeChurch,whereourpatronofficiated.Wesetoutcold,wearrivedatchurchcolder:duringthemservicewebecamealmostparalysed.Itwastoofartoreturntodinner,andanallowanceofeatandbread,inthesamepenuriousproportionobservedinourordinarymeals,wasservedrouweentheservices.
Atthecloseoftheafternoonservicewereturnedbyanexposedandhillyroad,wherethebitterwinterwind,blowingoverarangeofsnowysummitstothenorth,almostflayedtheskinfromourfaces.
IrememberMissTemplewalkinglightlyandrapidlyalongourdroopingline,herplaidcloak,whichthefrostywindfluttered,gatheredcloseabouther,andencingus,bypreceptandexample,tokeepupourspirits,andmarchforward,asshesaid,“likestalwartsoldiers.”Theotherteachers,poorthings,weregenerallythemselvestoomuchdejectedtoattemptthetaskofcheeringothers.
Howwelongedforthelightaofablazingfirewheback!But,tothelittleoleast,thiswasdenied:eachhearthintheschoolroomwasimmediatelysurroundedbyadoublerowirls,andbehiheyoungerchildrencrouchedingroups,iarvedarmsintheirpinafores.
Alittlesolacecameattea-time,intheshapeofadoublerationofbread—awhole,insteadofahalf,slice—withthedeliciousadditionofathinscrapeofbutter:itwasthehebdomadaltreattowhichwealllookedforwardfromSabbathtoSabbath.Igenerallytrivedtoreserveamoietyofthisbounteousrepastformyself;buttheremainderIwasinvariablyobligedtopartwith.
TheSundayeveningentiing,byheart,theChurchCatechism,ah,sixth,ahchaptersofSt.Matthew;andinlisteningtoalongsermon,readbyMissMiller,whoseirrepressibleyawnsattestedherweariness.AfrequentinterludeoftheseperformanceswastheenatofthepartofEutychusbysomehalf-dozenoflittlegirls,who,overpoweredwithsleep,wouldfalldown,ifnotoutofthethirdloft,yetoffthefourthform,aakenuphalfdead.Theremedywas,tothrustthemforwardintothetreoftheschoolroom,andobligethemtostaillthesermonwasfinished.Sometimestheirfeetfailedthem,andtheysanktogetheriheywerethenproppedupwiththemonitors’highstools.
IhavealludedtothevisitsofMr.Brocklehurst;andihatgentlemanwasfromhomeduringthegreaterpartofthefirstmonthaftermyarrival;perhapsprolonginghisstaywithhisfriendthearchdea:hisabsencewasarelieftome.IsaythatIhadmyownreasonsfordreadinghising:butehedidatlast.
Oernoon(IhadthehreeweeksatLowood),asIwassittingwithaslateinmyhand,puzzlingoverasuminlongdivision,myeyes,raisedinabstratothewindow,caughtsightofafigurejustpassing:Ireisedalmostinstinctivelythatgauntoutline;awomier,alltheschool,teachersincluded,roseenmasse,itwasnotnecessaryformetolookupioascertainwhoseentraheythusgreeted.Alongstridemeasuredtheschoolroom,alybesideMissTemple,whoherselfhadrisen,stoodthesameblanwhichhadfrownedonmesoominouslyfromthehearthrugofGateshead.Inowglancedsidewaysatthispieceofarchitecture.Yes,Iwasright:itwasMr.Brocklehurst,buttonedupinasurtout,andlookinglonger,narrower,andmidthanever.
Ihadmyownreasonsforbeingdismayedatthisapparition;toowellIrememberedtheperfidioushintsgivenbyMrs.Reedaboutmydisposition,&c.;thepromisepledgedbyMr.BrocklehursttoappriseMissTempleaeachersofmyviciousnature.AllalongIhadbeendreadingthefulfilmentofthispromise,—Ihadbeenlookingoutdailyforthe“ingMan,”whoseinformationrespegmypastlifeandversationwastobrandmeasabadchildforever:nowtherehewas.
HestoodatMissTemple’sside;heeakinglowinherear:Ididnotdoubthewasmakingdisclosuresofmyvillainy;andIwatchedhereyewithpainfulay,expegeverymomenttoseeitsdarkorbturnonmeaglancenandpt.Ilisteoo;andasIhappeobeseatedquiteatthetopoftheroom,Icaughtmostofwhathesaid:itsimportrelievedmefromimmediateapprehension.
“Isuppose,MissTemple,thethreadIboughtatLowtonwilldo;itstruckmethatitwouldbejustofthequalityforthecaliises,andIsortedtheneedlestomataytellMissSmiththatIfottomakeamemorandumofthedarningneedles,butsheshallhavesomepaperssentiweek;andsheisnot,onanyat,togiveoutmorethaimetoeachpupil:iftheyhavemore,theyareapttobecarelessandlosethem.And,Oma’am!Iwishthewoollenstogswerebetterlookedto!—whenIwasherelast,Iwentintothekit-gardenandexamiheclothesdryingontheliherewasaquantityofblackhoseinaverybadstateofrepair:fromthesizeoftheholesinthemIwassuretheyhadnotbeenwellmendedfromtimetotime.”
Hepaused.
“Yourdiresshallbeatteo,sir,”saidMissTemple.
“And,ma’am,”hetihelauellsmesomeofthegirlshavetwotuckersintheweek:itistoomuch;theruleslimitthemtoone.”
“IthinkIexplainthatcircumstance,sir.AgnesandCatherineJohnstonewereiaketeawithsomefriendsatLowtonlastThursday,andIgavethemleavetoputouckersfortheoccasion.”
Mr.Brocklehurstnodded.
“Well,foromaypass;butpleasenottoletthecircumstanceoccurtoooften.Andthereisahingwhichsurprisedme;Ifind,ilingatswiththehousekeeper,thatalunch,sistingofbreadandcheese,hastwicebeenservedouttothegirlsdurifht.Howisthis?Ilookedovertheregulations,andIfindnosuchmealasluioned.Whointroducedthisinnovation?andbywhatauthority?”
“Imustberesponsibleforthecircumstance,sir,”repliedMissTemple:“thebreakfastwassoillpreparedthatthepupilscouldnotpossiblyeatit;andIdarednotallowthemtoremainfastingtilldiime.”
“Madam,allowmeaninstant.Youareawarethatmyplaninbringingupthesegirlsis,nottoacthemtohabitsofluxuryandindulgetorehemhardy,patient,self-denying.Shouldanylittleactaldisappoioftheappetiteoccur,suchasthespoilingofameal,theuheoverdressingofadish,theioughtnottoberalisedbyreplagwithsomethingmoredelicatethefortlost,thuspamperingthebodyandobviatingtheaimofthisinstitution;itoughttobeimprovedtothespiritualedificationofthepupils,byencioeviitudeuemporaryprivation.Abriefaddressonthoseoccasionswouldimed,whereinajudiciousinstructorwouldtaketheopportunityofreferringtothesufferingsoftheprimitiveChristians;tothetormentsofmartyrs;totheexhortationsofourblessedLordHimself,callinguponHisdisciplestotakeuptheircrossandfollowHim;toHiswarningsthatmanshallnotlivebybreadalobyeverywordthatproceedethoutofthemouthofGod;toHisdivinesolations,“IfyesufferhuhirstforMysake,happyareye.”Oh,madam,whenyouputbreadandcheese,insteadofburntpe,intothesechildren’smouths,youmayindeedfeedtheirvilebodies,butyoulittlethinkhowyoustarvetheirimmortalsouls!”
Mr.Brocklehurstagainpaused—perhapsoverebyhisfeelings.MissTemplehadlookeddownwhenhefirstbegantospeaktoher;butshenowgazedstraightbeforeher,andherfaaturallypaleasmarble,appearedtobeassumingalsotheessandfixityofthatmaterial;especiallyhermouth,closedasifitwouldhaverequiredasculptor’schiseltoopenit,andherbrowsettledgraduallyirifiedseverity.
Meantime,Mr.Brocklehurst,standingonthehearthwithhishandsbehindhisback,majesticallysurveyedthewholeschool.Suddenlyhiseyegaveablink,asifithadmetsomethingthateitherdazzledorshockeditspupil;turning,hesaidinmorerapidatsthanhehadhithertoused—
“MissTemple,MissTemple,what—whatisthatgirlwithcurledhair?Redhair,ma’am,curled—curledallover?”Aendinghisehepoiheawfulobject,hishandshakingashedidso.
“ItisJuliaSevern,”repliedMissTemple,veryquietly.
“JuliaSevern,ma’am!Andwhyhasshe,oranyother,curledhair?Why,indefianceofeverypreceptandprincipleofthishouse,doesshetotheworldsoopenly—hereinanevangelical,charitableestablishment—astowearherhaironemassofcurls?”
“Julia’shaircurlsnaturally,”returnedMissTemple,stillmorequietly.
“Naturally!Yes,butwearenottotonature;IwishthesegirlstobethechildrenofGradwhythatabundance?IhaveagainandagainintimatedthatIdesirethehairtedclosely,modestly,plainly.MissTemple,thatgirl’shairmustbecutoffentirely;Iwillsendabarberto-morrow:aherswhohavefartoomuchoftheexcresce—thattallgirl,tellhertoturnround.Tellallthefirstformtoriseupanddirecttheirfacestothewall.”
MissTemplepassedherhandkerchiefoverherlips,asiftosmoothawaytheinvoluntarysmilethatcurledthem;shegavetheorder,however,ahefirstclasscouldtakeinwhatwasrequiredofthem,theyobeyed.Leaningalittlebaybench,Icouldseethelooksandgrimaceswithwhichtheyehisman?uvre:itityMr.Brocklehurstcouldhemtoo;hewouldperhapshavefeltthat,whateverhemightdowiththeoutsideofthedplatter,theinsidewasfurtherbeyondhisinterferehanheimagined.
Hescrutihereverseoftheselivingmedalssomefivemihenpronouncedsentehesewordsfellliketheknellofdoom—
“Allthosetop-knotsmustbecutoff.”
MissTempleseemedtoremonstrate.
“Madam,”hepursued,“IhaveaMastertoservewhosekingdomisnotofthisworld:mymissionistomortifyinthesegirlsthelustsoftheflesh;toteachthemtoclothethemselveswithshame-faessandsobriety,notwithbraidedhairandcostlyapparel;andeachoftheyoungpersonsbeforeushasastringofhairtwistedinplaitswhiityitselfmighthavewoven;these,Irepeat,mustbecutoff;thinkofthetimewasted,of—”
Mr.Brocklehurstwashereinterrupted:threeothervisitors,ladies,eredtheroom.Theyoughttohaveealittlesooohaveheardhislectureondress,fortheyweresplendidlyattiredi,silk,andfurs.Thetwoyouhetrio(finegirlsofsixteenaeen)hadgreybeaverhats,theninfashion,shadedwithostrichplumes,andfromuhebrimofthisgracefulhead-dressfellaprofusionoflighttresses,elaboratelycurled;theelderladywasenvelopedinacostlyvelvetshawl,trimmedwithermine,andsheworeafalsefrontofFrenchcurls.
TheseladiesweredeferentiallyreceivedbyMissTemple,asMrs.andtheMissesBrocklehurst,andductedtoseatsofhonouratthetopoftheroom.Itseemstheyhadeinthecarriagewiththeirrevereive,andhadbeendugarummagingscrutinyoftheroomupstairs,whilehetransactedbusinesswiththehousekeeper,questiohelaundress,auredthesuperinteheynowproceededtoaddressdiversremarksandreproofstoMissSmith,whowaschargedwiththecareofthelinenandtheiionofthedormitories:butIhadnotimetolistentowhattheysaid;othermatterscalledoffandentedmyattention.
Hitherto,whilegatheringupthediscourseofMr.BrocklehurstandMissTemple,Ihadnot,atthesametime,edprecautionstosecuremypersonalsafety;whichIthoughtwouldbeeffected,ifIcouldonlyeludeobservation.Tothisend,Ihadsatwellbatheform,andwhileseemingtobebusywithmysum,hadheldmyslateinsuchamaocealmyface:Imighthaveescapednotice,hadnotmytreacherousslatesomehoeoslipfrommyhand,andfallingwithanobtrusivecrash,directlydrawneveryeyeuponme;Ikwasallovernow,and,asIstoopedtopickupthetwmentsofslate,Iralliedmyforcesfortheworst.Itcame.
“Acarelessgirl!”saidMr.Brocklehurst,andimmediatelyafter—“Itisthenewpupil,Iperceive.”AndbeforeIcoulddrawbreath,“ImustnetIhaveawordtosayrespegher.”Thenaloud:howlouditseemedtome!“Letthechildwhobrokeherslateeforward!”
OfmyownaccordIcouldnothavestirred;Iaralysed:butthetwirlswhositoneachsideofme,setmeonmylegsandpushedmetowardsthedreadjudge,andthenMissTemplegentlyassistedmetohisveryfeet,andIcaughtherwhisperedsel—
“Don’tbeafraid,Jane,Isawitwasanact;youshallnotbepunished.”
Thekindwhisperwenttomyheartlikeadagger.
“Anotherminute,andshewilldespisemeforahypocrite,”thoughtI;andanimpulseainstReed,Brocklehurst,andCo.boundedinmypulsesatthevi.IwasnoHelenBurns.
“Fetchthatstool,”saidMr.Brocklehurst,pointingthonefromwhichamonitorhadjustrisen:itwasbrought.
“Placethechilduponit.”
AndIlacedthere,bywhomIdon’tknow:Iwasinnoditiontoiculars;IwasonlyawarethattheyhadhoistedmeuptotheheightofMr.Brocklehurst’shathewaswithinayardofme,andthataspreadofsheandpurplesilkpelissesandacloudofsilveryplumageextendedandwavedbelowme.
Mr.Brocklehursthemmed.
“Ladies,”saidhe,turningtohisfamily,“MissTemple,teachers,andchildren,youallseethisgirl?”
Ofcoursetheydid;forIfelttheireyesdirectedlikeburning-glassesagainstmyscorchedskin.
“Youseesheisyetyoung;youobserveshepossessestheordinaryformofchildhood;GodhasgraciouslygiveheshapethatHehasgiventoallofus;nosignaldeformitypoiasamarkedcharacter.WhowouldthinkthattheEvilOnehadalreadyfoundaservantainher?Yetsuch,Igrievetosay,isthecase.”
Apause—inwhichIbegantosteadythepalsyofmynerves,andtofeelthattheRubiassed;andthatthetrial,noloobeshirked,mustbefirmlysustained.
“Mydearchildren,”pursuedtheblackmarbleclergyman,withpathos,“thisisasad,amelancholyoccasion;foritbeydutytowarnyou,thatthisgirl,whomightbeoneofGod’sownlambs,isalittlecastaway:notamemberofthetrueflock,butevidentlyaninterloperandanalien.Youmustbeonyuardagainsther;youmustshunherexample;ifnecessary,avoidherpany,excludeherfromyoursports,andshutheroutfromyourverse.Teachers,youmustwatchher:keepyoureyesonhermovements,weighwellherwords,scrutiniseheras,punishherbodytosavehersoul:if,indeed,suchsalvationbepossible,for(mytoerswhileItellit)thisgirl,thischild,thenativeofaChristianland,worsethanmanyalittleheathenwhosaysitsprayerstoBrahmaandkneelsbefgernaut—thisgirlis—aliar!”
Noauseoftenminutes,duringwhichI,bythistimeinperfectpossessionofmywits,observedallthefemaleBrocklehurstsproducetheirpocket-handkerchiefsandapplythemtotheiroptics,whiletheelderlyladyswayedherselftoandfro,awoyoungeroneswhispered,“Howshog!”Mr.Brocklehurstresumed.
“ThisIlearnedfromherberess;fromthepiousandcharitableladytedherinherorphanstate,rearedherasherowndaughter,andwhosekindness,whosegenerositytheunhappygirlrepaidbyaningratitudesobad,sodreadful,thatatlastherexcellentpatronesswasobligedtoseparateherfromherownyoungones,fearfullestherviciousexampleshouldiheirpurity:shehassentherheretobehealed,evenastheJewsofoldsenttheirdiseasedtothetroubledpoolofBethesda;and,teachers,superinte,Ibegofyounottoallowthewaterstostagnateroundher.”
Withthissublimeclusion,Mr.Brocklehurstadjustedthetopbuttonofhissurtout,mutteredsomethingtohisfamily,whorose,bowedtoMissTemple,andthenallthegreatpeoplesailedinstatefromtheroom.Turningatthedoor,myjudgesaid—
“Letherstandhalf-an-heronthatstool,anoooherduringtheremaiheday.”
TherewasI,then,mountedaloft;I,whohadsaidIcouldheshameofstandingonmynaturalfeetinthemiddleoftheroom,wasnowexposedtogeneralvieedestalofinfamy.Whatmysensationswerenolanguagedescribe;butjustastheyallrose,stiflingmybreathandstrigmythroat,agirlcameupandpassedme:inpassing,sheliftedhereyes.Whatastrangelightinspiredthem!Whataraordinarysensationthatraysentthroughme!Howthenewfeelingboremeup!Itwasasifamartyr,ahero,hadpassedaslaveorvictim,andimpartedstrengthiransit.Imasteredtherisinghysteria,liftedupmyhead,andtookafirmstandoool.HelenBurnsaskedsomeslightquestionaboutherworkofMissSmith,waschiddenforthetrivialityoftheinquiry,returoherpladsmiledatmeassheagaiby.Whatasmile!Irememberitnow,andIknowthatitwastheeffluenceoffiellect,oftruece;itlituphermarkedlis,herthinface,hersunkengreyeye,likeareflefromtheaspectofanangel.YetatthatmomentHelenBurnsworeonherarm“theuntidybadge;”scarcelyanhoIhadheardhernedbyMissScatcherdtoadinnerofbreadandwateronthemorrowbecauseshehadblottedanexerciseincopyingitout.Suchistheimperfeatureofman!suchspotsarethereonthediscoftheclearestpla;andeyeslikeMissScatcherd’slyseethoseminutedefects,andareblindtothefullbrightnessoftheorb.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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