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第9部分(第1页)

ool; my little girl?”

I explained to her that I had no parents。 She inquired how long they had been dead: then how old I was; what was my name; whether I could read; write; and sew a little: then she touched my cheek gently with her forefinger; and saying; “She hoped I should be a good child;” dismissed me along with Miss Miller。

The lady I had left might be about twenty…nine; the one who went with me appeared some years younger: the first impressed me by her voice; look; and air。 Miss Miller was more ordinary; ruddy in plexion; though of a careworn countenance; hurried in gait and action; like one who had always a multiplicity of tasks on hand: she looked; indeed; what I afterwards found she really was; an under…teacher。 Led by her; I passed from partment to partment; from passage to passage; of a large and irregular building; till; emerging from the total and somewhat dreary silence pervading that portion of the house we had traversed; we came upon the hum of many voices; and presently entered a wide; long room; with great deal tables; two at each end; on each of which burnt a pair of candles; and seated all round on benches; a congregation of girls of every age; from nine or ten to twenty。 Seen by the dim light of the dips; their number to me appeared countless; though not in reality exceeding eighty; they were uniformly dressed in brown stuff frocks of quaint fashion; and long holland pinafores。 It was the hour of study; they were engaged in conning over their to… morrow’s task; and the hum I had heard was the bined result of their whispered repetitions。

Miss Miller signed to me to sit on a bench near the door; then walking up to the top of the long room she cried out—

“Monitors; collect the lesson…books and put them away! Four tall girls arose from different tables; and going round; gathered the books and removed them。 Miss Miller again gave the word of mand—

“Monitors; fetch the supper…trays!”

The tall girls went out and returned presently; each bearing a tray; with portions of something; I knew not what; arranged thereon; and a pitcher of water and mug in the middle of each tray。 The portions were handed round; those who liked took a draught of the water; the mug being mon to all。 When it came to my turn; I drank; for I was thirsty; but did not touch the food; excitement and fatigue rendering me incapable of eating: I now saw; however; that it was a thin oaten cake shared into fragments。

The meal over; prayers were read by Miss Miller; and the classes filed off; two and two; upstairs。 Overpowered by this time with weariness; I scarcely noticed what sort of a place the bedroom was; except that; like the schoolroom; I saw it was very long。 To…night I was to be Miss Miller’s bed…fellow; she helped me to undress: when laid down I glanced at the long rows of beds; each of which was quickly filled with two occupants; in ten minutes the single light was extinguished; and amidst silence and plete darkness I fell asleep。

The night passed rapidly。 I was too tired even to dream; I only once awoke to hear the wind rave in furious gusts; and the rain fall in torrents; and to be sensible that Miss Miller had taken her place by my side。 When I again unclosed my eyes; a loud bell was ringing; the girls were up and dressing; day had not yet begun to dawn; and a rushlight or two burned in the room。 I too rose reluctantly; it was bitter cold; and I dressed as well as I could for shivering; and washed when there was a basin at liberty; which did not occur soon; as there was but one basin to six girls; on the stands down the middle of the room。 Again the bell rang: all formed in file; two and two; and in that order descended the stairs and entered the cold and dimly lit schoolroom: here prayers were read by Miss Miller; afterwards she called out—

“Form classes!”

A great tumult succeeded for some minutes; during which Miss Miller repeatedly exclaimed; “Silence!” and “Order!” When it subsided; I saw them all drawn up in four semicircles; before four chairs; placed at the four tables; all held books in their hands; and a great book; like a Bible; lay on each table; before the vacant seat。 A pause of some seconds succeeded; filled up by the low; vague hum of numbers; Miss Miller walked from class to class; hushing this indefinite sound。

A distant bell tinkled: immediately three ladies entered the room; each walked to a table and took her seat。 Miss Miller assumed the fourth vacant chair; which was that nearest the door; and around which the smallest of the children were assembled: to this inferior class I was called; and placed at the bottom of it。

Business now began; the day’s Collect was repeated; then certain texts of Scripture were said; and to these succeeded a protracted reading of chapters in the Bible; which lasted an hour。 By the time that exercise was terminated; day had fully dawned。 The indefatigable bell now sounded for the fourth time: the classes were marshalled and marched into another room to breakfast: how glad I was to behold a prospect of getting something to eat! I was now nearly sick from inanition; having taken so little the day before。

The refectory was a great; low…ceiled; gloomy room; on two long tables smoked basins of something hot; which; however; to my dismay; sent forth an odour far from inviting。 I saw a universal manifestation of discontent when the fumes of the repast met the nostrils of those destined to swallow it; from the van of the procession; the tall girls of the first class; rose the whispered words—

“Disgusting! The porridge is burnt again!”

“Silence!” ejaculated a voice; not that of Miss Miller; but one of the upper teachers; a little and dark personage; smartly dressed; but of somewhat morose aspect; who installed herself at the top of one table; while a more buxom lady presided at the other。 I looked in vain for her I had first seen the night before; she was not visible: Miss Miller occupied the foot of the table where I sat; and a strange; foreign…looking; elderly lady; the French teacher; as I afterwards found; took the corresponding seat at the other board。 A long grace was said and a hymn sung; then a servant brought in some tea for the teachers; and the meal began。

Ravenous; and now very faint; I devoured a spoonful or two of my portion without thinking of its taste; but the first edge of hunger blunted; I perceived I had got in hand a nauseous mess; burnt porridge is almost as bad as rotten potatoes; famine itself soon sickens over it。 The spoons were moved slowly: I saw each girl taste her food and try to swallow it; but in most cases the effort was soon relinquished。 Breakfast was over; and none had breakfasted。 Thanks being returned for what we had not got; and a second hymn chanted; the refectory was evacuated for the schoolroom。 I was one of the last to go out; and in passing the tables; I saw one teacher take a basin of the porridge and taste it; she looked at the others; all their countenances expressed displeasure; and one of them; the stout one; whispered—

“Abominable stuff! How shameful!”

A quarter of an hour passed before lessons again began; during which the schoolroom was in a glorious tumult; for that space of time it seemed to be permitted to talk loud and more freely; and they used their privilege。 The whole conversation ran on the breakfast; which one and all abused roundly。 Poor things! it was the sole consolation they had。 Miss Miller was now the only teacher in the room: a group of great girls standing about her spoke with serious and sullen gestures。 I heard the name of Mr。 Brocklehurst pronounced by some lips; at which Miss Miller shook her head disapprovingly; but she made no great effort to cheek the general wrath; doubtless she shared in it。

A clock in the schoolroom struck nine; Miss Miller left her circle; and standing in the middle of the room; cried—

“Silence! To your seats!”

Discipline prevailed: in five minutes the confused throng was resolved into order; and parative silence quelled the Babel clamour of tongues。 The upper teachers now punctually resumed their posts: but still; all seemed to wait。 Ranged on benches down the sides of the room; the eighty girls sat motionless and erect; a quaint assemblage they appeared; all with plain locks bed from their faces; not a curl visible; in brown dresses; made high and surrounded by a narrow tucker about the throat; with little pockets of holland (shaped something like a Highlander’s purse) tied in front of their frocks; and destined to serve the purpose of a work… bag: all; too; wearing woollen stockings and country…made shoes; fastened with brass buckles。 Above twenty of those clad in this costume were full…grown girls; or rather young women; it suited them ill; and gave an air of oddity even to the prettiest。

I was still looking at them; and also at intervals examining the teachers—none of whom precisely pleased me; for the stout one was a little coarse; the dark one not a little fierce; the foreigner harsh and grotesque; and Miss Miller; poor thing! looked purple; weather… beaten; and over…worked—when; as my eye wandered from face to face; the whole school rose simultaneously; as if moved by a mon spring。

What was the matter? I had heard no order given: I was puzzled。 Ere I had gathered my wits; the classes were again seated: but as all eyes were now turned to one point; mine followed the general direction; and encountered the personage who had received me last night。 She stood at the bottom of the long room; on the hearth; for there was a fire at each end; she surveyed the two rows of girls silently and gravely。 Miss Miller approaching; seemed to ask her a question; and having received her answer; went back to her place; and said aloud—

“Monitor of the first class; fetch the globes!”

While the direction was being executed; the lady consulted moved slowly up the room。 I suppose I have a considerable organ of veneration; for I retain yet the sense of admiring awe with which my eyes traced her steps。 Seen now; in broad daylight; she looked tall; fair; and shapely; brown eyes with a benignant light in their irids; and a fine pencilling of long lashes round; relieved the whiteness of her large front; on each of her temples her hair; of a very dark brown; was clustered in round curls; according to the fashion of those times; when neither smooth bands nor long ringlets were in vogue; her dress; also in the mode of the day; was of purple cloth; relieved by a sort of Spanish trimming of black velvet; a gold watch (watches were not so mon then as now) shone at her girdle。 Let the reader add; to plete the picture; refined features; a plexion; if pale; clear; and a stately air and carriage; and he will have; at least; as clearly as words can give it; a correct idea of the exterior of Miss Temple—Maria Temple; as I afterwards saw the name written in a prayer…book intrusted to me to carry to church。

The superintendent of Lowood (for such was this lady) having taken her seat before a pair of globes placed on one of the tables; summoned the first class round her; and menced giving a lesson on geography; the lower classes were called by the teachers: repetitions in history; grammar; &c。; went on for an hour; writing and arithmetic succeeded; and music lessons were given by Miss Temple to so

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