第284页
《简·爱(英文版)》章节:第284页,宠文网网友提供全文无弹窗免费在线阅读。!
and see papa.'
'Not to-night, Miss Rosamond, not to-night.'
Mr. St. John spoke almost like an automaton: himself only knew
the effort it cost him thus to refuse.
'Well, if you are so obstinate, I will leave you; for I dare not
stay any longer: the dew begins to fall. Good evening!'
She held out her hand. He just touched it. 'Good evening!' he
repeated, in a voice low and hollow as an echo. She turned, but in a
moment returned.
'Are you well?' she asked. Well might she put the question: his
face was blanched as her gown.
'Quite well,' he enunciated; and, with a bow, he left the gate. She
went one way; he another. She turned twice to gaze after him as she
tripped fairy-like down the field; he, as he strode firmly across,
never turned at all.
This spectacle of another's suffering and sacrifice rapt my
thoughts from exclusive meditation on my own. Diana Rivers had
designated her brother 'inexorable as death.' She had not exaggerated.
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CHAPTER XXXII
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I CONTINUED the labours of the village-school as actively and
faithfully as I could. It was truly hard work at first. Some time
elapsed before, with all my efforts, I could comprehend my scholars
and their nature. Wholly untaught, with faculties quite torpid, they
seemed to me hopelessly dull; and, at first sight, all dull alike: but
I soon found I was mistaken. There was a difference amongst them as
amongst the educated; and when I got to know them, and they me, this
difference rapidly developed itself. Their amazement at me, my
language, my rules, and ways, once subsided, I found some of these
heavy-looking, gaping rustics wake up into sharp-witted girls
enough. Many showed themselves obliging, and amiable too; and I
discovered amongst them not a few examples of natural politeness,
and innate self-respect, as well as of excellent capacity, that won
both my good-will and my admiration. These soon took a pleasure in
doing their work well, in keeping their persons neat, in learning
their tasks regularly, in acquiring quiet and orderly manners. The
rapidity of their progress, in some instances, was even surprising;
and an honest and happy pride I took in it: besides, I began
personally to like some of the best girls; and they liked me. I had
amongst my scholars several farmers' daughters: young women grown,
almost. These could already read, write, and sew; and to them I taught
the elements of grammar, geography, history, and the finer kinds of
needlework. I found estimable characters amongst them- characters
desirous of information and disposed for improvement- with whom I
passed many a pleasant evening hour in their own homes. Their
parents then (the farmer and his wife) loaded me with attentions.
There was an enjoyment in accepting their simple kindness, and in