Джейн Эйр / Jane Eyre

’

And she produced from her pocket a most housewifely bunch of keys, and delivered them to the servant.

�Now, then, draw nearer to the fire,’ she continued. �You’ve brought your luggage with you, haven’t you, my dear?’

�Yes, ma’am.’

�I’ll see it carried into your room,’ she said, and bustled out.

�She treats me like a visitor,’ thought I. �I little expected such a reception; I anticipated only coldness and stiffness; this is not like what I have heard of the treatment of governesses; but I must not exult too soon.

’

She returned; with her own hands cleared her knitting apparatus and a book or two from the table, to make room for the tray which Leah now brought, and then herself handed me the refreshments. I felt rather confused at being the object of more attention than I had ever before received, and, that too, shown by my employer and superior; but as she did not herself seem to consider she was doing anything out of her place, I thought it better to take her civilities quietly.

�Shall I have the pleasure of seeing Miss Fairfax tonight?’ I asked, when I had partaken of what she offered me.

�What did you say, my dear? I am a little deaf,’ returned the good lady, approaching her ear to my mouth.

I repeated the question more distinctly.

�Miss Fairfax? Oh, you mean Miss Varens! Varens is the name of your future pupil.’

�Indeed! Then she is not your daughter?’

�No – I have no family.

’

I should have followed up my first inquiry, by asking in what way Miss Varens was connected with her; but I recollected it was not polite to ask too many questions; besides, I was sure to hear in time.

�I am so glad,’ she continued, as she sat down opposite to me, and took the cat on her knee; �I am so glad you are come; it will be quite pleasant living here now with a companion. To be sure it is pleasant at any time; for Thornfield is a fine old hall, rather neglected of late years perhaps, but still it is a respectable place; yet you know in winter-time one feels dreary quite alone in the best quarters.

I say alone – Leah is a nice girl to be sure, and John and his wife are very decent people; but then you see they are only servants, and one can’t converse with them on terms of equality; one must keep them at due distance, for fear of losing one’s authority.