All at once I heard a clear voice call, Miss Jane! where are you? Come to lunch!
It was Bessie, I knew well enough; but I did not stir; her light step came tripping down the path.
You naughty little thing! she said. Why dont you come when you are called?
Bessies presence, compared with the thoughts over which I had been brooding, seemed cheerful; even though, as usual, she was somewhat cross. The fact is, after my conflict with and victory over Mrs. Reed, I was not disposed to care much for the nursemaids transitory anger; and I was disposed to bask in her youthful lightness of heart. I just put my two arms round her and said, Come, Bessie! dont scold.
The action was more frank and fearless than any I was habituated to indulge in: somehow it pleased her.
You are a strange child, Miss Jane, she said, as she looked down at me; a little roving, solitary thing: and you are going to school, I suppose?
I nodded.
And wont you be sorry to leave poor Bessie?
What does Bessie care for me? She is always scolding me.
Because youre such a queer, frightened, shy little thing. You should be bolder.
What! to get more knocks?
Nonsense! But you are rather put upon, thats certain. My mother said, when she came to see me last week, that she would not like a little one of her own to be in your place. Now, come in, and Ive some good news for you.
I dont think you have, Bessie.
Child! what do you mean? What sorrowful eyes you fix on me! Well, but Missis and the young ladies and Master John are going out to tea this afternoon, and you shall have tea with me. Ill ask cook to bake you a little cake, and then you shall help me to look over your drawers; for I am soon to pack your trunk. Missis intends you to leave Gateshead in a day or two, and you shall choose what toys you like to take with you.
Bessie, you must promise not to scold me any more till I go.
Well, I will; but mind you are a very good girl, and dont be afraid of me. Dont start when I chance to speak rather sharply; its so provoking.
I dont think I shall ever be afraid of you again, Bessie, because I have got used to you, and I shall soon have another set of people to dread.
If you dread them theyll dislike you.
As you do, Bessie?
I dont dislike you, Miss; I believe I am fonder of you than of all the others.
You dont show it.
You little sharp thing! youve got quite a new way of talking. What makes you so venturesome and hardy?
Why, I shall soon be away from you, and besides I was going to say something about what had passed between me and Mrs. Reed, but on second thoughts I considered it better to remain silent on that head.
And so youre glad to leave me?
Not at all, Bessie; indeed, just now Im rather sorry.
Just now! and rather! How coolly my little lady says it! I dare say now if I were to ask you for a kiss you wouldnt give it me: youd say youd rather not.
Ill kiss you and welcome: bend your head down. Bessie stooped; we mutually embraced, and I followed her into the house quite comforted. That afternoon lapsed in peace and harmony; and in the evening Bessie told me some of her most enchanting stories, and sang me some of her sweetest songs. Even for me life had its gleams of sunshine.
Chapter V
Five oclock had hardly struck on the morning of the 19th of January, when Bessie brought a candle into my closet and found me already up and nearly dressed. I had risen half-an-hour before her entrance, and had washed my face, and put on my clothes by the light of a half-moon just setting, whose rays streamed through the narrow window near my crib. I was to leave Gateshead that day by a coach which passed the lodge gates at six a.m. Bessie was the only person yet risen; she had lit a fire in the nursery, where she now proceeded to make my breakfast. Few children can eat when excited with the thoughts of a journey; nor could I. Bessie, having pressed me in vain to take a few spoonfuls of the boiled milk and bread she had prepared for me, wrapped up some biscuits in a paper and put them into my bag; then she helped me on with my pelisse and bonnet, and wrapping herself in a shawl, she and I left the nursery. As we passed Mrs. Reeds bedroom, she said, Will you go in and bid Missis good-bye?
Ill kiss you and welcome: bend your head down. Bessie stooped; we mutually embraced, and I followed her into the house quite comforted. That afternoon lapsed in peace and harmony; and in the evening Bessie told me some of her most enchanting stories, and sang me some of her sweetest songs. Even for me life had its gleams of sunshine.
Chapter V
Five oclock had hardly struck on the morning of the 19th of January, when Bessie brought a candle into my closet and found me already up and nearly dressed. I had risen half-an-hour before her entrance, and had washed my face, and put on my clothes by the light of a half-moon just setting, whose rays streamed through the narrow window near my crib. I was to leave Gateshead that day by a coach which passed the lodge gates at six a.m. Bessie was the only person yet risen; she had lit a fire in the nursery, where she now proceeded to make my breakfast. Few children can eat when excited with the thoughts of a journey; nor could I. Bessie, having pressed me in vain to take a few spoonfuls of the boiled milk and bread she had prepared for me, wrapped up some biscuits in a paper and put them into my bag; then she helped me on with my pelisse and bonnet, and wrapping herself in a shawl, she and I left the nursery. As we passed Mrs. Reeds bedroom, she said, Will you go in and bid Missis good-bye?