第3章

\'Yes，sir。\'

\'Youknewit？\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Youknewit!andyouactuallysatthereandpermittedthemtogoonwithoutawordofreproof!\'

\'Ididn\'tthinktheyweredoinganyharm。\'

\'Anyharm!Why，lookthere!Justlookatthatcarpet，andsee-

wasthereeveranythinglikeitinaChristianhousebefore？Nowonderyourroomisnotfitforapigsty-nowonderyourpupilsareworsethanalitterofpigs!-nowonder-oh!Ideclare，itputsmequitepastmypatience\'andhedeparted，shuttingthedoorafterhimwithabangthatmadethechildrenlaugh。

\'Itputsmequitepastmypatiencetoo!\'mutteredI，gettingup；

and，seizingthepoker，Idasheditrepeatedlyintothecinders，andstirredthemupwithunwontedenergy；thuseasingmyirritationunderpretenceofmendingthefire。

Afterthis，Mr。Bloomfieldwascontinuallylookingintoseeiftheschoolroomwasinorder；and，asthechildrenwerecontinuallylitteringthefloorwithfragmentsoftoys，sticks，stones，stubble，leaves，andotherrubbish，whichIcouldnotpreventtheirbringing，orobligethemtogatherup，andwhichtheservantsrefusedto\'cleanafterthem，\'Ihadtospendaconsiderableportionofmyvaluableleisuremomentsonmykneesuponthefloor，inpainsfullyreducingthingstoorder。OnceItoldthemthattheyshouldnottastetheirsuppertilltheyhadpickedupeverythingfromthecarpet；Fannymighthaveherswhenshehadtakenupacertainquantity，MaryAnnwhenshehadgatheredtwiceasmany，andTomwastoclearawaytherest。Wonderfultostate，thegirlsdidtheirpart；butTomwasinsuchafurythatheflewuponthetable，scatteredthebreadandmilkaboutthefloor，struckhissisters，kickedthecoalsoutofthecoal-pan，attemptedtooverthrowthetableandchairs，andseemedinclinedtomakeaDouglas-larderofthewholecontentsoftheroom:butIseizeduponhim，and，sendingMaryAnntocallhermamma，heldhim，inspiteofkicks，blows，yells，andexecrations，tillMrs。Bloomfieldmadeherappearance。

\'Whatisthematterwithmyboy？\'saidshe。

Andwhenthematterwasexplainedtoher，allshedidwastosendforthenursery-maidtoputtheroominorder，andbringMasterBloomfieldhissupper。

\'Therenow，\'criedTom，triumphantly，lookingupfromhisviandswithhismouthalmosttoofullforspeech。\'Therenow，MissGrey!

youseeI\'vegotmysupperinspiteofyou:andIhaven\'tpickedupasinglething!\'

Theonlypersoninthehousewhohadanyrealsympathyformewasthenurse；forshehadsufferedlikeafflictions，thoughinasmallerdegree；asshehadnotthetaskofteaching，norwasshesoresponsiblefortheconductofhercharge。

\'Oh，MissGrey!\'shewouldsay，\'youhavesometroublewiththemchilder!\'

\'Ihave，indeed，Betty；andIdaresayyouknowwhatitis。\'

\'Ay，Idoso!ButIdon\'tvexmyselfo\'er\'emasyoudo。

Andthen，yousee，Ihit\'emaslapsometimes:andthemlittle\'uns-

Igives\'emagoodwhippingnowandthen:there\'snothingelsewilldofor\'em，aswhattheysay。Howsoever，I\'velostmyplaceforit。\'

\'Haveyou，Betty？Iheardyouweregoingtoleave。\'

\'Eh，blessyou，yes!Missisgavemewarningathreewiksin\'。

ShetoldmeaforeChristmashowitmudbe，ifIhit\'emagain；butI

couldn\'tholdmyhandoff\'ematnothing。IknownothowYOUdo，forMissMaryAnn\'sworsebythehalfnorhersisters!\'

chapter05

CHAPTERV-THEUNCLE

BESIDEStheoldlady，therewasanotherrelativeofthefamily，whosevisitswereagreatannoyancetome-thiswas\'UncleRobson，\'Mrs。Bloomfield\'sbrother；atall，self-sufficientfellow，withdarkhairandsallowcomplexionlikehissister，anosethatseemedtodisdaintheearth，andlittlegreyeyes，frequentlyhalf-

closed，withamixtureofrealstupidityandaffectedcontemptofallsurroundingobjects。Hewasathick-set，strongly-builtman，buthehadfoundsomemeansofcompressinghiswaistintoaremarkablysmallcompass；andthat，togetherwiththeunnaturalstillnessofhisform，showedthatthelofty-minded，manlyMr。

Robson，thescornerofthefemalesex，wasnotabovethefopperyofstays。Heseldomdeignedtonoticeme；and，whenhedid，itwaswithacertainsuperciliousinsolenceoftoneandmannerthatconvincedmehewasnogentleman:thoughitwasintendedtohaveacontraryeffect。ButitwasnotforthatIdislikedhiscoming，somuchasfortheharmhedidthechildren-encouragingalltheirevilpropensities，andundoinginafewminutesthelittlegoodithadtakenmemonthsoflabourtoachieve。

FannyandlittleHarrietheseldomcondescendedtonotice；butMaryAnnwassomethingofafavourite。Hewascontinuallyencouraginghertendencytoaffectation(whichIhaddonemyutmosttocrush)，talkingaboutherprettyface，andfillingherheadwithallmannerofconceitednotionsconcerningherpersonalappearance(whichI

hadinstructedhertoregardasdustinthebalancecomparedwiththecultivationofhermindandmanners)；andIneversawachildsosusceptibleofflatteryasshewas。Whateverwaswrong，ineitherherorherbrother，hewouldencouragebylaughingat，ifnotbyactuallypraising:peoplelittleknowtheinjurytheydotochildrenbylaughingattheirfaults，andmakingapleasantjestofwhattheirtruefriendshaveendeavouredtoteachthemtoholdingraveabhorrence。

Thoughnotapositivedrunkard，Mr。Robsonhabituallyswallowedgreatquantitiesofwine，andtookwithrelishanoccasionalglassofbrandyandwater。Hetaughthisnephewtoimitatehiminthistotheutmostofhisability，andtobelievethatthemorewineandspiritshecouldtake，andthebetterhelikedthem，themorehemanifestedhisbold，andmanlyspirit，androsesuperiortohissisters。Mr。Bloomfieldhadnotmuchtosayagainstit，forhisfavouritebeveragewasginandwater；ofwhichhetookaconsiderableportioneveryday，bydintofconstantsipping-andtothatIchieflyattributedhisdingycomplexionandwaspishtemper。

Mr。RobsonlikewiseencouragedTom\'spropensitytopersecutethelowercreation，bothbypreceptandexample。Ashefrequentlycametocourseorshootoverhisbrother-in-law\'sgrounds，hewouldbringhisfavouritedogswithhim；andhetreatedthemsobrutallythat，poorasIwas，Iwouldhavegivenasovereignanydaytoseeoneofthembitehim，providedtheanimalcouldhavedoneitwithimpunity。Sometimes，wheninaverycomplacentmood，hewouldgoa-birds\'-nestingwiththechildren，athingthatirritatedandannoyedmeexceedingly；as，byfrequentandperseveringattempts，I

flatteredmyselfIhadpartlyshownthemtheevilofthispastime，andhoped，intime，tobringthemtosomegeneralsenseofjusticeandhumanity；buttenminutes\'birds\'-nestingwithuncleRobson，orevenalaughfromhimatsomerelationoftheirformerbarbarities，wassufficientatoncetodestroytheeffectofmywholeelaboratecourseofreasoningandpersuasion。Happily，however，duringthatspring，theynever，butonce，gotanythingbutemptynests，oreggs-beingtooimpatienttoleavethemtillthebirdswerehatched；

thatonce，Tom，whohadbeenwithhisuncleintotheneighbouringplantation，camerunninginhighgleeintothegarden，withabroodoflittlecallownestlingsinhishands。MaryAnnandFanny，whomIwasjustbringingout，rantoadmirehisspoils，andtobegeachabirdforthemselves。\'No，notone!\'criedTom。\'They\'reallmine；uncleRobsongavethemtome-one，two，three，four，five-

youshan\'ttouchoneofthem!no，notone，foryourlives!\'

continuedhe，exultingly；layingthenestontheground，andstandingoveritwithhislegswideapart，hishandsthrustintohisbreeches-pockets，hisbodybentforward，andhisfacetwistedintoallmannerofcontortionsintheecstasyofhisdelight。

\'Butyoushallseemefettle\'emoff。Myword，butIWILLwallop\'em？SeeifIdon\'tnow。Bygum!butthere\'sraresportformeinthatnest。\'

\'But，Tom，\'saidI，\'Ishallnotallowyoutotorturethosebirds。

Theymusteitherbekilledatonceorcarriedbacktotheplaceyoutookthemfrom，thattheoldbirdsmaycontinuetofeedthem。\'

\'Butyoudon\'tknowwherethatis，Madam:it\'sonlymeanduncleRobsonthatknowsthat。\'

\'Butifyoudon\'ttellme，Ishallkillthemmyself-muchasI

hateit。\'

\'Youdaren\'t。Youdaren\'ttouchthemforyourlife!becauseyouknowpapaandmamma，anduncleRobson，wouldbeangry。Ha，ha!

I\'vecaughtyouthere，Miss!\'

\'IshalldowhatIthinkrightinacaseofthissortwithoutconsultinganyone。Ifyourpapaandmammadon\'thappentoapproveofit，Ishallbesorrytooffendthem；butyouruncleRobson\'sopinions，ofcourse，arenothingtome。\'

Sosaying-urgedbyasenseofduty-attheriskofbothmakingmyselfsickandincurringthewrathofmyemployers-Igotalargeflatstone，thathadbeenrearedupforamouse-trapbythegardener；then，havingoncemorevainlyendeavouredtopersuadethelittletyranttoletthebirdsbecarriedback，Iaskedwhatheintendedtodowiththem。Withfiendishgleehecommencedalistoftorments；andwhilehewasbusiedintherelation，Idroppedthestoneuponhisintendedvictimsandcrushedthemflatbeneathit。

Loudweretheoutcries，terribletheexecrations，consequentuponthisdaringoutrage；uncleRobsonhadbeencomingupthewalkwithhisgun，andwasjustthenpausingtokickhisdog。Tomflewtowardshim，vowinghewouldmakehimkickmeinsteadofJuno。

Mr。

Robsonleantuponhisgun，andlaughedexcessivelyattheviolenceofhisnephew\'spassion，andthebittermaledictionsandopprobriousepithetsheheapeduponme。\'Well，youAREagood\'un!\'exclaimedhe，atlength，takinguphisweaponandproceedingtowardsthehouse。\'Damme，buttheladhassomespunkinhim，too。

Curseme，ifeverIsawanoblerlittlescoundrelthanthat。He\'sbeyondpetticoatgovernmentalready:byGod!hedefiesmother，granny，governess，andall!Ha，ha，ha!Nevermind，Tom，I\'llgetyouanotherbroodto-morrow。\'

\'Ifyoudo，Mr。Robson，Ishallkillthemtoo，\'saidI。

\'Humph!\'repliedhe，andhavinghonouredmewithabroadstare-

which，contrarytohisexpectations，Isustainedwithoutflinching-heturnedawaywithanairofsupremecontempt，andstalkedintothehouse。Tomnextwenttotellhismamma。Itwasnotherwaytosaymuchonanysubject；but，whenshenextsawme，heraspectanddemeanourweredoublydarkandchilled。Aftersomecasualremarkabouttheweather，sheobserved-\'Iamsorry，MissGrey，youshouldthinkitnecessarytointerferewithMasterBloomfield\'samusements；hewasverymuchdistressedaboutyourdestroyingthebirds。\'

\'WhenMasterBloomfield\'samusementsconsistininjuringsentientcreatures，\'Ianswered，\'Ithinkitmydutytointerfere。\'

\'Youseemedtohaveforgotten，\'saidshe，calmly，\'thatthecreatureswereallcreatedforourconvenience。\'

Ithoughtthatdoctrineadmittedsomedoubt，butmerelyreplied-

\'Iftheywere，wehavenorighttotormentthemforouramusement。\'

\'Ithink，\'saidshe，\'achild\'samusementisscarcelytobeweighedagainstthewelfareofasoullessbrute。\'

\'But，forthechild\'sownsake，itoughtnottobeencouragedtohavesuchamusements，\'answeredI，asmeeklyasIcould，tomakeupforsuchunusualpertinacity。\'"Blessedarethemerciful，fortheyshallobtainmercy。"\'

\'Oh!ofcourse；butthatreferstoourconducttowardseachother。\'

\'"Themercifulmanshowsmercytohisbeast，"\'Iventuredtoadd。

\'IthinkYOUhavenotshownmuchmercy，\'repliedshe，withashort，bitterlaugh；\'killingthepoorbirdsbywholesaleinthatshockingmanner，andputtingthedearboytosuchmiseryforamerewhim。\'

Ijudgeditprudenttosaynomore。ThiswasthenearestapproachtoaquarrelIeverhadwithMrs。Bloomfield；aswellasthegreatestnumberofwordsIeverexchangedwithheratonetime，sincethedayofmyfirstarrival。

ButMr。RobsonandoldMrs。BloomfieldwerenottheonlyguestswhosecomingtoWellwoodHouseannoyedme；everyvisitordisturbedmemoreorless；notsomuchbecausetheyneglectedme(thoughI

didfeeltheirconductstrangeanddisagreeableinthatrespect)，asbecauseIfounditimpossibletokeepmypupilsawayfromthem，asIwasrepeatedlydesiredtodo:Tommusttalktothem，andMaryAnnmustbenoticedbythem。Neithertheonenortheotherknewwhatitwastofeelanydegreeofshamefacedness，orevencommonmodesty。Theywouldindecentlyandclamorouslyinterrupttheconversationoftheirelders，teasethemwiththemostimpertinentquestions，roughlycollarthegentlemen，climbtheirkneesuninvited，hangabouttheirshouldersorrifletheirpockets，pulltheladies\'gowns，disordertheirhair，tumbletheircollars，andimportunatelybegfortheirtrinkets。

Mrs。Bloomfieldhadthesensetobeshockedandannoyedatallthis，butshehadnotsensetopreventit:sheexpectedmetopreventit。ButhowcouldI-whentheguests，withtheirfineclothesandnewfaces，continuallyflatteredandindulgedthem，outofcomplaisancetotheirparents-howcouldI，withmyhomelygarments，every-dayface，andhonestwords，drawthemaway？I

strainedeverynervetodoso:bystrivingtoamusethem，I

endeavouredtoattractthemtomyside；bytheexertionofsuchauthorityasIpossessed，andbysuchseverityasIdaredtouse，I

triedtodeterthemfromtormentingtheguests；andbyreproachingtheirunmannerlyconduct，tomakethemashamedtorepeatit。Buttheyknewnoshame；theyscornedauthoritywhichhadnoterrorstobackit；andasforkindnessandaffection，eithertheyhadnohearts，orsuchastheyhadweresostronglyguarded，andsowellconcealed，thatI，withallmyefforts，hadnotyetdiscoveredhowtoreachthem。

Butsoonmytrialsinthisquartercametoaclose-soonerthanI

eitherexpectedordesired；foronesweeteveningtowardsthecloseofMay，asIwasrejoicinginthenearapproachoftheholidays，andcongratulatingmyselfuponhavingmadesomeprogresswithmypupils(asfarastheirlearningwent，atleast，forIHAD

instilledSOMETHINGintotheirheads，andIhad，atlength，broughtthemtobealittle-averylittle-morerationalaboutgettingtheirlessonsdoneintimetoleavesomespaceforrecreation，insteadoftormentingthemselvesandmealldaylongtonopurpose)，Mrs。Bloomfieldsentforme，andcalmlytoldmethatafterMidsummermyserviceswouldbenolongerrequired。Sheassuredmethatmycharacterandgeneralconductwereunexceptionable；butthechildrenhadmadesolittleimprovementsincemyarrivalthatMr。Bloomfieldandshefeltittheirdutytoseeksomeothermodeofinstruction。Thoughsuperiortomostchildrenoftheiryearsinabilities，theyweredecidedlybehindtheminattainments；theirmannerswereuncultivated，andtheirtempersunruly。Andthissheattributedtoawantofsufficientfirmness，anddiligent，perseveringcareonmypart。

Unshakenfirmness，devoteddiligence，unweariedperseverance，unceasingcare，weretheveryqualificationsonwhichIhadsecretlypridedmyself；andbywhichIhadhopedintimetoovercomealldifficulties，andobtainsuccessatlast。Iwishedtosaysomethinginmyownjustification；butinattemptingtospeak，Ifeltmyvoicefalter；andratherthantestifyanyemotion，orsufferthetearstooverflowthatwerealreadygatheringinmyeyes，Ichosetokeepsilence，andbearalllikeaself-convictedculprit。

ThuswasIdismissed，andthusIsoughtmyhome。Alas!whatwouldtheythinkofme？unable，afterallmyboasting，tokeepmyplace，evenforasingleyear，asgovernesstothreesmallchildren，whosemotherwasassertedbymyownaunttobea\'verynicewoman。\'

Havingbeenthusweighedinthebalanceandfoundwanting，Ineednothopetheywouldbewillingtotrymeagain。Andthiswasanunwelcomethought；forvexed，harassed，disappointedasIhadbeen，andgreatlyasIhadlearnedtoloveandvaluemyhome，Iwasnotyetwearyofadventure，norwillingtorelaxmyefforts。IknewthatallparentswerenotlikeMr。andMrs。Bloomfield，andIwascertainallchildrenwerenotliketheirs。Thenextfamilymustbedifferent，andanychangemustbeforthebetter。Ihadbeenseasonedbyadversity，andtutoredbyexperience，andIlongedtoredeemmylosthonourintheeyesofthosewhoseopinionwasmorethanthatofalltheworldtome。

chapter06

CHAPTERVI-THEPARSONAGEAGAIN

FORafewmonthsIremainedpeaceablyathome，inthequietenjoymentoflibertyandrest，andgenuinefriendship，fromallofwhichIhadfastedsolong；andintheearnestprosecutionofmystudies，torecoverwhatIhadlostduringmystayatWellwoodHouse，andtolayinnewstoresforfutureuse。Myfather\'shealthwasstillveryinfirm，butnotmateriallyworsethanwhenIlastsawhim；andIwasgladIhaditinmypowertocheerhimbymyreturn，andtoamusehimwithsinginghisfavouritesongs。

Noonetriumphedovermyfailure，orsaidIhadbetterhavetakenhisorheradvice，andquietlystayedathome。Allweregladtohavemebackagain，andlavishedmorekindnessthaneveruponme，tomakeupforthesufferingsIhadundergone；butnotonewouldtouchashillingofwhatIhadsocheerfullyearnedandsocarefullysaved，inthehopeofsharingitwiththem。Bydintofpinchinghere，andscrapingthere，ourdebtswerealreadynearlypaid。Maryhadhadgoodsuccesswithherdrawings；butourfatherhadinsisteduponHERlikewisekeepingalltheproduceofherindustrytoherself。Allwecouldsparefromthesupplyofourhumblewardrobeandourlittlecasualexpenses，hedirectedustoputintothesavings\'-bank；saying，weknewnothowsoonwemightbedependentonthataloneforsupport:forhefelthehadnotlongtobewithus，andwhatwouldbecomeofourmotheranduswhenhewasgone，Godonlyknew!

Dearpapa!ifhehadtroubledhimselflessabouttheafflictionsthatthreatenedusincaseofhisdeath，Iamconvincedthatdreadedeventwouldnothavetakenplacesosoon。Mymotherwouldneversufferhimtoponderonthesubjectifshecouldhelpit。

\'Oh，Richard!\'exclaimedshe，ononeoccasion，\'ifyouwouldbutdismisssuchgloomysubjectsfromyourmind，youwouldliveaslongasanyofus；atleastyouwouldlivetoseethegirlsmarried，andyourselfahappygrandfather，withacantyolddameforyourcompanion。\'

Mymotherlaughed，andsodidmyfather:buthislaughsoonperishedinadrearysigh。

\'THEYmarried-poorpennilessthings!\'saidhe；\'whowilltakethemIwonder!\'

\'Why，nobodyshallthatisn\'tthankfulforthem。Wasn\'tI

pennilesswhenyoutookme？andyouPRETENDED，atleast，tobevastlypleasedwithyouracquisition。Butit\'snomatterwhethertheygetmarriedornot:wecandeviseathousandhonestwaysofmakingalivelihood。AndIwonder，Richard，youcanthinkofbotheringyourheadaboutourPOVERTYincaseofyourdeath；asifTHATwouldbeanythingcomparedwiththecalamityoflosingyou-

anafflictionthatyouwellknowwouldswallowupallothers，andwhichyououghttodoyourutmosttopreserveusfrom:andthereisnothinglikeacheerfulmindforkeepingthebodyinhealth。\'

\'Iknow，Alice，itiswrongtokeeprepiningasIdo，butIcannothelpit:youmustbearwithme。\'

\'IWON\'Tbearwithyou，ifIcanalteryou，\'repliedmymother:

buttheharshnessofherwordswasundonebytheearnestaffectionofhertoneandpleasantsmile，thatmademyfathersmileagain，lesssadlyandlesstransientlythanwashiswont。

\'Mamma，\'saidI，assoonasIcouldfindanopportunityofspeakingwithheralone，\'mymoneyisbutlittle，andcannotlastlong；ifI

couldincreaseit，itwouldlessenpapa\'sanxiety，ononesubjectatleast。IcannotdrawlikeMary，andsothebestthingIcoulddowouldbetolookoutforanothersituation。\'

\'Andsoyouwouldactuallytryagain，Agnes？\'

\'Decidedly，Iwould。\'

\'Why，mydear，Ishouldhavethoughtyouhadhadenoughofit。\'

\'Iknow，\'saidI，\'everybodyisnotlikeMr。andMrs。Bloomfield-

\'

\'Someareworse，\'interruptedmymother。

\'Butnotmany，Ithink，\'repliedI，\'andI\'msureallchildrenarenotliketheirs；forIandMarywerenot:wealwaysdidasyoubidus，didn\'twe？\'

\'Generally:butthen，Ididnotspoilyou；andyouwerenotperfectangelsafterall:Maryhadafundofquietobstinacy，andyouweresomewhatfaultyinregardtotemper；butyouwereverygoodchildrenonthewhole。\'

\'IknowIwassulkysometimes，andIshouldhavebeengladtoseethesechildrensulkysometimestoo；forthenIcouldhaveunderstoodthem:buttheyneverwere，fortheyCOULDnotbeoffended，norhurt，norashamed:theycouldnotbeunhappyinanyway，exceptwhentheywereinapassion。\'

\'Well，iftheyCOULDnot，itwasnottheirfault:youcannotexpectstonetobeaspliableasclay。\'

\'No，butstillitisveryunpleasanttolivewithsuchunimpressible，incomprehensiblecreatures。Youcannotlovethem；

andifyoucould，yourlovewouldbeutterlythrownaway:theycouldneitherreturnit，norvalue，norunderstandit。But，however，evenifIshouldstumbleonsuchafamilyagain，whichisquiteunlikely，Ihaveallthisexperiencetobeginwith，andI

shouldmanagebetteranothertime；andtheendandaimofthispreambleis，letmetryagain。\'

\'Well，mygirl，youarenoteasilydiscouraged，Isee:Iamgladofthat。But，letmetellyou，youareagooddealpalerandthinnerthanwhenyoufirstlefthome；andwecannothaveyouunderminingyourhealthtohoardupmoneyeitherforyourselforothers。\'

\'MarytellsmeIamchangedtoo；andIdon\'tmuchwonderatit，forIwasinaconstantstateofagitationandanxietyalldaylong:

butnexttimeIamdeterminedtotakethingscoolly。\'

Aftersomefurtherdiscussion，mymotherpromisedoncemoretoassistme，providedIwouldwaitandbepatient；andIlefthertobroachthemattertomyfather，whenandhowshedeemeditmostadvisable:neverdoubtingherabilitytoobtainhisconsent。

Meantime，Isearched，withgreatinterest，theadvertisingcolumnsofthenewspapers，andwroteanswerstoevery\'WantedaGoverness\'

thatappearedatalleligible；butallmyletters，aswellasthereplies，whenIgotany，weredutifullyshowntomymother；andshe，tomychagrin，mademerejectthesituationsoneafteranother:thesewerelowpeople，theseweretooexactingintheirdemands，andthesetooniggardlyintheirremuneration。

\'Yourtalentsarenotsuchaseverypoorclergyman\'sdaughterpossesses，Agnes，\'shewouldsay，\'andyoumustnotthrowthemaway。Remember，youpromisedtobepatient:thereisnoneedofhurry:youhaveplentyoftimebeforeyou，andmayhavemanychancesyet。\'

Atlength，sheadvisedmetoputanadvertisement，myself，inthepaper，statingmyqualifications，&；c。

\'Music，singing，drawing，French，Latin，andGerman，\'saidshe，\'arenomeanassemblage:manywillbegladtohavesomuchinoneinstructor；andthistime，youshalltryyourfortuneinasomewhathigherfamilyinthatofsomegenuine，thoroughbredgentleman；forsucharefarmorelikelytotreatyouwithproperrespectandconsiderationthanthosepurse-proudtradespeopleandarrogantupstarts。Ihaveknownseveralamongthehigherrankswhotreatedtheirgovernessesquiteasoneofthefamily；thoughsome，Iallow，areasinsolentandexactingasanyoneelsecanbe:fortherearebadandgoodinallclasses。\'

Theadvertisementwasquicklywrittenanddespatched。Ofthetwopartieswhoansweredit，butonewouldconsenttogivemefiftypounds，thesummymotherbademenameasthesalaryIshouldrequire；andhere，Ihesitatedaboutengagingmyself，asIfearedthechildrenwouldbetooold，andtheirparentswouldrequiresomeonemoreshowy，ormoreexperienced，ifnotmoreaccomplishedthanI。Butmymotherdissuadedmefromdecliningitonthataccount:

Ishoulddovastlywell，shesaid，ifIwouldonlythrowasidemydiffidence，andacquirealittlemoreconfidenceinmyself。I

wasjusttogiveaplain，truestatementofmyacquirementsandqualifications，andnamewhatstipulationsIchosetomake，andthenawaittheresult。TheonlystipulationIventuredtopropose，wasthatImightbeallowedtwomonths\'holidaysduringtheyeartovisitmyfriends，atMidsummerandChristmas。Theunknownlady，inherreply，madenoobjectiontothis，andstatedthat，astomyacquirements，shehadnodoubtIshouldbeabletogivesatisfaction；butintheengagementofgovernessessheconsideredthosethingsasbutsubordinatepoints；asbeingsituatedintheneighbourhoodofO-，shecouldgetmasterstosupplyanydeficienciesinthatrespect:but，inheropinion，nexttounimpeachablemorality，amildandcheerfultemperandobligingdispositionwerethemostessentialrequisities。

Mymotherdidnotrelishthisatall，andnowmademanyobjectionstomyacceptingthesituation；inwhichmysisterwarmlysupportedher:but，unwillingtobebalkedagain，Ioverruledthemall；

and，havingfirstobtainedtheconsentofmyfather(whohad，ashorttimepreviously，beenapprisedofthesetransactions)，Iwroteamostobligingepistletomyunknowncorrespondent，and，finally，thebargainwasconcluded。

ItwasdecreedthatonthelastdayofJanuaryIwastoenteruponmynewofficeasgovernessinthefamilyofMr。Murray，ofHortonLodge，nearO-，aboutseventymilesfromourvillage:aformidabledistancetome，asIhadneverbeenabovetwentymilesfromhomeinallthecourseofmytwentyyears\'sojournonearth；andas，moreover，everyindividualinthatfamilyandintheneighbourhoodwasutterlyunknowntomyselfandallmyacquaintances。Butthisrendereditonlythemorepiquanttome。Ihadnow，insomemeasure，gotridoftheMAUVAISEHONTEthathadformerlyoppressedmesomuch；therewasapleasingexcitementintheideaofenteringtheseunknownregions，andmakingmywayaloneamongitsstrangeinhabitants。InowflatteredmyselfIwasgoingtoseesomethingintheworld:Mr。Murray\'sresidencewasnearalargetown，andnotinamanufacturingdistrict，wherethepeoplehadnothingtodobuttomakemoney；hisrankfromwhatIcouldgather，appearedtobehigherthanthatofMr。Bloomfield；and，doubtless，hewasoneofthosegenuinethorough-bredgentrymymotherspokeof，whowouldtreathisgovernesswithdueconsiderationasarespectablewell-

educatedlady，theinstructorandguideofhischildren，andnotamereupperservant。Then，mypupilsbeingolder，wouldbemorerational，moreteachable，andlesstroublesomethanthelast；theywouldbelessconfinedtotheschoolroom，andnotrequirethatconstantlabourandincessantwatching；and，finally，brightvisionsmingledwithmyhopes，withwhichthecareofchildrenandthemeredutiesofagovernesshadlittleornothingtodo。Thus，thereaderwillseethatIhadnoclaimtoberegardedasamartyrtofilialpiety，goingforthtosacrificepeaceandlibertyforthesolepurposeoflayingupstoresforthecomfortandsupportofmyparents:thoughcertainlythecomfortofmyfather，andthefuturesupportofmymother，hadalargeshareinmycalculations；andfiftypoundsappearedtomenoordinarysum。Imusthavedecentclothesbecomingmystation；Imust，itseemed，putoutmywashing，andalsopayformyfourannualjourneysbetweenHortonLodgeandhome；butwithstrictattentiontoeconomy，surelytwentypounds，orlittlemore，wouldcoverthoseexpenses，andthentherewouldbethirtyforthebank，orlittleless:whatavaluableadditiontoourstock!Oh，Imuststruggletokeepthissituation，whateveritmightbe!bothformyownhonouramongmyfriendsandforthesolidservicesImightrenderthembymycontinuancethere。

chapter07

CHAPTERVII-HORTONLODGE

THE31stofJanuarywasawild，tempestuousday:therewasastrongnorthwind，withacontinualstormofsnowdriftingonthegroundandwhirlingthroughtheair。Myfriendswouldhavehadmedelaymydeparture，butfearfulofprejudicingmyemployersagainstmebysuchwantofpunctualityatthecommencementofmyundertaking，Ipersistedinkeepingtheappointment。

Iwillnotinflictuponmyreadersanaccountofmyleavinghomeonthatdarkwintermorning:thefondfarewells，thelong，longjourneytoO-，thesolitarywaitingsininnsforcoachesortrains-forthereweresomerailwaysthen-and，finally，themeetingatO-withMr。Murray\'sservant，whohadbeensentwiththephaetontodrivemefromthencetoHortonLodge。Iwilljuststatethattheheavysnowhadthrownsuchimpedimentsinthewayofbothhorsesandsteam-engines，thatitwasdarksomehoursbeforeIreachedmyjourney\'send，andthatamostbewilderingstormcameonatlast，whichmadethefewmiles\'spacebetweenO-andHortonLodgealongandformidablepassage。Isatresigned，withthecold，sharpsnowdriftingthroughmyveilandfillingmylap，seeingnothing，andwonderinghowtheunfortunatehorseanddrivercouldmaketheirwayevenaswellastheydid；andindeeditwasbutatoilsome，creepingstyleofprogression，tosaythebestofit。Atlengthwepaused；and，atthecallofthedriver，someoneunlatchedandrolledbackupontheircreakinghingeswhatappearedtobetheparkgates。Thenweproceededalongasmootherroad，whence，occasionally，Iperceivedsomehuge，hoarymassgleamingthroughthedarkness，whichItooktobeaportionofasnow-cladtree。

Afteraconsiderabletimewepausedagain，beforethestatelyporticoofalargehousewithlongwindowsdescendingtotheground。

Irosewithsomedifficultyfromunderthesuperincumbentsnowdrift，andalightedfromthecarriage，expectingthatakindandhospitablereceptionwouldindemnifymeforthetoilsandhardshipsoftheday。Agentlemanpersoninblackopenedthedoor，andadmittedmeintoaspacioushall，lightedbyanamber-colouredlampsuspendedfromtheceiling；heledmethroughthis，alongapassage，andopeningthedoorofabackroom，toldmethatwastheschoolroom。Ientered，andfoundtwoyoungladiesandtwoyounggentlemen-myfuturepupils，Isupposed。Afteraformalgreeting，theeldergirl，whowastriflingoverapieceofcanvasandabasketofGermanwools，askedifIshouldliketogoupstairs。

I

repliedintheaffirmative，ofcourse。

\'Matilda，takeacandle，andshowherherroom，\'saidshe。

MissMatilda，astrappinghoydenofaboutfourteen，withashortfrockandtrousers，shruggedhershouldersandmadeaslightgrimace，buttookacandleandproceededbeforemeupthebackstairs(along，steep，doubleflight)，andthroughalong，narrowpassage，toasmallbuttolerablycomfortableroom。ShethenaskedmeifIwouldtakesometeaorcoffee。IwasabouttoanswerNo；

butrememberingthatIhadtakennothingsinceseveno\'clockthatmorning，andfeelingfaintinconsequence，IsaidIwouldtakeacupoftea。Sayingshewouldtell\'Brown，\'theyoungladydeparted；andbythetimeIhaddivestedmyselfofmyheavy，wetcloak，shawl，bonnet，&；c。，amincingdamselcametosaytheyoungladiesdesiredtoknowwhetherIwouldtakemyteaupthereorintheschoolroom。UnderthepleaoffatigueIchosetotakeitthere。Shewithdrew；and，afterawhile，returnedagainwithasmalltea-tray，andplaceditonthechestofdrawers，whichservedasadressing-table。Havingcivillythankedher，IaskedatwhattimeIshouldbeexpectedtoriseinthemorning。

\'Theyoungladiesandgentlemenbreakfastathalf-pasteight，ma\'am，\'saidshe；\'theyriseearly；but，astheyseldomdoanylessonsbeforebreakfast，Ishouldthinkitwilldoifyourisesoonafterseven。\'

Idesiredhertobesokindastocallmeatseven，and，promisingtodoso，shewithdrew。Then，havingbrokenmylongfastonacupofteaandalittlethinbreadandbutter，Isatdownbesidethesmall，smoulderingfire，andamusedmyselfwithaheartyfitofcrying；afterwhich，Isaidmyprayers，andthen，feelingconsiderablyrelieved，begantoprepareforbed。Findingthatnoneofmyluggagewasbroughtup，Iinstitutedasearchforthebell；

andfailingtodiscoveranysignsofsuchaconvenienceinanycorneroftheroom，Itookmycandleandventuredthroughthelongpassage，anddownthesteepstairs，onavoyageofdiscovery。

Meetingawell-dressedfemaleontheway，ItoldherwhatIwanted；

butnotwithoutconsiderablehesitation，asIwasnotquitesurewhetheritwasoneoftheupperservants，orMrs。Murrayherself:

ithappened，however，tobethelady\'s-maid。Withtheairofoneconferringanunusualfavour，shevouchsafedtoundertakethesendingupofmythings；andwhenIhadre-enteredmyroom，andwaitedandwonderedalongtime(greatlyfearingthatshehadforgottenorneglectedtoperformherpromise，anddoubtingwhethertokeepwaitingorgotobed，orgodownagain)，myhopes，atlength，wererevivedbythesoundofvoicesandlaughter，accompaniedbythetrampoffeetalongthepassage；andpresentlytheluggagewasbroughtinbyarough-lookingmaidandaman，neitherofthemveryrespectfulintheirdemeanourtome。Havingshutthedoorupontheirretiringfootsteps，andunpackedafewofmythings，Ibetookmyselftorest；gladlyenough，forIwaswearyinbodyandmind。

Itwaswithastrangefeelingofdesolation，mingledwithastrongsenseofthenoveltyofmysituation，andajoylesskindofcuriosityconcerningwhatwasyetunknown，thatIawokethenextmorning；feelinglikeonewhirledawaybyenchantment，andsuddenlydroppedfromthecloudsintoaremoteandunknownland，widelyandcompletelyisolatedfromallhehadeverseenorknownbefore；orlikeathistle-seedborneonthewindtosomestrangenookofuncongenialsoil，whereitmustlielongenoughbeforeitcantakerootandgerminate，extractingnourishmentfromwhatappearssoalientoitsnature:if，indeed，itevercan。Butthisgivesnoproperideaofmyfeelingsatall；andnoonethathasnotlivedsucharetired，stationarylifeasmine，canpossiblyimaginewhattheywere:hardlyevenifhehasknownwhatitistoawakesomemorning，andfindhimselfinPortNelson，inNewZealand，withaworldofwatersbetweenhimselfandallthatknewhim。

IshallnotsoonforgetthepeculiarfeelingwithwhichIraisedmyblindandlookedoutupontheunknownworld:awide，whitewildernesswasallthatmetmygaze；awasteofDesertstossedinsnow，Andheavyladengroves。

Idescendedtotheschoolroomwithnoremarkableeagernesstojoinmypupils，thoughnotwithoutsomefeelingofcuriosityrespectingwhatafurtheracquaintancewouldreveal。Onething，amongothersofmoreobviousimportance，Ideterminedwithmyself-ImustbeginwithcallingthemMissandMaster。Itseemedtomeachillingandunnaturalpieceofpunctiliobetweenthechildrenofafamilyandtheirinstructoranddailycompanion；especiallywheretheformerwereintheirearlychildhood，asatWellwoodHouse；buteventhere，mycallingthelittleBloomfieldsbytheirsimplenameshadbeenregardedasanoffensiveliberty:astheirparentshadtakencaretoshowme，bycarefullydesignatingthemMASTERandMISS

Bloomfield，&；c。，inspeakingtome。Ihadbeenveryslowtotakethehint，becausethewholeaffairstruckmeassoveryabsurd；butnowIdeterminedtobewiser，andbeginatoncewithasmuchformandceremonyasanymemberofthefamilywouldbelikelytorequire:and，indeed，thechildrenbeingsomucholder，therewouldbelessdifficulty；thoughthelittlewordsMissandMasterseemedtohaveasurprisingeffectinrepressingallfamiliar，open-heartedkindness，andextinguishingeverygleamofcordialitythatmightarisebetweenus。

AsIcannot，likeDogberry，finditinmyhearttobestowallmytediousnessuponthereader，Iwillnotgoontoborehimwithaminutedetailofallthediscoveriesandproceedingsofthisandthefollowingday。Nodoubthewillbeamplysatisfiedwithaslightsketchofthedifferentmembersofthefamily，andageneralviewofthefirstyearortwoofmysojournamongthem。

Tobeginwiththehead:Mr。Murraywas，byallaccounts，ablustering，roystering，countrysquire:adevotedfox-hunter，askilfulhorse-jockeyandfarrier，anactive，practicalfarmer，andaheartyBONVIVANT。Byallaccounts，Isay；for，exceptonSundays，whenhewenttochurch，Ineversawhimfrommonthtomonth:unless，incrossingthehallorwalkinginthegrounds，thefigureofatall，stoutgentleman，withscarletcheeksandcrimsonnose，happenedtocomeacrossme；onwhichoccasions，ifhepassednearenoughtospeak，anunceremoniousnod，accompaniedbya\'Morning，MissGrey，\'orsomesuchbriefsalutation，wasusuallyvouchsafed。Frequently，indeed，hisloudlaughreachedmefromafar；andoftenerstillIheardhimswearingandblasphemingagainstthefootmen，groom，coachman，orsomeotherhaplessdependant。

Mrs。Murraywasahandsome，dashingladyofforty，whocertainlyrequiredneitherrougenorpaddingtoaddtohercharms；andwhosechiefenjoymentswere，orseemedtobe，ingivingorfrequentingparties，andindressingattheverytopofthefashion。Ididnotseehertilleleveno\'clockonthemorningaftermyarrival；whenshehonouredmewithavisit，justasmymothermightstepintothekitchentoseeanewservant-girl:yetnotso，either，formymotherwouldhaveseenherimmediatelyafterherarrival，andnotwaitedtillthenextday；and，moreover，shewouldhaveaddressedherinamorekindandfriendlymanner，andgivenhersomewordsofcomfortaswellasaplainexpositionofherduties；butMrs。

Murraydidneithertheonenortheother。Shejuststeppedintotheschoolroomonherreturnfromorderingdinnerinthehousekeeper\'sroom，bademegood-morning，stoodfortwominutesbythefire，saidafewwordsabouttheweatherandthe\'ratherrough\'

journeyImusthavehadyesterday；pettedheryoungestchild-aboyoften-whohadjustbeenwipinghismouthandhandsonhergown，afterindulginginsomesavourymorselfromthehouse-

keeper\'sstore；toldmewhatasweet，goodboyhewas；andthensailedout，withaself-complacentsmileuponherface:thinking，nodoubt，thatshehaddonequiteenoughforthepresent，andhadbeendelightfullycondescendingintothebargain。Herchildrenevidentlyheldthesameopinion，andIalonethoughtotherwise。

Afterthisshelookedinuponmeonceortwice，duringtheabsenceofmypupils，toenlightenmeconcerningmydutiestowardsthem。

Forthegirlssheseemedanxiousonlytorenderthemassuperficiallyattractiveandshowilyaccomplishedastheycouldpossiblybemade，withoutpresenttroubleordiscomforttothemselves；andIwastoactaccordingly-tostudyandstrivetoamuseandoblige，instruct，refine，andpolish，withtheleastpossibleexertionontheirpart，andnoexerciseofauthorityonmine。Withregardtothetwoboys，itwasmuchthesame；onlyinsteadofaccomplishments，IwastogetthegreatestpossiblequantityofLatingrammarandValpy\'sDelectusintotheirheads，inordertofitthemforschool-thegreatestpossiblequantityatleastWITHOUTtroubletothemselves。Johnmightbea\'littlehigh-

spirited，\'andCharlesmightbealittle\'nervousandtedious-\'

\'Butatallevents，MissGrey，\'saidshe，\'IhopeYOUwillkeepyourtemper，andbemildandpatientthroughout；especiallywiththedearlittleCharles；heissoextremelynervousandsusceptible，andsoutterlyunaccustomedtoanythingbutthetenderesttreatment。Youwillexcusemynamingthesethingstoyou；forthefactis，Ihavehithertofoundallthegovernesses，eventheverybestofthem，faultyinthisparticular。Theywantedthatmeekandquietspirit，whichSt。Matthew，orsomeofthem，saysisbetterthantheputtingonofapparel-youwillknowthepassagetowhichIallude，foryouareaclergyman\'sdaughter。

ButIhavenodoubtyouwillgivesatisfactioninthisrespectaswellastherest。Andremember，onalloccasions，whenanyoftheyoungpeopledoanythingimproper，ifpersuasionandgentleremonstrancewillnotdo，letoneoftheotherscomeandtellme；forIcanspeaktothemmoreplainlythanitwouldbeproperforyoutodo。

Andmakethemashappyasyoucan，MissGrey，andIdaresayyouwilldoverywell。\'

IobservedthatwhileMrs。Murraywassoextremelysolicitousforthecomfortandhappinessofherchildren，andcontinuallytalkingaboutit，sheneveroncementionedmine；thoughtheywereathome，surroundedbyfriends，andIanalienamongstrangers；andIdidnotyetknowenoughoftheworld，nottobeconsiderablysurprisedatthisanomaly。

MissMurray，otherwiseRosalie，wasaboutsixteenwhenIcame，anddecidedlyaveryprettygirl；andintwoyearslonger，astimemorecompletelydevelopedherformandaddedgracetohercarriageanddeportment，shebecamepositivelybeautiful；andthatinnocommondegree。Shewastallandslender，yetnotthin；perfectlyformed，exquisitelyfair，thoughnotwithoutabrilliant，healthybloom；

herhair，whichsheworeinaprofusionoflongringlets，wasofaverylightbrownincliningtoyellow；hereyeswerepaleblue，butsoclearandbrightthatfewwouldwishthemdarker；therestofherfeaturesweresmall，notquiteregular，andnotremarkablyotherwise:butaltogetheryoucouldnothesitatetopronounceheraverylovelygirl。IwishIcouldsayasmuchformindanddispositionasIcanforherformandface。

YetthinknotIhaveanydreadfuldisclosurestomake:shewaslively，light-hearted，andcouldbeveryagreeable，withthosewhodidnotcrossherwill。Towardsme，whenIfirstcame，shewascoldandhaughty，theninsolentandoverbearing；but，onafurtheracquaintance，shegraduallylaidasideherairs，andintimebecameasdeeplyattachedtomeasitwaspossibleforHERtobetooneofmycharacterandposition:forsheseldomlostsight，forabovehalfanhouratatime，ofthefactofmybeingahirelingandapoorcurate\'sdaughter。Andyet，uponthewhole，Ibelievesherespectedmemorethansheherselfwasawareof；becauseIwastheonlypersoninthehousewhosteadilyprofessedgoodprinciples，habituallyspokethetruth，andgenerallyendeavouredtomakeinclinationbowtoduty；andthisIsay，not，ofcourse，incommendationofmyself，buttoshowtheunfortunatestateofthefamilytowhichmyserviceswere，forthepresent，devoted。TherewasnomemberofitinwhomIregrettedthissadwantofprinciplesomuchasMissMurrayherself；notonlybecauseshehadtakenafancytome，butbecausetherewassomuchofwhatwaspleasantandprepossessinginherself，that，inspiteofherfailings，Ireallylikedher-whenshedidnotrousemyindignation，orrufflemytemperbyTOOgreatadisplayofherfaults。These，however，I