jane eyre(简·爱)-第12章
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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 check 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 comparative 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 combed 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 common
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 day…light; 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 common then as now) shone at her
girdle。 Let the reader add; to complete the picture; refined features;
a complexion; 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 commenced giving a lesson on
geography; the lower classes were called by the teachers:
repetitions in history; grammar; etc。; went on for an hour; writing
and arithmetic succeeded; and music lessons were given by Miss
Temple to some of the elder girls。 The duration of each lesson was
measured by the clock; which at last struck twelve。 The superintendent
rose…
'I have a word to address to the pupils;' said she。
The tumult of cessation from lessons was already breaking forth;
but it sank at her voice。 She went on…
'You had this morning a breakfast which you could not eat; you must
be hungry:… I have ordered that a lunch of bread and cheese shall be
served to all。'
The teachers looked at her with a sort of surprise。
'It is to be done on my responsibility;' she added; in an
explanatory tone to them; and immediately afterw