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简爱(英文版)-第章

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new not what; arranged thereon; and a pitcher of water and mug in the middle of each tray。 The portions were handed round; those who liked took a draught of the water; the mug being mon to all。 When it came to my turn; I drank; for I was thirsty; but did not touch the food; excitement and fatigue rendering me incapable of eating: I now saw; however; that it was a thin oaten cake shared into fragments。
The meal over; prayers were read by Miss Miller; and the classes filed off; two and two; upstairs。 Overpowered by this time with weariness; I scarcely noticed what sort of a place the bedroom was; except that; like the schoolroom; I saw it was very long。 To…night I was to be Miss Miller’s bed…fellow; she helped me to undress: when laid down I glanced at the long rows of beds; each of which was quickly filled with two occupants; in ten minutes the single light was extinguished; and amidst silence and plete darkness I fell asleep。
The night passed rapidly。 I was too tired even to dream; I only once awoke to hear the wind rave in furious gusts; and the rain fall in torrents; and to be sensible that Miss Miller had taken her place by my side。 When I again unclosed my eyes; a loud bell was ringing; the girls were up and dressing; day had not yet begun to dawn; and a rushlight or two burned in the room。 I too rose reluctantly; it was bitter cold; and I dressed as well as I could for shivering; and washed when there was a basin at liberty; which did not occur soon; as there was but one basin to six girls; on the stands down the middle of the room。 Again the bell rang: all formed in file; two and two; and in that order descended the stairs and entered the cold and dimly lit schoolroom: here prayers were read by Miss Miller; afterwards she called out—
“Form classes!”
A great tumult succeeded for some minutes; during which Miss Miller repeatedly exclaimed; “Silence!” and “Order!” When it subsided; I 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 cheek 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 parative 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; al
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