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“What　a　long　way！　I　wonder　Mrs。　Reed　is　not　afraid　to　trust　her　so　far　alone。”
The　coach　drew　up；　there　it　was　at　the　gates　with　its　four　horses　and　its　top　laden　with　passengers：　the　guard　and　coachman　loudly　urged　haste；　my　trunk　was　hoisted　up；　I　was　taken　from　Bessie’s　neck；　to　which　I　clung　with　kisses。
“Be　sure　and　take　good　care　of　her；”　cried　she　to　the　guard；　as　he　lifted　me　into　the　inside。
“Ay；　ay！”　was　the　answer：　the　door　was　slapped　to；　a　voice　exclaimed　“All　right；”　and　on　we　drove。　Thus　was　I　severed　from　Bessie　and　Gateshead；　thus　whirled　away　to　unknown；　and；　as　I　then　deemed；　remote　and　mysterious　regions。
I　remember　but　little　of　the　journey；　I　only　know　that　the　day　seemed　to　me　of　a　preternatural　length；　and　that　we　appeared　to　travel　over　hundreds　of　miles　of　road。　We　passed　through　several　towns；　and　in　one；　a　very　large　one；　the　coach　stopped；　the　horses　were　taken　out；　and　the　passengers　alighted　to　dine。　I　was　carried　into　an　inn；　where　the　guard　wanted　me　to　have　some　dinner；　but；　as　I　had　no　appetite；　he　left　me　in　an　immense　room　with　a　fireplace　at　each　end；　a　chandelier　pendent　from　the　ceiling；　and　a　little　red　gallery　high　up　against　the　wall　filled　with　musical　instruments。　Here　I　walked　about　for　a　long　time；　feeling　very　strange；　and　mortally　apprehensive　of　some　one　ing　in　and　kidnapping　me；　for　I　believed　in　kidnappers；　their　exploits　having　frequently　figured　in　Bessie’s　fireside　chronicles。　At　last　the　guard　returned；　once　more　I　was　stowed　away　in　the　coach；　my　protector　mounted　his　own　seat；　sounded　his　hollow　horn；　and　away　we　rattled　over　the　“stony　street”　of　L…。
The　afternoon　came　on　wet　and　somewhat　misty：　as　it　waned　into　dusk；　I　began　to　feel　that　we　were　getting　very　far　indeed　from　Gateshead：　we　ceased　to　pass　through　towns；　the　country　changed；　great　grey　hills　heaved　up　round　the　horizon：　as　twilight　deepened；　we　descended　a　valley；　dark　with　wood；　and　long　after　night　had　overclouded　the　prospect；　I　heard　a　wild　wind　rushing　amongst　trees。
Lulled　by　the　sound；　I　at　last　dropped　asleep；　I　had　not　long　slumbered　when　the　sudden　cessation　of　motion　awoke　me；　the　coach…　door　was　open；　and　a　person　like　a　servant　was　standing　at　it：　I　saw　her　face　and　dress　by　the　light　of　the　lamps。
“Is　there　a　little　girl　called　Jane　Eyre　here？”　she　asked。　I　answered　“Yes；”　and　was　then　lifted　out；　my　trunk　was　handed　down；　and　the　coach　instantly　drove　away。
I　was　stiff　with　long　sitting；　and　bewildered　with　the　noise　and　motion　of　the　coach：　Gathering　my　faculties；　I　looked　about　me。　Rain；　wind；　and　darkness　filled　the　air；　nevertheless；　I　dimly　discerned　a　wall　before　me　and　a　door　open　in　it；　through　this　door　I　passed　with　my　new　guide：　she　shut　and　locked　it　behind　her。　There　was　now　visible　a　house　or　houses—for　the　building　spread　far—with　many　windows；　and　lights　burning　in　some；　we　went　up　a　broad　pebbly　path；　splashing　wet；　and　were　admitted　at　a　door；　then　the　servant　led　me　through　a　passage　into　a　room　with　a　fire；　where　she　left　me　alone。
I　stood　and　warmed　my　numbed　fingers　over　the　blaze；　then　I　looked　round；　there　was　no　candle；　but　the　uncertain　light　from　the　hearth　showed；　by　intervals；　papered　walls；　carpet；　curtains；　shining　mahogany　furniture：　it　was　a　parlour；　not　so　spacious　or　splendid　as　the　drawing…room　at　Gateshead；　but　fortable　enough。　I　was　puzzling　to　make　out　the　subject　of　a　picture　on　the　wall；　when　the　door　opened；　and　an　individual　carrying　a　light　entered；　another　followed　close　behind。
The　first　was　a　tall　lady　with　dark　hair；　dark　eyes；　and　a　pale　and　large　forehead；　her　figure　was　partly　enveloped　in　a　shawl；　her　countenance　was　grave；　her　bearing　erect。
“The　child　is　very　young　to　be　sent　alone；”　said　she；　putting　her　candle　down　on　the　table。　She　considered　me　attentively　for　a　minute　or　two；　then　further　added—
“She　had　better　be　put　to　bed　soon；　she　looks　tired：　are　you　tired？”　she　asked；　placing　her　hand　on　my　shoulder。
“A　little；　ma’am。”
“And　hungry　too；　no　doubt：　let　her　have　some　supper　before　she　goes　to　bed；　Miss　Miller。　Is　this　the　first　time　you　have　left　your　parents　to　e　to　school；　my　little　girl？”
I　explained　to　her　that　I　had　no　parents。　She　inquired　how　long　they　had　been　dead：　then　how　old　I　was；　what　was　my　name；　whether　I　could　read；　write；　and　sew　a　little：　then　she　touched　my　cheek　gently　with　her　forefinger；　and　saying；　“She　hoped　I　should　be　a　good　child；”　dismissed　me　along　with　Miss　Miller。
The　lady　I　had　left　might　be　about　twenty…nine；　the　one　who　went　with　me　appeared　some　years　younger：　the　first　impressed　me　by　her　voice；　look；　and　air。　Miss　Miller　was　more　ordinary；　ruddy　in　plexion；　though　of　a　careworn　countenance；　hurried　in　gait　and　action；　like　one　who　had　always　a　multiplicity　of　tasks　on　hand：　she　looked；　indeed；　what　I　afterwards　found　she　really　was；　an　under…teacher。　Led　by　her；　I　passed　from　partment　to　partment；　from　passage　to　passage；　of　a　large　and　irregular　building；　till；　emerging　from　the　total　and　somewhat　dreary　silence　pervading　that　portion　of　the　house　we　had　traversed；　we　came　upon　the　hum　of　many　voices；　and　presently　entered　a　wide；　long　room；　with　great　deal　tables；　two　at　each　end；　on　each　of　which　burnt　a　pair　of　candles；　and　seated　all　round　on　benches；　a　congregation　of　girls　of　every　age；　from　nine　or　ten　to　twenty。　Seen　by　the　dim　light　of　the　dips；　their　number　to　me　appeared　countless；　though　not　in　reality　exceeding　eighty；　they　were　uniformly　dressed　in　brown　stuff　frocks　of　quaint　fashion；　and　long　holland　pinafores。　It　was　the　hour　of　study；　they　were　engaged　in　conning　over　their　to…　morrow’s　task；　and　the　hum　I　had　heard　was　the　bined　result　of　their　whispered　repetitions。
Miss　Miller　signed　to　me　to　sit　on　a　bench　near　the　door；　then　walking　up　to　the　top　of　the　long　room　she　cried　out—
“Monitors；　collect　the　lesson…books　and　put　them　away！　Four　tall　girls　arose　from　different　tables；　and　going　round；　gathered　the　books　and　removed　them。　Miss　Miller　again　gave　the　word　of　mand—
“Monitors；　fetch　the　supper…trays！”
The　tall　girls　went　out　and　returned　presently；　each　bearing　a　tray；　with　portions　of　something；　I　knew　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　th