第72部分(第5/8 頁)

r　at　least　a　disdainful　rejection　of　the　offer：　not　knowing　all　my　thoughts　and　feelings；　though　guessing　some；　he　could　not　tell　in　what　light　the　lot　would　appear　to　me。　In　truth　it　was　humble—but　then　it　was　sheltered；　and　I　wanted　a　safe　asylum：　it　was　plodding—but　then；　pared　with　that　of　a　governess　in　a　rich　house；　it　was　independent；　and　the　fear　of　servitude　with　strangers　entered　my　soul　like　iron：　it　was　not　ignoble—not　unworthy—not　mentally　degrading；　I　made　my　decision。

“I　thank　you　for　the　proposal；　Mr。　Rivers；　and　I　accept　it　with　all　my　heart。”

“But　you　prehend　me？”　he　said。　“It　is　a　village　school：　your　scholars　will　be　only　poor　girls—cottagers’　children—at　the　best；　farmers’　daughters。　Knitting；　sewing；　reading；　writing；　ciphering；　will　be　all　you　will　have　to　teach。　What　will　you　do　with　your　acplishments？　What；　with　the　largest　portion　of　your　mind—　sentiments—tastes？”

“Save　them　till　they　are　wanted。　They　will　keep。”

“You　know　what　you　undertake；　then？”

“I　do。”

He　now　smiled：　and　not　a　bitter　or　a　sad　smile；　but　one　well　pleased　and　deeply　gratified。

“And　when　will　you　mence　the　exercise　of　your　function？”

“I　will　go　to　my　house　to…morrow；　and　open　the　school；　if　you　like；　next　week。”

“Very　well：　so　be　it。”

He　rose　and　walked　through　the　room。　Standing　still；　he　again　looked　at　me。　He　shook　his　head。

“What　do　you　disapprove　of；　Mr。　Rivers？”　I　asked。

“You　will　not　stay　at