第14部分(第3/8 頁)

　as　an　Indian。　I　was　the　first　who　spoke—

“Helen；　why　do　you　stay　with　a　girl　whom　everybody　believes　to　be　a　liar？”

“Everybody；　Jane？　Why；　there　are　only　eighty　people　who　have　heard　you　called　so；　and　the　world　contains　hundreds　of　millions。”

“But　what　have　I　to　do　with　millions？　The　eighty；　I　know；　despise　me。”

“Jane；　you　are　mistaken：　probably　not　one　in　the　school　either　despises　or　dislikes　you：　many；　I　am　sure；　pity　you　much。”

“How　can　they　pity　me　after　what　Mr。　Brocklehurst　has　said？”

“Mr。　Brocklehurst　is　not　a　god：　nor　is　he　even　a　great　and　admired　man：　he　is　little　liked　here；　he　never　took　steps　to　make　himself　liked。　Had　he　treated　you　as　an　especial　favourite；　you　would　have　found　enemies；　declared　or　covert；　all　around　you；　as　it　is；　the　greater　number　would　offer　you　sympathy　if　they　dared。　Teachers　and　pupils　may　look　coldly　on　you　for　a　day　or　two；　but　friendly　feelings　are　concealed　in　their　hearts；　and　if　you　persevere　in　doing　well；　these　feelings　will　ere　long　appear　so　much　the　more　evidently　for　their　temporary　suppression。　Besides；　Jane”—she　paused。

“Well；　Helen？”　said　I；　putting　my　hand　into　hers：　she　chafed　my　fingers　gently　to　warm　them；　and　went　on—

“If　all　the　world　hated　you；　and　believed　you　wicked；　while　your　own　conscience　approved　you；　and　absolved　you　from　guilt；　you　would　not　be　without　friends。”

“No；　I　know　I　should　think　well　of　myself；　but　that　is　not　enough：　if　others　don’