第8部分(第2/8 頁)

e　tripping　down　the　path。

“You　naughty　little　thing！”　she　said。　“Why　don’t　you　e　when　you　are　called？”

Bessie’s　presence；　pared　with　the　thoughts　over　which　I　had　been　brooding；　seemed　cheerful；　even　though；　as　usual；　she　was　somewhat　cross。　The　fact　is；　after　my　conflict　with　and　victory　over　Mrs。　Reed；　I　was　not　disposed　to　care　much　for　the　nursemaid’s　transitory　anger；　and　I　was　disposed　to　bask　in　her　youthful　lightness　of　heart。　I　just　put　my　two　arms　round　her　and　said；　“e；　Bessie！　don’t　scold。”

The　action　was　more　frank　and　fearless　than　any　I　was　habituated　to　indulge　in：　somehow　it　pleased　her。

“You　are　a　strange　child；　Miss　Jane；”　she　said；　as　she　looked　down　at　me；　“a　little　roving；　solitary　thing：　and　you　are　going　to　school；　I　suppose？”

I　nodded。

“And　won’t　you　be　sorry　to　leave　poor　Bessie？”

“What　does　Bessie　care　for　me？　She　is　always　scolding　me。”

“Because　you’re　such　a　queer；　frightened；　shy　little　thing。　You　should　be　bolder。”

“What！　to　get　more　knocks？”

“Nonsense！　But　you　are　rather　put　upon；　that’s　certain。　My　mother　said；　when　she　came　to　see　me　last　week；　that　she　would　not　like　a　little　one　of　her　own　to　be　in　your　place。—Now；　e　in；　and　I’ve　some　good　news　for　you。”

“I　don’t　think　you　have；　Bessie。”

“Child！　what　do　you　mean？　What　sorrowful　eyes　you　fix　on　me！　Well；　but　Missis　and　the　young　ladies　and　Master　John　are　going　out　to　tea　this　afternoon；　and　you　shall　have　te