第7部分(第3/8 頁)

d；’　said　she；　‘they　looked　at　my　dress　and　mama’s；　as　if　they　had　never　seen　a　silk　gown　before。’”

“This　is　the　state　of　things　I　quite　approve；”　returned　Mrs。　Reed；　“had　I　sought　all　England　over；　I　could　scarcely　have　found　a　system　more　exactly　fitting　a　child　like　Jane　Eyre。　Consistency；　my　dear　Mr。　Brocklehurst；　I　advocate　consistency　in　all　things。”

“Consistency；　madam；　is　the　first　of　Christian　duties；　and　it　has　been　observed　in　every　arrangement　connected　with　the　establishment　of　Lowood：　plain　fare；　simple　attire；　unsophisticated　acmodations；　hardy　and　active　habits；　such　is　the　order　of　the　day　in　the　house　and　its　inhabitants。”

“Quite　right；　sir。　I　may　then　depend　upon　this　child　being　received　as　a　pupil　at　Lowood；　and　there　being　trained　in　conformity　to　her　position　and　prospects？”

“Madam；　you　may：　she　shall　be　placed　in　that　nursery　of　chosen　plants；　and　I　trust　she　will　show　herself　grateful　for　the　inestimable　privilege　of　her　election。”

“I　will　send　her；　then；　as　soon　as　possible；　Mr。　Brocklehurst；　for；　I　assure　you；　I　feel　anxious　to　be　relieved　of　a　responsibility　that　was　being　too　irksome。”

“No　doubt；　no　doubt；　madam；　and　now　I　wish　you　good　morning。　I　shall　return　to　Brocklehurst　Hall　in　the　course　of　a　week　or　two：　my　good　friend；　the　Archdeacon；　will　not　permit　me　to　leave　him　sooner。　I　shall　send　Miss　Temple　notice　that　she　is　to　expect　a　new　girl；　so　that　there　will　he　no　difficulty　about　receiving　her。　Goo