第14部分(第8/8 頁)

　“I　have　not　yet　had　tea；　bring　the　tray　and　place　cups　for　these　two　young　ladies。”

And　a　tray　was　soon　brought。　How　pretty；　to　my　eyes；　did　the　china　cups　and　bright　teapot　look；　placed　on　the　little　round　table　near　the　fire！　How　fragrant　was　the　steam　of　the　beverage；　and　the　scent　of　the　toast！　of　which；　however；　I；　to　my　dismay　（for　I　was　beginning　to　be　hungry）　discerned　only　a　very　small　portion：　Miss　Temple　discerned　it　too。

“Barbara；”　said　she；　“can　you　not　bring　a　little　more　bread　and　butter？　There　is　not　enough　for　three。”

Barbara　went　out：　she　returned　soon—

“Madam；　Mrs。　Harden　says　she　has　sent　up　the　usual　quantity。”

Mrs。　Harden；　be　it　observed；　was　the　housekeeper：　a　woman　after　Mr。　Brocklehurst’s　own　heart；　made　up　of　equal　parts　of　whalebone　and　iron。

“Oh；　very　well！”　returned　Miss　Temple；　“we　must　make　it　do；　Barbara；　I　suppose。”　And　as　the　girl　withdrew　she　added；　smiling；　“Fortunately；　I　have　it　in　my　power　to　supply　deficiencies　for　this　once。”

Having　invited　Hel