第71部分(第2/8 頁)

ependent　of　us？”

“I　do：　I　have　already　said　so。　Show　me　how　to　work；　or　how　to　seek　work：　that　is　all　I　now　ask；　then　let　me　go；　if　it　be　but　to　the　meanest　cottage；　but　till　then；　allow　me　to　stay　here：　I　dread　another　essay　of　the　horrors　of　homeless　destitution。”

“Indeed　you　shall　stay　here；”　said　Diana；　putting　her　white　hand　on　my　head。　“You　shall；”　repeated　Mary；　in　the　tone　of　undemonstrative　sincerity　which　seemed　natural　to　her。

“My　sisters；　you　see；　have　a　pleasure　in　keeping　you；”　said　Mr。　St。　John；　“as　they　would　have　a　pleasure　in　keeping　and　cherishing　a　half…frozen　bird；　some　wintry　wind　might　have　driven　through　their　casement。　I　feel　more　inclination　to　put　you　in　the　way　of　keeping　yourself；　and　shall　endeavour　to　do　so；　but　observe；　my　sphere　is　narrow。　I　am　but　the　incumbent　of　a　poor　country　parish：　my　aid　must　be　of　the　humblest　sort。　And　if　you　are　inclined　to　despise　the　day　of　small　things；　seek　some　more　efficient　succour　than　such　as　I　can　offer。”

“She　has　already　said　that　she　is　willing　to　do　anything　honest　she　can　do；”　answered　Diana　for　me；　“and　you　know；　St。　John；　she　has　no　choice　of　helpers：　she　is　forced　to　put　up　with　such　crusty　people　as　you。”

“I　will　be　a　dressmaker；　I　will　be　a　plain…workwoman；　I　will　be　a　servant；　a　nurse…girl；　if　I　can　be　no　better；”　I　answered。

“Right；”　said　Mr。　St。　John；　quite　coolly。　“If　such　is　your　spirit；　I　promise　to　aid　you；　in　my　own　time　and　way。”

He　now　resu