Thereossibilityoftakingawalkthatday.Wehadbeenwandering,indeed,intheleaflessshrubberyanhourinthem;butsinner(Mrs.Reed,whentherewasnopany,dinedearly)thecoldwinterwindhadbroughtwithitcloudssosombre,andarairating,thatfurtherout-doorexercisewasnowoutofthequestion.

    Iwasgladofit:Ineverlikedlongwalks,especiallyonchillyafternoons:dreadfultomewastheinghomeiwilight,withnippedfingersandtoes,asaddehechidingsofBessie,thenurse,andhumbledbythesciousnessofmyphysiferioritytoEliza,John,andGeianaReed.

    ThesaidEliza,John,andGeianawerenowclusteredroundtheirmamainthedrawing-room:shelayreedonasofabythefireside,andwithherdarlingsabouther(forthetimeherquarrellingn)lookedperfectlyhappy.Me,shehaddispensedfromjoiningthegroup;saying,“SheregrettedtobeuheyofkeepiadistathatuntilsheheardfromBessie,andcoulddiscoverbyherowion,thatIwasendeavingoodearoacquireamoresociableandchildlikedisposition,amoreattractiveandsprightlymanner—somethinglighter,franker,morenatural,asitwere—shereallymustexcludemefromprivilegesintendedonlyfortented,happy,littlechildren.”

    “WhatdoesBessiesayIhavedone?”Iasked.

    “Jane,Idon’tlikecavillersorquestioners;besides,thereissomethingtrulyforbiddinginachildtakinguphereldersinthatmanner.Beseatedsomewhere;anduntilyouspeakpleasantly,remai.”

    Abreakfast-roomadjoihedrawing-room,Islippedinthere.Ittainedabookcase:Isoonpossessedmyselfofavolume,takingcarethatitshouldbeooredwithpictures.Imouothewindow-seat:gatheringupmyfeet,Isatcross-legged,likeaTurk;and,havingdrawnthere