hedailyapparellingofElizaandGeiana,ahemdesdtothedrawing-room,dressedoutinthinmuslinfrodscarletsashes,withhairelaboratelyried;andafterwards,inlisteningtothesoundofthepianoortheharpplayedbelow,tothepassingtoandfroofthebutlerandfootman,tothejinglingofglassandaasrefreshmentswerehaothebrokenhumofversationasthedrawing-roomdooropenedandclosed.Whehisoccupation,Iwouldretirefromthestairheadtothesolitaryandsilenthere,thoughsomewhatsad,Iwasnotmiserable.Tospeaktruth,Ihadnottheleastwishtogointopany,forinpanyIwasveryrarelynoticed;andifBessiehadbutbeenkindandpanionable,Ishouldhavedeemeditatreattospendtheeveningsquietlywithher,insteadofpassingthemuheformidableeyeofMrs.Reed,inaroomfullofladiesalemen.ButBessie,assoonasshehaddressedheryoungladies,usedtotakeherselfofftothelivelyregionsofthekitandhousekeeper’sroom,generallybearingthedlealongwithher.Ithensatwithmydollonmykillthefiregotlow,glangroundoccasionallytomakesurethatnothingworsethanmyselfhauheshadowyroom;aheemberssanktoadullred,Iundressedhastily,tuggingatknotsandstringsasIbestmight,andsoughtshelterfromcoldanddarknessinmycrib.TothiscribIalwaystookmydoll;humanbeingsmustlovesomething,and,inthedearthofworthierobjectsofaffe,Itrivedtofindapleasureinlovingandcherishingafadedgravenimage,shabbyasaminiaturescarecrow.ItpuzzlesmenowtorememberwithwhatabsurdsiyIdoatedonthislittletoy,halffangitaliveandcapableofsensation.Icouldnotsleepuwasfoldedinmynight-gown;alaytheresafeandwarm,Iwasparativelyhappy,believingittobehappylikewise.

    Longdidthehoursseemw