hileIwaitedthedepartureofthepany,andlistenedforthesoundofBessie’sstepoairs:sometimesshewouldeupiervaltoseekherthimbleorherscissors,orperhapstmesomethingbywayofsupper—abunoracheese-cake—thenshewouldsitonthebedwhileIateit,andwhenIhadfinished,shewouldtucktheclothesroundme,andtwiceshekissedme,andsaid,“Goodnight,MissJane.”Whenthusgentle,Bessieseemedtomethebest,prettiest,kibeingintheworld;andIwishedmostintehatshewouldalwaysbesopleasantandamiable,andneverpushmeabout,orscold,ortaskmeunreasonably,asshewastoooftenwonttodo.BessieLeemust,Ithink,havebeenagirlofgoodnaturalcapacity,forshewassmartinallshedid,andhadaremarkableknaarrative;so,atleast,Ijudgefromtheimpressionmadeonmebyherales.Sherettytoo,ifmyrecollesofherfadpersonarecorrect.Irememberherasaslimyoungwoman,withblackhair,darkeyes,veryures,andgood,clearplexion;butshehadacapriciousandhastytemper,andindifferentideasofprincipleorjustice:still,suchasshereferredhertoanyoneelseatGatesheadHall.

    ItwasthefifteenthofJanuary,aboutnineo’clothem:Bessiewasgonedowntobreakfast;mycousinshadbeensummoheirmama;Elizauttingonherboandwarmgarden-coattogoandfeedherpoultry,anoccupationofwhichshewasfond:andnotlesssoofsellingtheeggstothehousekeeperandhupthemoneyshethusobtained.Shehadaturnfortraffidamarkedpropensityforsaving;shownnotonlyinthevendingofeggsandchis,butalsoindrivinghardbargainswiththegardeneraboutflower-roots,seeds,andslipsofplants;thatfunaryhavingordersfromMrs.Reedtobuyofhisyoungladyalltheproductsofherparterreshewishedtosell:andElizawouldhave