Fiveo’clockhadhardlystruthemofthe19thofJanuary,whenBessiebroughtadleintomyclosetandfoundmealreadyupandnearlydressed.Ihadrisenhalf-an-hourbeforeherentrandhadwashedmyfadputonmyclothesbythelightofahalf-moonjustsetting,whoseraysstreamedthroughthenarrowwindownearmycrib.IwastoleaveGatesheadthatdaybyacoachwhichpassedthelodgegatesatsixa.m.Bessiewastheonlypersorisen;shehadlitafireinthenursery,whereshenowproceededtomakemybreakfast.Fewchildrewheedwiththethoughtsofajourney;norcouldI.Bessie,havingpressedmeinvaintotakeafewspoonfulsoftheboiledmilkandbreadshehadpreparedforme,edupsomebiscuitsinapaperandputthemintomybag;thenshehelpedmeonwithmypelisseandbo,andingherselfinashawl,sheahenursery.AswepassedMrs.Reed’sbedroom,shesaid,“WillyougoinandbidMissisgood-bye?”

    “No,Bessie:shecametomycriblastnightwhenyonedowntosupper,andsaidIdisturbherinthem,ormycousiher;aoldmetorememberthatshehadalwaysbeefriend,andtospeakofheraefultoheraccly.”

    “Whatdidyousay,Miss?”

    “Nothing:Icoveredmyfacewiththebedclothes,andturnedfromhertothewall.”

    “Thatwaswrong,MissJane.”

    “Itwasquiteright,Bessie.YourMissishasnotbeenmyfriend:shehasbeenmyfoe.”

    “OMissJane!don’tsayso!”

    “Good-byetoGateshead!”criedI,aswepassedthroughthehallaoutatthefrontdoor.

    Themoonwasset,anditwasverydark;Bessiecarriedalantern,whoselightglanwetstepsandgravelroadsoddenbyaretthaw.Rawandchillwasthewinterm:myteethchatteredasIhasteneddownthedrive.Therewasalightier’slodge:whenwereachedit,wefouer’swifejustkindli