ority?”

    “Imustberesponsibleforthecircumstance,sir,”repliedMissTemple:“thebreakfastwassoillpreparedthatthepupilscouldnotpossiblyeatit;andIdarednotallowthemtoremainfastingtilldiime.”

    “Madam,allowmeaninstant.Youareawarethatmyplaninbringingupthesegirlsis,nottoacthemtohabitsofluxuryandindulgetorehemhardy,patient,self-denying.Shouldanylittleactaldisappoioftheappetiteoccur,suchasthespoilingofameal,theuheoverdressingofadish,theioughtnottoberalisedbyreplagwithsomethingmoredelicatethefortlost,thuspamperingthebodyandobviatingtheaimofthisinstitution;itoughttobeimprovedtothespiritualedificationofthepupils,byencioeviitudeuemporaryprivation.Abriefaddressonthoseoccasionswouldimed,whereinajudiciousinstructorwouldtaketheopportunityofreferringtothesufferingsoftheprimitiveChristians;tothetormentsofmartyrs;totheexhortationsofourblessedLordHimself,callinguponHisdisciplestotakeuptheircrossandfollowHim;toHiswarningsthatmanshallnotlivebybreadalobyeverywordthatproceedethoutofthemouthofGod;toHisdivinesolations,“IfyesufferhuhirstforMysake,happyareye.”Oh,madam,whenyouputbreadandcheese,insteadofburntpe,intothesechildren’smouths,youmayindeedfeedtheirvilebodies,butyoulittlethinkhowyoustarvetheirimmortalsouls!”

    Mr.Brocklehurstagainpaused—perhapsoverebyhisfeelings.MissTemplehadlookeddownwhenhefirstbegantospeaktoher;butshenowgazedstraightbeforeher,andherfaaturallypaleasmarble,appearedtobeassumingalsotheessandfixityofthatmaterial;especiallyhermouth,closedasifitwouldhaverequiredasculptor’sch