第170页
《简·爱(英文版)》章节:第170页,宠文网网友提供全文无弹窗免费在线阅读。!
Bessie? You are married to Bessie?'
'Yes, Miss: my wife is very hearty, thank you; she brought me
another little one about two months since- we have three now- and both
mother and child are thriving.'
'And are the family well at the house, Robert?'
'I am sorry I can't give you better news of them, Miss: they are
very badly at present- in great trouble.'
'I hope no one is dead,' I said, glancing at his black dress. He
too looked down at the crape round his hat and replied-
'Mr. John died yesterday was a week, at his chambers in London.'
'Mr. John?'
'Yes.'
'And how does his mother bear it?'
'Why, you see, Miss Eyre, it is not a common mishap: his life has
been very wild: these last three years he gave himself up to strange
ways, and his death was shocking.'
'I heard from Bessie he was not doing well.'
'Doing well! He could not do worse: he ruined his health and his
estate amongst the worst men and the worst women. He got into debt and
into jail: his mother helped him out twice, but as soon as he was free
he returned to his old companions and habits. His head was not strong:
the knaves he lived amongst fooled him beyond anything I ever heard.
He came down to Gateshead about three weeks ago and wanted missis to
give up all to him. Missis refused: her means have long been much
reduced by his extravagance; so he went back again, and the next
news was that he was dead. How he died, God knows!- they say he killed
himself.'
I was silent: the tidings were frightful. Robert Leaven resumed-
'Missis had been out of health herself for some time: she had got
very stout, but was not strong with it; and the loss of money and fear
of poverty were quite breaking her down. The information about Mr.
John's death and the manner of it came too suddenly: it brought on a
stroke. She was three days without speaking; but last Tuesday she
seemed rather better: she appeared as if she wanted to say
something, and kept making signs to my wife and mumbling. It was
only yesterday morning, however, that Bessie understood she was
pronouncing your name; and at last she made out the words, "Bring
Jane- fetch Jane Eyre: I want to speak to her." Bessie is not sure
whether she is in her right mind, or means anything by the words;
but she told Miss Reed and Miss Georgiana, and advised them to send
for you. The young ladies put it off at first; but their mother grew
so restless, and said, "Jane, Jane," so many times, that at last
they consented. I left Gateshead yesterday: and if you can get
ready, Miss, I should like to take you back with me early to-morrow
morning.'
'Yes, Robert, I shall be ready: it seems to me that I ought to go.'
'I think so too, Miss. Bessie said she was sure you would not
refuse: but I suppose you will have to ask leave before you can get
off?'
'Yes; and I will do it now'; and having directed him to the
servants' hall, and recommended him to the care of John's wife, and