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PinkMonkey.com Digital Library - PinkMonkey.com Digital Library-Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte


198

you used to give me a ride sometimes on Miss Georgiana’s bay
pony. And how is 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.
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