第71部分(第2/7 页)

tay　here；”　said　Diana；　putting　her　white　hand　on　my　head。　“You　shall；”　repeated　Mary；　in　the　tone　of　undemonstrative　sincerity　which　seemed　natural　to　her。

“My　sisters；　you　see；　have　a　pleasure　in　keeping　you；”　said　Mr。　St。　John；　“as　they　would　have　a　pleasure　in　keeping　and　cherishing　a　half…frozen　bird；　some　wintry　wind　might　have　driven　through　their　casement。　I　feel　more　inclination　to　put　you　in　the　way　of　keeping　yourself；　and　shall　endeavour　to　do　so；　but　observe；　my　sphere　is　narrow。　I　am　but　the　incumbent　of　a　poor　country　parish：　my　aid　must　be　of　the　humblest　sort。　And　if　you　are　inclined　to　despise　the　day　of　small　things；　seek　some　more　efficient　succour　than　such　as　I　can　offer。”

“She　has　already　said　that　she　is　willing　to　do　anything　honest　she　can　do；”　answered　Diana　for　me；　“and　you　know；　St。　John；　she　has　no　choice　of　helpers：　she　is　forced　to　put　up　with　such　crusty　people　as　you。”

“I　will　be　a　dressmaker；　I　will　be　a　plain…workwoman；　I　will　be　a　servant；　a　nurse…girl；　if　I　can　be　no　better；”　I　answered。

“Right；”　said　Mr。　St。　John；　quite　coolly。　“If　such　is　your　spirit；　I　promise　to　aid　you；　in　my　own　time　and　way。”

He　now　resumed　the　book　with　which　he　had　been　occupied　before　tea。　I　soon　withdrew；　for　I　had　talked　as　much；　and　sat　up　as　long；　as　my　present　strength　would　permit。

Chapter　30

The　more　I　knew　of　the　inmates　of　Moor　House；　the　better　I　liked　them。　In　a　few　days　I　had　so　far　recovered　my　health　that　I　could　sit　up　all　day；　and　walk　out　sometimes。　I　could　join　with　Diana　and　Mary　in　all　their　occupations；　converse　with　them　as　much　as　they　wished；　and　aid　them　when　and　where　they　would　allow　me。　There　was　a　reviving　pleasure　in　this　intercourse；　of　a　kind　now　tasted　by　me　for　the　first　time