Chapter-4
Jane was enrolled a member of the fourth class. Regular tasks and occupations were assigned to her. She made friends with another girl whose name was Helen Burns. Soon, both became chums. They shared their sorrow and happiness with each other. The other day, Miss Scatcherd, another teacher at Lowood school, scolded Helen Burns severely for not cleaning her nails.
Miss Scatcherd suddenly cried out, “You dirty, disagreeable girl! You have never cleaned your nails this morning.” Burns made no answer. Jane Eyre wondered at her silence. ‘Why,’ thought Jane Eyre, ‘does she not explain that she could neither clean her nails nor wash her face, as the water was frozen?’ Jane Eyre’s attention was now called off by Miss Smith desiring her to hold a skein of thread; while she was winding it, she talked to her from time to time, asking whether she had ever been at school before.
In the meantime, Jane Eyre could not pursue her observations on Miss Scatcherd’s movements. When Jane Eyre returned to her seat, Miss Scatcherd was just delivering an order of which Jane didn’t catch the import. But Burns immediately left the class. Going in the small inner room wherein books were kept, she returned in half a minute, carrying in her hand a bundle of twigs tied together at one end. She presented this ominous tool to Miss Scatcherd with a respectful courtsey. Then, she quietly, without being told, unloosened her pinafore. The teacher instantly and sharply inflicted on Helen’s neck a dozen strokes with the bunch of twigs.
Not a drop of tear ran down the cheeks of Helen Burns. Jane Eyre knew all about this. She said to Helen Burns, “Hello friend! Miss Scatcherd is so cruel to you. Do you wish to leave Lowood School?” Helen Burns replied in the negative. She quoted the words of Jesus Christ, “Love your enemies. Bless them who curse you. Do good to them who hate you.”
Jane Eyre did not agree to the sound preaching of her friend. She said, “O friend! it is altogether impossible. I can’t forget the ill-treatment meted out to me by Mrs Reed.” Saying these words Jane Eyre started weeping inconsolably. Helen Burns pacified her. On being enquired, Jane Eyre told Helen Burns everything in detail about the ill-treatment at Mrs Reed’s house. In the afternoon, Mr Brocklehurst reached Lowood school. Miss Temple welcomed him warmly. The class was on.
No sooner did Mr Brocklehurst see Jane Eyre in the classroom than he said, “My dear children! it becomes my duty to inform you that Jane is a cast-away girl. You must avoid her company. Her benefactress, Mrs Reed, is a pious and charitable lady who adopted her in her orphan state. Jane repaid her generosity by being rude to her. Teachers! you must keep your eyes on her every movement.” Saying these words, Mr Brocklehurst went away from there.
Jane was in tears. She could not bear the shame. At the insistence of Miss Temple, who considered Jane to be a good girl, Jane narrated everything to Miss Temple that took place at Mrs Reed’s house. She had also mentioned the name of Dr Lloyd who was consulted by Miss Temple at once. After getting a negative report by Dr Lloyd, it was announced in the school assembly that Jane Eyre was absolutely hale and hearty. She had no history of illness.
All the girls crowded around Jane and fondled her. Miss Temple, in particular, kissed her cheeks and blessed her. She said to Jane, “Dear! you are a good child. You are very bright and studious. I am proud of you. You pocketed the insults and abuses hurled at you silently. You have joined our institution after braving all the hurdles. May the Almighty God grant you all the riches of the world!”
Listening to the words of Miss Tmple Jane was all smiles again. Having been relieved of a grievous load, she set to work afresh and toiled hard. Her success was proportionate to her efforts.
