Ishouldhavefollowedupmyfirstinquiry,byaskinginwhatwayMissVarenswasconnectedwithher;butIrecollecteditwasnotpolitetoasktoomanyquestions:besides,IwassuretohearintimebutstillitisarespectableIamsoglad,shecontinued,asshesatdownoppositetome,andtookthecatonherknee;Iamsogladyouarecome;itwillbequitepleasantlivingherenowwithacompanion.Tobesureitispleasantatanytime;forThornfieldisafineoldhall,ratherneglectedoflateyearsperhaps,butstillitisarespectableplace;yetyouknowinwinter-timeonefeelsdrearyquitealoneinthebestquarters.Isayalone--Leahisanicegirltobesure,andJohnandhiswifeareverydecentpeople;butthenyouseetheyareonlyservants,andonecan&39;tconversewiththemontermsofequality:onemustkeepthematduedistance,forfearoflosingone&39;sauthoritydermes.I&39;msurelastwinter(itwasaverysevereone,ifyourecollect,andwhenitdidnotsnow,itrainedandblew),notacreaturebutthebutcherandpostmancametothehouse,fromNovembertillFebruary;andIreallygotquitemelancholywithsittingnightafternightalone;IhadLeahintoreadtomesometimes;butIdon&39;tthinkthepoorgirllikedthetaskmuch:shefeltitconfining.Inspringandsummeronegotonbetter:sunshineandlongdaysmakesuchadifference;andthen,justatthecommencementofthisautumn,littleAdelaVarenscameandhernurse:achildmakesahousealiveallatonce;andnowyouarehereIshallbequitegay.MyheartreallywarmedtotheworthyladyasIheardhertalk;andIdrewmychairalittlenearertoher,andexpressedmysincerewishthatshemightfindmycompanyasagreeableassheanticipatednuskinhongkong .ButI&39;llnotkeepyousittinguplateto-night,saidshe;itisonthestrokeoftwelvenow,andyouhavebeentravellingallday:youmustfeeltired.Ifyouhavegotyourfeetwellwarmed,I&39;llshowyouyourbedroom.I&39;vehadtheroomnexttominepreparedforyou;itisonlyasmallapartment,butIthoughtyouwouldlikeitbetterthanoneofthelargefrontchambers:tobesuretheyhavefinerfurniture,buttheyaresodrearyandsolitary,Ineversleepinthemmyself.
