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cross. The fact is, after my conflict with and victory over Mrs.
Reed, I was not disposed to care much for the nursemaid's transitory
anger; and I WAS disposed to bask in her youthful lightness of
heart. I just put my two arms round her and said, "Come, Bessie!
don't scold."

The action was more frank and fearless than any I was habituated
to indulge in: somehow it pleased her.

"You are a strange child, Miss Jane," she said, as she looked down
at me; "a little roving, solitary thing: and you are going to
school, I suppose?"

I nodded.

"And won't you be sorry to leave poor Bessie?"

"What does Bessie care for me? She is always scolding me."

"Because you're such a queer, frightened, shy little thing. You
should be bolder."

"What! to get more knocks?"

"Nonsense! But you are rather put upon, that's certain. My mother
said, when she came to see me last week, that she would not like
a little one of her own to be in your place. -- Now, come in, and
I've some good news for you."

"I don't think you have, Bessie."

"Child! what do you mean? What sorrowful eyes you fix on me!
Well, but Missis and the young ladies and Master John are going
out to tea this afternoon, and you shall have tea with me. I'll
ask cook to bake you a little cake, and then you shall help me to
look over your drawers; for I am soon to pack your trunk. Missis
intends you to leave Gateshead in a day or two, and you shall choose
what toys you like to take with you."

"Bessie, you must promise not to scold me any more till I go."

"Well, I will; but mind you are a very good girl, and don't be
afraid of me. Don't start when I chance to speak rather sharply;
it's so provoking."

"I don't think I shall ever be afraid of you again, Bessie, because
I have got used to you, and I shall soon have another set of people
to dread."

"If you dread them they'll dislike you."

"As you do, Bessie?"

"I don't dislike you, Miss; I believe I am fonder of you than of
all the others."

"You don't show it."

"You little sharp thing! you've got quite a new way of talking.
What makes you so venturesome and hardy?"

"Why, I shall soon be away from you, and besides" -- I was going
to say something about what had passed between me and Mrs. Reed,
but on second thoughts I considered it better to remain silent on
that head.

"And so you're glad to leave me?"

"Not at all, Bessie; indeed, just now I'm rather sorry."

"Just now! and rather! How coolly my little lady says it! I
dare say now if I were to ask you for a kiss you wouldn't give it
me: you'd say you'd RATHER not."

"I'll kiss you and welcome: bend your head down." Bessie stooped;
we mutually embraced, and I followed her into the house quite
comforted. That afternoon lapsed in peace and harmony; and in the
evening Bessie told me some of her most enchanting stories, and sang
me some of her sweetest songs.

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