CHAPTER II 13
CHAPTER II
I resisted all the way : a new thing for me , and a circumstance which greatly strengthened the bad opinion Bessie and Miss Abbot were disposed to entertain of me . The fact is , I was a trifle beside myself ; or rather OUT of myself , as the French would say : I was conscious that a moment ' s mutiny had already rendered me liable to strange penalties , and , like any other rebel slave , I felt resolved , in my desperation , to go all lengths .
" Hold her arms , Miss Abbot : she ' s like a mad cat ."
" For shame ! for shame !" cried the lady ' s-maid . " What shocking conduct , Miss Eyre , to strike a young gentleman , your benefactress ' s son ! Your young master ."
" Master ! How is he my master ? Am I a servant ?"
" No ; you are less than a servant , for you do nothing for your keep . There , sit down , and think over your wickedness ."
They had got me by this time into the apartment indicated by Mrs . Reed , and had thrust me upon a stool : my impulse was to rise from it like a spring ; their two pair of hands arrested me instantly .
" If you don ' t sit still , you must be tied down ," said Bessie . " Miss Abbot , lend me your garters ; she would break mine directly ."
Miss Abbot turned to divest a stout leg of the necessary ligature . This preparation for bonds , and the additional ignominy it inferred , took a little of the excitement out of me .
" Don ' t take them off ," I cried ; " I will not stir ." In guarantee whereof , I attached myself to my seat by my hands .