CHAPTER II 14
" Mind you don ' t ," said Bessie ; and when she had ascertained that I was really subsiding , she loosened her hold of me ; then she and Miss Abbot stood with folded arms , looking darkly and doubtfully on my face , as incredulous of my sanity .
" She never did so before ," at last said Bessie , turning to the Abigail .
" But it was always in her ," was the reply . " I ' ve told Missis often my opinion about the child , and Missis agreed with me . She ' s an underhand little thing : I never saw a girl of her age with so much cover ."
Bessie answered not ; but ere long , addressing me , she said -- " You ought to be aware , Miss , that you are under obligations to Mrs . Reed : she keeps you : if she were to turn you off , you would have to go to the poorhouse ."
I had nothing to say to these words : they were not new to me : my very first recollections of existence included hints of the same kind . This reproach of my dependence had become a vague sing-song in my ear : very painful and crushing , but only half intelligible . Miss Abbot joined in -
" And you ought not to think yourself on an equality with the Misses Reed and Master Reed , because Missis kindly allows you to be brought up with them . They will have a great deal of money , and you will have none : it is your place to be humble , and to try to make yourself agreeable to them ."
" What we tell you is for your good ," added Bessie , in no harsh voice , " you should try to be useful and pleasant , then , perhaps , you would have a home here ; but if you become passionate and rude , Missis will send you away , I am sure ."
" Besides ," said Miss Abbot , " God will punish her : He might strike her dead in the midst of her tantrums , and then where would she go ? Come , Bessie , we will leave her : I wouldn ' t have her heart for anything . Say your prayers , Miss Eyre , when you are by yourself ; for if you don ' t repent , something bad might be permitted to come down the chimney and fetch you away ."