CHAPTER XVII 205
" It is from the master ," said she , as she looked at the direction . " Now I suppose we shall know whether we are to expect his return or not ."
And while she broke the seal and perused the document , I went on taking my coffee ( we were at breakfast ): it was hot , and I attributed to that circumstance a fiery glow which suddenly rose to my face . Why my hand shook , and why I involuntarily spilt half the contents of my cup into my saucer , I did not choose to consider .
" Well , I sometimes think we are too quiet ; but we run a chance of being busy enough now : for a little while at least ," said Mrs . Fairfax , still holding the note before her spectacles .
Ere I permitted myself to request an explanation , I tied the string of Adele ' s pinafore , which happened to be loose : having helped her also to another bun and refilled her mug with milk , I said , nonchalantly -
" Mr . Rochester is not likely to return soon , I suppose ?"
" Indeed he is -- in three days , he says : that will be next Thursday ; and not alone either . I don ' t know how many of the fine people at the Leas are coming with him : he sends directions for all the best bedrooms to be prepared ; and the library and drawing-rooms are to be cleaned out ; I am to get more kitchen hands from the George Inn , at Millcote , and from wherever else I can ; and the ladies will bring their maids and the gentlemen their valets : so we shall have a full house of it ." And Mrs . Fairfax swallowed her breakfast and hastened away to commence operations .
The three days were , as she had foretold , busy enough . I had thought all the rooms at Thornfield beautifully clean and well arranged ; but it appears I was mistaken . Three women were got to help ; and such scrubbing , such brushing , such washing of paint and beating of carpets , such taking down and putting up of pictures , such polishing of mirrors and lustres , such lighting of fires in bedrooms , such airing of sheets and feather-beds on hearths , I never beheld , either before or since . Adele ran quite wild in the midst of it : the preparations for company and the prospect of their arrival ,