CHAPTER XXI 287
" Shall you come down to the drawing-room after dinner ?"
" No , sir , I must prepare for the journey ." " Then you and I must bid good-bye for a little while ?" " I suppose so , sir ."
" And how do people perform that ceremony of parting , Jane ? Teach me ; I ' m not quite up to it ."
" They say , Farewell , or any other form they prefer ." " Then say it ." " Farewell , Mr . Rochester , for the present ." " What must I say ?" " The same , if you like , sir ." " Farewell , Miss Eyre , for the present ; is that all ?" " Yes ?"
" It seems stingy , to my notions , and dry , and unfriendly . I should like something else : a little addition to the rite . If one shook hands , for instance ; but no -- that would not content me either . So you ' ll do no more than say Farewell , Jane ?"
" It is enough , sir : as much good-will may be conveyed in one hearty word as in many ."
" Very likely ; but it is blank and cool -- ' Farewell .'"