CHAPTER XXVI 371
" You know this place , Mason ," said our guide ; " she bit and stabbed you here ."
He lifted the hangings from the wall , uncovering the second door : this , too , he opened . In a room without a window , there burnt a fire guarded by a high and strong fender , and a lamp suspended from the ceiling by a chain . Grace Poole bent over the fire , apparently cooking something in a saucepan . In the deep shade , at the farther end of the room , a figure ran backwards and forwards . What it was , whether beast or human being , one could not , at first sight , tell : it grovelled , seemingly , on all fours ; it snatched and growled like some strange wild animal : but it was covered with clothing , and a quantity of dark , grizzled hair , wild as a mane , hid its head and face .
" Good-morrow , Mrs . Poole !" said Mr . Rochester . " How are you ? and how is your charge to-day ?"
" We ' re tolerable , sir , I thank you ," replied Grace , lifting the boiling mess carefully on to the hob : " rather snappish , but not ' rageous ."
A fierce cry seemed to give the lie to her favourable report : the clothed hyena rose up , and stood tall on its hind-feet .
" Ah ! sir , she sees you !" exclaimed Grace : " you ' d better not stay ." " Only a few moments , Grace : you must allow me a few moments ." " Take care then , sir ! -- for God ' s sake , take care !"
The maniac bellowed : she parted her shaggy locks from her visage , and gazed wildly at her visitors . I recognised well that purple face , -- those bloated features . Mrs . Poole advanced .
" Keep out of the way ," said Mr . Rochester , thrusting her aside : " she has no knife now , I suppose , and I ' m on my guard ."