CHAPTER V 61
In turning a leaf she happened to look up, and I said to her directly-
" Is your book interesting?" I had already formed the intention of asking her to lend it to me some day.
" I like it," she answered, after a pause of a second or two, during which she examined me.
" What is it about?" I continued. I hardly know where I found the hardihood thus to open a conversation with a stranger; the step was contrary to my nature and habits: but I think her occupation touched a chord of sympathy somewhere; for I too liked reading, though of a frivolous and childish kind; I could not digest or comprehend the serious or substantial.
" You may look at it," replied the girl, offering me the book.
I did so; a brief examination convinced me that the contents were less taking than the title: " Rasselas " looked dull to my trifling taste; I saw nothing about fairies, nothing about genii; no bright variety seemed spread over the closely-printed pages. I returned it to her; she received it quietly, and without saying anything she was about to relapse into her former studious mood: again I ventured to disturb her-
" Can you tell me what the writing on that stone over the door means? What is Lowood Institution?"
" This house where you are come to live."
" And why do they call it Institution? Is it in any way different from other schools?"
" It is partly a charity-school: you and I, and all the rest of us, are charity-children. I suppose you are an orphan: are not either your father or your mother dead?"
" Both died before I can remember."