CHAPTER V 62
" Well, all the girls here have lost either one or both parents, and this is called an institution for educating orphans."
" Do we pay no money? Do they keep us for nothing?" " We pay, or our friends pay, fifteen pounds a year for each." " Then why do they call us charity-children?"
" Because fifteen pounds is not enough for board and teaching, and the deficiency is supplied by subscription."
" Who subscribes?"
" Different benevolent-minded ladies and gentlemen in this neighbourhood and in London."
" Who was Naomi Brocklehurst?"
" The lady who built the new part of this house as that tablet records, and whose son overlooks and directs everything here."
" Why?" " Because he is treasurer and manager of the establishment."
" Then this house does not belong to that tall lady who wears a watch, and who said we were to have some bread and cheese?"
" To Miss Temple? Oh, no! I wish it did: she has to answer to Mr. Brocklehurst for all she does. Mr. Brocklehurst buys all our food and all our clothes."
" Does he live here?" " No-- two miles off, at a large hall."