CHAPTER VII 81 woven ; these , I repeat , must be cut off ; think of the time wasted , of -- "
Mr . Brocklehurst was here interrupted : three other visitors , ladies , now entered the room . They ought to have come a little sooner to have heard his lecture on dress , for they were splendidly attired in velvet , silk , and furs . The two younger of the trio ( fine girls of sixteen and seventeen ) had grey beaver hats , then in fashion , shaded with ostrich plumes , and from under the brim of this graceful head-dress fell a profusion of light tresses , elaborately curled ; the elder lady was enveloped in a costly velvet shawl , trimmed with ermine , and she wore a false front of French curls .
These ladies were deferentially received by Miss Temple , as Mrs . and the Misses Brocklehurst , and conducted to seats of honour at the top of the room . It seems they had come in the carriage with their reverend relative , and had been conducting a rummaging scrutiny of the room upstairs , while he transacted business with the housekeeper , questioned the laundress , and lectured the superintendent . They now proceeded to address divers remarks and reproofs to Miss Smith , who was charged with the care of the linen and the inspection of the dormitories : but I had no time to listen to what they said ; other matters called off and enchanted my attention .
Hitherto , while gathering up the discourse of Mr . Brocklehurst and Miss Temple , I had not , at the same time , neglected precautions to secure my personal safety ; which I thought would be effected , if I could only elude observation . To this end , I had sat well back on the form , and while seeming to be busy with my sum , had held my slate in such a manner as to conceal my face : I might have escaped notice , had not my treacherous slate somehow happened to slip from my hand , and falling with an obtrusive crash , directly drawn every eye upon me ; I knew it was all over now , and , as I stooped to pick up the two fragments of slate , I rallied my forces for the worst . It came .
" A careless girl !" said Mr . Brocklehurst , and immediately after -- " It is the new pupil , I perceive ." And before I could draw breath , " I must not forget I have a word to say respecting her ." Then aloud : how loud it seemed to me ! " Let the child who broke her slate come forward !"