Lesson 30 Text LIFE AT GATESHEAD HALL
LIFE AT GATESHEAD HALL
It was a cold winter day.
The wind had brought dark clouds and heavy rain,
so it was impossible to take a walk.
Eliza,John and Georgiana were gathered round their mother in the sitting-room.
She lay on a sofa by the fireside,
looking perfectly happy with her darlings about her.
But she told me not to come near them because I was not a good child.
I went to a small room next to the drawing-room.
Taking a book from a bookcase,I climbed up into the window-seat.
Here I sat behind the curtains and started reading.
I was quite happy until I heard the voice of John Reed.
"Where is she?" he said,calling to his sisters.
"Eliza! Georgiana! Jane is not here."
I was glad that I had drawn the curtains,
and I prayed that I should not be discovered.
But Eliza was quicker than John.
She said at once,"She is in the window-seat of course."
I came out immediately.
"What do you want?"I asked.
"Say 'What do you want,Master Reed',"was his reply.
"I want you to come here," he added.
And he sat down in an armchair.
John Reed was a schoolboy of fourteen:
four years older than I,for I was only ten.
He was big and stout for his age,with a large face and an unhealthy skin.
John had not much love for his mother and sisters,but he really hated me.
As I came up to his chair,
he spent about three minutes in putting out his tongue at me.
Then he hit me suddenly and hard.
"What were you doing behind the curtains?"
"I was reading." "Show me the book."
I returned to the window and brought the book.
"You have no business to read our books,"John Reed continued.
"You are a dependent Mama says.
Your father left you no money.
You ought to beg,and not live with a gentleman's children.
Go and stand by the door."I did so.
I turned round and saw that he was going to throw the book at me.
I tried to avoid it,but it was too late.
I was knocked over and fell against the door,
striking my head and cutting it badly.
The pain was very sharp.
"Wicked,cruel boy!"I said.
"You are like a murderer--you are like a slave-driver!
"What!" he cried.
"What did you say to me?Did you hear her,Eliza and Georgiana?
I'll tell Mama.But first--
"He ran at me and grasped my hair and my shoulder.
But I was desperate now.
I don't know what I did with my hands,but I heard him cry for help.
Mrs.Reed came."Take her away to the red room and lock her in,"she said.
Four hands then quickly carried me upstairs.
"For shame!" cried the maid."To strike a gentleman,your young master!"
"Master? How is he my master? Am I a servant?"
"You ought to know,Miss," said the nurse,
"that you owe much to Mrs.Reed.She keeps you.
If she turns you away,you will have to go to the poor-house."
These words were not new to me; so I did not answer.
Notes to the Text
It was a winter day.
The wind has brought dark clouds and heavy rain,
so it was impossible to take a walk.
Eliza,John and Geogiana were gathered around their mother in the sitting room.
She lay on the sofa by the fireside,
looking perfectly happy with her darlings about her.
about round
But she told me not to come near them because I was not a good child.
I went to a small room next to the drawing room.
next to
His room is next to mine.
I sat next to her.
Next to your mother who do you love most?