 enrolled a member of the fourth class, and
regular tasks and occupations were assigned me: hitherto, I had only been a
spectator of the proceedings at Lowood, I was now to become an actor therein. At
first, being little accustomed to learn by heart, the lessons appeared to me
both long and difficult: the frequent change from task to task, too, bewildered
me; and I was glad, when, about three o'clock in the afternoon, Miss Smith put
into my hands a border of muslin two yards long, together with needle, thimble,
etc., and sent me to sit in a quiet corner of the school-room, with directions
to hem the same. At that hour most of the others were sewing likewise; but one
class still stood round Miss Scatcherd's chair reading, and as all was quiet,
the subject of their lessons could be heard, together with the manner in which
each girl acquitted herself, and the animadversions or commendations of Miss
Scatcherd on the performance. It was English history; among the readers, I
observed my acquaintance of the verandah; at the commencement of the lesson, her
place had been at the top of the class, but for some error of pronunciation or
some inattention to stops, she was suddenly sent to the very bottom. Even in
that obscure position, Miss Scatcherd continued to make her an object of
constant notice: she was continually addressing to her such phrases as the
following: -
    »Burns« (such it seems was her name: the girls here, were all called by
their surnames, as boys are elsewhere), »Burns, you are standing on the side of
your shoe, turn your toes out immediately.« »Burns, you poke your chin most
unpleasantly, draw it in.« »Burns, I insist on your holding your head up: I will
not have you before me in that attitude,« etc. etc.
    A chapter having been read through twice, the books were closed and the
girls examined. The lesson had comprised part of the reign of Charles I., and
there were sundry questions about tonnage and poundage, and ship-money, which
most of them appeared unable to answer; still, every little difficulty was
solved instantly when it reached Burns: her memory seemed to have retained the
substance of the whole lesson, and she was ready with answers on every point. I
kept expecting that Miss Scatcherd would praise her attention; but, instead of
that, she suddenly cried out: -
    »You dirty, disagreeable girl! you have never cleaned your
