 people would have it all their own way: they would never feel
afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse. When we
are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure
we should - so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again.«
    »You will change your mind, I hope, when you grow older: as yet you are but
a little untaught girl.«
    »But I feel this, Helen: I must dislike those who, whatever I do to please
them, persist in disliking me; I must resist those who punish me unjustly. It is
as natural as that I should love those who show me affection, or submit to
punishment when I feel it is deserved.«
    »Heathens and savage tribes hold that doctrine; but Christians and civilized
nations disown it.«
    »How? I don't understand.«
    »It is not violence that best overcomes hate - nor vengeance that most
certainly heals injury.«
    »What then?«
    »Read the New Testament, and observe what Christ says, and how he acts -
make his word your rule, and his conduct your example.«
    »What does he say?«
    »Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you
and despitefully use you.«
    »Then I should love Mrs. Reed, which I cannot do; I should bless her son
John, which is impossible.«
    In her turn, Helen Burns asked me to explain; and I proceeded forthwith to
pour out, in my own way, the tale of my sufferings and resentments. Bitter and
truculent when excited, I spoke as I felt, without reserve or softening.
    Helen heard me patiently to the end: I expected she would then make a
remark, but she said nothing.
    »Well,« I asked impatiently, »is not Mrs. Reed a hardhearted, bad woman?«
    »She has been unkind to you, no doubt; because, you see, she dislikes your
cast of character, as Miss Scatcherd does mine: but how minutely you remember
all she has done and said to you! What a singularly deep impression her
injustice seems to have made on your heart! No ill usage so brands its record on
my feelings. Would you not be happier if you tried to forget her severity,
together with the passionate emotions it excited? Life appears to me too short
to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. We are, and must
