"The Widow" Bertha

Bertha before crossing was a pure social animal, and coincidentally, her experience at that time was similar to that of Miss Jane Eyre today.

At first, Bertha had a job similar to Thornfield's tutor. Although she was "trapped" in a small place, she was more stable and decent; later, because of impulsiveness, she packed her luggage and quit her job to go to an international university like London. City.

However, Bertha's conditions at that time were much more difficult than Miss Jane Eyre's: carrying a schoolbag alone, sleeping in a youth hostel for four people, and calculating how long she could last for living expenses every day.It may be because of this that Bertha is willing to take care of Jane Eyre, who has experienced a similar experience-everyone has found a job, so it is a good thing to help.

But Bertha did not do everything for her.

She said that she was accompanying Jane Eyre to the interview, but in fact she was just waiting at a millinery shop nearby.

Bertha was good-looking, and when she came to London she bought several dresses in the fashion.It made her look like a rich lady, and she was flattered by the millinery clerks.She chatted with the tailor for a while, and Jane came back after a short wait.

"So fast?" Bertha was surprised.

"Just had a brief conversation with Viscountess Coleman," Jane said, "and also met her daughter. Now we can go to see Mrs. Councilor."

"..."

Although Jane didn't express anything, Bertha was silent for a moment and asked, "Are you not satisfied?"

Jane: "It's the Viscountess who needs a tutor. It's never my turn to be dissatisfied."

Bertha smiled, and left the milliner's shop with Miss Jane Eyre.After getting into the carriage, she said, "Okay, there are no outsiders now, can the Viscountess embarrass you?"

"Not really," Jane told the truth helplessly, "it's just that her daughter... reminds me of my cousin and cousin. I don't think I have the ability to teach her well."

In the original work of "Jane Eyre", Jane's cousin and cousin are bad-natured and corrupt, and they are two spoiled children.Jane has lived with others since she was a child, but she can be bullied by them.

I have no ability. In fact, Jane Eyre simply does not want to have more contact with such children.

Bertha didn't say much, just nodded: "Then go and see Mrs. Fisher."

The Mrs. Councilor's girls' school is located in another area of ​​London. The law and order is not so good, but it is very prosperous. Many shops and handicraft shops have opened here. This also means that most of the students her girls' school targets are these small businessmen their daughter.

According to the original plan, Bertha was going to go shopping after sending Jane Eyre to the girls' school, but she did not expect Mrs. Emily Fisher to go out to greet her in person.

"Miss Jane Eyre! Ah, this is..." Mrs. Fisher couldn't help being surprised when she found a lady sitting in the carriage.

Jane: "This is my friend Miss Marple."

Mrs. Fisher understood immediately.

The address of the White Horse Hotel is written on Jane Eyre's cover letter, but how can a tutor live in a high-end hotel?It can only be that for some reason, she is now under the care of this Miss Marple.

"If you don't mind," Mrs. Fisher smiled kindly, "Would Miss Marple come in and visit with me?"

"Why not?" Bertha raised an eyebrow.

This Mrs. Emily Fisher is quite different from the image of Mrs. Bertha in her impression: more dignified than beautiful, well-dressed at the same time, with lovable generosity and politeness in her gestures and gestures.

Her private girls' school is just a single-family apartment on the corner of the street. There are four classrooms in total, two of which are in class. When Mrs. Fisher walked by with Jane and Bertha, the little girls who were studying in the classroom were curious. He raised his head and looked out the window.

"We mainly accept girls aged eight to 14, and they are divided into four classes according to their knowledge level," Mrs. Fisher said. Teachers. Of course, if Miss Ai is willing to join us, there will be three teachers."

Bertha Mason had a good skin, a tall, honey-colored beauty, and such a beauty was not always seen.Several little girls by the window stared at Bertha, and even secretly whispered to each other. When Bertha saw her, she curled her lips and knocked on the window: "No desertion is allowed in class."

The little girls stared wide-eyed: "Wow——"

Mrs. Fisher couldn't laugh or cry: "I'm sorry, miss."

How can a child who is only eight or nine years old be considered rude.

"There are only a dozen students in a class?"

"Yes."

"What about the night school for the girls?"

Mrs. Fisher was slightly taken aback, she never expected that a woman like Bertha, who looked quite rich at first glance, would care about the night school for female workers.

But she still politely responded to Bertha's question: "The conditions in the night school are not so good, Miss Marple. The only problem is that one of our teachers is not willing to teach the female workers. Although the night school is not opened every day , there are not many female workers who come to class, but there is only one teacher in charge, and there is still some pressure."

Jane suddenly asked: "How do you pay for the lessons for the female workers, Mrs. Fisher?"

Mrs. Fisher: "Lessons are free for the working women."

Jane: "Free?"

"Yes."

"You...for what reason did you do this, ma'am?"

"It's very simple," Mrs. Fisher explained patiently. "If you want to improve the status of women, the first thing you need to do is to increase the popularity of literature."

Miss Jane Eyre did not seem to understand much.

She pondered for a moment, then whispered: "So Mrs. Fisher, do you think that the status of women is not high now?"

The only response to her was Mrs. Fisher's smile.

If it were Bertha, she would probably laugh out loud because of Jane's question - what kind of low-level questions are these?She probably won't answer, and even if she answers, she will tease with a few witty words.

But Mrs. Fisher did not blame Jane.

"You are a governess, Miss Eyre. Although it is not as good as those young ladies born with golden spoons in their mouths, it is still a decent job that can be on an equal footing with employers," Mrs. Fisher said, "but female workers are different. They The working hours are longer than male workers, but only one-third of the salary of men, do you think such a status is considered high?"

A rhetorical question left Jane speechless.

Bertha intervened in good time: "You are doing something for your husband, madam?"

Emily Fisher was definitely not Fisher, it was her husband's.Mrs. Fisher's act of opening a girls' school and providing free classes for female workers can almost be said to be a charity activity, and her husband must have inspired it behind it.

"Yes and no."

Mrs. Fisher understood what Bertha meant, and she replied frankly: "I am honored to marry a man I love and is enlightened. Harry supports me, and we all know the benefits of doing these things Far more important than his political career."

"I hope more women can join it, so Miss Love, if you are willing to stay, it will not only be an extra teacher for us, but also an extra helper," Mrs. Fisher said in an incomparable tone Sincerely, "Only when there are more people doing things and shouting, can our voice be heard."

Bertha just smiled, but said nothing.

In the end, Jane told Mrs. Fisher that she would think about it when she went back, but Mrs. Fisher did not continue to persuade them, but politely sent them away.

Walking out of the gate of the girls' school, Jane Eyre remained silent for a long time.

"What's your question?" asked Bertha.

"I don't quite understand," Jane whispered, "Why can women workers' status be improved after they are literate? Their jobs don't require literacy."

"They can't, but they can pass on knowledge to their daughters, and their daughters to their daughters' daughters. There is such a smart girl in Baobuqi who can learn more than her elders and jump out of the circle of female workers , become a secretary, a nurse, or a governess?"

"……you're right."

Jane accepted Bertha's statement, and her confused eyes gradually became clear: "I want to understand, Bertha, I want to accept this job."

Bertha: "Are you sure? You know that you are taking on two jobs for the salary of one job. Working in Mrs. Fisher's private girls' school is far less comfortable than being a tutor."

"That's right."

Jane admitted Bertha's statement, but did not waver: "But I think that the daughter of the Viscountess will never be short of a tutor, but the female workers need me more."

Bertha laughed out loud: "If you think so, I have nothing to warn you."

Miss Jane Eyre does not necessarily think that this job is as great as Mrs. Fisher said—she is not the wife or daughter of a politician, and she does not have that vision for the time being; she is not completely poor, and she can understand the situation of workers .

Because of this, although Bertha felt that this job was more meaningful, she did not influence Jane Eyre's thoughts.She thinks it is meaningful, but Jane may not be able to understand it, right?

In the final analysis, Jane chose to accept this job because she wanted to seek a sense of identity and self-worth, rather than really understanding what Mrs. Fisher said.

But don’t worry, it’s just for now, people’s minds will only become broadened when they come into contact with new environments slowly.

Bertha didn't get too entangled in this topic, she said briskly: "The decision is up to the decision, but it's better to give Mrs. Fisher an answer tomorrow. Now—"

"Lady? Lady Thames?! Lady Bertha!"

"..."

Before Bertha could finish her sentence, her sentence was interrupted by a clear and clear youthful voice on the street.

The two ladies turned their heads at the same time, and saw the street thief "unable to catch" hurriedly running over. Seeing Bertha's nervous expression, the boy Jack said anxiously, "Why are you outside? Ma'am, you have to hurry up." go back!"

Bertha: "What?"

Jack: "Someone, someone wants...someone is trying to trick you! They want to kidnap you!"

Bertha: "..."

She turned her head to the side, facing Jack who wished to carry Bertha on his back and turn around, but suppressed her smile.

"Get in the car with Miss Jane Eyre," Bertha said calmly, "speak slowly on the way."