"The Widow" Bertha

"Why don't you try it, Jane?"

Mrs. Fisher's words made Jane freeze in place immediately.

Her first reaction was to decline - how could it be done?She has never had any experience, never had this plan, and she has no such qualifications... Countless excuses for denying herself poured out like a floodgate. Reason for giving the speech.

But before these words came out, Miss Jane Eyre suddenly reacted.

That is, why can't she?

no experience?Mrs. Fisher did not come up with rich experience. Her professional speech ability is accumulated from speech after speech.Besides, Jane Eyre is an experienced teacher, she has the basis of speaking in public.

Not qualified?And who stipulated that she does not have this qualification? There is no express provision in British law that "Miss Jane Eyre is not allowed to speak on stage." Mrs. Fisher can, Mrs. Harding can, and so can she.

This kind of thinking made Jane have a new question: that is, why when Mrs. Fisher offered herself this opportunity, her first reaction was that she couldn't do it?

Would Mrs. Fisher think she was no good, would those talkative men think she was no good...would Bertha think she was no good?

To the first two questions, Jane did not know the answers, but she was sure that Bertha would not feel unqualified.

That tall Jamaican girl will definitely solve the case twice, with a casual smile, facing a crowd of questioning or confused parties, she can always use the simplest sentence or two to make the audience dumb speechless.

If Bertha knew her anxiety, she would probably curl her lips indifferently and ask, "Why can't you?"

yeah why?

Miss Jane Eyre searched her mind, but she did not think of an objective reason that could persuade herself rationally.The final result of thinking is nothing more than that years of education and experience have made her used to being the person who hides behind the curtains, the person who keeps silent and keeps her thoughts.

"It's too late, Jane, hurry up, go!"

Mrs. Johnson was hesitant when she saw the young girl in front of her, and decided to be the "villain" who pushed her hastily. So Miss Jane Eyre was pushed outside the pharmacy in such a daze, and Mrs. Johnson forcibly took her to the stage , accepting the gaze of many spectators present.

Jane was indeed a little nervous at that moment. In order to avoid losing her composure, she subconsciously glanced upwards to avoid staring at the crowd.With such a glance, she happened to see Edward Rochester who pushed the door open.

Not only was Jane surprised, but Rochester who stood still was also surprised when he saw Miss Jane Eyre on the stage.

Across the crowd and the hustle and bustle of the environment, the distance between them was so far, but the eyes of the two still met immediately.

The four eyes met, as if everyone around had disappeared, and there was silence in Jane's ears.

She's not one to hide behind curtains.

It was Mr. Rochester who first discovered this.

Sitting in front of the fireplace in Thornfield Manor, this man who was not handsome, rational, or even a gentleman at all, confessed to her, saying that she "obviously looks like a nun, but once she wants to express her opinion when it’s frank, it’s almost abrupt.”

No one ever said that about themselves, because no one cared if a governess had a mind of his own.

Mr. Rochester found out, but he didn't care. His words were not polite, but he didn't despise himself.He even listened to himself and was willing to talk to her.

For Jane, under this kind of equal conversation, the rude attitude is not a problem at all.

It is precisely because of this that Miss Jane Eyre has feelings for Mr. Rochester.

Why can't she?

The manuscript was written by her, and the content was organized by her. Jane even participated in the whole process of preparing the magazine "Women and Children's Health".Since Mrs. Fisher agrees with her and is willing to give her this opportunity, why doesn't she take it firmly?

Jane didn't know if it was right for her to do this, but she knew that if they were Bertha, or if they were a man, they wouldn't miss it.

Under Mr. Rochester's sight, Jane calmed down inexplicably.

She let go of Panasonic's tightly clenched hand, only to find that her palm was soaked with tension.Jane took a deep breath and looked away. For the first time in her life, she chose to look boldly into so many eyes.

"Ladies, and a few gentlemen."

Miss Jane Eyre's voice was the same as before, her voice was not loud, but her peaceful and steady demeanor made everyone present quiet down inexplicably.

"Mrs. Fisher has been working recently and feels a little unwell. Today's lecture will be conducted by her assistant."

When her words fell to the ground, Mrs. Johnson, who had just stepped down, reminded in a low voice: "Everyone doesn't know your name yet."

Jane smiled, and on her pale face, there was some youthful vitality unique to young girls: "My name is Jane Eyre."

……

Bertha saw Mrs. Ward at the scene.

She didn't expect that the dignified lady of the aristocrat would squeeze into such an ordinary pharmacy together with ordinary citizens, let alone that she had come out of the pain of losing her husband in such a short period of time.Bertha's eyes were burning and unobstructed, making Mrs. Ward, who was standing on the other side, turn her head in a sense.

Looking at each other, the noble lady immediately froze in place.

Fortunately, Miss Jane Eyre's gentle yet firm voice saved the embarrassing situation. The speaker began to speak, and the other party came back to his senses, but nodded politely to Bertha indifferently, and acted like a noble lady. A proud and dignified posture, as if she was not the one who lost her mind at Scotland Yard in the past.

Bertha said nothing.

She just nodded in the same way, and then turned her attention to Jane Eyre.

Mrs. Fisher is ill?The replacement turned out to be Jane.

Looking at the petite young girl on the stage, Bertha raised her lips.

Half a year ago, when Bertha opened her eyes from Thornfield Manor, she never imagined that Miss Jane Eyre would appear in London half a year later, and even give a speech on health in front of the public.

Her voice was not loud and a little nervous, and she clearly imitated Mrs. Fisher in the rhythm of her speech.But for a first-timer, Miss Jane Eyre did well, and at least she knew the speech by heart, which more than made up for her inexperience.

Bertha would give her at least seventy points if she could score points.

For the audience in the audience, those who know Mrs. Fisher will be surprised by the new faces; those who do not know Mrs. Fisher will be curious about the identity and age of the speaker.In addition, the content of the speech is substantial enough. Although Miss Jane Eyre is not yet able to achieve the effect of completely suppressing the audience, the content she throws out is not too sharp, but it is also worthy of discussion. There are occasional discussions throughout the speech. When Jane Eyre's voice passed, she would stop for a while and continue speaking after a while.

This can be regarded as a big taboo when giving a speech, but it is understandable because she is patient and will not disturb the rhythm, and it is her first time on stage.

how to say……

Bertha had an inexplicable sense of pride that her children had grown up.

After realizing this, she couldn't laugh or cry, and then Bertha looked sideways at Rochester, who was a few steps away from her. The latter had a complex expression, and his solemn face was full of obscure emotions.

"How do you feel?" asked Bertha in a low voice.

"..."

Rochester did not reply for a long time.

Just when Bertha thought he would not reply, the man behind sighed, and then said: "I always thought she was a beautiful bird, a sharp and pure rabbit, but now I realize that I was wrong .”

"how?"

"Mistaking goshawk chicks as harmless is quite a low-level behavior."

Bertha smiled brightly.

Although this was not a compliment to herself, Bertha sounded flattered—after all, it was a girl who looked grown up with her own eyes, and whoever she was would be happy for her friend to be recognized.

But well...

"If you think so," said Bertha deliberately, "you are still more mistaken, Edward."

"What do you think?"

"It's no big deal."

Bertha looked at Jane Eyre on the podium. Her speech ended here, and everyone applauded in return.

Because of the applause, the pale face of the girl with restless eyes burst out with unprecedented vitality and joy.

"Every little bird hiding in the manor has the potential to become a goshawk," Bertha whispered under the applause, "it's just that this society doesn't give them the same opportunity."

Equal to whom?Naturally, it was a man of the same status and age.

Bertha didn't point it out directly because Edward Rochester was also a man.Like other men in the Victorian era, he was born to enjoy rights above women in this era.

Seeing that Rochester was shocked by Miss Jane Eyre's changes, Bertha just dismissed this topic lightly - let him think about the specific meaning.

"If you're interested," she said, "you can write to Jane to discuss these things. Wouldn't it be better than being a bitter wife before you?"

"........."

You are the one who hates women!

The little gratitude to Bertha that had been accumulated with great difficulty was completely extinguished by her words.If not in public, Rochester would definitely give Bertha a few glances—sometimes he even felt that his ex-wife was deliberately disgusting him.

But Rochester still held back his arguments, and said patiently: "No matter what you say, thank you for thinking about me, Bertha. Out of politeness, I should show something."

Is it okay to give gifts?

Bertha twitched her lips: "Forget it, I'm not for you, but for Jane. I'm not at home these days, so you'd better keep in touch with me."

Rochester: "..."

He wasn't stupid either, and Edward Rochester was well aware that what Bertha was doing was not very "bright".In this way, there is either a case or trouble.

So he thought for a while and considered, "And, Richard has asked me for your contact address more than once."

Bertha was speechless, for she knew there was no end to it.

Mycroft was right, Bertha had thought about it afterward, the matter of blood relatives definitely did not just pretend to be dead.Even if Bertha didn't think about it, didn't care, her blood relationship with Richard Mason would always exist.

But it's not the time to recognize relatives!The Truth Society is still threatening itself.

"never mind."

Bertha was heartbroken: "Let's just say that I'm very busy now, busy preparing for my marriage and moving house. You really can't pester him, so just give him Mike's address and tell him to contact my fiancé if you have anything to do."

Rochester: "..." You are ruthless.