Jane Eyre
Texte légal :
Jane Eyre, the narrator of the story, is an orphan who was received by her uncle. But her uncle's wife MRS Reed, and his children did not love her. So she was maltreated by her aunt and cousins, especially John, after her uncle's death.
As Jane came up to john's chair, he spent about three minutes in sticking out his tongue at Jane as far as he could. Jane knew he would soon hit her, and as she was waiting for the blow, she thought how disgusting and ugly his face was. He may have read Jane's thoughts, for he hit Jane suddenly and hard.
“What were you doing behind the curtain?” John asked Jane.
“I was reading”, Jane said.
“Show me the book”, John ordered her.
Jane returned to the window and brought it.
“You have no right to read our books”, John continued. “You depend on us, Mama says. Your father left you no money. You ought to beg, and not to live with a gentleman's children. You should not eat the same food or be given clothes like us. Go and stand by the door, out of the way of the windows and the mirror.”
Jane moved away, not at first aware of what he was going to do. Then she saw him, lift and throw the book; but it was too late to avoid it. She was knocked over and fell against the door, striking her head and cutting it badly. The cut bled and the pain was very serious.
Adapted from Jane Eyre by Charlotte BRINTE
