Quotation from: Villette

Written by: Charlotte Bronte


This being done, she descended warily, and not taking her eyes from
the feeble Graham. Of course her approach always galvanized him to new
and spasmodic life: the game of romps was sure to be exacted.
Sometimes she would be angry; sometimes the matter was allowed to pass
smoothly, and we could hear her say as she led him up-stairs: "Now, my
dear boy, come and take your tea--I am sure you must want something."


It was sufficiently comical to observe her as she sat beside Graham,
while he took that meal. In his absence she was a still personage, but
with him the most officious, fidgety little body possible. I often
wished she would mind herself and be tranquil; but no--herself was
forgotten in him: he could not be sufficiently well waited on, nor
carefully enough looked after; he was more than the Grand Turk in her
estimation. She would gradually assemble the various plates before
him, and, when one would suppose all he could possibly desire was
within his reach, she would find out something else: "Ma'am," she
would whisper to Mrs. Bretton,--"perhaps your son would like a little
cake--sweet cake, you know--there is some in there" (pointing to the
sideboard cupboard). Mrs. Bretton, as a rule, disapproved of sweet
cake at tea, but still the request was urged,--"One little piece--only
for him--as he goes to school: girls--such as me and Miss Snowe--don't
need treats, but _he_ would like it."

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