"Helen, why do you stay with a girl whom everybody believes to be a liar?"

     "Everybody, Jane? Why, there are only eighty people who have heard you called so, and the world contains hundreds of millions."

     "But what have I to do with millions? The eighty, I know, despise me."

     "Jane, you are mistaken: probably not one in the school either despises or dislikes you: many, I am sure, pity you much."

     "How can they pity me after what Mr. Brocklehurst has said?"

     "Mr. Brocklehurst is not a god: nor is he even a great and admired man: he is little liked here; he never took steps to make himself liked. Had he treated you as an especial favourite, you would have found enemies, declared or covert, all around you; as it is, the greater number would offer you sympathy if they dared. Teachers and pupils may look coldly on you for a day or two, but friendly feelings are concealed in their hearts; and if you persevere in doing well, these feelings will ere long appear so much the more evidently for their temporary suppression. Besides, Jane"--she paused.

     "Well, Helen?" said I, putting my hand into hers: she chafed my fingers gently to warm them, and went on--