A funny bit
Posted by Cheryl on October 04, 1997 at 17:47:20:
In response to "comic relief" in jane eyre, written by greg on October 04, 1997 at 00:29:10
] recently someone on one of the jane austen boards opined that jane eyre desperately needed some lightening up in spots(ala jane austen). i can't remember any funny parts, but i can't remember wanting any, either. anyone else think of a funny bit, or think it needed some?
I wish I had only offered you a sovereign instead of ten pounds. Give me back nine pounds, Jane; I've a use for it.'
'And so have I, sir,' I returned, putting my hands and my purse behind me. 'I could not spare the money on any account.'
'Little niggard!' said he, 'refusing me a pecuniary request! Give me five pounds, Jane.'
'Not five shillings, sir; nor five pence.'
'Just let me look at the cash.'
'No, sir; you are not to be trusted.'
'Jane!'
'Sir?'
The other place is when Jane returns and meets Rochester sitting on the stile. There's such a light, playful bantering, and you can tell how very glad Rochester is to see her, but cannot admit it.
'And this is Jane Eyre? Are you coming from Millcote, and on foot? Yes- just one of your tricks: not to send for a carriage, and come clattering over street and road like a common mortal, but to steal into the vicinage of your home along with twilight, just as if you were a dream or a shade. What the deuce have you done with yourself this last month?'
'I have been with my aunt, sir, who is dead.'
'A true Janian reply! Good angels be my guard. She comes from the other world- from the abode of people who are dead; and tells me so when she meets me alone here in the gloaming! If I dared, I'd touch you, to see if you are substance or shadow, you elf!- but I'd as soon offer to take hold of a blue ignis fatuus light in a marsh. Truant! truant!' he added, when he had paused an instant. 'Absent from me a whole month, and forgetting me quite, I'll be sworn!'
Can anyone think of others?
(Thanks Barb for posting the text at the Literary Companion page! --the Copy and Paste Queen)
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