Jane Slayre by Sherri Browning Erwin Page B

fasting until dinnertime."
    "Madam, allow me an instant. You are aware that my plan in bringing up these girls is to ensure they do not become accustomed to habits of luxury and indulgence, but to render them hardy, patient, self-denying. Oh, madam, when you put bread and cheese, instead of burnt porridge, into these children's mouths, you may indeed feed their vile bodies, but you little think how you starve their immortal souls!" Mr. Bokorhurst again paused, perhaps overcome by his feelings.
    Miss Temple was looking down when he first began to speak to her, but she now gazed straight in front of her. Her face, naturally pale as marble, appeared to be assuming also the coldness and fixity of that material.
    Mr. Bokorhurst, standing on the hearth with his hands behind his back, majestically surveyed the whole school. "And how are our special students? Blending in?"
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    "Quite well, sir."
    My ears pricked at mention of special students. I listened more intently.
    "Their devotion and strict obedience should be inspiring countless others. You have followed my instructions to the letter? If one morsel of food passes their lips, it would prove disastrous for the others. If they should come in contact with meat--"
    "No meals. Of course. If I may speak plainly, sir, there's not much about them to stir inspiration in others. They exist for work, and work alone. They're responsive, but without the spark and fire of real livelihood--of life--to allow for original thought or creative impulses. I'm afraid--"
    I stifled a gasp. She might have been describing Abbot had she only added narcolepsy and detachable limbs! And no meals? How could they exist?
    "Afraid, Miss Temple?" He seemed more perturbed at her sudden concern over these "special students" than he had over the idea of comforting us with unauthorised bread and cheese. "There is no room for fear when the Lord calls us to do His bidding."
    "What troubles me, Mr. Bokorhurst, is that I'm not sure the Lord would look kindly on your new--"
    "You speak too plainly now!" he cut her off in an angry tone. "Have a care, Miss Temple. Have a care. I hired you as superintendent here because I felt you were uniquely qualified with the forward-reaching vision I need to bring Lowood to a shining new future. Perhaps I erred in judgment after all? Miss Scatcherd would be more than willing to take over should you find yourself unworthy of the task."
    Miss Temple looked shaken. "No, sir. I'm very pleased with my position and feel capable to continue on."
    "Very well." He continued to survey us, his humble subjects.
    In that moment, I cared not a whit for Mr. Bokorhurst's supposed mortality. Vampyre or no, I wanted to stake him through the heart for giving Miss Temple a fright. I would absolutely never take the
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    life of another human being. It was out of the question. But Mr. Bokorhurst did tempt me. I found myself wishing I could discover some terrible secret about him, something that might require me to save humanity by removing him from existence.
    To avoid discovery during Mr. Bokohurst's entire visit, I had sat well back on the form and, while seeming to be busy with my sum, had held my slate in such a manner as to conceal my face. I might have escaped notice had not my treacherous slate somehow slipped from my hand, falling with an obtrusive crash, directly drawing every eye upon me. I knew it was all over now, and as I stooped to pick up the two fragments of slate, I rallied my forces for the worst. It came.
    "A careless girl!" said Mr. Bokorhurst. "It is the new pupil, I perceive. I must not forget I have a word to say respecting her. Let the child who broke her slate come forward!"
    Of my own accord I could not have stirred. I was paralysed, but the two great girls who were seated on each side of me set me on my legs and pushed me towards the dread judge. Miss Temple gently assisted me to his very feet.
    "Don't be afraid, Jane," she said. "I saw it was an accident. You shall not be