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able to look to a distance, and see how what they call the spirit of the age was tending! Still, I like CharlesI respect himI pity him, poor murdered king! Yes, his enemies were the worst: they shed blood they had no right to shed. How dared they kill him! Helen was talking to herself now: she had forgotten I could not very well understand herthat I was ignorant, or nearly so, of the subject she discussed. I recalled her to my level. And when Miss Temple teaches you, do your thoughts wander then? No, certainly, not often; because Miss Temple has generally something to say which is newer than my own reflections; her language is singularly agreeable to me, and the information she communicates is often just what I wished to gain. Well, then, with Miss Temple you are good? Yes, in a passive way: I make no effort; I follow as inclination guides me. There is no merit in such goodness. A great deal: you are good to those who are good to you. It is all I ever desire to be. If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust, the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse. When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we shouldso hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again. You will change your mind, I hope, when you grow older: as yet you are but a little untaught girl. But I feel this, Helen; I must dislike those who, whatever I do to please them, persist in disliking me; I must resist those who punish me unjustly. It is as natural as that I should love those who show me affection, or submit to punishment when I feel it is deserved. Heathens and savage tribes hold that doctrine, but Christians and civilised nations disown it. How? I dont understand. It is not violence that best overcomes hatenor vengeance that most certainly heals injury. What then? Read the New Testament, and observe what Christ says, and how He acts; make His word your rule, and His conduct your example. What does He say? Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you and despitefully use you. Then I should love Mrs. Reed, which I cannot do; I should bless her son John, which is impossible. In her turn, Helen Burns asked me to explain, and I proceeded forthwith to pour out, in my own way, the tale of my sufferings and resentments. Bitter and truculent when excited, I spoke as I felt, without reserve or softening. Helen heard me patiently to the end: I expected she would then make a remark, but she said nothing. Well, I asked impatiently, is not Mrs. Reed a hard-hearted, bad woman? She has been unkind to you, no doubt; because you see, she dislikes your cast of character, as Miss Scatcherd does mine; but how minutely you remember all she has done and said to you! What a singularly deep impression her injustice seems to have made on your heart! No ill-usage so brands its record on |
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