“You look awfully happy today!” Helen remarked cheerily as we walked down corridor to our first class. “Did I miss anything?” she asked jokily. Well, I didn’t stay up till four in the morning looking for a job for nothing, did I? My efforts paid out in the end. Yeah, I landed one. A job, I mean. I wasn’t going to tell Helen right away. Not until I had gotten a reply from the company. I did feel kind of guilty for keeping to myself, but at the same time, I didn’t want to deal with the good- byes so soon.

Our first class is physics. I haven’t got along with this subject from the very beginning. The whole concept of mechanics and electronics repulsed me. The only subject I’ve ever loved is art. Give me a paint brush and a canvas and I won’t disturb anyone for hours. Today’s class was on diodes and I couldn’t concentrate a bit. I was too distracted by my wayward daydreams. All of which were related to the job I had applied for. It was for a data entry operator at R&R Communications in London. I’ve never been to London before…the big city…..with all its neon lights….and the famous old-fashioned buildings….oh how I’d have loved to live in one of those streets lined with 18th century apartments…with all their intricately carved windows and- “Miss Eyre! How many times must I repeat the question? Now, tell me your opinion.” Sh**. I was beyond lost. I meekly shrugged my shoulders, not having the courage to tell him I didn’t know. Mr. Hale, not having the patience for scolding, simply sighed and asked someone else for which I was grateful for.

Days passed by like years as I keenly awaited a response. Every night, I would tip-toe down to the library and check my mail only to be disappointed, thinking they’d not hired me. Today, I planned on doing the same and was already in a glum mood by evening. Helen lay on her bed, already asleep due to a headache. Everybody else was downstairs, having tea or hanging out by the grounds. I was about to descend the stairs to the library when I nearly collided with the big frame of Lydia Perkins. “Jane! What are you doing? Mrs. Dentt wants you downstairs in her room!” Lydia did not move and only stared as if by doing so she could find out what I’d done wrong to get myself in trouble. I assured her that I was as clueless as her and made my way to Mrs. Dentt’s office. Hesitating a little, I knocked on the door and a voice summoned me in. Wow. The room had changed a lot since I’d last seen it. The walls were newly wall-papered. The furniture smelled new. And Mrs. Dentt herself looked like she’d gained a couple of pounds. She sat behind a huge mahogany desk, looking at me curiously behind her little round glasses, as if she didn’t know what to think of me. Beginning to feel a little awkward at the prolonged silence, I looked down and shifted my feet. “Jane! Come, be seated.” ordered the deep voice of Mrs. Dentt. I sat down in one of the gaudy leather seats. “Jane Eyre? Isn’t it? Well Jane, no need to fret about. I just have some news for you.” This last sentence made me look up at her wandering what on earth she meant by ‘news’. “One of your relatives, a Mrs. Reed, has written in. She says that she’ll no longer fund your stay at lowood after this year. Since you have no other relatives willing to cover up your education, I think you should start packing away.” Here, she stopped. Thinking she was done with me, I began to get up when at once she spoke again, “Jane, by packing away, I don’t mean you leaving lowood to stay at your aunt’s. Oh no. She made it very clear on her visit-yes she did visit lowood a week ago- that, I don’t mean to be rude, but she told me that she didn’t want you to go back to her. Jane I’m sorry you had to be such a troublesome child for your aunt to put up with. But don’t worry child, do you think I would ever think of sending away one of my own lowood girls out on to the streets? I would never do that to you Jane! But at the same time, I can’t give you free education. However, you can earn your lodging here by teaching the kindergarten. I’ve never done this to anyone before, but Jane, you don’t deserve life in the streets. I’m being very generous to you Jane. Do you agree?” I replied “Mrs. Dentt, thank you for your offer, but I myself have already applied for a job and I-” Before I could finish, Mrs. Dentt cut me “Jane! Are you rejecting this generous offer? Don’t be foolish child! You can’t get a job with your accomplishments (this wasn’t true. I was a straight A student). No one would hire you! And where would you live? Jane, you must-” “But Mrs. Dentt, I have already picked out an apartment and-” Here, my voice faded away as Mrs. Dentt got up and approached my chair. Bending to my ear, she spoke in a whisper, “Jane, you’ll regret giving this opportunity up. No, don’t speak! Listen well child. If you ever think of applying for a job, I will demerit all your certificates and take away any award you’ve ever won. Do you think anyone would hire you when you have no certificates and a bad report? Think! Now, before you do anything stupid, be a good little girl, and sign this contract.” Here, she handed me a very long piece of paper. I tried to read it from the beginning but she yelled at me to sign. Without having much choice, I signed my name at the bottom of the sheet. “Now there’s a good girl! You’ll see how lucky you are Jane! And you’ll thank me in the future! After all, the contract’s only for fifteen years!”