[00:01.44]Chapter 9.
[00:03.64]Fever.
[00:06.84]Spring arrived and the weather became kinder.
[00:11.74]Snowdrops grew in the garden, and the woods brightened with green leaves.
[00:17.94]But the warmer weather brought disease, too.
[00:24.24]Lowood was struck by typhoid fever.
[00:29.84]Already undernourished, more than half the girls fell ill.
[00:37.04]Those who could go home were sent away, though some were already dying.
[00:44.34]Others died at the school.
[00:48.54]The teachers had no time to teach, and Mr. Brocklehurst no longer came near Lowood at all.
[00:57.64]So those of us who were well had almost unlimited freedom.
[01:04.44]There was more food to go round, and we could take our lunch outside to eat in the wood if we chose to.
[01:15.44]And where was Helen?
[01:18.44]I hardly ever saw her, for she was kept apart from us all.
[01:25.04]She did not have typhoid, but she was ill with consumption and rarely left Miss Temple's room.
[01:36.24]I was not sure what consumption was, but I thought it could not be anything dangerous.
[01:46.74]One evening, when I had stayed late in the wood, I felt guilty as I came back to Lowood.
[01:56.04]I was enjoying the woods on a warm June evening, while Helen was shut away and unwell.
[02:06.04]As I reached the front door, the school nurse was saying goodbye to the doctor, and I ran to her.
[02:16.04]How is Helen? I asked.
[02:21.74]Very poorly, she replied.
[02:25.84]She'll not be here long.
[02:34.24]For the first time, I understood that Helen was dying.
[02:42.74]Horror and grief gave way to a great desire to see her, but the nurse would not let me.
[02:52.24]I went to bed and lay awake.
[02:58.54]When all was quiet, I tiptoed to Miss Temple's room.
[03:05.64]There, in a little bed, lay Helen.
[03:12.24]She was pale and thin, but looked so calm that I thought, after all, there was nothing to fear.
[03:27.14]Her hand, when I took it, felt cold, but she smiled and I was sure she would not die.
[03:37.24]You are just in time to say goodbye, Jane, she said.
[03:46.74]Are you going home? I asked.
[03:51.94]To my last home, she said.
[03:57.64]No!
[03:59.74]No! I cried.
[04:02.24]But Helen was seized by a violent fit of coughing.
[04:09.34]When she could speak again, she said, Jane, your little feet are bare.
[04:19.04]Come in beside me and keep warm.
[04:24.34]I nestled under the quilt beside her.
[04:30.64]After a long silence, she whispered, "Don't be upset.
[04:39.14]We all must die one day.
[04:43.34]I would not have been happy in the world, so for me, dying young is the best way.
[04:53.34]I am going to God, who is so good and loves me."
[05:03.94]Do you really believe that, Helen? I said.
[05:10.34]Shall I see you when I die?
[05:15.24]You will, Jane, no doubt, she said.
[05:23.84]I held her tightly with my face against her neck.
[05:29.84]I wanted to keep her with me.
[05:34.94]I feel so comfortable now, she said.
[05:40.44]I think I can sleep.
[05:43.84]Stay with me, Jane.
[05:47.84]Nobody shall take me away, I said.
[05:54.24]Good night, Helen.
[05:57.64]Good night, Jane, she said, and kissed me and we fell asleep.
[06:08.74]I woke in the morning in somebody's arms.
[06:13.74]The nurse was carrying me back to my own bed.
[06:22.34]Afterwards, I was told that Miss Temple had returned to her room to find me asleep in Helen's bed.
[06:35.34]Helen had died in her sleep beside me.