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第12部分

 walk two miles to Brocklebridge Church; where our patron officiated。 We set out cold; we arrived at church colder: during the morning service we became almost paralysed。 It was too far to return to dinner; and an allowance of cold meat and bread; in the same penurious proportion observed in our ordinary meals; was served round between the services。

At the close of the afternoon service we returned by an exposed and hilly road; where the bitter winter wind; blowing over a range of snowy summits to the north; almost flayed the skin from our faces。

I can remember Miss Temple walking lightly and rapidly along our drooping line; her plaid cloak; which the frosty wind fluttered; gathered close about her; and encouraging us; by precept and example; to keep up our spirits; and march forward; as she said; “like stalwart soldiers。” The other teachers; poor things; were generally themselves too much dejected to attempt the task of cheering others。

How we longed for the light and heat of a blazing fire when we got back! But; to the little ones at least; this was denied: each hearth in the schoolroom was immediately surrounded by a double row of great girls; and behind them the younger children crouched in groups; wrapping their starved arms in their pinafores。

A little solace came at tea…time; in the shape of a double ration of bread—a whole; instead of a half; slice—with the delicious addition of a thin scrape of butter: it was the hebdomadal treat to which we all looked forward from Sabbath to Sabbath。 I generally contrived to reserve a moiety of this bounteous repast for myself; but the remainder I was invariably obliged to part with。

The Sunday evening was spent in repeating; by heart; the Church Catechism; and the fifth; sixth; and seventh c