Tuesday, March 17, 2015
You Have The Air Of A Little Nonnette
Today I just wanted to share this adorable little quote from one of my favourite books:
“–’No, sir.’
‘Ah! By my word! There is something singular about you,’ said he: ‘you have the air of a little nonnette; quaint, quiet, grave, and simple, as you sit with your hands before you, and your eyes generally bent on the carpet (except, by-the-bye, when they are directed piercingly to my face; as just now, for instance); and when one asks you a question, or makes a remark to which you are obliged to reply, you rap out a round rejoinder, which, if not blunt, is at least brusque. What do you mean by it?’
‘Sir, I was too plain: I beg your pardon. I ought to have replied that it was not easy to give an impromptu answer to a question about appearances; that tastes differ; that beauty is of little consequence, or something of that sort.’
‘You ought to have replied no such thing…Just so: I think so: and you shall be answerable for it. Criticize me: does my forehead not please you?’”
‘Ah! By my word! There is something singular about you,’ said he: ‘you have the air of a little nonnette; quaint, quiet, grave, and simple, as you sit with your hands before you, and your eyes generally bent on the carpet (except, by-the-bye, when they are directed piercingly to my face; as just now, for instance); and when one asks you a question, or makes a remark to which you are obliged to reply, you rap out a round rejoinder, which, if not blunt, is at least brusque. What do you mean by it?’
‘Sir, I was too plain: I beg your pardon. I ought to have replied that it was not easy to give an impromptu answer to a question about appearances; that tastes differ; that beauty is of little consequence, or something of that sort.’
‘You ought to have replied no such thing…Just so: I think so: and you shall be answerable for it. Criticize me: does my forehead not please you?’”
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte - Chapter 14, pg. 115
Yours truly,
A LadyBug In Love With Period Movies/Books
