Ext. A midsummer dawn. Thornfield the grounds

MARY

St John -

JANE

No, Mary, please -

MARY

See how skilled Jane is.

St John looks at the sketch of himself. He is quite taken

aback. He looks over at Jane, who is quite embarrassed.

MARY (CONT'D)

She is better than any drawing

master we have ever had.

For a moment, St John seems to be weighing up whether to be

insulted or not.

ST JOHN

How fierce I am, Miss Elliott.

JANE

Mr Rivers, I wondered if you had

yet heard of any work that I

could do.

ST JOHN

I found you a situation some days

ago but I've delayed telling you

because the work is lowly and I

fear you'll scorn it.

Jane Eyre adapted by Moira Buffini March 2008 28.

JANE

I shan't mind what I do.

ST JOHN

As I am poor and obscure, the

help I can offer is of the

meanest sort.

DIANA

St John, what are you going to

offer her? Not washerwoman, I hope?

ST JOHN

When I took over the parish two

years ago it had no school. I

opened one for boys; I now intend

to open one for girls. The school

mistress will have a two-roomed

cottage paid for by local

benefactors and she will receive

fifteen pounds a year. You can see

how humble, how ignoble it is.

On the contrary, Jane is deeply gratified.

JANE

Mr Rivers, I thank you heartily

and I accept with all my heart.

ST JOHN

But you comprehend me? It's a

village school - cottagers

daughters. What will you do with

all your fine accomplishments?

JANE

I will save them until they are

wanted. They will keep.

Jane smiles at him. St John is impressed.