Leah had been saying something I had not caught, and the charwoman remarked-- "She gets good wages, I guess ?" "Yes," said Leah; "I wish I had as good; not that mine are to complain of,--there's no stinginess at Thornfield; but they're not one fifth of the sum Mrs.Poole receives.

And she is laying by: she goes every quarter to the bank at Millcote.

I should not wonder but she has saved enough to keep her independent if she liked to leave; but I suppose she's got used to the place; and then she's not forty yet, and strong and able for anything.

It is too soon for her to give up business." "She is a good hand, I daresay," said the charwoman.
"Ah!--she understands what she has to do,--nobody better," rejoined Leah significantly; "and it is not every one could fill her shoes--not for all the money she gets." "That it is not!" was the reply.

"I wonder whether the master--" The charwoman was going on; but here Leah turned and perceived me, and she instantly gave her companion a nudge.
"Doesn't she know ?" I heard the woman whisper.
Leah shook her head, and the conversation was of course dropped.