Part one A child at Gateshead
Chapter one: The red room
We could not go for a walk this afternoon.There was such a freezing cold wind, and such heavy rain,that we all stayed in doors. I was glad of it. I never liked long walks, especially in winter. I used to hate coming home when it was almost dark, with ice-cold fingers and toes,feeling miserable,because Bessie,the nursemaid,was always scolding me.All the time I kown I was different from my cousins,Eliza,John,and Georgiana Reed. They were taller and stronger than me,and they were loved. These three usually spent their time crying and quarreling. But today they were sitting quietly around their mother in the sitting room. I wanted to join the family circle,but Mrs Reed,my aunt,refused,Bessie had complained about me.