I woke up to find the doctor lifting me very carefully into my own bed. It was good to be back in
my familiar bedroom, with a warm fire and candle-light. It was also a great relief to recognize Dr
Lloyd, who Mrs. Reed called in for her servants (she always called a specialist for herself and the
children). He was looking after me so kindly. I felt he would protect me from Mrs. Reed. He talked to
me a little, then gave Bessie orders to take good care of me. When he left, I felt very lonely again.
But I was surprised to find that Bessie did not scold me at all. In fact she was so kind to me that I
became brave enough to ask a question.
'Bessie, what's happened? Am I ill?'
'Yes, you became ill in the red room, but you'll get better, don't worry, Miss Jane,' she answered.
Then she went next door to fetch another servant. I could hear her whispers.
'Sarah, come in here and sleep with me and that poor child tonight. I daren't stay alone with her,
she might die. She was so ill last night! Do you think she saw a ghost? Mrs. Reed was too hard on
her, I think.' So the two servants slept in my room, while I lay awake all night, trembling with fear, and
eyes wide open in horror, imagining ghosts in every corner.
Fortunately I suffered no serious illness as a result of my terrible experience in the red room,
although I shall never forget that night. But the shock left me nervous and depressed for the next few
days. I cried all day long and although Bessie tried hard to tempt me with nice things to eat or my
favourite books, I took no pleasure in eating or even in reading. I knew I had no one to love me and
nothing to look forward to.
When the doctor came again, he seemed a little surprised to find me looking so miserable.
'Perhaps she's crying because she couldn't go out with Mrs Reed in the carriage this morning,'
suggested Bessie.
'Surely she's more sensible than that,' said the doctor, smiling at me. 'She's a big girl now.'
'I'm not crying about that. I hate going out in the carriage,' I said quickly. 'I'm crying because I'm
miserable.'
'Oh really, Miss!' said Bessie.
The doctor looked at me thoughtfully. He had small, grey, intelligent eyes. Just then a bell rang
for the servants' dinner.
'You can go, Bessie,' he said. 'I'll stay here talking to Miss Jane till you come back.'
After Bessie had left, he asked, 'What really made you ill?'
'I was locked up in a room with a ghost, in the dark.'
'Afraid of ghosts, are you?' he smiled.
'Of Mr. Reed's ghost, yes. He died in that room, you know. Nobody even goes in there any more.
It was cruel to lock me in there alone without a candle. I shall never forget it!'
'But you aren't afraid now. There must be another reason why you are so sad,' he said, looking
kindly at me.
How could I tell him all the reasons for my unhappiness!
'I have no father or mother, brothers or sisters,' I began.
'But you have a kind aunt and cousins.'
'But John Reed knocked me down and my aunt locked me in the red room,' I cried. There was a