Page:The complete poems of Emily Bronte.djvu/21

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INTRODUCTORY ESSAY
xvii

their Cornish mother, and 'some mad Methodist magazines full of miracles and apparitions, and preternatural warnings.'

1831.—Charlotte Brontë went to school at Roe Head.

1832.—Charlotte returned to Haworth in order to teach Emily and Anne what she had learned. After lessons they walked on the moors. At home Emily was a quiet girl of fourteen, helping in the housework and learning her lessons regularly. On the moors she was gay, frolicsome, almost wild. She would set the others laughing with her quaint sallies and genial ways. She is described as 'a strange figure—tall, slim, angular, with a quantity of dark brown hair, deep, beautiful hazel eyes that could flash with passion, features somewhat strong and stern, the mouth prominent and resolute.'

1833.—Ellen Nussey, Charlotte Brontë's friend, came to Haworth, and made acquaintance with Emily, then about fifteen. Miss Nussey describes her as not ugly, but with irregular features, and a pallid thick complexion, and 'kind, kindling, liquid eyes.' She had no grace or style in dress. She was a great walker, and very fond of animals. Only one dog was