"The Widow" Bertha

This is the third time that Bertha has participated in Mrs. Fisher's activities.

Different from the previous speech in front of the printing factory, this time Mrs. Fisher did not directly put the title of promoting women's right to vote, but took the magazine "Women's and Children's Health" organized by them as the theme. The pharmacy near the school started consultation.

The pharmacy was also contacted by Mrs. Harding, one of the organizers of the magazine, the wife of the doctor, and hired the owner of the pharmacy as a consultant, who was responsible for answering some questions about women and children, especially gynecological diseases.

Bertha and Rochester arrived a little later, and found that there were so many people at the scene that they couldn't even squeeze through the threshold of the pharmacy.

This surprised Rochester a lot: he thought that the women's magazines and event announcements that Miss Jane Eyre was talking about were nothing more than the slapstick of ladies and ladies in the upper class, and they would not be of much importance.But now what he saw with his own eyes, the crowded pharmacies really overturned his cognition.

"You and I had better not go in," said Bertha. "Jane must be very busy at the moment. Don't let her be distracted."

"Just watch it from a distance."

Rochester nodded: "I didn't expect... there would be so many people."

Bertha smiled when she heard the words: "It's free consultation, even I'm tempted. What's more, the first issue of the magazine sold well, which played a very good role in publicity."

Rochester was thoughtful.

Bertha couldn't help raising her eyebrows when she saw his unexpected and seemingly enlightened appearance: "What?"

"It's nothing," Rochester said, "it just occurred to me that, from this point of view, there is indeed such a gap in the current market."

That's not it.

In the 21st century, the maternal and child education industry, as well as the health and hygiene industry, are among the most profitable industries.

But the social productivity in the nineteenth century was not enough for everyone to pay attention to this issue, and it was quite difficult to make a fortune from it.

They were communicating outside while observing the situation inside the pharmacy.The two stood outside for a long time, but they didn't see Miss Jane Eyre. On the contrary, Mrs. Harding, who was in charge of the consultation, caught a glimpse of Bertha outside the window during her rest.

Mrs. Harding thought for a while, and walked out with the excuse of taking a breath without saying hello to anyone else.

Across the street, the other party greeted Bertha with great enthusiasm: "Miss Marple!"

Bertha: "Mrs. Harding."

"I didn't expect you to come, miss," Mrs. Harding said with a smile, "Why didn't you go in? I also have to thank you for supporting us with five hundred pounds, so that the magazine can be published as scheduled."

After Rochester paid off this year's arrears last time, the first thing Bertha did with the money was to donate £[-] to the magazine, so that the women's magazines in the preparation stage could be printed smoothly.

"It turns out that all your money was spent here." Rochester pointed out.

Of course Bertha understood what he meant—her money was earned by Rochester working hard for a year!As a result, Bertha turned around and almost gave it to others for free, and any debtor would mutter this sentence.

Mrs. Harding didn't know the debt relationship between Rochester and Bertha, she said in surprise: "Miss Marple, who is this?"

"Edward, this is Mrs. Harding, one of the founders of the magazine Women's and Children's Health," Bertha happily introduced, "Mrs. Harding, this is Mr. Edward Rochester, Miss Jane Eyre's ... a friend."

Bertha's voice was hoarse, and when she said the word "friend", the end sound was subtly elongated, which seemed to have a special meaning.

Who is Mrs. Harding?She naturally understood what Bertha meant: the "friend" of Miss Jane Eyre in front of her was either Jane Eyre's sweetheart or her suitor.

"Since we are friends," Mrs. Harding said politely, "please allow me to apologize to you on Jane's behalf. Today is really too busy. No one expected so many people to come. It's because we didn't take good care of them."

"It's okay."

Rochester, who was always serious, rarely gave a good face: "There is absolutely no reason to apologize for the success of the event. It is a great charity for you to organize free consultations, Mrs. Harding."

"Thank you, sir."

"I'm surprised too," Bertha continued, "Why are there so many people?"

"That... I have to ask you, Miss Marple."

"ask me?"

Mrs. Harding was really shocked when she saw Bertha, and she laughed again before she could say anything: "I only heard from Miss Jane Eyre that you found a relationship and asked the coachman to help promote the magazine. You must know that they often pull some ladies On the street, one person listened to it, and word of mouth spread it.”

Strictly speaking, this is the credit of Mickey the coachman.

What Bertha ordered was to ask Mickey to bring some cigarettes to the companions, and ask them to take a puff at will.But there are thousands of London coachmen, and even if only a tenth of the free advertising has an effect, it is a lot of people.

But Bertha didn't take the credit for it alone: ​​"The content of the magazine must be good enough to spread word of mouth. Jane said it sold well, but I don't know what kind of good it is?"

"Mrs. Fisher contacted the printing house. About [-] copies were printed, and all of them have been sold out."

"..."

This is not a small amount!

What is the concept of four thousand volumes?The total number of people in London in the 50th century was about [-]. Among them, there were very few women above the petty bourgeoisie who had received a certain amount of education and had spare money to buy magazines. The customers who chose to buy the first issue were targeted. One percent is a big win.

The first issue sold this number, which can almost be said to be a big success.

"The printing house is willing to continue to cooperate with us," Mrs. Harding said beamingly, "and... I just want to tell you this, Miss Marple. Not long ago, some magazines even approached us, saying that if they keep three consecutive issues With this sales volume, it can be issued on behalf of the magazine, making "Women and Children's Health" an official publication from now on."

This is a good thing!

Printing at your own expense, and being responsible for the profit and loss of a magazine are two completely different concepts.If a magazine is willing to help, then from now on, the founders only need to be responsible for the content, and the reduction in work will naturally bring about an improvement in the quality of the content.

"I would like to congratulate you, Mrs. Harding." Bertha was sincerely happy for these friends.

"Thank you for your help too, Miss." Mrs. Harding nodded, "I'll continue to work first. Mrs. Fisher will give a speech later. There may not be many people at that time. You can come in and listen."

"nature."

After Mrs. Harding returned to the pharmacy, Rochester spoke again: "Women and Children's Health?"

Bertha: "As the name suggests, the main target audience of the magazine is women. If you are interested, I can lend you the one I have."

Rochester said without thinking, "Okay."

Bertha: "..."

This surprised her.Rochester responded affirmatively without hesitation, but in exchange for Bertha's unexpected gaze, Rochester was puzzled by her gaze: "What?"

"It's nothing."

How should I put it, it really is the hero of the novel "Jane Eyre".

Charlotte Bronte's Edward Rochester is a cynical man who scoffs at the moral ethos of much of society.Looking at it now, it turned out to be a good thing - not only did Rochester not care that Miss Jane Eyre was poor, but he also didn't mind reading a magazine whose target audience was women for the sake of his sweetheart.

For most ordinary gentlemen, it is estimated that this kind of magazine "can't be on the stage".

"I'll ask someone to deliver it to your apartment when I get back." Bertha looked away and said nonchalantly, "I saw a lot of people walking away, so let's go in and have a look?"

The two people outside the pharmacy were discussing when to go in to listen to the speech, and the girls in the backstage of the pharmacy were busy.

Mrs. Fisher fainted!

When she heard the news, Miss Jane Eyre almost immediately put down the work of maintaining order and hurried straight to the inner room of the pharmacy.As soon as she entered the door, she saw Mrs. Johnson struggling to help Mrs. Fisher sit on a chair. Mrs. Fisher was pale and breathless.

"What's going on?" Jane stepped forward.

"Quick, get the bromide!" the pharmacist told Mrs. Harding.

"No, it's okay." Mrs. Fisher took a long time to catch her breath, "I just had sudden palpitations, I just need to rest."

"It must be too tired."

Mrs. Johnson frowned: "During this period of time, you have to be in charge of the magazine, the family, and the school. Emily, how can you break it into three people?"

Mrs. Fisher just laughed.

Miss Jane Eyre's concerns were more down-to-earth: "Madam, can you still speak?"

Although Mrs. Fisher said that it would be good for her to take a break, Jane felt that her appearance... really shouldn't be speaking on stage.

Mrs. Harding thought so too.

She took bromide and said, "Forget it this time! I don't think everyone will mind your absence once or twice. This is just the beginning, and there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

"Because it's a beginning."

Mrs. Fisher smiled wryly, and insisted: "How can I let everyone down? It's rare that so many people came, and you all know..."

She didn't go on, but all the ladies present understood Mrs. Fisher's mood.

Whether in the square, in the park, or outside the factory, her speeches have never had so many audiences. Even if people with good intentions stop and stop, they will not really take Mrs. Fisher's speeches to heart.

Although in Jane's opinion, every speech of Mrs. Fisher is professional, no worse than those eloquent politicians.

"Besides, I can't let Jane write the manuscript for nothing," Mrs. Fisher tried to persuade others, "This time she didn't just help me. Today's speech manuscript, from drafting to polishing to finalization, is entirely Jane. Completed!"

"It's not important, ma'am," Jane shook her head, "your health is more important."

"Wait a moment."

Mrs. Johnson reacted suddenly.

She got up and looked at Jane: "In this case, Jane, you should know the content of the speech very well."

Jane was a little dazed: "That's right."

Mrs. Johnson: "Then you can take the place of Mrs. Fisher and give a speech."

Jane: "What? Me!?"

Miss Jane Eyre, who was always restrained and steady, almost cried out.

But after she was surprised, she found that Mrs. Harding and Mrs. Fisher also looked at her, showing expressions of approval.

"this is a good idea."

Mrs. Fisher coughed a few times, her tired eyes lit up: "Yes, why didn't I think of it, Jane, why don't you try it?"