I resolved, in the depth of my heart, that I would be most moderate…I told her all the story of my sad childhood. Exhausted by emotion, my language was more subdued than it generally was when it developed that sad theme; and mindful of Helen’s warnings against the indulgence of resentment, I infused into the narrative far less of gall and wormwood than ordinary. Thus restrained and simplified, it sounded more credible: I felt as I went on that Miss Temple fully believed me.
– Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre, Chapter 8. Having been denounced to the entire school as a liar by Mr. Brocklehurst, Jane is invited by Miss Temple to speak in her own defense and give her side of the story. Miss Temple, along with Helen, is one of the few people in the life of the young Jane, to demonstrate kindness and the affection you would usually get from family. Jane opens up to Miss Temple about her difficult childhood growing up with her aunt’s family at Gateshead. But she takes on board Helen’s advice and recounts her story with less resentment and bitterness than usual. Helen and Miss Temple have become two important people in Jane’s life and she wants to keep that connection.