Jane Eyre

The author uses the phrase " take her civilties quietly" to describe the governess as?

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Jane, the narrator, uses this phrase to describe her reaction to Mrs. Fairfax, who wouldn't expect or relish the idea of thanks for her kindness, as Mrs. Fairfax believed herself doing nothing more than her job. Thus, Jane accepted her kindness quietly and without attention. Jane is being considerate.

She returned; with her own hands cleared her knitting apparatus and a book or two from the table, to make room for the tray which Leah now brought, and then herself handed me the refreshments. I felt rather confused at being the object of more attention than I had ever before received, and, that too, shown by my employer and superior; but as she did not herself seem to consider she was doing anything out of her place, I thought it better to take her civilities quietly.

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Jane Eyre