“A governess’s position has many trials and difficulties.”
“I haven’t met with many yet. I have been fortunate,” said I, smiling.
Mrs. Manners looked at me as if she wanted to ask more than she dared; but she only said—
“Of course some families are pleasanter to live with than others. But in all there arise occasions when we must pray for guidance”—and I thought of my resolution to go—“and when we must walk circumspectly”—and I thought of the best way of treating Sarah. I only answered—
“Yes, Mrs. Manners”—very gently.
She seemed pleased by my submission, and said suddenly, as if to herself, after looking at me for a few moments—
“An honest open face!”—which made me blush—then, in a quicker, more practical tone—“You have no father, and have always lived quietly with your mother? Of course you write to her often?”
“Oh, yes.”
“So that you can have the benefit of her counsel in any difficulty?”
I hesitated. Nobody ever seemed to think of going to mamma for counsel; we always kept things from her that were likely to disturb her, because she had delicate nerves, and used to go into hysterics if anything went wrong. So I said—