The governess’s departure

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

Before the visitor arrived, Mrs Calder placed two things on the morning-room table: a letter of recommendation and a small purse. She read the letter twice. The first reading brought a frown; after the second, she added the words “unfailing kindness” and left the page unsealed.

Miss Avery had taught Clara for six years, but Clara was to go away to school in September. Mrs Calder explained that keeping a governess for the summer could no longer be justified. She spoke gently, though she arranged the papers between them with the precision of someone setting a boundary.

“Lady Dacre requires a companion for her daughters,” she said. “I have mentioned your name.”

Miss Avery thanked her and glanced at the purse. Only a month earlier, when her sister was ill, she had asked for one week’s wages in advance. Mrs Calder had refused, saying that the household accounts permitted no exceptions.

A servant announced Lady Dacre. At once, Mrs Calder pushed back her chair and brought the purse into the clear space beside the letter. She told her guest that Miss Avery must not leave after six years without three months’ additional wages. Lady Dacre praised such generosity. Mrs Calder lowered her eyes, but not before Miss Avery saw the satisfaction in them.

Clara then ran into the room and caught Miss Avery’s hand. She reminded her mother how the governess had sat beside her throughout the fever, reading the same story until morning. Mrs Calder interrupted the child, yet her voice was unsteady. Turning to Lady Dacre, she said that no household could ask for greater patience or courage. The praise was more direct than anything written in the letter.

Lady Dacre offered Miss Avery the position. Mrs Calder sealed the recommendation and handed over the purse. As the two women prepared to leave, she remarked that their friends might be pleased to hear who had arranged the appointment. Her tone was light, but she repeated the request when Lady Dacre did not answer.

After the carriage had gone, Mrs Calder noticed Miss Avery’s old gloves on the chair. One had been mended so many times that the original cloth was scarcely visible. No guest remained to observe her. Nevertheless, she wrapped the gloves against the rain and sent a servant running after the carriage.

“Although Mrs Calder cares about appearing generous, her kindness to Miss Avery is sincere.”

Evaluate how successfully the writer supports this view. Support your judgement with detailed references to the passage.