Explore "Mr Hogarth's Will" by Catherine Helen Spence on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The last week of the Misses Melville's stay at Cross Hall had begun before Jane heard of the result of her application for the matronship of the -- -- Institution. Mr. Rennie then wrote to her that the directors had appointed a widow, very highly recommended, and apparently very well qualified. Miss Melville's letter had received careful attention, and had favourably impressed all the directors; but her youth and her being unmarried were great objections to her, while the kind of housekeeping she had conducted at her uncle's was not likely to be the best school for the management of an establishment of this kind. Mr. Rennie was very sorry for Miss Melville's disappointment, but he could not suggest any other situation likely to suit her.
Elsie jumped for joy when she heard of Jane's rejection, and kissed her sister over and over again. "We shall not be parted, darling; you will not go to slave among strangers and to be terrified by mad people. I cannot -- really, I cannot do without you -- you are my muse and my critic, as well as my best friend and adviser."