Knowing as one does how anomalous was the position of an assistant teacher in those days, one can but admit that the child must often have inflicted far greater suffering and anxiety than she had the least idea of.
On the other hand, Mrs. Gover, widow of the late Canon Gover of Worcester, writes:
“Sophie set us a good example at school, and I shall always think of her as one of the most truthful girls I have ever known, the _only_ girl I ever knew who would not allow her drawings to be touched up by her master. I had a very great respect for her high character.”
But nothing can show more clearly the futility of the educational methods of that day than the following letter from the headmistress herself:
I cannot tell you with what a feeling of anguish I heard the door close after you on Saturday when you departed, and I had not _kissed_ or _blessed_ you.... I saw you afterwards in the street, tho’ I was unseen by you, and I could not stop you, my dear child, lest the past should be renewed. On my return I saw your present of fruit, it was not as gratifying to me as the _scrap_ of paper, which contained my Sophy’s acknowledgement of her fault.[8] Yet I thank you for the kind thought, as I hope you know me too well to suppose that any little gift _can bribe me_ to forgive;—without that scrap, my Sophy, I should have turned away from _receiving_ your fruit. The same afternoon at a friend’s house I read a portion of your favourite Scott, and could not but think of you while I read the account of the ‘evil and good’ _trying_ for _Mastery_ in Harold the Dauntless’ heart, remember his first act of _forbearance_ was noted as a step towards heaven. Beloved child! do I beseech you remember the _duty_ of a child, be _gentle_ and _tender_ to your dear Parents, then the Lord will love you, and some day the Lion will give place to the Lamb in your bosom. Dear Mary Bayly’s has turned to whooping-cough. I hope yours is better. Until I find where to send her, I cannot leave home. God’s will be done.”
Her brother had called at the school, immaculately dressed, and had behaved to the schoolmistress so charmingly that poor Sophy felt herself quite left out in the cold, and had doubtless responded with positive rudeness. What sort of visit was this from a beloved brother?