However, first impressions are so important.

She pulled herself together.
The children had heard the arrival; they waited in a bunch by the fire, their eyes partly fixed on the door, partly on the strawberry jam that they were allowed to-day as a treat in the new governess's honour.
Hamlet, his eyes and ears also upon the door, expecting perhaps a rat, perhaps Aunt Amy, sat in front of the group, its bodyguard.
"She's in the hall," said Helen, "and now Mother's saying: 'Do take off your things.

You must be wet,' and now she's saying: 'You'll like to see the children, I expect,' and now--" There they were, standing in the doorway, Mrs.Cole and Miss Jones.
There followed a dismal pause.

The children had not expected anyone so old and so ugly as Miss Jones.

Hamlet did not bark--nothing occurred.
At last Mrs.Cole said: "Now, children, come and say, 'How do you do ?' to Miss Jones.