But no one but myself can tell how hard a governess's work is to me--for no one but myself is aware how utterly averse my whole mind and nature are for the employment.

Do not think that I fail to blame myself for this, or that I leave any means unemployed to conquer this feeling.

Some of my greatest difficulties lie in things that would appear to you comparatively trivial.

I find it so hard to repel the rude familiarity of children.

I find it so difficult to ask either servants or mistress for anything I want, however much I want it.