Mrs.Vandaleur was emphatically Elspeth's mistress, if she was also her friend; but in the absence of "the mistress" Elspeth ruled "the master" with a rod of iron.
I quickly gained a degree of power over him myself.

I discovered that if I maintained certain outward forms of respect and courtesy, so as not to shock my grandpapa's standard of good manners, I might make almost any demands on his patience and good-nature.

Children and pet animals make such discoveries very quickly, and are apt to use their power somewhat tyrannically.

I fear I was no exception to the rule..