She was a marvellous hard worker, quite fearless, accurate, and punctual in all things.

She fought incessant battles with Anna Petrovna who hated her as warmly as it was in her quiet, unruffled heart to hate any one.

The only thing stranger than the fierceness of their quarrels was the suddenness of their conclusion.

I remember that at dinner one day they fought a battle over the question of a clean towel with a heat and vigour that was Homeric.

A quarter of an hour later I found them quietly talking together.