OF course, my mistake. I am sorry for that and thank you for drawing my attention to it (and in such a gentle way).
Your interpretation is therefore much better. It did still help set up the "I don't suppose we'll have much to do with her, will we?" sentiment too, but I absolve her of deliberately setting them against him - and it was doubtless the best she could manage under the horrible circumstances.
I'm still with Nick on the issue of her not saying goodbye to the children. Mrs Marlow's explanation makes sense, but these are her grandchildren, who have just lost their mother: she should have said goodbye.
[Just realised "Housekeeper" (or governess-Nanny) was what Edwin was planning, instead of marrying Karen.] Sorry again for the red-herring!
Re: The infant Dodds' understanding of the events in their life
Date: 2014-11-30 07:39 am (UTC)Your interpretation is therefore much better. It did still help set up the "I don't suppose we'll have much to do with her, will we?" sentiment too, but I absolve her of deliberately setting them against him - and it was doubtless the best she could manage under the horrible circumstances.
I'm still with Nick on the issue of her not saying goodbye to the children. Mrs Marlow's explanation makes sense, but these are her grandchildren, who have just lost their mother: she should have said goodbye.
[Just realised "Housekeeper" (or governess-Nanny) was what Edwin was planning, instead of marrying Karen.] Sorry again for the red-herring!