Summary Chapter 38

Mrs. General is an esteemed lady who was the daughter of a clerical dignitary. She married when she was forty-five to a commisseriat officer of sixty. She found out her husband had stolen quite a bit of money from her, and at his death found her finances quite diminished.

She decided to become a guardian of wealthy young girls who needed molding. She was hired by one gentleman. She traveled around Europe until her charge was wed. Her employer advertised her merits, no longer needing her for himself. She was hired by Mr. Dorrit to complete his daughters’ education and to be a chaperon to them.

Mrs. General, though referring him to discuss such an indelicate matter to her employer as income, points out that as she is the educator of two girls, she thinks it is only fair that she is paid more.

Mrs. General does not have opinions. She makes a point of never seeing impropriety and pretending it does not exist. All of this she passes on to her pupils.

Nothing shocking was to be mentioned in her presence, and passion was to fizzle out before her. She made what little was left more attractive.