Miss Bunting

Miss Bunting, governess to the County, fulfils her final days during a summer devoted to tutoring delicate Anne Fielding. Class distinctions are sharply delineated, especially by Lady Fielding who tries, in vain, to minimise Anne's contact with the ungainly Heather Adams. Mr Adams continues to involve himself in the affairs of the county, generating ambivalent feelings as well as obligations. His kind inquiries re: Jane Gresham's MIA husband earns her uneasy gratitude. Feelings about Class seem a bit cruel here; perhaps in response to a sense that the barriers are about to fall. Humourous tidbits continue to delight — see Mrs Merivale's mysterious 'lodger'. Again we encounter the Mixo-Lydians in the person of Gradka, whose ferocious rejoicing over a clash with the Slavo-Lydians foreshadows the Bosnian debacle. And the highlight of the season, the Annual Meeting of the Barsetshire Archeological Society, creates a grand hullabaloo which includes, among other things: furious debate on Vikings vs Roman vs Saxon remains; Lord Stokes 'useful old cob'; and assorted milling about; all adding up to 'a silly afternoon'. Miss Bunting observes all and escapes just in time.