As time passed, the reality of the situation became obvious to others: "It dawned slowly upon Miss Fetherstonhaugh... it was manifest from the first to the very competent, if totally illiterate, head housemaid Old Ann, who gave herself her own orders more and more. The kitchen, the laundry, the pantry, with varying kindliness, apprehended this inefficiency in the housekeeper's room."
In fact, Mrs Wells' own diary revealed she did not enjoy her job. On December 6th 1892, she recorded: