Chapter 6 Summary

Mrs. Grose and the governess skipped church to continue discussing their new dilemma. Though Mrs. Grose had not seen any evidence of Quint's ghost, she believed the governess with "an awestricken tenderness, a deference to [her] more than questionable privilege." The two agreed to share the burden of their discovery, though the governess, believing herself capable of the task, felt some doubt as to the abilities of her companion.

The governess reflects that she and Mrs. Grose were steadied in their task by the idea of saving the innocent children, for she had determined Quint was after Miles. Mrs. Grose said Quint was free with Miles, that it was his fancy to play with him. In fact, he was too free with everyone. Mrs. Grose also stated, in response to the governess's question as to whether or not he was "definitely and admittedly...