# Miss Jenny Perne — Backwater character guide

> Miss Jenny Perne in Backwater by Dorothy M. Richardson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Miss Jenny, Miss Perne, Miss Jennie, Perne, Jenny, tall Miss Perne

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

Sharp, quizzical, and formidable, Miss Jenny runs Banbury Park with a flick of her red nose and a soft spot she would never admit to.

## Who they are

Miss Jenny Perne is the school's practical conscience, the one who recommends certificates, counts costs, and sees through Miriam's vague talk of a country family. Yet when she warns that Miriam is a madcap, her sharp voice softens and she offers the girl a home in her holidays. Her mixture of businesslike skepticism and unspoken affection makes her the human face of the world Miriam is trying to leave.

## Relationships

### [Miriam Henderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/backwater_se/characters/miriam_henderson)

_professional_

Miss Jenny Perne is Miriam's colleague and headmistress, with a formal but respectful working relationship.

### [Julia Doyle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/backwater_se/characters/julia_doyle)

_professional_

Julia and Miss Jenny Perne have a formal professional relationship as teacher and headmistress.

### [Miriam Henderson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/backwater_se/characters/miriam_henderson)

_professional_

Miss Jenny Perne is Miriam's colleague and headmistress, with a formal but respectful working relationship.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/backwater_se/chapters/i)

One of the schoolmistresses; conducts the interview with Miriam.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/backwater_se/chapters/iii)

Questions Miss Deborah about the incident in the park; scolds her for not intervening.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/backwater_se/chapters/iv)

Present in the schoolroom, teaching her own class of younger girls while Miriam teaches the upper junior class.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/backwater_se/chapters/v)

Welcomes Miriam warmly, expresses pride and affection.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/backwater_se/chapters/vi)

Miss Perne arranges for Miriam to have free time in the afternoons after Miriam's doctor recommends more air and movement.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/backwater_se/chapters/x)

Expresses concern and surprise at Miriam's decision, offers testimonials and a place to stay during holidays.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/backwater_se/characters/miss_jenny_perne
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/backwater_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/backwater_se/characters