Indeed, perhaps we should bring in the enigmatic figure of Colin's uncle, Dr Craven - who is torn between duty to his nephew/patient, and the knowledge that he will inherit Misslethwaite should he not survive. (One of things I like about the book is the fact that Burnett refrained the obvious move of making Colin's uncle an out-and-out villain, just as she refrained from making Mrs Medlock a tyrant of Minchinesque proportions. She teases us with those possibilities, only to withhold them.) All three have their reasons for keeping up the charade: Colin because it's the only way he can get attention and power; Dr Craven because it means that he can still dream of an inheritance; and Mr Craven because - well, because of his attack of the Münchies, perhaps, which has its own roots in grief, self-hatred, morbid obsession, etc etc. They are a seriously fucked up family, in short. I don't suppose being called 'Craven' helps much, either.