White Hell of Pity — Norah Lofts

The Bacons live in Swything - a charming little village with a Saxon church, green lanes and comfortable farmhouses. But the Bacons themselves are anything but charming. They are slovenly, dirty and poor. There are too many children, and Mrs. Bacon cordially resents them all. But she hates Emmie the most - because Emmie offends the most. Emmie is different. Then, when Emmie turns twelve, the miracle happens. The chance arrives for her to learn about a world the other Bacons do not know of. For when Emmie is twelve, she meets Miss Stanton...