Is there any explanation why Mrs. Appleyard hated Sarah so much? I mean Appleyard was a real nasty piece of work toward everybody but why the intensity she showed toward Sarah? What spooked me was the little smile on Sarah's face when Mrs. Appleyard told her she was going to be sent back to the orphanage. Do you think Appleyard had sexual feelings toward Sarah?
shareMrs. Appleyard was trying to establish an upper class girl's boarding school. I think she thought Sarah was common and took her school down a few notches by her very presence. However the girl's guardian was very rich and she didn't want to turn him away. When the guardian lost communication, I think Appleyard finally saw a way to get Sarah out of her school.
In Sarah's regard, she was a troublemaker and probably disturbed. Hence all the untoward behavior she displayed toward everyone. There is a question whether she knew her suicide would destroy Appleyard's school (in addition to the tragedy at Hanging Rock).