sadly , my plan for discovering a more compassionate benefactress for them came to naught : it appears that for mature ladies in need of companions , there is never any shortage of poor relations to occupy these positions ; while those who do not already have such companions , are often protective of their independence , and inconveniently argue that to add the interference of a hired companion to a life already filled ( variously ) with the opinions of husbands , friends , grown children and servants , would be the height of folly .