Did you ever know a woman who has done better with her children, or has known how to do better, than Theodore's mother?
She is the dearest old woman." Harry had heard her called a very clever old woman by certain persons in Stratton, and could not but think of her matrimonial successes as her praises were thus sung by her daughter-in-law.
They went on talking, while Sophy sat in Harry's lap, till there was heard the sound of a key in the latch of the front door, and the master of the house was known to be there.

"It's Theodore," said his wife, jumping up and going out to meet him.

"I'm so glad that you have been here a little before him, because now I feel that I know you.

When he's here, I shan't get in a word." Then she went down to her husband, and Harry was left to speculate how so very charming a woman could ever have been brought to love a man who cleaned his boots with his pocket-handkerchief.
There were soon steps again upon the stairs, and Burton returned, bringing with him another man, whom he introduced to Harry as Mr.Jones.
"I didn't know my brother was coming," said Mrs.Burton, "but it will be very pleasant, as of course I shall want you to know him." Harry became a little perplexed.

How far might these family ramifications be supposed to go?
Would he be welcomed, as one of the household, to the hearth of Mrs.Jones; and if of Mrs.Jones, then of Mrs.Jones's brother?
His mental inquiries, however, in this direction, were soon ended by his finding that Mr.Jones who a bachelor.
Jones, it appeared, was the editor, or sub-editor, or co-editor, of some influential daily newspaper.