He had a big head, if he was small, and could carry any number of books in it.

That was what Boston people liked.

Her thoughts seemed continually navigating between religion and the fashions.

She had no deep affection or love for any one, not even for her daughter Mattie, whom she viewed in the light of a rather valuable ornament, in the disposal of which she must make the best bargain she could, not so much for the girl's sake as her own.
She could toss her head as disdainfully as any of your fine dames; and she could discourse as glibly about genteel society as a successful milliner just set up for a lady.

She had plain Mrs.Jones for a neighbor, and would drop that honest woman a nod now and then, out of mere politeness.