Year after year, from the time she could stagger under the weight of a baby, she had received a new burden for her arms, and had found enough love for each newcomer.
The second Mrs.Gray was a poor, puny, washed-out little rag of a woman, whose one distinction was the number of her children.

They had always great appetites to be satisfied.

As soon as they began to run about, the rapidity with which they wore out their boots and the knees of their trousers, and outgrew their frocks, was a subject upon which Mrs.Gray could expatiate for hours.

Mary had a tender, strong pity from the earliest age for the down-at-heel, over-burdened stepmother, which lightened her own load, as did the vicarious, motherly love which came to her for each succeeding fat baby.
Mary was nurse and nursery-governess to all the family.

Wistaria Terrace had one great recompense for its humble and hidden condition.