She was relieved to hear that she need not "look after" Mary too much.

She had felt her a tiresome charge and had indeed seen as little of her as she dared.

In addition to this she was fond of Martha's mother.
"Thank you, sir," she said.

"Susan Sowerby and me went to school together and she's as sensible and good-hearted a woman as you'd find in a day's walk.

I never had any children myself and she's had twelve, and there never was healthier or better ones.