Mrs. Allen fails Big Time as a parental figure, doesn't she? I wonder what Catherine's parents were thinking to entrust their daughter to her care. Surely they knew how vague and spineless she was. Were they counting on Mr. Allen to keep an eye on Catherine? But then, he usually disappears into the card room at the dance...

I get so frustrated with Mrs. Allen's agreeing to everything anyone says, even if it is a direct contradiction to what she said the previous sentence!

The only thing Mrs. Allen seems decided upon is dress. I'm trying to remember another instance where she didn't change her opinion on something depending on what the person she's with says. Can anyone?