She never gave him any cause.' 'Not knowingly, I quite believe,' replied Kirkwood.

'But what a miserable home it is!' 'Yes.' Jane shook her head.

'She doesn't seem to know how to keep things in order.

She doesn't seem even to understand me when I try to show her how it might be different.' 'There's the root of the trouble, Jane.

What chance had Pennyloaf of ever learning how to keep a decent home, and bring up her children properly?
How was _she_ brought up?
The wonder is that there's so much downright good in her; I feel the same wonder about people every day.
Suppose Pennyloaf behaved as badly as her mother does, who on earth would have the right to blame her?
But we can't expect miracles; so long as she lives decently, it's the most that can be looked for.