Though she could not remember her father, it pleased Gabriella to think that Archibald was like him, and Miss Polly declared, with conviction, that he was "already his living image." Of the two children, for some obscure reason which she could not define and which was probably rooted in instinct, Gabriella had the greater tenderness for her son; and though she denied this preference to herself, Mrs.Fowler and Miss Polly had both commented upon it.

Even his temper, which was uncontrollable at times, endeared him to her, and the streak of savage in his nature seemed to awaken some dim ancestral memories in her brain.
"Thank Miss Polly for the apple and run away to Fanny," said his mother, after she had held him pressed closely to her breast for a minute.

While she did so, she felt, with profound sadness, that her whole universe had dwindled down to her children.

Of all her happiness only her children remained to her.
"Don't want to run," replied Archibald with beaming good humour.

In his passion for brevity he eliminated pronouns whenever it was possible.
"But Fanny is waiting for you." "Would rather stay with mother than go with Fanny and Mutton." That was another of his eccentricities.