Mrs. Rouncewell is the housekeeper at Sir Leicester Dedlock’s country house, Chesney Wold. She is the mother of George and Mr. Rouncewell and the grandmother of Watt. Mrs. Rouncewell loves both her sons, but George has always been her favorite. She is devastated when he leaves home and believes he has been killed in the army. Although she loves Mr. Rouncewell, she does not understand his decision to leave Sir Leicester’s service and to go into industry instead. She accepts his decision but views it as a rejection of her lifestyle and a proud Rouncewell tradition. Mrs. Rouncewell is a loyal servant to Sir Leicester and lives out the rest of her days in this role. She is delighted by George’s return, who is more like her than Mr. Rouncewell, and enjoys the discipline of service to reign in his wandering temperament.