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Nicodemus “Noddy” Boffin
Henerietty Boffin is the wife of Noddy Boffin. Although Henerietty has spent most of her life at the bottom of London’s social ladder, she likes to feel fashionable, as shown by the satin dress she wears when Silas Wegg first comes to see them. She is a kind and selfless character who wants to use her new money to help others. First, she takes in Bella as a daughter (out of sympathy after Bella seemingly loses her intended husband, John Harmon), then she tries to adopt an orphan (Johnny) to make up for the “death” of John Harmon. When Boffin seemingly takes a turn toward becoming a miser, this seems to greatly affect Henerietty (although she may be in on his act). Ultimately, Henerietty shows how people can use wealth for good and generous reasons, compared to most of the other characters in the book, who seek to hoard wealth for their own selfish reasons.
Henerietty Boffin Quotes in Our Mutual Friend
The Our Mutual Friend quotes below are all either spoken by Henerietty Boffin or refer to Henerietty Boffin. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Book 2, Chapter 9
Quotes
The doctor was quick to understand children, and, taking the horse, the ark, the yellow bird, and the man in the Guards, from Johnny’s bed, softly placed them on that of his next neighbour, the mite with the broken leg.
With a weary and yet a pleased smile, and with an action as if he stretched his little figure out to rest, the child heaved his body on the sustaining arm, and seeking Rokesmith’s face with his lips, said:
“A kiss for the boofer lady.”
Having now bequeathed all he had to dispose of, and arranged his affairs in this world, Johnny, thus speaking, left it.
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Book 3, Chapter 4
Quotes
“I have hoped and trusted not too, Pa; but every day he changes for the worse, and for the worse. Not to me—he is always much the same to me—but to others about him. Before my eyes he grows suspicious, capricious, hard, tyrannical, unjust. If ever a good man were ruined by good fortune, it is my benefactor. And yet, Pa, think how terrible the fascination of money is! I see this, and hate this, and dread this, and don’t know but that money might make a much worse change in me. And yet I have money always in my thoughts and my desires; and the whole life I place before myself is money, money, money, and what money can make of life!”
Book 3, Chapter 8
Quotes
Sewn in the breast of her gown, the money to pay for her burial was still intact. If she could wear through the day, and then lie down to die under cover of the darkness, she would die independent. If she were captured previously, the money would be taken from her as a pauper who had no right to it, and she would be carried to the accursed workhouse.
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Book 3, Chapter 16
Quotes
“I never was so surprised, my dear!” said her father. “I couldn’t believe my eyes. Upon my life, I thought they had taken to lying! The idea of your coming down the Lane yourself! Why didn’t you send the footman down the Lane, my dear?”
“I have brought no footman with me, Pa.”
“Oh indeed! But you have brought the elegant turn-out, my love?”
“No, Pa.”
“You never can have walked, my dear?”
“Yes, I have, Pa.”
He looked so very much astonished, that Bella could not make up her mind to break it to him just yet.
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Henerietty Boffin Quotes in Our Mutual Friend
The Our Mutual Friend quotes below are all either spoken by Henerietty Boffin or refer to Henerietty Boffin. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Book 2, Chapter 9
Quotes
The doctor was quick to understand children, and, taking the horse, the ark, the yellow bird, and the man in the Guards, from Johnny’s bed, softly placed them on that of his next neighbour, the mite with the broken leg.
With a weary and yet a pleased smile, and with an action as if he stretched his little figure out to rest, the child heaved his body on the sustaining arm, and seeking Rokesmith’s face with his lips, said:
“A kiss for the boofer lady.”
Having now bequeathed all he had to dispose of, and arranged his affairs in this world, Johnny, thus speaking, left it.
Related Characters:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 3, Chapter 4
Quotes
“I have hoped and trusted not too, Pa; but every day he changes for the worse, and for the worse. Not to me—he is always much the same to me—but to others about him. Before my eyes he grows suspicious, capricious, hard, tyrannical, unjust. If ever a good man were ruined by good fortune, it is my benefactor. And yet, Pa, think how terrible the fascination of money is! I see this, and hate this, and dread this, and don’t know but that money might make a much worse change in me. And yet I have money always in my thoughts and my desires; and the whole life I place before myself is money, money, money, and what money can make of life!”
Book 3, Chapter 8
Quotes
Sewn in the breast of her gown, the money to pay for her burial was still intact. If she could wear through the day, and then lie down to die under cover of the darkness, she would die independent. If she were captured previously, the money would be taken from her as a pauper who had no right to it, and she would be carried to the accursed workhouse.
Related Characters:
Related Symbols:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Book 3, Chapter 16
Quotes
“I never was so surprised, my dear!” said her father. “I couldn’t believe my eyes. Upon my life, I thought they had taken to lying! The idea of your coming down the Lane yourself! Why didn’t you send the footman down the Lane, my dear?”
“I have brought no footman with me, Pa.”
“Oh indeed! But you have brought the elegant turn-out, my love?”
“No, Pa.”
“You never can have walked, my dear?”
“Yes, I have, Pa.”
He looked so very much astonished, that Bella could not make up her mind to break it to him just yet.
