# Mrs. Larkins — The History of Mr. Polly character guide

> Mrs. Larkins in The History of Mr. Polly by H. G. Wells.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Larkins, the Larkins, Aunt Larkins

**First appearance:** 0000-i-beginnings-and-the-bazaar

## Snapshot

Miriam's mother, a bustling, managing woman who keeps her daughters' suitors guessing and her tea-table in a state of cheerful, buttery disarray.

## Who they are

Mrs. Larkins presides over the Larkins household with a mix of shrewdness and slapdash hospitality, sizing up Mr. Polly's matrimonial prospects while forgetting the butter. She boasts of having kept Larkins hesitating two years before marrying, a cautionary tale she aims squarely at her daughters' beaux. Her enigmatical grimace when she catches Mr. Polly's hand brush Miriam's signals a watchful, worldly tolerance that shapes the courtship's uneasy temperature.

## In the story

### [Mr. Polly an Orphan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv-mr-polly-an-orphan)

Aunt Larkins attends the funeral with her three daughters, actively participating in the proceedings.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iii)

Aunt Larkins, who arrives with her three daughters and embraces Mr. Polly warmly.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv)

Present at the funeral, happy in her daughters' company and overseeing the family's participation.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/v)

Argues with Uncle Pentstemon about the upbringing of her daughters.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/ii)

Mrs. Larkins welcomes Mr. Polly warmly, joins in the laughter, and comments on his cycling story.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iii)

Urges Mr. Polly to stay for supper and suggests the walk.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv)

Implied as the mother of the cousins; Mr. Polly visits 'the cousins' at the Larkins home.

### [VI: Miriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/vi-miriam)

Welcomes Mr. Polly back, chats about the family, and observes his interaction with Miriam.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/i)

Welcomes Mr. Polly warmly, talks about her daughters, and observes his interactions with them.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/ii)

Orchestrates the meeting and insists Minnie stay home.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iii)

Welcomes Mr. Polly warmly and provides household jam for tea.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/iv)

The emotional mother of the bride, weeping copiously and struggling with her bonnet throughout the ceremony.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/v)

Clinging to Mr. Voules and sobbing emotionally over her daughter's marriage.

### [The Wedding Feast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/chapters/vi)

The mother of the bride, who arrives with the wedding party and later speaks in praise of Miriam.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters/larkins
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_mr_polly_se/characters