Mrs. Lapham

Silas Lapham

Mrs. Lapham is Silas's wife, who provides moral grounding and often worries about his pride and business decisions.

Silas Lapham

Mrs. Lapham is Silas's wife, who provides moral grounding and often worries about his pride and business decisions.

Silas Lapham

Mrs. Lapham is Silas's wife, who provides moral grounding and often worries about his pride and business decisions.

I

Mentioned as Persis, Lapham's wife, who encouraged him to paint the tavern and recognized the value of the paint.

II

Reports on the Corey family's manners and social status, and expresses concern about their daughters' social prospects.

III

Interprets the Texas newspaper as a sign of Tom Corey's interest in Irene; feels guilty and emotional upon meeting Rogers, accusing her husband of taking advantage of him.

IV

Reconciles with Silas after a quarrel by suggesting the family visit the new house; tours the building with the foreman.

VI

Mrs. Lapham is on the veranda of the summer cottage, waiting for her husband and checking her demand for excuses when she sees Corey.

VII

Suspects Tom Corey's interest in Irene, questions Lapham about the invitation, and expresses concern about the social implications.

IX

Warns Lapham not to appear to be running after Corey; insists on letting things take their natural course regarding Irene and Corey.

Chapter X

Expresses deep relief and moral satisfaction at Lapham's reconciliation with Rogers; urges him to never press Rogers for repayment.

Chapter XI

Warns Silas against social presumption; expresses contempt for his idea of inviting the Coreys before being invited themselves.

XII

Receives Mrs. Corey's call with visible anxiety and embarrassment, feeling guilty and inadequate despite her earlier confidence.

XIII

Struggles with feelings of social inferiority after Mrs. Corey's visit but is swayed by her husband and Irene to accept the invitation.

XIV

Present at the dinner, talking with Miss Kingsbury and Mrs. Sewell.

XV

Mentioned in Corey's reflections on the disparity between the Lapham and Corey families, noting how different she is from his mother.

XVI

Mentioned as being out with Irene at the Spanish Students' concert.

XVII

Anxious and conflicted, she seeks counsel from her husband and confronts Penelope about Tom Corey's proposal.

XVIII

Reveals to Silas that Tom Corey has been visiting for Penelope, not Irene, and insists they must face the situation calmly.

XIX

Bitterly accepts the need to tell Irene the truth, confronts her daughter with the revelation, and helplessly watches Irene's composed reaction.

Chapter XX

Questions Lapham's responsibility for Rogers' decline, showing moral concern.

Chapter XXI

Supports her husband, expresses guilt over involving Rogers, and struggles with the moral dilemma of the mills sale.

XXII

Receives Irene's letter, urges Penelope to help her father, and finds a paper recording payments to 'Wm. M.' which she later forgets.

Chapter XXIII

Listens to Lapham's confession, forgives him, and shows tacit kindness afterward.

XXIV

Discusses the situation with her husband and daughter, noting Penelope's improved spirits and the family's pride in not being beholden to the Coreys.

Chapter XXVI

Visits her husband's office seeking to support him, but becomes jealous and suspicious upon finding a young woman there; later receives an anonymous note and confronts Lapham angrily.

Chapter XXVII

Alternates between pride in Lapham's integrity and resentment over his financial missteps, particularly regarding speculation and insurance.