# Mrs. Pipkin — The Way We Live Now character guide

> Mrs. Pipkin in The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Pipkin, aunt Pipkin

**First appearance:** 0042-xliii-the-city-road

## Who they are

Ruby Ruggles's aunt, who provides her lodging in London.

## In the story

### [Mrs. Hurtle Goes to the Play](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xxvii-mrs-hurtle-goes-to-the-play)

The respectable widow who runs Mrs. Hurtle's lodging-house; she smiles knowingly as Paul enters late.

### [XLIII: The City Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xliii-the-city-road)

Ruby's aunt, a poor but good-natured widow who takes Ruby in. She gives Ruby advice about marriage and respectability, and later cooperates with Roger Carbury to monitor Ruby's behavior.

### [Ruby a Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xlviii-ruby-a-prisoner)

Determined to keep Ruby from going out at night, she locks the doors and refuses to yield despite Ruby's pleas.

### [Sir Felix Protects His Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxvii-sir-felix-protects-his-sister)

Weakly allows Sir Felix to meet Ruby, but later demands he put his intentions in writing.

### [Sir Felix Meddles with Many Matters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxx-sir-felix-meddles-with-many-matters)

Firmly demands written proof of Sir Felix's intentions before allowing Ruby to go out, and warns him of the consequences of dishonorable behavior.

### [John Crumb Falls Into Trouble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxi-john-crumb-falls-into-trouble)

Distressed by Ruby's departure, receives a cloak from John Crumb, and later learns of the fight.

### [Ruby Prepares for Service](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/lxxx-ruby-prepares-for-service)

Ruby's aunt who pressures her to go into service, delivers a stern lecture, and ultimately puts an advertisement in the paper for a nursemaid position.

### [Hetta's Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xc-hetta-s-sorrow)

She questions Mrs. Hurtle about Paul's letter and expresses sympathy for her broken love.

### [John Crumb's Victory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xciv-john-crumb-s-victory)

Assists in wedding preparations, receives a purple silk dress from John, and accompanies Mrs. Hurtle to Bungay.

### [Mrs. Hurtle's Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/chapters/xcvii-mrs-hurtle-s-fate)

Hosts Mrs. Hurtle, praises her as a lodger, and is grateful for her generosity.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters/mrs_pipkin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_way_we_live_now_se/characters