Chapter 17

Mina's comforting of Quincey and Arthur shows the incredible reserves of strength she has at her disposal, and a great capacity for fulfilling the maternal role. She, too, has suffered great tragedies: she has lost her best friend, as well as Hawkins, who was the closest thing to a father she ever knew. She also has had to care for her recovering husband. Yet she has worked tirelessly at transcribing and compiling the papers, and she is the one that has provided a strong shoulder for the men to cry upon.