Mrs. Reed might be at that time some six or seven and thirty; she was a woman of robust frame, square-shouldered and strong-limbed, not tall, and, though stout, not obese: she had a somewhat large face, the under jaw being much developed and very solid; her brow was low, her chin large and prominent, mouth and nose sufficiently regular; under her light eyebrows glimmered an eye devoid of ruth; her skin was dark and opaque, her hair nearly flaxen; her constitution was sound as a bell--illness never came near her; she was an exact, clever manager; her household and tenantry were thoroughly under her control; her children only at times defied her authority and laughed it to scorn; she dressed well, and had a presence and port calculated to set off handsome attire.
Ella poteva avere trentasei anni; era una donna robusta, con le spalle quadre; non era grassa, benché fosse forte e piccola, e il volto pareva largo per l'eccessivo sviluppo del mento. Aveva la fronte bassa, la bocca ed il naso regolari; i suoi occhi, senza bontà, brillavano sotto le ciglia scolorate; era scura di carnagione e aveva i capelli biondi.