Character Analysis
Evelyn is Hugh Whitbread’s ailing wife who lives in a nursing home. Though Clarissa doesn’t ask for specifics, she learns that Evelyn has an "internal ailment" (1.9), which is why Hugh is in London for the day to see doctors (1.9). Clarissa thinks about getting a book for her, but is unsure of her taste and doesn’t really want to visit her in a nursing home anyway, since she’s an "indescribably dried-up woman" (1.17). Ouch.