Question

The character of Dr Laurence Hutton

Answer 1

Mrs. Hutton was the wife of Mr. Laurence Hutton at the time when she and Helen Keller became friends.  Helen was friends with both Mr. and Mrs. Hutton.  The couple lived in a "lovely home" in New York City, which Helen visited often.  Mrs. Hutton was a loyal friend to Helen.  In fact, Helen noted that a lot of what she "[held] sweetest" and "most precious" was because of her dear friend.  Her friend offered her advice and guidance when she was at school.  When Helen would become discouraged, Mrs. Hutton wrote her encouraging letters.  It is evident from Helen's descriptions of her that Mrs. Hutton was a motherly figure who sought to mentor a young woman who was living away from her own mother.  She had a large amount of loyalty and was always willing to help her friends.The editor of The Story of My Life thanked Mrs. Hutton in the preface for providing many notes about Helen.