Mr. Carr and Mrs. Higgins both have an extraordinary amount of patience.  Neither one gets frustrated with Alfred or feels the need to "explode" at Alfred.  They each handle the situation with a quiet respect, showing their integrity and their humanity.  Mr. Carr is still willing to trust Alfred - he wants Alfred to learn from his mistake and improve.  Mrs. Higgins does speak angrily to her son, but like Mr. Carr, it is because she is disappointed in him and at her wits end.  They also have similar effects on Alfred, who is scared into silence by the way he has disappointed these caring adults.