Hortense, who has arrived in London from Jamaica, speaks in a way that is more proper and strained than the way other characters speak. Through her choice of words, she is trying to impress others with her correctness and manners and impress on them that she has very high standards of herself, those around her, and the world in general. For example, when she arrives at Queenie's house, Hortense asks Queenie about her husband, Gilbert, by saying, "This is perchance where he is aboding?" (11). Queenie does not even understand what Hortense means, as Queenie speaks in a more casual, natural way. Hortense's husband, Gilbert, speaks in a West Indian dialect. For example, he says, "You no pleased to see me?" (14). Hortense has an unrealistic view of what London is like, and she is shocked to see the small quarters in which her husband lives. The way she speaks shows that she is formal and correct and that she demands a lot of herself and the world around her.