 How did Matilda's mother feel about Matilda?
The fact that in all probability such a man did not exist disturbed Matilda not in the least. The first thing the widow Penshaws did was to take Matilda's left hand in her own and examine the next-to-the-last finger. Matilda switched her bed lamp on and dabbed some citronella on each ear lobe and a little droplet on her chin (how she hated insects!). There were five cars parked in the long driveway, and now Matilda's made the sixth. Matilda congratulated herself for what she thought had been her ingenuity, and which now turned out to be something which she had in common with five other women.
 she loves her daughter but wishes she'd settle with a man
 she wanted Matilda to get married and finally move out  she loves her daughter but wishes she'd settle with a man  she was jealous of how her daughter handled the men she met  she thinks Matilda is very wise in the decisions she makes