The story made me feel a bit angry towards the mother. Most parents want their children to be independent adults, although disliking the ones our children choose to be with, is a feeling many parents have.
The attitude of the mother made everyone unhappy. It prevented the children to have a good relationship with the father.
Gertrude is to be pitied at the same time. Women had no choice back then. If they had a bad marriage, they had to stay, because of economic reasons.