In spite of having been brought up in the home of a tyrannous father and a "beaten down" mother, [REUBEN] shows the right instincts in regard to responsibilities, family, and personal relationships. A man of order and principles, he does not like change and has remained in Nodd's Ridge his entire life. Although not a follower of any formal religious doctrine, Reuben has always followed the rules, and expects a good life as his reward.