And don't forget admiration. She probably craves that even more than she does compassion or understanding. Most people assume that she should never have had the chance to be anything but a useless child, but she's proud of having been something more (even if the person that bailed out and gave her that chance did something reprehensible) and she'd love it if you noticed and admired that and the skills, strength, and patience she gained from it.
Right, CE. Children require a lot of praise and encouragement, and Mrs. Cemar received none of that as a child. (Never mind the adult responsibilities and abuse she bore on top of that.) Now, as a mom to her own children, she prides herself on doing her job as a housewife (housekeeper) and mom well and she craves praise and encouragement for doing so. The fact that she receives none of that from her husband, the man she loves, must be incredibly frustrating and painful for her.
