It will have been deduced from the foregoing that Mr. Abbott was a bachelor — what wife would have allowed her husband to sit up till all hours for two nights running reading the manuscript of a novel? None.
-- Narrator (chapter 2)

Importance: This quote gives an idea of Mr. Abbott's character. He is a bit aloof and very passionate about books and reading. His work is everything to him, and he cares so much about it that it invades her personal life. This quote also hints at Mr. Abbott's marriage to Barbara Buncle at the end of the novel. She is indeed the sort of wife who would allow this behavior because she understands his love for books and publishing.

I'm an author,' she said to herself. 'How very odd!
-- Barbara Buncle (chapter 2)

Importance: Here Barbara grapples with her new status as an author, not just of stories that amuse herself, but ones that land her...