Mrs. Mason ran the Portsmouth boarding house that Hornblower stayed at during his demobilization during the Peace of Amiens. She was a short, brusque woman, with a hard face. She lived in her boarding house on Highbury Street with her daughter, Maria, and maid Susie. She was delighted when her daughter married a naval officer, and even had an admiral turn up at their wedding. Mrs. Mason was portrayed by Barbara Flynn in the Hornblower TV series.