Alice Malloy is depicted as a woman with dark, stringy hair and a physical appearance that evokes a sense of weariness and desolation. Her husband, despite his love for her, occasionally sees in her features a resemblance to a dreary tenement doorway on a rainy day. This comparison highlights the sadness and emptiness that permeates her expression.

Her long and vacant face reflects the struggles and delicate emotions faced by those living in poverty. The imagery creates a poignant portrait of Alice's character, suggesting that her experiences may have shaped her demeanor, revealing the underlying suffering and vulnerability of life in difficult circumstances.