Toby stands at the front doorway, leaning against it with a distant look on his face while his mother speaks. He has an attractive appearance, but his unkempt beard detracts from it. The narrator perceives his beard as unattractive and messy, leading to feelings of frustration. Instead of enhancing his looks, it seems to make him less appealing and in need of grooming. The narrator wishes Toby would take better care of his appearance.

The passage captures the narrator's critical view of Toby's facial hair, suggesting that a well-groomed beard can significantly impact a person's attractiveness. The depiction emphasizes the importance of personal grooming and the role it plays in one's overall image. Despite the potential for good looks, Toby's uninspired beard choice overshadows his attractiveness, leading the observer to long for a little effort from him in that regard.