# Bess Haselford — A Popular Schoolgirl character guide

> Bess Haselford in A Popular Schoolgirl by Angela Brazil.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Bess Haselford, Haselford, little Bess, Poor Bess

**First appearance:** 0003-iv-intruder-bess

## Snapshot

A shy new girl with golden-brown hair and a violin, Bess Haselford wins Ingred's friendship before either of them learns what Rotherwood means.

## Who they are

Bess arrives at the College looking like a Reynolds child angel, lost and forlorn until Ingred takes her under her wing. Beneath the shyness is real nerve: at the Abbey recital she fixes her eyes on the west window and plays as if the music were praise rather than performance. Her family's tenancy of Rotherwood places her, without her knowing it, at the exact center of Ingred's private grief, and that quiet collision shapes the whole middle of the book.

## Relationships

### [Ingred Saxon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/characters/ingred_saxon)

_friendship_

Bess is Ingred's closest friend and confidante, often supporting her through school and personal troubles.

### [Dr. Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/characters/dr_linton)

_professional_

Bess interacts with Dr. Linton in his capacity as school doctor, often regarding Ingred's health.

### [Ingred Saxon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/characters/ingred_saxon)

_friendship_

Bess is Ingred's closest friend and confidante, often supporting her through school and personal troubles.

### [Ingred Saxon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/characters/ingred_saxon)

_friendship_

Bess is Ingred's closest friend and confidante, often supporting her through school and personal troubles.

### [Dr. Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/characters/dr_linton)

_professional_

Bess interacts with Dr. Linton in his capacity as school doctor, often regarding Ingred's health.

### [Dr. Linton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/characters/dr_linton)

_professional_

Bess interacts with Dr. Linton in his capacity as school doctor, often regarding Ingred's health.

## In the story

### [IV: Intruder Bess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/chapters/iv-intruder-bess)

New girl who arrives at the College, pretty and friendly, lives at Rotherwood, is warmly welcomed by most of the form.

### [V: The Fifth-Form Fête](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/chapters/v-the-fifth-form-f-te)

Plays the violin beautifully, bringing grapes from Rotherwood, and is praised by the girls.

### [XI: On Strike](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/chapters/xi-on-strike)

Chosen as reporter for the hockey match due to her offer of car rides; tries to befriend Ingred but is rebuffed.

### [An Easter Pilgrimage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/chapters/xvi-an-easter-pilgrimage)

Joins the walking tour; carries a dispatch-case; expresses fear of cows during Nora's photo schemes.

### [The Rivals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/chapters/xvii-the-rivals)

Correctly identifies bugle; wanders into dangerous meadow; rescued by Ingred.

### [Bess at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/chapters/xviii-bess-at-home)

Hosts Ingred at Rotherwood, shows her the preserved attic studio, and confesses her lonely past and attachment to Ingred's portrait.

### [The Abbey Recital](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/chapters/xxi-the-abbey-recital)

A talented violinist who nervously but successfully performs at the Abbey recital.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/characters/bess_haselford
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_popular_schoolgirl_se/characters