# Mr. Scruby — Can You Forgive Her? character guide

> Mr. Scruby in Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Scruby, Oh Mr. Scruby, This Mr. Scruby

**First appearance:** 0043-xliv-the-election-for-the-chelsea-districts

## Snapshot

George Vavasor's election agent, a family man who never runs any risks and never goes a yard further than he can see his way back.

## Who they are

Mr. Scruby manages the gritty business of George Vavasor's Chelsea election, inventing the cry 'Vote for Vavasor and the River Bank' and pestering his candidate about Father Thames and the embanking question. He refuses George's note of hand for expenses, declaring himself a family man who never runs any risks, and he has heard with accuracy all the particulars of the old Squire's will. His cautious, transactional dealings expose the financial desperation and moral shabbiness beneath George's political ambitions, making him a key instrument of the novel's early–middle arc.

## In the story

### [Mr. Grimes Gets His Odd Money](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xiii-mr-grimes-gets-his-odd-money)

Mr. Scruby is George's attorney, experienced in metropolitan elections. He advises George to pay Grimes's 'odd money' to keep him from joining the opposition.

### [XLI: A Noble Lord Dies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xli-a-noble-lord-dies)

George's election attorney who informs him of the Marquis's illness and pressures him to start the campaign immediately.

### [The Election for the Chelsea Districts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/xliv-the-election-for-the-chelsea-districts)

Election agent who devises the 'Vavasor and the River Bank' slogan and manages the campaign, demanding further funds.

### [Bold Speculations on Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/li-bold-speculations-on-murder)

George's election agent, inadvertently reveals Mr. Tombe's name in conversation about funds.

### [The Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lv-the-will)

The attorney who reads the will; insulted by George's accusations but defends the document's validity.

### [Alice Vavasor's Name Gets Into the Money Market](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lx-alice-vavasor-s-name-gets-into-the-money-market)

George's lawyer, who refuses to discount the bills signed by a lady and advises George to collect through his own banker.

### [Showing How George Vavasor Received a Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/chapters/lxxi-showing-how-george-vavasor-received-a-visit)

Election agent who abandons George's cause after receiving only part of the demanded funds.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters/scruby
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/can_you_forgive_her_se/characters