# Aunt Polly — David Harum character guide > Aunt Polly in David Harum by Edward Noyes Westcott. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Polly, the practical Polly, Marie **First appearance:** 0001-david-harum ## Snapshot David Harum's sharp-eyed, plainspoken sister, who keeps his household running and reads her brother's silences better than anyone in Homeville. ## Who they are Known to nearly everyone as Aunt Polly, Mrs. Bixbee manages David's home and watches him with affectionate suspicion across the supper table. When David announces he has telegraphed for a young man from New York, she presses him with practical questions and quiet anxiety about what her brother is up to. Her grounded, unpretentious presence anchors David's domestic life and offers a counterweight to his restless scheming. ## Relationships ### [David Harum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/david_harum) _family_ Aunt Polly is David Harum's relative, likely an aunt, who lives with him and manages his household. ### [Mrs. Bixbee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/mrs_bixbee) _friendship_ Aunt Polly and Mrs. Bixbee are friendly neighbors who share gossip and domestic concerns. ### [John Lenox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/john_lenox) _friendship_ Aunt Polly treats John Lenox with maternal warmth, as a friend of the household. ### [David Harum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/david_harum) _family_ Aunt Polly is David Harum's relative, likely an aunt, who lives with him and manages his household. ### [Mrs. Bixbee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/mrs_bixbee) _friendship_ Aunt Polly and Mrs. Bixbee are friendly neighbors who share gossip and domestic concerns. ### [David Harum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/david_harum) _family_ Aunt Polly is David Harum's relative, likely an aunt, who lives with him and manages his household. ### [Mrs. Bixbee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/mrs_bixbee) _friendship_ Aunt Polly and Mrs. Bixbee are friendly neighbors who share gossip and domestic concerns. ### [John Lenox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/john_lenox) _friendship_ Aunt Polly treats John Lenox with maternal warmth, as a friend of the household. ### [John Lenox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/john_lenox) _friendship_ Aunt Polly treats John Lenox with maternal warmth, as a friend of the household. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/i) Listens to David's story and expresses concern about where the young man from New York will stay. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/ii) Listens to David's story and reacts with exclamations and questions, showing her moral concern. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xv) Mrs. Bixbee is introduced as David's sister; she is eager to meet John but is constrained by David's teasing prohibition. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xvi) Sews a towel, expresses concern about John's loneliness, and criticizes David's scheme with the counterfeit money. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xviii) Provides dry clothes, a shawl, and whisky for Mrs. Cullom, though she is discreet about the whisky's presence in the house. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xx) Mentioned as the one who gave David kind words in his youth and is expecting Mrs. Cullom for dinner. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxii) Narrates the Lish Harum story to Mrs. Cullom. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxiii) Welcomes John, shows him to his room, and is touched by his request for a Christmas kiss. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxiv) Mrs. Bixbee is incredulous at the marriage story and protests David's telling of the theater anecdote. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxv) David mentions Polly fondly, noting his desire to buy her gifts and his appreciation for her kindness. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxvii) Mentioned as David's sister who criticized his city clothes and is described as conservative. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxviii) Mentioned by David as being popular and knowledgeable about the local families, though not part of the elite circle. ### [The Second Winter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxx) David jokes that John has replaced him in Polly's favor; she is nervous around horses and no longer accompanies them on drives. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxxi) Approves the piano, sings hymns with John, and enjoys Sunday evening concerts. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxxv) Engages in conversation with David about John and local gossip. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxxvi) Admires John's appearance before he leaves for the musical evening. ### [David's Tale of Matrimony](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxxviii) Mentioned as having told John that David is a widower; David notes he hasn't discussed his marriage much with her. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xliv) Presses homemade remedies on John and tries to tempt his appetite with her cooking. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/epilogue) Has gained about twenty pounds; dines with John and his wife every Sunday. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/aunt_polly - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters