# Mr. Toots — Dombey and Son character guide > Mr. Toots in Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Toots, Young Toots, the innocent Toots, Mr. Toots **First appearance:** 0015-xii-paul-s-education ## Snapshot A flustered old schoolmate of little Paul, all stammer and tailor's bills, whose heart quietly fixes on Florence. ## Who they are Mr. Toots drifts through Dr. Blimber's establishment in a fog of good intentions and confused arithmetic, cheerfully unable to remember whether the firm is Dombey and Son or Son and Dombey. He is ridiculous without being unkind, and his earnest, muddled admiration for Florence gives him a dignity he never quite manages in conversation. As the boys around him grow sharp and pale, Toots's softness becomes a kind of moral counterweight to the world's calculation. ## Relationships ### [Captain Cuttle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/captain_cuttle) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle and Mr. Toots share a comradely, slightly eccentric friendship, often bonding over their mutual affection for Florence. ### [Florence Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/florence_dombey) _friendship_ Florence is kind and patient with the awkward, devoted Mr. Toots, who is hopelessly in love with her but accepts her friendship. ### [Florence Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/florence_dombey) _friendship_ Florence is kind and patient with the awkward, devoted Mr. Toots, who is hopelessly in love with her but accepts her friendship. ### [Captain Cuttle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/captain_cuttle) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle and Mr. Toots share a comradely, slightly eccentric friendship, often bonding over their mutual affection for Florence. ### [Florence Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/florence_dombey) _friendship_ Florence is kind and patient with the awkward, devoted Mr. Toots, who is hopelessly in love with her but accepts her friendship. ### [Captain Cuttle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/captain_cuttle) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle and Mr. Toots share a comradely, slightly eccentric friendship, often bonding over their mutual affection for Florence. ## In the story ### [Paul’s Introduction to a New Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xi-paul-s-introduction-to-a-new-scene) Head boy at Blimber's; introduced to Paul and awkwardly greets him. ### [XII: Paul's Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xii-paul-s-education) An older student who has vague, unexpressed thoughts about Paul's oddness but is unable to articulate them. ### [Paul Grows More and More Old-Fashioned, and Goes Home for the Holidays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xiv-paul-grows-more-and-more-old-fashioned-and-goes-home-for-the-holidays) Toots is Paul's devoted friend and patron, who gives Mr. Feeder a snuff jar and plans a life of holidays after his 'last half' at school. ### [XXVIII: Alterations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxviii-alterations) Continues his devoted attentions to the family, leaving cards regularly at the villa. ### [New Voices in the Waves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xli-new-voices-in-the-waves) Follows Florence to the seaside, proposes but is kindly refused, then confides in Mr. Feeder. ### [A Separation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xliv-a-separation) Chivalrously agrees to escort Susan Nipper to the coach, showing his loyalty to Florence. ### [XLVIII: The Flight of Florence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xlviii-the-flight-of-florence) Visits Captain Cuttle, expresses his devotion to Florence, and leaves after a brief conversation. ### [Mr. Toots's Complaint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/l-mr-toots-s-complaint) Mr. Toots visits Florence, offering his service to find Susan Nipper and expressing his hopeless love and devotion, despite his own perceived deficiencies. ### [Several People Delighted, and the Game Chicken Disgusted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lvi-several-people-delighted-and-the-game-chicken-disgusted) Visits Florence and Walter, confesses his past love for Florence, resolves to improve himself, and decides to hear the banns read. ### [Another Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lvii-another-wedding) Attends the wedding and joins the celebration afterward, agreeing to save the last bottle of Madeira. ### [LX: Chiefly Matrimonial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lx-chiefly-matrimonial) Receives news of Florence's return and reconciliation with her father; expresses admiration for his wife Susan. ### [Final](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lxii-final) Married and father of a new daughter, still devoted to Florence and full of admiration for his wife. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_toots - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters