# Mr. McLean — Freckles character guide > Mr. McLean in Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** McLean, Mister McLean, Dear Mr. McLean **First appearance:** 0001-freckles ## Snapshot The shrewd timber boss who plucks a one-handed boy from an orphanage, hands him a fortune to guard, and quietly becomes the father Freckles never had. ## Who they are McLean hires Freckles to watch the Limberlost timberline, outfits him, and places him with the Duncans, watching from a distance in those first dangerous weeks. Gruff but deeply invested, he carries news between Freckles and the Angel's family and grieves the swamp's dullness whenever the boy is absent. His steady faith in Freckles gives the story its scaffolding, and his thumping heart in the sickroom shows how much the guard has come to mean to him. ## Relationships ### [Freckles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/characters/freckles) _professional_ Mr. McLean is a lawyer who helps Freckles with legal matters regarding his inheritance and identity. ### [Freckles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/characters/freckles) _professional_ Mr. McLean is a lawyer who helps Freckles with legal matters regarding his inheritance and identity. ### [Freckles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/characters/freckles) _professional_ Mr. McLean is a lawyer who helps Freckles with legal matters regarding his inheritance and identity. ## In the story ### [Freckles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/freckles) Hires Freckles as the Limberlost guard, showing trust and kindness. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/i) The Boss of the Grand Rapids Lumber Company, a fair and methodical man who hires Freckles despite his disability, impressed by his grit. ### [Wherein Freckles proves his mettle and finds friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/ii) Outfits Freckles, gives him instruction, and shows him around the timberline. ### [Wherein a feather falls and a soul is born](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/iii) Listens to Freckles' troubles and agrees to provide books to help him learn about the swamp. ### [Wherein Freckles Faces Trouble Bravely and Opens the Way for New Experiences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/iv) Discovers Freckles' artistic soul; orders removal of the valuable tree; trusts Freckles completely; plans to send Freckles to his mother for education. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/v) Visits Freckles at night, expresses concern for his safety, offers to double the guard, and reveals his plan to adopt Freckles as his son. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/vi) Referenced as Freckles' boss and the one who made the wager about the trees. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/vii) Discusses the ambush with Freckles, offers a second guard, brings a new bicycle. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/viii) Observes Freckles and the Angel from a window and silently approves of their interaction. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/ix) Summoned by Mrs. Duncan to remove Freckles from the swamp, but Freckles convinces him to let him stay. ### [Wherein Freckles Strives Mightily and the Swamp Angel Rewards Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/x) Observes the kiss and discusses its meaning with the Bird Woman, showing pity and understanding. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/xiii) Arrives with the Angel to rescue Freckles, binds Wessner, and later visits the Angel with Freckles. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/xiv) Discovers Freckles' distress, promises to protect the Angel, and helps find Black Jack's body. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/xv) Mentioned as needing Freckles when the gang arrives for timber work. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/xvi) Praises the discovery of the tree, plans to reserve veneer for a dressing table for the Angel, and oversees the camp setup. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/xvii) Oversees the tree felling, carries the Angel to nurses, and desperately seeks a way to save Freckles. ### [Wherein Freckles Refuses Love Without Knowledge of Honorable Birth, and the Angel Goes in Quest of It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/xviii) Visits Freckles in the hospital, learns of his refusal of the Angel, and implores the surgeon to save him, calling him 'too fine to be sacrificed.' ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/xix) Referenced as the 'dear Boss' who previously expressed love for Freckles. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/chapters/xx) Visits Freckles in Chicago, feeling jealous of Lord O'More's influence, but is reassured by Freckles' loyalty. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/characters/mr_mclean - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/freckles_se/characters