# Nurse Frances — Giant’s Bread character guide

> Nurse Frances in Giant’s Bread by Agatha Christie.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Frances, old Nurse, Nurse Frances

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

A grave, green-eyed nurse whose steady competence wins a sick boy's trust — and his mother's furious jealousy — during a childhood illness that changes everything.

## Who they are

Nurse Frances takes charge of Vernon's sickroom with orange juice in a spouted cup and a counting game that ends in sleep, and she treats his imaginary world of Mr. Green and the hundred children as a serious matter worth discussing. Myra Deyre, wild with jealousy of 'the paid nurse,' fights pitched battles she always loses, while Vernon remembers only happy days. Her quiet victory over Myra quietly establishes the emotional fault lines of Vernon's childhood.

## Relationships

### [Vernon Deyre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/vernon_deyre)

_professional_

Nurse Frances cares for Vernon during his convalescence, acting as a compassionate but detached medical attendant.

### [Vernon Deyre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/vernon_deyre)

_professional_

Nurse Frances cares for Vernon during his convalescence, acting as a compassionate but detached medical attendant.

### [Vernon Deyre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/vernon_deyre)

_professional_

Nurse Frances cares for Vernon during his convalescence, acting as a compassionate but detached medical attendant.

## In the story

### [Book I: Abbots Puissants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/book-i-abbots-puissants)

The family nurse who cares for Vernon, representing warmth and continuity in his early life.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i)

The dominant figure in Vernon's life, starched and authoritative, who dismisses his rebellion with calm certainty.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii)

Refuses to take Vernon into the Forest, preferring walks along the road.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/vi)

Nurse confuses America with Australia, shaping Vernon's awestruck expectations of the visitor.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i)

Gives Winnie a 'Talking To' and lectures her about being 'unbecoming'.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii)

Nurse enters the nursery and stands aside respectfully as Walter leaves, her presence making him uncomfortable.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii)

Nurse Frances intervenes authoritatively, leading Myra away and later reprimanding Katie for discussing family matters.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i)

Nurse Frances provides authoritative and comforting explanations to Vernon, distinguishing between names suitable for gentry and servants, and explaining the origin of babies.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii)

Packing for her mother's illness, flustered and grim, rebuffs Vernon's questions.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iv)

Referred to as Mrs. Pascal; her absence changes the nursery dynamic.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/v)

Nurse is absent during Vernon's escapade, having left the door unlocked, which allows him to enter the Forest.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i)

Takes over Vernon's care, offers him orange juice, and helps him fall asleep by counting irises.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii)

Takes command of the situation, firmly insists Myra leave, and reassures Vernon by promising to write to his own nurse.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii)

The nurse who cares for Vernon; listens seriously to his imaginative games; tells him stories; handles Walter Deyre's advances with quiet firmness.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iv)

Vernon's devoted nurse who is unjustly accused by Myra and decides to leave to avoid further conflict.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii)

Recalled by Vernon for her advice about not running away from things before having a good look.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/nurse_frances
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters