# Mr. Beale — Harding’s Luck character guide

> Mr. Beale in Harding’s Luck by E. Nesbit.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Beale, old Beale, Old Beale

**First appearance:** 0001-harding-s-luck

## Who they are

Dickie's abusive guardian who keeps him in poverty.

## Relationships

### [Dickie Harding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/characters/dickie_harding)

_professional_

Mr. Beale is Dickie's harsh and exploitative master, forcing him to work as a crippled beggar and later as a servant.

### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/characters/father)

_rivalry_

Father is hostile toward Mr. Beale, who has mistreated Dickie in his other life.

### [Lord Arden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/characters/lord_arden)

_rivalry_

Lord Arden confronts Mr. Beale as an antagonist who has harmed his grandson.

### [Dickie Harding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/characters/dickie_harding)

_professional_

Mr. Beale is Dickie's harsh and exploitative master, forcing him to work as a crippled beggar and later as a servant.

### [Dickie Harding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/characters/dickie_harding)

_professional_

Mr. Beale is Dickie's harsh and exploitative master, forcing him to work as a crippled beggar and later as a servant.

### [Lord Arden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/characters/lord_arden)

_rivalry_

Lord Arden confronts Mr. Beale as an antagonist who has harmed his grandson.

### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/characters/father)

_rivalry_

Father is hostile toward Mr. Beale, who has mistreated Dickie in his other life.

### [Lord Arden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/characters/lord_arden)

_rivalry_

Lord Arden confronts Mr. Beale as an antagonist who has harmed his grandson.

## In the story

### [Harding’s Luck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/harding-s-luck)

A tramp who takes Dickie on the road and becomes his companion.

### [I: Tinkler and the Moonflower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/i-tinkler-and-the-moonflower)

A man who meets Dickie at the hospital and claims to be his father's friend, taking Dickie to a lodging house and instructing him to call him 'farver'.

### [II: Burglars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/ii-burglars)

Leads the burglary, carrying Dickie and instructing him, but shows concern for Dickie's safety.

### [III: The Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/iii-the-escape)

The man Dickie calls father; his safety is Dickie's primary concern, motivating the escape.

### [IV: Which Was the Dream?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/iv-which-was-the-dream)

Beale is waiting for Dickie at a lodging-house in Gravesend, a constant reminder of the old life and the promise Dickie must keep.

### [To Get Your Own Living](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/v-to-get-your-own-living)

Mr. Beale agrees to give up burglary, sells puppies for profit, and reacts with jealousy and insecurity when Dickie speaks of his dream identity.

### [VI: Buried Treasure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/vi-buried-treasure)

Confesses his past to Dickie and is forgiven; starts a dog-trade; feels a longing for the open road but remains steady.

### [Going Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/viii-going-home)

Beale's dog-trade prospers, but he grows restless in Deptford. He proposes taking to the road, buys a trick dachshund, and hesitantly reunites with his elderly father.

### [IX: Kidnapped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/ix-kidnapped)

Shows jealousy and fear of losing Dickie after Lord Arden reveals Dickie's true heritage; reads the Wesleyan Magazine.

### [X: The Noble Deed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/x-the-noble-deed)

Confesses his past to Lord Arden; helps search for Dickie.

### [Lord Arden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/xi-lord-arden)

Mentioned as having been 'settled in life' by Dickie, who no longer feels responsible for him.

### [XII: The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/xii-the-end)

Mentioned as the tramp Dickie helped; Beale is now a new man thanks to Dickie.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/characters/mr_beale
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/harding_s_luck_se/characters