# Allan Baird — His Family character guide > Allan Baird in His Family by Ernest Poole. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Baird, Allan Baird, And Baird, Allan, Telephone Allan—Allan Baird, A. Baird, Allan Baird—we **First appearance:** 0002-i ## Snapshot Deborah's husband, a man whose patient, reasoned love Laura mocks as cold — and who may be the steadiest thing in the Gale orbit. ## Who they are Allan Baird exists in the family mostly through others' talk: Laura sneers that Deborah's love for him is all mind and reason, the kind that can wait for years, while Deborah herself keeps him carefully out of the quarrels that swirl around her. He is the man Deborah chose, and the choice says something about her — deliberate, unsentimental, unafraid of waiting. When the family's crises demand a clear head, his name is the one that surfaces as a possible ally. ## Relationships ### [Deborah Gale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/deborah_gale) _romantic_ Allan is Deborah's suitor, and their relationship is marked by mutual affection but also tension over her family obligations. ### [Roger Gale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/roger_gale) _friendship_ Allan and Roger share a friendly, respectful camaraderie, often bonding over their concern for Deborah. ### [Bruce Cunningham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/bruce_cunningham) _rivalry_ Allan and Bruce are rivals, often in opposition due to their competing interests in the Gale family's affairs. ### [Roger Gale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/roger_gale) _friendship_ Allan and Roger share a friendly, respectful camaraderie, often bonding over their concern for Deborah. ### [Deborah Gale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/deborah_gale) _romantic_ Allan is Deborah's suitor, and their relationship is marked by mutual affection but also tension over her family obligations. ### [Deborah Gale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/deborah_gale) _romantic_ Allan is Deborah's suitor, and their relationship is marked by mutual affection but also tension over her family obligations. ### [Roger Gale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/roger_gale) _friendship_ Allan and Roger share a friendly, respectful camaraderie, often bonding over their concern for Deborah. ### [Bruce Cunningham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/bruce_cunningham) _rivalry_ Allan and Bruce are rivals, often in opposition due to their competing interests in the Gale family's affairs. ### [Bruce Cunningham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/bruce_cunningham) _rivalry_ Allan and Bruce are rivals, often in opposition due to their competing interests in the Gale family's affairs. ## In the story ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/iv) Dines with Deborah and dances with her at the Astor Roof, where they encounter Laura. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/vi) Edith's physician and family friend; provides reassurance; has a bantering friendship with Deborah and takes her to musical plays. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xii) Responds to Deborah's emergency; diagnoses her condition and warns Roger about her overwork; discusses her maternal drive and the case of dying Mr. Berry. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xiii) Deborah's physician; visits her but is dismissed; later talks with Roger and shows understanding of the situation. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xv) Arranges for John to be examined by a specialist; delivers the grim diagnosis and advocates for early intervention for children. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xvii) Baird pursues Deborah through a long waiting game, using his clinic and hospital plans to integrate into her life, while also seeking personal fulfillment. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xviii) Proposes to Deborah again after her triumph, reassuring her that her work can continue; he is deeply in love and patient with her need for time. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xix) Deborah's fiancé; puts his arm around Deborah after the theater; jumps from the taxi after hearing a crash. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xx) Brings Bruce home, calls a surgeon, and is appointed executor of Bruce's estate. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxiv) Supports Deborah's decision to postpone their marriage until spring. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxix) Discusses John's risk with Deborah; confronts Deborah about her feelings and their marriage plans. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxxiii) Present at Christmas dinner, attempting to be genial with the children. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxxv) Refuses to accept Deborah's decision to break up, insisting she is overwrought and will change her mind. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxxvi) Confides in Roger about his love for Deborah and his frustration with her refusal; agrees to wait and try again with Roger's help. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxxvii) Allan marries Deborah in a simple ceremony and discusses the future with Roger, including living in the family home. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxxix) Deborah's husband, shares news of her pregnancy with Roger and discusses her health. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xli) Allan is present throughout the labor and illness, providing steady support. He informs Roger of the danger and later confirms Deborah cannot have more children. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xlii) Allan attends to John medically and informs Roger of John's impending death. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/allan_baird - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters