# John — His Family character guide

> John in His Family by Ernest Poole.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** John

**First appearance:** 0002-i

## Snapshot

A boarder under the Gale roof whose worsening illness turns the household's tenderness and its terrors against each other.

## Who they are

John is the young man Deborah has quietly taken into the family's care, and her separate washtub for his things is the first sign that his sickness has become a secret. When Edith learns he is tubercular as well as crippled by Pott's Disease, she demands he be sent away before her children are exposed, pitting a mother's fear against Deborah's fierce, indiscriminate charity. His body becomes the wedge that splits Roger's house into two camps, forcing everyone to choose what they owe a stranger.

## Relationships

### [Roger Gale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/roger_gale)

_friendship_

John is a close friend and confidant of Roger, often providing practical support and companionship.

### [Deborah Gale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/deborah_gale)

_friendship_

Deborah and John share a cordial friendship, often united in their support for Roger.

### [Roger Gale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/roger_gale)

_friendship_

John is a close friend and confidant of Roger, often providing practical support and companionship.

### [Deborah Gale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/deborah_gale)

_friendship_

Deborah and John share a cordial friendship, often united in their support for Roger.

### [Roger Gale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/roger_gale)

_friendship_

John is a close friend and confidant of Roger, often providing practical support and companionship.

### [Deborah Gale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/deborah_gale)

_friendship_

Deborah and John share a cordial friendship, often united in their support for Roger.

## In the story

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxi)

John offers to work without pay in Bruce's office to help settle affairs, and declines the summer trip to the mountains, preferring to stay and assist.

### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxiv)

Reports to Roger about cancelled contracts and the dire business situation.

### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxvii)

John moves silently through the house, keeping out of sight, suggesting underlying tension with Edith's presence.

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxviii)

Has Pott's Disease of the spine and now tuberculosis; Edith insists he must be moved out of the house.

### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxix)

Subject of discussion; must leave the house due to Edith's fears.

### [A Season of Quiet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxx)

Moved to a nearby apartment after Deborah spoke with him; reported to be doing well.

### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxxvii)

John reveals a new business scheme that improves the firm's prospects, leading Roger to offer him a partnership.

### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xxxix)

Now a confident junior partner in the firm, has improved his appearance and demeanor.

### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xli)

John is seen hobbling on crutches, stopping to listen at closed doors during the infant's illness.

### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xlii)

John has been quietly staying in the house, helping with business and avoiding notice. He reveals his worsening health and dies after Roger offers to adopt him.

### [Chapter XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/chapters/xliii)

John has left the house, and Roger notices his empty room and the parting gift album he left for Deborah's boy.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters/john
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/his_family_se/characters