# Mr. Gabbitas — In the Days of the Comet character guide

> Mr. Gabbitas in In the Days of the Comet by H. G. Wells.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Gabbitas, the Rev. E. B. Gabbitas, the Rev. Gabbitas

**First appearance:** 0004-i-dust-in-the-shadows

## Snapshot

A pink-cheeked clergyman who trades Nietzsche and Marx with Willie over the tea things, and loses his temper more gracefully than he loses the argument.

## Who they are

The Rev. E. B. Gabbitas is the local intellectual, mentor, and sparring partner whose drawing-room hosts Willie's half-learned heresies and whose face flushes when the higher criticism is invoked. He is flattered by the attention of the Verralls, embarrassed by his own gaps, and generous enough to keep the argument going. His small vanities and genuine kindnesses sketch the old world's muddle of faith, class, and good intentions.

## Relationships

### [Miss Ramell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/characters/miss_ramell)

_professional_

Miss Ramell assists Mr. Gabbitas in church or charitable work, maintaining a formal, respectful relationship.

### [Edward Verrall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/characters/edward_verrall)

_social_

Edward Verrall and Mr. Gabbitas interact as members of the same respectable social and religious community.

### [Burble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/characters/burble)

_professional_

Burble is likely a colleague or subordinate of Mr. Gabbitas in church or civic duties.

### [Miss Ramell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/characters/miss_ramell)

_professional_

Miss Ramell assists Mr. Gabbitas in church or charitable work, maintaining a formal, respectful relationship.

### [Burble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/characters/burble)

_professional_

Burble is likely a colleague or subordinate of Mr. Gabbitas in church or civic duties.

### [Edward Verrall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/characters/edward_verrall)

_social_

Edward Verrall and Mr. Gabbitas interact as members of the same respectable social and religious community.

## In the story

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

The curate who lodges on the ground floor; seen printing photographs, dismissed by Willie as a 'hireling liar.'

### [II: Nettie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/ii-nettie)

Local clergyman; promised to help Willie find a situation.

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

Promised to help Willie find a situation, prompting Mrs. Leadford's insistence on church attendance.

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

Not directly present in this chapter; no relevant appearance.

### [III: The Revolver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/iii-the-revolver)

Preacher linking the comet to the end of the world; Willie briefly hears him.

### [IV: War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/chapters/iv-war)

Willie stole sovereigns from him, which adds to his guilt.

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

The curate and drawing-room lodger; engages Leadford in argument about socialism and war, and later intercepts him for another talk.

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

The curate, who tries to engage Leadford in discussion about Burble's book and becomes flustered by Leadford's aggressive arguments.

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

Interrupted by Mrs. Verrall's visit, leaving his drawer unguarded.

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

The curate from whom Willie stole sovereigns; Willie worries about being discovered.

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

Mentioned in the context of old-world furniture, specifically his sitting-room.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/characters/mr_gabbitas
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_the_days_of_the_comet_se/characters