# Hempie — Lud-in-the-Mist character guide

> Hempie in Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Hempie, Hempie the Chanticleers

**First appearance:** 0012-x-hempie-s-song

## Snapshot

The Chanticleer family's old nurse, who darns stockings, sings the old songs, and keeps a kitchen full of things that came from beyond the hills.

## Who they are

Hempie has served the Chanticleers since before Nathaniel could walk, and her placid darning conceals a memory stocked with lullabies, superstitions, and heirlooms no respectable Dorimarite would admit to owning. She speaks of the Silent People and of shells and pots whispered to have crossed the Debatable Hills as casually as she speaks of the weather, and her unhurried certainty soothes Nathaniel where reason cannot. Her quiet, unshockable folklore is the counterweight to the town's official dread of all things fairy.

## Relationships

### [Master Nathaniel Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/master_nathaniel_chanticleer)

_professional_

Hempie is a servant in the Chanticleer household, serving Nathaniel with dutiful loyalty.

### [Master Nathaniel Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/master_nathaniel_chanticleer)

_professional_

Hempie is a servant in the Chanticleer household, serving Nathaniel with dutiful loyalty.

### [Master Nathaniel Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/master_nathaniel_chanticleer)

_professional_

Hempie is a servant in the Chanticleer household, serving Nathaniel with dutiful loyalty.

## In the story

### [Ranulph Goes to the Widow Gibberty’s Farm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/v-ranulph-goes-to-the-widow-gibberty-s-farm)

Supports Ranulph's going to the farm, believing Willy Wisp gave him fairy fruit; insists no harm can come to a Chanticleer.

### [VI: The Wind in the Crabapple Blossoms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/vi-the-wind-in-the-crabapple-blossoms)

Receives and reads Luke's letter, decides not to show it to Master Nathaniel.

### [X: Hempie's Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/x-hempie-s-song)

Nathaniel's old nurse, who offers a pragmatic and comforting view on the fairy fruit and life's sorrows, and sings the old song 'Columbine.'

### [XI: A Stronger Antidote Than Reason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xi-a-stronger-antidote-than-reason)

Sings to Nathaniel and advises him to make peace with Ambrose, recalling their childhood friendship.

### [XIX: The Berries of Merciful Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xix-the-berries-of-merciful-death)

Bids farewell to Master Nathaniel with tears and pride, wishing him luck.

### [XXI: The Old Goatherd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxi-the-old-goatherd)

Luke Hempen pursues Ranulph, learns from the old goatherd that Ranulph is safe and heading to Moongrass, and returns to the farm to report.

### [XXVII: The Fair in the Elfin Marches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxvii-the-fair-in-the-elfin-marches)

Mentioned in relation to the wax figures of Nathaniel's parents from her chimneypiece.

### [XXIX: A Message Comes to Hazel and the First Swallow to Dame Marigold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxix-a-message-comes-to-hazel-and-the-first-swallow-to-dame-marigold)

Hempie is Dame Marigold's steadfast support, maintaining faith that all is well with the Chanticleers. She scolds and cares for both Dame Marigold and Prunella, insisting on black currant tea.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxxii-conclusion)

Lives to a ripe old age, tells stories to Ranulph's children, and is buried in the Chanticleer family chapel.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/hempie
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters