# Miss Baker — McTeague character guide

> Miss Baker in McTeague by Frank Norris.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Old Miss Baker, Little Miss Baker, Baker

**First appearance:** 0002-i

## Snapshot

A fluttery old dressmaker who spins genteel fantasies about Old Grannis, certain their shared wallpaper means their rooms were once one.

## Who they are

Miss Baker is the flat's resident spinster, a little dressmaker so openly smitten with Old Grannis that she chatters about him to anyone who will listen, oblivious to the gossip she feeds. She invents baronet titles and cruel stepfathers for him out of dim memories of girlhood novels, and treats the matching wallpaper pattern between their rooms as proof of a fated connection. Her harmless, hopeful delusion gives the Polk Street flats their gentlest thread of romance, a soft counterpoint to the harsher appetites gathering around her.

## In the story

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

A retired dressmaker with a room near Old Grannis; has an appointment with McTeague for a gold filling; shares a silent, mutual romance with Old Grannis.

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

Sits in her neat room; is visited by Maria; embarrassed when Maria mentions Old Grannis's gift.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mcteague_se/chapters/vii)

Sits with Mrs. Sieppe, sharing confidences about Old Grannis; later shares a quiet moment with him through the partition.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mcteague_se/chapters/ix)

Attends the wedding; passes Old Grannis in the hall in constrained silence; sits near him at supper.

### [Marriage and Domesticity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mcteague_se/chapters/x)

Mentioned as an acquaintance Trina visits and as someone McTeague learns to tip his hat to.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mcteague_se/chapters/xi)

Chats with Trina from the street and shares the news of Maria's engagement to Zerkow.

### [Chapter XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mcteague_se/chapters/xiv)

Invites the McTeagues to her room during the sale and reports on the proceedings, but also buys some tidies for herself.

### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mcteague_se/chapters/xvi)

Mentioned as the object of Old Grannis's affection; Trina tries to arrange a match between them.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mcteague_se/chapters/xvii)

Overcomes her shyness to bring Old Grannis tea, initiating their long-awaited union.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mcteague_se/characters/miss_baker
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mcteague_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/mcteague_se/characters