Nicholas Nickleby · Character

Tim Linkinwater

The Cheeryble brothers' long-serving clerk, a fussy, faithful old bachelor whose small kindnesses and daily rituals hide a generous heart.

supporting

Also known as Tim, Mr. Linkinwater, old Tim Linkinwater, Mr. Timothy Linkinwater

First appearance: xxxv

As a supporting figure in Nicholas Nickleby, Tim Linkinwater is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Celebrates his birthday with the Cheeryble brothers and Nicholas; described as methodical and devoted to the countinghouse.

In the storyXXXVIIOpen this moment free

See Tim Linkinwater in XXXVII Book page

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Tim has kept the Cheerybles' counting-house running for decades, tending the flowers of a sick boy in the window and greeting each morning with the same gentle routine. He is the quiet moral center of the counting-house, and his friendship with Nicholas offers the young man a model of steady, unshowy goodness. His small observations about the boy and the flowers reveal the tenderness beneath his eccentric surface.

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The fuller portrait of Tim Linkinwater sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Tim Linkinwater in xxxv

Character Web

39 connections

A slice of how Tim Linkinwater sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Cheeryble circle and allies
Extended cast of actors, students, and townsfolk
Kenwigs family and neighbors
Ralph's criminal associates

+34 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this scene, the emotional peak is the rare, unguarded happiness of the group, particularly John Browdie’s e…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Nicholas Nickleby
friendship · positive
Tim Linkinwater is a kind and cheerful colleague who becomes a close friend to Nicholas. How this plays out →
Nicholas Nickleby
friendship · positive
Tim Linkinwater is a kind and cheerful colleague who becomes a close friend to Nicholas. How this plays out →
Nicholas Nickleby
friendship · positive
Tim Linkinwater is a kind and cheerful colleague who becomes a close friend to Nicholas. How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Tim Linkinwater in xxxv

In the story

Tim Linkinwater appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

XXXVII
Celebrates his birthday with the Cheeryble brothers and Nicholas; described as methodical and devoted to the countinghouse.
XL
Shares a poignant story about a sickly boy who finds solace in tending flowers from his window.
Throws some light upon Nicholas's Love; but whether for good or evil the reader must determine
Mentioned as having confronted Ralph during his visit.
XLVIII
Notices Nicholas's distraction and jokingly suggests he must have made a mistake in his figures.
Chapter XLIX
Guards the old gentleman alongside Frank; takes delight in his new friends.
LIX
Joins the Cheerybles and Noggs in laying out the evidence against Ralph.
LXI
Greets Nicholas warmly, becomes emotional upon hearing that Smike remembered him.
Chapter LXIII
Delivers the invitation, is teased by the brothers, and proposes to Miss La Creevy.
Conclusion
Marries Miss La Creevy, accepts a share in the house but continues his clerkly duties, living in the old house with his cheerful wife.

Chapter companion notes

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See Tim Linkinwater in xxxv

See Tim Linkinwater in XXXVII