# Reginald Wilfer — Our Mutual Friend character guide

> Reginald Wilfer in Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** R. Wilfer, Wilfer, Rumty, Pa

**First appearance:** 0004-iv-the-r-wilfer-family

## Snapshot

Bella's gentle, threadbare father, a clerk whose conciliatory nature and mild arithmetic make him the household's peacemaker and its quiet victim.

## Who they are

R. Wilfer, called Rumty and Pa, is a mild clerk who seems to count his many children anew each time one appears and who argues from a fellow-creature point of view. He yields to his wife's severe monotony with a stipulation and a compliment, never quite winning. His loving, defeated decency gives the Wilfer poverty its pathos and makes Bella's ambitions and resentments legible.

## Relationships

### [Bella Wilfer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/bella_wilfer)

_family_

Bella is the cherished daughter of Reginald Wilfer, a kind but impoverished clerk who adores her despite her early vanity.

### [Bella Wilfer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/bella_wilfer)

_family_

Bella is the cherished daughter of Reginald Wilfer, a kind but impoverished clerk who adores her despite her early vanity.

### [Bella Wilfer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/bella_wilfer)

_family_

Bella is the cherished daughter of Reginald Wilfer, a kind but impoverished clerk who adores her despite her early vanity.

## In the story

### [The R. Wilfer Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/iv-the-r-wilfer-family)

The poor clerk and patriarch, cherubic in appearance, who signs his name as R. Wilfer and is known as 'Rumty' in his neighborhood.

### [Strong of Purpose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xiv-strong-of-purpose)

Shows off a new suit from Bella and discusses African travel with Rokesmith.

### [A Happy Return of the Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/iv-a-happy-return-of-the-day)

The cherubic father, apologetic and good-natured, tries to ensure his wife is enjoying herself and is put in mortal terror by Bella's teasing.

### [The Feast of the Three Hobgoblins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xvi-the-feast-of-the-three-hobgoblins)

Bella's father, who supports her decision and shares a tender moment with her after the family conflict.

### [A Runaway Match](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/iv-a-runaway-match)

Gives away his daughter Bella at the wedding and joins the celebratory dinner, though anxious about Mrs. Wilfer's potential appearance.

### [Concerning the Mendicant's Bride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/v-concerning-the-mendicant-s-bride)

The cherubic father who secretly supported Bella's marriage and is relieved when the family reconciles.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters/reginald_wilfer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/characters