# Sloppy — Our Mutual Friend character guide

> Sloppy in Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mister Sloppy, Mr. Sloppy, the sympathetic Sloppy

**First appearance:** 0016-xvi-minders-and-reminders

## Snapshot

A foundling taken in by Betty Higden, Sloppy reads and works wood with surprising skill, and weeps with a roundabout sleeve-smear whenever feeling outruns his words.

## Who they are

Raised among the poor and passed along by charity, Sloppy clings to Betty Higden with a loyalty that makes him refuse any better place that would separate them. Gentle, literal, and easily unmanned by others' sorrow, he becomes the awkward messenger who carries news of little Johnny's illness to the Boffins and, with unconscious shrewdness, explains Betty's dread of being a burden. His devotion sets the moral key for the novel's poorer households.

## In the story

### [Minders and Reminders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xvi-minders-and-reminders)

A long boy with a small head, works the mangle and is noted for his beautiful reading of newspapers in different voices.

### [In Which the Orphan Makes His Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/ix-in-which-the-orphan-makes-his-will)

Brings news of Johnny's illness, describes his symptoms, and later helps transport Johnny to the hospital.

### [A Successor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/x-a-successor)

Accepts Mrs. Boffin's offer to be taken care of, but insists on continuing to care for Betty Higden.

### [Somebody Becomes the Subject of a Prediction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/ix-somebody-becomes-the-subject-of-a-prediction)

Deeply grieving at Betty Higden's grave, he expresses regret for not having worked harder for her, and refuses to be consoled by the minister's words.

### [Mr. Wegg Prepares a Grindstone for Mr. Boffin’s Nose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xiv-mr-wegg-prepares-a-grindstone-for-mr-boffin-s-nose)

Mentioned as a menial tool sent by Mr. Boffin to oversee the carting and work in the yard, provoking Wegg's anger.

### [Checkmate to the Friendly Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/our_mutual_friend_se/chapters/xiv-checkmate-to-the-friendly-move)

Sloppy has long attended Wegg like a shadow. He physically lifts Wegg and dumps him into a scavenger's cart, executing the final humiliation.

## Links

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