# Pastors and Masters — Character guide

> Key figures in Pastors and Masters by Ivy Compton-Burnett.

- [Emily Herrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/emily_herrick.md): Sister of the schoolmaster Nicholas Herrick, whose quick, self-deprecating wit and sharp eye for other people's pretensions make her the most disarming voice in the room.
- [Mr. Merry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/mr_merry.md): The schoolmaster whose fussy, self-pitying table-talk about marmalade and ungrateful boys masks a man with no place in his life for criticism at all.
- [Bumpus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/bumpus.md): A retired clergyman among the Herricks' circle, forever puncturing Peter Fletcher's vanity and teasing the company with dry, affectionate malice.
- [Bentley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/bentley.md): A father whose silent, wounded dignity at his own breakfast table curdles into a running indictment of his sons' self-absorption and his family's ingratitude.
- [William Masson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/william_masson.md): A tall, weather-beaten Fellow of Herrick's old college, stammering and easeful, who once meant romance to his companion and now watches old age arrive.
- [Miss Basden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/miss_basden.md): The Merrys' put-upon helper who earns her bread among them, offering marmalade judgments and tart reminders that the housekeeping is not Mr. Merry's province.
- [Nicholas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/nicholas.md): Nicholas Herrick founded the school but leaves its running to Mr. Merry, reserving his energies for the book he believes will prove him a writer. Emily sees through him utterly yet keeps him propped up, convinced he woul
- [Mr. Burgess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/mr_burgess.md): Mr. Burgess is the junior master at the Herrick school, summoned late to breakfast and teased by the boys for his fondness for his bed. He performs his religious duties with an air of attentive interest while keeping one
- [Mrs. Merry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/mrs_merry.md): Mrs. Merry runs the domestic machinery of the school while her husband Mr. Merry lectures the boys and second-guesses her housekeeping. She defends her preserves against his vague accusations of watering them, correcting
- [Theresa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/theresa.md): Theresa is the aunt-like presence in the Herrick circle, listening to Emily's confidences about Nicholas and offering the occasional deflating remark. She sits through readings and farewell sermons with an air of unimpre
- [Mr. Herrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/mr_herrick.md): Father or relative of Emily Herrick, a minor authority figure.
- [Francis Fletcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/francis_fletcher.md): Francis Fletcher is the Reverend whose impending retirement and farewell sermon become a running topic among the Herrick circle. He leans back with his fingertips together, admits vanity may lack its necessities of life,
- [Delia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/delia.md): A female character with a modest but distinct presence.
- [Lydia Fletcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/lydia_fletcher.md): Miss Lydia moves through the Herrick circle with lowered eyes and a voice of gentle unworthiness, deploring ritualism and praising the simpler service. She declines to stay for the readings because duty calls her elsewhe
- [Miss Herrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/miss_herrick.md): Another Herrick female, possibly a sister or aunt of Emily.
- [Richard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/richard.md): A male character with a minor role, possibly a friend or relative.
- [Dickie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/dickie.md): A child or young male character, possibly a servant.
- [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/father.md): A generic father figure, possibly a character's parent.
- [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/mother.md): A generic mother figure, possibly a character's parent.
- [Miss Bentley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/miss_bentley.md): A female relative of Bentley, mentioned briefly.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters