# Bumpus — Pastors and Masters character guide

> Bumpus in Pastors and Masters by Ivy Compton-Burnett.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Bumpus, dear old Bumpus, old Bumpus, Dear old Bumpus

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Who they are

A retired clergyman among the Herricks' circle, forever puncturing Peter Fletcher's vanity and teasing the company with dry, affectionate malice.

## Relationships

### [Emily Herrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/emily_herrick)

_friendship_

Bumpus and Emily share a close, frequent companionship, likely as allies in the social dynamics of the school.

### [William Masson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/william_masson)

_friendship_

Bumpus and William Masson share a friendly, supportive bond, often acting as confidants.

### [Emily Herrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/emily_herrick)

_friendship_

Bumpus and Emily share a close, frequent companionship, likely as allies in the social dynamics of the school.

### [Emily Herrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/emily_herrick)

_friendship_

Bumpus and Emily share a close, frequent companionship, likely as allies in the social dynamics of the school.

### [William Masson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/william_masson)

_friendship_

Bumpus and William Masson share a friendly, supportive bond, often acting as confidants.

### [William Masson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/william_masson)

_friendship_

Bumpus and William Masson share a friendly, supportive bond, often acting as confidants.

## In the story

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

A small, dark man of about fifty-six; a don who feels deeply about his lost manuscript and his desire to write.

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

Cousin of Mr. Fletcher, participates in the banter about sermons and ritualism, and comments on Merry's arrangements.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/chapters/iv)

Engages in conversation about the dinner party and his own book, which he feels shows an old side of himself.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/chapters/vi)

Reveals his manuscript was left in Crabbe's room and lost, and later learns Masson saved a copy of his early work.

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

Makes witty interjections, comments on Herrick's profundity, and jokes about talking to undergraduates.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters/bumpus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pastors_and_masters_se/characters