Phoebe, Junior · Character

Cotsdean

A threadbare clerk whose forgery of old Mr. Tozer's signature drags a whole circle of respectable people into panic, nursing, and moral arithmetic.

supporting

Also known as Poor Cotsdean, Mr. Cotsdean

First appearance: ii the leading member

See Cotsdean in ii the leading member Book page

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Cotsdean is the shadowy figure at the edge of the Tozer money—a struggling clerk whose desperate imitation of a signature turns a private embarrassment into a public crisis. When he collapses into illness, Phoebe keeps vigil over him alone, weighing his crime against its consequences and finding the punishment more vivid than the sin. His helplessness makes him the test case for everyone around him: whether they will protect him, expose him, or quietly let him vanish.

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See Cotsdean in ii the leading member

Character Web

19 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

Central characters and family
Minor and background characters
Protagonist

+14 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs as the May children confront their father’s sudden…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Reginald May
professional · negative
Phoebe Tozer
professional · negative
Reginald May
professional · negative
Phoebe Tozer
professional · negative
Phoebe Tozer
professional · negative
Reginald May
professional · negative

Reginald May
Cotsdean is Reginald's dishonest clerk, who embezzles money and causes Reginald significant trouble.
Phoebe Tozer
Cotsdean is a former employee of Phoebe's father, and later becomes involved in a financial scandal that affects her.
Reginald May
Cotsdean is Reginald's dishonest clerk, who embezzles money and causes Reginald significant trouble.
Phoebe Tozer
Cotsdean is a former employee of Phoebe's father, and later becomes involved in a financial scandal that affects her.
Phoebe Tozer
Cotsdean is a former employee of Phoebe's father, and later becomes involved in a financial scandal that affects her.
Reginald May
Cotsdean is Reginald's dishonest clerk, who embezzles money and causes Reginald significant trouble.

Relationship notes

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

See Cotsdean in ii the leading member

In the story

Cotsdean appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Mr. May's Affairs
Mr. May's creditor, who is deeply distressed by the financial strain and the risk to his own family, yet is manipulated into continuing to assist Mr. May.
XXII: A Desperate Expedient
Mentioned as the faithful retainer facing ruin if the bill is not paid; Mr. May is deeply distressed on his behalf.
XXIII: Tided Over
Cotsdean is overwhelmed with anxiety, sleepless and tearful, fearing ruin and the loss of his home and business. He feels helpless and dependent on Mr. May, yet is uneasy about the new bill involving Tozer.
XXXIV: An Extravagance
Cotsdean comes to the parsonage urgently seeking Mr. May, but is dismissed with a note.
XXXVIII: An Expedition
Arrives breathless after Mr. May leaves, but feels relieved that Tozer, as the other party to the bill, can cover the debt.
XL: The Sinned-Against
Accused of forging Tozer's name on an accommodation bill.
XLI: A Morning's Work
Confirms to Phoebe that the bill was for Mr. May, not himself, and expresses fear of being sold up.
XLII: A Great Mental Shock
Mentioned as a frequent visitor to Mr. May; cryptic entries in Mr. May's book suggest a hidden financial connection.

Chapter companion notes

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See Cotsdean in ii the leading member