# Janey — Phoebe, Junior character guide > Janey in Phoebe, Junior by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** bold Janey, Miss Janey, poor Janey **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-pastor-s-progress ## Snapshot The May parsonage's blunt youngest daughter, who cuts through Ursula's scruples with the observation that a dead rich grandfather is perfectly acceptable. ## Who they are Janey is the child who says aloud what the adults only think, mocking chaperonage, mocking Ursula's tears, and mocking the world that loves money and fine names. She is not cruel so much as unillusioned, and her shrewdness about old Tozer being 'just as bad as a sweep' lands harder than any sermon. Her small, sharp voice keeps the novel's social comedy honest, and shows how early the rules of Carlingford are learned. ## Relationships ### [Ursula May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/ursula_may) _family_ Janey is Ursula's younger sister, who looks up to her and is often involved in her schemes. ### [Reginald May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/reginald_may) _family_ Janey is Reginald's younger daughter, who is affectionate but often overlooked in favor of Ursula. ### [Ursula May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/ursula_may) _family_ Janey is Ursula's younger sister, who looks up to her and is often involved in her schemes. ### [Ursula May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/ursula_may) _family_ Janey is Ursula's younger sister, who looks up to her and is often involved in her schemes. ### [Reginald May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/reginald_may) _family_ Janey is Reginald's younger daughter, who is affectionate but often overlooked in favor of Ursula. ### [Reginald May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/reginald_may) _family_ Janey is Reginald's younger daughter, who is affectionate but often overlooked in favor of Ursula. ## In the story ### [Coming Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/ix-coming-home) Meets Ursula at the station, is eager for news, and defends Carlingford against London. ### [XIV: Strangers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xiv-strangers) Engages in the conversation about the Tozers and eagerly tries to discover the identity of the new gentleman. ### [XV: A Domestic Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xv-a-domestic-crisis) The bold younger sister, Janey speaks out against her father's treatment of Ursula and Reginald, showing her impulsive nature. ### [XIX: The New Chaplain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xix-the-new-chaplain) Accompanies Ursula and Reginald to the College; expresses a desire to keep house for Reginald. ### [XX: That Tozer Girl!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xx-that-tozer-girl) Janey is defensive of her father and alarmed by the news of a possible pupil, showing impatience with Reginald's mood. ### [A New Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxi-a-new-friend) Expresses suspicion about Mr. May's motives and teases Ursula about the new pupil. ### [A Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxiv-a-visit) Helps Ursula prepare for the dinner, feeling left out at being only fourteen; consoles herself with thoughts of muffins and romps. ### [XXVIII: The New Pupil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxviii-the-new-pupil) The youngest May daughter, described as awkward and angular; she admires Phoebe's fur jacket and eagerly declares herself a radical. ### [Ursula's Entrées](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxix-ursula-s-entr-es) Excluded from the dinner due to not being 'out'; reacts with tears and vindictive anger toward her father. ### [Society at the Parsonage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxx-society-at-the-parsonage) Acts as a sharp-sighted spectator of the social dynamics at the Parsonage. ### [XXXI: Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxi-society) Wishes for more guests and games, criticizes Phoebe's staying home, and is sharply reproved by Reginald, retreating in tears. ### [XXXII: Lovemaking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxii-lovemaking) Janey watches the lovemaking from the steps, feeling left out. She notices Mrs. Hurst spying and is torn between family loyalty and a desire to gossip with her. ### [A Disclosure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-disclosure) Janey inadvertently reveals Mr. Northcote's identity as a Dissenting minister and his attack on Reginald. She is awestruck by her father's kindness and leaves Ursula alone with Northcote. ### [XXXIV: An Extravagance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxiv-an-extravagance) Janey is chatty and delighted to have the drawing-room to themselves, but her questions annoy Ursula. ### [XXXIX: A Catastrophe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xxxix-a-catastrophe) Sharp-eyed observer at the gathering; prevents romantic moments and later rushes to help Mr. May. ### [XLII: A Great Mental Shock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/chapters/xlii-a-great-mental-shock) Boldly insists their father is not ill, only acting strangely, and suggests confronting him directly. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters/janey - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phoebe_junior_se/characters