# Stephen Elliott — Short Fiction character guide

> Stephen Elliott in Short Fiction by M. R. James.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Stephen

**First appearance:** 0015-the-stalls-of-barchester-cathedral

## Snapshot

A boy sent to stay with his scholarly cousin, whose nights in the cathedral close are troubled by a figure in the bathroom that no one else has seen.

## Who they are

Stephen Elliott is a schoolboy boarded with his cousin Mr. Abney in a house beside the cathedral, where he sleeps alone and tries to be no trouble. He is brave enough to walk to the bathroom door after a nightmare and check whether the figure was real, and honest enough to report the scratches on his nightgown and door that no one can explain. His cousin's talk of equinoxes and ancient warnings unsettles him more than the dreams do, and his quiet watchfulness makes him the story's eyes.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Simpson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/mrs_simpson)

_romantic_

Mrs. Simpson and Stephen Elliott are involved in a romantic or intimate relationship, with frequent personal interactions.

### [Mrs. Simpson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/mrs_simpson)

_romantic_

Mrs. Simpson and Stephen Elliott are involved in a romantic or intimate relationship, with frequent personal interactions.

### [Mrs. Simpson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/mrs_simpson)

_romantic_

Mrs. Simpson and Stephen Elliott are involved in a romantic or intimate relationship, with frequent personal interactions.

## In the story

### [Lost Hearts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/lost-hearts)

Orphan boy, twelve years old, who comes to live with his cousin Mr. Abney at Aswarby Hall.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/stephen_elliott
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters