# Mary Crofts — Short Fiction character guide

> Mary Crofts in Short Fiction by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mary, Molly, Mary Tomkins John Thomas, Mary Tomkins, John Thomas, John

**First appearance:** 0051-volume-i-i-mary-tomkins

## Snapshot

A young woman raised in the quiet shadow of widowhood and genteel poverty, whose heart becomes the battleground of courtship and caution.

## Who they are

Mary — called Molly by those close to her — grows up in a Saratoga Springs cottage where her widowed mother takes in boarders and frets constantly about the appearance of husband-hunting. The household is loving but anxious, and Mary's prospects are shaped by her mother's fear of flirtation and social embarrassment. She matters because her story tests whether a young woman of modest means can follow her own heart without bringing shame on the family that raised her.

## In the story

### [The Adventures of Fred Pickering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/the-adventures-of-fred-pickering)

Fred's devoted wife, who marries him despite knowing the risks, and later encourages him to seek help from his father and Mr. Webb.

### [I: Mary Tomkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-i-i-mary-tomkins)

Mary Tomkins, the niece of Mrs. Johnson, is the object of John Thomas's affection and repeatedly refuses him.

### [II: The First Kiss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-i-ii-the-first-kiss)

Mary Tomkins, the protagonist, recalls a past kiss and resists new romantic advances.

### [III: Anastasia Fitzapplejohn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-i-iii-anastasia-fitzapplejohn)

Receives a letter from Anastasia Fitzapplejohn and confronts John Thomas about his fidelity.

### [That Sobered Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-ii-i-that-sobered-him)

Mary Tomkins, heartbroken over Mr. Dribble's marriage, isolates herself and repeatedly refuses John Thomas's drunken proposal.

### [III: Squire Robinson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-ii-iii-squire-robinson)

Mary Tomkins is the heart-laden girl being counseled by Squire Robinson to choose a suitor.

### [The New Bishop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-iii-i-the-new-bishop)

Mary Tomkins is the central figure of the dialogue, steadfastly refusing marriage despite Jemima's persuasion.

### [II: The New Postmaster-General](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-iii-ii-the-new-postmaster-general)

Mary Tomkins is the object of John Thomas's affections; she refuses his proposal.

### [III: “Till Another Young Man Came”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/chapters/volume-iii-iii-till-another-young-man-came)

Mary Tomkins, resigned to spinsterhood, embroiders and wears a gown marked 'Old Maid' until a new young man arrives.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters/mary_crofts
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_4_se/characters