# Alex McNair — The Able McLaughlins character guide

> Alex McNair in The Able McLaughlins by Margaret Wilson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Alex McNair, McNair, Alex, Mrs. McNair, The new Mrs. McNair, this Mrs. McNair, the new Mrs. McNair, Let Mrs. McNair, Mrs. Alex McNair

**First appearance:** 0002-iii

## Who they are

Barbara's husband, a neighbor farmer who knows when to hold his tongue and when to lift down the kists without being asked twice.

## Relationships

### [Wully McLaughlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/wully_mclaughlin)

_friendship_

Alex McNair stands by Wully as a steadfast friend and ally through the community's trials.

### [Chirstie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/chirstie)

_friendship_

Alex McNair is a supportive friend to Chirstie, showing kindness and loyalty amid her struggles.

### [Wully McLaughlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/wully_mclaughlin)

_friendship_

Alex McNair stands by Wully as a steadfast friend and ally through the community's trials.

### [Chirstie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/chirstie)

_friendship_

Alex McNair is a supportive friend to Chirstie, showing kindness and loyalty amid her struggles.

## In the story

### [The Homecoming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/i)

Not directly present in this chapter.

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

Jeannie's husband, absent in Scotland, leaving his family alone. Criticized for his land-hunger and neglect.

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

Isobel eventually blames him for leaving Chirstie unprotected.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/viii)

Returns with his new wife; initially coldly received by the McLaughlins but tries to placate Wully.

### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/x)

Tormented by his wife's constant demands for a new house and garden, contemplates violence but restrains himself.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xii)

Buys more land despite his wife's pleas, is outraged by her apparent desertion, but ultimately sells part of his new land to pay for the house she ordered.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xiv)

Remonstrated with Wully about fencing for Chirstie's garden, taking credit for the McNair farm's beauty.

### [The Decision to Move to Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xix)

Scorns Wully's decision to leave farming, arguing that the land will go to waste and that the railroad's arrival makes farming more promising than ever.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/alex_mcnair
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters