# Mrs. Almira Todd — The Country of the Pointed Firs character guide > Mrs. Almira Todd in The Country of the Pointed Firs by Sarah Orne Jewett. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mrs. Todd, Almira Todd, Almiry Todd, Almiry, Mis' Todd **First appearance:** 0001-ii-mrs-todd ## Snapshot The narrator's landlady and a formidable herb-gathering widow whose kitchen, opinions, and buried griefs anchor the whole village of Dunnet Landing. ## Who they are Mrs. Todd sells remedies, keeps a sharp tongue, and treats her boarder as both guest and confidante, all while guarding certain family sorrows — notably the fate of her late husband's cousin Joanna. Her authority over local memory makes her the gatekeeper of every story the narrator hears. Blunt, superstitious, and unexpectedly tender, she is the book's warm center of gravity. ## In the story ### [II: Mrs. Todd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/ii-mrs-todd) A widow and skilled herbalist who runs a bustling business from her home, brewing remedies and spruce beer. She reveals a past unrequited love to the narrator. ### [The Schoolhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/iii-the-schoolhouse) Her customers and medical practice drive the narrator to seek solitude; she later visits the schoolhouse to gather tansy. ### [At the Schoolhouse Window](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/iv-at-the-schoolhouse-window) Walks in the funeral procession, visibly grieving for her old friend Mrs. Begg. ### [Captain Littlepage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/v-captain-littlepage) Mentioned as having told the narrator that Captain Littlepage overset his mind with reading and has 'spells'. ### [VII: The Outer Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/vii-the-outer-island) Meets the narrator after the visit with Captain Littlepage, points out Green Island where her mother lives, and plans a trip there. ### [Green Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/viii-green-island) Organizes the trip to Green Island, handles the dory and trawl, and shares stories about the islands and her family. ### [IX: William](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/ix-william) Arrives with the narrator and Johnny Bowden, teases William affectionately, and orchestrates the visit to her mother's home. ### [Where Pennyroyal Grew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/x-where-pennyroyal-grew) Leads the narrator to a private, sacred place where she gathers pennyroyal and confides her grief over Nathan and a lost love. ### [XI: The Old Singers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xi-the-old-singers) Commands her mother and brother to sing, shows emotion during the songs, and arranges for the transport of goods back home. ### [A Strange Sail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xii-a-strange-sail) Mrs. Todd eagerly anticipates and then welcomes her old friend Mrs. Fosdick, sharing memories and stories of their youth. ### [XIII: Poor Joanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xiii-poor-joanna) Narrates the story of Joanna, her cousin by marriage, and reflects on her life and choices. ### [XIV: The Hermitage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xiv-the-hermitage) Tells the story of visiting Joanna on Shell-heap Island, describing her home and her refusal to return. ### [On Shell-Heap Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xv-on-shell-heap-island) Mentioned as having compared Joanna to a saint in the desert. ### [The Great Expedition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xvi-the-great-expedition) Plans the expedition to the Bowden reunion, expresses disappointment about the chaise, and joy at her mother's arrival. ### [A Country Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xvii-a-country-road) Drives the wagon, makes stops for visits, and shares her wisdom about trees and people. She is focused on reaching the reunion. ### [XVIII: The Bowden Reunion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xviii-the-bowden-reunion) Proudly accompanies her mother, receives honor from the crowd, and expresses deep emotion at seeing her mother lead the procession. ### [XIX: The Feast’s End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xix-the-feast-s-end) Mrs. Todd helps with the pie, comments on the poetess, and drives home with her mother and the narrator. ### [XX: Along Shore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xx-along-shore) Referenced by Elijah Tilley as a good woman; he plans to bring her mackerel. ### [The Backward View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/chapters/xxi-the-backward-view) Mrs. Todd avoids a direct farewell, leaves parting gifts, and walks away toward the Port to inquire about Mrs. Edward Caplin. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/characters/mrs_todd - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_country_of_the_pointed_firs_se/characters