# Elsie Longstaff — The Good Companions character guide > Elsie Longstaff in The Good Companions by J. B. Priestley. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Alice, Elsie, Miss Elsie Longstaff, Miss Longstaff **First appearance:** 0033-i-in-which-they-all-become-good-companions ## Snapshot A born Mrs. Dulver who leaves the concert party for marriage, complete with a proper ring and a wedding the whole troupe is bussed out to attend. ## Who they are Elsie finishes her run with the Good Companions at Mundley after a tearful, bouquet-strewn Benefit Night, then steps straight into a wedding with her Bert, who insists on doing everything in style. She admires him all the more for stopping the car to buy the ring, and her departure opens the door for a new soubrette, Miss Mamie Potter. Her exit marks one of the small, affectionate partings that show how the troupe keeps shedding and gaining members as it moves. ## Relationships ### [Elizabeth Trant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/elizabeth_trant) _friendship_ Elizabeth is a caring friend to Elsie, providing comfort and stability during Elsie's personal struggles. ### [Herbert Dulver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/herbert_dulver) _romantic_ Elsie and Herbert are in a romantic relationship, though Herbert's controlling nature creates tension and unhappiness for Elsie. ### [Elizabeth Trant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/elizabeth_trant) _friendship_ Elizabeth is a caring friend to Elsie, providing comfort and stability during Elsie's personal struggles. ### [Herbert Dulver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/herbert_dulver) _romantic_ Elsie and Herbert are in a romantic relationship, though Herbert's controlling nature creates tension and unhappiness for Elsie. ### [Elizabeth Trant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/elizabeth_trant) _friendship_ Elizabeth is a caring friend to Elsie, providing comfort and stability during Elsie's personal struggles. ### [Herbert Dulver](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/herbert_dulver) _romantic_ Elsie and Herbert are in a romantic relationship, though Herbert's controlling nature creates tension and unhappiness for Elsie. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/ii) The fair-haired maid who delivers Inigo's message to Comrie and later receives a half-crown from him; she is also noticed by Mr. Tarvin. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iii) Elsie sends a telegram to Uncle Arthur indicating the show has collapsed and they are stranded. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iv) Elsie's theatrical basket is in Miss Trant's car; she is part of the Dinky Doos troupe performing in Rawsley. ### [In Which They All Become "Good Companions"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i-in-which-they-all-become-good-companions) Complains bitterly about Mildenhall's betrayal and the loss of a pantomime opportunity. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i) Elsie Longstaff discusses the debts and the possibility of the show continuing. ### [II: Very Short, and Devoted to Rehearsals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/ii-very-short-and-devoted-to-rehearsals) Sings American-style songs and dances gracefully; Inigo finds her unexpectedly attractive. ### [In Which Colonel Trant's Daughter Goes Into Action, Sticks to Her Guns, and May Be Considered Victorious](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iii-in-which-colonel-trant-s-daughter-goes-into-action-sticks-to-her-guns-and-may-be-considered-victorious) Proves invaluable for her passion and skill in costume design, cutting, and sewing; introduces Miss Trant to Miss Thong. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i) Accompanies Miss Trant to Miss Thong's; helps with costumes and is praised for her taste. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iii) Shows Miss Trant a dress she has made, contributing to the costume discussion. ### [Inigo Jumps Out of a Train and Finds Himself in Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/v-inigo-jumps-out-of-a-train-and-finds-himself-in-love) Teases Jerry Jerningham and dozes during the journey. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i) Elsie is a performer in the company. She is mentioned as discussing the windfall from the command performance with Susie and others. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iv) Argues against performing, blames Miss Trant for the poor theatre, and clashes with Susie. ### [All Stolen from the Mail Bag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/vii-all-stolen-from-the-mail-bag) Writes to her sister Effie about the show's success in Luddenstall, her new lodgings, her annoyance with Susie Dean and Inigo Jollifant's attention to her, and a chance meeting with a man from Scarborough. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i) Writes a letter to her sister Effie, describing the show's run in Yorkshire and her personal feelings about the company. ### [A Wind in the Triangle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/i-a-wind-in-the-triangle) Announces her engagement to Bert Dulver and her intention to give notice to Miss Trant. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iii) Elsie is mentioned as being romantically involved with Herbert Dulver, having bought a new coat and jumper suit for him. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/iv) Announces her engagement to Herbert Dulver and her intention to leave the Good Companions; imagines her future as a hotel landlady. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/ii) The bride; gives a speech at her wedding reception and departs with her new husband. ### [Long, and Full of Salvage Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/chapters/v-long-and-full-of-salvage-work) Referred to as Mrs. Jerningham; she is delighted for the trio and encourages everyone's happiness, showing a generous spirit. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters/elsie_longstaff - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_good_companions_se/characters