# Mary A⸺ — The Little White Bird character guide

> Mary A⸺ in The Little White Bird by J. M. Barrie.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mary

**First appearance:** 0002-iii-her-marriage-her-clothes-her-appetite-and-an-inventory-of-her-furniture

## Who they are

A woman associated with the narrator's household, possibly a servant or relative.

## Relationships

### [Timothy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/characters/timothy)

_family_

Mary A⸺ is Timothy's mother, providing care and guidance.

## In the story

### [I: David and I Set Forth Upon a Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/i-david-and-i-set-forth-upon-a-journey)

David's mother, who persistently invites the narrator to visit and is portrayed as tenderhearted, virtuous, and deeply invested in David's upbringing.

### [The Little Nursery Governess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/ii-the-little-nursery-governess)

Mary is the little nursery governess, deeply in love and heartbroken after a quarrel. She is observed by the narrator and eventually reunited with her lover.

### [III: Her Marriage, Her Clothes, Her Appetite, and an Inventory of Her Furniture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/iii-her-marriage-her-clothes-her-appetite-and-an-inventory-of-her-furniture)

The little nursery governess who marries and creates a home from humble materials; sells her doll's house to fund the marriage.

### [IV: A Night-Piece](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/iv-a-night-piece)

The little nursery governess, now a wife and mother, is in labor; the narrator recalls her transformation and her romantic, sympathetic nature.

### [The Fight for Timothy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/v-the-fight-for-timothy)

David's mother, who suspects the narrator is the anonymous gift-giver and actively investigates, showing both shrewdness and a moment of tenderness.

### [A Shock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/vi-a-shock)

Observed acting furtively, enters a pawnshop to sell her watch, appears thin and worn.

### [The Inconsiderate Waiter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/viii-the-inconsiderate-waiter)

The recipient of the anonymous baby outfits; she writes to the narrator revealing she knows his secret.

### [X: Sporting Reflections](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/x-sporting-reflections)

The narrator reflects on Mary and considers an alternative to returning her to her lover.

### [XI: The Runaway Perambulator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/xi-the-runaway-perambulator)

David's mother, whose influence the narrator seeks to undermine; she initially rejects but later allows the visit.

### [XII: The Pleasantest Club in London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/xii-the-pleasantest-club-in-london)

Mary reluctantly accepts David's growing independence, assuming the 'knickerbocker face' with a sigh, and instructs Irene to allow the narrator to share David.

### [An Interloper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/xix-an-interloper)

Consented to David spending the night with the narrator.

### [XX: David and Porthos Compared](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/xx-david-and-porthos-compared)

Recipient of the narrator's insulting letter; mother of David, criticized for her curiosity and parenting.

### [XXIV: Barbara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/xxiv-barbara)

Mary is expecting a daughter, Barbara, and had planned to write a book; the narrator resents her and plots revenge by writing the book himself.

### [XXVI: The Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/chapters/xxvi-the-dedication)

Visits the narrator to thank him, reveals her past ambition to write the book, and proposes he attend tea parties to find a wife.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/characters/mary_a
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_little_white_bird_se/characters