# Waddington — The Painted Veil character guide > Waddington in The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Waddington, LXIX Waddington **First appearance:** 0032-xxx ## Snapshot A shabby, witty British customs officer in Mei-tan-fu whose gossip and unexpected kindness give Kitty her clearest view of the people around her. ## Who they are Waddington has lived in China long enough to have gone native in his habits and his humor, and he serves as Kitty's escort and interpreter in the cholera-stricken city. He is a talker, fond of a drink and a scandal, but his offhand remarks about Townsend and about the nuns carry a moral edge Kitty cannot ignore. His companionship gives her the only unguarded friendship she has, and his observations quietly shape her reassessment of her husband and herself. ## Relationships ### [Kitty Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/kitty_fane) _friendship_ A warm, platonic companionship in Mei-tan-fu, with Waddington offering Kitty honest advice and emotional support. ### [Walter Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/walter_fane) _friendship_ A collegial friendship built on shared work in the epidemic, with Waddington sympathizing with Walter's pain. ### [Mother Superior](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/mother_superior) _social_ A cordial acquaintance based on their shared presence in the remote Chinese town. ### [Dorothy Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/dorothy_townsend) _social_ A minimal, indirect acquaintance through the colonial social circle. ### [Kitty Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/kitty_fane) _friendship_ A warm, platonic companionship in Mei-tan-fu, with Waddington offering Kitty honest advice and emotional support. ### [Kitty Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/kitty_fane) _friendship_ A warm, platonic companionship in Mei-tan-fu, with Waddington offering Kitty honest advice and emotional support. ### [Walter Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/walter_fane) _friendship_ A collegial friendship built on shared work in the epidemic, with Waddington sympathizing with Walter's pain. ### [Mother Superior](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/mother_superior) _social_ A cordial acquaintance based on their shared presence in the remote Chinese town. ### [Mother Superior](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/mother_superior) _social_ A cordial acquaintance based on their shared presence in the remote Chinese town. ### [Walter Fane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/walter_fane) _friendship_ A collegial friendship built on shared work in the epidemic, with Waddington sympathizing with Walter's pain. ### [Dorothy Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/dorothy_townsend) _social_ A minimal, indirect acquaintance through the colonial social circle. ### [Dorothy Townsend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/dorothy_townsend) _social_ A minimal, indirect acquaintance through the colonial social circle. ## In the story ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxxi) Deputy Commissioner who introduces himself, invites himself to dinner, and discusses the cholera situation. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxxii) Described as bald, monkey-faced, charmingly ugly, and far from sober; talks of Hong Kong, Townsend, and London theatre; plans to escort Walter the next day. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxxiv) Mentioned as a source of information about the cholera epidemic, along with the amah. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxxv) Offers a candid, critical assessment of Townsend's character and abilities. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxxvi) His careless remarks prompt Kitty's introspection. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxxvii) Visits Kitty daily, shares his cynical and humorous worldview, and warns against eating fresh salad due to cholera risk. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxxviii) Waddington is perceptive and direct, questioning Kitty about her relationship with Walter and expressing concern for her well-being. He shows kindness beneath his ironic demeanor. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xxxix) Waddington speaks admiringly of the Mother Superior and the nuns, and delivers the invitation to Kitty. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xl) Waddington walks beside Kitty, comments on the halted business due to cholera, and introduces her to Sister St. Joseph. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xli) Waddington is present, talking nonsense and flirting with Sister St. Joseph, and is known to have helped the convent financially. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xlii) Present during the convent visit, making a roguish comment about the cakes. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xliii) Accompanies Kitty on the visit, observes with amusement, and later notices Kitty's tears. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xliv) Mentioned as having told Kitty about Walter's work and as not liking Walter. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/xlv) Noted to be slightly uneasy in the Mother Superior's presence, showing her commanding influence. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/li) Said to live with a Manchu princess; known for his humor and poor French; donated money to the convent. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lii) Mentioned as someone who would have made ironic innuendos if he knew about Kitty's past feelings for Townsend. ### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/liii) Arranges the outing to the monastery; accompanies Kitty and shares in the quiet, reflective atmosphere. ### [LIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/liv) Discusses his relationship with a Manchu princess, revealing her intense devotion and his resigned acceptance. ### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lviii) Arranges the visit and translates between Kitty and the Manchu; discusses the Tao as a universal path. ### [LXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxii) Brings the news of Walter's illness to Kitty and accompanies her through the night to the Yamen. ### [LXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxiii) Accompanies Kitty to Walter's deathbed, informs her of Walter's condition, and later escorts her back to the bungalow. ### [LXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxiv) Accompanies Kitty back to the bungalow, offers her tea, and arranges for Walter's burial. ### [LXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxv) Arranges the funeral, reads the burial service, and waits for Kitty. ### [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxvi) Walks with Kitty, discusses Tao, the beauty of a well-lived life, and the circumstances of Walter's death; reveals the source of the line from Goldsmith's Elegy. ### [LXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxviii) Waddington is mentioned as having arranged Kitty's escort and travel plans with Colonel Yü. ### [LXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxix) Waddington walks with Kitty to Walter's grave and bids her farewell at the memorial arch. ### [LXX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxx) Waddington's shrewd demeanor makes Kitty feel he sees through her composed grief. ### [LXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxxi) Sent a telegram to Dorothy informing her of Kitty's arrival. ### [LXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/chapters/lxxiv) Mentioned as having written a letter to Dorothy, humorously praising Kitty's work at the convent. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters/waddington - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_painted_veil_se/characters