# Nettie Underwood — The Rector and The Doctor’s Family character guide > Nettie Underwood in The Rector and The Doctor’s Family by Margaret Oliphant. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Nettie, Miss Marjoribanks, Miss Underwood, Miss Nettie **First appearance:** 0005-the-doctor-s-family ## Snapshot A dauntless young Australian who arrives in Carlingford with her sister's children and a will of iron, turning the doctor's bachelor world upside down. ## Who they are Nettie Underwood storms into Carlingford as the sister-in-law nobody knew Fred Rider had, managing her feckless brother-in-law's household with sharp words and her own purse. Her alert, uncompromising spirit chafes against the useless hulk of Fred even as she works and domineers over the family, and her unguarded flashes of mischief toward Dr. Edward betray feelings she will not name. She matters because her arrival forces the doctor to confront both his brother's buried life and his own pride, setting the whole tangle of the story in motion. ## Relationships ### [Dr. Edward Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/dr_edward_rider) _romantic_ Dr. Edward Rider and Nettie Underwood share a deeply romantic and devoted relationship, with Edward often relying on Nettie's strength and care. ### [Fred Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/fred_rider) _friendship_ Fred Rider is a close friend and confidant to Nettie Underwood, often supporting her in family matters. ### [Susan Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/susan_rider) _family_ Nettie Underwood and Susan Rider are sisters-in-law, sharing a supportive and caring bond within the Rider family. ### [Richard Chatham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/richard_chatham) _social_ Nettie Underwood and Richard Chatham are acquaintances, with Richard possibly being a suitor or friend from the community. ### [Lucy Wodehouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/lucy_wodehouse) _friendship_ Lucy Wodehouse and Nettie Underwood are close friends, often confiding in each other and providing mutual support. ### [The Bushman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/the_bushman) _social_ Nettie Underwood and The Bushman have a social acquaintance, likely through community or family connections. ### [Mr. Wentworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/mr_wentworth) _social_ Mr. Wentworth and Nettie Underwood are social acquaintances, possibly with some romantic interest or familial connection. ### [The Rector](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/the_rector) _social_ Nettie Underwood and The Rector have a social relationship, likely through church or community duties. ### [Dr. Edward Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/dr_edward_rider) _romantic_ Dr. Edward Rider and Nettie Underwood share a deeply romantic and devoted relationship, with Edward often relying on Nettie's strength and care. ### [Susan Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/susan_rider) _family_ Nettie Underwood and Susan Rider are sisters-in-law, sharing a supportive and caring bond within the Rider family. ### [Fred Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/fred_rider) _friendship_ Fred Rider is a close friend and confidant to Nettie Underwood, often supporting her in family matters. ### [Fred Rider](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/fred_rider) _friendship_ Fred Rider is a close friend and confidant to Nettie Underwood, often supporting her in family matters. ## In the story ### [The Doctor's Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/the-doctor-s-family) Arrives and begins to take charge of the family, demonstrating competence and independence. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/ii) Takes charge of the situation, moving Fred's family to a hotel. Returns the next morning with Susan, speaking boldly and controlling the conversation with Dr. Rider. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/iii) Takes charge of the household, finds lodgings near St. Roque's, and commands Dr. Rider's assistance with authority and grace. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/iv) Takes charge of Fred's family, discusses finances and plans with Dr. Rider, showing practicality and resolve. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/v) Defends her role as caretaker of the family, dismisses marriage as a distraction, and shows her spirited, practical nature. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/vi) Nettie is the central figure, managing the household with cheerful will and ceaseless activity. She accepts Fred's faults and her role without complaint, though she has given up trying to quicken him into life. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/vii) Shows her practical and independent nature, managing the family and discussing Fred's behavior with the doctor. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/viii) Maintains a reserved demeanor to discourage Dr. Rider; rejects his proposal out of duty to Fred's children and awareness of their incompatible temperaments. ### [Another Life and a Changed World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/ix) Experiences a sudden disenchantment and recognizes her personal loss; continues her duties with silent heroism; later identifies Fred's body and takes charge of the situation. ### [The Morning After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/x) Takes charge of the aftermath of Fred's drowning, retrieves his body, and manages the household with resolute courage. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xi) Feels deep, solitary pity for Fred's wasted life, contrasting with the selfishness of Susan and the indifference of the children; her eyes are opened to the hopelessness of her charge. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xii) Resigned to her duty, she works at her sewing while Susan occupies the sofa; she recognizes the inevitability of her continued sacrifice. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xii) Seen by Dr. Rider on Grange Lane; he feels shame recalling his earlier attentions to her. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xiii) Struggles with the burden of caring for her sister's family and the pressure to return to Australia, while grappling with her own sacrifice and feelings for Dr. Rider. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xiv) Resolute and impatient, Nettie decides to take Susan and the children to Australia, rejecting any possibility of marriage. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xv) Decides to leave Carlingford and return to Australia, as reported by Mrs. Smith; her determination is evident in her words and actions. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xvi) Stunned and hurt by Susan's announcement, she abdicates her role as family caretaker with quiet dignity. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xvii) Separates her belongings from the family's, asserts her independence, and confronts Dr. Rider about their relationship. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/chapters/xviii) Now married to Dr. Rider, she has transformed the doctor's house into a home and continues to assert her independence. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters/nettie_underwood - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_rector_and_the_doctor_s_family_se/characters