# John Eames — The Small House at Allington character guide > John Eames in The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Johnny Eames, Eames, John **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-squire-of-allington ## Snapshot A junior clerk from Guestwick, half boy and half suitor, hopelessly in love with Lily Dale and slowly learning what a man is worth. ## Who they are Johnny Eames earns eighty pounds a year in the Income-tax Office and is dismissed by Lily as a mere clerk — a judgment he feels keenly. He arrives at Allington in spurs and fine gloves, only to find Lily already spoken for, and he must also dodge the alarming Amelia Roper. His awkward, loyal persistence makes him the novel's slow study in growing up. ## Relationships ### [Lilian Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/lilian_dale) _romantic_ John Eames is Lily's faithful, long-suffering suitor who loves her deeply despite her rejection. ### [Mrs. Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/mrs_dale) _friendship_ John Eames is a trusted family friend of Mrs. Dale, who favors him as a potential husband for Lily. ### [Amelia Roper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/amelia_roper) _romantic_ Amelia Roper is a persistent and scheming woman who pursues John Eames romantically, causing him annoyance. ### [Adolphus Crosbie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/adolphus_crosbie) _rivalry_ Crosbie and Eames are bitter rivals for Lily Dale's affection, with Eames despising Crosbie's betrayal. ### [Sir Raffle Buffle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/sir_raffle_buffle) _professional_ John Eames works as a clerk under Sir Raffle Buffle, a pompous and demanding boss at the Income Tax Office. ### [Mrs. Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/mrs_dale) _friendship_ John Eames is a trusted family friend of Mrs. Dale, who favors him as a potential husband for Lily. ### [Lilian Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/lilian_dale) _romantic_ John Eames is Lily's faithful, long-suffering suitor who loves her deeply despite her rejection. ### [Lilian Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/lilian_dale) _romantic_ John Eames is Lily's faithful, long-suffering suitor who loves her deeply despite her rejection. ### [Sir Raffle Buffle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/sir_raffle_buffle) _professional_ John Eames works as a clerk under Sir Raffle Buffle, a pompous and demanding boss at the Income Tax Office. ### [Adolphus Crosbie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/adolphus_crosbie) _rivalry_ Crosbie and Eames are bitter rivals for Lily Dale's affection, with Eames despising Crosbie's betrayal. ### [Mrs. Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/mrs_dale) _friendship_ John Eames is a trusted family friend of Mrs. Dale, who favors him as a potential husband for Lily. ### [Amelia Roper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/amelia_roper) _romantic_ Amelia Roper is a persistent and scheming woman who pursues John Eames romantically, causing him annoyance. ## In the story ### [Mrs. Roper's Boardinghouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/iv-mrs-roper-s-boardinghouse) A young clerk living at Mrs. Roper's boardinghouse, still in love with Lily Dale but aware of his awkwardness and limited prospects. ### [About L. D.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/v-about-l-d) Returns to Allington for his holiday, borrows a horse and wears new spurs and kid gloves to impress Lily, but is devastated to learn of her engagement to Crosbie. ### [Mrs. Dale's Little Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/ix-mrs-dale-s-little-party) Arrives early with his mother and sister; struggles to congratulate Lily on her engagement but is unable to complete his speech. ### [X: Mrs. Lupex and Amelia Roper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/x-mrs-lupex-and-amelia-roper) Receives letters from Cradell and Amelia while at Guestwick, feeling trapped by his engagement to Amelia and distressed by her mention of Lily. ### [Social Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xi-social-life) Mentioned as the object of Amelia's affections and as a potential recipient of warnings about her character. ### [A Visit to Guestwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xiii-a-visit-to-guestwick) Visits his mother's house during the party, struggles with jealousy and hatred toward Crosbie, and contemplates fighting him; remains silent and miserable. ### [John Eames Takes a Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xiv-john-eames-takes-a-walk) John is deeply troubled by Amelia Roper's letters and his lost love for Lily Dale. He takes a solitary walk, encounters Lord De Guest, and writes a cowardly letter to Amelia. ### [John Eames Encounters Two Adventures, and Displays Great Courage in Both](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxi-john-eames-encounters-two-adventures-and-displays-great-courage-in-both) Broods over Lily's engagement, then shows courage by rescuing Lord De Guest from a bull. ### [John Eames Returns to Burton Crescent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxix-john-eames-returns-to-burton-crescent) Returns to Burton Crescent, anxious about facing Amelia Roper and heartbroken over Lily Dale's engagement. ### [Pawkins's in Jermyn Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxii-pawkins-s-in-jermyn-street) Dines with Lord De Guest and Colonel Dale; receives the earl's advice and encouragement regarding Lily Dale; leaves feeling hopeful. ### [The Time Will Come](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-time-will-come) Johnny is staying at Guestwick Manor, being coached by Lord De Guest and Lady Julia on how to win the squire's approval. ### [The Combat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-combat) Attacks Crosbie at the railway station, giving him a black eye, and feels justified in his actions. ### [XXXVI: “See, the Conquering Hero Comes.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxvi-see-the-conquering-hero-comes) Returns to his office after thrashing Crosbie, feeling triumphant but anxious about repercussions; writes to Lord De Guest to explain his actions. ### [An Old Man's Complaint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxvii-an-old-man-s-complaint) John is discussed as a potential match for Lily; the squire is willing to support him financially if Lily can be brought to love him. ### [Domestic Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xli-domestic-troubles) Returns to Mrs. Roper's house and learns of Mrs. Lupex's disappearance; reveals that Cradell lent her money. ### [John Eames at His Office](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xlvi-john-eames-at-his-office) Receives a hopeful letter from Lord De Guest about Lily Dale; struggles with jealousy over Amelia Roper's flirtation with Cradell; considers Australia but is buoyed by the earl's news. ### [The New Private Secretary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xlvii-the-new-private-secretary) Newly appointed private secretary to Sir Raffle Buffle; writes to Lord De Guest about his prospects and accepts Easter invitation. ### [Mrs. Dale Is Thankful for a Good Thing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/l-mrs-dale-is-thankful-for-a-good-thing) Mentioned as the suitor the squire hopes Lily will accept. ### [John Eames Does Things Which He Ought Not to Have Done](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/li-john-eames-does-things-which-he-ought-not-to-have-done) Announces his departure from Burton Crescent, struggles with Amelia's emotional manipulation and his own guilt. ### [The First Visit to the Guestwick Bridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lii-the-first-visit-to-the-guestwick-bridge) Arrives at Guestwick Manor, welcomed by Lady Julia and the Earl; discusses his private secretary role and dislike of Sir Raffle Buffle; visits his mother and sister; meets Mr. Dale and Bell; resolves to visit Lily. ### [The Second Visit to the Guestwick Bridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/liv-the-second-visit-to-the-guestwick-bridge) Visits Lily to propose; is refused but remains devoted; later vents his grief on the bridge. ### [LVII: Lilian Dale Vanquishes Her Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lvii-lilian-dale-vanquishes-her-mother) John Eames is discussed as the suitor who proposed to Lily; Mrs. Dale wishes Lily would accept him. ### [The Fate of the Small House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lviii-the-fate-of-the-small-house) Discussed in the context of Lord De Guest's advice about his feelings for Lily and his need to bear his disappointment with dignity. ### [John Eames Becomes a Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lix-john-eames-becomes-a-man) Returns to London after Lily Dale's rejection, reads Cradell's letter, visits Burton Crescent, accepts Sir Raffle's dinner invitation, and is declared to have entered manhood. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/john_eames - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters