# Mrs. Gretorex — The Story of Ivy character guide

> Mrs. Gretorex in The Story of Ivy by Marie Belloc Lowndes.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Gretorex

**First appearance:** 0004-iv

## Snapshot

Roger Gretorex's mother, a presence in his shabby household whose claims on her son complicate the doctor's entanglement with Ivy.

## Who they are

Mrs. Gretorex presides over the modest mid-Victorian house off the Embankment where Roger sees his poorer patients and where Ivy enters by the back surgery to avoid notice. Her son's devotion to her, and the household routines she governs, form the respectable life he keeps separate from his hopeless passion. That divided loyalty matters because it limits how far Roger can be drawn into Ivy's schemes, and because his mother's world is one Ivy can never quite enter or dismiss.

## In the story

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xi)

Receives Roger with welcome but becomes anxious; briefly suspects Ivy of poisoning Jervis, then fears for her son's safety.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xiii)

Confides in Mr. Oram about Roger's love for Ivy and her fear for his safety, pleading for his help.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xiv)

Visits Ivy unannounced, desperate to convince her of the danger her son faces and to seek her cooperation.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xvi)

Roger's mother, present in court, shares agony with a girl beside her and later exchanges a painful look with Ivy after the verdict.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xvii)

Grief-stricken after the trial, unable to eat, but allows Enid to pursue her investigation.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/chapters/xix)

Remains calm and resigned; receives a letter from Mrs. Huntley.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/characters/mrs_gretorex
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_ivy_se/characters