Herbert Greenleaf
Dickie's wealthy father, whose mistaken trust gives Tom money, a mission, and entry into the family.
To bring Dickie safely home and place him inside the secure family future Herbert has prepared.
The book
At a glance
- Shipbuilding
- Dickie
- Emily
- Employer and benefactor
Who they are in the book
Spoiler-freeHerbert is a prosperous American shipbuilder. Worried that Dickie is wasting time in Italy, he recruits Tom to persuade him to come home.
Herbert is practical, generous with expenses, and accustomed to solving problems through responsible representatives. Those habits work badly with a man skilled at appearing respectable.
His wife is gravely ill, and he wants their only son back. Tom turns that concern into both an income and a guide to what the family hopes to hear.
How the book draws them
- Successful shipbuilderHis business defines the secure future Dickie declines.
- Direct but trustingA shared-school connection seems sufficient reason to hire Tom.
- Generous with expensesHe pays when he believes the money serves Dickie's return.
- Concerned for EmilyHis wife's illness adds urgency.
- Uses intermediariesHe relies first on Tom and later on McCarron.
- Vulnerable to plausibilityHe expects documents and respectable manners to reflect reality.
Herbert hires McCarron, but the investigation does not expose Tom. The family accepts the suicide story.
They also accept the forged will. Herbert's first mistaken trust leads to Tom becoming his son's heir.
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