mother of Florence and Paul; dies soon after Paul is born Master Paul Dombey (Little Dombey): Born as the novel begins; he is weak and often ill. A gentle child, he is adored by his sister Florence and beloved of his schoolmates. He dies of an unspecified illness in Chapter 16. Miss Florence (Floy) Dombey: Mr Dombey's daughter, about 6 years old as the novel begins. She dotes on her little brother. Despite her father's neglect, which amounts to emotional abuse, she loves him and longs for some return of her affection. During an unauthorized outing with Mrs Richards (Toodle), she is snatched from the street by Good Mrs Brown. After her father's wedding to Edith, she bonds with her stepmother. Florence flees the house when she realizes that Edith has broken with her father, taking refuge with Captain Cuttle at The Wooden Midshipman. She eventually marries Walter Gay and bears him two children. Dr Parker Peps: One of the Court Physicians, pompously confuses Mrs Dombey's name with the names of aristocrats whom he has treated Mrs Blockitt: Nurse, "a simpering piece of faded gentility" Mr Pilkins: Physician of the Dombey family, defers obsequiously to Dr Peps Mrs Louisa Dombey Chick: Mr Dombey's sister; an anemic copy of her brother, who is also the only person for whom she has any affection. Miss Lucretia Tox: Friend of Mrs Chick until their falling-out, great admirer of Mr Dombey, and neighbour of Major Bagstock Chapter 2 Mr John Chick: Husband of Mrs Chick Mr Toodle: A locomotive stoker Mrs Polly Toodle (Richards): Fertile wife of Mr Toodle, engaged as nurse to young Paul. Mr Dombey wants her to use "an ordinary name, and convenient" while in his employ and thus requires her to answer to the name of Richards. During an ill-advised visit to her home in Staggs's Gardens, Florence is temporarily taken by Good Mrs Brown. Mr Dombey is undisturbed by the loss of his daughter in the urban crowd, but is incensed that Mrs Richards dared to take his son "to such vile haunts" and summarily discharges her. Later she is brought back by Captain Cuttle to keep house at The Wooden Midshipman Robin Toodle (Rob the Grinder, Biler): Son of Mr Toodle and Polly. Sent to the Charitable Grinders school through Mr Dombey's largesse, he cannot resist the lure of tending pigeons and plays truant. A pathetic boy, Rob