A serious, very wealthy, and quite polite English family man who came from England and settled in Asmalımescit Street. He hires Râkım as a Turkish teacher for his eldest daughter, Can (Jane), and his younger daughter, Margaret. As a family, they are enchanted by Râkım's morality and gentlemanly conduct. He never underestimates Râkım's luck or effort, holding him in higher regard than the English, Franks, and heirs to fortunes in his own circle. Upon learning of Râkım's noble stance and his situation with Canan regarding his daughter Can's platonic love—which had reached the stage of tuberculosis—he accepts the truth with fortitude and honors Râkım's honesty as 'the noblest of sentiments.'
A member of the hard-working but non-aristocratic class who started with a small inheritance, earned five hundred thousand pounds through perseverance, and came to Istanbul to live out his retirement.
Described as having the appearance of a wealthy European merchant, with a respectable and orderly gentlemanly style (though there is no extensive description, he is dressed politely).
Felâtun Bey
De waardeloze man van wie hij door diens zonderlinge gedrag als gast (de mayonaise-flater) heeft ingezien dat hij een hansworst is.
Râkım Efendi
Zijn leerling/werknemer aan wie hij vanwege diens hoogstaande moraal zelfs zijn gehele fortuin zou toevertrouwen.