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Mr. Barry
Alfred is the second groom Mr. Barry hires to care for Black Beauty. He comes highly recommended and is a knowledgeable horseperson. He’s always kind and attentive to Black Beauty when Mr. Barry is watching—but Alfred’s behavior when he’s caring for Black Beauty on his own causes Black Beauty to conclude that he’s never met a more conceited man. Alfred never properly grooms Black Beauty or cleans his tack, never exercises Black Beauty, and refuses to thoroughly clean Black Beauty’s stall. Indeed, he insists that a deep clean would be a health hazard for Black Beauty. His neglect causes Black Beauty to develop a fungal infection in his hooves from standing in his own waste all day.
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Alfred Smirk Character Timeline in Black Beauty
The timeline below shows where the character Alfred Smirk appears in Black Beauty. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 31
Black Beauty’s next groom is a man named Alfred Smirk. He’s civil and kind to Black Beauty—at least when Mr. Barry is watching. Though...
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Black Beauty would be reasonably comfortable if Alfred would only clean his stall out. The vapors irritate Black Beauty’s eyes, and even Mr....
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...makes Black Beauty’s feet painful. Mr. Barry observes that Black Beauty has started stumbling, and Alfred says he’s noticed the same when he exercises Black Beauty. He never exercises Black Beauty;...
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