Although Mr. Frazer is technically a minister, his primary role in the story is as a botanist eager to learn from Gemmy’s knowledge. Mr. Frazer’s interest in what Gemmy has to teach him without any ulterior motive sets him apart as the single settler outside of the McIvor family who appreciates Gemmy as a person, rather than a device to achieve some self-motivated aim, and respects his right to privacy and secrecy.