Martha Sowerby works as an underservant and maid for Mary Lennox at Misselthwaite Manor. Her friendly yet blunt demeanor starkly contrasts with the servants Mary knew in India. Martha insists Mary dress herself and discourages tantrums, explicitly refusing to tolerate physical aggression unlike Mary’s prior attendants. Her manner displays a degree of impertinence by elite household standards, as she neglects strict customs of deference when tending to wealthy children. She expresses kindness through practical gestures, like supplying Mary with gardening tools upon observing the child’s outdoor interests. Family connections prove significant when she introduces her brother Dickon, who aids Mary in reviving the secret garden. Martha hails from a large rural family, often recounting anecdotes about her mother, siblings—particularly Dickon—and their moorland life. She operates chiefly within Mary’s narrative, facilitating the protagonist’s exposure to Yorkshire traditions and nature. Through their interactions, Martha redirects Mary’s focus outward, countering the child’s self-absorption.