In the novel The Hollow, Gerda Christow is the wife of John. She is rather plain and stupid. She worries about everything. She idealises her husband, and blames herself for her problems, even when he is wrong. She and John have two children, and she also has a sister in Bexhill.
She inspired a sculpture by Henrietta Savernake called The Worshipper, which is described as being frightening as it has no face. The sculpture is made from pearwood.
She drinks the poisoned tea, that she had intended for Henrietta.