What does the old word "follerer" mean?

[Never_to_be_Queen]

In Bleak House, Charles Dickens writes of how the children of the late Mr. Neckett were “looked down upon” because their father was only a ‘follerer.’ What is a follerer? I am thinking it is a corruption of some other word, but have no idea what it means.

[Ringo]

Follower?

[Never_to_be_Queen]

Maybe, though I wonder what this person would have followed. Dickens wrote that their landlady thought about turning the family out because his was not a “genteel” calling.

[Exapno_Mapcase]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bookgrouplist/message/707?source=1

> In chapter 15, “Bell Yard,” much is made of the fact that Coavins’s
> profession, follerer, is an unpopular one. The word “follerer” is not in my
> American English dictionary which is usually very good about containing the
> words that I look up. Does follerer mean debt collector? Any help with
> this term would be appreciated.
>
> Maureen

Yes, a follerer is a debt collector.

Not the best of sources, but it looks right for the context.

Ah, here’s a more authoritative cite:
ENGLISH 455: COLLOQUIUM ON CHARLES DICKENS

Describe Gridley (187). What do you think the “litter of papers” in his room relate to? Describe Neckett’s [the debt collector, whom Skimpole calls “Coavinces”] children. How old is the eldest, Charley, and how does she support the other two? How do the people in Bell Yard treat the children? How do they feel about their father’s profession as a “follerer” and why? Why does Mrs. Blinder “forgive” the children’s rent? Is Mrs. Blinder’s charity more effective than Mrs. Jellyby’s or Mrs. Pardiggle’s? Why or why not? Discuss the significance of Mrs. Blinder’s name.

[Never_to_be_Queen]

Thanks. I wonder why this word is not showing up in dictionaries.

[Saranga]

FWIW, I could not find it in the OED either.