Ingred Saxon

Bess Haselford

Bess is Ingred's closest friend and confidante, often supporting her through school and personal troubles.

Verity Richmond

Verity is a loyal and steady friend to Ingred, providing moral support and companionship.

Quenrede Saxon

Quenrede is Ingred's younger sister, with a close but sometimes rivalrous sibling bond.

Egbert

Egbert is Ingred's brother, often teasing her but ultimately caring.

Nora Clifford

Nora is a school friend of Ingred, sharing everyday adventures and school life.

Dr. Linton

Dr. Linton is the school doctor who looks after Ingred's health and well-being.

Old Mother Hubbard

Old Mother Hubbard is a local eccentric whom Ingred encounters and sometimes helps.

Lispeth Scott

Lispeth is a fellow student and friend of Ingred, sharing schoolgirl camaraderie.

Fil Trevor

Fil Trevor is a male friend of Ingred, often involved in outdoor activities and adventures.

Beatrice Jackson

Beatrice is a rival at school, often competing with Ingred for popularity and attention.

Evie Irving

Evie is a schoolmate and friend of Ingred, sharing lighthearted school experiences.

Dad

Dad is Ingred's father, a supportive and loving parent.

The End of the Holidays

The youngest but one, dark-haired, struggles with the family's changed circumstances and the prospect of not living at Rotherwood.

The End of the Holidays

Youngest son, taller than Ingred, will commute to school daily.

Opening Day

Struggles with pride and humiliation over losing Rotherwood; becomes a weekly boarder; joins the Foursome League.

Wynch-on-the-Wold

Struggles with her new life as a boarder and her family's reduced circumstances, but finds comfort in her roommates and home.

Wynch-on-the-Wold

Ingred's brother, attends King George's School and is excited about a new rabbit.

IV: Intruder Bess

Returns to school, struggles with studies, has a piano lesson with Dr. Linton, initially befriends Bess but turns hostile upon learning she lives at Rotherwood.

V: The Fifth-Form Fête

Reluctantly plays piano accompaniment for Bess, feeling jealous of the attention Bess receives.

VI: The School Parliament

Chosen as warden for V a (The Pioneers); discusses obligations with Mother and Quenrede; later reads the Rainbow League rules privately.

VII: Hockey

Joins the Rainbow League, takes Rachel Grant's place in the hockey team as Left Inner, and plays in the match against the Clinton Old Girls.

VIII: An Unpleasant Experience

One of the three girls who miss the train and get lost; she takes the lead in asking for help.

A Hostel Frolic

Plans the entertainment for the Foursome League, acts the part of an elderly peasant man in the play, and later wakes to mysterious footsteps.

X: The Whispering Stones

Voices the family's missing of Mother; primes herself with local lore and encourages Quenrede to try the whispering stones ritual.

X: The Whispering Stones

Eager to photograph the stones; teases his sisters about the legends.

XI: On Strike

Feels humiliated and resentful after being passed over for reporter and harshly punished by Miss Strong; her bitterness fuels the school's discontent.

The Rainbow League

Performs at the fête despite stage fright; observes Dorrie's mischief and Miss Strong's tenderness.

XIII: Quenrede Comes Out

Helps Quenrede prepare for the dance and waits up to hear about the evening.

XIV: The Peephole

Ingred interacts with friends in Dormitory 2, retrieves Dr. Linton's music, and explores the Abbey peephole with Verity.

Brotherly Breezes

Enjoys a tea outing with Egbert, discovers his secret, and decides to sell Derry for Athelstane's books.

An Easter Pilgrimage

Participates in the walking tour; jokes about using a balloon to carry her luggage; enjoys gardening and the spring weather.

The Rivals

Struggles with jealousy of Bess; humiliated in botanical dispute; rescues Bess from the mare.

Bess at Home

Visits Rotherwood, reconciles with Bess, and vows to live up to the idealized version of herself that Bess imagined.

The Nun's Walk

Returns home, argues about manners, retrieves tennis balls from Dr. Broadfield's garden, and leads the nighttime ghost-hunting adventure.

Under the Lanterns

Helps conceive the fancy-dress dance, creates a Red Indian squaw costume with Quenrede's help, and later discovers her brother Hereward in disguise at the dance.

Under the Lanterns

Ingred's brother, who sneaks into the dance disguised as an Early Victorian lady, along with his friend Franklin.

The Abbey Recital

Initiates the musical opportunity for Bess and supports her throughout the recital.