Book I
Referenced as a maternal or nurturing figure.
I
The grandmother, a source of warmth and care for Gian-Luca.
IV
Rosa is implied as the deceased mother of Gian-Luca, referred to as 'its mother over there'.
II
The wet nurse who emerges as a concrete figure associated with feeding and comfort.
III
Gian-Luca's wet nurse, still grieving her own dead baby; cries often and is emotionally distant.
IV
Prepares to cry over Gian-Luca's mistake but is silenced by Teresa.
V
Weans Gian-Luca, now laughs and smiles, takes him to church, and cautions him not to tell Nonna.
I
The servant who cares for Gian-Luca, calling him affectionate names and providing warmth, in contrast to Teresa's coldness.
III
Referred to as Nonna; Gian-Luca recalls her examining his hair and eyes, feeling that she hated his hair. She whispers with Fabio about Olga and Gian-Luca's appearance, and coldly tells him to go to sleep.
IV
Avoids Gian-Luca's questions about Olga, distracts him with flowers, and has a daughter named Berta.
V
Mentioned as Nonna who will guard the shop while Fabio takes Gian-Luca for a walk.
I
A household member who scolds Gian-Luca for crying, teaches him Italian, and is pregnant and irritable due to her husband's infidelity.
II
Grown cross, she is easily tormented by Gian-Luca, especially regarding her ornate watch, and threatens to tell Nonna.
III
Mentioned as Nonna, whose absence at school makes Gian-Luca less naughty; her ugly Berta is contrasted with other children.
IV
Deeply shocked by Gian-Luca's schooling; gives him a rosary.
V
Pious and hopeful that Gian-Luca's schooling will include religious instruction; she is dutiful and attends Mass regularly with Mario.
V
The family's servant, from whom Gian-Luca is weaned, marking a significant transition in his early life.
I
Geppe's mother, mentioned as the mother of the turbulent child Geppe.
III
Rosa brings her children to supper, defends their behavior, and discusses Mario's bunion and the Padrone's purchase of French pasta.
IV
Her children howl; her voice is loud and shrill.
I
Mario's wife, who never listens to his stories.
II
Scrubs the house and puts bedding out in the sun, only to have it covered with smuts.
III
Supports Mario's dreams but tactfully steers the conversation toward a feasible destination, suggesting Kew Gardens.
VII
Nonna involved in Gian-Luca's weaning.
I
Busy preparing the luncheon basket and dressing the children, cross but affectionate, manages the household with authority.
II
Manages the children and exchanges burdens with Mario; her fringe comes out of curl.
II
Complains and scratches her nettle-rash; wears a conspicuous yellow poke bonnet.
III
Protests the heat and fatigue, but ultimately supports Mario; her hat slips and she looks dusty and tired.
III
Whines about feeling sick and tears her white frock on a branch.
IV
Holds Geppe's sticky hand on the bus, carries him home asleep.
V
Lies in bed beside Mario, watching him with a smile as he recounts their day.
I
Interrupts the conversation between Mario and Gian-Luca, disapproving of verses.
III
Referred to as Berta, she visits the shop and argues with Gian-Luca.
IV
Referenced as Berta, the person Gian-Luca longs to pinch like he pinches rude customers.
V
Constantly wipes her eyes for unknown mothers affected by the Boer War.
XI
Nonna involved in the weaning process from Gian-Luca.
III
Rosa is mentioned by Mario as someone Gian-Luca might no longer wish to accompany.
IV
Recalled by Mario as having given Gian-Luca milk when he was little.
V
Visits with Berta on weekends to pass the time.
VI
Seen at Nerone's door with curlers, smiling and teasing Gian-Luca about his smart appearance.
Book II
Nonna, providing familial support and continuity.
I
Rosa joins the others in admiring Teresa's success.
II
Rosa weeps and pleads for Geppe when Nerone threatens him, and she envies Geppe the chance to see Italy through military service.
III
Struggles with language barriers and her daughter Berta's refusal to speak Italian; worries about the family's cultural and spiritual drift.
III
Now a smart shop assistant who uses flattery to sell clothes, skips Mass for leisure, and speaks only English, asserting her independence.
I
One of the few people Gian-Luca is fond of and who returns his affection.
V
Buys and embroiders two double sheets as a wedding gift.
VI
Weeps during the wedding.
VII
Patiently receives Mario's reminiscent advances during the feast.
III
Visits Maddalena often, sharing memories of Gian-Luca's infancy and worrying about Geppe's military service and Berta's agnostic marriage.
III
Decides to marry Albert Cole, an agnostic, at a register office, rejecting the Church and children, which distresses Rosa.
V
Disconcerted by Berta's twins; living near Battersea Bridge.
VI
Tells Maddalena that Gian-Luca was always a strange, self-sufficient boy but pure gold at bottom.
V
Gian-Luca's wet nurse, from whom he is weaned, causing him great distress.
I
Frets about her son Geppe being away and wishes he were home.
III
Maddalena thinks of Rosa when Geppe is mentioned.
IV
Overjoyed at Geppe's return, she weeps and expresses her belief that Geppe will help Italy use its sword.
VI
Grown fat and breathless, she is burdened with caring for Berta's twins, struggling to satisfy their fussy feeding demands.
I
Anxious about Nerone's excitement and Geppe's well-being, forcing back tears to appear strong.
II
Her eyes swim with tears yet shine with a rainbow of promise; she alone knows Geppe's fear and prays for his courage.
IX
Present with Berta's twins; cries and embraces Gian-Luca.
VII
Nonna who weans Gian-Luca in an early episode.
IV
Takes the twins to the Tube for safety during the raids.
V
Comforts Nerone after Fabio's death.
I
Arrives every morning with the twins to help in the shop, sent by Nerone.
II
Returns home to Nerone after Millo's assistants arrive.
III
Weeps for Geppe's fear in his final hours; later places flowers before his picture.
Book III
Nonna, who assists in the weaning process.
IV
Joins Teresa and Mario in questioning Maddalena about Gian-Luca.
I
Deeply wounded by Gian-Luca's neglect; cries over Geppe's death and Mario's demotion.
II
Referenced indirectly through Gian-Luca's memory of his lonely childhood, though not present in the scene.
V
Gian-Luca's wet nurse, from whom he is abruptly weaned, causing him deep emotional distress.
VII
Gian-Luca's wet nurse, from whom he is weaned, marking a significant emotional transition.
IX
Nonna, from whom Gian-Luca is weaned.
I
Wails about her love for Gian-Luca and recalls his elegance as a child.
II
Unburdens her heart about Mario's troubles at the Capo; is comforted by Gian-Luca, who calls her 'Mother' for the first time.
I
Mentioned in Gian-Luca's recollection of his childhood, along with Berta and Geppe.
XII
The grandmother, whose weaning of Gian-Luca is recalled as a formative trauma.
III
Mentioned as one of those who question Maddalena about Gian-Luca's whereabouts.
I
Mentioned as the foster-mother who loved Gian-Luca and will accompany Maddalena to Lyndhurst.
II
Weeps openly for Gian-Luca, clinging to Mario's arm.
III
Sobs over Gian-Luca, saying he was born in their midst; leaves the stable with Mario.
