Alice Adams

Walter Adams

Alice and her brother Walter share a close sibling bond, though Walter's illness and dependency create a protective dynamic.

Arthur Russell

Alice and Arthur are involved in a romantic relationship, marked by social tension and Alice's insecurity about her family's status.

Virgil Adams

Alice deeply loves her father Virgil, who is her emotional anchor and a source of pride despite his financial struggles.

Mildred Palmer

Alice and Mildred are social rivals, competing for Arthur Russell's attention and status in their community.

Charley Lohr

Charley Lohr is a former suitor of Alice, representing a simpler, less ambitious romantic option she has rejected.

Joe Lamb

Joe Lamb is a kind and loyal friend to Alice, offering her genuine support without romantic expectations.

Mr. Lamb

Mr. Lamb is Virgil's employer and a family friend, providing Alice's father with work and occasional patronage.

Mrs. Adams

Alice has a strained relationship with her mother, who is socially ambitious and often critical of Alice's choices.

Ella Dowling

Ella Dowling is a childhood friend of Alice, representing a simpler, more genuine connection from her past.

Harvey Malone

Harvey Malone is a local young man who flirts with Alice, representing a casual social acquaintance.

Henrietta Lamb

Henrietta Lamb is Joe's sister and a close friend of Alice, offering sisterly support and companionship.

Gertrude Collamus

Gertrude Collamus is a gossipy acquaintance of Alice, representing the judgmental small-town social circle.

I

Virgil's daughter, mentioned as moving about in her room; he looks forward to seeing her.

II

Alice is half-dressed, posturing before a mirror, and later instructs her mother on tact, defends her father, and expresses concern about her brother Walter's activities.

III

Alice advises her mother to avoid discussing business with Virgil, then prepares for a walk. She discards her old 'Alys' cards, dresses stylishly, and performs social rituals to project an image of wealth and mystery.

Chapter IV

Alice prepares for a dance, deflects her father's concerns, and later feels guilty about pressuring him.

V

Washes dishes, daydreams about the dance and receiving flowers, finds violets in the yard, and plans her dress with her mother.

VI

Dressed elaborately for the dance, visits her father, and rides with Walter to the Palmers' party.

VII

Sits alone at the dance, pretending to await an escort; reflects on her decline in popularity and envies Mildred Palmer.

VIII

Struggles with social rejection at the dance, uses the 'absentee partner' ruse, feels resentment toward the young men who ignore her, and eventually breaks down crying at home.

IX

Alice confides in her father about her humiliation at the dance and her desire to do something meaningful, briefly fantasizing about a stage career. She later meets Arthur Russell on the street and reads an old letter from her father to her mother.

Chapter X

Alice walks with Arthur Russell, fabricating stories about her father's cigars and Walter's dice-playing. She enjoys the walk and Russell's attention but remains indifferent to him romantically, seeing him as 'reserved' for Mildred. After returning home, her sparkle fades and she becomes the troubled girl her family knows.

XI

Alice confronts her mother about the glue factory obsession, practices false expressions in the mirror, and questions her own identity and lies to Arthur Russell.

Chapter XII

Alice discards the wilted carnations and her hopes for Arthur Russell, feeling dull and resigned. She later sits on the veranda, listening to other girls' laughter, and reflects on her lost expectations.

Chapter XIII

Discussed as the victim of social snubs, particularly Henrietta Lamb's party exclusion.

Chapter XIV

Alice continues her elaborate deceptions, inventing a feud with Henrietta Lamb and a glue factory story to explain her family's situation, while charming Arthur Russell.

Chapter XV

Alice is distraught after Arthur Russell saw Walter with disreputable people; she confides in her mother and later avoids confrontation at dinner.

Chapter XVI

Returns home cheerfully after a visit from Arthur Russell, singing and teasing her father, giving him a moment of happiness.

Chapter XVII

Attempts to explain her father's ambition to Arthur Russell, expresses concern for her father's health, and begs to accompany him in the cab to help.

Chapter XVIII

Briefly appears on the veranda, dressed prettily and in a reverie; reassures her father that she cannot smell the glue-works.

XIX

Alice is anxious about Arthur Russell's impending visit, fearing he will discover the truth about her family's poverty and her lies. She reluctantly agrees to the dinner.

Chapter XX

Anxiously looks forward to the evening with Arthur Russell, though she is apprehensive.

Chapter XXI

Fusses over the table arrangement of roses, then dresses in the white organdie she wore when she first met Russell, showing nervousness and a desire to impress.

XXII

Alice maintains a lively chatter to smooth over the disastrous dinner, but internally she is anxious and questioning Russell's behavior.

Chapter XXIII

Alice tries to soothe her mother and father after Walter's embezzlement is revealed, and later forces her father to eat breakfast before he goes to the factory.

Chapter XXIV

Alice listens to Mr. Lamb's proposal and agrees to convey his offer to her father, showing gratitude and relief.

XXV

Alice dresses plainly and rejects her mother's advice to put on a brave front through appearance. She goes downtown to inquire about arrangements for herself, ultimately climbing the stairs to Frincke's Business College, a symbolic step toward independence.