Dimmie Nannie Merwent

Lucy Winter

Dimmie is Lucy's devoted and lively friend, often acting as a confidante and companion.

John Winter

Dimmie shares a warm, teasing friendship with John, treating him like a brother-in-law figure.

Uncle Jim

Dimmie and Uncle Jim share a playful, bantering friendship, often teasing each other.

Arthur Merwent

Arthur is Dimmie's brother, and they share a sibling bond with occasional bickering and loyalty.

Mother

Mother is Dimmie's grandmother or elder relative, with a gentle, caring dynamic.

Mamma

Mamma is Dimmie's mother or close maternal figure, with a loving bond.

Professor Walsh

Professor Walsh is Dimmie's academic mentor or teacher, with a formal but friendly rapport.

Lucy Winter

Dimmie is Lucy's devoted and lively friend, often acting as a confidante and companion.

John Winter

Dimmie shares a warm, teasing friendship with John, treating him like a brother-in-law figure.

John Winter

Dimmie shares a warm, teasing friendship with John, treating him like a brother-in-law figure.

Lucy Winter

Dimmie is Lucy's devoted and lively friend, often acting as a confidante and companion.

Uncle Jim

Dimmie and Uncle Jim share a playful, bantering friendship, often teasing each other.

Blind Mice

Arrives at Rosedene and begins her manipulative schemes.

I

Lucy and John's young son, playful and affectionate with Uncle Jim.

II

Shy and upset upon meeting his grandmother, hides in his mother's dress.

Chapter III

Helps with dishes and observes the tension between Lucy and Nannie; asks to join in the planned good times.

V

Nannie, Lucy's mother, displays hysterical behavior during pregnancy and throughout Lucy's childhood, alternating between neglect, cruelty, and possessive affection.

VI

Vain about her appearance, lies about bathing, and conspires with her mother to push Lucy toward Kingsley Dodd.

VII

Opposes Lucy's departure, threatens to disown her, and retreats into tearful isolation.

VIII

Feels abandoned and impoverished; takes a teaching job at the Academy; becomes increasingly dependent on Professor Walsh.

IX

Divorced by Arthur, moves in with Mrs. Lockhart, seeks advice from Professor Walsh, and later writes to Lucy for reconciliation.

Chapter X: Nannie's Manipulation and Jim's Unease

Boisterous and affectionate with Jim; calls him 'Uncle Jim'; corrected by Nannie for his noise.

Chapter XI

Receives Jim's boutonniere, helps with dishes, and is put to bed by Lucy.

Chapter XIII

Dimmie is the expansive child of Lucy and John, who looks up to Jim as almost the equal of his father.

Chapter XIV

Accused of telling an untruth by John after Nannie claims she didn't forbid him from meeting John; Lucy defends him.

XV

Affectionate toward Jim, but caught in the crossfire of adult tensions; used by Nannie to test Jim's loyalty.

Chapter XVI

Observed playing by the window; sent to Mrs. Hamilton's for the afternoon.

Chapter XVII

Defensive and manipulative when confronted by Lucy about expenses; enjoys the theater and aligns with John against Lucy.

Chapter XVIII

Excited to start kindergarten; briefly appears as a source of tension between Lucy and Nannie.

XIX

Mentioned as attending kindergarten and later crying upstairs.

Chapter XX

Dimmie greets Jim warmly and is taken to Mrs. Hamilton's for tea, showing his affection for 'Uncle Jim.'

Chapter XXI

Observes the conflict between his parents and grandmother, left unnoticed during the dinner argument.

XXII

Nannie skillfully manipulates John, playing the victim and threatening to leave, while asserting control over the household and the new servant.

XXIII

Present in Lucy's lap during the opening scene, later carried downstairs by John; a silent presence amid the adult conflict.

Chapter XXIV

Observes the family conflict with fear, cries when a cup is broken, and is taken by Lucy to Mrs. Hamilton's.

XXV

Caught between adults, he is manipulated by Nannie to profess love and loyalty over his new grandparents.

XXVI

Nannie manipulates the conversation, aligns with John, and continues to intrude on Lucy's space under the guise of care.

Chapter XXVII

Nannie is controlling and manipulative, insisting Lucy rest and questioning her plans, while Lucy and Miss Storms discuss her as the source of conflict.

XXVIII

Referenced as the child Lucy intends to take with her; John accuses Lucy and Jim of trying to take his child.

XXIX

Nannie manipulates John by feigning tears and gratitude, extracts money from him, and later returns to Rosedene with a torn skirt, complaining about her treatment.

Jim's Ultimatum and Lucy's Flight

Innocent child who is frightened by his mother's emotional breakdown.

XXXI

Returns to Rosedene, writes to Professor Walsh, manipulates Lucy and John, announces her departure, and receives a telegram from Walsh.

XXXI

Lies on the floor reading, interacts with Nannie and Lucy, and is carried home asleep by Dr. Hamilton.

XXXII

Nannie's aggrieved and manipulative behavior peaks as she prepares to leave, accusing Lucy of coldness and scheming, while cozying up to John.

XXXIII

Bids farewell to his grandmother, cries to go with her, and later insists on attending kindergarten despite Lucy's offer to stay home.

XXXIV

Dimmie is put to bed by Lucy, saying she is sleepy, and is told to kiss Papa good night.

XXXV

Notices Jim's absence and questions his parents, and later comforts Lucy after the argument with John.