Character guide

Montgomery Brewster

major

Also known as Monty, Mr. Montgomery Brewster, Brewster, Mr. Brewster, Montgomery, Mr. Montgomery, Monte

Monty Brewster is a restless young man about town whose grandfather's will turns his life into a frantic, public experiment in spending. He must burn through a million dollars without acquiring a single asset, while lawyers, friends, and a watchful Montana trustee scrutinize his every extravagance. His growing feeling for Peggy Gray complicates the game, forcing him to weigh love and self-respect against the terms of a fortune he cannot keep.

Peggy Gray

major

Also known as Peggy, little Peggy Gray

Peggy Gray has loved Montgomery Brewster since they were children, and she watches his wild spending spree with a mixture of hope and quiet dread. She believes him worth a lifetime of poverty, yet his strange urgency about marrying before the Sedgwick settlement leaves her puzzled and uneasy. Her steady presence is the emotional anchor against which Monty's reckless year is measured, and the reason his final choices matter.

Barbara Drew

supporting

Also known as Miss Barbara Drew, Miss Drew, Babs, Barbara Drew, Drew

Barbara Drew moves easily through New York's fashionable set, courted by Monty and by the brash Californian Rodney Grimes. She resents Monty's assumption that he can dictate her friendships, and her cool, cutting replies expose the hollowness of his possessiveness. Her refusal to be a prize in his campaign forces Brewster to confront what he actually wants, sharpening the contrast with Peggy's patient devotion.

Swearengen Jones

major

Also known as Mr. Swearengen Jones, Mr. Jones, old Swearengen Jones, Jones

Swearengen Jones is the wealthy, sardonic relative whose death sets the entire wager in motion, and whose terse messages from Butte keep Monty guessing whether he is being watched or mocked. His frugality is legendary, and his dry comment that he could feed all of Montana for less than six thousand dollars lands like a warning shot. His disappearance and the mystery surrounding his secretary shadow the story, making his intentions the central puzzle of Monty's year.

Mrs. Dan DeMille

supporting

Also known as Mrs. DeMille, Mrs. Dan, Dan DeMille, Dan

Mrs. Dan DeMille is the leader of the fast younger married set, a woman whose husband lives at the club and whose invitations are never declined. She lends Brewster's campaign her unerring sense of arrangement, making his lavish dinners succeed as social events rather than mere curiosities. Her amused patronage gives Monty entrée into circles his money alone could not buy, and her presence marks how quickly his fortune reshapes his standing.

Nopper Harrison

supporting

Also known as Nopper, Harrison, Nopper Harrison

Nopper Harrison serves as Brewster's assistant and confidant, placing bets, running errands, and watching the spending spiral with a never-decreasing look of worry. He is the practical friend who sees the toll of each fresh extravagance, from ruined automobiles to injured workmen, before Monty allows himself to feel it. His presence grounds the wild year in ordinary loyalty and gives the reader a steady, anxious witness to Brewster's descent into glorious waste.

Joe Bragdon

supporting

Also known as Bragdon, Van Winkle, Rip Van Winkle

Monty's philosophical friend, forever quoting Rip Van Winkle and urging him to break away, even as he watches Monty's fortune draw a dangerous crowd.

James T. Sedgwick

minor

Also known as James, Sedgwick, James Sedgwick, Jim Sedgwick, Montana

The deceased uncle whose will sets up the inheritance challenge for Monty.

Paul Pettingill

supporting

Also known as Pettingill, Paul

A rising young artist with more talent than business sense, hired by Brewster to redecorate rooms and quietly rival him for Barbara Drew's attention.

Mrs. Gray

minor

Also known as Miss Gray Mrs. Gray, Miss Gray

Peggy's mother, a kind and practical woman who supports her daughter.

Colonel Drew

supporting

Also known as Colonel Prentiss Drew, Drew, The Colonel, Prentiss Drew, Colonel

A wealthy Southern gentleman and banker who calls Monty 'my dear boy' and warns him that every promoter in the city wants a whack at his money.

Mr. Grant

supporting

Also known as Grant

The level-voiced lawyer who summons Monty to hear a dead uncle's will and delivers news that is both a fortune and a trap.

Edwin Peter Brewster

minor

Also known as Edwin Brewster, old Edwin Peter Brewster

Monty's deceased father, a stern and frugal man.

Grant & Ripley

minor

Also known as Messrs. Grant & Ripley, Ripley, Grant

The law firm handling Monty's inheritance and legal matters.

Elon Gardner

minor

Also known as Gardner, Elon, poor Gardner

A friend of Monty who gets involved in his spending schemes.

Subway Smith

minor

Also known as Smith, Subway

A friend of Monty known for his quick wit and urban savvy.

Captain Abner Perry

minor

Also known as Captain Perry, Perry

A sea captain who becomes involved in Monty's yacht adventures.

Ellis

minor

A servant or employee in the Brewster household.

Bertier

minor

Also known as Accordingly Bertier

A French chef hired by Monty for his extravagant parties.

Rawles

minor

A servant or employee in Monty's household.

Louise Sedgwick Brewster

minor

Also known as Montgomery Brewster, Brewster

Monty's mother, mentioned in backstory.

Reggy Vanderpool

minor

Also known as Reggy, Vanderpool

A wealthy young man who socializes with Monty's circle.

Duke of Beauchamp

minor

Also known as Duke

A British aristocrat who appears in Monty's social circle.

General Manager Harrison

minor

Also known as Harrison

A manager at a company Monty deals with.

Margaret Gray

minor

Also known as Margaret

Peggy's younger sister, often seen in family scenes.

Peggy Brewster

minor

Also known as Brewster, the triumphant Brewster

Monty's wife after their marriage later in the story.

Mohammed

minor

An Arab servant or guide encountered during Monty's travels.

Oliver Harrison

minor

Also known as Harrison, Oliver, Mr. Oliver Harrison

Nopper Harrison's brother, a businessman who clashes with Monty.

Rodney Grimes

minor

Also known as Grimes

A minor acquaintance involved in Monty's social circle.

Conroy

minor

Also known as young Conroy

A young man who works for or associates with Monty.

Miss Valentine

minor

A young woman who appears in social scenes with the Drews.

Mr. DeMille

minor

Also known as DeMille

Mrs. Dan DeMille's husband, a quiet presence in social events.

Dr. Lotless

minor

Also known as Lotless

A doctor who treats Monty or his acquaintances.

Petty

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.

Golden

minor

A minor character, possibly a friend or associate of Monty.

Old Hendrick

minor

Also known as Hendrick

An elderly man mentioned in Monty's past or family history.

Mr. Ripley

minor

Also known as Ripley

A lawyer from the firm Grant & Ripley.

Mr. Valentine

minor

Father of Miss Valentine, a minor social figure.

Robert Brewster

minor

Also known as Mrs. Robert Brewster, Mrs. Brewster, Robert

Monty's uncle, mentioned in family discussions.

Mrs. Valentine

minor

Mother of Miss Valentine, a minor social figure.

Mr. Moore

minor

Also known as Moore

A minor acquaintance or business associate of Monty.

Reginald Vanderpool

minor

Also known as Reggie, Reggie Vanderpool, Vanderpool

A wealthy young man, possibly the same as Reggy Vanderpool.

Philippe

minor

A French servant or chef hired by Monty.

Mary Valentine

minor

Also known as Mary

A young woman in the social circle, possibly Miss Valentine's sister.

Mr. Grimes

minor

Father or relative of Rodney Grimes.

Uncle James

minor

Monty's uncle, possibly James T. Sedgwick, mentioned in passing.

Emmeline

minor

Also known as Aunt Emmeline

Monty's aunt, mentioned in family background.

Reginald Brown

minor

Also known as Brown

A minor character, possibly a friend or associate.

Mrs. Prentiss Drew

minor

Also known as Mrs. Drew

Colonel Drew's wife and Barbara's mother.

Franklin

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or acquaintance.