Character guide

Unknown

major

Also known as yourselves, yourself, yer'll, myself, ter, Ye, yer, Your

A city father whose small flat and restless children have become an unsolvable problem, he stakes everything on an abandoned farm called Eden.

Merton

major

Also known as Restraining Merton

The eldest son, quick to shoulder farm labor and to stretch himself on a rag carpet after a long day's hauling.

Mr. Jones

supporting

Also known as VII Mr. Jones, neighbor Jones, practical Mr. Jones, lank Mr. Jones

The lank, shrewd neighbor whose lantern bobs through a March blizzard to lead a half-frozen family to their own door.

Bobsey

supporting

Also known as little Bobsey, Little Bobsey, Even Bobsey

A seven-year-old whirlwind of split coats and broken promises, tumbled by surf one moment and snoring in the hay the next.

Bagley

supporting

Also known as neighbor Bagley, Mr. Bagley

A shiftless neighbor hired to rake hay, grateful for a breathing-spell and slowly breaking himself into harness.

Junior

supporting

A boy of the family who helps with farm and chores, alert as a hawk and quick to make friends among the deckhands.

Mousie

supporting

Also known as tenderhearted Mousie, frail Mousie, To Mousie

Mousie is the family's frail, soft-spoken member, the one who makes no trouble and asks for little, watching the world from the sidelines while her siblings clamor for it. Where Winnie finds canal boats splendid, Mousie sighs that she would rather live in a city flat, and her cautious, homebound temperament sets her apart. Yet the prospect of country life stirs something in her, feeding her like a deep hidden spring, and her slow reawakening gives the family's move its quietest, most tender stake.

Winnie

supporting

Also known as Winifred, Winnie Barlow

Winnie is one of the family's eager, questioning children, drinking in the busy world of wharves, machinery, and river craft alongside Bobsey. Where Mousie shrinks from the canal boats, Winnie protests that living in a travelling house would be splendid, since you could go all over and still stay at home. Her expanding mind and willingness to be delighted by everything she sees make her a lively counterweight to her sister's frailty as the family edges toward their new life.

John Jones

minor

Also known as John, John junior, John senior

Neighbor or relative, possibly Mr. Jones's son.

Robert Durham

minor

Also known as O Robert, Robert

A local man who assists the family occasionally.

Mrs. Jones

minor

Also known as Plump Mrs. Jones, plump Mrs. Jones

Mr. Jones's wife, a friendly neighbor.

Brindle

minor

A dog or animal companion of the family.

Mrs. Durham

minor

Also known as neighbor Durham, Durham

Wife of Mr. Durham, a neighbor in Eden.

Mr. Jamison

minor

Also known as old man Jamison, Jamison, old Mr. Jamison

An older resident of the area.

Melissa Daggett

minor

Also known as Melissa

A local girl who appears briefly.

Papa

minor

Term used by children for the narrator or father.

Mr. Rollins

minor

Also known as Rollins

An acquaintance who appears in the city scenes.

Mr. Durham

minor

A neighbor or local figure in the Eden community.

Mr. Bogart

minor

A local man who interacts with the family.

Highland Hardy

minor

A person or entity mentioned in passing.

Old Jacox

minor

Also known as old Jacox

An elderly local character.

Major Alvord

minor

A military figure who appears briefly.