# Joe Waite — Giant’s Bread character guide > Joe Waite in Giant’s Bread by Agatha Christie. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Joe, dear Joe, the staunch Joe **First appearance:** 0002-i ## Snapshot Vernon's childhood companion and conscience, the girl who calls off a war because the enemy looked lonely. ## Who they are Joe Waite is Vernon's playmate at Abbots Puissants, a girl who climbs trees with tomatoes in her pockets and refuses to pelt a boy who looks as though he is simply hating things. It is Joe who proposes the white flag and the parley that turns Sebastian Levinne from enemy into lifelong friend. Her instinct for kindness over victory gives the early chapters their moral center and shapes the trio that the rest of the book depends on. ## Relationships ### [Vernon Deyre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/vernon_deyre) _friendship_ Joe is Vernon's loyal friend and fellow soldier, providing camaraderie and support during wartime. ### [Sebastian Levinne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/sebastian_levinne) _friendship_ Joe and Sebastian are friends through their mutual connection to Vernon, sharing a practical, down-to-earth bond. ### [Nell Vereker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/nell_vereker) _social_ Joe and Nell are casual acquaintances, connected through Vernon and the war experience. ### [Vernon Deyre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/vernon_deyre) _friendship_ Joe is Vernon's loyal friend and fellow soldier, providing camaraderie and support during wartime. ### [Vernon Deyre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/vernon_deyre) _friendship_ Joe is Vernon's loyal friend and fellow soldier, providing camaraderie and support during wartime. ### [Nell Vereker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/nell_vereker) _social_ Joe and Nell are casual acquaintances, connected through Vernon and the war experience. ### [Sebastian Levinne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/sebastian_levinne) _friendship_ Joe and Sebastian are friends through their mutual connection to Vernon, sharing a practical, down-to-earth bond. ### [Sebastian Levinne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/sebastian_levinne) _friendship_ Joe and Sebastian are friends through their mutual connection to Vernon, sharing a practical, down-to-earth bond. ### [Nell Vereker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/nell_vereker) _social_ Joe and Nell are casual acquaintances, connected through Vernon and the war experience. ## In the story ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii) Vernon's cousin, a sophisticated and independent child who becomes his close companion. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iv) Joe shares Vernon's boredom with Nell and excitement about the Levinnes. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/v) Joe is with Vernon in the garden, defending the Levinnes against local prejudice and proposing the trespassing adventure. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/vi) Participates in the war but initiates the truce out of sympathy for Sebastian. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i) Joe is Vernon's companion, cooped up with a governess, and eagerly joins the secret meetings; she declares she would marry Sebastian despite what others say. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii) Accompanies Vernon; sharp-wittedly observes Mrs. Levinne's awareness of their friendship. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iv) Defends Aunt Myra's right to spend her money as she pleases, causing a rift with Vernon. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i) Passionate about sculpture; defends La Marre; shows irritation with Sebastian's pragmatism. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii) Persuades Vernon to cover for her at the concert while she goes motoring with La Marre; discusses her ambitions and rebellious nature. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii) Observes Vernon's transformation with a mix of concern and awe, trying to ground him in practicalities. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i) Vernon's cousin, staying with Myra, expresses desire to study modelling in London and argues for independence. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii) Valiantly enters the conversation to defend Vernon from Uncle Sydney's teasing. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii) Taps at Vernon's door, sits on the bed, and articulates their shared sense of not belonging. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii) Vernon misses her greatly; she has been sent to London and is allowed her way. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii) Frustrated by Vernon's musical preoccupation and Sebastian's analytical coolness; passionately champions lost causes and feels distanced from both friends. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iv) Recognizes Nell and insists on speaking to her; remains matter-of-fact about her appearance. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as the object of Sebastian's affection. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/vi) Mentioned as having rejected Sebastian's marriage proposal, preferring the losing side. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iv) Vernon considers talking to Joe but recalls their quarrel about Nell; later he laughs at the idea of marrying Joe, seeing her as a sister. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i) Vernon's friend who attends the party and talks with Jane Harding about her singing. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as having written to Vernon about seeing Jane. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iv) Receives Myra's letter and discusses it with Sebastian, expressing dislike for Nell. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i) Joe is mentioned as one of Vernon's lifelong friends who knows about the engagement. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii) Doubtful about Vernon's decision, lacking real faith in his musical future. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as a rebel who prides herself on being unconventional and admires failures. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned as being in a questionable artistic set and potentially involved with La Marre. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii) Has eloped with La Marre, a married man; Vernon mourns her decision and recalls her staunch character. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii) Joe is mentioned as having written to Jane twice, claiming to be enjoying herself but Jane senses she is not happy. ### [Book IV: War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/book-iv-war) Supports Vernon and Nell during the war, serving as a loyal friend. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/i) Now married to François Valnière; expresses fervent hope for a new world after the war; has worked in Paris hospitals. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii) Visits with Sebastian; shows warmth toward Nell; appears changed. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iv) Writes a letter from Paris expressing disapproval of selling Abbots Puissants. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/vi) Visits Nell and offers her support and reassurance. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii) Joe is mentioned as having supported Nell's decision to marry George. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/viii) Mentioned as a staunch friend who knows the truth; Vernon worries about her. ### [Telegram from Vernon Deyre to Sebastian Levinne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/telegram-from-vernon-deyre-to-sebastian-levinne) Reported dangerously ill and feared dying, stranded in New York. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/ii) Awakens with unease, recalls the disaster, and searches the newspaper for news of Vernon and Jane. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as being telephoned by Sebastian at the hospital. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters/joe_waite - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/giant_s_bread_se/characters