Ethel Corder

Miss Hannah Mole

Ethel, the Corders' younger daughter, resents Miss Mole's influence and often clashes with her in a battle of wills.

Ruth

Ethel and Ruth are sisters with a strained relationship, marked by Ethel's jealousy and Ruth's quiet resentment.

Robert Corder

Ethel is Robert Corder's daughter, and she often manipulates her father's vanity to get her way, creating a dynamic of mutual exploitation.

Wilfrid

Ethel is dismissive and sometimes cruel to her younger brother Wilfrid, showing little sisterly affection.

Miss Hannah Mole

Ethel, the Corders' younger daughter, resents Miss Mole's influence and often clashes with her in a battle of wills.

Miss Hannah Mole

Ethel, the Corders' younger daughter, resents Miss Mole's influence and often clashes with her in a battle of wills.

Ruth

Ethel and Ruth are sisters with a strained relationship, marked by Ethel's jealousy and Ruth's quiet resentment.

Ruth

Ethel and Ruth are sisters with a strained relationship, marked by Ethel's jealousy and Ruth's quiet resentment.

Robert Corder

Ethel is Robert Corder's daughter, and she often manipulates her father's vanity to get her way, creating a dynamic of mutual exploitation.

Wilfrid

Ethel is dismissive and sometimes cruel to her younger brother Wilfrid, showing little sisterly affection.

Wilfrid

Ethel is dismissive and sometimes cruel to her younger brother Wilfrid, showing little sisterly affection.

Robert Corder

Ethel is Robert Corder's daughter, and she often manipulates her father's vanity to get her way, creating a dynamic of mutual exploitation.

IV

Mentioned as Mr. Corder's daughter who is 'useless' and always at the Mission.

VII

Nervously goggling when asked about Wilfrid's whereabouts, she hastily claims he had an engagement, showing her anxiety about family appearances.

VIII

Ethel is anxious and jealous, seeking attention and friendship from Hannah but easily upset by Wilfrid's teasing and Ruth's hostility.

IX

Shows jealousy and distress over Wilfrid's attention to Hannah; reacts by banging things in her room.

The Underground Struggles

Ethel is jealous of Wilfrid's attention to Hannah, hurt and puzzled by his flattery. She is anxious about her father's mood and resents Hannah's levity.

XII

Mentioned as a potential source of trouble about the mattress.

XIII

Ethel is mentioned as Ruth's sister, whose unreasonable behavior is part of the imperfection Ruth rebels against.

XIV

Briefly mentioned as divided between religion and mundane desires, with Hannah feeling no one can handle her.

Chapter XV

Returns home early from the Girls' Club, feeling miserable and insecure, troubled by Doris's absence and the laughter of the other girls.

XVI

Ethel is distressed, banging drawers and hiding her belongings. Hannah brings her hot milk and tries to soothe her, avoiding looking at her scarred face.

XVII

Ethel is anxious about the supper party and argues with Wilfrid over Hannah's role as hostess.

XIX

Ethel is less quarrelsome with Ruth and seems more peaceful and enthusiastic about the club, though Doris has left it for her young man.

Chapter XX

Ethel seeks Hannah's advice about Mr. Pilgrim and is excited about his visit to the Girls' Club.

Chapter XXI

Fidgets with ornaments, admits to telling Patsy about the mattresses, and worries about her father's reaction.

XXII

Defended Miss Mole when her father questioned her absence, showing loyalty despite her own nervousness and fits of passion.

XXIII

Wears an extra necklace and bright blue frock; is anxious about conversation between her father and Uncle Jim.

XXVI

Arrives late and flustered to Christmas dinner; lies about carol singing to avoid her father's questions.

XXVII

She fidgets and worries about Howard's lateness, and comments on Hannah's 'quaint old brooch' with a doubtful glance at her own beads.

XXVIII

At the party, being bright with young men and participating in games.

XXIX

Flushed with excitement and resentment, she is drawn to Mr. Pilgrim and reacts to her father's disapproval.

The Escape of Howard Corder

Distressed about what to say to Mrs. Spenser-Smith and others regarding Howard's disappearance.

XXXI

Mentioned as having surprised admiration for her father's behavior, and as a potential marriage prospect.

XXXII

Shows gratitude to her father and tries to alter a dress, seeking Hannah's help.

XXXIII

Shocked and jealous by Hannah's kiss; struggles between telling her father and her natural candor; reveals her worry and confusion.

XXXIV

Quarreled with her father and went to Mr. Pilgrim's chapel; her rebellious behavior is a source of tension.

XXXV

Ethel is briefly referenced as the object of Robert Corder's scolding during the Sunday dinner, and Hannah waits for her return.

XXXVI

Ethel returns from Highfields Chapel and a visit to Patsy Withers, displaying a stubborn new attitude but ultimately yielding to Hannah's kindness.

XXXVII

Shows uncharacteristic pleasantness and agrees to look after the house; prefers Hannah over Miss Patsy Withers as a stepmother.

XXXVIII

Distressed after Mr. Pilgrim's visit; reveals knowledge of Mr. Blenkinsop and lashes out at Hannah and Ruth.

XXXIX

Distraught after visiting Mrs. Spenser-Smith; confronts Hannah about Mr. Pilgrim's accusations; learns Hannah's secret and insists on telling her father.

XL

Hannah speculates that Ethel will marry Mr. Pilgrim, showing her hopes for the Corder household's future.