# Ruth — Miss Mole character guide > Ruth in Miss Mole by E. H. Young. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Ruthie **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A thin-faced, half-childish, half-mature girl whose hunger for stories and attention makes her both Miss Mole's sharpest audience and her occasional unwitting antagonist. ## Who they are Ruth is the youngest Corder, a self-described egotist whose curiosity about Miss Mole is mostly a love of hearing stories, yet whose loneliness makes her unexpectedly receptive to Hannah's confession that middle-aged people can suffer too. She moves between childish radiance over an uncle's visit and a precocious need to be taken seriously. Her growing fascination with Miss Mole quietly raises the stakes of Hannah's performance inside the house. ## Relationships ### [Miss Hannah Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters/miss_hannah_mole) _friendship_ Ruth is the Corders' eldest daughter, and Miss Mole becomes a confidante and supportive figure to the sensitive, unhappy young woman. ### [Ethel Corder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters/ethel_corder) _family_ Ethel and Ruth are sisters with a strained relationship, marked by Ethel's jealousy and Ruth's quiet resentment. ### [Robert Corder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters/robert_corder) _family_ Robert Corder is Ruth's father, but he is cold and critical toward her, contributing to her unhappiness. ### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters/father) _family_ Father and Ruth share a quiet, affectionate bond, as he is one of the few people who shows her genuine warmth. ### [Miss Hannah Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters/miss_hannah_mole) _friendship_ Ruth is the Corders' eldest daughter, and Miss Mole becomes a confidante and supportive figure to the sensitive, unhappy young woman. ### [Miss Hannah Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters/miss_hannah_mole) _friendship_ Ruth is the Corders' eldest daughter, and Miss Mole becomes a confidante and supportive figure to the sensitive, unhappy young woman. ### [Ethel Corder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters/ethel_corder) _family_ Ethel and Ruth are sisters with a strained relationship, marked by Ethel's jealousy and Ruth's quiet resentment. ### [Ethel Corder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters/ethel_corder) _family_ Ethel and Ruth are sisters with a strained relationship, marked by Ethel's jealousy and Ruth's quiet resentment. ### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters/father) _family_ Father and Ruth share a quiet, affectionate bond, as he is one of the few people who shows her genuine warmth. ### [Robert Corder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters/robert_corder) _family_ Robert Corder is Ruth's father, but he is cold and critical toward her, contributing to her unhappiness. ### [Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters/father) _family_ Father and Ruth share a quiet, affectionate bond, as he is one of the few people who shows her genuine warmth. ### [Robert Corder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters/robert_corder) _family_ Robert Corder is Ruth's father, but he is cold and critical toward her, contributing to her unhappiness. ## In the story ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/iv) Mentioned as Mr. Corder's younger daughter still at school, noted for having a hole in her stocking. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/vii) The thin, reluctant girl who answers the door and lights the gas in Hannah's room. She shows interest in the bottled ship and later at supper coolly hints that Wilfrid avoided Hannah's first evening, angering Ethel. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/viii) Ruth is hostile toward Hannah, embarrassed by her father's monologue, and protective of the Corder clan. She admires Wilfrid secretly but argues with him openly. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/ix) Frightened by a nightmare, seeks comfort from Hannah; shows insight into Ethel's behavior; begins to trust Hannah. ### [The Underground Struggles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/x) Ruth is shy and cautious, taking her malt drink docilely. She shares a private chuckle with Hannah about the mattress swap, showing her complicity. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xi) Mentioned as needing a night-light due to fears; Hannah advocates for her well-being. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xii) Ruth confesses her fear of Mr. Samson and her longing for connection, revealing her vulnerability. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xiii) Ruth is in a state of rebellion against imperfection in her life, idealizing a different home and father. She feels guilt after failing to acknowledge Miss Mole in public, but finds relief in Miss Mole's understanding response. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xiv) Admires Hannah's elegance and leisure, engages in conversation about truth and fiction, and shares dreams of travel. She feels uneasy when Hannah seems tired and unhappy. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xv) Frightened and distressed, she complains of being left alone and is comforted by Hannah, who offers to let her sleep in her room. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xvi) Ruth is mentioned as being upstairs in the 'dovecot', and Hannah remembers her affectionate words, reinforcing her decision to stay. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xix) Ruth appears happier and less quarrelsome with Ethel, thanks in part to Uncle Jim's influence. Hannah is making a party frock for her as a surprise. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xx) Ruth shows concern for Hannah's tiredness and mentions Wilfrid's kindness after the concert. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxii) Speaks warmly of Miss Mole's kindness and defends Mr. Samson, reflecting Miss Mole's positive influence on her. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxiii) Looks with shining eyes at Uncle Jim; excited about the silk and the Spenser-Smith party; urges Hannah to come see the silks. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxiv) Mentioned as benefiting from Hannah's influence; Uncle Jim notes she is less jumpy and looks happier. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxvi) Participates in a conspiracy with Howard to protect Ethel; expresses affection for Hannah and concern about Ethel's actions. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxvii) She feels relief that Miss Mole knows everything and recalls the dark years before her arrival. She worries Howard might reveal he is not going to be a minister at the party. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxviii) Earnestly takes part in a competition at the party. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxix) Tired and leaning contentedly against her uncle, she is contrasted with Ethel's turmoil. ### [The Escape of Howard Corder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxx) Confronted with the shocking event of Howard's disappearance; is horrified and trembling. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxxi) Expresses relief at her father's gentleness, questions Hannah about her past and cousin Hilda, decides to go to South Africa to be with Howard. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxxii) Cynically treasures good moments, reads in the saddlebag armchair, and notices Hannah's mood. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxxiii) Observes the tension and reveals Mr. Pilgrim's visit and his interest in Hannah's cousin; shows a fiercely individual attitude and curiosity about Hannah's secrets. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxxiv) Nervous and unhappy, recounts the day's events including Ethel's quarrel and the gossip at chapel. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxxvii) Watches Hannah's unusual activity with suspicion; questions her motives; goes on a walk with Hannah to the docks. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxxviii) Defends Hannah fiercely against Ethel's accusations; shows loyalty but also childish impulsiveness. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xxxix) Enjoys an excursion with Wilfrid to the pantomime; unaware of the household tensions; receives Hannah's ship model as a parting gift. ### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/chapters/xl) Ruth is mentioned as someone Hannah worries about and feels she must return to, but Hannah hopes Ruth will be rescued by Uncle Jim. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters/ruth - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/miss_mole_se/characters