Margaret Powers

Joe Gilligan

Joe Gilligan is a loyal and protective companion to Margaret Powers, sharing a deep camaraderie.

Cecily Saunders

Cecily Saunders and Margaret Powers are acquaintances navigating the social aftermath of war.

Donald Mahon

Donald Mahon and Margaret Powers share a poignant, tragic romantic bond complicated by his war injuries.

Januarius Jones

Januarius Jones attempts to psychologically manipulate Margaret Powers, who resists his advances.

Emmy

Emmy and Margaret Powers are wary acquaintances, with Emmy jealous of Margaret's connection to Donald.

Donald Mahon

Donald Mahon and Margaret Powers share a poignant, tragic romantic bond complicated by his war injuries.

Joe Gilligan

Joe Gilligan is a loyal and protective companion to Margaret Powers, sharing a deep camaraderie.

Januarius Jones

Januarius Jones attempts to psychologically manipulate Margaret Powers, who resists his advances.

Joe Gilligan

Joe Gilligan is a loyal and protective companion to Margaret Powers, sharing a deep camaraderie.

Cecily Saunders

Cecily Saunders and Margaret Powers are acquaintances navigating the social aftermath of war.

Emmy

Emmy and Margaret Powers are wary acquaintances, with Emmy jealous of Margaret's connection to Donald.

Cecily Saunders

Cecily Saunders and Margaret Powers are acquaintances navigating the social aftermath of war.

Soldiers' Pay

A widow who interacts with Donald and others, reflecting on loss and duty.

I

A war widow who observes the situation with a sense of weary understanding, having lost her own husband.

II

Young woman who joins the group, helps care for Mahon, wears a plain gold band.

III

Lying awake in her hotel room, she reflects on her husband Dick's death and feels a sense of betrayal by fate. She discovers Mahon is going blind and conspires with Gilligan to help him.

V

Gently manages Lowe's advances, persuades him to go home, and kisses him coolly; she is focused on taking Mahon home.

II

Listens to Emmy's confession, offering a detached and reflective perspective on love and duty.

III

Observes Cecily and the rector with detached interest, contemplates telling them about Donald's scar but decides against it, and feels bitter weariness.

V

Accompanies the rector to the station, advises Cecily to meet Donald inside, and catches Cecily as she faints.

III

Reflects on her dead husband Dick and her marriage to Donald Mahon; comforts Emmy.

III

Receives a letter from Julian Lowe; discusses Cecily and Donald with Gilligan; comforts Emmy after Donald fails to recognize her.

IV

Firmly insists Mr. Saunders visit Donald; later persuades him to let Cecily help Donald's morale.

VI

Mrs. Powers finds Emmy hiding behind the kitchen door and gently tries to comfort her, urging patience with Donald's recovery.

VII

Offers Emmy a dress and reveals her husband was killed in the war, forging a bond of shared grief.

VIII

Listens to Emmy's story, comforts her, and later receives news about Donald's eyesight.

Chapter X

Watches Cecily's mistaken embrace with interest.

IV

Visits Mrs. Burney, offering companionship and understanding as a fellow war widow.

II

Remains calm and efficient, managing the household and reflecting on her own emotional detachment.

III

Meets the specialist, discusses Donald's condition, and takes charge of the situation.

IV

Reveals her past marriage to Dick and her guilt over his death; discusses Cecily with Gilligan.

Chapter VI

Mrs. Powers mounts the steps onto the veranda with Gilligan.

VII

Comforts the rector and helps manage Donald's care, expressing disdain for Doctor Gary.

II

Referenced as 'Powers, the officer' who is shot by a panicked soldier at the end of the chapter.

IV

Present at the rectory, her thoughts drift to memories of her dead husband Dick.

VI

Recipient of Julian's letter, addressed as 'Dear Margaret'.

VII

Mrs. Powers rides in the back seat of Mrs. Worthington's car.

Chapter X

Observes the dance and the ex-soldiers, reflecting on their displacement.

XI

Mentioned as being with Donald in a car, not directly present in the scene.

XII

Observes the interactions with a critical eye, eventually leaving to dance with Madden, asserting her independence.

XIV

Attends the dance, is given a 'rush' by the men, dances competently, and leaves early.

VI

Confronts Cecily about her engagement to Donald, urging her to consider her obligations.

V

Comforts Cecily, allows her to see Donald, then intervenes to prevent Cecily from hurting him.

VII

Visits the Mahon home, observes the family's struggle with Donald's return.

II

Recipient of the letter, deeply missed and idealized by the writer.

III

Sharp and perceptive, she rebuffs Jones's advances and discusses Cecily's behavior with Gilligan.

Spring Negotiations

Referenced as having repeated Mr. Saunders' conversation to the rector and supporting the marriage.

V

Remains calm and guarded during the encounter, defending Cecily and Donald against gossip, but is offended by Mrs. Burney's invasive questions.

VII: Voices

Bids a final goodbye to her dead husband Dick, haunted by his memory.

VIII

Confronts Cecily about her engagement to Donald, trying to help but facing hostility.

Chapter X

Observes Emmy's care for Donald, considers that Emmy should marry him, and later asks Emmy directly about marrying Donald.

XI

Observes Cecily's arrival and departure; later tells the rector she intends to marry Donald Mahon.

XII

The recipient of Julian's letter, addressed as 'Darling Margaret' and the object of his devotion.

XIII

Now the new Mrs. Mahon; feels alone and sick with everything, haunted by thoughts of Dick; reaches out to Gilligan and is grateful when he softens.

II

Now married to Donald Mahon, she lives at the rectory and remarks with quiet wit on the situation.

VI

Recipient of Julian's postcard.

Chapter III

The daughter-in-law who tenderly cares for the rector, wiping his face, giving him a cigarette and whisky, and holding him as he acknowledges she will not stay.

V

Mrs. Mahon, feeling freer and at peace, prepares to leave by train. She shares a deep conversation with Gilligan, kisses him, but refuses to marry him due to his name.

VII

She wrote the letter informing Julian Lowe of her marriage and her husband's death.