# Peter Keith — The Able McLaughlins character guide

> Peter Keith in The Able McLaughlins by Margaret Wilson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Peter, Peter Keith, the lazy Peter

**First appearance:** 0001-ii

## Who they are

Lazy, evasive, and coddled by a doting mother, Peter Keith rides the roads with a limp no one quite believes and a secret that will not stay buried.

## Relationships

### [Wully McLaughlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/wully_mclaughlin)

_rivalry_

Peter Keith is a persistent antagonist to Wully, creating tension and opposition in their interactions.

### [Chirstie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/chirstie)

_psychological_

Chirstie is caught in a manipulative and obsessive dynamic with Peter Keith, who exerts control over her.

### [John Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/john_keith)

_family_

John and Peter Keith are brothers, bound by blood but often complicit in each other's schemes.

### [Isobel McLaughlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/isobel_mclaughlin)

_rivalry_

Isobel McLaughlin views Peter Keith with deep suspicion and hostility, seeing him as a threat to her family.

### [Chirstie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/chirstie)

_psychological_

Chirstie is caught in a manipulative and obsessive dynamic with Peter Keith, who exerts control over her.

### [Wully McLaughlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/wully_mclaughlin)

_rivalry_

Peter Keith is a persistent antagonist to Wully, creating tension and opposition in their interactions.

### [John Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/john_keith)

_family_

John and Peter Keith are brothers, bound by blood but often complicit in each other's schemes.

### [Wully McLaughlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/wully_mclaughlin)

_rivalry_

Peter Keith is a persistent antagonist to Wully, creating tension and opposition in their interactions.

### [Isobel McLaughlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/isobel_mclaughlin)

_rivalry_

Isobel McLaughlin views Peter Keith with deep suspicion and hostility, seeing him as a threat to her family.

### [Chirstie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/chirstie)

_psychological_

Chirstie is caught in a manipulative and obsessive dynamic with Peter Keith, who exerts control over her.

## In the story

### [The Homecoming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/i)

Not directly present in this chapter.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as playing in the barn; also referenced by Aunt Libby who initially mistakes Wully for Peter.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/v)

Revealed as Chirstie's seducer; he flees from Wully's wrath and suggests Wully marry her.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned as having disappeared; Wully lies to Aunt Libby about his departure.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/vii)

Wully curses him, blaming him for the situation.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/ix)

Aunt Libby's missing son, revealed to be the father of Chirstie's baby. His disappearance and his mother's frantic search are central to the chapter.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xiv)

The hidden antagonist who assaulted Chirstie; Wully searches for him in the grasses but cannot find him.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xv)

Reported seen the night before but has vanished; his disappearance triggers a desperate search.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xvi)

Peter is the missing man; the search is for him, and his unusual quietness at O'Brien's is noted.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xviii)

Missing; the subject of the intense search, presumed dead or alive by different characters.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xxi)

Dying from a hemorrhage in a livery stable; the chapter revolves around the decision of whether to bring him home.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xxii)

Lies dying in the wagon, covered by a blanket; lifts his head to see Chirstie's smile at Wully, provoking Wully's pity.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/peter_keith
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters