# Wully McLaughlin — The Able McLaughlins character guide > Wully McLaughlin in The Able McLaughlins by Margaret Wilson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Wully, The elder McLaughlin, McLaughlin, great Wully, XIII Wully, council Wully, Uncle Wully **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Who they are A young soldier returned from war to find his schooling stolen, his brother buried, and his family's pride in him shaken, Wully McLaughlin must rebuild himself as a man. ## Relationships ### [Chirstie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/chirstie) _romantic_ Chirstie and Wully share a deep, passionate romantic bond that drives much of the story's emotional conflict. ### [Peter Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/peter_keith) _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) _family_ Isobel is Wully's mother, and their relationship is marked by maternal concern and familial duty. ### [John Keith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/john_keith) _rivalry_ John Keith is a source of conflict for Wully, often opposing him in matters of honor and justice. ### [Jeannie McNair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/jeannie_mcnair) _friendship_ Jeannie McNair is a loyal friend to Wully, offering support and companionship in difficult times. ### [Alex McNair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/alex_mcnair) _friendship_ Alex McNair stands by Wully as a steadfast friend and ally through the community's trials. ### [Dod](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/dod) _family_ Dod is Wully's younger brother, and their relationship is characterized by sibling loyalty and shared burdens. ### [Allen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/allen) _friendship_ Allen is a close friend and confidant to Wully, offering camaraderie and practical help. ### [John McLaughlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/john_mclaughlin) _family_ John McLaughlin is Wully's father, and their relationship is built on paternal authority and deep respect. ### [Mr. Knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/mr_knight) _professional_ Mr. Knight is a professional associate of Wully, likely a lawyer or official involved in legal matters. ### [Chirstie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/chirstie) _romantic_ Chirstie and Wully share a deep, passionate romantic bond that drives much of the story's emotional conflict. ### [Chirstie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/chirstie) _romantic_ Chirstie and Wully share a deep, passionate romantic bond that drives much of the story's emotional conflict. ## In the story ### [The Homecoming](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/i) Returns home from the Civil War, wounded in foot and haunted by the death of his brother Allen. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/ii) Home from the war, recovering, and sent on an errand to the McNairs. He is struck by Chirstie's beauty. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/iii) Returns home from the Civil War after hospitalization; rides to Chirstie's house in the rain but is rejected by her. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/iv) Struggles with fever and despair after the war, obsessively watches Chirstie at church, and discovers her crying alone. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/v) Discovers Chirstie's secret and struggles with rage and a protective impulse, deciding to marry her. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/vi) Grooms the bride, lies to Aunt Libby about Peter Keith's departure, and protects Chirstie from scrutiny. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/vii) Confesses to his mother about Chirstie's pregnancy, defends his wife, and leaves in shame and anger. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/viii) Returns home to face family anger over his marriage and Chirstie's pregnancy; stands by his wife and plans their move. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/ix) Chirstie's husband, who refuses to let her reveal the secret of the baby's paternity, insisting on keeping it from his mother. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/x) Brings Chirstie to her father's house and later picks her up, but is mostly in the background. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xi) Struggles with the trauma of Chirstie's labor and his anger at the child's biological father, but ultimately loves and accepts wee Johnnie as his own. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xii) Observes the McNairs' situation, suspects Barbara's role in the land sale, and shares his amusement with his mother. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xiii) Wully is content and hardworking, finding deep satisfaction in farming and his family's happiness. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xiv) Frustrated and raging, he patrols his property with a gun, fantasizes about killing Peter Keith, and recalls painful memories of Chirstie's confession. He also plays with the baby and plans a better garden fence. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xv) Driven by rage and a protective instinct, Wully takes Chirstie to his mother's and sets out to confront Peter Keith, but is undone by his aunt's grief during the search. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xvi) Wully participates in the search, anxious to warn Chirstie not to reveal what she knows, and feels the community's sympathy shifting to Libby Keith. ### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xvii) Exhausted and anxious, Wully leads the search while grappling with his secret lie and fear that others may know the truth. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xviii) Torn between his desire for revenge and concern for his mother; he lies to his mother and wife about Peter's fate. ### [The Decision to Move to Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xix) Decides to leave farming and move to town to start a lumber business after seeing his wife's terror, despite family opposition. ### [The Town Trip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xx) Proudly takes Chirstie to town, buys her a coat, and arranges family photographs. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xxi) Furious and conflicted after learning Peter Keith is dying; refuses to bring him home but ultimately relents after Chirstie's defiance and confession. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/chapters/xxii) Drives the wagon home, torn between hatred for Peter and a grudging pity after seeing Peter's reaction to Chirstie's smile. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters/wully_mclaughlin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_able_mclaughlins_se/characters