Paul

Michael Brady

Michael Brady and Paul are close friends, often working together and sharing a bond of loyalty.

Sophie Rouminof

Paul is a kind and supportive friend to Sophie, often looking out for her well-being.

Potch

Paul and Potch are friends, though their relationship is sometimes strained by Potch's volatile nature.

Jun Johnson

Jun Johnson and Paul are good friends, often seen together in social or work contexts.

Michael Brady

Michael Brady and Paul are close friends, often working together and sharing a bond of loyalty.

Michael Brady

Michael Brady and Paul are close friends, often working together and sharing a bond of loyalty.

Sophie Rouminof

Paul is a kind and supportive friend to Sophie, often looking out for her well-being.

Jun Johnson

Jun Johnson and Paul are good friends, often seen together in social or work contexts.

Sophie Rouminof

Paul is a kind and supportive friend to Sophie, often looking out for her well-being.

Potch

Paul and Potch are friends, though their relationship is sometimes strained by Potch's volatile nature.

Potch

Paul and Potch are friends, though their relationship is sometimes strained by Potch's volatile nature.

I

Sophie's father, who arrives home shouting about striking opal while his wife is dying; later expresses banal grief at the funeral.

II

Mrs. Rouminof's husband; shiftless and unreliable, he and Sophie go to live with Michael after her death.

III

Paul Rouminof, Jun's mining mate, naively shows off his opals and trusts Jun completely, but is forced to take possession of his share after community intervention.

Chapter IV

Determined to leave the Ridge with Sophie, ignoring Michael's arguments; his opals are at risk.

V

Grieves the loss of his opals and recounts his version of events to the men; his emotional display irks some of the community.

VII

Brings luck to Michael, works with childish energy, and continues to tell the story of his stolen opals.

X

Eagerly recounts the theft of his opals to John Armitage, expressing regret.

XI

Discussed as the victim of the opal theft; his loss is described as especially hard because he has 'the fever' for opal.

XII

His stolen opals are discussed; Michael reflects on the possibility that the stones were removed before he left Newton's.

XVI

Distraught over Sophie's leaving and the loss of his opals; suffers sunstroke and delirium.

I

His opals are examined by Michael; he is mentioned as having shown them in Newton's bar.

II

Eagerly examines Roy O'Mara's opal find; quickly loses faith in the new claim.

III

Owner of the missing opals; recovering from sunstroke, unaware of Michael's internal conflict.

IV

Ill in bed; visited by Dawe Armitage; shown photographs of Sophie.

V

Absent from the hut when Michael comes looking for him; has been restless and drinking since Sophie left.

VI

Calls Sophie from the door of their hut; people from New Town have arrived to see her.

XVI

Overjoyed at the return of his opals, laughing and crying, forgetting everything else.