Alice Ware

Theron Ware

Alice is Theron's devoted but increasingly neglected wife, whose simple piety and domestic concerns clash with his growing worldly ambitions.

Abram Beekman

Abram Beekman is a local businessman who shows kindness and attention to Alice, highlighting her loneliness and Theron's neglect.

Dr. Ledsmar

Alice interacts with Dr. Ledsmar only peripherally, as she is uncomfortable with his atheistic views and his influence over her husband.

Levi Gorringe

Alice interacts with Levi Gorringe as a church member and neighbor, but she is unaware of the financial dealings between him and her husband.

Sister Soulsby

Alice is wary of Sister Soulsby's manipulative influence over Theron, sensing the woman's worldly and cynical nature as a threat to their marriage.

Theron Ware

Alice is Theron's devoted but increasingly neglected wife, whose simple piety and domestic concerns clash with his growing worldly ambitions.

Theron Ware

Alice is Theron's devoted but increasingly neglected wife, whose simple piety and domestic concerns clash with his growing worldly ambitions.

Dr. Ledsmar

Alice interacts with Dr. Ledsmar only peripherally, as she is uncomfortable with his atheistic views and his influence over her husband.

Levi Gorringe

Alice interacts with Levi Gorringe as a church member and neighbor, but she is unaware of the financial dealings between him and her husband.

Sister Soulsby

Alice is wary of Sister Soulsby's manipulative influence over Theron, sensing the woman's worldly and cynical nature as a threat to their marriage.

Abram Beekman

Abram Beekman is a local businessman who shows kindness and attention to Alice, highlighting her loneliness and Theron's neglect.

Abram Beekman

Abram Beekman is a local businessman who shows kindness and attention to Alice, highlighting her loneliness and Theron's neglect.

I

Theron's wife, described as bright-faced and well-dressed, who struggles to hide her disappointment at their assignment to Octavius.

Chapter II

Theron's wife, who is washing dishes in the kitchen and warns him about the trustees' visit; she has been affected by their financial hardships.

III

Theron's wife, who asks about the meeting and is indirectly criticized for the flowers in her bonnet.

IV

Sits alone in the preacher's pew without roses in her bonnet; stays home in the evening; is silent and distant at breakfast, only giving a dutiful half-smile to Theron's jokes.

V

Expresses distrust of Catholics and their priests, discusses the lack of a piano with Theron.

VI

Interacts with Theron during meals and helps him prepare to go out; discusses the piano purchase and the hired girl.

Chapter X

Dismisses Celia's late-night piano playing as disgraceful, showing her practical and unromantic nature.

Chapter XI

Devotes herself to gardening, appearing physically healthy but socially withdrawn; Theron perceives her attitude toward the church as 'sulky' and wishes she would help him make friends among parishioners.

Chapter XII

Mentioned by Theron as having intuited Gorringe's friendliness; her health and gardening are noted, though Gorringe shows indifference.

XIII

Attends the prayer-meeting alone, having invited Sister Soulsby to stay with them, and expresses sympathy for Theron's condition.

XIV

Alice is won over by Sister Soulsby's charm and cooking praise, and shares a private observation about Mrs. Soulsby's false teeth, showing her domestic and somewhat naive perspective.

XV

Goes forward to the altar as a mourner, kneeling at the rail.

XVI

Dresses and leaves before Theron wakes; he is annoyed by her behavior at the revival and avoids discussing it with her.

Chapter XVII

Mentioned as being led into the garden by Brother Soulsby to allow Theron and Sister Soulsby to talk privately.

XVIII

Attends prayer meeting late, visibly upset with tear stains, answers inquiries calmly.

XX

Expresses worry about Theron's changed demeanor and fears he may become a backslider; feels excluded from his plans and thoughts.

Chapter XXI

Briefly mentioned by Theron as an example of a woman becoming more religious as he develops in 'the other direction.'

Chapter XXII

Shows increased devotional zeal and docility, avoids discussing religion with Theron, and practices piano.

Chapter XXV

Seen by Theron doing kitchen work; he recalls their strained companionship at camp-meeting and feels resentment toward her.

XXVII

Alice confronts Theron about his insinuations regarding Gorringe, expresses her feeling of estrangement, and tearfully explains the truth about the plants Gorringe gave her.

XXVIII

Shows studied amiability and tact during supper, unaware of Theron's deception.

XXXI

Mentioned as the recipient of a telegram from Brother Soulsby, indicating she is being summoned to care for Theron.

XXXII

Dressed in black, wistfully recalls the previous spring, expresses gratitude to Sister Soulsby, and worries about Theron's future.