Character guide

Kirk Winfield

major

Also known as Mr. Winfield, Mr. Kirk Winfield, Kirk, Winfield

A young man who becomes entangled with Ruth Bannister and her family's expectations.

Ruth Bannister

major

Also known as Ruth, Bannister, Miss Ruth, Ruth Winfield

A strong-willed woman who defies her family to pursue her own path in love.

Steve Dingle

major

Also known as Steve, Mr. Steve Dingle, Dingle, Mr. Dingle

A rugged, honest man who becomes a key figure in the lives of Kirk and Ruth.

Mrs. Lora Delane Porter

major

Also known as Mrs. Porter, Lora Delane Porter, Fate, Lora, Porter

A formidable, manipulative woman who schemes to control those around her.

Bailey Bannister

supporting

Also known as Bailey, Bannister, Brother Bailey, Mr. Bailey, old man Bannister

Ruth's wealthy, traditional father who opposes her choices.

Mamie

supporting

Also known as the silent Mamie

A quiet, observant household servant who sees more than she says.

William Bannister Winfield

supporting

Also known as William, The White Hope, William Bannister, Winfield

The infant son of Kirk and Ruth, central to the family's future.

Twentieth-Century Willie

supporting

Also known as Bill, Freddie, Billy

A young boy who befriends William and adds mischief to the story.

Mrs. Winfield

minor

Also known as Mrs. Kirk Winfield

Kirk's mother, a traditional woman concerned with family reputation.

Mr. Penway

supporting

Also known as Penway

A quirky, intellectual man who becomes involved in the characters' affairs.

Keggs

minor

Also known as Mr. Keggs

The Bannister family butler, loyal and discreet.

Percy Shanklyn

supporting

Also known as Percy, Perce

A pretentious suitor who pursues Ruth despite her disinterest.

John Bannister

minor

Also known as old Mr. Bannister, old John Bannister, Mr. Bannister, Mr. John Bannister

Ruth's elderly, ailing grandfather with old-fashioned values.

George Pennicut

minor

Also known as George, Pennicut

A local tradesman who interacts with the main characters.

Hank Jardine

minor

Also known as Hank, old Hank, Poor old Hank

A rough but good-hearted friend of Steve Dingle.

Sybil Wilbur

minor

Also known as Sybil, poor Sybil, Sybil Bannister

A friend of Ruth who marries into the Bannister family.

Aunt Lora

minor

Also known as Lora, your Aunt Lora

Ruth's aunt, a kind but meddling relative.

Basil Milbank

minor

Also known as Basil, the gifted Basil, Milbank

An artist and friend of the family with a romantic interest in Sybil.

Grayling

minor

Also known as Clarence Grayling, Clarence

A minor acquaintance who appears in social gatherings.

Miss Wilbur

minor

Sybil's mother, a socialite concerned with propriety.

Tom Whiting

minor

Also known as Whiting, the gink Whiting

A minor character who causes trouble for the protagonists.

Robert Dwight Penway

minor

Also known as Robert

Mr. Penway's son, a young man with his own ambitions.

Kid Mitchell

minor

Also known as this Kid Mitchell

A young boxer or streetwise character encountered by Steve.

Miss Freda Reece

minor

Also known as Miss Reece, Freda

A woman who briefly catches the attention of one of the men.

Mike

minor

A servant or worker in the Bannister household.

Miss Hilda Vince

minor

Also known as Miss Vince, Hilda Vince

A friend of Ruth's from society circles.

Dana Ferris

minor

Also known as mutt Dana Ferris, Ferris

A minor antagonist who clashes with Kirk.

Willis

minor

Also known as Master William

A young boy who plays with William Winfield.

Mr. Meadows

minor

Also known as A Mr. Meadows

A business associate of Bailey Bannister.

Brother Jim

minor

Also known as Jim

A relative of one of the main characters, mentioned in passing.

Jack

minor

Also known as Fighting Jack

A minor character known for his pugnacious nature.

Mr. Mason

minor

A neighbor or acquaintance of the Winfield family.

Brock Mason

minor

A young man who appears briefly in social scenes.