Master and Madam Lockton are terrible people. Author Laurie Halse Anderson did an amazing job creating two characters that a reader can feel genuinely comfortable with hating. One reason it is easy to hate them is because they heap abuse on Isabel and Ruth, but another reason to hate the Locktons is because they are incredibly two-faced. They sell everyone this public image that they are happily married and trying to stay out of the political conflict as much as possible, yet the Locktons are very much involved in fighting for the Loyalist cause. One solid piece of evidence of this is illustrated through Madam Lockton's chest that she so fiercely protects in chapter five. She claims that she does not want the chest searched because it contains her private linens, and a search will damage her dignity. Readers will later find out that her undergarments are hardly the thing she was protecting. The chest is filled with money that the Locktons plan to use in order to bribe specific Patriots with.

Madam Lockton is also two-faced to Isabel regarding Ruth's fate. Madam Lockton tells Isabel that she sold Ruth, but that is not the case. Madam Lockton couldn't find anybody willing to buy Ruth, so Madam Lockton had Ruth sent south to another property that they owned. Madam Lockton simply told Isabel the lie in order to emotionally hurt Isabel.