Edie

Edie is a remarkably perceptive fifteen-year-old who works for the Peebles family. Despite her youth, she demonstrates wisdom beyond her years. She quickly discerns the privilege of Mrs. Peebles's lifestyle and responsibly manages her household duties. Edie is astute enough to recognize her own attractiveness compared to Alice Kelling, leading her to boldly approach Chris Watters’s tent with a cake. When Watters kisses her, she readily reciprocates, showing the innocence of her youthful curiosity and budding romantic notions. However, her innocence is evident in her enjoyment of dressing up in Mrs. Peebles’s dress and being flattered by Watters’s compliments. She naively believes Watters’s promise, "I’m going to write you a letter," not realizing his intent to merely placate her for the moment. Her romantic daydreams about being whisked away by Watters in his airplane keep her hopeful, checking the mailbox for a letter that never arrives. Ultimately, Edie’s realization that she does not want to be a woman who waits for dreams to materialize empowers her to break free from these fantasies and embrace reality.

Chris Watters

Chris Watters is a captivating figure of freedom, a pilot residing in a tent at the fairgrounds with ambitions of selling airplane rides. He embodies the whimsical nature of romance, engaging with women but inevitably leaving them, his actions more thoughtless than malicious. Watters represents the allure of romance and adventure, helping Edie come to terms with her desires for a life that surpasses mere dreams. His presence offers Edie a crucial learning opportunity, revealing that she seeks more than his restless lifestyle can ever offer. Although his words can be delusive, they propel Edie towards self-discovery and the realization that she seeks stability and fulfillment beyond fleeting romantic promises.

Alice Kelling

Alice Kelling is Chris Watters’s fiancée, characterized by her worn appearance and persistent optimism despite clear signs that Watters is no longer interested in her. She arrives wearing sunglasses, symbolizing her inability to see reality, and her physical attributes—"rather low and lumpy" bust, "worried face," and freckled, wrinkled hands—reflect her weary disposition. Alice clings to unattainable dreams, embodying the pitfalls Edie must avoid as she navigates her own life choices. Despite Watters’s obvious detachment, Alice is determined to claim him, illustrating her delusion and unhappiness. Her story serves as a cautionary tale for Edie, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and abandoning futile aspirations.

Loretta Bird

Loretta Bird is a working-class neighbor whose life is marked by insignificance and intrusion. She criticizes Mrs. Peebles for napping and makes false claims about her own domestic skills, such as asserting she only eats home-canned fruit, though she has never canned any herself. Loretta readily passes judgment on others, describing Edie and other young girls as "ignorant." With condescension, she advises Alice not to get upset, feigning worldly wisdom by stating, "Men are all the same." Mrs. Peebles tolerates but does not enjoy Loretta, calling her "that Bird woman." Loretta’s life is unfulfilled, and she lacks the self-awareness to instigate change. Her interactions with others are a means of compensating for her lack of personal fulfillment.

Mrs. Peebles

Mrs. Peebles, the wife of Dr. Peebles, is a kind woman who maintains a clear awareness of her social standing compared to Edie. She permits Edie to dine with the family but orchestrates the household in a manner that reinforces Edie’s role within it. Despite these boundaries, Mrs. Peebles sees through both Alice and Loretta, relieved when they leave after confronting Edie. She shows compassion for Edie, recognizing her innocence and defending her dignity against the other women's insults. Her actions reflect a nuanced understanding of...