William Sylvanus Baxter

William Sylvanus Baxter is a seventeen-year-old enduring the throes of self-consciousness typical of his awkward age. The narrative commences when William, known as "Willie" to his family and "Silly Bill" to his peers, falls madly in love with Lola Pratt, a captivating summer visitor. His infatuation, however, is one-sided, and he finds himself confronting the world's indifference and misunderstanding. Despite his conviction that Miss Pratt belongs to him alone, his friends obliviously compete for her affection. His parents maintain a patronizing view, treating him as a child, while his younger sister, Jane, seizes every opportunity to embarrass him. The community at large, encompassing children, adults, and even dogs, seems determined to challenge his dignity. William valiantly attempts to project an air of "lofty and uncondescending amusement," yet his efforts often culminate in him appearing foolish.

Jane Baxter

Jane Baxter, William’s ten-year-old sister, is an intelligent and curious, albeit somewhat untidy, young girl. Her penchant for eating applesauce sandwiches and her dedication to making her brother's life difficult are her defining traits. Keenly observant of William's attempts to appear mature and sophisticated, Jane is quick to inform their mother whenever he tries to borrow their father’s dress suit or engage in other questionable behaviors. She frequently disrupts William's outings with Miss Pratt, much to the latter's displeasure, as the feeling of animosity is mutual. Concerned about William’s budding romantic interest, Jane engages various acquaintances in discussions about love and marriage, learning from neighborhood gardeners that matrimony at seventeen is not unheard of. Naturally, she relays this unsettling information to her parents, causing them several uncomfortable moments. Jane’s numerous friendships, ranging from gardeners to elderly businessmen and other mischievous young girls, invariably lead to trouble for William.

Lola Pratt

Lola Pratt is the object of William's affections, characterized by her beauty, coquettish nature, and self-centered demeanor. She is accompanied by a bothersome little dog and communicates in a cloying baby talk, even with adults. Not only William but nearly every young man in the vicinity is captivated by her charms. Lola skillfully pits her admirers against one another, reveling in the attention she receives. Her flirtations, however, are merely superficial; as she confides to another young woman, she “would never dream of getting engaged to any man who didn’t have seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”

May Parcher

May Parcher serves as the ostensible reason for Miss Pratt’s visit, though she is largely overlooked by everyone, including her parents. Her primary role appears to be engaging the young men who cannot get close enough to Miss Pratt to capture her attention.

Mr. Parcher

Mr. Parcher, the father of May Parcher, is a high-strung businessman who grows increasingly agitated by the swarm of young men congregating at his home to court Miss Pratt. Their constant adolescent serenades and purportedly serious discussions about love push him toward a nervous breakdown. Jane's frequent reports about William offer Mr. Parcher some respite, and their shared disdain for Miss Pratt fosters a sympathetic alliance between him and Jane.

Mrs. Baxter

Mrs. Baxter, William’s mother, possesses a vague understanding of his teenage struggles and endeavors to support him through his trials. She even intervenes to rescue him from arduous work at a construction site, a job he had taken on to purchase a secondhand dress suit of questionable origin. Despite her efforts, her assistance often goes unappreciated by William.

Genesis

Genesis, the neighborhood gardener, is a figure of embarrassment for William due to his race, attire, and informal demeanor. Nevertheless, this affable African American often collaborates with Jane or Mr. Parcher, consistently managing to thwart...