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John Ward
Ward, the protagonist of the story, works at a public library. He is a close friend of Henry Rossiter and also friends with Judith and Helen Waring. He is distant from his family, not…
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Henry Rossiter
Ward’s best friend and later roommate, Rossiter works in the insurance department at City Hall, which gives him access to classified census statistics that demonstrate just how extreme population growth has become. He is…
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Helen Waring
Helen is an assistant at the public library who lives with Judith and is friends with Ward and Rossiter. Helen and Judith are kicked out of their room by a greedy landlady for sneaking…
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Minor Characters
Judith
Judith is Helen’s friend and roommate. Judith is described as a dark-haired girl with a pretty oval face. She is friends with Rossiter and Ward and later moves into their secret room after she and Helen are kicked out of their lodgings.
Judith’s Aunt
Judith’s elderly aunt moves into Ward and Rossiter’s secret room as a chaperone for Judith and Helen. She shows up within five minutes with three heavy suitcases packed, suggesting she knew in advance about the room.
Mr. Waring
Mr. Waring is Helen’s father. He is the seventh person to move into Ward and Rossiter’s secret room and complains about how crowded it is. He is described as a small, gray-haired man who ties his trousers with string.
Helen’s Mother
Helen’s mother is ill and requires care, which is why Helen asks if she can move into Ward and Rossiter’s secret room.
Louie
Louie is Ward’s greedy and unsympathetic building manager. He is described as smoking a cigar and having a bored, unshaven face. He kicks Ward out of his cubicle because it’s slightly over regulation size, meaning he can rent it as a double for more money.
