Minor Characters
Webster
The only one of Alison’s friends that Jimmy thinks has any value. Webster plays the banjo and is able to talk in Jimmy’s “dialect.” Jimmy believes that Webster is gay.
Madeline
Jimmy’s first love, a woman ten years older than he is. He sees her as an example of the “enthusiasm” that Alison lacks.
Nigel
Alison’s brother, a politician. Jimmy considers him “just about as vague as you can get without actually being invisible.” Alison wishes that she could have reached out to Nigel during the difficult first months of her marriage, because he would have been affectionate and loving to her.
Alison’s mother
Alison’s mother strongly disapproved of Jimmy and Alison’s marriage, and went to great lengths to prevent it. She did this out of a protective love for Alison. However, Colonel Redfern says that he thinks his wife went too far in her actions.
Miss Drury
The couple’s landlord. Alison is worried that she’ll evict them for being too rowdy, while Jimmy considers her a thief, reflecting his negative view of people with financial power.