A fourteen-year-old, his scandalous grandfather, and a town that can't stop talking.
Who drives the story
The fourteen-year-old narrator and Rucker's grandson, who approves of the scandalous marriage because he likes Miss Love. He survives a train on a trestle, falls for a Mill Town girl, and carries his grandfather's faith after his death.
Will's grandfather, the bold, pragmatic store owner who marries his young milliner three weeks after his wife's death. The bargain turns into real love, cut short by pneumonia after a robbery and beating.
The milliner from Baltimore, 'practically a Yankee,' who marries Rucker for the house and furniture. Haunted by a childhood secret, she accepts his love, becomes pregnant, and stays in Cold Sassy after his death.
Will's mother and Rucker's daughter, humiliated by her father's hasty remarriage. Rucker taking her New York tickets deepens her hatred of Miss Love.
A poor girl from Mill Town whom Will kisses at the cemetery. His parents forbid the match, and Hosie Roach's new job lets her marry Will's enemy instead.
Also in the story
Will's father, who works for Rucker and buys the town's first car, a Cadillac, to console his wife after the New York trip is canceled.
Will's worst enemy, hired by Rucker to work at the store after Camp's death. The income lets him marry Lightfoot, breaking Will's heart.
Miss Love's former fiancé from Texas, who arrives to win her back. She returns his kiss, then sends him away contemptuously.
How they are connected
Will TweedyE. Rucker Blakeslee
The fourteen-year-old narrator and Rucker's grandson, who approves of the scandalous marriage because he likes Miss Love.
The fourteen-year-old narrator and Rucker's grandson, who approves of the scandalous marriage because he likes Miss Love.
E. Rucker BlakesleeMiss Love Simpson
The bargain turns into real love, cut short by pneumonia after a robbery and beating.
Will's mother and Rucker's daughter, humiliated by her father's hasty remarriage.
Mary Willis TweedyE. Rucker Blakeslee
Will's mother and Rucker's daughter, humiliated by her father's hasty remarriage.
Mary Willis TweedyMiss Love Simpson
Rucker taking her New York tickets deepens her hatred of Miss Love.
Will's father, who works for Rucker and buys the town's first car, a Cadillac, to console his wife after the New York trip is canceled.
Hoyt TweedyE. Rucker Blakeslee
Will's father, who works for Rucker and buys the town's first car, a Cadillac, to console his wife after the New York trip is canceled.
A poor girl from Mill Town whom Will kisses at the cemetery.
His parents forbid the match, and Hosie Roach's new job lets her marry Will's enemy instead.
Will's worst enemy, hired by Rucker to work at the store after Camp's death.
Hosie RoachE. Rucker Blakeslee
Will's worst enemy, hired by Rucker to work at the store after Camp's death.
Go deeper
Grief and remarriage · Class and respectability · Secrets and shame · Faith in hard times
Themes explainedThe full story act by act, the ending explained and a quick quiz.
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