Characters Richard 1. Loyal - finds it difficult to accept Mr.

Coldstone, his stepfather - accuses Charlotte, his sister for betraying their father as she readily accepts Mr. Coldstone 2. Brave / Adventurous - makes a big and difficult decision to leave his mother and sister as he cannot get along with his stepfather - takes his chance and seeks fortune by getting a job on a ship 3. Regretful - weeps after reading Charlottes letter and her predicament - feels guilty because Charlotte and his mother undergo a lot of suffering after he has left them Claudia 1. Sensible - does not want to share room with the boys at Old Harwick Hall - supports Stella, her stepmother hints the guess on how rude they are by not complementing Stellas cooking and hard work 2. Sensitive - cries when she reads about Richard who has to leave the house because he cannot get along with Mr. Coldstone, his stepfather - Feels sorry for Stella when none of the guests speaks to her and appreciates what she has done for dinner 3. Mature - shows appreciations towards Stella by parading the green pyjamas given by Stella - finally accepts Stellas effort learns how to read maps, change electric plugs and skate from Stella Colin 1. Dreamy - his thoughts are always somewhere else - keeps his stepfathers tobacco tin under his pillow every night to constantly remind him of Jack, his stepfather - hums his stepfathers favourite song, The Bluebird of Happiness

2. Determined - saves money to leave home one day and find his stepfather - writes a letter to his stepfather in his effort to locate his whereabouts 3. Sentimental - remembers how his stepfather rolls his cigarettes - misses the time when his stepfather walks him to school and pushes him up the swing in the park - remembers the many names that his stepfather gives him Col, Collie, Sonny-boy, Buster, Bluebird

Ralph 1. Tolerant and accepting - copes with three stepmothers, Annabel, Janet and Flora - accepts and tolerate the different personalities each stepmother possesses 2. Helpful and caring - goes miles to buy a bottle of mint sauce for his stepmother, Flora - helps his stepmother to sort out old toys and rattles at home 3. Mature - believes that Richard Clayton Harwick has made the wrong decision by running away from his family - makes a sensible comments on everybodys story Pixie 1. Fiery / Impatient - bad temper - dislikes being called Priscilla - hates to share her bedroom with Hetty, her stepsister - quarrels bitterly with Lucy, her stepmother on arrangement

the

room

2. Persistent - demands that everyone should finish his or her story - tries to get rid of Hetty by telling her ghost stories and giving her the silent treatment Robbo 1. Sports-mad - has a strong interest in sports 2. Brave - leads the group into Richard Clayton Harwicks room while the rest follows him 3. Rational - advises Callie, his stepsister to accept their stepfather - accepts his stepfather better than his sister - not as stubborn as his sister in resisting their stepfather