Louisa

Louisa is the story’s protagonist. She is the sole librarian in the town of Carstairs, Alberta, Canada. She originally arrived there as a traveling saleswoman, and shortly after her arrival, the previous librarian, Mary Tamblyn, died of natural causes. Louisa, tired of her profession, applied to be the new librarian and was hired. One day, a man from Carstairs named Jack Agnew writes her a letter while he is overseas fighting in World War One. They have a correspondence and fall in love. However, after Jack returns from the war, Louisa learns that Jack Agnew was already engaged to another woman. Louisa moves on from Jack and has a brief sexual relationship with traveling salesman Jim Frarey. Louisa eventually marries Arthur Doud, the owner of the piano factory that is the town’s largest source of employment.

Louisa has a son by Arthur and is generally content...