Sallie Kincaid

Sallie Kincaid is the main character and first person narrator of the novel. At the start of the narrative, Sallie is eight years old. She lives in Claiborne County, Virginia with her father the Duke. Because her father is the wealthiest and most powerful man in the county, Sallie’s life is comfortable and secure. Her mother Annie died when she was a child. However, because she has little memory of her mother, Sallie is not weighed by this loss for long. She rather basks in her father’s love and care.

In spite of her adoration for the Duke, Sallie knows that his new wife Jane dislikes her. Therefore, when Sallie accidentally hurts Jane’s son, her half brother Eddie, while playing in her wagon, Sallie fears the worst. Shortly thereafter, Jane insists that Sallie is a danger to her son and convinces the Duke to...