Lumber Room

Nicholas is the story's protagonist. A mischievous young boy who lives with his brother, cousins, and his cousins' aunt, Nicholas uses his intelligence to outsmart his aunt and undermine her authority. Allowing her to believe he is going to try to get into the gooseberry garden, Nicholas unlocks the lumber room and marvels at the delicate objects his aunt hides from the childrens' view.

The aunt is Nicholas's antagonist. Although she acts as though she is Nicholas's aunt, she is actually the aunt of his cousins. The aunt has a combative relationship with Nicholas, whom she expects to cause mischief.