Phyllida Talent is the other main character of this novel. Although Phyllida Tallent is the magistrate's daughter, she may have a bigger part in running the town than her father does. Whenever a local has a problem, they typically bring it to Phyllida. She spends her days caring for others and taking care of the needs of the town. She spends her nights running the importing business that she created. Although she is such a cornerstone of the community, she is taken for granted, though she doesn't see it. Because she is a woman, the town thinks that her father runs the importing business. The fact that she has grown up in this role, with the absence of a mother, is another reason she is taken for granted.