Phineas Hall describes himself as "an ordinary twelve-year-old kid." Unlike his sister Althea, who spends all her free time studying the Greek language and history, Phineas prefers athletics, even though he admits he is "no jock."

Phineas believes he is not as smart as his sister, and he senses the bond between his father and Althea; they look alike, think alike, and have the same scholarly interests. When Phineas and Althea quarrel, it is usually over the anti-intellectual comments with which he enjoys baiting her. Phineas is more interested in the theory of the "mummy's curse" than in studying the markings on her feet. But Phineas has a sensitive side too. He observes his father carefully and feels bad if anyone ignores or slights him, and, in the end, it is Phineas who knows Althea best, who understands how her mind works, and who...