Hedwig

Owner of the Golden Anchor establishment where the story takes place. Has a room in the building where Pierre also slept.

Observant of others' private lives and privately amused by them; grins when the Klara-Johann relationship is exposed. Composed and shrewd; admits uncomfortable truths without excessive embarrassment. Takes decisive action in a crisis — woke during the night, discovered August dead, took the cookbook, and returned to bed without alerting anyone. Announces bold plans for the property's future with confrontational directness.

Dry and wry in casual exchanges; becomes sharp and confrontational when challenged. Speaks with self-possession even when caught out. Uses blunt declarative sentences when asserting authority.