Mattie has been to both France and England. He remembers everything about the countries and loved going to them. Alfred did not go with him and so the other boy is very jealous. He avoids the subject of the two places as often as possible. He was spoiled horribly when he was there.

Mattie is somewhat aware of Alfred’s abuse, as his anger is taken out on him. The two argue constantly when alone, but Mattie never means what he says (unlike Alfred who means everything). The stress causes him to be easily upset-able. He tires quickly and has asthma so when the arguments get heated, he is always the first to give in.

Kumajiro is a figment of Mattie’s imagination conjured to protect him and be his friend. They forget each others names because Mattie doesn’t always remember why Kuma is there. He is also there to console him. He talks to him freely in front of other people and as he is always forgotten, the bear becomes forgotten as well and helps Mattie to have someone feeling the same. He carries around a white polar bear plush toy to give the vision form.