Saunders¹, the narrator's maid, confidante, and informant in the four Joan Romney stories, is courted by Billy Simpson and Harry Biggs in The Wire-Pullers. In Petticoat Influence she makes Billy Simpson let Joan Romney's father hit his bowling about in the match with the Cave men. In Ladies and Gentlemen v. Players her first name is given as Ellen - she has a lovers' quarrel with William Batkins which is patched up by her mistress.