Who Miles is
Miles lives at Bly with his younger sister, Flora, under the care of a new governess. He is polite, affectionate and clever, quite unlike the troublemaker she fears meeting after his dismissal from school.
The school letter gives no explanation, and the governess initially decides not to question him about it. His appealing manner leaves her unable to believe that he has done anything wrong.
Miles and the others in the story
Miles's uncle is his guardian, but he requires the governess to handle every problem without troubling him. Mrs. Grose, the housekeeper, shares the governess's warm first impression of the boy.
Mrs. Grose also says that Peter Quint, the master's former valet, was much too free with Miles. When the governess believes she sees Quint, she becomes convinced that the boy needs her protection.
How Miles changes
As the governess presses Miles about school and Quint, his polite answers reveal little. She begins to wonder whether his charm conceals knowledge he refuses to share.
The story never gives direct access to Miles's thoughts, so his behaviour reaches readers through her account. His silence leaves open the distance between what she fears and what he actually understands.
Questions
How old is Miles?
Miles is about ten years old, and Flora is his younger sister.
Why is Miles sent home from school?
The school dismisses Miles without explaining why in its letter. The governess is troubled by the dismissal but initially avoids asking him about it.
