The Wife is a young American woman traveling in Italy with her husband, George. Feeling isolated in her hotel room, she longs for traditional feminine comforts, such as long hair, her own silver, new clothes, and a pet to nurture. Her unarticulated desires manifest as a sudden fixation on rescuing a stray cat sheltering from the rain outside her window.

George is an American tourist spending a rainy afternoon reading in his hotel room in Italy. He approaches his marriage casually and pays little attention to his wife's growing dissatisfaction. He prefers his wife's hair short and remains content as long as his reading goes uninterrupted, failing to offer his wife real support or an umbrella when she decides to go outside.

The Hotel-Keeper, or padrone, is an older, tall Italian man with a dignified presence who manages the hotel where the American couple stays. He takes his business seriously and goes out of his way to make his guests feel cared for. His attentive, fatherly nature provides a sharp contrast to George's indifference.

The Maid works at the Italian hotel where the American couple is staying. Following the Hotel-Keeper's instructions, she attends to the wife's needs, holding an umbrella over her in the rain and fetching things for the room. Her dutiful actions provide the wife with a brief moment of care and personal connection.