Helen

Biodata

Background / History

Family expectations

Helen attends school with Li Mo, Anna, Wayne, and Matthew. Her father initially encouraged a match between her and Li Mo, but forbade contact after Li Mo lost his talent, fearing that his supposed curse would spread to her 11 22.

Helen resented this reversal. After Li Mo distinguished himself in mathematics and became Professor Bryce’s partner, she defended his perseverance and accused her father of seeing only his misfortune. Their argument ended with Helen running from the house in tears 22.

Her father also directed her education toward piano and embroidery, believing these appropriate pursuits for a lady. Helen secretly read engineering books instead and wished to study mechanical engineering 54.

Abduction and rescue

Helen wandered toward the brightly lit docks, where a man in a black trench coat warned her away, citing an industrial dye leak. As she left, she thought she recognized him from a newspaper. Someone then seized her from behind and pressed an anesthetic-soaked cloth over her face 22 30.

Her disappearance prompted a police search and an independent investigation by Li Mo, Anna, and Wayne. A replacement button from her coat marked the abduction site; Anna’s Ember Rewind revealed that her captor had carried her toward the western birch woods 24 26 28.

The three found Helen unconscious, bound, and gagged in a concealed cellar. Wayne carried her while the group escaped their pursuer using flashbangs and gunfire, eventually reaching the military-controlled docks. After waking, Helen identified Dr. Morris in a newspaper advertisement as her kidnapper 29.

Li Mo later reconstructed the abduction as part of the suspected military espionage surrounding Captain Carter. In his deduction, Morris had initially intended to let Helen leave, but another person would not permit it; Morris confined her rather than kill her 57.

Recovery

Helen returned home with only minor scrapes, but remained deeply frightened. When her bedroom lights went out, she screamed, trembled, and repeatedly called for Anna. Li Mo suspected post-traumatic stress, and Mr. Green brought her next door for help 31.

Anna bathed and comforted Helen, then slept between her and Li Mo. A lullaby helped Helen relax, and she appeared better the following morning. Her fear nevertheless persisted: she later waited alone in the classroom because she was afraid to walk home and reluctant to trouble anyone. Li Mo found her and offered to accompany her 31 32 36.

Helen also revealed that unexplained nighttime noises had troubled her bedroom for half a month, predating the kidnapping. Li Mo traced them to a loose ventilation valve in the house’s smoke-extraction system and stopped them by wedging a coin into its worn rail 38.

Engineering apprenticeship and later events

During a visit to the Li family’s spinning mill, Helen demonstrated an unexpected understanding of steam-engine components. Her explanations and proposed improvements impressed both Li Mo and Sarah. When Helen admitted that she wanted to study engineering, Sarah rejected her father’s restrictions and accepted her as an apprentice, inviting her to learn after school 54 55.

Helen continued studying mathematics with Li Mo and witnessed his successful electric-light experiment. She enthusiastically recounted the demonstration to Wayne, becoming noticeably more talkative when discussing technology 65 67.

After the explosion at the Olivers’ cotton factory, Helen wanted to accompany Li Mo but decided against burdening him. At his request, she returned home to stay with her father 69.

Appearance

• Described as pretty, with long eyelashes and small dimples visible when she smiles 33 38 69.
• Wears a neat school uniform; around the time of her disappearance, she also wears a dark blue coat with a replacement cuff button she sewed on herself 28 33.
• Frequently lowers her head, blushes, or grips the hem of her skirt when embarrassed 29 32 36.

Personality

Helen is introverted and socially anxious. She dislikes public spectacle, making Matthew’s conspicuous attempts to impress her uncomfortable rather than welcome. Even among friends, she often speaks softly and worries about causing trouble 11 24 36.

Her shyness does not prevent her from taking a firm position. She openly challenges her father’s treatment of Li Mo, praising his efforts to rebuild his life rather than accepting the rumors about his curse 22.

Mechanical subjects bring out a markedly different side of her. When examining steam-engine parts, she becomes absorbed enough to forget the surrounding crowd and speak confidently. As she recovers from the kidnapping, this enthusiasm develops into animated explanations filled with sound effects, although teasing can still make her withdraw 54 55 67.

Abilities & Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Helen understands unfamiliar machinery despite having no formal engineering education before her apprenticeship 54.

• Recognizes how independently moving upper and lower slides could cut off steam admission after one-third of a piston’s stroke.
• Explains how a cast-iron ring’s elasticity and Z-shaped overlapping joint help it press against a cylinder wall.
• Suggests adding bevel gears to the end of an adjustment screw as a possible efficiency improvement.
• Begins formal practical study under Sarah after learning privately from books 54 55.

Mathematics

• Uses completing the square to determine that (y=-x^2+4x) has a maximum value of (4) at (x=2).
• Studies limits, instantaneous rates of change, and differentiation with Li Mo, then works through practice problems alongside Estelle 65.

Memory and observation

• Recognizes a familiar outline and posture despite poor lighting near the docks.
• Subsequently identifies Morris from a clinic advertisement, providing her rescuers with the kidnapper’s identity 22 29.

Equipment / Items

• Double slide valve — A clean spare component given to her by Li Mo; examining it reveals her mechanical talent 54.
• Birthday teacup — A gift from Li Mo that she still uses long afterward. She hurriedly hides it under her covers when he notices it in her bedroom 38.
• Dark blue coat — Its distinctive replacement cuff button becomes a crucial clue in locating her abduction site 28.

Relationships

• Li Mo — Neighbor, classmate, rescuer, and mathematics tutor. Helen admires his perseverance and shows romantic interest through her embarrassment, attachment to his gift, and reactions to her father’s matchmaking. No established romantic relationship is shown 22 29 38 65.
• Anna — Close friend and principal source of comfort after the kidnapping. Helen clings to her after waking, calls for her when frightened, and sleeps beside her for reassurance 24 29 31 32.
• Baskerville Green — Father. His fear of Li Mo’s supposed curse and conventional expectations cause conflict with Helen. After her rescue, he swears to support Li Mo and resumes trying to bring them together 22 31 38 40.
• Sarah — Engineering mentor. She recognizes Helen’s interest, rejects the idea that engineering is unsuitable for women, and takes her as an apprentice 54 55.
• Wayne — Friend and rescuer who cuts her bindings and carries her to safety. His teasing sometimes embarrasses her, particularly when he criticizes her explanatory sound effects 29 67.
• Matthew — Unwelcome admirer whose showmanship aggravates her social anxiety. He separately commissions a staged crisis to make himself appear heroic; Li Mo refuses to cooperate and warns the organizers not to upset Helen 11 33.
• Dr. Morris — Kidnapper. Helen’s identification of him connects her captivity to the ongoing murder investigation 29 30.

Notable Quotes

“Why can you only see other people's misfortune, and not the light they show in the face of it?” 22

“I think steam engines are beautiful. … If I could choose for myself, I'd definitely study mechanical engineering.” 54