“The Piece of String” concerns several months in the life of Maitre Hauchecorne, an old peasant and the protaginst of the short story. Another character was an enemy of his, the antognist M. Malandain, a harness maker. There are several unnamed local peasants, a town crier, and a woman, M. Houlbreque, who lost a pocketbook containing five hundred francs. Maitre Hauchercorne is accused of stealing the purse. There is also an appearance by the chief of gendarmes, who takes Hauchecorne to see the mayor where he is accused of stealing the purse.