Reynie is a lonely boy. He has lost his parents, and the other children in the orphanage pick on him for his unusual intelligence. Miss Perumal is the only person, adult or otherwise, whom Reynie trusts, but even she cannot reliably be there for him because she has to help her mother. While Miss Perumal ultimately manages to come through for Reynie, Mr. Rutger represents the other adults in Reynie’s life: unhelpful and uncaring. Mr. Rutger is the orphanage director, and he should look out for the best interests of the children in his care, but instead he allows Reynie to be bullied in a school that doesn’t teach to his level.