His reproof, though approaching the caustic, was well founded, for Miles, while possessed of good intentions and the kindest heart in the little band, suffered at times from a confusion in his motor processes, often producing lively results, yet as frequently compromising the crew's physical safety.
* * * * * * * * * *
The idea that Randolph's reproof from the previous sentence was "approaching the caustic" reiterates my belief that Miles Blundell is a chubby kid. That's because I can't really read the line as "caustic" without believing that Randolph was taking a jab at Miles' weight when he mentioned Miles' familiarity with the picnic basket. Otherwise he was just saying, "You work around those things every day so I can see how you'd sort of not see them after awhile." That's not caustic at all!
As for Miles clumsy nature, here we get a hint that it might be medical. Perhaps he suffers from a minor form of epilepsy which could later account for some things about his character to which the reader isn't yet privy. Or maybe he's just a big old clumsy fat bloke. I mean that in the tropiest sense of the trope and not in a non-narrative every day stereotype!
According to this bit, Miles is the heart of the Inconvenience. Randolph is the brain. Lindsay is the muscle. Miles is the heart. Darby is the enthusiasm. And the other guy we haven't yet met is the dick. That isn't an insult; it means I like him best! Or at least as much as I like Darby. I can't wait to discuss him in the next sentence!
I feel like Miles is like a fat Stan Laurel or a not as fat Lou Costello. He means well, he's got a big heart, and he's pretty clumsy. I didn't add Curly to this list because I don't think Curly always meant well. I'm pretty sure he was trying to get Moe killed.
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