He is even-tempered and caring.
Benvolio's name comes from the Latin root "ben" which means good. In the opening scene of Romeo and Juliet he asks for everyone to put up their swords. He doesn't condone the violence. Also, when Lord and Lady Montague are worried about Romeo's isolating behavior, Benvolio talks to him to find out what ails him and comes up with a solution.
The excerpt that tells the White family's uncertainty on the Major's story would be when Mr. White said:
"If the tale about the monkey's paw is not more truthful than those he has been telling us," said Herbert, as the door closed behind their guest, just in time to catch the last train, "we shan't make much out of it." This is because they are not sure what is true about the information that a stranger told them in the train.
