“I am not a slimy beast,” the Earthworm said. “I am a useful and much loved creature. Ask any gardener you like.” - James and the Giant Peach

He is a pretty gloomy creature - as the Ladybird tells James, “He hates to be happy. He is only happy when he is gloomy. Now isn’t that odd? But then, I suppose just being an earthworm is enough to make a person pretty gloomy, don’t you agree?”

James is quick to point out the Earthworm’s good points. “He would be absolutely grand for digging subway tunnels and for making you a sewer.”