Mrs. Sheridan, Mr. Sheridan's wife and mother of Laura, Laurie, Meg, and, Jose. She is in charge of the household on a daily-basis.
Laura Sheridan, Mrs. Sheridan's daughter (and the story's protagonist)
The workers, who put up a marquee in the garden
Mr. Sheridan, Mrs. Sheridan's husband and father of Laura, Laurie, Meg, and, Jose. On the day of the party, he goes to work but joins the party later that evening.
Meg Sheridan, a second daughter
Jose Sheridan, a third daughter
Laurie Sheridan, a son, Laura's brother
Kitty Maitland, a friend of Laura and a party guest
Sadie, a female house servant
Hans, a male house servant
The florist, who delivers lilies ordered by Mrs. Sheridan
Cook, a cook
Godber's man, the delivery-man who brings in the cream puffs
Mr. Scott, a lower-class neighbor who has just died
Em Scott, the deceased's widow
Em's sister