Henry Bailey
Henry Bailey works as a farmhand and is considered almost part of the narrator's family, sharing both meals and his life with them. He primarily serves as a source of amusement for the children, likely because he doesn’t hold the same authority as their parents. This dynamic allows the children to enjoy his playful teasing, and in return, Henry seems to take pleasure in impressing them with his notable skills, such as his impressive spitting ability.

Father
The father in the story, much like the narrator’s mother, is portrayed as a likable, decent, and hardworking individual. He engages with his children in a way that delights them, often finding ways to praise them that they deeply appreciate. Similar to his wife, he envisions a future where his daughter will eventually stop assisting him and instead become a dedicated helper to her mother.

Female Narrator
The story is narrated by a character who reflects on her past with the wisdom of adulthood, yet she recounts events from her childhood with a youthful perspective. She describes a pivotal period in her life when her carefree childhood came to an end, and she began to feel pressured to meet various expectations. She resisted the traditional socialization of middle-class girls at the time, perceiving that the roles and choices available to women were less appealing and diverse than those for men. Despite her resistance, she ultimately describes how she gradually succumbed to these societal norms. The narrator likens herself to Flora, the spirited horse in the story, a vibrant being with energy and will who is eventually subdued and utilized by larger forces.

Laird
Laird, the narrator’s younger brother, initially appears as a sweet and helpless little boy, contrasting with the narrator's greater usefulness to their parents on the farm and in the house. However, as the story unfolds, this image of innocence fades as it becomes clear that Laird will take the narrator’s place beside their father, a role the young narrator had hoped would remain hers. By the story's end, Laird has been accepted into the world of men, while his sister, the narrator, finds herself relegated to the status of being "only a girl."

Mother
The narrator’s mother appears to be an ideal woman, one who tackles the responsibilities of a homemaker with enthusiasm and vigor. The section of the story that depicts life inside the farmhouse portrays her performing a day's work that rivals the efforts of the men laboring outside. She eagerly anticipates the day when her daughter will be mature enough to alleviate more of her workload. She seems to cherish her daughter's company; the narrator mentions that she speaks openly about her past and various topics when they work side by side.