Anton is a sixty-five-year-old Czech immigrant who farms in rural Nebraska. Having spent years working as a wage-laborer in London and New York City, he prefers the independence and deep connection to nature found in agricultural life. He possesses a remarkably good-natured disposition and an innate capacity to appreciate simple pleasures like a good cup of coffee. His deep affection for his wife and six children drives his daily actions and fuels his worries about their economic stability.

Mary is a practical, plain-spoken Czech immigrant who has spent her entire life in the country. She deeply appreciates her husband's gentle nature and matches his generosity, frequently hosting neighbors with hearty meals. Her approach to life prioritizes happiness and comfort over strict financial saving, such as refusing to sell cream so her children can enjoy it. She maintains a realistic perspective on the hardships of rural Nebraska weather.

Polly is a town-raised American woman who recently married into the immigrant Rosicky family. She maintains a sophisticated appearance with tweezed eyebrows and bobbed hair, which sets her apart from her rugged in-laws. Her adjustment to farm life proves difficult, and she harbors a slight prejudice against her husband's foreign background. Her presence brings tension into the family dynamic as she questions the isolation of rural living.

Rudolph is the oldest of the six Rosicky children and an American-born farmer who speaks polished, standard English. He is a serious young man struggling with the relative poverty of agricultural work. The ongoing drought and his wife's dissatisfaction cause him significant stress, leading him to consider abandoning the farm for wage labor at a packing house or railroad. He feels caught between his family's traditional ways and modern economic pressures.

Doctor Burleigh is a caring, observant local physician in rural Nebraska. He has known the Rosicky family for years and genuinely admires their generous lifestyle, often recalling the hearty breakfasts Mary provides after his long night shifts. He serves as an outside observer who understands the physical toll of farm work while respecting his patients' independence and dignity.

Mr. Lifschnitz is a poor German tailor living in London who played a significant part in Anton Rosicky's early life. Recognizing Anton's lack of prospects, he took the young man in as an apprentice. He understands the harsh realities of urban poverty and ultimately encourages his young apprentice to seek better opportunities in America.

Mrs. Lifschnitz is the hardworking wife of a London tailor who struggles to feed her family and boarders. Despite the severe stresses of poverty, she shows kindness to the young Anton during his apprenticeship. Her attempts to provide holiday cheer on a severely limited budget leave a lasting impression on Anton's conscience.

Pearl is a young shopgirl working in the rural Nebraska town. She engages in pleasant, lighthearted banter with her customers, representing the social connections Anton enjoys in his broader community.