James Laurence

An old man who lives next door to the March family in Newcord. Locally, he is widely known as the chairman of Newcord Merchant Marine. He was feared by the sisters because of his dignified face with a mustache, but he is actually a very kind person. However, because he wants Laurie to take over his own business in the future, he can sometimes show a tough side. He's been friends with Martha since they were young, but they haven't seen each other in the last ten years. He loved his granddaughter (Laurie's cousin), but she died several years ago, and he has carefully preserved his keepsake piano at his home.