By an unknown photographer, 1914

The Laurie family were neighbours when the Lawrence’s lived at Langley Lodge between 1894 and 1896. Both families had children of similar ages, and they became friends. When the Lawrences moved to Oxford, they continued to see the Lauries.

Janet Laurie went to school in Oxford and often visited the Lawrence home. As they grew older Ned and Will both developed a deep attachment to her. Ned's affection was obvious to friends such as E. F. Hall, who occasionally entertained her with Lawrence in his rooms at Jesus. Shortly before her death she told Professor John Mack, on of Lawrence’s biographers, that Lawrence had proposed to her in 1910, but that she had rejected him. She had seriously considered marrying Will, whose affection for her remained so strong that he bequeathed her all his possessions when he died in 1915.

Lawrence remained in contact with Janet for many years. She married Guthrie Hallsmith in 1919.