First published in 1910, about social conventions, codes of conduct, and personal relationships in turn-of-the-century England: Margaret Schlegel is an independent middle class citizen. She is not rich by any means, but she and her family have enough to live a comfortable life. Through encounters with the Wilcox family, she eventually marries Henry Wilcox. They are wealthy middle class citizens with many prejudices against the more unfortunate folk. When Margaret realizes this, she tries to open their eyes to the plight of the lower class for Margaret feels that in order to be a good person, one should be charitable and kind. But will She be able to stand on her moral ground with the Wilcox family trying to keep her down?