Because her family is in financial need, Mattie Brooks, a thirteen year old girl, becomes a maid at Paddock Mansion during the late nineteenth century. Although Mattie is reluctant to leave home, she makes the best of things. She helps a nine year old boy, Timmy, become the Paddock's stable boy. Because both of them have known financial struggles, Mattie and Timmy appreciate living among the wealthy. They have interesting, sometimes comical, experiences as they endeavor to serve the Paddocks well and to share their good fortune with others.