A WWII orphan, Mary O'Rane (Ann Stephens), is taken to live in the rundown home of alcoholic Mrs. Voray (Freda Jackson), who already has several orphans and evacuees residing in her care. Outwardly the soul of Christian charity, behind closed doors Mrs. Voray treats her youthful refugees cruelly and keeps them in conditions of squalor and semi-starvation. Mary's schoolteacher is concerned for the young girls upbringing and appeals to local people to take Mary in but to no avail, when she then pleads with town councilors and the church to intervene her plea goes largely ignored.