Mrs. Caldwell, a kind woman with a little boy named Alexander, adopts Mamie, an orphan girl who was maltreated in the orphanage. Mamie develops a friendship with the boy, who she dubs "Zander." When Mrs. Caldwell dies, the authorities order the placement of the boy in the same orphanage where Mamie was tormented. Mamie is horrified and resolves to ensure that the boy is spared the same cruelty she endured.