There would be times when Riah Millican came to regret her miner husband had learned to read and write, and then shared that knowledge with her and her children. It was a rare and even perilous accomplishment. And now he was dead. Lacking nothing in courage and determination, she first took her family to her native place, but found scant welcome and encouragment there. Then suddenly the opportunity to become a housekeeper out in the country arose. And this ins turn leads to many other opportunities for her and her children...