Timothy, an orphan of the slums, and "Lady Gay," the little girl he protects, strike out for the country rather than go to an asylum. They select the home of Miss Avilda Cummins and ask to be adopted. She and her "help," Samantha Ann Ripley (also a spinster), take a harsh attitude toward the children but take them in for the night and eventually soften. When Timothy overhears Avilda's plan to adopt Lady Gay and send him to an asylum, he decides to move on, but he lingers to tell Samantha of a man living in a lonely house who calls out "Samanthy." Samantha recognizes him as a former suitor and goes to him. Avilda regrets her harshness toward her sister, who had "followed the primrose path and died in sin." Timothy is retrieved and adopted.—AFI