Set during World War I England, this story centers on a Lady Vivian, a 29-year-old woman who goes to great lengths to secure admiration for her selfless devotion to her war work managing a supply depot and other war service organizations in her region. Though projecting an image of herself as extremely efficient, her refusal to delegate and desire for control creates obstacles for others and great deals of unnecessary work for herself and staff. Her staff of about three-dozen women initially admire her greatly, but with the arrival of a well-bred young lady from Wales, the irritated expostulations of the neighborhood doctor, and a few heartless actions of her own, this view changes (except among her two most devoted allies).