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The narrative follows three sisters—Mary, Jane, and Florimel—who live in a large family house after their father's death and their mother's departure. Each sister embodies a distinct temperament: steady, practical Mary; fiery, mischievous Florimel; and impulsive, expressive Jane. The plot traces their everyday life under the care of relatives and devoted household staff, presenting domestic episodes, friendships, youthful mistakes, and moral lessons that shape their characters. Garden imagery and seasonal settings frame coming-of-age moments and interpersonal tensions as the girls learn responsibility, loyalty, and how affection and duty interact within family and community expectations.
| “‘Not such tall, tall girls, my daughters!’” | Frontispiece |
| FACING PAGE | |
| “‘What time do you think the perfesh, which stop here, rises?’” | 44 |
| “‘Mary, this is Wilfrid Willoughby who drives splendidly, and is going to look after us this summer.’” | 174 |
| “Those who knew her best were amazed and a little startled” | 240 |