Caught in the crossfire of her parents" acrimonious divorce, witness to their battles, intrigues and affairs, neglected and exploited, Maisie is a child who knows too much about the world of adults. Despite it all, Maisie maintains her goodness and dignity in the face of the bitterness and profligacy that surround her. Also included is The Pupil, a short story centering on the experiences of a child in a dishonorable and uncaring family.