The main character of the story is a little hopelessly diseased girl, named Maggie. Se has a brother John, who is 12, and a sister Kate, who has 10 or 11 years. Maggie`s mother is dead; a poor little girl is alone in this big cruel world. But the world is not without good people. Joe Thompson, the wheelwright, had a good heart, and it was very tender in some places. He liked children, but life has not given him his own children. Joe had a mind and strong temper, and exactly this helped him make a decision to take a girl to his house. Then we meet another character, who is no less important than previous one. This is Joe`s wife Mrs. Thompson. She was happened to be childless, and was not a woman of saintly temper. She was against this child in her house. Joe Thompson considered his wife to be vinegar-tempered, he was afraid of her reaction concerning this little child. Mrs. Thompson tried to hide her hostility while communicating with Maggie, but love would save the world!!! Mrs. Thompson became kinder, her heart filled up with the light and love. The sweetness of that sick girl was so honey to her soul, that she carried her in her heart as a precious burden.