Overview

Mary Ainslee, a charming and gracious little lady, is a tradition in her little New England village. She never leaves her house and every night a lamp burns in her attic window. As an accommodation to her neighbor, Miss Ainslee agrees to take in her neighbor's young niece, Ruth and they become warm friends. Carl Winsfield, young newspaper reporter with eye trouble, comes to the village. Carl falls a victim to Miss Ainslee's charm and falls in love with Ruth. They become engaged. Carl has an accident which causes him to lose his eyesight. It is then that Miss Ainslee steps forth and fights heroically to help Carl regain his lost vision. Why should Mary Ainslee lavish so much care on a strange boy? In the last act, in a scene of poignant beauty, Mary Ainslee reveals why she has lived such a strange life.

Keywords

• Aging
• Friendship
• Illness/Health
• Love
• Marriage
• Memory