Stanton Carey--actor, director, and playwright--is out of work. He owes Mrs. Jenkins a goodly sum for board, and has pawned everything available. He has written a play, but can find no one interested enough to read it, with the exception of Polly, the slavey at Mrs. Jenkins' boarding house. Polly loiters over her work in Carey's room and he reads her his drama, acting it for her benefit. She has heard the thrilling lines so many times that they become a part of her and whenever she is alone she acts out the heroine's part. Fife Morine, a popular vaudeville artist, arrives at Mrs. Jenkins'. Her manager writes her she must open her season in a few weeks and poor Fife reads through sketch after sketch hopelessly seeking a good one. One day Fife overhears Polly reciting Carey's dramatic lines. She asks Polly how she came to learn the words. Polly explains and Fife tells her to have Carey bring his manuscript to her room when she will hear it and possibly buy it. Polly hastens to impart the good news to Carey. She assists him in making the best of his one suit of clothes by pressing it for him. She gives him a boutonnière from her treasured rose bush, which stands in the grating of her little window in her cellar room. Fife is greatly impressed by Carey's appearance and also with his sketch, which she buys. She engages him to play the leading part. He pays Mrs. Jenkins and begins a new life, independent of landladies, rehearsing and making love to Fife. Polly continues her hard work, looking wistfully after Carey whenever he is near. He seems to have forgotten her. At last the day for their departure comes. Polly is scrubbing the front steps. As she sees them come out she hastily dries her hands and smoothes her hair, for surely Carey will remember and bid her good-bye. She draws in her breath expectantly as they come towards her. Fife smiles sweetly on Carey and he looks into her eyes conscious of her presence only. They go down the steps the little slavey is scrubbing, and out of her life.