Etta Berter is a doctor's wife in 1905 who has been unable to have children. The couple has one adopted daughter but she has always wanted more children. Julie Harris's character is the family's cook and close companion to their daughter. Her granddaughter is the family's maid. When a visiting friend of Etta's arrives for a visit both she and the maid are attracted to him. When he seems to prefer the younger woman (the maid) the other woman is very jealous and when the maid becomes pregnant by him the older woman vows to make that child her own.
Julie Harris
as Caroline Phelan
Richard Kiley
as Dr. Will Berter
Veronica Hamel
as Etta Berter
Thomas Gibson
as Hailus Tuckman
Jessica Bowman
as Anna Berter
Reed Diamond
as Thomas Rafferty
Shae D'Lyn
as Edwina Phelan
