This is a classic, nineteenth century story about motherless children in the care of a very busy father and an austere aunt who is always in despair of them. I pitied the children, actually. Katy is particularly careless and wild. An act of disobedience damages her spine and renders her unable to walk for a few years. She is very depressed but her invalid cousin teaches her how to make the best of things. She eventually takes on the role of managing the household when the aunt dies and learns how to be kind to her siblings and make them willing to obey her. The story is said to be based on the life of the author and her siblings.