Côme de Lambrefaut inherited the family castle on the death of his father, but the notary told him that all his property was mortgaged. However, he wants to keep the pack of one hundred and ten hunting dogs that make him proud. In September 1939, the castle was destroyed during a bombardment, and the dogs escaped from their enclosure.

When her father files bankruptcy and then dies, Rose's fiancé jilts her; she takes a job as a maid in a Montmartre kindergarten with 150 poor children. Rose gives each child loving attention, and soon she's their favorite. An especially needy child is Marie, a prostitute's daughter. Rose and she bond, and Marie is jealous of all attentions paid Rose, especially those of Dr. Libois, the school's physician. When Rose inadvertently guides the children through the educational experiment of a visiting scholar, and then discloses she has a college degree and is working beneath her station, the principal wants to fire her. Is there any way she can stay? And what will happen to Marie?