Abstract: Emma Brown is a happy-go-lucky child, content to play hopscotch with her friends. But after Em's mother Cynthia has her baby she can't cope. Her friend and neighbour Dot helps out, Cynthia's husband Bob does his best and little Em just can't find enough hours in the day to do all the chores. Soon, it seems, the only thing is for Cynthia to go and stay with her sister. With Cynthia away, life only gets harder for Em. When the Board Man comes to call, wanting to know why she's not at school, things are really bad. Em decides to fetch her mother home, but the mother she discovers is a far cry from the loving figure she has known so well...