On a beautiful afternoon in Ireland, nurse Old Mary takes out Maude, a six-year-old, and Francis, a four-year-old, for a walk in the fields near their house. An easy breeze blows through the valley, the dog jogs alongside them, and Mary feels that the afternoon is something out of a painting. When Maude spots some thunderclouds hanging over nearby mountains, they head back for the house. The house grounds are strangely quiet, and the trio are shocked to find that the door has been locked. The children’s mother, an actress and Mary’s employer, rarely locks the door and was still home when they left. Maude starts to cry in fear that they will be caught in the storm, and Mary disciplines her. To their relief, the milk boy passes by and climbs through the second floor to unlock the door for them. Once inside, Francis feels sad that his mother is not home and wanders into her room alone. He finds an unsealed letter with her handwriting on it. Wanting to keep it for himself, he hides it in his secret box with all his other prized possessions.