In Rome, a middle-aged maid named Rosa is looking for work and finds it with an American professor named Dr. O.E. Krantz. The professor offers her a decent wage and is kind in their interactions. While his wife and daughter are away in America, he allows Rosa to work until four in the afternoon each day and gives her access to the maid's quarters. The maid spends as much time as possible at the professor's house so she does not have to go home, where she lives with her abusive son and his mean wife. The maid makes phone calls at three in the afternoon in her maid's quarters, and, at first, Dr. Krantz does not care much because Rosa does her work. Rosa and Dr. Krantz have a somewhat silent relationship. Though the professor speaks Italian well and Rosa wishes to talk to him, he remains quiet. Rosa begins asking if she can leave at three on some days, and the professor agrees she can, if her work is done. One day, Rosa insists that Dr. Krantz give her advice, though the professor wants to maintain a professional relationship and not interfere in Rosa's life. But Rosa begins speaking about a man named Armando (who is the man she calls each day) who is married but in love with Rosa. He has offered Rosa shoes since her shoes have holes and are six-years-old. She asks the professor if she should accept them. The professor says she should not because, at this point, Rosa owes the married man nothing, but if she accepts the shoes, she will be indebted to him. Rosa says she does need new shoes and leaves. The next night, the professor, out of pity but also because he likes the work the maid does, buys Rosa a pair of shoes. She accepts them gratefully. Rosa tells Dr. Krantz that she is going to show Armando her new shoes, but he sees her leaving the house in a pair of shoes different than the ones he bought her. The professor fires Rosa for her dishonesty. After a bit of time, Rosa returns to the professor and begs for her job back. He gives it back to her because no maid does as good of a job as she does. Not long after, Rosa asks the professor for money to see a doctor because, even though she is forty-five, she thinks she is pregnant with Armando's baby. He gives the money to her, and, when he asks her how the doctor appointment went the next day, she tells the professor she bought a birthday present for her adult son with the money. The professor takes her to a doctor that lives in his building immediately, and the doctor tells Rosa she is not pregnant. Dr. Krantz then fires Rosa because he cannot become involved in her dramatic affairs, especially when his wife and daughter return to Rome. Armando comes to the professor's house to help collect Rosa's belongings. She takes everything except for the pair of shoes that Dr. Krantz bought her.