In the story, a group of women, despite their busy lives, repeatedly come together in Rosedale. They navigate through the frustrations of preparing for a gathering, expressing their grievances about the lost time and the pressures associated with their children’s appearances. However, their shared experiences and memories from childhood create a bond among them that transcends their complaints.

This gathering is not merely about their host, Miss Marsalles; it represents a connection to a more structured, nostalgic way of life that has been eroding over time. The women, drawn together by this common thread, reflect on the persistence of these rituals in Miss Marsalles's living room, highlighting the significance of their shared past and the comfort it brings amid the chaos of their current lives.