follows wealthy orphan Samantha Parkington in 1904 New York, who befriends poor servant girl Nellie O'Malley next door, bridging class divides as Samantha's Uncle Gardner brings his suffragette fiancée, Cornelia, leading to adventures that challenge Samantha's sheltered life and involve a plot to rescue Nellie from a harsh orphanage, highlighting themes of friendship, social class, and women's rights as Samantha embraces her new family and values