David Mitchell has died, leaving his wife, Ciss, to bring up their three kiddies--eight and a half year old Marie, seven year old Sidney, and ten month old Donald. If this weren't enough, Ciss, together with her sister, Isa, have to manage and run their fledgling bakery business. This is their story--only one part of a wider story about the Atkinson family, presided over by the formidable presence of the family matriarch, Maria, and her husband, James Atkinson.
This installment follows the family from 1921 to 1934 as they continue to experience the joys of new love, marriages, and children as well as the loss of beloved family members. Through all this, they continue to improve their lot in life by growing sucessful businesses and taking advantage of the advancements of the early twentieth century.