Maid Sally revolves around a young girl who lives in poverty with a woman who neither shows much kindness nor cruelty towards her. Filled with dreams of escaping her hard life and learning to read and write, the girl is spurred on by her imaginative nature and a fragment of a fairy tale she once heard. The opening introduces the girl as she is drawn to the enchanting world of a grand estate nearby and to her struggles under the care of the woman. Daydreams and fantasies intertwine with her stark reality, where she yearns for knowledge and the freedom to be a child. After overhearing a story about a fairy that allows children to drift off into a splendid dreamland, she is left longing for a similar escape. The first chapter captures her reluctance to return home and her desire to engage with a potential learning opportunity, setting the stage for her journey of growth and self-discovery.
Harriet A. Cheever was an American author known for her contributions to literature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She wrote a variety of works, including novels, short stories, and children's books, often exploring themes of social dynamics, personal growth, and relationships. Cheever's writing often depicted vivid, compelling characters and settings, reflecting her interest in the complexities of human nature and society. Her works gained attention for their emotional depth and keen insights into human experiences. Although she was not as widely celebrated as some of her contemporaries, Cheever's stories captured the spirit of her time, focusing on the lives of women and their social roles, often from a lens of empathy and understanding. The author’s life, though less documented, showed her to be deeply involved in the literary scene, contributing to the landscape of American fiction in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Harriet A. Cheever was the daughter of a well-regarded family, with her works reflecting her thoughtful approach to life and culture.