The story opens as an ocean liner makes its stately way from San Francisco to Yokohama. Mr. Craig, the sophisticated and widely travelled narrator of the story, amuses himself by watching two seemingly naive passengers, who spend their time sitting, knitting, and watching the social whirl of shipboard routine. A collision at sea sinks the ship, and the narrator finds himself adrift with these two widows, who begin to astonish him with the range of useful objects they have prudently brought along.

When they land on the deserted island, the castaways discover a vacant house.

This mysterious dwelling provides an appropriate setting for their talents; the kitchen offers scope for their considerable culinary skills, and the garden only needs tending to be productive. As the women set about making a life for themselves, the tolerant superiority which Mr. Craig has manifested towards the women begins to give way...