Julie Beck (Maureen O'Hara) doesn't tell her husband, theatrical director William Weatherly (John Payne), about her heart condition, but yearns for the child she always wanted while she has time. Although Bill is less enthused, Julie finds young orphan Hitty (Connie Marshall), and they soon adopt her. Julie and Hitty grow close as she helps the girl come to care for Bill. When Julie dies suddenly, Bill rejects Hitty's attempt to comfort him -- but with Julie's ghost guiding her, Hitty persists.