Clara Hilton (Margaret Rutherford) is a shrewd, kindly old lady mostly ignored by the rest of her family. When her cantankerous uncle Simon (A. E. Matthews) dies, he unexpectedly leaves her the bulk of his considerable estate - his house, six racing greyhounds, a crooked game, a pub and a brothel - because she alone would see to the well-being of those dependent on him. Clara keeps Simon’s valet Henry Martin (Ronald Shiner) on to assist her.