Wealthy eccentric recluse Mary Jane Baxter returns to her home in New York after a long absence. She is harassed by relatives who are determined to have her declared unfit to administer her money, because she buys an entire plot of land for her dog, Aubrey, to run in, thereby preventing the construction of a skyscraper. She is also lambasted by the press for squandering her wealth on Aubrey. While on a carriage ride in the park, three poverty row boys, Blackie, Flash and Doc, nearly crash their jalopy, causing her carriage to overturn. Doc, who needs an operation on his leg and dreams of becoming a physician, determines that Mary Jane needs medical attention, takes her home and treats her. Despite his blusterings, their adoptive father Tony Orsatti helps to take care of her. In the meantime, Mary Jane's business manager has determined that Mary Jane has been kidnapped, and a nationwide search is implemented. A gang of criminals led by Benton decides to take advantage of the situation and kidnap her in earnest, and searches for Aubrey, hoping he will lead them to her. When Mary Jane reads an article about herself in which the Lunacy Commission declares she will be confined when found because her love of Aubrey proves she is neurotic, she refuses to leave Tony's apartment and threatens to prosecute anyone who reveals her location. Although Mary Jane is initially imperious, prompting the kids to nickname her "Queenie," she soon softens, and offers sound advice to Tony's daughter Julia, who is in love with Blackie, and comfort to the boys. Mary Jane is kidnapped by Benton, and Blackie, who is under the gang's influence, is coerced into helping force Mary Jane to sign a ransom note. Blackie calls the police, but Benton overhears and shoots him. To entrap Benton's gang, the police run a false article proclaiming that Blackie is dead, which prompts Benton to arrange to trade Mary Jane for ransom money. Benton goes to the pick-up point himself, but is captured by the police, who are led to the gang hideout by Blackie. Blackie rescues Mary Jane, but when Benton's thugs catch him, she hides in the trunk of their car. Finally, the police catch the criminals, and Mary Jane is forced to live in a sanitarium. At a hearing to determine Mary Jane's sanity, Tony and the boys testify to Mary Jane's motherly kindness, and a representative of a hospital testifies that Mary Jane has been donating money to the hospital. Finally, Mary Jane speaks for herself, saying that although she has always had money, she had no love until she encountered Tony's family, and that she has no intention of letting Doc or any other child go through life crippled. Mary Jane is released into the custody of Tony's family and returns home to collect $50,000 as a wedding present for Julia and Blackie.