The story is set in Madrid at the end of the 19th century. Benina is Doña Paca's elderly maid, widow of a senior government official who has fallen into the worst misery. To feed Doña Paca and her children, Antoñito and Obdulia, Benina begins to beg, pretending to her mistress that her income comes from the half-service she performs in the house of an imaginary priest, Don Romualdo. Benina also extends her charitable activity to Frasquito Ponte, an old dandy who has fallen into poverty, and to Almudena, a blind Moroccan colleague of hers. Benina also patiently endures the tantrums of Doña Paca, unaware of the sacrifices made by her maid, and the jealousy of Almudena who would like Benina to become her wife.… (more)