[1] Percy Bixby, a bookkeeper, steals money from his company to pretend he earns $50 a week and seduce Stella Brown.

Later, the new boss at his company notices Percy doesn't take holidays, and shies away from him.

Finally, Percy has moved into a boarding house and tells his boss he can pay him less for the debt to be paid back more quickly, as he doesn't need as much money any more.

It has been noted that the story was influenced by John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress.

[2] The story has been singled out for portraying a "new woman", that is one who is financially independent.