Cripple and his friends are one of the many gangs of children whose only homes are the streets of the slums and the roofs of the factory buildings; the only places where a little warmth is to be had.

They are ragged, half-starved factory children fighting hard for survival, even amongst themselves. At the same time, the group offers shelter and help to survive in a hostile world.

The action of the play takes place on the roof of an old warehouse, in Houndsditch, London, on a bitter winter's night in mid-19th century England.