Katya doesn't know much about the lives of those who aren't aristocrats. Her friend Misha puts down the Tsar whenever possible but Katya's mother is his wives friend soon to be lady-in-waiting. Misha shows her the life of the poor women and the kids that their school is a paper factory. She tries to send a letter to the Tsar put is told those things aren't important for the Tsar is busy with other things. War hits Russia and the Revolution puts all Katya loves in danger. Her world gets turned completely upside down and she finds out about peasants life a lot more then she'd like to know.
