Following the death of his mother, the young Edmund lives alone with his father in the family castle. He saw the arrival of a very dim view a housekeeper, Mrs. Kinshaw and his son Charles. A psychological struggle and both physical only then proceeds to see who is "the lord of the castle." Of course, children are not angels but this story is still seems very excessive. The confrontation between Edmund (to clear schizoid traits) and Charles (calm child but unsure of himself, whose violence will gradually wake up) is often slow and repetitive. The trouble is gradually gaining until tragic outcome that ultimately almost relieves the reader!