J. F. Powers’s story takes place in a Catholic church rectory on the 59th birthday of the resident priest, Father Firman. Mrs. Stoner, the titular valiant woman, is his housekeeper. She makes a cake as part of the birthday meal that she serves him and his dinner guest, Father Nulty. As they prepare to eat the cake, she criticizes Father Firman about the way he lights the cake’s candle. Mrs. Stoner, who is a widow, has her own room in the house and over the years has taken on a role more like the priest’s wife than just his housekeeper. She seems to take an active role in the parish management, as well as do cooking and other household tasks.
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