Aarne Niskavuori falls in love with the village's new teacher Ilona Ahlgren. The internal struggle between duty (his wife Marta and Niskavuori’s house) and passion (Ilona) ends with him acknowledging his love for Ilona. When the relationship is revealed, Martta arranges a hearing where the situation becomes clear to everyone. Grandmother Loviisa is content with the defeat and says goodbye to her son, who leaves the city with Ilona.