Griffith interweaves two tales of one family: A stern father rules his family by what he thinks to be the Bible's precepts, but it is simply the influence of his own narrow mind. Hence when his boy suggests going to a barn dance, he flies into a rage and commands that the boy remain at home. The boy, however, becomes rebellious and goes, and for this act of disobedience the father drives him from the house and forces the rest of the family to swear never to mention his name again. It's soon revealed that father does have a soft spot and misses the boy. Mary's not-so-bright suitor, the local smith, asks for her hand. When her brother does return to the old home to reconcile, Mary's partner believes her to be unfaithful.