richard harland an author, and his son, danny, are visiting richard's attorney and friend, glen for the summer. richard is a widower whose wife was killed in a car accident that crippled danny. when they arrive, a beautiful woman, ellen berent, catches richard's eye and it is revealed that she is also staying at glen's with her mother, margaret, and sister, ruth. glen tries to dissuade richard from pursuing ellen by mentioning her engagement to russell quinton, but a smitten richard tells him to mind his own business. ellen is also taken with richard and ends her engagement with russell to be with richard.