when the sommerfields' son, jeff (richard carlson), returns unexpectedly after a year and a half away studying the eskimos, he introduces the family to his new fiancee, mathematician sylvia norwood (frances drake). this upsets martha greatly, although she manages to hide it. it turns out that just before he left on his expedition, jeff got drunk and married martha. when he sobered up, he had second thoughts. as he had to leave almost immediately, he gave martha money to get an annulment or a divorce. unbeknownst to him, she did not do so, as she was in love with him. instead, she took night classes to make herself more acceptable to his social class. jeff is surprised to find her still working for his family. when he discovers they are still married, he insists she get the marriage dissolved so he can wed sylvia.