Mary Hagen vive en un pequeño pueblo de Ohio y asiste a Jordon Junior College. Durante años, ha habido susurros, rumores y chismes sobre quiénes son sus verdaderos padres. Cuando Tom Bates regresa a la ciudad, se hace cargo de la casa y practica que el juez Merrivale lo dejó cuando murió. Como Tom ha estado fuera varios años, esto lleva a más chismes y Mary cree que él es su padre. El popular y rico Ken ama a Mary, pero su familia y amigos le recuerdan constantemente que ella "no es uno de nosotros". Julia, una maestra de la escuela, anima a Mary, pero Mary no puede interrumpir nada de lo que hace o es acusada de hacer. Tom conoce la respuesta a su verdadera identidad y guarda silencio.

Mary Hagen lives in a small town in Ohio and goes to Jordon Junior College. For years, there has been whispers, rumors and gossip about who are her real parents. When Tom Bates returns to town, he takes over the house and practice that Judge Merrivale left him when he died. As Tom has been away a number of years, this leads to more gossip and Mary believes that he is her father. The popular and rich Ken loves Mary, but his family and friends constantly remind him that she is 'not one of us'. Julia, a teacher at school encourages Mary but Mary cannot get a break in anything she does, or is accused of doing. Tom knows the answer to her true identity, and he is silent.

Un'orfana, che molti credono figlia di una ricca fanciulla impazzita, divenuta adulta è oggetto di pettegolezzi e cattiverie che le rendono difficoltose le amicizie e i rapporti sociali. Informata sulle sue oscure origini da un'amica, ne chiede spiegazioni alla madre adottiva che nega ogni supposizione. Un avvocato, inoltre, fa cessare ogni maldicenza sposando la ragazza.