Carpenter and widower MacNeil takes a blunt approach in making advances to lady executive Miss Saville who works in the same firm as himself. His belief in his instincts regarding women is contradicted by his daughter Mary, who knows him better than he thinks.

Mary must deal with the smooth charm of playboy Cornelius, who becomes besotted with her.

Mary MacNeil drifts into a complex relationship with a Welsh barrister.