Henry has left the family farm and works as a labourer. His two brothers remain. One is a would-be artist haunted by visions, the other a bully. When father dies, his mother and Aunt Hilda harass him to return home. He glimpses a page from a diary, some secret that must be kept from his brothers and him. Plenty of women fancy Henry, but his heart is set on Amelia, the daughter of a rich landowner. A neighbouring farmer becomes his friend, leading to a dispute with his own mother. He seeks the help of a local solicitor, but the village establishment is against him. It is 1930 and technology is changing. Henry must find his way.