Having been struck down with pneumonia, Paul finds himself staying at the Leivers' farm to recuperate, where he meets their daughter Miriam. She finds herself attracted to Paul and tells him of her frustration of living on the farm and lack of opportunities for women. Paul agrees to teach her mathematics, but his mother Gertrude is less than impressed when she learns about Miriam. But Walter Morel is in for a bigger shock when he learns that his youngest son Arthur has signed up to join the army.