Loretta, the main protagonist, ends her relationship with her old lover Billy. She is sent by her sister Daisy and her sister’s husband, Captain Kitt, to the Hemingway residence to spend some time away from the jilted lover Billy. The latter is trying ever so hard to maintain contact with Loretta and force her to marry him. At the Hemingway residence, Mrs. Hemingway decides that Loretta is a gentle and straightforward soul worthy of a good husband. She decides to introduce her old lover Edward Bashford or Ned (his nickname) to Loretta. Mrs. Hemingway tries to make Ned fall in love with Loretta and succeeds dramatically.