Kerttu Mäkinen, a country girl, leaves for the city to find work and attend evening school. She meets Martti Alamaa, a student who is also looking for work and a place to live. Kerttu and Martti end up working as kitchen helpers for the Kolkkula family. Soon, Kerttu finds herself being courted not only by Martti, but also by Arvi, the family's eldest son. The situation is further complicated by an inheritance Kerttu receives from her aunt in America.