A beautiful young governess keeps a family from destroying itself in this sensitive, affecting drama. Emilie Gallatin (Ingrid Bergman), a gentle and affectionate foreign girl, comes into an American home to serve as the governess for Adam's (Warner Baxter) four sons. Her devotion and innate strength sees the family through the death of Adam's wife (Fay Wray) and the financial failure of his business. Then, the family is nearly torn apart when one of the boys marries Hester (Susan Hayward). Emilie learns of the hatred and jealousy the new bride is causing through her infidelity, and attempts to enlighten the rest of the family an effort that nearly results in her discharge. Adam, however, finally realizes how right Emilie has been, and together they discover the love that has grown between them over the years.