Mary Colbrook, a widowed mother with seven children, through poor business management is faced with poverty though she is determined to educate her children and give them every advantage. In her absence, Muriel and Reginald, the eldest, are besieged by creditors; but Mary arrives with money from Rudlin, a banker of bad reputation, and partially clears her debts. Muriel, engaged to marry Lynn Willard, a well-to-do youth, is shocked at her mother's actions and plans to sacrifice herself to Rudlin to clear their obligation. Caroline, the sister of Mary's husband, arrives, and by cold scheming turns the children against their mother, with the exception of young Bill, who inherits the fortune of a neighboring spinster, Miss Crosby. Mary discovers noble qualities in Rudlin; and after convincing Muriel of her foolishness, she accepts him as her future husband.