The main characters are the artist Bertel von Bjelke and Hilkka Kanno the adopted daughter of the town councilor. Bertel is in love with Hilka, who, however, behaves badly with the artist. This does not prevent the artist from asking for the girl's hand from the town councilor Kanno, who accepts his friend's request. Kanto stresses, however, that the final decision is up to his daughter.
Eero Luotola is a pilot operating in Kalliosaari, whose crush is Annikki, who lives in the same village. They have known each other since childhood and have promised to get married at some point.
The baron who owns the estate and factory does not approve of his daughters' honest but non-aristocratic and poor suitors. The older sister, Margareta, does not want to leave agronomist Mauno, and the younger sister, Helvi, does not want to leave paper master apprentice Toivo.
