Eino, a Karelian soldier wounded in the Winter War, cannot settle into his new home in Häme. He becomes embittered by the poor treatment of evacuees and loses his will to live. Annikki, a hard-working Karelian teacher, helps Eino regain his faith in the future.

Merchant Iivari encounters significant challenges in his entrepreneurial career when Merthen, a commercial counselor, attempts to prevent his success. Merthen's daughter Verna falls in love with the honest Iivari, who is not acceptable as a son-in-law to the Merthen family.

Elsa lives in a childless marriage. But she longs for a baby. She is drawn to a man that could be the father of her long awaited child.

In 1850s Southern Ostrobothnia, the new county police chief angers the peasants with his arrogance, dishonesty and violent methods. Jussi, a young farmer, dares to stand up to the police chief. His courage makes on impression on the maidservant Liisa.