The story takes place on a manor in the late 18th century, where the widow Ane Marie's son is suspected of burning down a barn. If the lord of the manor hands him over to the authorities, it will mean prison or military service for an indefinite period. Therefore, Ane Marie makes a deal with the lord of the manor: her son will go free if Ane Marie can do the work of three men and mow a field from sunrise to sunset.