Poor but ambitious country girl Hulda arrives in the country's capital and gets a job as a maid for a bachelor Member of Parliament, Judge Soratie. She works hard, never loses her common sense, and starts taking evening classes. Keeping her studies secret from her employer for years, she eventually graduates from the university and becomes candidate in the parliamentary election, stressing women's and working people's rights. Romance with Judge Soratie finally ensues.

After many years away a woman returns to her hometown in Lapland with her husband. There she falls in love with a handsome forester.

The priest's daughter, Vappu Kankare first irritates and then admires the ambitious habitant, Jalmar "Jali" Kinnunen. After the studies, Vappu and Jali get married, but the marriage is disappointing.

Olli, the spoiled young heir of the Koivumäki manor, is separated from his family and brought to Sweden by his cousin. After running away to Finland, he ends up in an educational institution, from where he escapes with the help of his friend Ränni Pelle and returns to his parents.