Young Kolya is in love with his singing teacher, but his life isn't easy. His father skips town after stealing some coins from a museum and his mother is sent to a labor camp as punishment. When the father returns a year later, Kolya becomes involved with the pretty young woman hired to nurse him.

Pavel Tarlov acts as a reviewer for his friend, who is going to defend his dissertation. Having delved into the work, he discovers in it a number of beautiful assumptions that are not confirmed by practice, and refuses to evaluate. Vadim reproaches Pavel for cruelty and refuses to work with him on the same expedition...