Bata, orphaned by her mother, has gone through a long way of life, and witnessed a lot - the fall of feudalism, revolution, and changing times. He got married and raised nine children, but his love for the girl from his village followed him until the end of his life.

Impoverished old nobleman Bekina insists on marrying a wife, but his son Platon does not want to have sharer in father's inheritance. Platon finds two times widowed and childless bride for Bekina, but a fate makes fun of him.