A mysterious traveler encounters Dr. Mirjami and Inga on the road. They lure the young man to a boarding house, where their husbands already live, along with the poet Annikki, the boarding house landlady Mrs. Soisalo, and her lover Einar. All four women feel attracted to the traveler, who begins to receive anonymous love letters.

1892. Vappu Biörcke and Kaarlo Härkönen get to know each other during the summer in the countryside at the birthday of Vappu Jalle-sedä. In Helsinki, the young people continue their courtship under the supervision of Vapu's aunt, Moster Mella. However, Vapu's father, business advisor Ossian Biörcke, is not as accepting when his daughter's actions begin to be revealed.

Marjatta lives in poor conditions in Tampere with her widowed father Arttu who works as a factory worker. Marjatta gets to know engineering student Pauli whose constantly worsening mental health problems and jealousy become a threat to Marjatta and her close circle.

Reino Köyri the son of a wealthy house falls off a horse and ends up at Liuhala's cottage to be treated by Venla. There he falls in love with the daughter of the house Anna. The couple’s cohabitation is hampered by previous commitments and ambiguities in kinship.

Esko makes a bet that he will marry the first young woman he encounters. This turns out to be Kirsti, who promptly turns down the proposals. But when she finds about the bet, she agrees to marry him in order to get her revenge.

Helsinki judge Wilhelm Thorén arrives to investigate the financial mess at Niementaustan Manor. The estate of the declining Carenius noble family is on the verge of bankruptcy and should be put up for sale.

Tornionjokilaakso at the end of the 19th century, Paloniemi's landlord Heikki tries to get out of his financial difficulties with the help of his son Juhan and Nuottaniemi's only daughter Hanna. The happiness of Hanna, who has fallen in love with Antti of Rehti Koskenalusta, is threatened by the evil and dangerous Korpikoski.

Aarne marries Martta because his mother tells him it is his duty as the eldest son to marry a wealthy girl. However, the attractive school teacher Ilona arrives in the village and causes complications when Aarne falls in love with her.

Tom Mack falls in love with fashion designer Leila Linna. Romance develops, with a little diamond smuggling to keep things interesting.

Martha's problem is balancing work and family. According to her husband Juho and father-in-law Kalle, the mother's place is at home with the child and not at work. Only her mother-in-law Ilona encourages Martta to advance in her career.