Lauretta's mother faints, falls on the floor while vacuuming and gets hospitalized. The 30-year-old cashier, alone in the apartment, finds an old letter among her mother's belongings - a letter that could have changed her life.

Eighteen year old Ida returns home after being raised by nuns, but her father isn't too pleased. Determined to see her married, he publishes an ad and offers suitors a generous dowry.