Ralph was raised by a kindly, but doting mother after Ralph’s father died in an industrial accident. His mother limited his social interactions by Ralph’s peer group or school activities. A week after Ralph graduated from high school, his mother died of a heart attack, leaving Ralph with the entire family assets, including the fully-paid home. Ralph meets a young girl,Emily, under similar circumstances with alph offering his home to house her. The book demonstrates how both Ralph and Emily grow into adulthood, despite their backgrounds, marry and have two children.