Ruth Delane is a beautiful and wealthy young woman who falls in love with Kirk, a charming but penniless artist. Despite the objections of her father and her aunt, the eccentric and overbearing Laura Delane Porter, Ruth marries Kirk and they have a son, Bill. However, Kirk is unable to provide for his family and leaves to seek his fortune in South America. In his absence, Laura takes over the care of Bill and imposes her strict and peculiar ideas of hygiene and eugenics on the child. When Kirk returns, he is horrified by the changes that have taken place and a bitter struggle ensues between him and Laura for the custody of Bill.