Before her death, Anu's mother promises her daughter to the wealthy Junu of Ukonmäki. Anu loves the carpenter Mikko, who, upon hearing of Junu's engagement, leaves for Helsinki. However, Mikko misses Anu and his homeland, to which he returns with modern ideas of factory work and efficiency.
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.
