Peter Hungerford, the kindhearted proprietor of a London clothing store, loses both his business and his wife, Adele, when she runs off with his savings and his clerk, Oscar. Forced into bankruptcy, Peter becomes the manager of a cheese business owned by his patron, the Earl of Denham. Also joining the company is Paula, Peter's former cashier. Aware of the earl's amorous intentions toward Paula, Peter watches over her. The frustrated earl fires Peter, but he is overcome with remorse and soon rehires him. Later, the creditors who took over Peter's store request that he return as manager. He accepts, then upbraids Paula when she declares her intention to stay on as the earl's companion. Paula realizes that she loves Peter and follows him back to the shop, where she takes charge of him and his affairs on a permanent basis.—AFI