Carelessness on the part of Johnny Roberts and the growing drudgery of married life causes an estrangement between Johnny and his wife Mary. The final break comes when Johnny, sick with a fever, returns home to be accused of drunkenness by Mary. Johnny leaves his wife to seek solace in Anne, the innkeeper's daughter, and the two live happily together until the outbreak of the war. When England is threatened, Johnny enlists and is sent to the front. In the meantime, Mary, with her little baby, seeks Anne out to ask for some of her husband's money to take care of the child. A mutual understanding springs up between the two women and upon Johnny's arrival home, the self-sacrificing Anne disappears and Johnny returns to his wife and child.
Mary is a teacher in a school for girls. Her life made her stern, subduing the softer qualities of her nature. Johnny Roberts comes into Mary's life. His salary is small, but he earns enough to furnish a flat, so they get married. At first Mary and Johnny were happy, but Johnny's habits began to grate on Mary's sensitiveness. Johnny found a pal in a dog he brought home, and the two became inseparable. Steadily the breach grew wider, and one evening, Johnny went out with his dog, and wandered through the streets, while Mary shed bitter tears. The lights of "The White Horse" attracted him, and he entered. He met Anne, the pretty barmaid, and his visits became more and more frequent. One eventful evening many of the "White Horse" boys left for the front. Johnny was weary, sick and feverish. Mary believed him drunk, and thoroughly angry, she had thrown a pillow and cover on the couch, saying, "You can sleep there. Your habits have disgusted me ever since we were married. I feel degraded and ashamed." All night Johnny wandered aimlessly, half delirious. Morning found him at "The White Horse." When Anne arrived, she found him, and had him sent to her lodgings. With the return of consciousness, Johnny cried, "I can't go home. She said I disgusted and degraded her. I'm not wanted there." Anne whispered, "You needn't go back, Johnny boy, stay here. I want yer all the time." Meanwhile, somewhere in France, many of the Cockneys were proving their worth. Johnny and many others decided to take up the cause. Many weeks before, Mary had followed Johnny from the office. Now, with a determined air, she approached Anne's lodgings and the two women met. Anne, infuriated by Mary's manner, and nettled by Mary's words, which predicted that Johnny would tire of her, raised the lamp, about to hurl it at Mary. They were interrupted by the dog, who seeing Mary, ran out. Together the two women followed to the flat, which presented a miserable aspect. Anne discovered Johnny's baby, which Johnny knew nothing about, and realized the baby was starving. Anne ignored Mary's protestations and took the baby home, while Mary followed. Later came the news that Johnny had been killed. Anne sank into a fever, and Mary saved her. Anne, delirious, raved of the night of Johnny's departure, "'E was lookin' fer you; I've lost 'im." A great understanding surged through Mary's soul. One night the landlady brought a letter. The report had been false, and Johnny was coming home. It was then that Anne made her renunciation, as she realized that in Mary lay Johnny's happiness. Down in the street came Johnny, walking slowly, for the war had taken his sight. In the shadow Anne waited, to lead him up the steps, where, unseen, she kissed his sleeve. With a brave smile she whispered, "Good luck, and God bless yer, Johnny," and ran out. Johnny passed into the room, where he found happiness.
