In this film, set in Latvia in the late 19th century, the coachman Edgars loves Kristīne, a washerwoman's daughter, although he is too hot-headed for Kristīne's mother to consider him a good suitor for her daughter. The servant Vīskrelis and stable boy Sutka try to tempt Edgars to a life of drinking and a relationship with the barmaid Matilde. Meanwhile, Kristīne is courted by the rich landowner Akmentiņš, whom she ends up jilting at the altar