Illiterate Olof (Rolf Lassgård) inherits the family farm after his mother's death and relies upon his friend Erik (Johan Widerberg) for help with all the paperwork and correspondence. When Olof places an ad for a female housekeeper, Ellen (Helena Bergström) applies for the post, and within a short time of her arrival the unlikely pair start to fall for each other. Afraid of being replaced in his friend's affections, Erik discovers Ellen is already married and schemes to break up the couple.