This is a story about a woman who can't seem to let go of the Old South and its traditions. Regina Wainwright used to be married to a man from "the right kind of family" and lived in a big plantation house called Fair Oaks that was in her husband's family for generations. Now her husband is deceased and the estate's money ran out a long time ago. She lives in a rooming house, is confined to a wheelchair, and gets regular visits from her brother and her daughter who's a school teacher. It's her daughter that she depends upon for money and care. Tradition, family, and breeding are important to Mrs. Wainwright. She keeps a picture of her elegant old home on the wall of her living room.
Her daughter Margaret meets Peter Miller (actor David Janssen), a young engineer in town for a couple of weeks working at an oil field. Mrs. Wainwright finds out that Peter was raised by an aunt after his parents died when he was a baby. And he's not interested in tradition or learning about his Boston roots. Mrs. Wainwright isn't impressed. Margaret and Peter fall in love after a one-week courtship and Peter asks Margaret to marry him. It's very romantic and David Janssen in his prime is swoon-worthy. Yet Margaret feels obligated to stay with her mother. And Mrs. Wainwright is selfish enough to keep Margaret by her side rather than allow her daughter to follow her heart.
Her daughter Margaret meets Peter Miller (actor David Janssen), a young engineer in town for a couple of weeks working at an oil field. Mrs. Wainwright finds out that Peter was raised by an aunt after his parents died when he was a baby. And he's not interested in tradition or learning about his Boston roots. Mrs. Wainwright isn't impressed. Margaret and Peter fall in love after a one-week courtship and Peter asks Margaret to marry him. It's very romantic and David Janssen in his prime is swoon-worthy. Yet Margaret feels obligated to stay with her mother. And Mrs. Wainwright is selfish enough to keep Margaret by her side rather than allow her daughter to follow her heart.