Tom Rumford was born in the South but raised by pacifist Quaker relatives in the North and taught not to fight. When he returns to the South as a young man, he is tormented by the local bullies for his refusal to brawl, culminating in shaming his family when he refuses to duel with Maj. Patterson over Tom's cousin Elvira. Tom is branded a coward by everyone except Elvira's sister Lucy, who secretly loves him. Tim finally hatches a plan that he believes will result in his getting back in the good graces of his family.