Colonel Crompton, a bachelor, and his nephew, Charles, live in a house adjoining that of Matilda Scraggs, an old maid, whose niece, Nell, is very much in love with the bachelor's nephew. The old folks are neighborly neighbors until one day the colonel's dog bites the old maid's cat and the trouble begins. The colonel declares his nephew must pay no more attention to Nell. The old maid forbids her niece to speak to Charles. The young folks, however, carry on their courtship just the same over the fence which divides the rear courts to their adjoining houses. The elders tear them apart whenever they catch them in conversation, and so persistent are they in their endeavors to separate the young couple that Charles and Nell secretly make an agreement to change their tactics and pretend to quarrel. This has the desired effect on the old people, who are contrary enough to induce the young people to make up again, especially as Charles makes himself quite agreeable to the old maid and Nell captivates the colonel. The deception of the pretended quarrel is so cleverly carried out by the young couple that the elders become quite discouraged in their vain efforts to reunite them. The old maid hits upon a plan and invites the colonel and his nephew to an afternoon tea in her garden. The colonel, of course, accepts the invitation and attends promptly, accompanied by his nephew. Over their tea and cake the colonel mildly discusses the strange attitude of the young people, and after much advice and good counsel, the elders bring about, as they think, a most satisfactory reconciliation of the young couple.