Moving from Kinraddie to the Segget, Chris Guthrie is now married to an idealistic minister. She struggles to understand the dark moods that engulf her new husband.

Political unrest grows in Segget as Chris dreams of having another child.

Testing times in Segget as Chris is met with suspicion and rumours, which upset Robert.

Chris and Robert are wearied by life as they increasingly find they can do little to help the townsfolk. The mills' demise leaves families homeless with devastating consequences.