Swedish village life, fairly modern but not contemporary, as setting for a story of young Klas, who from being the village good-for-nothing, becomes a figure in the community as winner of an art prize for his sculpture. The arrival of an American girl whose friendship he wants, keeps him on his toes, and he does his part in helping the girl's father save his bank and build the village into a thriving town. Good atmospheric background, but plot is loose and characters routine.