The Ripley family has two children, a daughter named Eloise and a son named Edgar. Mr. Ripley is a strict man and owns a store. One day Mr. Ripley realizes he needs someone to help in the store, and he takes Edgar out of school. Edgar resents his father for this but has to obey. The parents also think very little of their daughter. They believe she isn't pretty and won't get a husband because her only good quality is her cooking ability. Edgar works in the store for a couple of years before he begs his parents to let him work in Montana on a ranch. The parents let him, and after Edgar works on the farm for a while, he sends a letter to his father. In the letter, Edgar says that his father ruined his life. Since he was taken out of school, Edgar can only do manual labor. This letter shocks the father, and he reevaluates his parenting skills. Mr. Ripley sends money to Edgar to get a job in Seattle, and they put Eloise in college. In college, Eloise becomes engaged to a man named Burt Brown. The family is thrilled, but they begin to worry when Burt doesn't make plans for a wedding. Burt claims he has to finish schooling, but he still doesn't marry Eloise when he graduates. A war occurs, and Burt is drafted to fight, but when he returns home after the war, he still doesn't commit. Mr. Ripley has become gravely ill at this point. He fears he will die soon and is determined to have his daughter marry Burt. Mr. Ripley makes Eloise write a letter to Burt about marriage, and Ripley's call for a pastor to plan a wedding at the house. Burt only lives 40 minutes away, and Burt succumbs to the pressure. He comes to Ripley's house, and the wedding ceremony begins. Mr. Ripley lays in his bed, too weak to move. The minister starts officiating the wedding, and Burt looks at Mr. Ripley. Mr. Ripley believes Burt sees something in him, but he doesn't care since his daughter is finally getting married.