A photographer takes a picture of four generations of the same family - an ancient German country great-grandfather, his now-distant son Charlie who went to live in the city, Charlie's daughter Kittie who grew up so cultured she rejected her family, and Kittie's sheltered little girl, Phyllis. Some other family members gather to watch in awe and happiness, chatting amongst themselves. After the picture is taken, the family members each begin to reflect on their decaying relationships with one another. Charlie wishes he had raised Kittie differently so that his daughter enjoyed his company. Grandpa wishes he could talk to Charlie, but his son seems foreign with his automobile waiting nearby and his city mannerisms. Kittie wishes she could leave her unfamiliar family home. In a moment of peace, Grandpa and Phyllis stumble across one another's paths. Grandpa sings Phyllis an ancient German country song, and she says she likes it very much. Then, as if in fear, she leaves to find her mother.