The story is laid in 1831 in rural Indiana, then the western frontier of the United States. Ralph Hartsook drifts into Flat Creek District and before he leaves he demonstrates that "l'arnin'" is a keener-edged tool than "lickin." Before the arrival of the schoolmaster in Flat Creek, Hannah Thompson, a girl educated beyond her surroundings, sensitive and of a retiring disposition, had been bound out as a servant in the Means household. She becomes a drudge and a slave because she is not made of the stuff necessary to combat the brutality of the Means. Under the soiled clothes of the bound girl Ralph sees the "Queen rose of the rosebud garden of girls." Strong as her aversion is to education, Mrs. Means does not object to taking it into the family and she plans that Ralph marry her daughter. Where Ignorance errs Vanity is wise. She detests Ralph as a schoolmaster, but would boast of him as a son-in-law.