Though Iris Stern considers herself a modern woman, with a successful academic career and a happy marriage, she still holds steadfast to her old-fashioned sensibilities. But as the mother of three adult children, each with their own lives and burdens to bear, she often finds those sensibilities called into question when confronted with the choices her children have made.

Cassie Wright, owner of Wright Glassworks, takes in one year old Gwen after a tragic accident and raises her as her own. Jewel Fairbanks enters the lives of Cassie and Gwen. Jewel envies Gwen. Both Jewel and Gwen marry, Jewel marries a shrewd businessman and Gwen a honest hardworking man who works for the company that Jewel's husband owns.