Plot
David Carroll (Richard Barthelmess) arrives in the small town of Paris, Vermont, to take over the local newspaper, The Courier. He rents a room in the home of Mrs. Parker (Kathrin Clare Ward), whose family quickly becomes entangled in his life.
The following day, David meets Dot (Lila Lee), the town's most sophisticated young woman. Though initially wishing him polite luck, Dot finds herself unexpectedly intrigued by him.
Before long, David is all but maneuvered into marrying Allie Parker (Alice Day), Mrs. Parker’s daughter. When he proposes they live independently, Allie refuses to leave her family home. Her father (Lucien Littlefield) then suggests David pay off the $2,000 mortgage and move in with them. Reluctantly, David agrees—and soon finds himself married and living under the same roof with Allie’s entire intrusive family, including Charlie (Tom Dugan), Clara (Margaret Fielding), and even the baby (Garry Watson).
Despite the domestic chaos, David throws himself into revitalizing The Courier, and also writes a musical play for the Paris Ladies’ Guild. The production is a local hit, earning him brief satisfaction.
But home life becomes intolerable. Allie constantly sides with her meddling parents and siblings, leaving David increasingly frustrated. Finally, he announces that he is going to New York to try his luck promoting the play—and to escape the suffocating Parker household. Allie refuses to accompany him, so David departs alone, promising to send for her when he can afford to.
In New York, David crosses paths with Dot, now a successful costume designer in the theater world. By coincidence, they meet in the office of a producer whom David is trying to interest in his play. Thanks to Dot’s influence, the play is accepted and David achieves success. He rents a beautiful apartment and sends for Allie, determined to honor his marriage.
Though he and Dot have fallen in love, David remains committed to his vows. Understanding this, Dot quietly exits his life, telling him she is sailing to France.
When Allie finally arrives in New York, David hopes they can begin anew—free of her family. But a knock at the door reveals the Parkers, who have followed her. Enraged, David gives Allie an ultimatum: either she severs ties with her family or their marriage is over. Once again, Allie chooses her parents.
Resigned, David hands over the lease to the apartment, telling the Parkers they can have it—or ruin it—because he’s done. He rushes to the docks, where the ship Aquitania is preparing to depart. As it pulls away, he declares to the world—and to himself—that he is free.
