COCKERMOUTH FARM Charlotte Gray asks Bryan Powell, the local school teacher, to be godfather to her young son, Richard, knowing he would ensure the child gets a good education. From a distance, Cockermouth Farm looks to be in a pleasant spot, a glimpse of mown fields, bright, translucent greenness against the purple of the moor. But to Charlotte, it was a hungry farm, needing never-ending toil. Her husband, Albert, is a hard task-master and wants more children for the farm; lads to drive cattle, load hay, sow and plough; lasses to scrub and bake, to milk and churn. But Charlotte's left weak and tormented after giving birth to another stillborn child. Young Richard becomes afraid of his mother, turning more and more to the help, Megan Godhill who's fond of the boy and promises never to leave him. Charlotte loses her mind after the birth of a daughter and attempts to take Richard's life. When she's shut away in an asylum, Megan takes over her duties and the caring of Richard. But Megan's father discovers she's pregnant by Albert Gray and marries her off to the unsuspecting Ted Morgan, and she breaks her promise by never going to see Richard again. As the years pass and Richard is grown, he takes over the farm after his father's death and battles with the land and his memories. When the lovely Ruby Kimball comes into his life, everything changes and he desperately wants to take her as his wife, but has nothing to offer but Cockermouth Farm and endless chores. Hungry and barren the hills might be, but Ruby Kimball sees only beauty in them. Will Richard's love be returned? Will fate take a turn and enable him to marry her? Or will he go the way of his parents - toiling day in and day out until the farm wears him down and breaks his spirit?