Dilys Parry, an inconsolable Crimean War widow, lives in Blestin, a village which has no children, sin's no son's, and worships no god since a disaster snatched away all its youth. She is gradually re-awakened to life once a Miracle boy's influence begins to permeate her home and the village. A flashy showman turns up intending to exploit the boy but becomes his world-forsaking disciple. The boy restores a dead man to life but dies himself in agony.