Dr. Bob Graham had lost his own mother as a child and was raised by his kindly housekeeper, Miss Ellen Gollins. Now, 35 and still a bachelor as the story opens, Dr. Bob is visiting his best friend, Sam Ryder, when the letter arrives that will change his life. His old sergeantfrom the war, James Dexter, is on his deathbed. Dexter was his teacher on the responsibilities of manhood, Dr. Bob recalls, and may have saved his life as well. Graham vowed then that, should Dexter ever be in need, he (Graham) would "go all the way for him." Dexter's request: that Dr. Bob take in his soon-to-be-orphaned children.

Sam Ryder is aghast. How could Graham have made such a promise? Both men are surprised at the arrival of the "children," a matched set of lovely young ladies, identical in everything except temperament. Soon a four-way bond exists, with Sam Ryder taking to Janet first as her tormentor and later as her best friend. Dr. Bob tries to maintain an "older brother" demeanor, but it's soon evident that Ruth Ann has stronger feelings.