In January 1943, Ann Hilton is an upper-middle-class housewife living in a Midwestern town near a military base with her two teenage daughters, Jane and Bridget "Brig". Anna's beloved husband Tim Hilton volunteered for the US Army during World War II. Ann has just returned from seeing her husband off at Camp Claiborne, and she and her daughters must adjust to Tim's absence and make other sacrifices for the war effort, including food rationing; planting a garden of victory; refusing the services of their faithful maid Fidelia, who nonetheless offers to continue working part-time for the Hiltons, refusing wages; and hosting the boarder, the grouchy retired Colonel Smollett. As the Hiltons ride the train in a failed attempt to see Tim one last time before he sets off, they meet or travel with many other people whose lives have been affected by the war, and they end up unable to see Tim because their train delays to allow the supply train to pass first. In contrast, the Hiltons' socialite neighbor Emily Hawkins complains about the inconvenience caused by the war and behaves in an unsupportive manner, such as hoarding food and criticizing the Hiltons' efforts.