Afterhismother'sdeath,CollinFenwickgoestolivewithhisfather'scousins,thewealthy,avaricious,andcontrollingVerenaTalbo,andhercompliant,earthysisterDolly.WhenacityslickercomestotownandconvincesVerenatomarketDolly'slocally-famoustonic,Dollyfinallygetssomebackbone,refusestodivulgetheformula,andheadsforatreehousewithCollinandCatherine,theloyalmaid.Verena,whohasmostofthetowninherpocket,sicsthelawontherenegades.Dolly,Catherine,andCollinfindasupporterinaretiredjudge,CharlieCool,who'sattractedtoDolly.WillVerena'svenomwinout?Andwhataboutthatcityslicker?