It is the Earl of Loam's whim to invite his servants once a month to the drawing room where they are treated as social equals. His daughter and friends are forced to serve them much to the distaste of Crichton, the butler, who knows his place. He accompanies the Earl on a yachting party with the three daughters, an affected young man and a sporting parson, as well as the lady's maid who is in love with Crichton. They are wrecked on a desert island and Crichton, at first imperceptibly, takes command and wins their devotion by his resourcefulness. The women vie for his favor. He chooses Lady Mary no longer indolent, but intensely vital for his wife. At this point a ship is seen in the offing and, with noble self-abnegation, Crichton signals to her. Back in England, all revert to their former positions.