Captain Woolcot is embarrassed by the antics of his seven mischievous children: Meg, Pip, Judy, Nell, Bunty, Baby and "The General" when they interrupt a dinner given for the Captain's new Commanding Officer.
Judy arrives home, worn out and ill, but makes the other children promise not to let Esther or the Captain know, for fear of being sent back to school.
While the Captain spends a lonely time at Misrule, his family enjoy their country holiday. Meg begins to fall in love with the property manager, Dick Gillet, but is disillusioned when she discovers he is an alcoholic.
On the last day of their holiday at Yarrahappini, Esther accompanies her father to a ball and the children go off for a picnic, which comes to a sad end.