It is the second part of the Italian trilogy, preceded by Bread, Love and Dreams and followed by Scandal in Sorrento.

Antonio (Vittorio De Sica) is in love with the midwife Annarella (Marisa Merlini), knowing that she has a son.

Both of them are in love with each other, until the father of the kid, who also serves in the military, appears and, with the help of the priest Don Emidio (Virgilio Riento), is reunited with his son.

Having to spend the next twenty months far from the village, Pietro (Roberto Risso) asks the marshal to take care of Maria (Gina Lollobrigida).

Despite not being happy to spend time with the captain, because of her poverty and her need to collect the dowry, she goes to serve at the marshal’s house, since his maid, Caramella (Tina Pica), is ill.