It begins with two men visiting a house in Jefferson to serve a warrant for the two McCallum brothers, who have not registered for selective service (draft evasion.)
One of the officials, a local marshal, holds an affinity for the family, a member of whom has been involved in a terrible accident at work.
The other official, Pearson, a draft investigator, is anxious to act according to his preconceptions regarding "country people" and arrest the brothers so he can catch his returning train.
The investigator then finds himself burying an amputated leg with the marshal, who politely but forcefully insinuates his support for the family's approach to the law.
Pearson is forced to confront the truth that there are some who do not shirk duty as much as embrace it to such a degree that mere government directives pale in comparison.