The play takes place at a farmhouse in New England in 1850. The owner of the farm is Ephraim Cabot. He has three sons: Simeon, Peter, and Eben. Simeon and Peter are his older sons from his first marriage, and Eben is the youngest from his second marriage. At the play's opening, the sons live alone on the farm, and Cabot has been gone for two months without any word. Simeon and Peter work the farm, and Eben takes care of the house. Simeon and Peter talk about going to California for the Gold Rush. They don't get along well with Eben, and none of the sons get along with their father. Eben thinks the farm should belong to him since it was his mother's, and he blames his father for his mother's death. Eben hears in town that his father has married again. He tells his brothers and convinces them to sign their share of the farm over to him in exchange for the money he's found hidden under the kitchen floor. They eventually agree and prepare to leave for California. As they are going, Cabot arrives with his new wife, Abbie. Simeon and Peter are happy to say goodbye to their father and make fun of him for being married again. Abbie tries to befriend Eben, but he's resentful of her because he believes her presence will rob him of the farm. There is tension and attraction between them.

Two months after Abbie’s arrival, she and Eben vacillate between quarreling and lusting after each other. Cabot loves Abbie and does not suspect that anything is amiss. Abbie convinces Cabot that she will bear him a son, and Cabot agrees to give her anything she wants if she does. Abbie and Eben meet in the parlor while Cabot is sleeping in the barn. They both claim to feel the presence of Eben’s mother, and Abbie convinces him that his mother would be happy for them to be together. They profess their love for each other and spend the night in the parlor.  

The following Spring, there is a gathering at the farmhouse to celebrate the birth of Abbie's baby. Cabot is joyful and encourages people to drink and dance. The townspeople gossip behind Cabot's back about Eben and Abbie's relationship. Eben and Abbie do not join the party, and Eben is upset that they can't be open about the baby being his. Later in the evening, Eben and Cabot meet each other outside. They argue, and Cabot tells Eben that Abbie wants a baby so she can take the farm from Eben. The argument devolves into a fight, and Cabot begins to choke Eben. Abbie comes out and breaks them up. She tries to comfort Eben, but he is cold to her. Cabot goes back inside, laughing about the encounter. Eben and Abbie argue; he accuses her of lying and wanting to steal from him. He declares that he'll leave and go to California. Abbie cries and begs him not to, saying she'll do anything to prove she loves him. 

The next morning, Eben is in the kitchen, ready to leave. Abbie comes down and tells him she's killed their baby. Eben is shocked and angry and Abbie begins to cry when she realizes her mistake. She tries to make amends, but Eben leaves to tell the sheriff. Cabot wakes up and she begins speaking wildly, telling him the baby was Eben's. Cabot becomes dazed and emotional. He is resigned after learning Eben has gone to the sheriff and starts to walk toward the barn.  

Eben returns as Cabot is leaving the house. Cabot shoves him and tells him to leave the farm, then continues to the barn. Eben goes inside to Abbie. He’s told the sheriff what she did but is remorseful and tells her he loves her. They kiss and embrace, then argue about Eben turning himself in as well. Cabot comes back from the barn and talks wildly about leaving the farm and going to California. He talks about letting the cows run wild and burning the house and the fields so that no one else can use what is his. He lifts the floorboards to retrieve the money but finds that it's gone. He realizes Eben has taken it, and Eben explains he gave it to Simeon and Peter. The sheriff arrives with two men, and Eben quickly tells him that he committed the crime with Abbie. Cabot is distraught that his chance to leave the farm has been taken from him, He leaves Abbie and Eben and goes back to the barn. Abbie and Eben leave the house together, followed by the sheriff and his men.