Elizabeth Nelson is only ten years old when her mother dies in childbirth. With her father gone, the siblings are separate; her aunt Betty takes baby Kit. Elizabeth and her brother, Jimmy, are sent to a children’s home and Alice and Jenny are sent into foster care. Life in the home is hard, but Elizabeth is determined to look after her brother and make a better life for both of them. Working as a nurse gives Elizabeth a purpose but she risks everything by falling for local mine owner, Jack Benson, Wounded at Gallipoli, Jack is far above her in wealth and station. Elizabeth cannot marry him and she risks losing her nursing place if there is any hint of impropriety about her conduct. Then Elizabeth learns that her sister, Jenny, has been adopted by an abusive farmer. Torn between her hopeless love for Jack and her sister, must Elizabeth make an extreme sacrifice to reunite her family!