Weir, an alcoholic schoolteacher, whose criminal record for refusing to fight during the Second World War has prevented him from progressing further in his teaching career, is looked upon with disdain by his headmaster, his pupils and even his wife. The one person who appreciates his shyness and warmth is one of his pupils, Shirley Taylor. After Weir offers to give her free private tuition, the pupil slowly falls in love with her teacher leading to accusations of molestation.
