William Emory is constantly punishing his young son Bill for harmless childish behavior. After annoying his father, Bill is ordered to stay in the yard, but when Bill sees the boy next door robbing a bird's nest, he is moved to fight with him. Another time, Bill rides past the bank where his father is in conference, and loudly pretends to be a junk man. Finally William's excessive discipline forces Bill to run away. After he is brought back home by Dr. Franklin, the family doctor, his mother Ruth moves out of the house, taking Bill with her. Gradually, William's loneliness forces him to reconsider his actions and he asks his family to return. Forgiving him, they are reunited, and now William enjoys a close relationship with Bill.