The Moth plot
Robert Bradley is a poor carpenter in the docks. He moves to his uncle's house and also starts working for his uncle. His cousin Carrie is soon interested in him, but Robert is attracted to other women: the sisters Millie and Sarah. But Millie is mentally unstable and the villagers call her "The Moth" because she often wanders at night. Her father wants to put her in a home, but her mother and Sarah are against this. When mother dies, the family gets into financial trouble. Another problem threatens Robert, Cousin Carrie is pregnant and Robert is blamed. He denies and because he refuses to marry Carrie, his uncle throws him out the door.