Afterhismothersdeath,CollinFenwickgoestolivewithhisfatherscousins,thewealthy,avaricious,andcontrollingVerenaTalbo,andhercompliant,earthysisterDolly.WhenacityslickercomestotownandconvincesVerenatomarketDollyslocally-famoustonic,Dollyfinallygetssomebackbone,refusestodivulgetheformula,andheadsforatreehousewithCollinandCatherine,theloyalmaid.Verena,whohasmostofthetowninherpocket,sicsthelawontherenegades.Dolly,Catherine,andCollinfindasupporterinaretiredjudge,CharlieCool,whosattractedtoDolly.WillVerenasvenomwinout?Andwhataboutthatcityslicker?