 Almonzo s indolent brother, Perley, comes to town. Knowing that Almonzo s interest in a much younger Laura has deepened, Charles is convinced that Perley is the better man for his "Half Pint." However, those sentiments quickly change when Perley injures one of Almonzo s horses. Two things become clear to Charles: Perley is a troublemaker, and Almonzo is a responsible young man (especially when he nurses the horse back to health).