Poor, Dear Margaret Kirby: John Kirby is in desperate financial straits so when his wife Margaret refuses his request to help him obtain a loan from her guest, Gordon Pell, he attempts suicide and failing that becomes seriously ill. Margaret grudgingly takes in boarders mixing with people outside her social set. As her resentment grows Lucille, John's former flame, forges telegrams to drive a wedge further between them, but Gordon steps in the clear the air and the pair work through their difficulties.