Hiltu, the daughter of Jussi Toivala, comes to work as a maid in the house of Rector's wife Palmerus. The suspicious lady of the house could not wish for a more reliable girl than Hiltu, and soon she has so much trust in her that she even dares to leave her alone and spend a night away from home. However, living in the household is also the life-hungry Ragnar, the not-quite-adult son of the house, who is in search of youthful adventures. A fatal constellation for Hiltu: When the Rector's wife is away for the night, Ragnar invites a few friends over, where they hold a drinking party. Hiltu is the only woman in the house, and the fateful night begins to unfold. "He possesses a rare ability to bring the essence of man from the mythical darkness of his primal state into the light," wrote the Finn.