Phoebe-Ann assumes her ill mother's duties as caretaker of the Washington Square studio of Worthington Bryce, who in attempting to become an artist against his wealthy father's wishes, has succeeded only in painting the town red. After her mother dies, Phoebe-Ann moves in with Worthy and his valet Jenkins, and although she is the reason for Worthy's subsequent serious pursuit of art, he credits his improvement to his fiancée Lela Trevor. Lela, however, merely desires his father's money, and really loves Worthy's friend Dick Moreland.