In their farm house in a New York village, Ma Shelby prepares breakfast for her four children, Isaac, Tommy, Johnny and Susan, and then awakens them. The racket the boys make as they play and fight awakens their father, who spanks the eldest, Isaac. When a visitor chides Pa for not working, Ma sticks up for her husband, saying that he has a weak back and that he is waiting for a promised government job.

Mae Marsh
as Ma Shelby

James Dunn
as Johnny Shelby as an Adult

Sally Eilers
as Isabel Potter as an Adult

James Kirkwood
as Pa Shelby in Prologue

Edward Crandall
as Thomas as an Adult

Claire Maynard
as Phyllis Shelby, Johnny's Wife

Olin Howland
as Isaac as an Adult

Joan Peers
as Susan as an Adult

Joe Hachey
as Isaac Shelby in Prologue

Tommy Conlon
as Johnny Shelby in Prologue