Rose Mary of Sweetbriar has no idea how to accomplish the impossible -- how, for instance, to put some of that rich, black oil into the rocks underlying the valley, so that Mark Everett will not have to go back to New York empty-handed, his exploration job being done and over with -- and proven futile. And this is on top of the other impossible tasks she has already undertaken -- such as trying to save up, a penny at time, enough money to fix Aunt Viney"s teeth! As more difficulties arise, the smitten Mark Everett offers some help -- and Rose Mary knows "help offers are the silver linings to trouble clouds." But how much help can the young man give, truly? And why is it that he remains so quiet about certain prospects, when just the right word would mean the world -- to them both?