In the summer of 1913, 17-year-old Jacob, a Danish high school student, lives in the frustrating limbo between boyhood and manhood. He worries about his excessive focus on masturbation and, although he is aware of the sexual overtures by the housemaid Sophie, Jacob doesn't know how to respond to her.

The children Julian, Dick and Anne spends a summer holiday at the Kirrin Farm, where there cousin Georgina lives with her dog Tim, and her parents. The tomboyish Georgina is punished for her poor school performance, and her father hires a private teacher.