Elise grows up in England but comes to the U.S. from Canada. She meets Bill who pursues her but feels unworthy of her. They marry just as the Depression hits, and jobs are nil. A daughter is born to them. They go to church but are not saved. Bill’s drinking leads to abuse. Elise goes to her brother but returns when she is unable to live on her own. Their daughter is born-again at sixteen. Elise & Bill find his sister and learn about his past. His drinking gets worse, and the first part ends when Bill pushes Elise down some stairs.