Synopsis
Mary Dowd, urged on by her mother, answers an advertisment in the paper from a young medical student from Rathmines who happens to be seeking a pen friend. The correspondence grows to such an extent that the young man at last consents to visit Mary at her home, and if Mary's mother is to have anything to do with it, the young man will not leave the house again without becoming engaged to her daughter. The women prepare to welcome him, set the table for tea and force the poor father of the house into a white collar. Mrs O'Sullivan, a neighbour, is roped in to pose as a housemaid. Enter Barney Reilly, a poor suitor for Mary's hand, only to be ejected. Finally ... the Young Man from Rathmines arrives!