汪文宣（吴楚帆）一家逃难到重庆，他在一家出版社工作，工资十分微薄，又有肺病，度日如年。他的妻子曾树生（白燕）在银行工作，工资还多些，汪母（黄曼梨）认为这不应该，婆媳之间水火不容。曾树生为了得到安家费，到兰州工作，避开家庭纷争，夫妻也分离。抗战胜利后，汪文宣病逝，曾树生十分悲痛，婆媳二人在汪文宣的坟前尽释前嫌。

Adapted from a popular 'three dime novel' the story revolves around two down-and-out buddies, one streetwise and quick-witted the other naïve and kind-hearted. This oddball duo go through up and downs and eventually get their break in life.