The narrative follows a headstrong stepson of a gardener who resists being placed into service at a great country house, flees, and embarks on a succession of misadventures. His wanderings lead to encounters with itinerants, awkward incidents in small towns, and an escalating pursuit by the adults who search for him, culminating in a chaotic local confrontation and a strained return home where he must explain himself. The tale blends comic episodes with observations on youthful rebellion, social expectations, and the tension between freedom and obligation.