In the summer, granddaughter-student Irina comes to the grandmother of Lydia Petrovna, who lives by the sea. Difficult relationships between them: they are rarely seen since Irina's father (the son of Lydia Petrovna) died long ago, and the relationship between the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law did not start from the beginning. At first glance, the grandmother and granddaughter are very different. Irina is ridiculed by the old-fashioned delicacy of Lydia Petrovna, and she, in turn, is disturbed by her granddaughter's straightforwardness and categoricalness. But gradually between them there is a spiritual closeness, mutual understanding, and the granddaughter begins to change under the influence of the grandmother. Lydia Petrovna awakens in Irina femininity, wisdom, sensitivity to other people's feelings and aspirations. Moreover, it seamlessly helps her to consider in the neighborhood boy the man with whom he can live a lifetime.