Bess McNeill is a pretty young Scottish woman with a history of psychological problems. She marries atheist Oil platform Jan Nyman, despite disapproval from her community and her Free Scottish Presbyterian Calvinism church. Bess is steadfast and pure of heart, but extremely simple and childlike in her beliefs. During her frequent visits to the church, she prays to God and carries on conversations with Him using her own voice, believing that He is responding directly through her.