The novel begins with the fall of Mag Smith, a poor white woman who had come into disgrace in the village of Singleton, New Hampshire when she had premarital relations with a man and became pregnant with his child. The child died only weeks into her infancy, leading Mag to exclaim in relief, “God be thanked […] no one can taunt her with my ruin” (5). Shunned by the town, Mag is unable to find consistent work.

After several years of toiling through favors from old acquaintances and odd jobs, a kind black man named Jim notices her suffering. He offers to help her if no one else will. This warms Mag’s heart. When Jim thinks about Mag’s situation, he muses aloud, “By golly! I wish she’d marry me” (7). Peter Greene, Jim’s boarder, overhears him thinking aloud and asks if he is thinking about marrying Mag. Jim tells him to mind his own business, but by accidentally disclosing his musing, he becomes more attached to the idea of marrying Mag. When he sees Mag the following weekend, he suggests that they get married so that he could help alleviate some of her suffering from infrequent employment. Mag is shocked at his proposal.