Valerie moves into Mrs. Bowser's boarding house and immediately excites the romantic interests of resident best buds, Charlie and Eddie. Both men date her, but then begin to fight over her. Val declines future dates with either men because she believes she's jeopardizing their friendship. Both men retreat a bit, but Charlie eventually becomes her husband. In spite of losing Val, Eddie remains a fast friend to both.; Donna loves Lee, but Lee is engaged to Edith. Lee is crushed when Edith elopes with another. Donna offers to marry Lee, telling him that it is not in his best interest to see Edith and her husband about town or to let himself become the subject of gossip. They marry and move to the coast, but Lee can't forget Edith. After six months of misery, confusion, and living in separate bedrooms, Lee realizes he loves Donna and consummates their marriage.; Beth and Jeff date and fall in love. He proposes but she won't accept because she believes he is self-centered and would resent the amount of attention she devotes to a clinic for poor children. She later learns he was born in the slums, worked hard for an engineering degree, and has long built low cost housing and playgrounds for the poor with no financial remuneration for himself. She realizes she has misjudged his character and begs his forgiveness.; Soldier Johnny is a heartless Casanova and leaves his German sweetheart Ilsa devastated when he returns to the States. He dates Ruth while coldly ignoring Ilsa's letters. Ruth learns of Ilsa and deplores the cruel way Johnny treats her. She drops him. Johnny is bitter and asks for a transfer to Germany, thinking Ilsa will welcome him with open arms. He discovers she's betrothed and has lost all interest in him. Johnny wonders if a reunion with Ruth is possible.; The birth customs and beliefs of the Malagasy people of Madagascar.