These Three

Following their graduation, friends Karen Wright and Martha Dobie establish a boarding school on Karen’s farm. They start enrolling students with the help of wealthy Amelia Tilford, who encourages families to send their daughters, including her granddaughter Mary. Lily Mortar, Martha's aunt, arrives and begins working at the school, expecting to continue her lifestyle at Martha's expense.

Karen and local doctor Joe Cardin start a romantic relationship, unaware that Martha is secretly in love with him. Their courtship remains undisclosed, leading to a budding relationship that adds a layer of complication to the school's social dynamics. Martha keeps her feelings concealed, hoping for a different outcome.

One evening, Joe falls asleep in Martha’s room while waiting for Karen. He wakes suddenly, causing a disturbance that alerts Mary Tilford. Martha is seen sobbing quietly, indicating her inner emotional turmoil and unresolved feelings for Joe, which she desperately keeps hidden.

Karen punishes Mary for missing classes and lying, but Mary fakes an illness by collapsing, attempting to manipulate her guardians. Karen and Martha call Joe to examine her, but Mary’s performance initially confuses them. Martha decides to dismiss Aunt Lily for her poor teaching, leading to a heated argument.

Martha fires Lily due to her incompetence and to maintain the school's reputation. Lily feels insulted and confronts Martha about her true feelings toward Joe. Martha hears suspicious noises, discovering students eavesdropping, which further unsettles the atmosphere at the school.

Feeling persecuted, Mary runs away and lies to her grandmother Amelia, falsely claiming Martha and Joe are having an affair. She also falsely accuses Martha of injuring a student to support her story. Amelia, convinced of the adulterous affair, alerts other parents to withdraw their daughters, leading to the school's downfall.

The trio sues Amelia for slander, but they lose the case. As a consequence, the school faces declining enrollments, and Joe is fired from his hospital job. Martha resents Lily for not testifying, and tensions escalate among the staff and students, severely damaging the school's reputation.

Joe asks Karen to join him in Vienna, where he has secured a new job, implying a desire to start anew. Karen hesitates upon hearing mention of Martha, leading to tensions about their future. Martha's love for Joe remains unspoken, overshadowing the moment.

Feeling uncertain about Joe’s feelings, Karen finally asks if there was ever a relationship between Martha and Joe. Martha admits her love for Joe but also recognizes the impossibility of their happiness together. Karen decides to leave with Lily, emotional and conflicted about her choices.

After Joe departs, Martha realizes the truth about Mary’s lies when Lily mentions seeing her with the stolen bracelet. Martha intercepts and persuades Rosalie to reveal the real story, exposing Mary’s manipulation and falsehoods.

Martha refuses Amelia’s offer of money and instead asks her to deliver a message to Karen: 'stay with Joe, wherever he is.' She leaves the school in sorrow, heartbroken over the destruction caused by lies and manipulation.

Karen, deeply affected by the events, decides to go to Vienna to be with Joe, seeking clarity and emotional closure. Their separation marks the end of their tumultuous relationship, and the story concludes with Karen's decision to follow her heart.