William Stern leads a quiet life with his wife, Elizabeth, and their son Adam. But then a telegram annoncing the arrival of Clovis Fishermann, William's cousin, throws a spanner in the works. William hasn't heard from Clovis for thirty years and is overjoyed at the news, for in their younger days they had wild times together. Elizabeth is not in the mood to tolerate the cousins' fun and games. Clovis is the son and grandson of the famous Cantors. After so many years' absence, just what is he after?