The novel tells the story of impoverished, embarrassment-prone Archibald "Archie" Moffam and his difficult relationship with his art-collecting, hotel-owning, millionaire father-in-law, Daniel Brewster, who is the father of Archie's new bride, Lucille. Archie's attempts to ingratiate himself with Brewster only get him further into trouble.

The story takes place in New York City.