Hilda Johansson had thought things would improve once her entire family had moved to the United States. Of course, she'd known that her mother and older brother wouldn't be happy about her choice of beau, Irish Catholic Patrick Cavanaugh, but she's certain that if they'll just allow themselves to get to know him, they'll realize he is a wonderful man.

Somehow, even though her position in the Studebaker household is secure and she has most everything she ever wanted from her new life, there are still some things going wrong. Particularly troublesome is her twelve-year-old brother, Eric. He hates city life, he's been fired from a number of jobs, and he is increasingly restless under the thumb of their overly protective mother.

Then Eric's friend, who had run away to join the circus, is found beaten ... and perhaps worse. The news is shocking, and the idea that Eric might know more than he is saying is frightening.

When Patrick and Hilda take Eric to the circus, they discover just how much more he does know, and that his silence may be the only thing that can save his life.