Digby, a former surgeon, starts therapeutic sessions with a young artist named Elsie after the death of his colleague and caretaker, Rune.
Elsie helps Digby regain control over his hand—which was badly injured—with sketching exercises, even tying their hands together to guide him.
During their sessions, Digby finds himself remembering his past, including his complex relationship with and the painful loss of his mother.
Through tears, Digby is able to achieve a breakthrough in their sessions, freeing a portrait of his mother from his memory and onto the sketch paper.
Rune's singing from the outdoor bathing platform, a daily morning routine, abruptly stops one day, causing everyone in the compound to halt their activities. Digby finds Rune lifeless, having died of an apparent heart attack.
Rune's funeral sees the involvement of everyone in the compound. A somber procession, led by those in the leprosarium, take him to the cemetery. Individuals from the village and nearby estates who knew the Swede also come to pay their respects.
In the aftermath of Rune's death, the residents look to Digby for guidance and support, and he does his best to help them continue with their lives.
Rune's will reveals that his savings go to the Swedish Mission with instructions to keep the leprosarium supported. Digby sends a telegram to the Mission expressing his willingness to support St. Bridget's, despite his injury.
The Mission replies that they will be sending two nuns to manage Saint Bridget's and hope to recruit a doctor in the future, leaving Digby's future uncertain.