Touched by the plight of the Volduzzis, an elderly destitute couple who are in danger of losing their house, Judge James Hardy agrees to look into their case. Sensing that the Volduzzis might have a daughter who could provide them financial support, the judge enlists Andy's help in locating her. Andy, who is desperately in need of money to fix his jalopy in time to take Polly Benedict to the Fourth of July fireworks, eagerly accepts his father's offer of a reward and begins to interview the girls in his school with the middle initial V. His search leads him to the Horton estate, where he meets daughter Elvie, who is writing an essay on Alexander Hamilton for a Fourth of July competition. After learning about the competition's fifty dollar prize, Andy decides to enter the contest himself, and begins to charge flowers, clothes and tires against his anticipated winnings. When he then discovers that the cash prize is only offered to girls, Andy convinces Euphrasia Clark to enter his essay in her name. Andy's plan backfires, however, when Euphrasia threatens to use his proposal to blackmail him into taking her to the fireworks show. Andy's girl and money problems pale when his mother becomes seriously ill with pneumonia. The family is brought closer together while they await the doctor's prognosis, and after a harrowing night, Mrs. Hardy recovers. Relieved, Andy pays another visit to Elvie, who confesses that she hates her mother and wants to win the essay contest for her own self-respect. When Andy offers her the best part of his essay, Elvie tells him that her mother's maiden name was Volduzzi. Armed with this piece of information, Judge Hardy pays Mrs. Horton a visit and learns that the frightened woman is ashamed of what her new husband will think of her immigrant parents. The judge counsels Mrs. Horton to confess all to her husband and reconcile with her parents, and she agrees to do so. All ends happily as the judge offers to help Andy with his debts, and a grateful Elvie lends Andy her limousine to take Polly to the fireworks show.