Bruce, the son of the busy Dr Henshaw and a doting mother, is pretty used to doing just as he likes. But Bruce also has an older sister who is not quite so charmed by him. Bruce doesn't realise the value of money, has no respect for the property of others, is too lazy to apply himself to school and always seems to talk his way out of the mischief he gets into so effortlessly. But when he 'borrows' a motor car belonging to City merchant Mr. Ferguson, almost has an accident and the bewildered merchant gets a summons to appear in court for reckless driving, Bruce's father knows the time has come to teach his charming lad a sharp lesson in reality. He also needs to learn that driving recklessly in a 'borrowed' motor is NOT a 'lark'. The railway line near Boonderong in Queensland is being extended and Dr. Henshaw's friend Mr. Langdon is in charge of the work camp there. And this is where Bruce is sent - to work, to learn the value of what he earns and to respect that which does not belong to him... and he has to learn it the hard way.