Plot

This is a story about Mr. Cohen, a father who owns a large department store in London and cares about being a good shopkeeper and good person. Mr. Cohen's elder son and a friend's son work there and have slowly taken on more and more responsibility with the inadvertent result that Mr Cohen has begun to feel unimportant. Mr. Cohen longs to start over with a small shop to regain what he feels he has lost. One subplot involves Mr. Cohen's attempts to remain relevant by helping a small shopkeeper both before and after a major life event for the family. Another subplot involves his younger son's marriage decision and Mr. Cohen's involvement. Mr. Cohen ultimately takes a trip for distraction and looks at buying a small shop. Just in time to save the day, he realizes that he is needed at home after all.—Anonymous

Jake Cohen, the owner of a successful London department store, feels useless now that the daily work of running the business is handled by his son Sam and family friend, Joe Levine. Nevertheless, he happily anticipates the return of his second son Jack, who has been abroad. At Jack's homecoming party, Rachel, Jake's wife, tells Jack how much she is looking forward to his marriage to Julie Levine, Joe's sister and Jack's childhood friend. Before Jack can tell her that he has fallen in love with Sally O'Connor and plans to marry her, Rachel suffers a stroke and dies. Jake is upset when he learns that Jack refuses to marry Julie, and behind Jack's back, he visits the O'Connors, implying that Jack is not free to marry Sally. When Jack finds out what happened, he is heartbroken. Sam tells Jake that his plans for his sons are old-fashioned, just like his business ideas, and suggests that he leave for a vacation. Taking Sam's advice, Jake sets off early one morning to walk through the English countryside. He acquires a dog as a companion and meets Bob West, a young, unemployed man. After giving Bob a note that will help him get a job at the store, Jake continues his walk, until he learns that the employees at his store are threatening to strike on the eve of a big sale if Sam refuses to honor the agreement that Jake signed before his departure. Jake rushes back to prevent the strike and, taking charge again, advises Sam to use his heart as well as his head. After learning that Julie and and Bob have fallen in love, he is reconciled to Jack's marriage to Sally, and soon the two fathers attend two weddings, one Catholic, one Jewish.