Plot

Michael Riley, wealthy contractor, does not forget the days when he carried a hod. In the midst of luxury he longs for the good old days of freedom from boiled shirts and etiquette. His wife, now a social climber, tries to make him forget his former associates, but with little avail, and his daughter Eileen is a chip of the old block, essentially democratic. Riley persists in his opinion that, although corned beef and cabbage is "bad form," it is unquestionably "good taste," and while out walking he meets with an opportunity to indulge his appetite. Running across Mrs. Moore, an old friend of his "laborer" days, she tells him that she must hurry home; she has corned beef and cabbage on cooking. The outcome of it is, that, after going to her house and feasting to his heart's content, he makes arrangements to call every Thursday, that being the day on which Riley's favorite dish will be ready for him. Meantime, Eileen Riley has fallen in love with Mrs. Moore's son, a telephone repair man. When he comes to fix the telephone she meets him dressed in her maid's cap and apron, and he, thinking she really is the maid, makes an engagement to meet her. Their love affair goes on, and finally he takes her home to see his mother. It is on this day that Mrs. Riley, her suspicions having been aroused by her husband's disappearance every Thursday, follows him to the Moore home. Eileen and Tom Moore arrive there first, and Eileen is astounded to find her father. When Mrs. Riley bursts in upon them, she finds not only her husband, but her daughter. After Riley has made his explanation, and after being persuaded to temporarily forget French cooking and go back to the days of plain but wholesome food. Mrs. Riley also sits down and gets away with a liberal share of the Irish national dish. Thereafter, Riley finds corned beef and cabbage on his home menu, and at these dinners Mrs. Moore and Eileen's future husband are frequently guests.—Moving Picture World synopsis