Engineer Rolf Swedenhielm is one of Sweden's most distinguished scientists, a festive and original person, and at the same time a man with an unwavering sense of honor. His home is managed by his sister-in-law Boman, who runs the household for him and his three children. After a lifetime of dedication to science, Swedenhielm is finally about to reap the rewards of his triumph: he is nominated for the Nobel Prize. Confusion arises about the nomination—is it a case of fraud?