The story opens with Olga (Olenka) sitting with Kukin, the owner of an outdoor theater.Kukin complains about the rain and the lack of appreciation for the theater, and Olga says the same after they marry. Kukin dies in Moscow. 

Three months later, Olga marries Pustovalov, a timber merchant, whom she goes to work for and talks about nothing but timber. He dies 6 years later.

Olga then becomes interested in Smirnin and talks only about veterinary medicine, but Smirnin leaves.

Now Olga has no man in her life to give it meaning, and she begins to waste away.

Smirnin returns with his wife and son, the wife leaves, and Smirnin works a lot, so Sasha, the son, is raised by Olga. Now her life has meaning again.