Siberia, 1916-1917. Bolshevik Pyotr Sapozhkov is engaged in revolutionary propaganda and agitation in a small Siberian town after the end of his exile. He is assisted by his wife Varya. After the February Revolution, the Bolshevik party is still outlawed, Pyotr and Varya go into hiding and face arrest. The guards manage to capture their son Timu and the boy is taken to an orphanage.