As the Germans take over France during World War II, widowed mother Barny becomes increasingly anxious about her half-Jewish daughter. She decides to hide the girl on a nearby farm and have her baptised as a cover. The ceremony reminds Barny of the absurdity of religion, and inspires her to pick a fight with parish priest Leon. She's surprised to learn that he shares a great many of her views, and the two begin a chaste yet deep relationship.