 Wild Klaasje Weenink enters the Bonte household to help out Mrs Bonte, who has started her own grocery store. Despite her father s fervent communism, she wants to be baptized by Erik Odekerke. Paulus Lumens is settling in as the village s new parish priest after the retirement of Father Bonhomme. Erik s sister Truusje has come to replace Cathrien as his housekeeper. Miete discovers she is pregnant, but her husband Johannes appears to be more and more preoccupied with his secretary (and old flame) Tineke de Waal. Nicolaas Bonte is killed on his way home from Father Bonhomme, who has refused to bless his store.