Thijs Glorieus works as a farmhand at the Walhoeve. He promises the lady of the house to look after her mentally challenged daughter Let. Older sister Rosa is in love with Thijs but he rejects her because of her higher standing.
After moving to Brussels, Thijs becomes a bakers apprentice and works harder than any of his peers. Back home, Rosa dates a schoolmaster while Let waits for Thijs to come and take her away.
Having joined the army, Thijs is stationed in Brussels at the house of a wealthy captain. The officers wife and his spoiled children look down on Thijs, except for the artistic and anarchistic Corinne.
Rosa has married Karel but is unhappy about his decision to give up his job and live off her family's farm. Thijs is back at the Walhoeve, working as head farmhand and keeps his promise of looking after Let.
Thijs has married Let and together they begin a small shop in Brussels. Always willing to work hard, Thijs cannot refuse an offer from a clergyman to take on a milk route.
Thijs returns to the Walhoeve and together with Rosa begins to manage a successful farm business that is profitable not only to them but to their neighbors as well.