Marcellino rushes for a priest, for his dear mamma is about to die. When they return, it's too late. Good neighbors look after the poor orphan until the funeral. They think Marcellino's mother's brother will attend the ceremony and welcome his nephew. An old eccentric passes himself off as the uncle and takes the boy into his "home"--an old coach. But the true uncle turns up: a self-absorbed, nasty man who covets Marcellino's inheritance and wants his nephew to join the young beggar boys who work for him.