Hans Ghynt, a Dutch farmer of Holland, is a widower whose small family consists only of his mother, his son Jan and himself. He falls in love with a new neighbor, a Swiss widow by the name of Minna, living with her little daughter, Katrina, and who, though beautiful and good, is slandered and disliked by the neighbors simply because she is a stranger and foreigner. By reason of this uncalled-for prejudice Hans' relatives oppose the match with vigor. Minna, seeing this, asks Hans to release her from the engagement, but he refuses, being angered by the folly of his people. The wedding takes place and Hans' mother leaves his house in anger, while Jan enlists in the army for six years' service in the colonies. Hans finds Minna a good and loving wife and Katrina a good step-daughter and is happy. Six years later his mother, repenting of her folly, tries to get her son to permit her to return to his house, but he refuses either to forgive or receive her. Meanwhile Katrina has grown to womanhood and Jan returning home from the army comes to love her and is loved in return. In the light of their love the old mother is forgiven and the family is united once more.