Four short stories set in the countryside at the beginning of the 20th century tell about family relationships, which are fundamentally influenced by the bond to land and property.

In the first story, in order to maintain the economy, the son goes to America to earn money, while at home his parents and sisters manage the property. In the second short story, war tragically affects the life of an aging bell ringer and his daughter seduced by a gendarme. In order to preserve the property, in the third story, the daughter must give in to her father's wishes and marry a widower brother-in-law. However, she achieves happiness for herself and her children, just like Mařka, who in the fourth story cannot marry her beloved Tonik from the farm because of her low origins.