Cyriel Buysse depicts the downfall of a small East Flanders farmer and his household, at the turn of the century, in a time commonly called la belle époque, which was only nice for the ruling upper crust of chateau lords and their friends.

Steven Martens wants to establish himself as the village doctor. His cousin Boone, a cunning farmer, manages to persuade Steven to act as a "miracle doctor." This earns him an extensive clientele. Steven refuses to marry Marietje, the mayor's daughter. This prompts the angry village potentate to launch an investigation into Steven's qualifications. The young doctor is, of course, cleared of any wrongdoing, but the villagers feel betrayed and stop visiting him.