The mayor sees a letter from America, addressed to the illiterate of the village, in which his brother writes that he wants to be buried in the Netherlands. It is believed that the American is rich and wants to draw up plans for the restoration of the café and rectory, and the construction of a new cemetery. The mayor also wants the nearby gypsies to move to the designated spot and the teacher's daughter wants more freedom. Because the doctor is the smartest in the village, he can bend everyone to his will.