Bet trekt de 100.000

Summary

In the heart of the Jordaan, the working-class quarter of Amsterdam, the widow Bet Mager has a laundry in which she is assisted by her 13-year-old son Piet, a truly mischievous boy, and by Cobus Langoor, a good-natured simpleton. Bet has to work hard to earn a livelihood in a respectable manner, but Fortune smiles at her. Suddenly she wins the first prize in the lottery, 100,000 guilders. She decides to take a trip together with Piet. She leaves Cobus in charge of the laundry and instructs him to try to sell it while she is away.

First mother and son fly by aeroplane to Marseilles and from there they proceed by boat to Algiers. In Algeria, Bet wants to see everything: the beautiful botanical gardens, the mysterious Casbah and the desert. Of course, she must ride on a camel. Poor beast! Although Bet's surname is "Mager" ("Thin"), she is anything but a light-weigtht! After all kinds of strange adventures, Bet - tired to death - eventually arrives safe and sound at the wharf in Algiers where a boat is about to leave for France.

Back in Holland she is surprised by Cobus with the news that he has managed to sell the laundry for a good price. Bet decides to marry Cobus and settle down in a beautiful villa in the country.