De maarschalksstaf

Summary

On the occasion of the opening of his third department store, Engelbrecht Masker addresses the assembled staff and tells them his motto: "You all have the marshal's baton in your knapsack!" He relates how he once went from door to door selling sandpaper but is now the proud owner of three department stores. He is presented with a marshal's baton by the staff. Masker is not happy about his daughter Elza keeping company with Gerard van Mens, the acting manager of a co-operative store, and throws her out of the house when she decides to marry Gerard. Masker swears that he will smash the co-operative store. He is elected a member of the town council and his department stores flourish. Elza visits her father and invites him to come and meet his grandchild. The next day, in Elza's house, a discussion is held about the capitalistic and the co-operative manners of doing business. Elza manages to convert her father. A month later, Masker makes over his department stores to the co-operative society. His son-in-law becomes the new manager. Then, at last, Masker is allowed to admire his grandchild.