Fatum

Summary

Kobus Drost, a well-to-do farmer, is asked by his nephew Verbeek to come to Volendam to talk about the financing of a reconditioning of his boat. The meeting with Anna, Verbeek's maid-servant, makes a great impression on Drost who persuades the young woman to go back with him to work at the farm. Drost's older sister is not particularly pleased, nor are most of the farm-hands, who tease the stranger from Volendam. Kobus, who has taken a liking to Anna, often has to protect her. After some time, when he notices that Anna and Arend, one of his farm-hands, are very fond of each other, he becomes extremely jealous. When Arend is called up for military service, Kobus makes use of his absence to propose to Anna, who accepts. As mistress of the farmstead, Anna is not popular with Drost's sister and the servants, and when Anna asks Kees Nieman to clean something, he refuses to do so. Kobus summarily dismisses him. Arend comes to the farm on leave and arranges to meet Anna. Kees, a witness to their rendezvous, sees a chance to take revenge, and that evening, in the village inn, tells Drost that Anna and Arend are making a fool of him. Kobus knocks the informer down and rushes home. There his sister tells him where the lovers can be found. Taking his rifle, Kobus hurries to the spot and shoots Arend. He is sentenced to two years' imprisonment. Anna is driven from the house by her sister-in-law and leaves, jeered at by the servants. Mentally shattered after his years in prison, Drost goes to Amsterdam where he eventually finds himself in a dance-hall on the Zeedijk. The dancing couples make fun of him and try to get him to dance. The barmaid also tries to encourage him to dance until she suddenly sees that the old man is her husband. Anna falls on her knees and begs his forgiveness. Kobus, recognizing her, rises from his chair, cries out, infuriated: "People, that is my wife!" But before he can committ a second murder he collapses.