Svend Fridberg

Opposite Regensen lives the brave and well-off coppersmith Smidt with his equally brave wife and their delightful young daughter Rikke, as well as the three journeymen Madsen, Mikkel and Lars, who, according to old craftsman custom, both eat and stay with the master. When an acquaintance of journeyman Madsen comes to visit, he learns that he is unhappily in love with Rikke, and he promises to help him get in touch with her.

We are in New York. A young Danish girl has a conversation with the Danish-American Mr. Lang. It is understood that she loves his son and that he has sent the young man to London because he thinks they are both too young. Furthermore, it is clear from the conversation that he is about to file for divorce. The young girl is worried about how his little daughter will fare - despite her youth, she has had bitter experiences herself, and she tells Mr. Lang her story.