Bastien and Ségard decide to leave France for Canada. They wait for the departure of their ship in a hotel recommended by Hidoux, an old porter that they met at the station. They drink around town and Bastien meets Émilienne in a bar while Ségard falls in love with the hotel servant girl Thérèse. When the day of the departure comes, the ship's engine break soon after they leave the port. Forced to stay one more week in the Hotel, they find a temporary job. One night, Bastien offers Thérèse some champagne and the two end up making love on the beach. When the engine is fixed, Bastien decides to stay with Thérèse and writes a letter to Ségard about it. Ségard, disappointed, boards the ship alone.