1939, Europe is in turmoil. The disturbing possibility of a coming war is also felt in The Netherlands and the government orders a mobilization. Frans van Loon, a young lawyer, is also drafted. He joins the Dutch Navy, but isn't dejected at all, in fact it was his lifelong dream to sail the seas. His dream was shattered when his wife Nellie made him choose: become a sailor or marry her. Still Frans is very devoted to Nellie and does everything in his power to make her life as happy as can be. At the navy, Frans volunteers for the mining division, a job not many people would want. Frans needs the money though, with his regular income gone and a big house to maintain. Meanwhile, at home, Nellie is getting more and more estranged from Frans though, especially after the actor Erik Detmar starts making advances aggressively. Torn by her feelings for Erik, Nellie makes a decision and seeks an opportunity to tell Frans.