Master baker Heinrich Hintzpeter tyrannizes his family with his righteousness. He doesn't let anyone have their say. If he had often listened better, he would have been spared a lot of confusion in the family and in the company. Heinrich's supposed strength of character makes it difficult for his mother Dora Hintzpeter and daughter Gisela to get a grip on the problems surrounding his divorced wife Selma and the two applicants for Gisela's favor. And because Heinrich is the way he is, the path to the happy resolution of the confusion takes a little longer.