On his journey around the country, Volle has reached Copenhagen with his skarperbør. Volle is an old vagabond who loves his freedom everywhere in the world. His work provides him with just enough for the day and the road, and now and then a shot of schnapps as a bonus, and he does not demand more from life. A coincidence or one of the whims of fate if you will, makes Volle the foster father of 11-year-old Peter, son of the young widow Grete Jensen. Grete is in love with the young removal man Max Jørgensen and he with her. Peter happens to witness Max kissing his mother, he feels betrayed and runs away from home without a word. On the road he meets Volle and tells him a little lie that he has run away from guardianship...