In a sprawling Dutch mansion, Baron Coenraad van Hergershuizen rules with a quick temper, his anger flaring at every misstep. The household includes his daughter Mary van Hergershuizen, who is in love with Hans van Maren, a nervous young man the baron has long despised. The palace also runs under the watchful eye of the palace's Directeur, who keeps the affairs of the house in careful order behind the scenes.
Baron's son, Willy van Hergershuizen, does not live in the mansion after marrying Loes, a bourgeois typist who left her job to become a housewife. The baron disinherits him and cuts him off, leaving Willy determined to prove he can make it on his own by finding steady work.
On his wedding anniversary, Mary decides to slip away to visit Willy and ends up meeting [Loes], who has embraced domestic life. Despite having just met, Loes helps Mary reconcile with Hans van Maren, and, on that same day, Mary and Hans become engaged.
News of Willy’s new office job reaches the baron, who reacts with fury and promptly fires him. Loes chooses to speak up rather than stay silent, and she travels to the palace to address her father-in-law, who has never actually met his daughter-in-law. He mistakes her for the new housekeeper, setting off a chain of comic misunderstandings.
To smooth things over, Uncle Uncle Moeki steps in and presents Loes as 'Louise Hildebrand,' introducing her as the palace’s housekeeper. Loes decides to play along to win the baron’s trust, and, gradually, the baron grows fond of his new housekeeper.
Meanwhile, Willy returns to the mansion after years away. The baron, initially furious again, softens when Moeki fabricates that Willy’s wife has abandoned him. The family tension shifts toward reconciliation, and the baron contemplates settling the divorce. He also toys with the idea of marrying off his daughter to the odd Mr. Schimmelman, inviting him to share his thoughts on the match. Schimmelman misreads the invitation, thinking the baron intends to offer him a kitchen maid, namely Katrien.
Not long after, the true housekeeper arrives, forcing Loes to reveal her true identity. The baron is pleased to learn that his beloved housekeeper is really Willy’s wife, but his happiness is tempered by the news of Mary van Hergershuizen’s engagement to Hans van Maren.
