Master shoemaker Franz Anecker is raging with jealousy because he has long had a feeling that Mayor Wedekamp has his eye on his wife Lene. Old journeyman Matten believes the same, and since he loves beer and corn, he likes to keep a watchful eye on the goings-on in the house over a well-filled glass. As Matten cannot observe everything, he fails to notice that the master's young sister is particularly pleased by Wedekamp's visits.