Old People and the Things That Pass

Steyn is thinking of leaving Otillie and asks her son Lot for advice. Harold is haunted by the death of his father.

Having sent her son Donald money, Ottilie has little financial resources left and asks Takma for a loan. Lot and Elly get married and travel to Italy. Aunt Thérèse implies she is privy to the precious family secret as well.

It has become apparent that there are more people who know of the secret than Derckz and Takma. Ina is now obsessed with learning all about it herself. Elly and Lot visit Amélie in Italy while uncle Daan and his wife Floor arrive from the Dutch East Indies.

Takma dies, leaving behind a final letter containing evidence. Otillie returns to the Netherlands with her greedy son Donald for the inheritance.

Ellie and Otillie are to share Takma's inheritance. Steyn sees this as the perfect time to leave Otillie. Meanwhile Lot has fallen ill, but finds new strength in the prospect of writing a new novel.