A family history set against the historical backdrop of 1913. The individual fates of the family of a Prague newspaper publisher move in the maelstrom of contemporary events.

Prague 1913. The family of newspaper publisher Alexander Reither, traditionally united for the New Year's dinner, moves in everyday life along winding and clandestine paths. Granddaughter Wally is impressed by the obscure businessman Marko Gelusich. Her cousin Adrienne meets the young socialist Joseph Prokop at an illegal anarchist meeting. On a business trip to Vienna, Alexander Reither falls in love with Irene v. Claudi. Adrienne wants to move completely into Joseph Prokop's proletarian world, but Mother Kalivoda gives her a painful announcement. Joseph already has a girl. Alexander finds Irene v. Claudi in Budapest. They spend happy days in Vienna. In Prague, the printing workers go on strike. Adrienne fights alongside the workers and Robert Kalivoda. She experiences class struggle with cousin Guido Frank. Alexander tries to introduce Irene to the family. Then Wally tells him that she wants to marry Marko Gelusich. Hesitantly, he accepts an invitation from the two illegitimate couples to the imperial manoeuvres.