
In a tidy village of the early twentieth century, a fastidious bachelor known only as Plus‑Que‑Parfait glides through daily life in his immaculate white villa and glossy dogcart. His obsession with flawless appearance—a spotless garden, polished attire, and a polished carriage—has turned him into a local spectacle, admired and whispered about by neighbors. Accompanied by his diminutive servant, he parades past the noble homes of the Barontje and Monsieur François, turning each ride into a modest procession of self‑celebration.
Evenings find the trio gathering at the village inn, the House of Commerce, where smoke‑filled conversations swirl around the same subject: horses and the pride they inspire. Their banter is a blend of gentle mockery and genuine camaraderie, revealing how the veneer of perfection masks deeper insecurities in a world adjusting to the modern rumble of automobiles. As the quiet charm of the countryside collides with the encroaching speed of the new age, listeners are invited to witness the delicate balance between tradition and change.
Language
nl
Duration
~1 hours (96K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-12-17
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1859–1932
A leading voice in Dutch-language naturalism, he wrote vivid, unsentimental fiction about village life and social inequality in Belgium. His work is known for its sharp eye, humane feeling, and willingness to show ordinary lives without polish.
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