Paul wins a considerable sum of money and decides to give a large amount to his mother for her birthday. However, instead of easing the tension in the house, the gift makes Hester even more greedy and desirous of more wealth. The house seems to whisper louder, "there is not enough money."
Lysbilde: 2
5
Paul becomes even more obsessed with winning money for his mother, especially when she expresses that they need more. For an important race, the Derby, Paul is determined to pick the winner. He spends days and nights on his rocking horse, entering a frantic state to get the name of the winning horse.
Lysbilde: 3
6
Paul finally predicts the winner of the Derby, but the effort exhausts him completely. He collapses physically and falls into a delirious state. Although he wins a large sum of money, the effort costs him his life. Paul dies shortly after his mother and Uncle Oscar discover that he has picked the winning horse. The story ends with the tragedy that, despite winning so much money, the family loses Paul, highlighting the futility of the insatiable pursuit of wealth.