Her father, indebted to a certain Zgierski, sells off the meadows and forest piece by piece. While cutting down trees, he is crushed to death by the last oak tree. Irenka and her family have to move to a small town. Dr. Lipień helps them settle into their new surroundings. Financial problems force Aunt Barbara and Grandmother to leave for relatives in Lviv, while Aunt Amelia moves in with the doctor. To make matters worse, Irenka's mother falls ill. The girl therefore goes to seek help from her friend Countess Opolska, who lives in the capital.