The Vardianos in the Sporcas is a shadowy sea story, which describes the reactions and behaviors of people, individuals, and groups of the small society, in the face of the hearing and threat of an epidemic.

Old Skevo learned that her son Stavros, who was returning from a trip, would remain in quarantine at the lazaretto. Worried about his health, she decides to go meet him. She manages, dressed as a man, with the favor of luck and having collaborators in her secret, some of her fellow villagers, to be hired as a vardianos (guard) on the infected ships (sporcas).
Papadiamantis, although using an epidemic as a framework, does not focus his narrative on the tragic consequences for the world. There is a prevailing light-hearted, cheerful mood and unexpected developments. His purpose is to exercise social criticism on wrong texts and petty interests, while simultaneously highlighting the nobility of character and the greatness of the humanity of ordinary people.