The chapter opens in a crowded office building, where the narrator and his wife are waiting for their daughter-in-law, who is waiting for them. The narrator tells his wife that it is his fault that she is upset and worries about him. He tells her that he is a stranger to her, and that she will not forgive him if he tries to hurt her. He says that he has a strong desire to marry her, but that he will not lose his mind or be hurt if he talks to other men. He is afraid that if he speaks to another man, he will say something that will hurt his wife. He tries to explain that he did not listen to Sam's advice, but the next day he is determined to speak to Sam face-to-face. He goes to the office and tries to find him, but he cannot be reached. He asks his wife to confirm that Sam is in the office, but she says that they are there every day, and have not seen the man. She says that she knows nothing about the man, and the narrator says that the man is like a "love rat" . He sings a song about how love is like "a rose" , and how he is like the fairy in a poor girl .