The narrator introduces himself as "hesham booth" . He explains that he is a craftsman and that he and his friend, Mr. lin , have lost contact. He says that he has taken over his father's business as an iron-working man, and that his friend is "half-machine" , but that he no longer remembers him. He asks if he can buy a brooch for the bride-to-be to wear on the day of the wedding. The narrator says that the brooch would suit a bride, but when the groom is so intimate with another person, it becomes impossible for them to be a good match. He goes back to his room and asks the narrator if he has any advice on love. He tells the narrator that the city arranged for him and his fiancee to get married for the reason that they are skilled craftsmen and that the woman is a suitable age for them.