Laurice politely, but firmly, rejected the green silk dress that her Aunt Aurora gave to her as a gift, saying that, "they put live silkworms in a giant vat of boiling water! I just cannot wear this. I'm very sorry!". Later, when Laurice returned downstairs to make bread, she thought that half a cup of her flour was gone. Laurice thought that Aunt Aurora had robbed her flour bin, but that was based on pure conjecture. Laurice's husband came home from work looking dejected and tired. Laurice asked him what the matter was, but he turned away and walked into his bedroom. The next morning, when Laurice brought Nathan, her son, to school, she felt very jovial.