Gathered around the dinner table, Levon Dai’s family argues about what groceries to buy. They then begin to discuss Levon Dai, who is currently away from the family to work in Iowa, but they hope to receive a letter confirming that he will be back home for Easter. Levon’s mother asserts that they must not judge his decisions, while Kelesh, a cousin, counters that perhaps Levon has become Americanized, which could be why he is no longer keeping contact. Hadji, an aunt, decides to read cards to determine what Levon is up to. She deduces that Levon is considering marriage to a blonde woman, to which Levon’s mother expresses distaste. Hadji also reveals that the family will soon receive a letter, and the prediction becomes true in ten days. Levon shares that his fiancee’s name is Shirley Adams, which makes everyone laugh, and encloses a picture from the newspaper. Uncle Pousant pronounces her name as “Shiran Edemus,” and Levon’s mother, disappointed, says that Shirley is pretty but does not have intelligent features. The family hesitantly toasts to the couple’s happy marriage and decides that someone must tell Marta-mama, Levon’s grandmother, who is ninety-seven years old. Marta-mama asks Hadji when Levon is to come home, and Hadji explains that he cannot, perhaps until the summer. Hadji then cushions the truth, saying that Levon is considering a wife who seems very intelligent and whose name is Shirlan Edemus. Marta-mama acts neutrally about the news but begins to unravel her crocheting, stating that by the time she recovers the work she has undone, Levon will surely be home.