Chapters 7 - 13 Summary and Analysis

In chapter seven, Lydia becomes betrothed to a man named Samuel Sung in Tianjin. Samuel has an engineering degree and is the son of a doctor. Lydia talks to Adeline about her upcoming marriage in glowing terms, in her private writings, she reveals that she is worried and doesn't want the marriage. Jeanne tells Lydia that Joseph has too many children to support and that she must marry in order to eliminate that much of his burden. Jeanne also points out that Lydia has a deformed hand and so is not likely to attract a better offer. Lydia realizes with these words that she is "surplus and unwanted." When Lydia leaves, she and Adeline don't reconnect for thirty-one years.

By now, Aunt Baba is working at the bank again. She says she has too much time on her hands...