The sick man was startled and sat up:
"How do you know that?"
"Her family has commissioned me to come and arrange your marriage."
Immediate happiness revived the young man.
He rose and came down with the wise visitor to his astonished brother.
"I am cured," he announced, "And all goes very well."
Meanwhile the old woman was saying: "The family of Chou has sent me especially to talk to you about a marriage."
All was soon settled, the first gifts were exchanged, and the comforted hearts of the two young people were filled with joy. But they had to wait Lord Chou's return before proceeding with the ceremony.
Chou did not come back until eight months later. It is needless to say that, when he did so, all his relations and friends came to drink cups of wine with him to "wash down the dust of the journey." At last his wife told him what had happened, affirming that all was decided. But the eyes of the master of the house became round and white, and he bellowed:
"O filthy imbecile, who gave you the right to betroth our daughter to a wine merchant? Is there no son of decent family who would marry her? Do you wish to make us a laughing-stock?"