A character named Yute leads a person called Livira out of Allocation Hall, using a parasol for protection from the sun.
Yute and Livira discuss her past; Livira explains her parents were killed by "the Dust", and she was taken from her village by "sabbers", people who do not usually treat children differently.
On their way to a library, Livira observes the multitude of people, fascinated by the variety.
Mention of a library confuses Livira, prompting Yute to explain it's a place where books (a means of trapping knowledge) are kept.
After a long, uphill journey, they reach Yute's home, where they meet housekeeper Salamonda. She reacts warmly to Yute, but coldly to Livira.
Salamonda takes Livira to the top floor of the house, prompting Livira to choose several garments to replace her own worn-out clothes. Yute and an unusually large cat named Wentworth remain below.
After choosing her clothes and observing the view from the top floor, Livira joins Salamonda for a meal before taking a bath.
Moving forward, Yute reveals that though Salamonda lives in the house, it actually belongs to him. Livira finds it strange that Yute seems out of place in his own home.