In this excerpt, the narrator feels apprehensive as he observes a woman approaching the piano, suspecting she plans to sing traditional folk songs. This activity is something she enjoys during her downtime, especially when she is emotionally unsettled. Her inclination to engage in this pastime suggests a need for comfort, particularly in a moment of turmoil.

However, the narrator's dread comes true when she performs two songs in quick succession. The prospect of this becoming a regular occurrence in their marriage fills him with unease, indicating a stark contrast between his expectations of marital life and the reality he faces, which includes enduring what he perceives as an annoying habit.