Gilbert returns to visit Efuru after a long, profitable trading trip. They discuss the dangers of the market; a pickpocket almost robbed Gilbert of his earnings, and Efuru has to be on the lookout for counterfeit products. As Gilbert leaves, he asks Efuru to visit him the next day. She refuses, telling him to visit her when he has time. After Gilbert leaves, he decides he is going to propose to Efuru.

The next night Gilbert returns and asks Efuru to marry him. He tells her to think about it and give him her response in four days. She politely refuses to go out at night with him, and he leaves. That night he cannot sleep, so he goes fishing with some men from the town and catches many large fish, which he gifts to Efuru. He comes to her house the next day to eat, and her cooking impresses him. As for Efuru, his fishing ability impresses her since few men in town are good fishermen.

Ajanupu stops by and converses with Gilbert. She asks why he is still unmarried, and he tells her the story of a woman he wanted to marry five years ago; her mother disapproved of the marriage.