A man buys a ring of generally good quality for engagement and puts it into a safety deposit box.  Apparently, they use to use string for engagement with little symbolic ornaments made out of ivory attached to it and tied to the finger.

He meets a woman who is essentially a good friend.  They have matrimonial relations and have all intents of staying together.  They are seen around town for years and a lot of people say they are a handsome couple.  Did God say that men should give wives rings? They have special  domestic contracts and treaties of daily kindnesses. He tries to give her the ring but she says he did not "get her" and refuses it vehemently while she asks him for white socks and undershirts before going to bed. They lived happily ever after. The ring was donated for scientific research as it was a symbol of undefinable human behaviour.  The neighbour's son decided to donate a ring on the basis that, while bought in advance of the formation of their relationship, his wife  and good friend decided to say he really didn't buy it for her which was very true; indeed!  After that discussion on that special day following 14 years of union and cohabitation, she concluded by asking if he wanted one potato or two with his salmon. He asked if she wanted the diet coke or the carbonated mineral water.  They lived happily ever after.