The visitor is a university student looking to cast Taeko in an amatuer dramatics production, after having seen / read about her performance in the school play. Taeko, as well as her mother and two sisters, are all very excited about the prospect (believing that this may be god's way of compensating for her sub-par math skills, and that it may even lead to a career as an actress), but when the idea is broached to her father he flatly refuses to allow Taeko to take part in any kind of showbiz or acting event. Because this is the 1960's (and also because their family is rather traditional) Dad's word is law. Of course, he's only doing it in an attempt to protect his youngest daughter from what many older Japanese considered (at the time) to be an unstable, immoral, and unworthy profession, but to Taeko it seems more like he's cut her off from her one chance to pursue a career in something she actually enjoys. The situation isn't made any easier for her when the young man in question returns and, after being told by her mother that Taeko is unable to perform in their play (all while Taeko herself is sitting in the living room, listening in dismay), begs her to reconsider (numerous times).
In the end another girl from Taeko's class is chosen for the role, which understandably vexes Taeko as she knows she was the man's first choise. When she complains to her mother, Taeko is told that she can never reveal how the young student asked her first, as it would hurt the other girl terribly to know that she was only second choise.
After this we go back to the present, and adult Taeko tells Toshio how when she attended University she got the chance to join the dramatics society, and get the acting bug out of her system.
And I think that's pretty much where you're at. It's great to know that even though you missed out on this one annecdote, you were still able to enjoy this breathtaking film. I think I can say without any doubt that this movie is a true original, and that no other animated film in history is quite like it (the only thing that comes close is Ghibli's own TV movie, "Ocean Waves" / "I can hear the Ocean", which takes a slighly more melancholic tone).
If I've missed anything out be sure to let me know.
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