The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

On the way to her next drop, Cussy Mary thinks about her own baby with distaste. As she goes into the woods, a snapping twig gives her a hint that someone is waiting. It is Vester Frazier, her husband’s cousin. A pastor, Frazier is interested in people with unique attributes, which he believes are signs of the devil that must be chased out. However, he harms people when he tries to exorcize them. Pa has tried to protect Cussy Mary from him in the past and chased him off their land when she was born. Later, he talked to the sheriff about Frazier.

Cussy Mary is scared that Frazier has been waiting for her, and Junia is getting ready to fight. Dismounting, Cussy Mary tries to lead Junia past Frazier, but Junia bites Frazier, hurting Junia’s mouth in return. The preacher asks if Cussy Mary is spreading the word of Satan, and she responds that she’s just working for the WPA, for the government. He claims he wants to save her, but he reminds her of her husband. She tries to get him off Junia, but he kicks the mule in the muzzle, and she startles, running away.