The Saints of Swallow Hill

Del notices that while Ray Cobb seems to be a good—albeit slow—chipper, there is something strange about him, especially with his truck and new boots. After work, Del goes to the store, where he sees Cobb fighting with Otis Riddle and pointing a gun at him. Cobb calls out Otis for his abuse toward Cornelia, and though he uses his role as her husband and the Bible as excuses, Cobb tells him he must also love his wife. Otis is upset because Cornelia got materials for a dress without his permission, but Cornelia explains that her current dress is falling apart and she needs a new one. Cobb uses $3 to buy the dress materials, and Otis sends Cornelia away to make his dinner. Del, Cobb, and Cornelia leave the store. Cornelia tells him she will pay him back but is unwilling to pay him back through sex. Cobb says he has no desire for her to do so and that she does not need to pay him back.

On the way back to their shacks, Del questions whether Cobb is from South Carolina because his call name is Tar Heel, a term from North Carolina. As they approach the shacks, Del plans to eat biscuits, but Cobb offers him beans, cornmeal, and chicory coffee.