Chapters 2 and 3 Summary

In Chapter 2, when Queenie's husband Grover comes home at the end of the day, he tells her a poverty stricken family has camped on their property. Queenie reacts nervously, having had bad experiences with what she calls "tramps" and "gypsies." Grover convinces her to at least meet the family, and she reluctantly agrees. When she and Grover arrive, the family present themselves respectfully, with conversation revealing that they're on their way to California from Mississippi but have suffered a mechanical problem with their truck. After further conversation (and after meeting the Massie's baby, with narration commenting on how Queenie is unable to have children even though she longs for them), Queenie becomes comfortable enough to suggest that the family move into the long-empty shed that used to be the home to the farm's hired man. The Massies accept and prepare to...