Summary

Chapter 22 opens from Parthenia Wilson’s perspective. While her husband was visiting Manford, Parthenia brought cakes and bibles to the prisoners paving the Straight. In each one, she underlined a verse about repenting, in hopes that Freddie would see it. Freddie winked at her when he saw her, and she noticed his missing eye.

Parthenia recalled the day that Sheriff informed her Freddie had been arrested nearby. She told Sheriff to give Freddie a new name, and to deliver him to the chain gang in Cotton County, so she could ensure he paid a small price for his crime while keeping an eye on him.

Sara provoked Elma into revealing her plans to marry Oliver and leave the farm. In turn, Elma exposed Sara and Jim's plot to spy on Juke and take over the farm and still. The couple fled town, and...