Queer Summary

Elmer Cowley is the son of Ebenezer Cowley, and they run Cowley and Son's store. Through the dirty window of the store, Elmer can see into the offices of the Winesburg Eagle, as he sits putting shoelaces in his shoes. George Willard comes out of the newspaper office and stands by the door. Elmer thinks that George must be listening to what's going on in the store. Elmer's father, Ebenezer, is talking to a traveling salesman. Elmer is sure that George thinks he and his father are queer - strange and odd.

The store sells what Will Henderson once described as "everything and nothing." A chunk of coal is in the window to indicate that they sell coal, next to honey that has been there for six months. Also for sale are coat hangers, patent suspender buttons, cans of paint, bottles of rheumatism...