In this short novel, Porter turns to the rural environment in which she grew up. The struggling farmers of depression era Texas may have more distance from their neighbors, but they are as concerned with social acceptance as are the passengers aboard the Vera.

The Thompsons of this story are acutely aware of their standing in their community.

The desire to succeed in dairy farming, a task to which he and his wife are ill suited, is actually an articulation of Mr. Thompson's need to be respected in his community. Satisfaction of this need is complicated by his antipathy to so-called "woman's work." Since his sickly wife cannot take over these tasks, Mr. Thompson feels defeated by his farm. The Swedish hired hand, Mr. Helton, appears as the answer to a prayer. He makes the Thompsons successful, and they simply do not care to ask too...