It is 1936. Claude graduates from high school and gets a job at the sawmill. He is popular and has many girlfriends. Maggie and Hubert help support him. The economy is in a slump, but their family is financially stable due to the funeral home and Hubert’s job at the turpentine mill. Maggie finds work when she can, though many employers prefer to hire white employees. A friend refers her to Mrs. Dowler, her former employer. Mrs. Dowler hires Maggie immediately.

Despite the Great Depression, Mrs. Dowler appears prosperous. She is a tidy woman in her eighties and lives alone in a grand house. She welcomes Maggie, seats her in the living room, and tells her stories. She is quite active and only needs Maggie to do her washing and ironing and get rid of pests in the garden. Mrs. Dowler talks at length but Maggie is as agreeable as can be, complimenting Mrs. Dowler on how well she looks for her age. Mrs. Dowler serves Maggie tea cakes and red wine and tells her to use the front entrance when she comes to work.