Out of the Dust Chapter 88 Summary

Help from Uncle Sam

  • Mrs. Love, a woman from the Federal Emergency Relief Agency comes to Billie Jo's house to offer government assistance to keep the farm functional. Her father is concerned about taking a handout he's not able to pay back, but Mrs. Love assures him that he'll only have to pay the government back if the farm is productive.
  • Billie Jo's father puts the paperwork from FERA on the shelf next to Ma's book of poetry and Aunt Ellis's invitation, which he's still hanging onto for some reason. Billie Jo doesn't seem thrilled with this—while we can't say for sure, it's possible that her father is considering Aunt Ellis's offer.