In His Steps

Virginia decides to visit Rachel but is waylaid by three of her old friends who talk Virginia into bringing them down to the Rectangle out of curiosity. Virginia decides that even if their curiosity is ill-founded, perhaps it could do some good if they go under the condition that they completely obey anything that Virginia tells them. While there, Virginia runs into Loreen, the woman whom she met at the revival meeting the last time they were there. Today she is being tossed out of a nearby saloon, drunkenly singing an old gospel song, which catches the attention of Virginia and her companions.

Virginia leaps out of the car to go to her assistance while her three friends shrink back in disgust. Filled with disgust of her own, Virginia orders the three to drive home without her and she begins to help Loreen to her feet. Repelled by the act of kindness, Loreen lashes out: “‘You shall not touch me,’ she exclaimed hoarsely. ‘Leave me. Let me go to hell. That’s where I belong. The devil is waiting for me. See him!’ She turned and pointed with a shaking finger at the saloon-keeper” (119). Virginia is insistent and begins to take her to the home of the evangelists but ends up bringing her all the way to Raymond and putting her up in her very own home.