the Crater’s property if he agrees to work. In the discussion, Mrs. Crater tells Mr. Shiftlet, “I told you you could hang around and work for food . . . if you don’t mind sleeping in that car yonder” (O’Connor 1084). In this agreement, both characters seem to be getting something they want. Mr. Shiftlet appears to be a vagabond, needing shelter and food. Mrs. Crater, judging by the dilapidated home and car, needs help maintaining her property.

The second agreement, coming later in the story, is that Mr. Shiftlet will agree to marry Lucynell if Mrs. Crater paints the car and gives him money for a weekend trip. This agreement is much more improper than the first because, essentially, Mrs. Crater bribes Mr. Shiftlet, with a new paint job and seventeen dollars and fifty cents, so he will marry her disabled daughter. However, the plan does not succeed. Mr. Shiftlet drives away with Lucynell, eventually leaving her alone at a diner. Mother and daughter are now separated with little hope of ever reuniting.