...in which Rex is out of town, so Paul begins a conversation with Jan Austin, his patient spouse, whom Paul often mentions in the broadcast, as they talk about Helena, Jan's suspicions about Paul's admiration for vinegar pie, pecan pie, mincemeat, butter the secret to pecan pie and life, Paul's convenience-store chicken livers, Paul's decision to take Jan home to meet the folks, Paul's and Jan's accents, their competing theories about the relative virtues of Delta and hill folk, gun-toting mosquitos, Paul's uncle's farm, the disappearing art of making candy, Paul's aunt's remarkable diary, her staunch union loyalty, Lawrence County the "mother of counties," Paul's declaration of ASU as the Harvard of Arkansas, changes on campus, Imboden and its attractions for kids, church and school the source of social life in the town, the resultant scrutiny of teenage behavior, Paul's admirable seriousness as a student, fun at the races, Oaklawn burgers, corned beef, pizza, and Jan's expert theories about picking race horses.