About : Hershel and his wife, Dipesto, are stricken by both poverty and grief. Having gambled away what little money the country couple had, Hershel is compelled by a desperate hunger to accept the left-field assignment of helping chaperone a "...See moreHershel and his wife, Dipesto, are stricken by both poverty and grief. Having gambled away what little money the country couple had, Hershel is compelled by a desperate hunger to accept the left-field assignment of helping chaperone a "weary traveler" with a bum leg back home to Talkington. This stranger promises Hershel gold in return for his troubles. See less Read more: Plot summary