The marriage is still in its first year when Logan reassesses his bride. Work on his profitable farm is hard, and he needs help in the fields. His first wife, he points out to Janie, worked hard—plowed and chopped wood—and he expects the same from Janie. Logan remarks that Janie has been spoiled both by her grandmother and him.
One day, Logan gives Janie the task of cutting seed potatoes while he drives the mule over to Lake City to inquire about buying a second mule, a gentle animal that Janie can use to plow. Janie settles down in a pleasant spot in the yard to do her potato work. She can see the road from where she is sitting, and soon Joe Starks comes down the road and greets her. She gives him some refreshing well water, and they talk. In introducing himself, he says that he hails from Georgia. She tells him enough about herself for him to know that she does not belong on a backwoods potato farm. He teases her about being so young and scorns the idea of her being behind a plow. Joe goes on his way, and Janie returns to her chore, dreaming of love and a less strenuous life.
Joe and Janie meet every day after that, and one night, Janie has a talk with Logan and suggests that she might run off and leave him. Although he is deeply hurt, he laughs at the idea and tells her that if she did, she would soon be back. Early the next day, Logan asserts his power over Janie by demanding that she leave her work in the kitchen to help him move a manure pile. Janie refuses, and they argue. The fact that Janie has not been raised to do farm work or hire out as a domestic irritates him. He accuses her of degrading him—honest and hard-working man that he is. Logan, the tough, old farmer, is almost reduced to tears, but Janie is adamant. Furthermore, Janie now has a means of escape because she and Joe have plans to meet.
Janie returns to the kitchen to finish some breakfast preparations, then leaves the farm. Joe is waiting for her, and they ride off in a hired rig, headed toward Green Cove Springs, where they will be married.
