Outside help inspires the Englishes

The Englishes note that denominational and racial barriers have been broken in their community by church-related and other relief efforts. Despite their concern that the flooding had damaged the community's spirit, there were plenty of helping hands available, although many came from outside. These outsiders may have helped community spirit in the long run: Charles says he might not have gone out of his way to help strangers in the past, but now he will.