In the tradition of Eudora Welty, "Beck and Barn" is an old-timey love story marked by ironic exaggerated devotion. After Barney dies, Becky goes to visit her sister; when she returns, she finds that her no-account "baby" brother has burned her house and with it her only picture of Barn. Now, Beck has something to live for--revenge. But denied that, she will have to settle for a simple I'm sorry.