Shortly after Cotton’s altercation with Miller, Cotton is summoned to court. A high-powered Richmond lawyer named Goode has been hired by the gas company to declare Louisa mentally incompetent. Despite Cotton’s arguments to the contrary, Judge Atkins orders a jury trial for the following week.

Cotton is dismayed at having so little time to prepare. Lou brings him dinner in his office and declares her faith in him. Cotton says he’s done nothing but make a mess of things, but Lou says he’s only tried to help. She makes him swear that he won’t leave them, to which Cotton replies, “I will stay for as long as all of you will have me” (340).  

On the first day of the trial, the courthouse is packed with spectators from 50 miles around. Cotton is shocked to find George Davis is on the jury. Both Lou and Oz must be removed from the court when they loudly voice their objections. The judge hints to Cotton that Davis’s presence is a good thing. If Cotton loses the case, Davis is the perfect excuse to file an appeal.

Goode calls the head of a Roanoke asylum as a witness, who offers the opinion that Louisa is mentally deranged.