Miss Mink's Soldier and Other Stories

"Miss Mink's Soldier and Other Stories" by Alice Caldwell Hegan Rice is a compilation of tales from the turn of the century that peer into the lives of interesting people. It centers on Miss Mink, a feisty and set-in-her-ways woman who faces shifts in her life and challenges to what she thinks; this is often filled with humor. The stories touch on growing as a person, what society expects, and how war affects everyday life. "Miss Mink's Soldier" kicks off with Miss Libby Mink, a loner who attends church. She is bothered by the preacher's ask that folks bring soldiers over for dinner during war. Even though she loves her country, having a soldier in her home freaks her out. She decides to keep doing her thing, but then a soldier named Alexis Bowinski parks himself next to her. In a moment of panic, she asks him to her place for dinner. What happens next is a funny look at how they get along, showing her worries and the kindness she finds in Bowinski. This shows how her character grows and how she learns about connecting with others when times are tough.