Two timberland investors from the North travel to a dilapidated Southern plantation owned by Judge Holmsted, where they seek lodging for the week as they scout the area. The Holmsteds are known for their hospitality, so the Judge takes them in immediately. Sporadically, the judge also calls for a person named 'Lijah — who does not exist — to come help carry their bags in. When no one comes, the Judge takes the strangers' bags into his home himself. Inside the house, there is no sign of the wealth that used to support this hospitality. He no longer has tenants to farm his land, but still makes enough to live comfortably. He fell out of favor with the political elite and had to practice law again, where his methods were considered old-fashioned and couched in Southern gentility and honor. These were no match for the new legal acrobatics that younger lawyers now use. The only servant left is an older Black woman named Alabama, called 'Bama for short, who plays along with the Judge's creation of 'Lijah. The Judge then realizes that he can pin any of his failings as a host due to his lack of wealth or resources on this mythical 'Lijah's absence. When the strangers need transportation the next day to a forest a few miles out, he tells them that 'Lijah took the buggy and offers them his horse, and he decides to ride a mule into town to work. At the bank, the Judge discovers that new people have bought the mortgage that he took out on his plantation and expect payments immediately. The bank refuses him another loan, as he already has multiple outstanding. But, back at home, he treats his guests well and tries to be as hospitable as he can. They talk about turning the farm into grazing land for cattle and hogs, and the Judge thinks wistfully about how he would do so if he had the money to buy the animals. One day, the younger of the two strangers mentions that he had spoken with 'Lijah, which shocks the Judge greatly. They ask to speak with him upfront, and ask to buy a portion of his land, based off of that conversation. They offer him more than enough money for him to live there for the rest of his days and rebuild the property to its former glory. Once they leave, the Judge immediately puts out an ad seeking a Black man to play the role of 'Lijah and be paid to laze around the property.