内容简介：
Army-inductee Dan Taylor establishes correspondence with childhood neighbor-girl Mattie. A grisly worm crawling from a dying manas nostril coupled with other severe trauma contributes to mental hospitalization and release. The worm begins a lifelong nightmarish taunting of his dreams with each crisis. Upon army discharge, Mattie is away, but returns back in time to learn he has met and fallen madly for Eillene. Dan and Eillene are wed following a very brief whirlwind courtship, though ill prepared for marriage. Despite deep religious negative views of infidelity, he finds Mattie in his arms. Mattie, with a mental block because of not fighting for him in the beginning, willingly accepts the other-woman role, beginning a long series of rendezvous. He imagines more of the accusing worm as he tries to rationalize the relationship with Mattie. Complicating the scene, Eillene and Mattie establish a close bond.