What happens when Matt's mule escapes? What is Janie's reaction?

(TEWWG)

What happens when Matt's mule escapes?

Matt Bonner’s mule runs away, and some of the townsmen find it outside the store. They irritate the mule for fun, and Janie mutters her disapproval of their cruelty.

What is Janie's reaction?

Janie feels bad for the mule; she wants to help it but doesn't want to get in trouble with Joe for speaking out.

Explanation:

Janie feels bad for the mule; she wants to help it but doesn't want to get in trouble with Joe for speaking out. Joe hears her muttering words of sorrow under her breath and decides to do a noble thing. He pays five dollars for the ownership of the mule so that he can protect it from any further damage.

When Matt's mule escapes, some of the townsmen find it outside the store and they irritate the mule for fun. In a natural defensive reaction, the mule fights back, but the more the animal resists, the more the men tease him.

In reaction to this act, Janie complained quietly about the treatment towards the mule, disapproving of their cruelty.