This is a good discussion board question since you will get varying opinions. I do not believe that Hulga deserved to be taken advantage of and violated by having her leg stolen by the bible salesman, no. Hulga clearly had her own issues that she needed to address, including being gullible. However, she did not deserve to be lied to and manipulated for cruel purposes. Hulga was too trusting of the bible salesman and should have realized that it was not a good idea to be with him that day. However, we all have done things without thinking them through first, so hindsight is 20/20, as the saying goes. The reader has the feeling by the end of the story that Hulga has learned a very valuable lesson about trust, vulnerability, and intentions.