The old woman is a guilty of putting Buddy in danger because she is mentally ill, does not expose Buddy to the outside world, and puts Buddy is dangerous situations. This could be a major threat to Buddy and his life growing up because the old woman does not teach Buddy proper manners as a child.
             One way that shows the old woman is mentally ill, is that she gives Buddy two tablespoons of whiskey. "A child of seven! Whiskey on his breath! Are you out of your mind? Feeding a child of seven must be loony!" Since Buddy is far from the drinking age, he has witnessed a big mistake in the old woman's behavior, giving a child alcohol. By killing a rattlesnake with a hoe is another way of proving this woman is a very bad influence on Buddy. "Killed with a hoe the biggest rattlesnake ever seen in this country (sixteen rattles)." The old woman is a mentalcase for taking on a snake with only a hoe infront of Buddy. The old woman is not able to control her emotions. This could cause major harm in Buddy's life because when people are upset you never know what they might do. "Don't cry, don't cry." Buddy sits next to the old woman in the bed and tickles her feet, telling her that everything will be okay. By giving Buddy whiskey, killing a snake with only a hoe, and not being able to control her emotions is a danger in Buddy's childhood because when he grows up he will not have proper ways to live his life by the mistakes the old woman has made.
             The old woman is guilty of putting Buddy in danger by not exposing him to the outside world. The old woman is not social at all. "...My friend is shy with everyone except strangers that these strangers, are merest acquaintances, seem to be our true friends?" Obviously, the old woman does not leave the house very often and has no real friends. Having poor people skills is dangerous to Buddy. This is a danger because later in life Buddy will not know any proper skills in meeting new people and will...