Waitresses must be paid well in that town

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Although it's never stated explicitly, we can assume it was the house Betsy lived in with her husband. Perhaps they owned the house outright or perhaps he had mortgage insurance or good life insurance. She may not be working because she has to. Remember the line where she says "thank God for my job"? And needing to be connected to people? She could be working as a waitress because it keeps her with people (and she's not qualified to do anything else).

Haha - I noticed that, too.