Who is Maggie Eaton from The River Why and what is their importance?

Gus has a deep fear of Maggie Eaton, another humorous character in the novel. When he drags Abe the Fisherman to Eaton's dock, he knows that he is sick, but dreads Maggie's care. Maggie specializes in veterinary care, but believes humans can benefit from the rough and inexact science as well as animals.