As soon as Mrs. John Joe saw that the door was shut , she unburdened her mind to her daughter . `` Did you ever hear tell of the like ? I thought I knew Cynthia Henderson well , if anybody in Wilmot did , but this beats me . Just think , Kitty -- there she is , no one knows how rich , and not a soul in the world belonging to her , and she wo n't even take in her brother 's child . She must be a hard woman . But it 's just meanness , pure and simple ; she grudges him what he 'd eat and wear . The poor mite does n't look as if he 'd need much . Cynthia did n't used to be like that , but it 's growing on her every day . She 's got hard as rocks . '' That afternoon Miss Cynthia harnessed her fat grey pony into the phaeton herself -- she kept neither man nor maid , but lived in her big , immaculate house in solitary state -- and drove away down the dusty , buttercup-bordered road , leaving Wilbur sitting on the verandah . She returned in an hour 's time and drove into the yard , shutting the gate behind her with a vigorous snap . Wilbur was not in sight and , fearful lest he should be in mischief , she hurriedly tied the pony to the railing and went in search of him . She found him sitting by the well , his chin in his hands ; he was pale and his eyes were red . Miss Cynthia hardened her heart and took him into the house . `` I 've been down to see Mr. Robins this afternoon , Wilbur , '' she said , pretending to brush some invisible dust from the bottom of her nice black cashmere skirt for an excuse to avoid looking at him , `` and he 's agreed to take you on trial . It 's a real good chance -- better than you could expect . He says he 'll board and clothe you and let you go to school in the winter . '' The boy seemed to shrink . `` Daddy said that I would stay with you , '' he said wistfully . `` He said you were so good and kind and would love me for his sake . ''
For a moment Miss XXXXX softened .
Cynthia Henderson Joe Kitty Robins Wilbur Wilmot day hour phaeton