That old codfish seemed to come in so blamed handy . But I was awful sorry -- I cried last night after I went to bed about it , honest I did . You ask Una if I did n't . I would n't tell her what for 'cause I was ashamed of it , and then she cried , too , because she was afraid someone had hurt my feelings . Laws , I ai n't got any feelings to hurt worth speaking of . What worries me is why Mrs. Wiley hai n't been hunting for me . It ai n't like her . '' Miss Cornelia herself thought it rather peculiar , but she merely admonished Mary sharply not to take any further liberties with the minister 's codfish , and went to report progress at Ingleside . `` If the child 's story is true the matter ought to be looked into , '' she said . `` I know something about that Wiley woman , believe ME . Marshall used to be well acquainted with her when he lived over-harbour . I heard him say something last summer about her and a home child she had -- likely this very Mary-creature . He said some one told him she was working the child to death and not half feeding and clothing it . You know , Anne dearie , it has always been my habit neither to make nor meddle with those over-harbour folks . But I shall send Marshall over to-morrow to find out the rights of this if he can . And THEN I 'll speak to the minister . Mind you , Anne dearie , the Merediths found this girl literally starving in James Taylor 's old hay barn . She had been there all night , cold and hungry and alone . And us sleeping warm in our beds after good suppers . '' `` The poor little thing , '' said Anne , picturing one of her own dear babies , cold and hungry and alone in such circumstances .
`` If she has been ill-used , Miss Cornelia , she must n't be taken back XXXXX such a place .
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