For a moment Miss Cynthia softened . She had been very fond of her stepbrother ; it seemed that his voice appealed to her across the grave in behalf of his child . But the crust of years was not to be so easily broken . `` Your father meant that I would look after you , '' she said , `` and I mean to , but I ca n't afford to keep you here . You 'll have a good place at Mr. Robins ' , if you behave yourself . I 'm going to take you down now , before I unharness the pony , so go and wash your face while I put up your things . Do n't look so woebegone , for pity 's sake ! I 'm not taking you to prison . '' Wilbur turned and went silently to the kitchen . Miss Cynthia thought she heard a sob . She went with a firm step into the little bedroom off the hall and took a purse out of a drawer . `` I s ` pose I ought , '' she said doubtfully . `` I do n't s ` pose he has a cent . I daresay he 'll lose or waste it . '' She counted out seventy-five cents carefully . When she came out , Wilbur was at the door . She put the money awkwardly into his hand . `` There , see that you do n't spend it on any foolishness . '' * * * * * Miss Cynthia 's Action made a good deal of talk in Wilmot . The women , headed by Mrs. John Joe -- who said behind Cynthia 's back what she did not dare say to her face -- condemned her .
The men laughed and said XXXXX Cynthia was a shrewd one ; there was no getting round her .
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