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 that Cynthia was a shrewd one ; there was no getting round her . Miss Cynthia herself was far from easy . She could not forget Wilbur 's wistful eyes , and she had heard that Robins was a hard master . A week after the boy had gone she saw him one day at the store . He was lifting heavy bags from a cart . The work was beyond his strength , and he was flushed and panting . Miss Cynthia 's conscience gave her a hard stab . She bought a roll of peppermints and took them over to him . He thanked her timidly and drove quickly away . `` Robins has n't any business putting such work on a child , '' she said to herself indignantly . `` I 'll speak to him about it . '' And she did -- and got an answer that made her ears tingle . Mr. Robins bluntly told her he guessed he knew what was what about his hands . He were n't no nigger driver . If she was n't satisfied , she might take the boy away as soon as she liked . Miss Cynthia did not get much comfort out of life that summer . Almost everywhere she went she was sure to meet Wilbur , engaged in some hard task . She could not help seeing how miserably pale and thin he had become . The worry had its effect on her .
The neighbours said XXXXX Cynthy was sharper than ever .
If about after as at beyond from of that to