`` There was something I could have said , Mrs. Dr. dear , if I had heard her , '' said Susan grimly . `` I would have said , for one thing , that in my opinion clean bare legs were quite as decent as holes . And I would have said , for another , that the Presbyterians did not feel greatly in need of pity seeing that they had a minister who could PREACH and the Methodists had NOT . I could have squelched Mrs. Deacon Hazard , Mrs. Dr dear , and that you may tie to . '' `` I wish Mr. Meredith did n't preach quite so well and looked after his family a little better , '' retorted Miss Cornelia . `` He could at least glance over his children before they went to church and see that they were quite properly clothed . I 'm tired making excuses for him , believe ME . '' Meanwhile , Faith 's soul was being harrowed up in Rainbow Valley . Mary Vance was there and , as usual , in a lecturing mood . She gave Faith to understand that she had disgraced herself and her father beyond redemption and that she , Mary Vance , was done with her . `` Everybody '' was talking , and `` everybody '' said the same thing . `` I simply feel that I ca n't associate with you any longer , '' she concluded . `` WE are going to associate with her then , '' cried Nan Blythe . Nan secretly thought Faith HAD done a awful thing , but she was n't going to let Mary Vance run matters in this high-handed fashion . `` And if YOU are not you need n't come any more to Rainbow Valley , MISS Vance . '' Nan and Di both put their arms around Faith and glared defiance at Mary . The latter suddenly crumpled up , sat down on a stump and began to cry . `` It ai n't that I do n't want to , '' she wailed . `` But if I keep in with Faith people 'll be saying I put her up to doing things . Some are saying it now , true 's you live .
I ca n't afford XXXXX have such things said of me , now that I 'm in a respectable place and trying to be a lady .
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