She worked me to death and would n't give me half enough to eat , and she used to larrup me ` most every day . Look a-here . '' Mary rolled up her ragged sleeves , and held up her scrawny arms and thin hands , chapped almost to rawness . They were black with bruises . The manse children shivered . Faith flushed crimson with indignation . Una 's blue eyes filled with tears . `` She licked me Wednesday night with a stick , '' said Mary , indifferently . `` It was 'cause I let the cow kick over a pail of milk . How 'd I know the darn old cow was going to kick ? '' A not unpleasant thrill ran over her listeners . They would never dream of using such dubious words , but it was rather titivating to hear someone else use them -- and a girl , at that . Certainly this Mary Vance was an interesting creature . `` I do n't blame you for running away , '' said Faith . `` Oh , I did n't run away 'cause she licked me . A licking was all in the day 's work with me . I was darn well used to it . Nope , I 'd meant to run away for a week 'cause I 'd found out that Mrs. Wiley was going to rent her farm and go to Lowbridge to live and give me to a cousin of hers up Charlottetown way . I was n't going to stand for THAT . She was a worse sort than Mrs. Wiley even .
Mrs. Wiley lent me to her XXXXX a month last summer and I 'd rather live with the devil himself . ''
Charlottetown Wiley at for in of over than to with