`` I wish I could explain things better -- father could , I know , if you 'd talk to him , Mary . '' `` Catch me ! I do n't know what to make of your father , that 's the long and short of it . He goes by me and never sees me in broad daylight . I ai n't proud -- but I ai n't a door-mat , neither ! '' `` Oh , Mary , it 's just father 's way . Most of the time he never sees us , either . He is thinking deeply , that is all . And I AM going to pray that God will keep you in Four Winds -- because I like you , Mary . '' `` All right . Only do n't let me hear of any more people dying on account of it , '' said Mary . `` I 'd like to stay in Four Winds fine . I like it and I like the harbour and the light house -- and you and the Blythes . You 're the only friends I ever had and I 'd hate to leave you . '' CHAPTER IX . UNA INTERVENES Miss Cornelia had an interview with Mr. Meredith which proved something of a shock to that abstracted gentleman . She pointed out to him , none too respectfully , his dereliction of duty in allowing a waif like Mary Vance to come into his family and associate with his children without knowing or learning anything about her . `` I do n't say there is much harm done , of course , '' she concluded . `` This Mary-creature is n't what you might call bad , when all is said and done . I 've been questioning your children and the Blythes , and from what I can make out there 's nothing much to be said against the child except that she 's slangy and does n't use very refined language .
But think what might have happened XXXXX she 'd been like some of those home children we know of .
Meredith against by daylight from if in of to with