The already puzzled town was further mystified, and it is probable that Miss Caroline fell a little in public esteem.

Her course was not thought to be edifying.

She could have sent Clem to the county poor farm, where he would have been seen to, after a fashion good enough for one of his color, by the proper authorities.
My own bewilderment was at first hardly less than the town's.

Had Miss Caroline suddenly changed her manner toward Clem, showing regret, however belated, for her previous abuse of him, I should have understood.

That would have been a simple case of awakened sensibility.
But she continued to disparage him to his face and to me.