Summary

Chapter 26 is titled “The Orphan House Was Never Meant for This.” The children are in shock and keep hoping they will find Cass inside the walls. The cobbler's wife arrives to console Matron. She returns later with soup, and later with shoes and clothes. She then stays. She worries about the general state of the house. She urges Matron to call her Esme. She apologizes that the town has allowed the Orphan House to fall on hard times. She continues to come back. Anthea makes a list of things to do. Though finding Cass is the first thing, she realizes she cannot accomplish it first. Matron feels the Mayor will resolve the situation, but the cobbler says the Mayor's plan is to give a speech in a couple of days. The constable s willing to take information, but Anthea is annoyed that everyone...