Her tearful appeal softened the hearts of many. Of course, they still hated Phoenix Golding with a passion, but they felt nothing but sympathy for Jacqueline Spann. The child had a bitter fate—a spineless father and a mother who played favorites. She was the one who cooked, did the laundry, and gathered firewood, and she'd still get a scolding if she didn't do a good job. Many villagers had seen Jacqueline Spann secretly wiping away tears; she was a pitiful sight.
No matter how awful Phoenix Golding was, the moment she got into trouble, Jacqueline Spann still stepped up to protect her without a second thought. Such filial devotion was incredibly moving.
