What do people in the town generally think of Miss Strangeworth?

Generally, people in the town are fond of Miss Strangeworth and we can see this from their interactions with her. When she goes to the grocery, for example, she is instantly acknowledged by other customers:

Half a dozen people turned away from the shelves and counters to wave at her or call out good morning.

Similarly, other members of the town value her opinion and experiences. Mrs Crane, for example, asks Miss Strangeworth for an...

Generally, people in the town are fond of Miss Strangeworth and we can see this from their interactions with her. When she goes to the grocery, for example, she is instantly acknowledged by other customers:

Half a dozen people turned away from the shelves and counters to wave at her or call out good morning.

Similarly, other members of the town value her opinion and experiences. Mrs Crane, for example, asks Miss Strangeworth for an opinion on child development:

Don' you think she ought to move around more? Try to sit up, for instance?

Miss Strangeworth is also well-respected by younger members of the community, as shown when she goes to the Post Office. Most of the children, for example, stand back "respectfully" and many of them greet her by saying hello.

Arguably, people like Miss Strangeworth because they have no idea that she is the mastermind behind the poison pen letters. On the surface, she appears to be a kind and friendly old lady but, in reality, she uses her anonymous letters to upset and wreak havoc on the lives of others. This idea demonstrates the notion that appearances can be deceptive and this is one of the story's central themes.