Phoebe Dawes had threatened to resign if Bos'n came to school any longer.

No, she had threatened to resign if she didn't come to school.

She hadn't threatened to resign at all, but wanted higher wages because of the effect the scandal might have on her reputation as a teacher.

These were a few of the reports, contradicted and added to from day to day.
To quote Josiah Dimick again: "Sortin' out the truth from the lies is like tryin' to find a quart of sardines in a schooner load of herrin'.
And they dump in more herrin' every half hour." Angeline Phinney was having the time of her life.

The perfect boarding house hummed like a fly trap.