In the quote from Richard Russo's "Nobody's Fool," Miss Beryl expresses growing frustration with the cruel actions of adults towards children. Her disdain has escalated, moving from a desire to merely punish them by inflicting physical harm, like cutting off their feet, to contemplating extreme measures such as executing those who treat kids poorly.

This drastic shift in her perspective reflects a deepening discontent with society and its treatment of vulnerable individuals. Her comment about potentially voting Republican highlights her frustration, suggesting that she feels a need for strong action against perceived injustices, demonstrating a complex emotional response to the failures of humanity.