Final answer:
The rumors about Ursula Pugh were likely suspect and influenced by pre-existing suspicion, as suggested by the passage stating that the situation strongly corroborated such suspicion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the provided passage, it can be understood that the rumors about Ursula Pugh were likely suspect or brought about by someone predisposed to suspicion. This inference is drawn from the phrase “these things, I say, were strongly corroborative of suspicion,” which suggests that the circumstances surrounding Ursula Pugh might have been interpreted in a manner that confirmed pre-existing doubts or beliefs, rather than being objectively assessed for their truthfulness. The passage indicates that the observer had already decided to be suspicious, which may have colored their interpretation of events and led to the spread of unjustified rumors about Ursula Pugh.