Chapter 4—Aunts

Alldinner-timeRosefeltthatshewasgoingtobetalkedabout,andafterwardshewassureofit,forAuntPlentywhisperedtoherastheywentintotheparlour, “RunupandsitawhilewithSisterPeace,mydear.Shelikestohaveyoureadwhilesherests,andwearegoingtobebusy.” Roseobeyed,andthequietroomsaboveweresolikeachurchthatshesooncomposedherruffledfeelings,andwasunconsciouslyalittleministerofhappinesstothesweetoldlady,whoforyearshadsattherepatientlywaitingtobesetfreefrompain. Roseknewthesadromanceofherlife,anditgaveacertaintendercharmtothisgreat-auntofhers,whomshealreadyloved.WhenPeacewastwenty,shewasabouttobemarriedallwasdone,theweddingdresslayready,theflowerswerewaitingtobeputon,thehappyhourathand,whenwordcamethattheloverwasdead.TheythoughtthatgentlePeacewoulddie,toobutsheboreitbravely,putawayherbridalgear,tookupherlifeafresh,andlivedonabeautiful,meekwoman,withhairaswhiteassnowandcheeksthatneverbloomedagain.Sheworenoblack,butsoft,palecolours,asifalwaysreadyforthemarriagethathadnevercome. Forthirtyyearsshehadlivedon,fadingslowly,butcheerful,busy,andfullofinterestinallthatwentoninthefamilyespeciallythejoysandsorrowsoftheyounggirlsgrowingupabouther,andtothemshewasadviser,confidante,andfriendinalltheirtendertrialsanddelights.Atrulybeautifuloldmaiden,withhersilveryhair,tranquilface,andanatmosphereofreposeaboutherthatsoothedwhoevercametoher! AuntPlentywasutterlydissimilar,beingastout,briskoldlady,withasharpeye,alivelytongue,andafacelikeawinter-apple.Alwaystrotting,chatting,andbustling,shewasaregularMartha,cumberedwiththecaresofthisworldandquitehappyinthem. RosewasrightandwhileshesoftlyreadpsalmstoAuntPeace,theotherladiesweretalkingaboutherlittleselfinthefrankestmanner. “Well,Alec,howdoyoulikeyourward?”beganAuntJane,astheyallsettleddown,andUncleMacdepositedhimselfinacornertofinishhisdoze. “IshouldlikeherbetterifIcouldhavebegunatthebeginning,andsogotafairstart.PoorGeorgeledsuchasolitarylifethatthechildhassufferedinmanyways,andsincehediedshehasbeengoingonworsethanever,judgingfromthestateIfindherin.” “Mydearboy,wedidwhatwethoughtbestwhilewaitingforyoutowindupyouraffairsandgethome.IalwaystoldGeorgehewaswrongtobringherupashedidbuthenevertookmyadvice,andnowherewearewiththispoordearchilduponourhands.I,forone,freelyconfessthatIdon'tknowwhattodowithheranym