`` I 've learned a wholesome lesson , too , '' admitted Millicent . The Blue North Room `` This , '' said Sara , laying Aunt Josephina 's letter down on the kitchen table with such energy that in anybody but Sara it must have been said she threw it down , `` this is positively the last straw ! I have endured all the rest . I have given up my chance of a musical education , when Aunt Nan offered it , that I might stay home and help Willard pay the mortgage off -- if it does n't pay us off first -- and I have , which was much harder , accepted the fact that we ca n't possibly afford to send Ray to the Valley Academy , even if I wore the same hat and coat for four winters . I did not grumble when Uncle Joel came here to live because he wanted to be ` near his dear nephew 's children . ' I felt it my Christian duty to look pleasant when we had to give Cousin Caroline a home to save her from the poorhouse . But my endurance and philosophy , and worst of all , my furniture , has reached a limit . I can not have Aunt Josephina come here to spend the winter , because I have no room to put her in . '' `` Hello , Sally , what 's the matter ? '' asked Ray , coming in with a book . It would have been hard to catch Ray without a book ; he generally took one even to bed with him . Ray had a headful of brains , and Sara thought it was a burning shame that there seemed to be no chance for his going to college . `` You look all rumpled up in your conscience , beloved sis , '' the boy went on , chaffingly . `` My conscience is all right , '' said Sara severely . `` It 's worse than that . If you please , here 's a letter from Aunt Josephina ! She writes that she is very lonesome . Her son has gone to South America , and wo n't be back until spring , and she wants to come and spend the winter with us . '' `` Well , why not ? '' asked Ray serenely .
Nothing ever bothered XXXXX .
America Joel Josephina Millicent Ray Sally Sara Willard headful winters