We 'd lend her a hand then , would n't we , Polly ? '' and Van 's mild face was pleasant to behold as he made the kindly proposition . `` Well , we 'd think of it , '' said Polly , trying not to relent , but feeling that she was going very fast . `` Let 's do it ! '' cried Toady , fired with the thought of privy conspiracy and rebellion . `` Mother would be so comfortable with Polly , and I 'd help Van in the store , when I 've learned that confounded multiplication table , '' he added with a groan ; `` and if Aunt Kipp comes a visiting , we 'll just say ` Not at home , ' and let her trot off again . '' `` It sounds very nice , but aunt will be dreadfully offended and I do n't wish to be ungrateful , '' said Mrs. Snow , brightening visibly . `` There 's no ingratitude about it , '' cried Van . `` She might have done everything to make you love , and respect , and admire her , and been a happy , useful , motherly , old soul ; but she did n't choose to , and now she must take the consequences . No one cares for her , because she cares for nobody ; her money 's the plague of her life , and not a single heart will ache when she dies . '' `` Poor Aunt Kipp ! '' said Polly , softly . Mrs. Snow echoed the words , and for a moment all thought pitifully of the woman whose life had given so little happiness , whose age had won so little reverence , and whose death would cause so little regret . Even Toady had a kind thought for her , as he broke the silence , saying soberly , -- `` You 'd better put tails on my jackets , mother ; then the next time we get run away with , Aunt Kipp will have something to hold on by . '' It was impossible to help laughing at the recollection of the old lady clutching at the boy till he had hardly a button left , and at the paternal air with which he now proposed a much-desired change of costume , as if intent on Aunt Kipp 's future accommodation . Under cover of the laugh , the old lady stole back to bed , wide awake , and with subjects enough to meditate upon now . The shaking up had certainly done her good , for somehow the few virtues she possessed came to the surface , and the mental shower-bath just received had produced a salutary change . Polly would n't have doubted her aunt 's possession of a heart , if she could have known the pain and loneliness that made it ache , as the old woman crept away ; and Toady would n't have laughed if he had seen the tears on the face , between the big frills , as Aunt Kipp laid it on the pillow , muttering , drearily , -- `` I might have been a happy , useful woman , but I did n't choose to , and now it 's too late . '' It was too late to be all she might have been , for the work of seventy selfish years could n't be undone in a minute . But with regret , rose the sincere wish to earn a little love before the end came , and the old perversity gave a relish to the reformation , for even while she resolved to do the just and generous thing , she said to herself , -- `` They say I 've got no heart ; I 'll show 'em that I have : they do n't want my money ; I 'll make 'em take it : they turn their backs on me ; I 'll just render myself so useful and agreeable that they ca n't do without me . ''
III Aunt XXXXX sat bolt upright in the parlor , hemming a small handkerchief , adorned with a red ship , surrounded by a border of green monkeys .
Kipp Mother Polly Snow Toady Van left perversity shower-bath years