Aunt Cynthia was one of those rather exasperating people who nag at and find fault with you until you think you are justified in hating them , and who then turn round and do something so really nice and kind for you that you feel as if you were compelled to love them dutifully instead . So we listened meekly when she discoursed on Fatima -- the cat 's name was Fatima -- and , if it was wicked of us to wish for the latter 's decease , we were well punished for it later on . One day , in November , Aunt Cynthia came sailing out to Spencervale . She really came in a phaeton , drawn by a fat gray pony , but somehow Aunt Cynthia always gave you the impression of a full rigged ship coming gallantly on before a favorable wind . That was a Jonah day for us all through . Everything had gone wrong . Ismay had spilled grease on her velvet coat , and the fit of the new blouse I was making was hopelessly askew , and the kitchen stove smoked and the bread was sour . Moreover , Huldah Jane Keyson , our tried and trusty old family nurse and cook and general `` boss , '' had what she called the `` realagy '' in her shoulder ; and , though Huldah Jane is as good an old creature as ever lived , when she has the `` realagy '' other people who are in the house want to get out of it and , if they ca n't , feel about as comfortable as St. Lawrence on his gridiron . And on top of this came Aunt Cynthia 's call and request . `` Dear me , '' said Aunt Cynthia , sniffing , `` do n't I smell smoke ? You girls must manage your range very badly . Mine never smokes . But it is no more than one might expect when two girls try to keep house without a man about the place . '' `` We get along very well without a man about the place , '' I said loftily . Max had n't been in for four whole days and , though nobody wanted to see him particularly , I could n't help wondering why . `` Men are nuisances . '' `` I dare say you would like to pretend you think so , '' said Aunt Cynthia , aggravatingly . `` But no woman ever does really think so , you know . I imagine that pretty Anne Shirley , who is visiting Ella Kimball , does n't . I saw her and Dr. Irving out walking this afternoon , looking very well satisfied with themselves .
If you dilly-dally much longer , Sue , you will let XXXXX slip through your fingers yet . ''
Cynthia Fatima Jane Kimball Max Shirley afternoon day decease phaeton