It hurt horribly -- I 've always had a tender head . And that has been Aunt Jane 's way ever since . When I grew too big for the thimble treatment she used her tongue instead -- and that hurt worse . And you know , mother , how she used to talk about my engagement . She is able to spoil the whole atmosphere if she happens to come in a bad humor . I do n't want her . '' `` She must be invited . People would talk so if she was n't . '' `` I do n't see why they should . She 's only my great-aunt by marriage . I would n't mind in the least if people did talk . They 'll talk anyway -- you know that , mother . '' `` Oh , we must have her , '' said Mrs. Spencer , with the indifferent finality that marked all her words and decisions -- a finality against which it was seldom of any avail to struggle . People , who knew , rarely attempted it ; strangers occasionally did , misled by the deceit of appearances . Isabella Spencer was a wisp of a woman , with a pale , pretty face , uncertainly-colored , long-lashed grayish eyes , and great masses of dull , soft , silky brown hair . She had delicate aquiline features and a small , babyish red mouth . She looked as if a breath would sway her . The truth was that a tornado would hardly have caused her to swerve an inch from her chosen path . For a moment Rachel looked rebellious ; then she yielded , as she generally did in all differences of opinion with her mother . It was not worth while to quarrel over the comparatively unimportant matter of Aunt Jane 's invitation .
A quarrel might be inevitable later on ; XXXXX wanted to save all her resources for that .
Jane Rachel Spencer aquiline decisions features great-aunt hair humor tornado